The Cultural Significance of Zombies

Zombies have portrayed the roles of fear and horror within various films and novels since the 20th century. Their function within the genre of science fiction or fantasy has been to pursue humans who would either be their victims of brutal murder or targets for transforming from human to zombie via infectious disease. Their mass extinction or conversion of the human race to zombies would therefore mark the end of the world, thus instilling fear within audience members for their demise if an apocalypse such as the one portrayed in zombie media were to arise. The fictional zombie after popular entertainment was widely viewed as a monster or source of fear for not only children to be cautious of, but adults as well when facing threats. A popular work that discusses this occurrence and leaves a similar effect upon audience members is the fiction based novel, World War Z written by Max Brooks.

World War Z revolves around the world's apocalypse as zombies and humans battle against another in yet another world war that will attempt to end the human race. Beginning with the spread of disease that just a few humans carry ends with a pandemic that spreads across the whole world. As the pandemic worsens almost all countries in the world attempt to put an end to the disease by putting an end to the actual zombies and leading their people to safe zones where they would be protected from death and destruction. The entire theme of the novel comes together subsequently to emphasize the ideas of survivalism within situations that require the right mindset and preparation for apocalyptic occurrences that could occur in real life. This then raises the question of the government's strive to protect its people under stressful situations or threats that pose an end to the world such as the zombies that are portrayed in mass media. Who are we to trust with the protection and preservation of our lives when every man is for himself in the end?

Top 2 Research Artifacts

The first artifact that I consider choosing for this year's humanities research project is Anne Frank's diary, "The Diary of a Young Girl." The reason I'd like to choose this piece of evidence for my project is mainly because it is incredibly personal. As a young girl many thoughts and emotions come along with daily life to be expressed in the safe keeping of a diary at the end of the day. For Anne Frank, who lived at the difficult times of World War II, a diary was the only thing that could ever keep her sane. While hiding under wraps in complete and utter silence during the day the only outlet she ever had was her diary to express her deepest thoughts and feelings from her revelations and experiences during war. The research questions I'd like to ask now are: How did Anne Frank's documented thoughts, feelings, and factual revelations of war represent many of the experiences the Jews overcame during the Holocaust? Essentially, how did one female teenager represent an entire nation of people along with their demise, survival, growth, and recovery over many years to come? I would answer these questions by initially analyzing Frank's journal entires to compare to scholarly articles. By using a literary analysis approach I believe I can embrace the full scope of Frank's experiences and feelings in her diary.

The second artifact I'd consider using for my humanities project is the diary of Harry Drinkwater from his experiences as a solider in The Great War. Again, using a diary like Drinkwater's serves as a direct source of evidence for the intense emotions, personal hardships, and treacherous events of war that many people experience during war. Using his documented entires help people realize what it was really like to live in a life dominated by war and destruction. Like many people of his time, Drinkwater suffered the tragic effects of war that bring along trauma and depression. For my research question I'd like to ask: How does Drinkwater represent the many soldiers of World War I who experienced trauma from the impact of death and destruction in the battlefield? How did his journal entry help many people during World War I and after learn about the true works of war and its effects on people?

Raymond vs. Brody

Although The Manchurian Candidate and Homeland set their stories in two completely different time periods, they seem to represent the same issues of war through their main characters. The similarities between Raymond and Brody are made quite clear within the first few minutes of the film and TV series as both military men make their way home. Upon arrival, enormous crowds of people supporting their difficult journey from war greet them. Initially represented as brave and courageous leaders in the armed force, many believe that they are highly honorable beings in society. However, as the stories progress in both television programs, the audience realizes that they portray false personas to the public, which aid in the deception of their country’s ideals and create hysteria within American citizens.

In the Manchurian Candidate Raymond is portrayed as a medal honor hero after saving his comrades lives in combat. However, as the story progresses the audience learns that this story is a fabrication constructed by communist authorities to portray Raymond as an honorable member of society, while conditioning him to promote communism. By conditioning him to follow their orders, Raymond becomes subordinate to the communist power and unconsciously kills people under their command. Similarly, Brody from Homeland, is portrayed in a similar angle in which he is portrayed as a war hero after surviving imprisonment and torture from Middle Eastern authorities in Iraq. However, what the story progresses to reveal upon the end of the show is Brody's hidden involvement with the tortures of his comrades after being forced to side with Middle Eastern forces.

