Assirem Hosni Public Feed
Advanced Essay #3- Honorable or Evil?
Introduction: This examines many of the examples we as American Citizens need to take it into perspective from the Iraq war before making any claims to the acts that the U.S Marines have performed in Iraq. I want people to understand that what was done to the innocent lives of the people in Iraq wasn't primarily because they were the terrorist or threatening, but because of the power got to the head of the soldiers and the government. I also want people to learn to understand the story of both sides of a war, before claiming their own judgment.
You salute to the American flag, train your life away, wear the uniform proudly and travel thousands of miles to do exactly the opposite of what you think you were going to do. You believe the purpose was to fight off terrorism and bring justice back to America, but instead, you end up finding your self killing off innocent people that are only trying to protect their land and families. You find yourself stripping victims front their human rights and you grasp the idea that these humans don’t deserve not one bit of what's being done to them, because at the end of the day they are humans just like yourself. The war in Iraq failed to accomplish the purpose of the war and instead it dehumanized Iraqis. The essential question that we citizens interrogate ourselves with when it comes to the U.S soldiers is can we honor people for their sacrifice and also recognize the evil they did? Even the soldiers themselves don’t know how to grapple with this question. American soldiers have Self regret because the war has turned them evil. In addition, we have to recognize and analyze the evil that has been done, which was the torture of innocent Iraqi civilians. The final blame being the government’s misuse of power.
Iraq veterans are reminded every day for their heroic acts and shown gratitude for their bravery, however not many accept those compliments. These Veterans believe that they do not deserve to be honored for the terrible acts they were forced to perform in Iraq. These soldiers were put in situations where they had to perform actions that they knew were wrong. They were forced to come back to America to live their regulars lifestyle once again, but this time with a guilt twist in their stomachs and an aching heart for the thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians that were murdered for simply protecting themselves. The war, in fact, turned them evil. Philip Zimbardo during his ted talk presents many different experiments that all tie together to represent this larger idea that good people can turn evil with some simple alterations in their lifestyles. He mentions that, “evil is the exercise of power.”(TED, 2008) He justifies his point by giving an example from the Iraq War. He presents a series of pictures from a prison in Iraq that holds Iraqi prisoners and are run by American guards. These guards began to abuse their power, by dehumanizing the prisoners. so that they can weaken them mentally. This tactic was used to retrieve as much information from them as possible. In fact, these Iraq veterans felt so awful for what was done that they made a union that accumulated over 12 thousand participants. They have performed non-violence protests and have done anything they can do to stop the continuation of the Iraq war.
Iraqi civilians are being labeled the terrorist in our perspective, but in their perspective, the US, in fact, is the terrorists. The US military is invading innocent homes, lighting fire at any sudden reason they believe is threatening. They’re tearing homes apart, and separating each other from their loved ones leaving them stranded or dead. Many of the Iraq veterans that speak today about their traumatizing stories tell the awful destruction that has been done to the Iraqi homes. One veteran, that goes by Grant Collin, tells a story about a call he had to make during the war and how it caused him to break out crying in the scene during the attack he ordered. He ordered missiles to set off this apartment building that contained many Iraqi families. Once he saw the damage that has been done to the families, he couldn’t perform any more tasks. He instead laid up against a wall and cried; the Iraqi woman, who lost her family to the attack, accompanied him. She placed her hand on his face and said “inshallah”, this means “in God's will”, he stated. The veteran continues by stating that “no, it wasn’t God's will, it was my f***ing order! I gave the order to fire those rockets into that building and I killed her family. I thought I had to do that to keep myself and my Marines alive.”(Youtube, Pure Gold, 2010) During this speech the veteran used very short sentences that emphasized the sorrow he felt for what he and his Marines have done to the families. His repetition and stutter before claiming that it was his fault also gave away his anguish for his actions. This story was one of the many stories from the veterans that emphasized that the U.S. didn’t see them as other human beings that deserved to live as his marines did but more of a threat, and he came to realize that all along he was wrong: there was no threat.
