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Dictionary

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Daedalus and Icarus

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Icarus and Daedalus, Icarus tragic death

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Icarus and his father Daedalus escaped from Crete flying with wings made of feathers and wax. Icarus ignored the instructions of his father, he flew close to the sun, the wax feathers melted and Icarus drowned into the sea. The myth of Icarus has a strong didactic character

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Daedalus and Icarus Resources

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Daedalus and Icarus Resources

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daedalus daedalos icarus myth greek mythology myth

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Daedalus and Icarus - Greek Myth - Quatr.us

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Daedalus and Icarus

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Robert Francis's Poem
"The Base Stealer"

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Poised between going on and back, pulled
Both ways taut like a tightrope-walker,
Fingertips pointing the opposites,
Now bouncing tiptoe like a dropped ball
Or a kid skipping rope, come on, come on,
Running a scattering of steps sidewise,
How he teeters, skitters, tingles, teases,
Taunts them, hovers like an ecstatic bird,
He's only flirting, crowd him, crowd him,
Delicate, delicate, delicate, delicate-now!

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The Base Stealer Poem by Robert Francis - Poem Hunter

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Poised between going on and back, pulled Both ways taut like a tightrope-walker, Fingertips pointing the opposites, Now bouncing tiptoe like a dropped ball Or a kid skipping rope, come on, come on, Running a scattering of steps sidewise, How he teeters, skitters, tingles, teases, Taunts them, hovers like an ecstatic bird, He's only flirting, crowd him, crowd him, Delicate, delicate, delicate, delicate-now!

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Robert Francis's Poem
"The Base Stealer"

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Robert Burns Poem
"A Red, Red Rose

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William Blake Poem
"A Poison Tree

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"Landscape with the Fall of Icarus"

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William Carlos Williams' famous ekphrastic poem. "According to Brueghel / when Icarus fell / it was spring // a farmer was ploughing / his field..."

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"Landscape with the Fall of Icarus"

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William Carlos Williams' famous ekphrastic poem. "According to Brueghel / when Icarus fell / it was spring // a farmer was ploughing / his field..."

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The Fall of Icarus
Painting by Pieter Bruegel de Oude

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Myths

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A Flash-based learning tool on world creation mythology. In Dutch and English. Lessons are created using cooperative learning techniques.

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Myths

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Windows to the Universe, at http://windows2universe.org/ from the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA). The Website was developed in part with the support of UCAR and NCAR, where it resided from 2000 - 2010. © 2012 National Earth Science Teachers Association. Windows to the Universe® is a registered trademark of NESTA.

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Myth web

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This site is dedicated to the heroes, gods and monsters of Greek mythology.

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Myths

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Teaching Tools | Resources for Teachers from Scholastic

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Star Wars

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The Hero's Journey of Luke Skywalker

Overview

Star Wars first came to the big screen in May, 1977 and was instantly a phenomenon. The stunning visuals, thrilling soundtrack, and otherworldly things like blasters, lightsabers, the Force and Death Star are all major parts of the public's fascination with Star Wars. Perhaps the underlying themes of the story are the real reason most people are drawn to the tale of Luke Skywalker and his friends. A space saga seems an unlikely story to captivate the world, but at its essence, Star Wars is nothing more than a story of humanity involving things we all experience like sacrifice, trials, betrayal, loss, heroic moments and triumphs.

If you asked most people what they thought of when they heard the word, mythology, most would mention Hercules, Prometheus, Zeus, or simply the Ancient Greeks. It is rare to think of anything else associated with mythology. Myths traditionally tell the story of a hero who is presented with a great quest and must overcome tremendous obstacles to fulfill his destiny. Sound familiar? If it does, it is because Star Wars is a modern myth. In the original trilogy, Luke Skywalker is our unexpected hero who ends up destroying the tyrannical rule of the Galactic Empire, but at great personal cost. Using Star Wars, we hope to help you and your students better understand the common themes and magic of mythology.

Star Wars Original Trilogy Viewing Guides (Hero's Journey)

Star Wars: The Magic of Myth
Order Your Copy!

The descriptions that follow were inspired by and adapted from the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum's Exhibition- Star Wars: The Magic of Myth.

The first part of any mythic tale introduces us to our hero, his background and ultimately the difficult task he must complete. Along the way he finds his hero partners or helpers and acquires the "tools" that will eventually help him accomplish his mission... something always easier said than done.

The adventure of Luke Skywalker follows the classic stages of a hero's journey. A farm boy from the backwater planet of Tatooine, Luke is pulled from obscurity into a world of adventure when two unusual droids appear in his life carrying a hidden message from a mysterious princess. With the aid of a wise guide, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke gains a mystical knowledge of the Force, enlists rugged new companions, Han Solo and Chewbacca, and crosses the galaxy to rescue the princess.

Luke Skywalker, Tatooine

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In mythology, the hero's journey begins with a call to adventure, the first incident on a dangerous path that will separate him from his home and family. The call usually comes in the form of a herald, who carries a message that causes the adventure to begin. Often the hero does not recognize the hand of fate at work, and an event which may seem ordinary in fact a turning point that catapults the hero into a world of danger and excitement.

As the Star Wars story begins, a battle in space rages high above the planet of Tatooine with the evil powers of darkness (the Galactic Empire) relentlessly pursuing the forces of good (the Rebel Alliance). Princess Leia sends a plea for help to the planet below. The hand of Fate, in the form of Jawa traders, brings her message to the restless farmboy, Luke Skywalker.

Luke dreams of becoming a space pilot, but is torn between his desire to enroll in the Academy and his loyalty to his family, who need him on the farm and fear that he will never return if he leaves. Luke's life is transformed when his uncle buys the droids C-3PO and R2-D2, who carries the Princess' plea for help, from passing Jawas. Their arrival heralds the beginning of the quest that enables Luke to discover his true birthright and destiny. When he sees thte message hologram contained within R2, he is drawn into a quest to rescue the Princess and ultimately save the galaxy.

As the hero sets out on the path of adventure, his journey will not just be a physical one, but more importantly, a spiritual one. The world of the spirit is always protected by guardians of some sort The Nio protect Buddhist temples, an angel guards the Garden of Eden, Cerberus stands watch over Hades, the Scorpion-men guard the mountain tunnel which leads to Dilmun, and the dragon Smaug protects the treasure of Misty Mountain.

For Luke, his path from the temporal world to the spiritual is initially blocked the Tusken Raiders. However, it can be argued that Uncle Owen is also a guardian, trying to prevent Luke from beginning his quest, knowing of the path which Luke could take; the same path taken by his father, one which leads to the Dark Side of the Force.

Tusken Raiders, Uncle Owen, Aunt Beru

Before setting out, the hero must first encounter "threshold guardians," beings who block the way to adventure. Luke faces such guardians when he is attacked by the Tusken Raiders. However, he is rescued by Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Often, the inexperienced hero finds that he cannot proceed without supernatural aid in the form of a wise guide who provides assistance. The hero may be unaware of his destiny, but even when he discovers it, he may try to refuse his difficult quest until the guide shows him the way. Master Obi-Wan fulfills this role for Luke, giving him advice, Jedi training, and the mystical knowledge of the Force that he will need on his adventure. The path ahead will contain many obstacles to test the hero's skills and courage, but with Obi-Wan's help, Luke takes on the challenge.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
During his quest, the hero is often provided with insight from some mystical, otherworldly source. In the Greek myths, this insight is often provided by the gods. In George Lucas' universe, it is provided by the Force, "an energy field created by all living things, which surrounds us and penetrates us and binds the galaxy together," as Ben explains to Luke.
Jedi & the Force
In mythology, the wise guide often gives the hero an object with magical powers to guard and assist him on his chosen path. The idea of a magical sword, such as the lightsaber, appears many times in legend: it is a powerful symbol that gives its owner the right to challenge authority. In this case, Obi-Wan gives Luke his father's lightsaber.

By accepting the lightsaber, Luke continues his father's Jedi heritage. The weapon is a powerful talisman, which inspires him to take the first steps on his path toward becoming a Jedi Knight.
Lightsaber
Heroes often are reluctant to answer the call to adventure. For instance, Daphne refuses the love of Apollo and for that is turned into a willow tree. Bilbo does not want to accompany the dwarves to Misty Mountain. Enkidu is reluctant to follow Gilgamesh to the sacred forest. Like these other reluctant heroes, Luke initially refuses Ben's call to adventure. However, the death of Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru set Luke on a course for which there is no turning back.

Heroes often have a straightforward goal, yet they are usually sidetracked along the way and will wander for years. Odysseus is a prime example and even the life of Moses will fit this pattern. Luke will be headed for Alderaan when his life suddenly will be changed forever. His goal is to become a Jedi, yet after the events of Star Wars, he will wander far and wide as he slowly makes progress towards obtaining this goal.

To make the journey, the hero needs a vehicle and often, they employ a ship and mates. This applies to both Odysseus and Luke, whose vessel, at first, will be the Millennium Falcon. The hero will then become quite close to his companions who are now partners in his adventure. Thus enters Han Solo and his first mate, Chewbacca.

The hero must leave his familiar life behind to begin a journey from childhood to adulthood and to a life transformation. The sleazy Mos Eisley spaceport is Luke's threshold to adventure. Here he encounters danger but he also finds hero partners in the pirate/smuggler Han Solo, captain of the Millennium Falcon, and his faithful first mate, the enormous Wookie, Chewbacca.

Solo and Chewbacca will serve as courageous and valuable allies as Luke proceeds on his journey. Once leaving Tatooine, the band of heroes heads to Alderaan, home planet of Princess Leia.