Both stories emphasize the terrors of society during the Cold War and War of Terror through main characters, Brody and Raymond by portraying them as traitors to their country. Using the betrayal of their country's ideals, while staged as war veterans served as a powerful tactic to increase communist and terrorist hysteria within America. Furthermore, they contributed to feeding the American's fears of communism and Islam through American characters that portrayed the “evil” and “corrupted” mindsets. Subsequently, nation wide paranoia was created through both media portrayals of The Cold War and The War on Terror, disenabling people to trust those around them.

"Red Scare." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016. <http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/red-scare>.

"War on Terror Mainstream Media and Propaganda." - Global Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016. <http://www.globalissues.org/article/352/mainstream-media-and-propaganda>.

Presidential Campaign Torture

Torture is a highly controversial issue in the world today for its barrier in violating moral conduct with others and doing what's right for the greater good in ultimatums. Its enforcement and influence within foreign policy is primarily determined by the executives in position who are in favor or in opposition of the idea. Therefore, the opinions of U.S. presidential candidates are highly crucial in determining America's future as an honorable nation when considering the effectiveness of torture in interrogation.

A few candidates in America's presidential campaign have expressed their positive opinions on the idea and discussed how effective the practice truly is, although many have disagreed or completely refrained from giving their definite views on the issue. When asked about a form of torture known as waterboarding, Donald Trump stated, "I have no doubt that it does work in terms of information and other things,” thus expressing his acceptance to the practice. Following up to that statement he added, “I would bring back waterboarding, and I would bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding,” to emphasize the severity of the consequences he believes one should receive for terrorism. However, a few other candidates, like former war prisoner, John Mccain opposed the idea entirely.

When asked about waterboarding John Mccain stated that "These forms of torture not only failed their purpose to secure actionable intelligence to prevent further attacks on the United States and our allies, but compromised our values, stained our national honor and did little practical good." In compromise to Mccain's perspective, I believe that torture, known as “enhanced interrogation” by most politicans, is the primary factor in lowering our nation's honor and respected image, while gaining little to no positive outcome in the process. Using tactics such as these have been proven to have minimal effects through studies of CIA interrogation and have more importantly violated the values and laws America has established for its self. America should be protecting people from cruel and unusual punishment based on the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution, yet torture is still being implemented and supported by presidential candidates. Essentially, our decision will determine the changes in the end that are necessary to ensure our safety and well being. We must choose wisely.

"GOP Presidential Candidates Bring Torture Back Into The Spotlight." NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016. <http://www.npr.org/2016/02/09/466186345/gop-presidential-candidates-bring-torture-back-into-the-spotlight>.

"McCain Slams GOP Candidates for ‘loose Talk’ on Torture." Tales from the Trail RSS. N.p., 08 Feb. 2016. Web. 12 Mar. 2016. <http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfromthetrail/2016/02/08/mccain-slams-gop-candidates-for-loose-talk-on-torture/>.

Hand in Hand, Americans Stand

                              Unknown artist (22 April 1865). Available from HarpWeek.

Living in a world that determines people's significance by their external qualities makes it quite difficult to remember that as different as people think they are from each other, they are so much more alike. This idea was the greatest issue to separate Blacks from Whites from the beginning of history due to the barrier of their skin color and mindset. However, after The Civil War was fought, a new respect and appreciation was found for the Blacks after dealing with the same life changing experiences in war. The image above successfully portrays this idea through the camaraderie of two opposing skin color veterans.

The image above represents the quintessential relationship between two comrades after experiencing the same traumatic events and results of war. It represents the equality that was reached between both white and black men after The Civil War. The respectful handshake between both comrades symbolizes the understanding and appreciation both men have for another. Disregarding race, ethnicity, and ultimately social standing, these comrades greet one another as equals with the acknowledgment of suffering from the same tragedies of war that they fought in together. Both agree that although a significant part of their body is gone and can no longer be used, the vital organ that guided them through it all sustained its self to continue its part in the social and political reconstruction of America and it’s newly accepted Black citizens.

After The Civil War ended and The Reconstruction Era began, it introduced the greatest battle of all, which was the metaphorical battle fought between man and his soul. “The Battle fought between the Soul//And No Man—is the One//Of all the Battles prevalent—//By far the Greater One—” (Dickinson, Reader 101). This battle referred to the internal fight, which white people had to overcome within themselves to avoid becoming domineering figures in society and sustain the equality of all American citizens. The image above represents this idea through the acceptance of both their struggles in the same parts of life. Although many white people weren’t able to fight the egocentrism in their minds to accept the equality everyone deserved, many others were more than willing to fight for black people’s rights and enact them in every day life. 