The U.S. government has misused its authority and power over the military. The U.S, the government continued to send and risk the lives of thousands of U.S. military soldiers to perform these dehumanizing tasks. The war stretched over 7 years after the reason for the war had been accomplished. On December 4th, 2003, Saddam Hussein, the once and powerful leader of Iraq, had been captured and arrested by the American Soldiers. President Bush announces to the public, "In the history of Iraq, a dark and painful era is over.”(NYT, 2003) However, it wasn't until many years later that the war was finally shut down by Barack Obama in 2010. This shows that even after they have accomplished their mission, the government used their power and risked the thousands of the lives not only speaking on the American troops but the thousands of Iraqi civilians only due to one reason: they felt threatened.
In conclusion, the dehumanizing acts from the U.S. military soldiers towards the Iraqis were uncalled for and should have not been the purpose of the war. These dehumanizing acts have left Iraq veterans with self regret and empathic for the thousands of lives that were terminated for no good reason. The excessive power turning the American Soldiers evil. The touring acts of the innocent victims that were performed from the U.S. military demonstrate the dehumanizing acts that were being done to the legitimate civilians of Iraq. last but not least, the government’s misuse of power over the military and their reasonings. As for the American Citizens, now looking at the different perspectives of how the American Soldiers took upon the war it is possible to recognize them for their sacrifice and the evil they have done.
Citations
Gold, Pure. "Iraq War Veteran Tells The Truth." YouTube. February 16, 2010. Accessed May 06, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOqPBC3ZMn8.
Sachs, Susan. "Arrest by U.S. Soldiers - President Still Cautious." The New York Times. December 15, 2003. Accessed May 06, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/15/international/middleeast/arrest-by-us-soldiers-president-still-cautious.html.
TED. "The Psychology of Evil | Philip Zimbardo." YouTube. September 23, 2008. Accessed May 06, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=161&v=OsFEV35tWsg.
Islamic Culture vs. My Beliefs for My Identity
Introduction: The purpose of my essay is to fully portray how the Islamic culture has taken over a portion of my choices and the decisions that I make that has created the identity that I hold today. Overall, how I struggle with my Identity because I'm always trying to find a balance between my family’s culture and my own beliefs. My culture is very significant to me which means I don't want to reject it and I don't want it to reject me. But also I want to balance it with my own beliefs and make my own personal decisions. I'm proud of speaking about this side of my identity that is personally difficult to really explain to others and really speak about. A way I want to improve my essay for next time is minimizing words, so I am not repeatedly explaining and talking about something.
It was noon on a sizzling summer day. I sat at the table with my family munching on sardines and the rest of the grand meal my grandmother liked to call a simple lunch. My father decided to take us on a beach trip that afternoon. And as soon as those plans have been established all I could think about was how cute I was going to look in the new bright pink bikini that I had searched for all over to find back in America. I went through over 10 stores at the mall searching through every bikini rack for this one bikini.
When lunch was over, I threw the dishes in the sink and sprinted to my room, hurtling over all my little cousins running around in the hallway with their little swimming shorts. Finally, as I enter my room I was approached by my aunt standing at door entrance as if she was anticipating me. I could feel the dark, still, stare she was lasering at me. She watched me walk to my suitcase like a hawk watching over its prey. I gently walked over my suitcase, carefully unzipping it. I looked back smiling trying to break the awkward silence. I quickly grabbed my bikini with the tip of my fingers and shoved it into my side trying to hide it from her sight. I ran out the door to the bathroom as I continued to get followed by her deep strong gaze.
“Wheew!” I sigh to myself in relief.
What if she doesn’t let me wear it? Why does she always have a problem with everything that I do and wear? I can’t stand this country sometimes. Hopefully, my mom is around so she can defend me, just in case.
I walk out in my bikini from the restroom to my mother’s room. And there she goes again.
“Where do you think you’re going with that on? I told you, your father doesn't like you wearing that stuff here. This isn't America little girl, you can’t do everything you want here, “ she snaps at me gazing at me with disgust.
“But, but my mom really likes this bikini and my dad never really had a problem with me in this.”
“Take that off right now, right now!” She barked at me.
“You're going to dishonor your grandfather and father. You're going to dishonor your family’s name,” she continued as she raised her voice.
