Explaining/Retaining What I've Learned

I had the good fortune of changing my topic for our class Art Analysis.  The Kush people were a strong, intelligent and prosperous people who had the misfortune like many ancient societies who after being conquered had most of its contributions destroyed or stolen and re-invented.  King  Senkamanisken has many different statures of him but few are intact.  Just for tweets and giggles I uploaded both as well as a timeline of the Kush people.  From what I was able to gather in my research it seems he was very adapt at anticipating his enemies and ensuring he would come out the victor.

Last week I was questioning what if any of this information I was actually retaining when my Mother and I were having a conversation in reference to what significant topic I have learned, an hour later I explained a historical timeline, a brief history of Juluis Ceasar, Mark Antony and some other significant Roman Emperors.  I'm so enjoying this course and wish it could last a few weeks longer there's so much to learn, looks like I'll be doing some independent learning once it's over.

Statue of King Senkamanisken
VA Museum of Fine Arts (June 2016)


Statue of King Senkamanisken

Granite gneiss, Gebel Barkal, 640–620 bc (Napatan Period, reign of Senkamanisken).
Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition: 23.731
Photography © 2011 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

When its Not in The Textbook

For years I have always wondered why the numbers in historical paintings and drawing occurred, I think I have a better understanding now, when you see a painting, drawing or other artwork or even writings with any number before the letters BC it indicates that happened before Christ and anything with the letters AD happened after the birth of Christ. so when you imagine a timeline anything that happened before Christ was born you would see BC for example King Nebuchadnezzar ruled in 605 BC, and John Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 AD.  Just recently my mother and I were talking and she asked me to describe what I've learned so far and I was able to describe a historical timeline and about the three things I found interesting from last week's class.
King Nebuchadnezzar

King Nebuchadnezzar many times I have heard that name, it is the name of a ship in the movie The Matrix but I was not aware that he was a prominent figure in the Bible, but he also Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylonia from approximately 605 BC until approximately 562 BC. He is considered the greatest king of the Babylonian Empire and is credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned by name around 90 times in the Bible, in both the historical and prophetic literature of the Hebrew Scriptures. Nebuchadnezzar receives the most attention in the book of Daniel, appearing as the main character, beside Daniel, in chapters 1–4.  In biblical history, Nebuchadnezzar is most famous for the conquering of Judah and the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem in 586 BC. Judah had become a tribute state to Babylon in 605 BC but rebelled in 597 BC during the reign of Jehoiachin and then again in 588 BC during the reign of Zedekiah.  Secular history records Nebuchadnezzar as a brutal, powerful, and ambitious king, and the Bible, for the most part, agrees. However, the book of Daniel gives additional insight into his character.  Nebuchadnezzar recorded in the book of Daniel have led some to consider the possibility that Nebuchadnezzar became a believer in the one true God. History records Nebuchadnezzar being a follower of the Babylonian gods Nabu and Marduk. Is it possible that Nebuchadnezzar renounced these false gods and instead only worshiped the one true God? Yes, it is possible. If nothing else, Nebuchadnezzar became ahenotheist, believing in many gods but worshiping only one God as supreme.(www,encyclopedia.com)

Pericles

Pericles (495–429 BC, whose name means "surrounded by glory") was a prominent statesman, famous orator, and general (in Greek 'Strategos’) of Athens during the Golden Age of Athens. So profound was his influence that the period in which he led Athens has been called the 'Age of Pericles’.  This statesman’s influence on Athenian society was so great that Thucydides, his contemporary admirer and historian, called him "the first citizen of Athens". Pericles led the Delian League forward to form the Athenian empire and guided his countrymen during the first two years of the Peloponnesian Wars.  This statesman’s influence on Athenian society was so great that Thucydides, his contemporary admirer and historian, called him "the first citizen of Athens". Pericles led the Delian League forward to form the Athenian empire and guided his countrymen during the first two years of the Peloponnesian Wars.
Pericles promoted the arts, literature, and philosophy and gave free reign to some of the most inspired writers and thinkers of his time. During the Age of Pericles, Athens blossomed as a center of education, art, culture, and democracy. Artists and sculptors, playwrights and poets, architects and philosophers all found Athens an exciting and enlivening atmosphere for their work. Athens under Pericles saw the building of the Acropolis and the glory of the Parthenon.  Pericles family's nobility, prestige, and wealth allowed him to pursue his inclination toward education, and he is recognized as the first politician to attribute great importance to philosophy as a practical discipline which could help guide and direct one’s thought and actions rather than a mere speculative past-time or the trade of the Sophists.

