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Honestly, when I first signed up for this course I thought it would be something similar to music and movies; not much learning, just watching movies and listening to good music. And while we did do this, I was surprised at the depth of the history lying underneath it all. Without taking this class I never would have known that Rocky IV played such a big role in representing the rivalries of the cold war. I never would have learned that the band Nirvana changed the music industry forever despite breaking mainstream values. There was so much I learned and obtained from this class because we talked about it so thoroughly and really ingrained it in my brain. One thing I learned that I will take with me in my future is that conformity and mainstream culture isn’t everything. Specifically speaking, Curt Kobain wasn’t necessarily the spitting image of someone who fits in and does what everyone else does. However, he and his band became one of the most famous in the United States. Similar things happened with the bands, the Beatles and Queen and movies like Rebel Without a Cause. All of these different examples show me that it’s okay to be different because they all were and they still had a pretty good life. It shows me that success comes with creativity and diversity instead of conformity.

Throughout this course I have learned so much in relation to US History and I think a lot of that just comes from the way it was taught. History has always been one of my stronger subjects and still, I have never obtained information like I have this year. Of course I have learned about the Cold War before but this was the first time I remember dates of events, it’s role in America, the fear it instilled with Americans. This happened with every unit we covered. My favorite was definitely learning about the Woodstock festival because of the craziness of it all. The hundreds of thousands of people just chilling in a field, doing drugs, and listening to music. It is crazy to know that something like that will never happen again and that is why I think I liked learning about it so much.

thriller - Typically I would be compelled to choose a Queen song since they are my favorite band but since I did my project on them I felt like I had a duty to pick another song. That being said, Thriller was one of my favorite songs we listened to this year for a number of reasons. Firstly, I really liked this song simply because it sounds good. I have always been a fan of Michael Jackson because he sings so well and that was apparent in this song. However, while his singing was excellent, the appeal to this song was the music video. I LOVED how it was almost like a mini movie. I loved his costume and how he wanted to attract eyes by wearing red and him being the monster and the admired boyfriend. It really was a masterpiece and I loved it.

My favorite movie scene was probably in Do The Right Thing when the mob had just burned down Sal’s pizzeria and they were coming for the Asian market on the opposite side of the street. To me this scene was just funny, there wasn’t much historical meaning behind my choice other than it made me laugh. However, that movie was really inspiring and gave a lot of insight on the reality of our country which not all movies can capture accurately.

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1. What seemed to be the musical focus when it came to recording Nevermind and how was it different than rock music in the 1980s?

The musical focus when it came to recording Nevermind, in my opinion, was individuality. They were creating songs that represented the alternative rock category for the first time. I think just being themselves granted them their fame which is why I think individuality plays a role when they were recording. I think have layered voices in their songs and guitar solos that copy the notes of the lyrics put them on the charts. It was different because they brought the punk style to the table which was necessarily relevant at the time. They were representing a group of people who weren't typically being noticed or represented. It was something new and different and I think that caused alot of their success.

1. What did you find unexpected or surprising when watching those videos? Why?

I was surprised out how the band orignally resisted their voices being doubled in the studio because I personally thought it made them sound so much better. Doubling their voices created almost a kind of chorus, specifically In Bloom, and made the song so much better. When I heard this it made me realize how they really didn't care about money, or fame, or success, they were really just singing, writing, and performing songs in the way they wanted regardless of the repercussions they thought they might receive. I also never really realized all of the different effects they use to create the song and one of the coolest things I learned was that they included actual guitar feedback and integrated it with the actual song and it morphed with the lyrics. It was really rock and roll but in a different way than before, they were experimenting and getting creative with it. I also didn't know they brought toys into the studio and just made weird noises in their songs. I definitely learned a lot from the videos.

1. How would Nevermind have completely changed the music industry, based on what you watched? What makes you say that?

I think Nevermind would have completely changed the music industry simply because it created its own genre of music. They were representing alternative rock for the first time through their creativity and individuality. They play their guitar differently and are more emotional even when singing about lyrics that are pretty shallow. For example Polly is pretty much singing about a parrot, one would think, who wants a cracker and water and clearly cut and dry. However, when they sing it is so emotional and that is really effective in the music industry and got them noticed.