Malala speaks to this social construction of dishonor and its connection to female independence in her book I am Malala. She also connects the relationship women have with their male family members to being part of the religion of Islam. She writes, “In Pakistan when women say they want independence, people think this means we don’t want to obey our fathers, brothers or husbands. But it does not mean that. It means we want to make decisions for ourselves...Nowhere is it written in the Quran that a woman should be dependent on a man” (Malala, 219). The idea that women are obligated to make decisions due to the favor of their fathers or brothers in the household, this creates a negative impact on women's reputation and sense of identity. This refers to women being savage and going against the rules that their fathers and brothers have set to the household. This definition of a savage independent woman is emphasized by Malala as being blamed to the Islam religion, but as she says in the Quran nowhere does it say that we, women, have to follow and look up to our fathers or brothers. In fact, it encourages us to be independent.
Back at the house, I slowly start to remove my bikini straps slipping it off my shoulders. I feel my chin chattering, as a tear rolls down my face.
I don’t want to reject the Islam religion because it’s created so much of who I am. Even though I want a balance between my family’s culture and my beliefs, I struggle with making sure that my beliefs don't overlap with my Islam driven culture in which takes partial credit for creating the identity that I hold today.
In Pbs, Akbar Muhammad is interviewed about his perspective on some misconceptions on the Islam religion. He speaks on what being a Muslim really means. He speaks about the themes and beliefs that have to do with being Islam. At the end of his interview he explains that to be considered a Muslim you have to follow the laws of the Islam religion. He states specifically, “In other words, there is such a thing as socio-cultural Muslim, a public Muslim. Then there is another kind of Muslim, I would say, who is technically a Muslim, who is legally a Muslim, I'd like to say. And [who] therefore follows the law.” He empathizes that a socio-cultural Muslim is a public Muslim who is allowed to project themselves to the world as a Muslim. In order for this Muslim to be considered a socio-cultural Muslim, they have to follow the laws of the religion. In relation to me, I remove my bathing suit instead of standing for my beliefs in that scenario because I don’t want to still be considered a Muslim and still practice the religion because being a Muslim has shaped who I am today and the culture that is embedded in me.
Gender vs. Individuality
Introduction: The purpose of this text was to portray a struggle that effects me and many other girls from around the world that has experienced isolation due to son favoritism in the culture. This is a universal issue that effects many of daughters today. Daughters are left abandoned, killed, discriminated because they are viewed as shameful and useless to the family, however I personally were lucky to not receive such as harm treatment coming from my culture. I used this negative discrimination that i did receive growing up as motivation and encouragement to be the independent and a strong courageous women that i am today.
A Couple years ago on my birthday in Algeria, the house filled with joyous laughter, loud cheery cultural music, kids footsteps thumping through the hallways, and wine glasses clinking together leaving a tender crystal vibrating echo across the room. With a matter of seconds, the music came to a halt, the laughter ceased to complete silence, footsteps slowed down, and the precedent echoes from the wine glasses became a little more clear and less tender. A repetitive throb with an awful scream gusted in from the doors and windows and froze everyone still.
“Aghiles? Where is Aghiles? My mom jumped out of her seat interrogating everyone for my brother..
I knew where he was. I knew he didn't listen when my grandmother warned him about the broken gate on the front porch. Ever since he got his green lantern bicycle with flashy training wheels, he has not gotten off of it. He rides the little green monster like a NASCAR driver back and forth. And by the pitch of his screech of pain, I guess this time it took a bad turn.
We all ran outside to help, Aghiles is at the bottom of the huge grey staircase. I got drowned and disposed of in the back of the crowd. The little king. My brother's wines drew the people closer and closer and further and further away from me.
It's my birthday. They’re my guests. If a birthday is supposed to be the day you get the most attention and care then it must've been his birthday every day.
“My son!” My mother cried.
He’s going to be fine, a broken arm hasn’t killed anyone before. Was this that big of a deal? Can we get back to me?
Growing up with two brothers, there was never enough attention to spread to me, there was never enough extra care to come to me. I had to give the attention and care to myself.
Why didn’t my mother scream out,
“My daughter!” When I fell down the stairs. And I was way younger than then he is and the stairs were much larger and longer than those ones. This was not an accident, he was asking for it. On the other hand I fell down the stairs by accident. I remember that incident as clear as day.
It was a bright early morning. It had to be the weekend or I would've been at school already. I knew how to walk fine but I still never really looked or cared about where I went. I just step after step and move forward.