A labyrinth is a type of maze that has always symbolized a difficult journey for the hero that leads to the unknown. When Luke and his companions arrive near Alderaan, they find that the planet has been destroyed by the Death Star, a gigantic Imperial space station. Immediately, their ship is sucked toward the battle station. Once inside, they must navigate a soulless maze of dimly lit chambers, corridors and shafts. When they discover that the Princess is being held captive there, like traditional knights, Han and Luke don armor to accomplish their first hero deed: "the rescue of the princess."

In most of the best loved fairy tales, there is always a damsel in distress and Star Wars is no different. There is a princess who needs rescuing, but Leia is no passive damsel in distress. During the course of the story, she will follow her own path toward becoming a heroine.

In many myths there is a traditional character triangle: hero-monster-woman. In the case of Star Wars the monster or, using the medieval form of monster, the dragon, is the Death Star. To save the princess, from the dragon, the heroes act as medieval knights, donning armor (stolen from the stormtroopers) as they set of to rescue Leia.
Princess Leia
As the hero matures, there comes a point in time when he must let go of his guide and strike out on his own. Just as Arthur had to lose Merlin, so, too, does Luke have to lose Ben in order that he may grow. Despite his death, however, Ben will remain with Luke to help him from time to time, only now he provides more mystical insight.
Darth Vader
The next step in the hero quest is a challenge to mortal combat. The heroes experienced an initial rite of passage in the Death Star and accomplished the "princess rescue." Now Leia leads Han and Luke to the Rebel base to plan an attack on the Death Star. Luke joins the fighter pilots of the Rebellion. As he puts on his uniform, he casts aside his youthful identity and assumes a new role: the heroic pilot, ready to sacrifice his life for the good of his cause. In the end, good triumphs over evil and the heroes are recognized for their deeds of valor. This moment is the end of one adventure, but it also represents the start of the next stage: further initiation on the "dark road of trials."

The Empire, The Rebel Alliance, X-Wing Fighter, TIE Fighter

After accomplishing great feats, our hero is riding high despite his ultimate task remaining before him. As he trudges ahead with great confidence, our hero will be swiftly reminded that difficult roads lie ahead and final victory remains elusive.

Midway through the hero's journey comes a long and perilous path of trials, tests, and ordeals that bring important moments of illumination and understanding. Again and again along the way, monsters must be slain and barriers passed. Ultimately the hero must undertake the fearful journey of the descent into darkness.

Although the Death Star has been destroyed, the power of darkness have not been conquered. The Empire has pursued the Rebels to the ice planet of Hoth, where the heroes face new dangers from frightful monsters and the harsh climate and are forced to flee during an Imperial attack.

In mythology, hunting or being hunted is a common element of a hero's journey. In The Empire Strikes Back, we quickly learn that Darth Vader has been hunting and pursuing Luke Skywalker and the Rebel forces across the galaxy. Although they are eventually found and forced to evacuate Hoth, the hunt continues. Luke has travelled to Dagobah where he is hunting for Yoda, a powerful Jedi Master who will continue his training in the Force. Simultaneously, Darth Vader and his Imperial Forces continue hunting Luke Skywalker and his friends. Vader employs deadly bounty hunters like Boba Fett to aid in the search for the Millenium Falcon. Whether hunting or being hunted, the hero will emerge stronger, wiser and more capable.

The Emperor, Boba Fett, Imperial Probe Droid

One particular mythic motif is the "swallowing up" of the hero by a large monster. This represents the entry into a mystical world where transformations occur, and the eventual escape represents a spiritual rebirth.

Han and Leia are pursued by Imperial Star Destroyers and TIE fighters as they leave Hoth. To escape, Han flies the Millennium Falcon into an asteroid "cave," which turns out to be the mouth of a huge space slug. Han and Leia are changed while here, at last opening their hearts to love. Vader also undergoes a change at this point, when he emerges from an egg-like mediation chamber. The Emperor appears to him through a holographic message, and Vader is revealed as a slave to the evil forces of the Empire, rather than as their master.

In mythology, one of the trials of the hero is to leave the world behind and go alone into a forest full of danger. This "sacred grove" represents a place where the hero is changed. To ancient peoples, forests came to symbolize mystery and transformation and they were the home to sorcerers and enchanters.

When Luke leaves Hoth, he travels to the planet Dagobah to undergo training with the Jedi Master, Yoda. The hallmark of Dagobah is its large, oddly shaped trees. Forests can also symbolize the unconscious mind, where there are secrets to discover and perhaps dark emotions or memories to be faced. In this forest, Luke battles an image of Vader, which turns out to really be himself.

An important stage of the hero's journey is a mystical relationship with a woman. First, though, the hero must prove himself worthy of her. After meeting Princess Leia, Han Solo begins his own hero journey, and is gradually transformed from a selfish individual to a compassionate fighter for the Rebellion. Luke's hero quest is a spiritual one instead of romantic one.

During the hero's journey, he or she is often required to make some sort of sacrifice in order to achieve some greater goal or attain some sort of insight. More often than not, this sacrifice is very painful, either in a physical, mental or spiritual sense and is often accompanied by betrayal.

For Luke, many sacrifices are made at this point in his journey. He sacrifices his training, he sacrifices his hand, and he sacrifices his innocence. It is perhaps the loss of his innocence, which is the most significant of these three. No longer will he be the naive boy who only dreams of being a Jedi.

On Han's journey, there is betrayal and the discovery that Leia loves him. But before he can return her love, he must endure a kind of "death" as he is frozen in carbonite then taken away by the bounty hunter Boba Fett to be delivered to the vile gangster, Jabba the Hutt. Han's friend, Lando Calrissian, who betrayed Han to Vader, will undergo a life change and begin his own hero journey.

Boba Fett, Lando Calrissian

The danger of illusion is symbolized by Cloud City , a place of grand beauty floating high above the planet Bespin. What appears to be beautiful, however, has a dark underside that becomes a place of pain and betrayal for the heroes.

It is here, beneath Cloud City that Luke confronts Vader. During the battle, Luke loses his hand. His father asks Luke to join him or die. Realizing that his father represents everything that he despises, Luke would prefer to die than become a force for evil. Rather than yield to his father's will, the hero chooses to sacrifice his life and leaps into the abyss.

After travelling the difficult Dark Road of Trials, the hero has been humbled and given the final skills needed for his journey. Many challenges remain for our hero, but he is at last ready to fulfill his destiny and complete his epic quest.

The hero is ready to return home when he has proven his worth through brave action and dangerous trials. Luke has rescued the princess, destroyed the Death Star, and learned the ways of the Force. In mythology, the hero must now use his knowledge to help his people. Returning home to Tatooine, Luke's first act is to rescue Han from Jabba the Hutt. This is not an easy transition for him; his new-found abilities as a Jedi Knight are doubted by friend and foe alike.

As the story continues, all the characters undergo changes: Han is resurrected from his carbonite tomb, Lando makes up for his betrayal of Han by helping to rescue him, and Leia assures the end of Jabba's reign of tyranny by destroying him.

Jabba the Hutt, Jabba's Palace, Tatooine

In Return of the Jedi, Han Solo is "symbolically" dead, frozen in carbonite, unable to complete his heroic mission to discover his "hero heart." Keep in mind, that whenever a hero is "dead" and then returns, he or she is more powerful than before. Recall Ben's words to Vader during their duel in A New Hope, "Strike me down now Darth and I will become more powerful than you could ever imagine."

Mythic stories are rife with the images of heroes fighting monsters. And these monsters do not have to be actual creatures but anything in life that we perceive to be a threat. Once more, if the hero does battle with this monster and survives, he will gain more power. Examples from classic tales include Theseus and the Minotaur, Bilbo and Smaug, and Gilgamesh and Humbaba. In Return of the Jedi, Luke must prove his strength as a Jedi by defeating the Rancor without a weapon. His success in this battle reveals just how powerful he has become.

The heroes are not the only ones who can undergo change and rebirth. The forces of evil can also recover their power and grow with new strength. While the Rebels continue to struggle against Imperial Tyranny, the Empire is constructing a new Death Star. A final confrontation must now take place. The forces of good, represented by Mon Mothma, leader of the Rebel Allicance, and those of evil, led by the Emperor, regroup to plan their strategies. Luke discovers that Leia, who has guided and supported him throughout his journey, is his twin sister. He also finds that he must confront Vader again. Yet when they make mind-to-mind contact through the Force, Vader appears uncertain rather than aggressive-a sign that he is beginning a transformation.

The inhabitants of an "enchanted forest" can be both dangerous and helpful. The hero must discover how to evoke their protective powers. Luke wins the help of the Ewoks, the small furry inhabitants of the forest moon of Endor.

The Ewoks prove that heroes can come in any size or shape. They battle the high technology of the Empire with logs, stones, and vines. Their lush green environment and harmony with nature make a warm contrast to the cold, bleak technology of the Empire. The Ewoks help the Rebels deactivate the Death Star's energy shield generator, so Lando can fly into the Death Star and destroy the reactor core.

Meanwhile, Luke realizes that he must set out on a different path from his friends to attempt to reach that part of Vader that is still his father and to turn him back from the dark side.

The heroes must at last enter the "heart of darkness," the fortress of evil itself, to destroy its stronghold. When Han and Leia finally destroy the energy shield generator, Lando and Wedge fly into the Death Star to fire on the reactor core at the center of the space station. While conflict rages around the Death Star, Luke struggles with the dark forces within the Death Star, where he is undergoing a spiritual conflict in his battle of wills with the Emperor.

The destruction of evil is not always accomplished by sheer physical force or cunning. There is always a hope that those who have given themselves to the forces of darkness can be redeemed. In his confrontation with Vader and the Emperor, Luke wins not through his warrior skills, but through an appeal to his father's heart.