Pericles’ early years were quiet and the introverted young man took to avoiding public appearances and speeches, instead preferring to devote his time to his studies. Later in life, this initial shyness would lend credence to the claims of his detractors that his consort Aspasia taught him how to speak and wrote his speeches for him (it was a grave insult to a man of Athens, especially a statesman, to claim a woman was responsible for his successful career).

At the beginning of 431 BCE Athens entered into the long, drawn-out Peloponnesian Wars with Sparta. Thucydides recorded Pericles’ famous Funeral Oration given at the service for the Athenian dead in which he said, in part, “Grief is felt not so much for the want of what we have never known as for the loss of that to which we have been long accustomed.” It was shortly after this speech that Athens itself would lose what it was accustomed to as the tide of the war turned against it. In 429 BCE the plague struck the city and Pericles was among the victims.

Bereft of his leadership, the Athenians made mistake after mistake in their military decisions leading eventually to their defeat by the Spartans in 404 BCE, the destruction of their city’s walls, and their occupation and rule by Sparta. In his histories, Thucydides makes abundantly clear what a disaster Pericles’ death was for Athens in that those who came after him desired to be popular rather than effective, and in so doing doomed the city to ruin. With the death of Pericles, his 'age’ ended and Athens fell into an intellectual, cultural, and spiritual darkness which the Athenians would struggle with over the next 30 years. It culminated in the execution of Socrates in the year 399 BCE. (by Joshua J. Mark published on 02 September 2009 www.ancienthistoryencyclopedia.com).

Plato
Writer of The Allegory of the Cave, after considering the video we watched in class and doing a little more research of my own, I think Plato's point was many will only believe what they see or hear even when someone comes along and explains what they've seen they will refuse to believe it if it doesn't fit with what they believe.  To put it plainly, it's all about perspective.(philosophyzer.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/the-allegory-of-the-cave-by-plato)

A Whole New World

A Whole New World

I have not attended a museum since I was a very young girl so the opportunity to go this past weekend was quite enjoyable I was so excited I felt like a little kid again.  As we walked around the exhibits I was in awe from the Greeks to the Kush King, to Caligula I wished I had more time to just be among all the beauty.  I tried to take pictures of as many exhibits as possible by the time we got to the Kehinde Wiley productions my camera battery was almost gone so I will have to return before it leaves.  Exhibit after exhibit I felt like I had been transported to a new world even though I know this world existed long before my world did.  I just hope that my paper will do justice to the Greek people who lived, loved and made their lives comfortable.

                      

Alone or Lonely

Alone or Lonely

I was recently asked how can you stand to being in that house all alone, “I’m never alone” I like myself was my reply.  I guess to those on the outside living alone would seem difficult but to for me I learned a very long time ago how to enjoy my own company and the peace that comes with it.  I have heated debates and philosophical conversations that allow me to think through all the different outcomes of my choices.  As a planner I typically will have lists my Plan A but I always allow for negative outcomes with a Plan B.  I had no plan prior to 2009, my daughter had married and moved to Italy with her son and husband, my mother had moved in with me for a “short term” which lasted 8 years.  So when I met with Melissa Thomas and started to discuss my educational interests I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up.  A few hours later and some entrance exams and I was registered in the Paralegal Studies program.  Fast forward to now my mother has retired and moved to Florida and I have my house back, I only have to shop for one so food costs are low, I get to choose which programs to watch on TV If I don’t want to wash the dishes or clean the house I don’t have to, I’m active in my Church so I have purpose I am blessed with friends both on social media and reality so I am rich.  So does this sound like I’m alone or lonely?  Some would say I sound lonely but I would argue that those who can’t be comfortable in their own space or even “in their own skin” without a lot of people around have never felt how lonely you can feel in a room full of people.  My Grandmother once told me there is a difference between alone and lonely and she assured me once I understood that I would never be either again.  She was right.  I enjoy being able to spend time with family and friends laughing and remembering our past.  But I also enjoy being at home watching TV, reading, and writing I’m presently working on multiple short stories and enjoy inventing people and events that don’t exist it’s like playing make believe.  I recently took up the art of meditation it’s not as easy as it seems turning off your mind and listening to either soft music or just silence but the one thing I don’t feel is lonely.  I do have one other thing that keeps me from being alone my loyal companion and furry baby Rico, we have our talks and walks and enjoy each other’s company.  So my advice to others would be find something that you enjoy spend time with those you love and later spend some time with yourself alone.