I begun picking up the pace and ran towards the staircase. I looked down leaning forward and holding on to the very high wall that was where the pole used be. Before I knew it I felt a sharp pain on my shoulder as my legs swung upwards depassing my chest. I clenched my eyes and wrinkled my forehead from the pain. I could feel the jets of the smoldering hot sun beaming down and scorching my fair white skin. Thump after thump. I could feel the bruises ingraining into my exposed and helpless body. The pain no longer had value, it became numb. I was rolling down the stairs and finally made my last clash onto the brisk, textured, concrete pavement. I shouted and shouted for help. My heart continued to pick up the pace as if it was about to escape my chest.
I couldn’t understand what the dark figure was standing over me. Through the hazy atmosphere, I recognized the sharp teeth with saliva dripping from the keel tip. I heard a heavy bark followed by a slimy and long lick across my face. It was my dog.
No matter how loud my screams were, they were not enough. I patted off the little pebbles and dirt engraved into my arms and legs. I shook off any dirt access on my little pink dress and I pulled myself up and walked inside. I dragged over the chair and reach for the emergency box and grabbed a couple band-aids. After a couple of struggles, I had finally got them on. I took care of myself. I did it alone.
Being from a country where sons have more value than the daughters, many of the incidents as so, happened plenty of times growing up to me and many other siblings as well. Though, I do not see it as a curse like most people do, I view it as a good lesson taught. Similar to many girls in my position, we are forced to grow up quickly and take care of ourselves alone. My gender has made the individual, independent, secure female that I am today.
Respect for Animals
Is it okay to slaughter an animal? For contemporary western societies, animal slaughtering caused by hunting is not a ritualized practice. However, there are still religions today where hunting is one of the most significant rituals of their beliefs. They slaughter animals to provide dinner for their families. Many religions still adopt and maintain these rituals to practice, commemorate, or celebrate many of their beliefs. In the novel, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, slaughtering an animal is a ritual that germinated for the purpose of the stranded boys’ survival. Though both forms of extermination of an animal, which one that is sacrificial and another that is a form of survival, share similarities in terms of purpose, a ritualized slaughter of an animal are more civilized because it is a practice respected by the society that performs it.
Throughout the novel, chaos ensues when a group of young boys crash into a deserted island with no adult supervision. The boys later select a leader and split into groups that are in charge of different parts of the island for their survival. One of the groups is called the “hunter boys” and is responsible for hunting prey for the boys to feast on to stay alive until they are rescued. In this moment,the group of hunter boys has finally secured a pig to kill. Upon capturing a pig, many of the boys chant and sing, “kill the pig. Cut his throat. Spill her.” And right after that they did just as so. Many of the boys reacted to this slaughter in many different ways. Jack, in particular, says, “I cut the pig's throat,” and with pride, he twitches as he says it. Alongside Jack,” The boys chattered and danced. The twins continued to grin” (69). Golding challenges his readers to questions what differentiates a savage and a civilized slaughter of an animal practiced by a society. What might be considered as savagery in this scene is Jack’s desire to kill the pig to prove his ego and bravery. However, the society, which includes the other boys, respects his bravery and his act . Jack’s savagery is perceived as his ability to serve as a productive member of the group. Jack breaks rules of their civilization making this slaughter of the animal a “normal” act.. Their hunger and starvation overpowers their decision-making , their last concern is the mortality of the pig. The boys all respect Jack and one another for killing the pig because they know it is their only way of ending their hunger.
In connection to Jack's civilized slaughter and his understanding and guidance of his group's rules, Judaism’s animal slaughtering practices are also civilized. In Judaism, “shitah” is the most humane way to kill an animal. Just as the religion maintains strict rules for killing animals, the boys in Lord of the Flies also maintain rigid practices. There are seven laws that have been provided to Noah’s son. A verse from the Torah states, “Thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the Lord hath given thee, as I have commanded thee.”The verse states, “I Have commanded thee” also means, “I have commanded you”. This giving a rightful order and permission for the people to be able to kill animals. Then a verse later on in the Torah that is also part of the seven laws,” one does not eat from an animal while it is still alive .” In this law it's giving the ultimate purpose of actually being able to eat the meat because one can eat from an animal however if the animal isn't killed/ dead then it is not civilized to eat the animal. As shown in both societies from Lord of the Flies and the religion, Judaism, there are rules presented for the slaughter of an animal. Though slaughtering an animal is permitted, it becomes savage and is not civilized when the society fails to respect the procedures, in this case, laws, that come with the practice. In these two societies, both parties respected the slaughter’s rules making it civilized.