When Luke refuses to kill his father at the Emperor's bidding, the Emperor is enraged and turns on him. Helpless, Luke appeals to his father for help. This is Darth Vader's moment to find the good in himself. He redeems himself by saving Luke and destroying the Emperor, but it is at the cost of his own life.

Darth Vader, The Emperor, Luke Skywalker

Masks are frequently part of mythic ritual and Darth Vader's mask is part of his evil persona. When he asks Luke to remove his mask it represents Vader's release from the dark side of the Force and a return to his true self, Anakin Skywalker. Luke no longer fears his father and can now see him as a person. In his last moments before dying, Anakin gazes lovingly at Luke with his own eyes, not those of his mask. He has returned to the good and shows that, in the end, he has a heart that can be opened by love for his son. Luke now feels at one with his father.

Anakin Skywalker

As the Rebels and Ewoks celebrate their victory over the Empire, Luke burns his father's armor on a funeral pyre. The spirit of Luke's father, Anakin Skywalker, joins the spirits of Ben and Yoda. Luke has achieved the final triumph of the mythic hero's journey-he has brought back from his adventures the means for saving his people.

Humanity has triumphed over a repressive system and Luke, through his hero's journey, has opened his heart to compassion and succeeded in following a spiritual path between light and dark, good and evil.

Star Wars Original Trilogy Viewing Guides (Hero's Journey)

Below are current event articles that relate to mythology.

The Way of the Warrior

blog.starwars.com

8/26/2016

The Star Wars universe is populated with a variety of interesting characters and species, many of whom are considered to be renowned warriors. Several stand out from the rest of the galaxy, including the Wookiees, Trandoshans, Tusken Raiders, and the humans of Mandalore. Each has a rugged reputation, but their ferocity in combat is tempered by the cultural imperatives present in the ancestors of their people.

Fairy Tales Could Be Older Than You Ever Imagined

Smithsonian.com

1/20/2016

A few hundred years ago, fairy tale auteurs like the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen and Charles Perrault helped bring magical tales of princesses, evil ogres, dark forests, weird spells and thwarted love into the storybooks-and to the bedsides-of children, everywhere. But how old are the tales they transcribed? A new study suggests that their origins go all the way back to prehistory.

Mythic Discovery Within the Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Joseph Campbell Meets George Lucas, Part 2

blog.starwars.com

11/6/2015

Skywalker Ranch was a newly-completed filmmaking oasis in the late 1980s. Nestled amongst rolling hills of gold, bespeckled with live oaks and cattle, it was an environment wholly conducive to creative thinking. In June of 1988, courtesy of PBS, television audiences across America had one of their first glimpses of this hallowed locale. They watched journalist Bill Moyers and mythologist Joseph Campbell walking together in conversation with serene nature in the background, eventually making their way up the steps of the main house and into the library. It was the first episode in a six-part series, The Power of Myth.

Mythic Discovery Within the Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Joseph Campbell Meets George Lucas - Part I

blog.starwars.com

10/22/2015

We look to the stars and wonder. Light from infinite directions and distances meets our gaze. And within our "mythic imagination," as Joseph Campbell described it, we begin to tell stories. As Campbell points out, the visual beauties that inspire a saga like Star Wars are derived as much from within us as it is outside. "The imagery is necessarily physical and thus apparently of outer space," Campbell says, "The inherent connotation is always, however, psychological and metaphysical, which is to say, of inner space." As we look to the stars, we are inherently reflected. It is what Campbell calls the "inner reaches of outer space."

Star Wars in Mythology: Twins

starwarsblog.starwars.com

3/23/2015

In ancient times, twins were a subject of curiosity. Perhaps society didn't understand the science of birthing twins, or perhaps they were an easy comparison to the strange duality of the universe, but they have always been a large part of ancient and modern mythology.

Star Wars in Mythology: The Shadow

blog.starwars.com

2/25/2015

Carl Jung is essentially the great-grandfather of Star Wars, as Joseph Campbell included much of Jung's psychological research in his work. Jung's work highlights the concept of the collective unconscious, aspects of our psyche that exist for everyone. Jung theorizes that this collective unconscious is responsible for the common themes in our mythology, even across isolated, independent cultures. All were drawing from archetypes hidden in our subconscious, archetypes that are part of what makes us human.

Darth Scrooge: Greed and the Dark Side

blog.starwars.com

12/18/2014

There are many wonderful stories that encapsulate the Christmas spirit, and emphasize the potential for human goodness and decency. These stories are time-honored traditions in the month of December, and I'm sure many of you have favorites that are sacrosanct for you and your families. Perhaps there has not been a more retold Christmas story than the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, featuring the curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge. Upon recently teaching this class to my freshmen students, I was struck by the similarities between Scrooge and the correspondingly conflicted Darth Vader. Perhaps they are not as dissimilar as one might originally think.

STUDYING SKYWALKERS: THANKSGIVING IN THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY

blog.starwars.com

11/26/2014

As we approach Thanksgiving, we prepare for one of the biggest holidays of the calendar year. Family and friends gather from all around to share a meal. In essence, we eat together to establish unity, and this is an important part of building relationships amongst our brethren.

YUB YUB: MEET THE EWOKS FROM ENDOR

starwars.com

10/29/2014

Imagine you're on the moon of Endor after taking Star Tours Flight 45. Close your eyes and concentrate on your surroundings. You can smell the forest, touch the soft humid soil, and hear the distant song of a lantern bird. Then, suddenly you might find yourself hanging upside down, caught in a booby trap of an Ewok tribe. Welcome to the land of the Ewoks.

THE CINEMA BEHIND STAR WARS: ALIENS

starwarsblog.starwars.com

10/27/2014

With scary movies on my mind lately, I've been thinking a lot about one of my favorite scary movies, James Cameron's Aliens, from 1986. It's the action-movie sequel to Ridley Scott's utterly brilliant Alien from 1979, and tells the tale of Ellen Ripley and a squad of Colonial Marines as they investigate LV-426 and the alien threat there.

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Star Wars first came to the big screen in May, 1977 and was instantly a phenomenon. The stunning visuals, thrilling soundtrack, and otherworldly things like blasters, lightsabers, the Force and Death Star are all major parts of the public's fascination with Star Wars.

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Purdue - OWL
On-line Writing Lab

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The Purdue University Online Writing Lab serves writers from around the world and the Purdue University Writing Lab helps writers on Purdue's campus.

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Persuasive Writing

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Research and Citation

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Purdue OWL® - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University

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We are a globally renowned resource that provides assistance with English to students, teachers, professionals, and organizations across the world. Our goal is to assist clients in their development as writers - no matter their skill level.

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Shakespearean Sonnet 1

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Sonnet 18. Craig, W.J., ed. 1914. The Oxford Shakespeare

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Paul's Model of Reasoning

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The Elements of Reasoning and the Intellectual Sta

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Sonnet 18

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Shall I compare thee to a summers day...

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this is my favorite poem... and this is the way i see this poem... the second part is yet to come... :P please rate comment and subscribe...

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Sonnet 18

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I didn't make this video, a friend of mine did. I like it cause its relaxing.Enjoy...

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Sonnet 18 Explained 1

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Sonnet 18 Explained 2

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Sonnet 18 David Gilmour

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"The Cross of Snow"
by Longfellow

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In the long, sleepless watches of the night, A gentle face--the face of one long dead-- Looks at me from the wall, where round its head The night-lamp casts a halo of pale light.

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"Mountain of the Holy Cross"
Painting by Thomas Moran

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Thomas Moran: Mountain of the Holy Cross

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Moran, Thomas Mountain of the Holy Cross 1875 Oil on canvas 208.6 x 163.2 cm (82 1/8 x 64 1/4 in) Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Los Angeles

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Picture of Frances Appleton Longfellow

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Frances Appleton Longfellow by Rowse, 1859

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This portrait of Fanny Appleton Longfellow, Henry's second wife, was done by Samuel Rowse in 1859. The drawing hangs, as it did when Henry was alive, over the fireplace in the Gold Ring Room, Henry Longfellow's bedroom at Craigie House in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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Myth web - Odyssey

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Women of Mythology; Warriors, Mothers & Virgins: The Art of Howard David Johnson; Women of Greek, Roman, Norse & Asian Mythology

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Women of mythology: realistic paintings and pictures by howard david johnson.

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Perhaps the most influential artist of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso may be best known for pioneering Cubism and fracturing the two-dimensional picture plane in order to convey three-dimensional space. Inspired by African and Iberian art, he also contributed to the rise of Surrealism and Expressionism. Picasso's sizable oeuvre grew to include over 20,000 paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures,ceramics, theater sets, and costume designs. He painted his most famous work, Guernica (1937), in response to the Spanish Civil War; the totemic grisaille canvas remains a definitive work of anti-war art. At auction, a number of Picasso's paintings have sold for more than $100 million. The indefatigable artist has been the subject of exhibitions at the world's most prestigious institutions, from the Museum of Modern Art and Centre Pompidou to the Stedelijk Museum and Tate Modern.

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René Magritte | The Healer (Le Thérapeute) (1937) | Artsy

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From Art Institute of Chicago, René Magritte, The Healer (Le Thérapeute) (1937), Oil on canvas, 36 1/4 × 25 9/16 in

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Webquest - A Hero's Journey

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WebQuest: The Hero's Journey: created with Zunal WebQuest Maker

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A resource page for Educational Technology

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Stories from the Odyssey have inspired many works of art through the ages. Here are a few.

Odysseus at the Palace of Alcinous

In Book VIII, Odysseus, who has been staying at the palace of Nausicaa's father, King Alcinous of the Phaeacians, has not yet revealed his identity. The kingly entertainment includes listening to the bard Demodokos singing of Odysseus' own experiences. This brings tears to Odysseus' eyes.

