Education & Freedom Sites Analysis Representation
Place:
The TV series that I have chosen is the sixteen part series known as Freedom: A history of U.S (2003-). The TV series offers an account of the history of the US, starting from the colonial times to the present. It shows how Americans struggled fearlessly despite inequality alongside injustice endlessly in search of freedom. Some of the series include independence, Revolution, Liberty for everyone, Americans waking up, Slavery war, the definition of freedom, and working for freedom, Marching towards freedom, struggle for democracy, freedom ring, among others. In particular, episode 7 describes freedom and can be watched from the Youtube link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtgYijvDS4Yv). This film clarifies my definition of democracy by explaining how Americans were relentless and fearless in their search for freedom.
Media:
The art piece chosen is the Freedom of Speech by Faith Ringgold. This is an example of education for freedom media that the artist used to interpret the meaning of the Bill of Rights in the U.S Constitution and how it applies to all Americans’ civil rights. It is an example of education because it links the US constitution, Bill of Rights, and civil rights taught in American schools (The Metropolitan Museum, 2020). The red stripes across the flag have the words found in the First Amendment that was ratified in 1791 about the protection of the freedom of speech, peaceable assembly, people’s rights for a religious meeting, and redressing grievances lawfully. However, Ringgold also writes several names and words over the white stripes and stars that oppose the noble ideals. The names in the white lines and stars were for the communities as well as people who could not safely express themselves despite the Constitution guaranteeing them protection. The words written on the white areas refer to the breaches of the freedoms (The Metropolitan Museum, 2020). The piece of art includes speech, press, respect for religion, and correcting grievances, which I consider should be included in the definition of freedom.
Source: (The Metropolitan Museum, 2020)
Relationships/Communities
Source: (Cooper, 2019)
The community site where I find a personal relationship is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial in Washington. The memorial located on the Tidal Basin between MLK Memorial and Jefferson Memorial features the challenges that defined the Great Depression and the 2nd World War (Cooper, 2019). This non-example of education for freedom features a prominent dark stone shaped by water features, alcoves, statues, and walls engraved with some of the famous FDR quotations. The speech of FDR etched on the stone wall regarding the establishment of government on the regimentation of human beings by a few rulers may be perceived as the new order, when it is not (Cooper, 2019). I find the speech very liberating because it shows that President FDR did not value fragmentation or regimentation of specific groups of people by the rulers. It is interesting to note that the waterfalls are scattered through the memorial to mask noise from the nearby national airport. Freedom also comes from the scenes with blossoming cherries. The engraving on the stone wall defines my conception of freedom. I believe that democracy in governance should avoid fragmentation and provide a chance for only a few people in leadership. Every community should be included in management because that is the best way to liberate and show equality.
References
Cooper, R. (2019). Photo gallery of FDR Memorial in Washington, DC. Retrieved from https://www.tripsavvy.com/fdr-memorial-photos-in-washington-dc-1039265
Skonberg-Reznicek, A. (n.d). Freedom: A history of US-Episode 7: What is Freedom. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtgYijvDS4Y
The Metropolitan Museum (2020). Freedom of speech. Retrieved from< https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/491970