Later on, towards the end of the book, the boys are taking action of killing another pig for food. Diverging from the previous slaughter, the boys portray savage characteristics during this ritual practice they have germinated for their group. This killing is not as easy as the previous killings. Golding describes the gruesome scene, writing, “the air was full of sweat and noise and blood and terror” Later on, after the slaughter, what really directed Jack “giggle[s] and fleck[s] them while the boys laugh at his reeking palms. Then Jack grabs Maurice and rubs [s]d the stuff over his cheeks” (192). Jack’s behavior of laughing and rubbing the animal blood all over his group member’s face clearly shows the disrespect that is being directed towards this slaughter ritual. In this scene not only is one individual laughing and making jokes towards the dead pig but it states, “ while the boys [are] laughing” meaning that they took part of this disrespectful act as well.
On the other hand, Jews are not allowed to make disrespectful acts towards the animal slaughtering ritual. This ritual slaughter that can usually take place in the most joyful holidays or celebrations, it is still always done with respect and maturity from the society. The general principle of compassion for animals according to the Torah it is represented in the term “tzaar baalei chaim.” This is basically meaning having pity for the pain of living creatures. In the practice of the slaughter of the animal, the people that are involved need to take it seriously and still in a way feel tenderness for the animal. The society of Judaism differs from the scene in Lord of the Flies because this slaughter is still portrayed as civilized while the other is portrayed as a savage slaughter. The actions that are taken up by the Jewish people and the society in the duration and after the slaughter proves the respect that they have for the ritual of the slaughter of the animal. Differently, when Jack and the other hunters giggle and play with the blood, Golding challenges us to question their humanity. Judaism, instead, takes their rituals seriously and show respect for the dead animals they handle. This proving that the society and the individual that did the killing actually respect the ritual of the animal slaughter.
In the novel, Lord of the Flies, and the religion of Judaism there’s a clear portrayal of respect and disrespectful ritualized animal slaughter. In the real world, the killing of animals frequently occurs in slaughterhouses and hunting which gives a different perspective towards animal slaughter, other than a ritualized animal slaughter that was performed at the beginning of the novel and in the Judaism religion. There are many religions other than Judaism today that practice this ritualized animal slaughter. The reason why is because it's a practice respected by the society that performs it. The modern societies should frown upon the traditional killing of animals as an opposed to frowning upon ritualized slaughter.
Works Cited
Golding, William, Lord of the Flies, New York : Penguin, 2006
Crabtree, Vexen. “Animal Sacrifice and Blood Rituals in Traditional World Religions and in Satanism.” Www.humanreligions.info, www.humanreligions.info/animal_slaughter.html#Islam Links to an external site.
“Qorbanot: Sacrifices and Offerings.” Qorbanot: Sacrifices and Offerings / Torah 101 / Mechon Mamre, www.mechon-mamre.org/jewfaq/qorbanot.htm.
“Sacrifice, In The Old Testament, 2 - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.” Bible Study Tools, www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/sacrifice-in-the-old-testament-2.html.
Cultural Change
Math Test
Ughhh, why is the sun so bright? Someone close the shades!
Oh, my god, the tables are turned around facing the front of the classroom, you already know what that means, test day.
This room is so empty and stale, it gives me chills. And what's taking everyone so long to come in. I want to get this test over with!
“Quiet down everyone, Have a pencil and scratch paper be the only things on your desk."(Mocking the teacher) Yes. Yes, we know.
“ I hate math. I hate math.” (Crumble some scratch paper). Okay, got my scratch paper. Oh, a pencil. I need a pencil! (Scurry through my book bag pockets), nope no pencil here.
Well Hey there Jimmy, buddy let me get that pencil. Uhmm, don’t roll your eyes at me! Gimme that jawn.
Ew, why when the teacher walk around they (exaggerate) have to lick their finger between each distribution of the papers, it’s so nasty. (My leg begins to tap followed by the tip of the pencil). Why does he always approach me with a big sour grin. (I snatch the paper in the mid-air). Honestly, I️ never understood why we got tests? And especially for math? Like how do you study for a math test? For a vocab test, I don't know, you can make flash cards and get your friends to test you? For a history test, you can study the dates and events, But study equations? First of all, I Know the teachers know that I know. So, why are they still making me do this over and over?