Francesco Hayez (1791-1882) was a Venetian involved in the transition between Neoclassicism and Romanticism in Italian painting.

Odysseus and the Sirens in the Odyssey

A siren call means something that is alluring. It is dangerous and potentially deadly. Even if you know better, the siren call is hard to resist. In Greek mythology, the sirens who allured were sea nymphs beguiling enough to begin with, but with even more enticing voices.

In Odyssey Book XII Circe warns Odysseus about the dangers he will face at sea. One of these is the Sirens. In the adventure of the Argonauts, Jason and his men faced the danger of the Sirens with the help of the singing of Orpheus. Odysseus has no Orpheus to drown out the lovely voices, so he orders his men to stuff their ears with wax and tie him to a mast so he can't escape, but can still hear them singing. This painting shows the sirens as beautiful women-birds who fly to their prey instead of luring them from afar:

John William Waterhouse was an English Neoclassicist painter who was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites.

Odysseus and Tiresias

Odysseus consults with the spirit of Tiresias during Odysseus' Nekuia. This scene is based on Book XI of the Odyssey. The capped man on the left is Odysseus' companion Eurylochus.

The painting, by the Dolon Painter, is on a Lucanian Red-figure calyx-krater. A calyx-krater is used for mixing wine and water

Odysseus and His Dog Argos

Odysseus arrived back in Ithaca in disguise. His old maid recognized him by a scar and his dog recognized him in a canine way, but most of the people in Ithaca thought he was an old beggar. The faithful dog was old and soon died. Here he is lying at Odysseus' feet.

Jean-Auguste Barre was a 19th-century French sculptor.

The Slaughter of the Suitors at the End of the Odyssey

Book XXII of the Odyssey describes the slaughter of the suitors. Odysseus and his three men stand against all the suitors who have been despoiling Odysseus' estate. It's not a fair fight, but that's because Odysseus has managed to trick the suitors out of their weapons, so only Odysseus and crew are armed.

Scientists have dated this mythological event. See Eclipse Used to Date Odysseus' Massacre of the Suitors.

This painting is on a bell-krater, which describes the shape of a pottery vessel with glazed interior, used for mixing wine and water.

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Stories from the Odyssey have inspired many works of art through the ages. Here are a few. In Book VIII, Odysseus, who has been staying at the palace of Nausicaa's father, King Alcinous of the Phaeacians, has not yet revealed his identity. The kingly entertainment includes listening to the bard Demodokos singing of Odysseus' own experiences.

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Ancient Greece - History, mythology, art, war, culture, society, and architecture.

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Get News and Updates from AncientGreece.com Click on any of the above icons to learn more about the topic Question & Answers, discusstopics and ideas.Meet Students and Professors. Free Essay Research Library.Browse Ancient Greece Essays. Explore photos of Sculptures, Paintings, Artifacts and more.+360 Degree Photos Experience and an archaeological dig, learn to excavate, map and recover lost artifacts.

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Schools & Universities | Indianapolis Museum of Art

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Whether you want to bring your students or family to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, or you're looking for opportunities to interact with our collection through digital resources, let us support your learning experiences and make the art world a stronger, more relevant part of your world.

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Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

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The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is located in downtown Indianapolis, IN, and houses one of the finest collections of Native contemporary art in the World, as well as Western American paintings and sculptures.

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· © 2017 Smarthistory · Designed by Press Customizr · Powered by ·

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Stories from the Odyssey have inspired many works of art through the ages. Here are a few.

Odysseus at the Palace of Alcinous

In Book VIII, Odysseus, who has been staying at the palace of Nausicaa's father, King Alcinous of the Phaeacians, has not yet revealed his identity. The kingly entertainment includes listening to the bard Demodokos singing of Odysseus' own experiences. This brings tears to Odysseus' eyes.

Francesco Hayez (1791-1882) was a Venetian involved in the transition between Neoclassicism and Romanticism in Italian painting.

Odysseus and the Sirens in the Odyssey

A siren call means something that is alluring. It is dangerous and potentially deadly. Even if you know better, the siren call is hard to resist. In Greek mythology, the sirens who allured were sea nymphs beguiling enough to begin with, but with even more enticing voices.

In Odyssey Book XII Circe warns Odysseus about the dangers he will face at sea. One of these is the Sirens. In the adventure of the Argonauts, Jason and his men faced the danger of the Sirens with the help of the singing of Orpheus. Odysseus has no Orpheus to drown out the lovely voices, so he orders his men to stuff their ears with wax and tie him to a mast so he can't escape, but can still hear them singing. This painting shows the sirens as beautiful women-birds who fly to their prey instead of luring them from afar:

John William Waterhouse was an English Neoclassicist painter who was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites.

Odysseus and Tiresias

Odysseus consults with the spirit of Tiresias during Odysseus' Nekuia. This scene is based on Book XI of the Odyssey. The capped man on the left is Odysseus' companion Eurylochus.

The painting, by the Dolon Painter, is on a Lucanian Red-figure calyx-krater. A calyx-krater is used for mixing wine and water

Odysseus and His Dog Argos

Odysseus arrived back in Ithaca in disguise. His old maid recognized him by a scar and his dog recognized him in a canine way, but most of the people in Ithaca thought he was an old beggar. The faithful dog was old and soon died. Here he is lying at Odysseus' feet.

Jean-Auguste Barre was a 19th-century French sculptor.

The Slaughter of the Suitors at the End of the Odyssey

Book XXII of the Odyssey describes the slaughter of the suitors. Odysseus and his three men stand against all the suitors who have been despoiling Odysseus' estate. It's not a fair fight, but that's because Odysseus has managed to trick the suitors out of their weapons, so only Odysseus and crew are armed.

Scientists have dated this mythological event. See Eclipse Used to Date Odysseus' Massacre of the Suitors.

This painting is on a bell-krater, which describes the shape of a pottery vessel with glazed interior, used for mixing wine and water.

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Stories from the Odyssey have inspired many works of art through the ages. Here are a few. In Book VIII, Odysseus, who has been staying at the palace of Nausicaa's father, King Alcinous of the Phaeacians, has not yet revealed his identity. The kingly entertainment includes listening to the bard Demodokos singing of Odysseus' own experiences.

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Welcome to my web site! Thank you for visiting my website, the one stop for all information onThe Odyssey.

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World Myths and Legends in Art (Minneapolis Institute of Arts)

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This is the Minneapolis Institute of Art's "World Myths and Legends in Art" web site.

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Search Results: "mythology" - Prints & Photographs Online Catalog (Library of Congress)

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The Prints and Photographs Online Catalog (PPOC) contains catalog records and digital images representing a rich cross-section of still pictures held by the Prints & Photographs Division and, in some cases, other units of the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress offers broad public access to these materials as a contribution to education and scholarship.

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They concede that scholars of Homer are still not likely to give much credence to the idea. But it makes for an intriguing story, one that the blind bard, a mystery himself, would have appreciated.

Although an eclipse is not mentioned anywhere in the story, there are omens and what Plutarch inferred was a poetic description of a total solar eclipse. Odysseus has arrived home, disguised in beggar's rags and in hiding before revealing himself. It happens that, when Penelope's persistent suitors sit down for a noontime meal, they start laughing uncontrollably and see their food spattered with blood.

At this strange moment, the seer Theoclymenus foretells their death, ending with the sentence, "The Sun has been obliterated from the sky, and an unlucky darkness invades the world."

There are reasons to think that the darkness of a total eclipse had just fallen on Ithaca. It was close to noon when the 1178 eclipse occurred over the Ionian Sea. It was, as mentioned several times in the story, at the time of a new moon, which the scientists point out is "a necessary condition for a solar eclipse." And what better atmospherics to accompany a prophecy of doom than a total eclipse, which was considered an ill omen?

Experts on Homer have previously discounted such conjecture. For one thing, the earliest verified eclipse records are in the eighth century B.C., about the time Homer was writing but long after the action in what is known as the Trojan War, around the early 12th century B.C. Scholars say there is no evidence supporting a view at the time, widely quoted, that "a solar eclipse may mark the return of Odysseus."

In their report, Dr. Baikouzis and Dr. Magnasco acknowledged the speculative nature of their study, several times throwing in their own caveats. "The notion that the passage could refer not just to an allegorical eclipse used by the poet for literary effect but actually to a specific historical one," they agreed, "seems unlikely because it would entail the transmission through oral tradition of information about an eclipse occurring maybe five centuries before the poem was cast in the form we know today."

The two scientists derived a possible chronology from astronomical references in the story, including the stars by which Odysseus navigated, the sighting of Venus just before dawn as he arrives at Ithaca, and the new moon on the night before the massacre of the suitors and the presumed eclipse.

On the basis of their analysis, the scientists said, these three "references 'cohere,' in the sense that the astronomical phenomena pinpoint the date of 16 April 1178 B.C.," adding, "The odds that purely fictional references to these phenomena (so hard to satisfy simultaneously) would coincide by accident with the only eclipse of the century are minute."

Correction: June 26, 2008

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Homecoming of Odysseus May Have Been in Eclipse

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They concede that scholars of Homer are still not likely to give much credence to the idea. But it makes for an intriguing story, one that the blind bard, a mystery himself, would have appreciated. Although an eclipse is not mentioned anywhere in the story, there are omens and what Plutarch inferred was a poetic description of a total solar eclipse.

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It is not uncommon for politicians, media figures and the general public to claim - without question - that those serving in the armed forces are heroes. Military service is unique, and the challenges faced by service members are unlike those of other professions. Violent death is a real possibility while wearing a service uniform. But does this make everyone who served a hero?