Metaphorical War: Feminism

Feminism has been the forefront of society's greatest struggles to end gender discrimination and prejudice, along with abolition. Fighting the unequal standards of both men and women has been a "metaphorical war" in the sense between those who support feminism and those who oppose it. Similarly, slaves have fought the same “metaphorical war” to gain justice for their cruel role in society as mere animals and property. The reason people, particularly men have opposed feminism is for a numerous amount of reasons, such as sustaining male supremacy, ego, and traditional thinking, similar to the dominant males of white society who deemed themselves superior to African Americans. However, the greatest barrier between males and females in present day is the false portrayal of modern feminism on numerous outlets, such as social media. The misconception of feminism for what it actually represents is the main issue in creating continual progress of equality.

Feminism was solely created by women to reach equality between both genders after being oppressed by men throughout all of history. Abolition was created for the similar reason of separating slaves from slaveholders and gaining equal rights in society, just like women. Many activists from both causes see that this equality hasn’t been achieved because of the same reason it failed to reach success in the past. Anybody who has power will not willingly let it go or agree to share it with someone else. Males, especially white domineering males of the past have naturally gained the right to supremacy through their traditional role of both physical and mental strength. Men who have these characteristics or simply have the gender to represent it remind women of their gender bias on social platforms, such as Twitter to sustain their high social standing. One social media account famous for conveying this message on a daily basis is known as "Menimists", a male supremacy group on the Internet. This page is dedicated to empowering men by degrading merely women. As a result of the negative responses to feminism, many activists react by directing negative language and blame on the male population for their appeasement.

The irrational and anger driven solution to sexism by some feminists has been to target all men on social media for whatever issue that seems to be on hand. By using hashtags, such as #killallmen, feminists have made it permissible to use negative language and tone for getting their point across. However, what feminists do not understand when spreading messages like this is that they portray the opposite of everything they are trying to achieve. The one and only goal of feminism is to advocate equality for both genders, however, in this case feminists only convey the desire to eliminate men and initiate supremacy for women. 

Both argument strategies by men and women are the everlasting boundary between male and female equality, and can only be connected again if there is mutual understanding between both genders. Language and communication are the greatest tools humans have. Using positive language to get a perspective across and influence close-minded mentalities is the only way to reach success in the fight for equality.

Kaba, Mariame, Andrea Smith, Lori Adelman, and Roxane Gay. "Where Twitter and Feminism Meet." The Nation. N.p., 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 09 Jan. 2016.

Surf Culture

Surf culture involves the people, language, music, and lifestyle surrounding the sport of surfing. It all began with the Polynesians who brought about the initial culture, and later influenced a whole new generation of surfers in the 1950's and 60's after World War II, shaping the activity for what it is today. As more people surfed and practiced the traditions it became more popular throughout the world. The sport became and is still immensely popular in Hawaii, Australia, and California, where waves are more effective to surf on because of the climate. Serf terminology was most commonly used in these areas because of the multitude of people who surfed there. Slang terms, such as “stoked”, “tubular”, “radical”, and “gnarly” were used to describe the feelings they experienced while riding an exceptional wave. Surf music was a big hit during the flourishing era of surf as well. Popular artists such as Jan and Dean, The Beach Boys, The Surfaris, and The Ventures emerged. The music inspired little dance numbers like The Stomp, The Frug, and The Watusi. Modern music that surfers listen to today is by various artists that range from Jack Johnson and Tom Curren to Foster the People and Matt Costa. Apart from the culture that comes along with the activity, however, many center their lives on the mentality and lifestyle derived primarily from surfing

People who incorporate surf into their daily life value and view the activity more than just a sport. Surfing is really a way of seeking serenity from the bustle of daily life. It is a lifestyle that involves only three things: man, ocean, and surfboard. It is a way of connecting to one’s inner soul, feeling liberated, and belonging to something in this world all at the same time. Surfing made people feel alive after a specific time that heightened the dead. World War 2 finished, but the people’s lives just began, and they continue to this day through the exhilarating activity of surf.   

- "Surfing History." Extreme Horizon. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Surf Culture." Surfline. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.surfline.com/surfing-a-to-

z/surf-culture-explained_916/>.