Hmm, let me look at this. Wait, wait hold on there. You can’t be serious. (Hand in the air) Why is it that everytime I ask a question he drags himself over like he has better things to do. So, like uhm are you sure we learned this? (I️ say peeking up at him with my head tucked between my shoulders.) (Chuckle) Imma takes that as a yes. (Drops pencil.)
Oh yeah, see this kid next to me? His name is Jordan. I’m pretty sure he knows what he’s doing! He hasn’t picked his head up from the paper yet! Watch this. I’m going to sneak up on him and get a good look at the test. Oh no, no! Abort! Abort! He’s looking at me! Imma just look back at my test and act like i’m thinking really hard.
Aye, yeah my pencil dropped. What are you looking at me like that for? Are you trying to copy jordan? Yeah yeah, you better look back on your paper.
That usually works. Oh well, let me just look around the room and hope there's a poster up or something that has the directions on how to do this. (Sigh) Nope, nothing at all.
(tiss)You know what? I’m just not going to do this. Math isn’t my thing. (stutter) I just don’t like math. I liked math in elementary school. You know, when it was all numbers no alphabet. But now it’s just a hot mess. They just said no, numbers aren’t enough so let’s add letters too.
Honestly, i knew i was going to fail this class anyways. The teacher doesn’t like me. I think it’s because I’m the only one that actually has common sense in this class. Everyone is just so vulnerable. They follow all the directions, do all their homework, finish all the class work.
Woah 7 mins left? (I️ pick up the pencil and looked at question one.) Let me actually attempt. It won't hurt i guess. (I️ stood in shock) I know all of this? Oh my god, I know all of this.
I finished with one minute left. This was so easy. Why did I doubt myself ? I’m good at this. I’m good at math.
Emulation handbook (everyday) Assirem Hosni
Straight or Curly?
I’m an Algerian immigrant who was raised in America. Having to live and adapt to both worlds was not as challenging as I expected. I adapted to the difference in food, clothing, and language easily but there remains one variety I can not acclimate: beauty. Specifically my hair.
I cherish my curly long thick hair, although I was obsessed with silky straight hair.
In Algeria, the ideal hairstyle was straight hair, but my hair, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.
I can vividly remember the struggle getting ready for school every morning.
I remember stretching loose the bones in my body. I lazily threw on some clothes as I dragged myself over to the bathroom sink. Carefully and slowly I took my time brushing my teeth, so I could postpone hair time.
My mom would peek her head into the bathroom, and ask, ”you ready?”
I nodded in response.
She reached for my hair. I tightly gripped the edge of the sink and the towel in my hand, I shut my eyes, scrunched my face, and waited for the explosion of pain. She shoved her fingers inside the big ball of hair. The search of the hair tie has begun.
When she would finally get a hold of it, she’d hold my hair close to my scalp with one hand and with the other, pulled the hair band with all of her might.
Tears gliding down my face was the only type of soothing I felt at the time. I loosened the sweaty grip of the towel and sink.
Years have passed with the same struggles, but I feel more comfortable about it. I’ve accepted that yes this is my hair. This is me.
Until one summer day in Algeria. My cousins and I told stories, talked and laughed.
“Oh yeah Assirem, let me see the pictures from the party last night!” Yasmina my cousin says.
Proudly, I scrolled through my camera roll, quickly searching for the best picture before handing her the phone.
I sat patiently waiting to be bombarded with compliments, my chest raised high, big smile across my face.
“You went to the party with your hair like this?”, She disgustingly murmured out.
She quickly hands me the phone back as if it was a dirty diaper.
I chuckled awkwardly, my heart stood stiff as a rock. I can feel the redness arising under my skin. I looked over to the rest of my cousins for some comfort but they all agreed
“What do you mean? I like the way my hair looked.”
“Well I just thought you would straighten it, the fact that it was a party and all.” she rolled her eyes looking at her fingernails.
I got up and walked out.
Many experiences such as these happened in Algeria, this caused me to be more aware of how my hair looks.
Until I came to America. I've been to many parties. I would be shocked seeing girls coming in with hair curly, poofy straight hair! These observations made me appreciate the difference in my beauty, that sets me apart from others.
At school one evening , exhaustion ran from my scalp through my body to the tip of my toes.
3:05, finally time to go home. I unlocked my locker as a fast as possible, hoping to not mess up. My three best friends surrounded me impatiently, ready to go home.