Like many veterans, I've been called a hero for my military service. As I see it, I didn't accomplish anything extraordinary during my time in the Army or my two tours in Iraq. I did my job. I had good days and I had bad days. Yes, on really bad days things were nasty and might involve multiple fiery explosions or being under severely oppressive heat for hours, wearing a full kit. Despite these hardships, I tried, generally, to do as good a job as I could while serving, and I left military service honorably. Even though I didn't participate in any solitary acts of heroism, like jumping on a grenade or being the guy who got Osama bin Laden, there are many who would say I am a hero for doing what others would not while putting myself at extreme risk.

I understand the sentiment, and I trust that there are those who truly believe that all service members are heroes, simply for signing up. But I can't help think that for some, "hero" is a throw-away word, designed to demonstrate a "support the troops" position or guarantee applause at an event.

For this new generation of veterans, the term "hero" usually comes partnered with the decision to join the military during a time of war, after 9/11, when deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan was all but guaranteed. I unheroically joined before 9/11, in April 2001, having barely graduated high school and after a semester toying with community college. My goal was to straighten myself out and figure out what I wanted out of life, while being somewhat productive and useful. In the Army I joined, the dreaded assignment was not a 15-month deployment to the "Triangle of Death" or Helmand province, but a yearlong "hardship" tour to South Korea or peacekeeping duty in Kosovo.

The peacetime Army I joined disappeared while I was in Airborne school at Fort Benning on Sept. 11, 2001. I was only a trainee, fresh out of basic training, but I saw it in the faces of the lifers; the Army just got real. Years later, in conversations about my service, I'm often asked when I joined, and being young, I can sense that the inquisitor anticipates the response that I joined after 9/11, fully knowing the dangerous consequences that I would have faced. They are ready to applaud me for being so brave. I can see their enthusiasm wash from their face when I inform them that, no, I did not join knowing I would go to war. "But surely you would have joined after 9/11, right?" Not actually knowing the answer to that question, I can only respond with, "I don't know." "Well, you're a hero anyway...," they say.

I don't feel comfortable being called a hero. In fact, my brow furrows and my mind sharpens when I hear it. Words matter, and "hero" is so loaded and used so frequently that it stands to lose its meaning altogether. Maybe this is just New York cynicism, but I know I'm not the only veteran who feels skeptical when he or she is placed in the hero bin along with every other service member from the past 10 years. I admire the fact that men and women with whom I served chose a dangerous profession for their country - often making the decision after 9/11. But, these are soldiers. Soldiers are human beings. There are good ones and bad ones. A few do amazing, heroic things. The rest do their jobs - incredible, unique jobs - but jobs, nonetheless. Some perform happily, others grudgingly. And I argue that most feel embarrassed when lauded as heroes.

This sentiment is especially true, considering there are real heroes out there. Like Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, the first woman to receive the Silver Star since World War II for her role in crushing an enemy ambush on a supply convoy near Baghdad, helping to kill or capture an enemy force of 30 insurgents. And Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta, whose actions in Afghanistan in 2007 earned him the Medal of Honor, becoming the first living recipient of the award for this generation of veterans. He will soon be joined by Sgt. First Class Leroy Petry, who, after being shot through both of his legs, lost his hand in an attempt to throw back an enemy grenade in Afghanistan in 2008. His selfless action prevented his fellow Rangers from being wounded or killed.

Men and women like these are my heroes. To call everyone who puts on a uniform a hero cheapens these extraordinary actions. My fear is that being called a hero has become the new "thank you for your service." That line, also awkwardly received by veterans everywhere, at least makes sense. Our nation has an all-volunteer military and military service can be tough, especially during war, so a thank you is appropriate and in good order.

Calling everyone a hero is unfair to the real heroes who accomplish extraordinary things. It's also unfair to the rest of us who do important work, only to have it wiped away by being equated to the work of everyone else. Yes, people's hearts are in the right place when they call us heroes. But I'd much rather a person struggle to understand what military service is all about, rather than just assume it's all heroic, all the time. In a country where so few people serve in a military that plays such a prominent role in global affairs, a little understanding can go a long way.

Don Gomez is an Iraq War veteran and spokesman forIraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. He served two tours in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division in 2003 and 2005. You can follow him on Twitter @dongomezjr.

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united states defense and military forces

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It is not uncommon for politicians, media figures and the general public to claim - without question - that those serving in the armed forces are heroes. Military service is unique, and the challenges faced by service members are unlike those of other professions. Violent death is a real possibility while wearing a service uniform.

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Other essays articles in the Literature Archives related to this topic include : Paradise Lost by Milton : Is Satan as an Epic Hero? * The Epic Hero in Pulp Fiction * Comparison of Actors : DeNiro and Pacino in "Heat" (1995) *

The hero myth and the legendary epic hero are not simply story-telling relics of ancient past. Instead, these archetypes persist in modern literature and film and hold just as much (if not more, in some cases) cultural and societal importance as they did in antiquity. One of the best examples of modern depictions of the epic hero in film can be found in the first series of films by George Lucas, Star Wars. In this set of films by George Lucas, the same great battles and situations that were faced by heroes of antiquity reemerge in a setting that is, of course, far different than the ancient battlefields and homes of Greece, Rome, or early Europe. Still, despite the difference in setting and the changes the future has brought about, it should be recognized that the exact same values that were at stake for heroes such as Achilles of The Iliad, Hector, Beowulf, and even biblical heroes are the same that drive the quests in Star Wars. Because of this, it seems that one of the most important aspects of heroes from all ages is that they are engaged in more or less universal pursuits. In short, it is the universality and timelessness of the issues at stake in the film "Star Wars" that throughout all heroic epics, modern or otherwise, make the form and archetype so persistent throughout cultural history, literature, and memory.

The film by George Lucas, Star Wars is the perfect example of classical ancient and time-worn heroic epics for several reasons. Interestingly, in the case of Star Wars, instead of having just one epic hero, there are several, most notably Luke Skywalker, Princess Lea, and Han Solo. What all of these modern epic heroes in these late 1970s films share in common is a quest. While the quest may not be the same for all three characters, all three of them are motivated and pushed along by forces higher than themselves and must make a journey based on these principles. While Han Solo in "Star Wars" might be an exception to the traditional ideal of the epic hero (since he merely "comes along for the ride" before becoming enamored with the quest) the brothers Luke and Lea and the perfect modern icons for these traditional ideals of epic heroes. It is worth noting that when we think of the term "epic hero" we generally consider a male figure who must perform well in battle (and often face temptation in the form of a female). Lea in ,"Star Wars" however, breaks this stereotype and the two; man and woman, stand as perfect images of epic heroes -not just for modernity as we know it, but as symbols of the ideals they represent as being powerful earth (and beyond)-changing influences in a "galaxy far, far away" and in the distant future.

Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars" embodies the major qualities of some of and literature's most compelling and time-worn mythic epic heroes. For example, like Achilles, in "Star Wars" Luke must understand the significance or divine guidance (or the favor of the "gods"-in this case the spirits of dead Jedi and the mythic power of the force) and must be able to temper his capacity for pride with his realization of his greater purpose. Like Achilles and his weak spot, Luke's "heel" is the mixed feeling he has for his father. While he ultimately overcomes his own dark side and wish to join his father, the fact remains that his greatest flaw is internal and hidden until the moment of truth. Lea too has this same issue as she is very headstrong and for the most part, not always willing to listen to guidance, instead thinking she knows what needs to be done. Throughout "Star Wars" she must battle with her weaknesses (one of which, no matter how "critically feminist" we want to be about this subject) which is her femininity. She wants to overcome this "Achilles heel" and not be emotional or non-political and this is one of the most underrated "quests" she faces before finally earning her "masculine" place in her society after great battles and hardship. In short, Achilles is a brilliant example in terms of mythical or epic heroes in this film by George Lucas, the original "Star Wars".

When watching the original films in the first Lucas series of Star Wars, other more immediately recognizable associations between ancient and modern myth become apparent. One of the most prominent is the connection between the myths of Christianity in both ancient and modern forms. The epic battles between the forces of good and evil are at the center of Luke and Lea's struggles, which is the same in Christianity. Interestingly, the similarities in the nature of the journey of Christ are not the only parallels. The villain in Star Wars, Darth Vader is exactly like the depiction of Satan present in Milton's Paradise Lost. Like Luke and Lea, he is on his quest for evil, which came about because he abandoned his quest to be at God's side, being like Achilles in terms of pride and not allowing himself to be second best. Like many origin myths where there is the juxtaposition of darkness and light/good and evil, the good characters, Luke and Lea, must brave the darkness to complete their quests. Both do so by the process of learning who they are and what their true purposes are.

While the biblical and ancient Greek connections are strong, one cannot help but see the warrior epic hero archetype represented by Beowulfand Gilgamesh as well. Like Christ and Achilles, Luke and Lea must discover where their strengths are (physical, mental...the "force) before they can complete their epic quests. The only way the brother and sister pair are different from these epic heroes is that they are living in a distant future where some of the societal standards are different. For instance, they live in multiple worlds with different races and vastly different cultures. They must learn to navigate their process of discovery and identity through such a complex maze of ideas, which is something that the epic heroes discussed here didn't have to do since they existed in very concrete cultures with set notions of how things should be. Still, however, part of what makes this difference remarkable is that nonetheless, despite this added cultural complexity, these heroes still are so recognizable in terms of being heroes that overcoming the more complex society is simply an added quest rather than something that renders these heroic archetypes unrecognizable.