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Throughout the 80s, conformities grip on society loosened and there was more creative freedom. People were dressing and thinking however they wanted and instead of being looked down upon, it was embraced. Part of this cultural movement was music; alternative rock to be exact. I think that Kurt Cobain, and his band Nirvana, was regarded as the “spokesman of a generation” because of his relatability and vulnerability between himself and his audience. In an interview with Rolling Stone he said, “If there's a glimmer of hope in anything, you should support it.” He was inspiring to his fans and his audience by encouraging them to be more optimistic and open minded. Just by reading the interview, I feel as though he has connected with me and honestly, although the inspiration isn’t music related, I feel more confident in how I will conduct my AP exams tomorrow. Just because of the way he conducts and carries himself, people are automatically going to be drawn to this positivity and willing to listen to what he has to say. It is no surprise that an entire generation of people were putting their representation in their hands, it's like the earth being drawn to the sun. He also explains his views on drugs subtly, “it’s your choice, but in my experience, I’ve found they’re a waste of time.” Here he is talking about drug use and relating it to his personal experience. Obviously he has an influence over the teenagers already for being such an icon, but this mindset also conquers the older generations as well. We talked about juvenile delinquency in a previous era where teens were always in disagreements with their parents if they forgot the basic household rules: no drugs, fights, rock and roll, etc. Cobain only increased his fandom from the teens with his vulnerability and relatability to now the older generation with his disapproval of drugs and other things that would corrupt their kids. While this may appear like a good thing, Cobain didn’t want the title of spokesman, “I’m a spokesman for myself…  It just so happens that there’s a bunch of people that are concerned with what I have to say. I find that frightening at times because I’m just as confused as most people. I don’t have the answers for anything.” He doesn't want to be held responsible for the actions of an entire generation and finds it frightening to know that people will do whatever he says in a way. He wants people to understand that he isn’t perfect and he makes mistakes just as much as everyone else. In my opinion, that only makes him more inspiring but I can understand his concerns.

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What was the counterculture and how was the movement reflected in the pop culture of the time period (music, clothing, etc.)

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What was the counterculture and how was the movement reflected in the pop culture of the time period (music, clothing, etc.)

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The counterculture movement almost categorized what we know to be known as “hippies.” They opposed the Vietnam war in addition to the social norms of society. Their involvement in the movement reflected American ideals of free speech, equality, world peace, and the pursuit of happiness. At this time the baseline culture was materialism and did not honor the human spirit or creativity and that was really what led to the sudden evolution of society. People started to reform these norms and start to create in their own unique ways and someone who did this was Bob Dylan. Never before had songwriters and singers been intertwined into one person but here he was writing his own music for the first time. He was able to express his feelings and emotions about what was going on around him in the world. People were inspired to do the same and started writing their own music in addition to begin the move out west. California suddenly became a playground for restless teenagers and they changed the culture from grown ups looking down on kids to kids starting to lead on their own. The usage and acceptance of drugs in the up and coming teenage realm was constantly rising. L.A seemed to focus more on “God’s Herb” (marajuana) whereas San Francisco seemed to be experimenting with “mind expansion” (LSD). The drugs opened a whole new world of creativity and happiness that everyone started to try or at least wanted to. The music and the drugs all contributed to a life that seemed worth living to the masses.

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What are your expectations for this film prior to watching it, and why do you think Ebert suggested that this specific movie requires you to decide what you think about it? Don’t all works of art require that? 

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What are your expectations for this film prior to watching it, and why do you think Ebert suggested that this specific movie requires you to decide what you think about it? Don’t all works of art require that? 

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My expectation for the movie is to be left thinking about it regardless of whether or not I wanted to. Ebert describes the movie as a film with a lot left up to interpretation because it's open-ended with deliberate twists to confuse what you already know. I think it is a very interesting idea to have a white man running a store in a black neighborhood, the possibilities that could happen are endless which how I think the movie is portrayed. He said there isn't brotherly love but also isn't hate so I'm expecting to be informed and to have my own ideas reevaluated. There are many cases where a certain outcome is decided for you so I don't necessarily agree with the idea that all works of art require a lot of thought after the movie. However, when a product is adopting a movie about race and given the opportunity to create something powerful enough to inform and change the way we think and act, one can only hope the ending is left up to interpretation.

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Do you feel as though Katya is justified in her feelings about this film? Should people who live in the USSR have felt like they were falsely portrayed? How could this film have been fairer to both sides and less biased in favor of America?