Suddenly, a shiver ran down my back. I jerked my head back quickly.
“Of course,” I thought to myself with relief.
Two girls were wrapping and brushing their fingers through my hair. In the least awkward way, I gently began to loosen my hair out through their finger.
“Assirem, so do you like braid it or put twists in it for it to come out this way.” One of them stated reaching back for my hair.
“No, it’s natural,” I chuckled.
They both took a step back.
The other girl followed up by, “so then what products do you put in it for it to curl like this.”
I looked up to the top of my locker.
“water,” I stated jokingly as I inserted my notebook into my book bag.
Now I think to myself alone in the quietly bathroom. Watching the steam rise from the straightener sitting patiently on the marable. I divide my hair into two sections, it is easier that way.. I run the last strand tightly through the iron from root to the tip. I stand back. One side was big volumized curls, the other was flat straighten hair.
I bend down gently to pull the plug out of the outlet. With a smile of satisfaction and accomplishment, I walk out.
Straight or curly?
I am both.
Aluminium Print/Matte
My element is Aluminum AL, the atomic number is 13. Sir Humphry in 1809 named the element aluminum and then Britain editor in 1812 wrote it as aluminum due to it harmonizing with many other element names like sodium and potassium. The way I got the idea for the imagery I chose was due to the history of the use of aluminum, I found out that the Apollo 11 spacecraft was made out of aluminum. so I thought that was a good idea to design a space ship landing on the moon. The process I went through to make this print was drawing out the image on a normal piece of paper then I copied it on tracing paper and then I copied it backward on the plate foam paper and identified the negative space by denting the foam on the plate paper. Something I would do differently is not shaded in the negative space and should just outline stuff just so it could look neater. The part of the project that I liked the most was the printing process when we were adding the paint on the image. The steps to complete this process is taking the brayer and dipping it in the printing ink and then rolled it evenly in it and then rolled it evenly again against the foam paper.
Final Stamp Design
In this stamp, I believe it symbolizes me greatly. To start off just by looking at the picture you notice the bright yellow color. this surely represents me because of I very vibrant and bright. I stand out in any plain space.the words that were given to me and suggested that it used from a very close friend were the words perfectionist, upbeat and ambitious.
The word upbeat definitely came from the color of the stamp. The word perfectionist made me think of a clear target, and the evenness and clean fit of all the pieces that made up the whole picture. Last but not least is ambitious. This word is represented on this picture with the arrow pointing up. I found some images online and there was this repetition of an arrow. I believe that symbolized reaching for my goals. Any obstacle that's been set I've been told that I show my strongest desire to reach and succeed in it.
My final design was influenced by the classroom paintings and google images. When I saw the words images popped up into my head. For example, for the word perfectionist, I looked at the captain America flag and the target sign and it automatically created connections between the images and the words. For the word ambitious, I googled it and one key component that I realized in all of them was the arrows and stars. I made a slight adjustment and made sure the arrow was centered in the middle of the star in which was in the center of the target. The word upbeat was a last minute arrangement because I didn't know how to incorporate into my drawing and then I thought of colors. Once I searched the symbolism for different colors and I came across yellow in which was the best one that fit the description of upbeat.
The importance of positive and negative space is that it centers the focus of the viewer to positive spaces. The positive spaces in my image are the most important parts that symbolize the words that described me.
One part that I got stuck in was when I was about to cut out the positive and negative space. Then I realized that the arrow which was positive space ran into the strips that made up the target which was also positive space. I then decided to stop the strips before that encountered the strips. I created a negative out layer around the arrow and the star.
Negative Positive Space Owl
A. What is negative space (explain this concept to a fourth grader that has never heard of it)
Negative space is the area that is surrounding the object focused in the drawling. Over all the non object in an image. So whatever space makes up the objects, negative space is the space on the paper that isn't involved with the object.
B. Explain how you found negative space in your cut out?
You can find negative space in my cut out with the area that isn't making up the owl. The green on the left side is presented as the positive space while the brown in the back is the negative and same goes with the right side.
C. Why does it help an artist to see in negative space?
Artist knowledge the space that isn't relevant to the object is actually as just important as the object in the image its self. Although the negative space doesn't play a dominant role in the image, it plays an important role by outlining and defining the positive space of the object the person who is viewing the image.