When considered in the larger context, heroes such as Luke and Lea from "Star Wars" and their ancient literary and mythical counterparts persist because no matter where we seem to be in the process of human evolution, we all need larger than life figures to spur us forward and to remind us to fight for what we believe, to listen to our hearts or guides, and to serve as models for what a strong or courageous person should be like. Heroes like those found in Homer or the films of George Lucas such as "Star Wars" survive and continue to manifest themselves in modernity because as a civilization, we have not reached a pinnacle or any state of perfection. We still require models of behavior and more importantly, models that can be understood in all cultures. In fact, another reason why the hero persists today is because he or she is often fighting for causes that are, in many ways, universal. For example, nearly all world cultures have heroes like Luke or Lea from "Star Wars" who fight for values that are pertinent to everyone; love, loyalty, patriotism or nationalism, family, etc.

Looking back at the struggles of heroes such as Beowulf, Achilles, Hector, and others, it is clear that the reason why these stories still hold so much value is because all of the ways these people were heroes are still ways of achieving heroic status. Fighting for one's country, values, family, traditions, beliefs-all of these are universals and thus the epic hero, in a broad definition, should include the fact that all epic heroes have an overarching quest that can be understood (if not respected) by all people-no matter where they hail from or believe in. When Luke Skywalker is finally able to bring his father to some remembrance of his humanity, after battling the darkness within himself or when Lea fights gallantly for the Republic without fear for her own life only-these are all things that appear time and time again throughout heroic epics and will continue to do so. While the story might be different, the fact that these universal values are being fought for and quested after is the important hinge connecting all heroes and explaining the persistence of the archetype.

Epic heroes such as those in Star Wars remind us that we will always, even in a distant future or a "land far, far away" require these models of behavior as moral or ethical guides. Considering that the films took place somewhere that is not in any way recognizable (foreign planets with several different races of beings, all of whom have different cultures and even languages) it is also important to recognize how this is deeply significant for understanding the value of heroes. Because of the distant setting, it becomes clear that humans will always be the same on some fundamental level. Just as a few thousand years ago, the ancient people found certain concepts such as love, loyalty, bravery, and honesty important, so too will people in the far future when there are so many new ideas to absorb. In fact, in many ways, Star Wars is a very hopeful set of films. It shows how there are always going to be heroes to battle dark forces and thereby will offer humanity hope for a brighter future where there are always models to look to for strength and guidance.

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Other essays articles in the Literature Archives related to this topic include : Paradise Lost by Milton : Is Satan as an Epic Hero? * The Epic Hero in Pulp Fiction * Comparison of Actors : DeNiro and Pacino in "Heat" (1995) * The hero myth and the legendary epic hero are not simply story-telling relics of ancient past.

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WebQuest: The Hero's Journey: created with Zunal WebQuest Maker

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A resource page for Educational Technology

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Meet famous icons like Albert Einstein, Charlize Theron, and Bruce Willis who made America their home. Find inspiration quotes from notable immigrants and more at United States Citizenship. .

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Meet famous icons like Albert Einstein, Charlize Theron, and Bruce Willis who made America their home. Find inspiration quotes from notable immigrants and more at United States Citizenship. .

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Blue Balliett, Author of: Pieces and Players, Hold Fast, The Danger Box, The Calder Game, The Wright 3, Chasing Vermeer, and Nantucket Ghosts.

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Blue Balliett: Author of: Pieces and Players, Hold Fast, The Danger Box, The Calder Game, The Wright 3, Chasing Vermeer, and Nantucket Ghosts.

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Immigration- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress

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Immigration stories on this web site are for scholarly and educational purposes, to illustrate the American immigration experience during the second half of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st century.

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Issues | Federation for American Immigration Reform

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© Copyright 2018 Federation for American Immigration Reform, All Rights Reserved 25 Massachusetts Ave. NW Ste. 330, Washington, DC 20001 Phone: 1.877.627.3247 Fax: 202.387.3447

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FAIR leaders have ties to white supremacist groups and eugenicists and have made many racist statements. Its advertisements have been rejected because of racist content. FAIR's founder, John Tanton, has expressed his wish that America remain a majority-white population: a goal to be achieved, presumably, by limiting the number of nonwhites who enter the country. One of the group's main goals is upending the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which ended a decades-long, racist quota system that limited immigration mostly to northern Europeans. FAIR President Dan Stein has called the Act a "mistake."

In its own words

"As Whites see their power and control over their lives declining, will they simply go quietly into the night? Or will there be an explosion?"
- FAIR founder and board member John Tanton, Oct. 10, 1986

"I've come to the point of view that for European-American society and culture to persist requires a European-American majority, and a clear one at that."
- John Tanton, letter to eugenicist and ecology professor Garrett Hardin (now deceased), Dec. 10, 1993

"I blame ninety-eight percent of responsibility for this country's immigration crisis on Ted Kennedy and his political allies, who decided some time back in 1958, earlier perhaps, that immigration was a great way to retaliate against Anglo-Saxon dominance and hubris, and the immigration laws from the 1920s were just this symbol of that, and it's a form of revengism, or revenge, that these forces continue to push the immigration policy that they know full well are [sic] creating chaos and will continue to create chaos down the line."
- FAIR President Dan Stein, "Oral History of the Federation for American Immigration Reform," interview of Dan Stein by John Tanton, August 1994.

"Do we leave it to individuals to decide that they are the intelligent ones who should have more kids? And more troublesome, what about the less intelligent, who logically should have less? Who is going to break the bad news [to less intelligent individuals], and how will it be implemented?"
- John Tanton, letter to eugenicist Robert K. Graham (now deceased), Sept. 18, 1996.

"Immigrants don't come all church-loving, freedom-loving, God-fearing ... Many of them hate America, hate everything that the United States stands for. Talk to some of these Central Americans."
- FAIR President Dan Stein, interviewed by Tucker Carlson, Oct. 2, 1997.

Background

John Tanton founded the Federation for American Immigration Reform on Jan. 2, 1979, in Washington D.C. Roger Conner, an environmental lawyer, was appointed executive director, while Tanton served as the chairman of the board of directors. Before establishing FAIR, Tanton had experience working with groups concerned about how population growth affected the environment. Tanton served in several Sierra Club leadership posts, and he had been the president of Zero Population Growth, a group founded by biologist and longtime FAIR adviser Paul Ehrlich, from 1975 to 1977.

The founding of FAIR was a major change for Tanton. But he was driven to shift his efforts to the battle against immigration by his increasing concern that it was the primary cause of population growth. As a result, FAIR focuses exclusively on immigration issues. Its goal, according to its website, is to set immigration quotas "at the lowest feasible levels" and to prevent all illegal immigration. The group attempts to appear moderate, even though its record is extreme, particularly on racial issues. This strategy has paid off: In August 2009, FAIR President Dan Stein boasted that FAIR leaders had testified before Congress about 100 times.

In its early years, FAIR was known for frequent op-ed pieces and controversial advertisements. In December 1980, it ran an ad in the Rocky Mountain News with the headline: "Our Grandparents Came To America To Escape Poverty And Despair. Will Our Children Want To Leave For The Same Reasons?" The implication was that unless immigration policies were reformed, immigrants would swarm the United States, undermine job prospects for Americans and put an end to American prosperity.

In 1988, Dan Stein replaced Roger Conner as executive director. Stein had been an employee of FAIR since 1982; before that, he was the executive director of the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), which was incorporated under FAIR's tax exemption and still serves as FAIR's legal arm. Conner became FAIR's president; this meant that Stein took over the responsibilities of running FAIR while Conner focused on fundraising.

On Oct. 9, 1988, the Arizona Republic published excerpts from embarrassing memos that had been sent by Tanton and Conner to members of FAIR's leadership. The documents were known as the WITAN memos; they came from an October 1986 conference in which Tanton met with a number of anti-immigration activists for a strategy session. The memos revealed Tanton's innermost, and controversial, thoughts. Tanton warned of a " Latin onslaught," complained of Latinos' allegedly low "educability." He asked, "Will Latin American migrants bring with them the tradition of the mordida (bribe), the lack of involvement in public affairs, etc.?" He also wondered: "Can homo contraceptivus [meaning whites] compete with homo progenitiva [meaning Latinos] if borders aren't controlled? Or is advice to limit ones [sic] family simply advice to move over and let someone else with greater reproductive powers occupy the space?"

In the memos, Tanton, sounding much like the Klan of the 1920s, expressed concerns over the role of the Catholic Church in the United States, a favorite topic of his. He worried that the Church would capitalize on the Catholic faith of Latino immigrants to exert more political influence in the U.S. Specifically, he thought the church would try to subvert the division between church and state and limit abortion and birth control.

Linda Chavez, then the executive director of another group founded by John Tanton and of which he was then president, U.S. English, resigned because of the memos, calling them "repugnant and not excusable" and "anti-Catholic and anti-Hispanic." Several members of U.S. English's board, including Walter Cronkite and Arnold Schwarzenegger, also quit the group, and Tanton resigned. But there was no fallout for Tanton with his colleagues at FAIR; there, Tanton was supported and a committee created to craft his defense for the incendiary comments in the WITAN memos.

The memos were far from the sum of Tanton's extremism. As reports by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) would document, Tanton has a lengthy record of friendly correspondence with Holocaust deniers, a former Klan lawyer and leading white nationalist thinkers, including Jared Taylor (who wrote in 2005, "When blacks are left entirely to their own devices, Western civilization - any kind of civilization - disappears"). On another occasion, Tanton wrote a major FAIR funder to suggest she read the work of radical anti-Semitic professor Kevin MacDonald - to "give you a new understanding of the Jewish outlook on life" - and suggested that the entire FAIR board discuss the man's theories about the Jews. In a letter to FAIR board member Donald Collins, Tanton enthused over the work of John Trevor Sr. - a key architect of the bluntly racist Immigration Act of 1924 and a man who distributed pro-Nazi propaganda and warned shrilly of "diabolical Jewish control" of America - and said it should serve FAIR as "a guidepost to what we must follow again this time." Tanton has also made several racist comments, telling a reporter in 1997 that unless U.S. borders are sealed, America will be overrun by people "defecating and creating garbage and looking for jobs."

