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/>.

Mother Courage: Using the Conventions of Epic Theater to Define War

Brecht's play, Mother Courage and All Her Children serves as a prime example of the many works that have been created throughout time to emphasize the significance of war. Using Epic Theater, Brecht clearly emphasizes the issues in war within the setting of the play and the time in which Brecht lived. The entire purpose of Mother Courage's construction was to display the errors in Brecht's society during World War II, which existed during The Thirty Years War as well. One of the issues was using war as a form of business and source for profit, which became an allegory for the main character, Mother Courage. Understandably, the character and her devotion to making money somewhat creates a perception of immorality, but progressively reveals the genuine role of a single mother to support her family. Her nickname "Courage", comes from this idea, since it is an honorable virtue to hold within times of war and survival. On the contrary, however, her children hold virtues that may be honorable, but harmful to the preservation of their lives. Within the following scene a clear foreshadowing of their inevitable doom is shown.

In scene one, Mother Courage predicts the destinies of her children through a fortune reading. Holding a helmet, metonymically which evokes a skull each child draws a lot. Tearing the parchments to these lots Courage notices the common outcomes for all her children, which is death. The allegory represents each child's selection of their fate, and how it will not only tear them away from their mother, but lead to their ultimate demise. Essentially the children's virtues of honesty, kindness, and bravery are honorable, but important to remember that when they are carried out individualistically they will have harmful effects. 

Bravery, honesty, and kindness are significant virtues that are highly valued in society until today, but seem to have the opposite effect of those who possessed them in the past. During times of war, strength in numbers was highly important to sustain a society of people who would otherwise be considered weak and broken. Being alone meant being feeble and poor, therefore portraying any signs of empowering traits still backfired and evidently caused the fatal future of Mother Courage's children. When conveying this idea it is particularly important to apply the conventions of Epic Theater within one's critical thought process in order to focus on the issues of society rather than the tragic death of characters in the story. Looking from within (context) to apply without (reality) is the specific goal of Epic Theater. Therefore, the idea of holding similar virtues collectively, applies to the same idea of working collectively during war for the common goal of gaining defeat.

When constructing a war, it is important to have two parties, which represent a common cause and contain large numbers of people ready to fight one another. Evidently, many people don't fight alone, especially in times of war because of the high probability of being defeated when opposed to large groups of people. Strength exists in numbers for this ultimate reason. No matter how strong one's mentality or attitude may be it can never be superior to that of a higher or more powerful authority, thus proving the value of virtues when held collectively in a society as opposed to being held individually.

Brecht, Bertolt, and H. R. Hays. Mother Courage. Place of Publication Not Identified: n.p., n.d. Print.