The Whitewashing of Cleopatra

HUMA 315 – Week 4  

I try to remind myself that our textbook is only regurgitating the information that has been told and retold in hopes that that will make some believe it, some of the information is quite accurate but some makes you want to dig even deeper for the truth. 

My group this week was tasked with deciding if we agreed on whether Hollywood has "whitewashed" all the history out of who Cleopatra was and how she lived.  We learned that she in  fact was Macedonia Greek on her mothers side we learned nothing of her father.  Some in our group had no idea that she was the Queen of Egypt in fact she was a master strategist in ensuring the safety and security of Egypt and her relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony were just to ensure her children would be safe.   

Each week I am surprised at how little some of my classmates know of vital historical events about ancient cultures, civil rights actions or even how some are determining how many jails and prisons to build based on the number of male children(black) are in public schools.  I guess having n an inquisitive mind has been a good thing because whenever I came across  subject that I was interested in wasn't covered in school I went to the library or asked every adult I knew until I got the answer I was looking for the majority of today's generation just doesn't know and doesn't care to know what happened in Ancient Egypt or anywhere else other than what's happening in their world.

Etymology of the name

The name Cleopatra is derived from the Greek name Κλεοπάτρα (Kleopatra) which meant "she who comes from glorious father" or "glory of the father" in the feminine form, derived from κλέος (kleos) "glory" combined with πατήρ (pater) "father" (the masculine form would be written either as Kleopatros (Κλεόπατρος), or Patroklos (Πάτροκλος))

Those Who Don't Know Their History...

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Recently a redux of the infamous Mini-Series Roots was broadcast on multiply channels.  The book and the movie were based on the research and writing by novelist Alex Haley.  Rap Artist Snoop Dogg however took to the airwaves and social media to call for a boycott of this and all other films where persons of color are only portrayed as slaves, maids or positions of servitude.I am the first to agree that the "whitewashing" that goes on in Hollywood is like a stain on a white shirt however until more high profile celebrities take the plunge and use their money and resources to produce, star and direct movies then we are like Oliver Twist begging for more and getting nothing.  I watched the new version and a few of the interviews of those who were a part of the production and the one thing that stuck out to me as an explanation of why they were involved, because this generation would not be able to relate to the original and this generation or "millennials" have absolutely no concept of what the slave trade was, what the Middle Passage is and how as a people we were stripped of everything, our name, religion, culture, identity and status until there was nothing left.  We all at some point in our lives have heard the wonderful stories of Harriet Tubman who conducted the Underground Railroad to free slaves, or maybe Nat Turner who attempted an uprising to free slaves and all the stories of the Civil Rights Movement.  But what does a 19 or 20 year old know about Dredd Scott or Christian Barnard – who conducted the first heart transplant but died of a car crash because they would not admit him in a white hospital.  Nothing, these things are not taught in most Public Schools and  very few young people are interested if its in a book – many blacks lost their lives because they dared to learn to read and write and now many blacks don't even care if they can read or write.  There is a phrase "those who don't know their history are destined to repeat it:"  I always find it interesting how almost all other cultures gladly and proudly pass down their history the good and the bad making sure that the next generation does not take for granted all they have achieved.  Should there be more movies with black and brown people yes of course will boycotting one movie make that happen no, but it might get the right people talking.   

Just recently I was having a conversation with my mother about what her life was like as a child, I was surprised to learn that she didn't start school until she moved to Richmond at age 7 she was the oldest child in the second grade or that she would have to walk almost a mile to get water at least three times a day.  But the story that surprised me the most...how she would have to pay her fare to ride the city bus then get off and get back on using the backdoor so she would not have to pass by white passengers all I could think of was how by the time I was old enough to ride the city bus alone I could sit where ever I wanted and yet I still went to the back. 

Every generation owes a debt to be better than the generation before it unfortunately that message has gotten lost so inevitably they will be destined to repeat it, we no longer appreciate NON VIOLENT protests, they live a life of selfish entitlement and care more about the hat on their head than the knowledge in it. 

So yes those who do not know their history are destined to repeat it and that is not Hollywood's fault.