The WITAN memos reveal Tanton's keen awareness of the importance of seeming respectable. In one memo, he wrote: "the issues we're touching on here must be broached by liberals. The conservatives simply cannot do it without tainting the whole subject." But the publication of the memos did not halt FAIR's growth. In 1990, FAIR claimed 50,000 members.

Tanton's preoccupation with immigration appears to be based, at least in part, on race. In a March 3, 1993 memo to FAIR board member Otis Graham, he demonstrated his desire to limit the number of nonwhites living in the U.S. The memo concerned a new group Tanton wanted to start, which he would have named the League for European American Defense, Education, and Research, or LEADERs [sic]. According to another Tanton memo, he had hatched the idea with help from three prominent white nationalists: the Council of Conservative Citizens' Sam Francis, American Renaissance's Jared Taylor and Wayne Lutton, who edits Tanton's hate journal The Social Contract. Tanton wrote in his LEADERs memo: "Projections by the U.S. Census Bureau show that midway into the next century, the current European-American majority will become a minority. ... This is unacceptable; we decline to bequeath to our children minority status in their own land." Here, Tanton made it quite clear that the skin color of immigrants factored into his desire to limit immigration.

Despite Tanton's unsavory track record, longtime FAIR President Dan Stein has shrunk from any criticism of FAIR's founder; on the contrary, in 2009 he told the Washington Post that Tanton was a "Renaissance man."

Maybe Stein has vigorously defended Tanton because he has expressed similarly extreme positions. In 1991, Stein sent a report to FAIR's board of directors under the subject line: " The Defenders of American culture Rise to the Call to Arms." In the memo, which is archived at George Washington University's Gelman Library, Stein celebrated a new "disdain" in the media and among intellectuals for "the political agenda of those who openly attack the contributions of Western Civilization." He was particularly happy that "multicultural and Politically Correct" school curricula had come under criticism.

Stein's report expressed the hope that mounting criticism of multiculturalism would eventually lead to attacks on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which ended years of racist immigration policy (under a national origins quota system heavily skewed against non-whites and even darker-skinned Europeans) and initiated a wave of non-white immigration to the U.S. For Stein, the 1965 Act was "a key mistake in national policy" and a "source of error."

In 1994, Tanton interviewed Stein for FAIR's oral history project, which is composed of transcribed audio interviews with about a dozen FAIR principals. In that interview, Stein again expressed his disgust for the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. He told Tanton that those who supported the 1965 reform wanted to "retaliate against Anglo-Saxon dominance" and that this "revengism" against whites had created a policy that is causing "chaos and will continue to create chaos."

FAIR and the Pioneer Fund

Between 1985 and 1994, FAIR received around $1.2 million in grants from the Pioneer Fund. The Pioneer Fund is a eugenicist organization that was started in 1937 by men close to the Nazi regime who wanted to pursue "race betterment" by promoting the genetic lines of American whites. Now led by race scientist J. Philippe Rushton, the fund continues to back studies intended to reveal the inferiority of minorities to whites.

FAIR stopped receiving Pioneer Fund grants in 1994 due to bad publicity it received when the grants were made public. At the time, FAIR was backing California's punishing anti-immigrant Proposition 187, which would have denied education and health care to the children of undocumented immigrants in that state if it had not died as the result of court challenges. Stein and Tanton had led FAIR's efforts to win funding from Pioneer, and Stein said in 1993, before Pioneer's extremism was made public, that his "job [was] to get every dime of Pioneer's money."

After the bad publicity, FAIR denied that the Pioneer Fund money had any influence on its work or in any way influenced its programs. To manage the fallout, on March 16, 1994, Stein wrote a letter to Harry Weyher, then the president of the Pioneer Fund. Stein attached a draft of a document that he wanted Weyher to endorse and send out, titled "Why the Pioneer Fund Supports the Immigration Reform Movement." Stein wrote the piece as though Weyher had written it himself. One part read, "We are pleased and proud that through financial support, we've made FAIR's important work possible." Though FAIR stopped receiving grants from the fund, which require public disclosure, it continued to receive private financial support from Pioneer's leaders for several years. In early 1997, Tanton organized a gathering at the New York Racquet and Tennis Club, where three members of FAIR's board - Henry Buhl, Sharon Barnes and Alan Weeden - met with Harry Weyher. In the late 1990s, Tanton also vacationed with Pioneer Fund board member John Trevor Jr., who also provided private financial support to FAIR.

FAIR's foray into TV

FAIR also has produced controversial media programming. In 1996, FAIR started a television program called "Borderline." The show lasted for about a year and featured a number of prominent white nationalists, including Sam Francis and Jared Taylor. "Borderline" often advanced ideas popular in white nationalist circles; particularly popular was the idea that immigrants are destroying American culture or displacing Western civilization with degenerate, Third World ways.

Lawrence Auster, a white nationalist who spoke in 1996 to a conference put on by American Renaissance and whose website "A View from the Right" is listed as a hate site by the SPLC, appeared on the show on April 1, 1996, making the argument that if the U.S. loses its white majority, it will be destroyed. The topic that day, according to host Dan Stein, was to "take a politically incorrect look at American culture and Western Civilization." Stein added, "America, love it or lose it." Auster argued that because of an "invasion," "America is in the process of dissolving as a nation." Supposedly drawing on history, Auster warned that as demographic change occurs and "the majority is threatened in its position," the result could be "civil war." Auster's particular concern that day was the loss of "the historic European Anglo American culture." Stein certainly seemed to agree with his guest's worries. "How can we preserve America if it becomes 50% Latin American?" he asked. Stein also said that Anglos were leaving Los Angeles because it had become "a foreign country to them."

Another prominent white nationalist who appeared on "Borderline" was naturalized English immigrant Peter Brimelow, who in 1999 would go on to found the anti-immigrant hate site VDARE.com. Brimelow authored Alien Nation, a book that argues America should remain white-dominated. In a discussion about Alien Nation on Aug. 5, 1996, Stein asked Brimelow whether "America's social and economic elites seem to be writing off the whole idea of the nation-state." He added: "If they shift their loyalty from the nation-state, what are they loyal to?" Brimelow argued that these same elites are creating the "greatest transformation of any independent state in history" by bringing in "new minority groups that did not exist before." Brimelow considered these elites to be "treasonous," people who "hate our traditional culture and they see immigration as a weapon to help destroy it." "Are they really patriots?" Brimelow asked.

Stein asked Brimelow to talk more about his statement "race is destiny in American politics." Brimelow did, saying, "you really alter the texture of the country by bringing in different ethnic groups." Endorsing the invasion theory, Brimelow told one caller, "you have areas of South Texas and so on that have essentially gone back to Mexico." Stein later asked Brimelow whether this all meant "the end of the United States?" Brimelow's answer: "Sure."

In 1998, various nativists and nativist groups attempted to get the Sierra Club to take an anti-immigration stance. The effort culminated in a 1998 vote in which Sierra Club members determined whether the group would support immigration restrictions. FAIR was one of the groups that helped to put the measure on the Sierra Club ballot, and Dan Stein teamed up with then-CNN Crossfire host Pat Buchanan to advocate for it. Members ultimately chose to retain the Sierra Club's neutral stance on immigration policy in a 60%-40% vote. The Sierra Club was an important target for FAIR because it was considered a liberal group, and Tanton, who held leadership positions there in the 1970s and still had many allies, expressed in his WITAN memos that he thought that the Sierra Club would be less vulnerable to charges of racism when advocating against immigration.

In April 1999, FAIR attacked U.S. Senator Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.) for supporting more visas for foreigners with technology skills. It ran a newspaper ad that placed a picture of Abraham, an Arab-American, alongside a picture of Osama bin Laden. It asked, "Why Is a U.S. Senator Trying to Make It Easier for Osama bin Laden to Export Terrorism to the U.S.?" FAIR's ads were widely condemned and caused former Senator Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.) to resign from FAIR's advisory board. FAIR has also run other extremely controversial political advertisements, including one in 2000 in Iowa that was rejected by a TV station as "borderline racist."

FAIR officials and links to white supremacy

Several FAIR officials have links to white supremacist hate groups. Rick Oltman, who for much of the 1990s was FAIR's western regional coordinator, spoke as part of a 1997 immigration panel sponsored by the Council of Conservative Citizens, a racist group that has described black people as a "retrograde species of humanity." Council publications at the time listed Oltman as a member. Jim Staudenraus, FAIR's eastern regional coordinator, participated in an anti-immigration conference in 2002 with white nationalist Jared Taylor. In 2007, a senior FAIR official met with leaders of Vlaams Belang, a Belgian political party that officials in that country outlawed in a previous incarnation (Vlaams Blok) as a "criminal organization" because of its racist, anti-immigrant views.

In late 2006, FAIR hired Joseph Turner as its western field representative after Oltman departed. Turner was the founder of the Southern California group Save Our State, a now-defunct anti-immigrant hate group that was known for attracting neo-Nazis to its rallies. Turner was on record before joining FAIR as saying that being a white separatist did not imply a person was racist. Turner once accused Mexican immigrants of turning California into a "third world cesspool." He left FAIR in December 2007 shortly after the SPLC, in tandem with publishing an extensive report on the group's racism that included Turner's inflammatory comments, designated FAIR as a hate group. FAIR representatives did not comment as to the reason for Turner's departure.