After watching the film, I do think that Katya's feelings were justified. After living in the Soviet Union with her family, friends, and good people, she must have felt completely misunderstood and falsely portrayed. Putting myself in her shoes, I would feel extremely frustrated to watch a film popular in another country about Americans being portrayed as cruel and dangerous when I know that's not true. I think people living in the USSR completely have the right to feel like they were falsely portrayed because not all of them are vicious or cruel. I honestly think this movie could be considered racist because by definition that means, "prejudiced against or antagonistic toward a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized." This is exactly what we were doing, being prejudice against the Soviets and not taking into account that they are all the same just because they all live in the same place. I believe that in order for the film to be fairer to both sides instead of bias in favor of the Americans, the directors could have portrayed Ivan as more of a human being. The movie portrayed him as a lab rat almost, constantly attached to machines and observed by scientists in lab coats. They even had him kill a man which makes it seem like he's a monster. I think they could have just made him win the fight without having him kill Apollo so he isn't viewed as inhuman. Any "murderer" is going to be viewed in a negative light so if they were trying to treat the Soviets with respect and not make them out to be the bad guys, they could have altered that scenario.

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What did television reflect in the 1950s? How was rock n’ roll different?
In the 1950s, television reflected and extended middle-class values and disregarded social problems, dissent, or the existence of African Americans. The creation of rock n' roll was a result of this suppression because those who were restive about issues like conformity, adult superiority, sexual norms, and racial injustice. It became a medium for all of these issues that previously had no name or a lot of attention for that matter.
How did rock n’ roll help expose -- and break down -- racial divides?
Rock n' Roll helped expose/ break down racial divides because it was creating a more explicit and direct society. Instead of being bubbled off in their own world, white teenagers were beginning to indulge in traditional black music, artists, and even relationships. It was noted that at concerts blacks and whites would mix and dance together. This was uncommon during this time so rock n' roll truly brought out the best in people and contributed to the reconstruction of racial divides.
How did rock n’ roll’s sexuality contribute to the breaking down of traditional morality amongst teenagers?
Rock n' Rolls sexuality contributed to the breaking down of traditional morality amongst teenagers because again it was more explicit. Teenagers were learning new things about the world and about themselves and they wanted to explore. This new music opened their eyes to a completely new way of life. Rock n roll was rebellious and scandalous so it was only natural for teenagers to begin stepping away from the suppression of their parents and teachers and start doing their own thing.

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Looks nice

Don't be weird

Don't date all the boys because it will make them feel less important

Girls shouldn’t park in cars

Keep a date calendar

Don't make it awkward on the phone

Don't wait for the last minute to make plans

On time

Looks well, friendly, considerate, and fun

look nice

don't hog or overuse phone

punctuality (face scrubbed hands wiped)

mothers and daughters prepare dinner

no badgering dad after he comes home from work

say grace

napkins on la

dad serves

plleasant

good table manners

everyone waits to begin hostess is until father is served and hostess starts eating

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What was McCarthyism and how did Joseph McCarthy use American paranoia and fear to push his own agenda in the 1950s? 

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What was McCarthyism and how did Joseph McCarthy use American paranoia and fear to push his own agenda in the 1950s? 

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McCarthyism was a time period involving a series of accusations and investigations about communism attempting to penetrate the US took place. During this time there had been a small but active communist party within the United States. During World War II they spied for the Russians and once this act of treason became known, communism was now viewed as a threat to national security. Soon everyone across the US was being tested through specific criteria to determine whether or not they were or associated with communists. This fear spread and McCarthy used it to push political sides against each other, accusing the democrats of being soft on communism. He would post ever changing lists of of accused alleged communists in the State Department while distorting and fabricating evidence simaltaneously. When he became chair of the Senates permanent subcommitee on investigations in 1953, he began investigations on the army which caused immediate recline in support. The public turned against him and after that McCarthyism slowly died.

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My favorite song is Japanese Denim by Daniel Caesar. This is my favorite song because I went to his concert with my sister and our friends and it is one of my favorite memories. We were standing for so long waiting for him to come on the stage and when he finally did, his voice sounded even better than what I listened to on the radio. It made the song that much better and whenever I listen to it I think of that memory. My favorite movie is Remember the Titans because it was such an inspirational movie. I remember watching it in 7th grade in history the day before Christmas break, The soundtrack, cast, and message of the movie was so good and I loved it.
3 things I wish more people knew about me
- I moved to Duxbury my Sophmore year
- I have 3 siblings (older sister, younger brother, younger sister)
-My favorite subject in school is science (chemistry specifically)