D. Does seeing in negative space enhance drawings, why or why not?
Yes, art does enhance drawing. It creates almost a balanced illusion for the viewer of the positive and negative space. The negative space issued to bring out the positive so that our eyes focus on what's important to the picture.
Los Angeles Print Making.
Printmaking is made from different surfaces. Surfaces that can be flat or textured. It's a good way of duplicating art and easy transport and exhibit. It's important because its one of the most important type of art that spreads culture and knowledge. Printmaking is made through many different types of categories. Relief printing, intaglio, lithography, serigraphy and much more. My painting has an elephant shape figure. The elephant has a lot of jewelry and tattoos it seems like, these little different features added to the elephant has a religious meaning behind it. The elephant is sitting down in these huge long leaves in which are shown in the background. I like how in the painting has a lot of detail and shades and also the fact that there isn't much open space it makes it really interesting to look at. I appreciate how the objects in the painting are not realistic to show the culture behind the image. Last but not least what I also find interesting about the painting is the depth and contrast with the shade and the placement of the objects on the painting.
E1U5¨No Somos Americano¨
Yo soy Assirem Hosni
Yo soy un inmigrante
mis hermanos son inmigrantes
Mis padres son inmigrantes
somos productos de Argelia
En Argelia,
Veo montañas
Saboreo couscousa
Oigo silencio
Huelo aire fresco
Toco madera
En Filadelfia
Veo rascacielos
Saboreo filtre de queso
Oigo cochas de la policía
Huelo drogas
Toco metal
Yo vuelo con los pájaros
Lloraba mientras me despedía
Entonces mi familia y yo deslizamos por las calles
De esta nueva tierra
Llamada America
A este nuevo lugar
Nuestro hogar
Somos de África
Somos Algerias.
Hablamos berber
La lengua de mi gente
No somos americano pero vivimos en América.
Reflection On Media Fluency
What I learned from the critiques is that I was using too many colors and shapes in my symbolic slate that it would be too much for someone who is viewing the slide. It would be too cluttered and hard to focus on the main point because there is a lot going on, on one slide.
The big change that I made to the second slide is actually taking it from hand drawing to it being digital. I also included fewer shapes, also represented all the shapes and colors clearly.
The research I did for this project I believe was really important, especially because I had to actually find the exact symbolic representation of the shapes and colors scheme. I researched about space and what it portrays to whoever is viewing the slate and I also researched about the centering of the images and what's the meaning behind it.
Media Fluency
Assirem Hosni
My slide is a symbolic representation of me. As you noticed there is a variety of different colors shapes and sizes. Each different color , shape, and placement of certain objects on the image significant and or symbol who I am. There are many things that play into this picture that portray the type of person I am. To start off something that you notice you are looking at because it is centered right in the middle of the profile. This figure is made out of shapes and different colors. The figure is placed on top of a background of many shapes and colors as well. Something that also is very vivid is that the figure has more bright colors that harmonize together for example like yellow, blue,and white and that contrasts from the background with dark negative colors like black and red. The colors in the figure symbol my personality of being full of happiness peace, confidence, healthy and etc. The reason why is contrasting from the background with the negative colors that symbolize depression, sadness, anger, evil, and fear is because I always in a way try to stay positive keeping myself from all the negative things that are germinated from others and society. Now also the shapes that the figure is made out of represents a lot about me as well. The figure that I'd made out of shapes like circles and square . These symbolize power , energy , perfection and completeness and honestly. IN the background that the figure that symbolizes me stands above is full of triangles, in the symbolism world, triangles symbolize tension and conflict. Also another thing that i added into my slide was space. The figure that portrays me in the center of the page has a space between the shapes to give off positive vibes however in the background all the shapes are all over one another to portray negative vibe. So overall the reason to why the locations of the colors and shapes and sizes are placed where they are placed because I wanted to represent the differences I see in myself and the different characteristics in my personality compared to what I try to separate myself from my surroundings .
My Home Network
There’re many devices connected to my internet connection , they are all the 4 phones used in my family , then there’re 2 other pads , and they’re 2 laptops connected . There is an extended wire directly connecting the internet down stairs to my brother’s Xbox and also his gaming computer.
You use wifi and the internet every day all the time , most people know where it’s coming from, although there’re many people that don’t know where it is coming from . So I encourage you to learn about where all that is coming from.