FAIR board members harbor extreme views and connections as well. Garrett Hardin, a now-deceased biologist, was a very close friend of Tanton's and an active board member of FAIR from the mid-1980s until around 1996. Like Tanton, he often expressed eugenicist views. Hardin was a longtime supporter of population control: In 1968, he wrote "The Tragedy of the Commons," in which he argued that "[the] freedom to breed is intolerable." In a 1992 interview with Omni magazine, he argued against sending food to starving Ethiopians, noting that doing so would only "encourage population growth." In that interview, he lauded China for its "one-child policy" but lamented that the policy was not thorough enough. Former Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm, a longtime member of FAIR's board of advisors, once said that "new cultures" in America were "diluting what we are and who we are."

Longtime FAIR board member Donald A. Collins writes frequently for the VDARE.com, an anti-immigrant hate site named after Virginia Dare, said to have been the first English child born in the New World. (VDARE is dedicated to bashing immigrants and has published the work of many white nationalists and anti-Semites.) Collins has been published in The Journal of Social, Political and Economic Studies, a journal run by eugenicist Roger Pearson. Collins' articles have focused on attacking the Catholic Church for its liberal stance on immigration. One accused Los Angeles Archbishop Roger Mahony of selling out his country "in exchange for more temporal power and glory." Another claimed bishops were "infiltrating and manipulating the American political process" to dismantle the separation of church and state - the classic calumny directed at American Catholics for decades by the Klan and others. Another person linked to VDARE is Joe Guzzardi, a member of FAIR's board of advisors who worked as an editor of the site.

On Oct. 2, 2007, Julie Kirchner became FAIR's third executive director. Dan Stein had taken the position of FAIR president by that time. Stein retained his status as leader and public face of FAIR, while Kirchner managed the day-to-day operations.

FAIR pushes anti-immigrant legislation at state and local level

In the late 2000s, FAIR became much more active in pushing anti-immigrant laws at the state and local level. Attorney Kris Kobach, who works for FAIR's legal arm, the Immigration Reform Law Institute, helped to write Arizona Senate Bill 1070. The bill, signed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on April 23, 2010, forces police officers to detain individuals they suspect to be illegal immigrants and makes it a misdemeanor under state law for non-citizen immigrants to fail to carry their immigration papers. The law is currently caught up in the federal courts. Kobach earlier helped to pass anti-immigrant ordinances in Farmers Branch, Texas, Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and other cities. These laws seek to punish those who aid and abet "illegal aliens." The laws have proven a massive financial burden to the towns that pass them and, in many cases, have sparked racial strife and economic disorder. The Hazleton ordinance, which was struck down by a federal appeals court in September, had left that community of about 20,000 on the hook for $1.4 million and forced it to file for a state bailout. Kobach, Kansas Secretary of State and lawyer for IRLI, is now running for governor as a Republican. On July 14, 2018, he spoke at a pro-ICE rally in Wichita where he promised to end in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and said, "If you want to create a job for an American citizen tomorrow, deport an illegal alien today."

Another FAIR initiative to end birthright citizenship provisions of the 14th Amendment, a longtime goal of the group, was launched in January 2011. IRLI, FAIR's legal arm, working in partnership with State Legislators for Legal Immigration (SLLI), announced a plant to halt what they call "the misapplication of the 14th Amendment." The 14th Amendment ensures that children born in the U.S. are U.S. citizens. Birthright citizenship is how most Americans become citizens.

SLLI is a coalition of about 70 legislators in 38 states dedicated to eliminating "economic attractions" for immigrants and their "unlawful invasion" of the U.S. The group is often described as the legislative arm of FAIR, which is apt given the group says on its website that it has a "working partnership" with FAIR. SLLI's legislators are the main instigators behind favored FAIR initiatives, including attempts at the state level to deny immigrants various rights through laws modeled on Arizona's S.B. 1070.

SLLI has grown dormant in recent years, and the Supreme Court in 2012 struck down most of SB 1070's provisions as unconstitutional. FAIR's push to end birthright citizenship, however, has not. Encouraged by then-candidate Donald Trump's immigration plan, which proposed to "end birthright citizenship" because it is "the biggest magnet for illegal immigration," FAIR published a report claiming the enforcement of birthright citizenship is based on a misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment. On June 29, 2018, IRLI filed an amicus brief in Fitisemanu v. United States. IRLI alleges the 14th amendment has been misinterpreted since 1898 and hopes the case will be taken to the Supreme Court.

The 2012 election saw a renewed push for immigration reform at the federal level, with a bipartisan bill passing the Senate before collapsing in the House. In an effort to stop reform legislation, anti-immigrant front groups first created with the help of FAIR in the mid-2000s were revived and rebranded. Groups like Choose Black America and You Don't Speak for Me were replaced by the African American Leadership Council (AALC), a name replaced quickly by the Black American Leadership Alliance (BALA), and Alliance for Immigration Justice (AIJ). These groups, which ostensibly opposed reform because it would damage job prospects for minorities and hurt taxpayers, were made up of African Americans and Latinos. Many of them - such as Leah Durant, a former staffer at IRLI (FAIR's legal arm), and Frank Morris, a longtime FAIR board member - had close ties to nativist organizations. BALA did manage to organize a rally in Washington - the " D.C. March for Jobs " - that brought together a few thousand activists, including some nativist extremists like D.A. King of Georgia.

Following the failure of reform legislation, FAIR found a new focus. As the number of children fleeing violence in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua spiked in the summer of 2014, FAIR and its allies began to target organizations aiding these unaccompanied minors. FAIR published a map on its website with the title, "Is the Border Crisis Coming to a Town Near You?" It named locales where minors were being resettled and the organizations helping in that effort. Protests organized by anti-immigrant activists took place in a number of locations, most infamously in Murrieta, California, where activists blocked a bus full of women and children on their way to an immigration-processing center. In Michigan, anti-Muslim activist Tamyra Murray, a state adviser for FAIR, organized a protest against the relocation of minors in Vassar.

Even without a major immigration reform bill to challenge, FAIR's public statements in recent years show that the organization remains true to the white nationalist principles on which it was founded. In late December 2015, Dan Stein told supporters in a video message that without a moratorium on immigration, "we're going to lose everything about what it means to be an American."

FAIR continues to be involved in pushing anti-immigrant laws at the state and local level. The organization has run campaigns in multiple states.

In March 2018, the organization emailed supporters to contact legislators in the campaign against Maryland becoming a sanctuary state. "House Bill (HB) 1461 makes it nearly impossible for state and local law enforcement to protect Marylanders against dangerous criminal aliens, even those convicted of the most serious crimes," FAIR wrote.

In April 2018, it praised the passage of anti-sanctuary bill HB 2315 in Tennessee, and promised to defend the legislation from any legal challenges. That same month, the organization lauded the passage of anti-sanctuary bill SF 481 in Iowa. FAIR's State and Local Director Shari Rendall responded to criticism writing, "Most illegal aliens don't cooperate with police - even in sanctuary cities - because the vast majority come from countries where law enforcement is either corrupt or serves as a tool of state oppression." The Iowa Police Chiefs Association publicly came out against the bill. In December 2017, IRLI co-filed a lawsuit against Gary, Indiana, claiming ordinances preventing local law enforcement from detaining immigrants for ICE violate Indiana's anti-sanctuary law. FAIR's legal arm co-filed a second suit against the city of East Chicago in May 2018.

Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR), an anti-immigrant hate group, is leading the campaign to overturn the state's sanctuary policy through a referendum on the November 2018 ballot. FAIR has donated over $60,000 to this campaign while IRLI contributed $5,000.

FAIR and IRLI also led the campaign against California's sanctuary city state law, which has resulted in over 25 cities voting to oppose SB 54. A group of anti-immigrant activists have testified throughout Southern California in opposition. These activists made antisemitic, anti-LGBT and nativist comments. IRLI also filed two amicus briefs opposing California's sanctuary law. In one brief, IRLI claimed laws like the California Values Act, which ensures resources won't be allocated for mass deportations, could lead to "armed confrontation between local and federal officers."

FAIR, IRLI employees enter Trump administration

Former employees of FAIR and IRLI have joined the ranks of the highest levels of government. Julie Kirchner, former FAIR director, left the organization in 2015 to act as an immigration adviser to the Trump campaign. She is now the Citizenship and Immigration Services ombudsman. John Zadrozny, also formerly of FAIR, has moved to the State Department following his stint on the Domestic Policy Council. Ian Smith, who was previously employed by FAIR's legal arm, IRLI, resigned his position as Homeland Security policy analyst on immigration issues on August 28, 2018, after emails leaked to and shared by The Atlantic appeared to tie him to white nationalists Richard Spencer and Jared Taylor. That same day, former FAIR staffer and sole Latino employee Joe Gomez filed an official complaint with Washington, D.C.'s Office of Human Rights alleging discrimination and harassment during his tenure with the organization. Included in the litany of complaints was Communications Director Dave Ray inappropriately referencing Gomez's ethnicity, often greeting him with "Hola hombre," and "Que paso?" while other employees used a mocking Hispanic accent. Gomez also alleges FAIR employee Jennifer Hickey used the word "spic" twice, once referencing him.

Gomez spoke with SPLC reporter Rachel Janik shortly after he filed the complaint.

"I feel awful about some of the things I was a part of," he said. On the organization itself he said: "I don't know that they're that policy-oriented. They seemed pretty comfortable just taking the Colcom money. Does the policy go anywhere? There was no real movement at all. It was kind of a joke between CIS and Numbers USA that FAIR was this beast, feeding off its own largesse. I don't know who they could influence as far as policy. Congressman Louie Gohmert, maybe?"

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Federation for American Immigration Reform

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The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) is a group with one mission: to severely limit immigration into the United States. Although FAIR maintains a veneer of legitimacy that has allowed its principals to testify in Congress and lobby the federal government, this veneer hides much ugliness.

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