"Secretariat"

As my cultural event, I went to see the film, “Secretariat” in the theater and I really enjoyed it. To give just a brief summary, a woman has a mother, and eventually her father as well, who dies and she goes back to her dad’s horse breeding ranch and begins to take over and run the operations rather than sell which was the original plan. She ends up winning this horse in a coin toss and trains the horse to race with the help of others and the horse ends up winning the Triple Crown and enough money to keep the ranch going. This woman doesn’t want to give up something she, and her parents, love and believe in. That is why she keeps racing this horse and in the end she is able to rise up to the top and achieve her dreams.

Above is Penny Cheney: actual owner of Secretariat

This film is based on a true event that occurred in the 1970s. It is a modern representation of the everlasting idea of the American Dream. This idea of the American Dream has been a part of our culture since our country began. It still has a strong hold on American culture today. Many Americans still believe that their dream is accessible and strive for it, even though many times reality has a way of disappointing us. For some in this country, the hope of achieving something more is far from reality. But, each person also has a different view of what the American Dream is for them. It often involves many aspects of life such as family, education, careers, homes, and just being able to provide for a family. For this woman in the film, her dream consisted of preserving something she loved and being successful for her family. For her it was more about doing something she believed in rather than getting enough to support her family. Her husband had a nice job and they were comfortable, but she wanted to preserve her father’s legacy and prove to the world, and to herself, that she was capable of great things and also that the horse was capable of doing something that others thought was impossible.

Although her story was inspiring and a noble cause, I felt many times in the film like she was neglecting other responsibilities she had in order to prove something that was less important. It was evident in the film that she struggle being away from her children and husband when they needed her, but she felt like she had to keep pursuing this dream of the horse winning and preserving the ranch. This decision put a strain on her family and her relationship with her husband. Then at the end it seemed that things had resolved all by themselves. I felt like that aspect of the film was artificial and unrealistic. It seemed like just because she was successful with the horse races, things magically worked out in every aspect of her life. Perhaps things did resolve relatively easily by the time she was able to keep the ranch, but I don’t feel like it was portrayed well in the film. Overall, this film was a good depiction of the view we, as Americans, have of the American Dream and how it is achieved.

Tribute to Country Music

Brad Paisley - This Is Country Music - CMA Awards 2010

Amy and I analyzed country music and it developed during the mid 1900s and on through today. Country developed from early folk or “hillbilly” roots. Early country was many times characterized as democratic with an ensemble which focused on authentic look and instrumentation. It was also characterized by long ballades of sorrowing tales. It often blamed hardships on one’s self and the outcome was not always positive. Hank Williams (shown below) is an example of this early country music.

As country music developed and changed through the 1940s, commercialization and standardization took over. This new sound and style that now dominated country music is known as the Nashville sound. Much of the popular music that we classify as country today is of this style and sound. Some of the characteristics of this style include simplification of the long ballades and a brighter and more positive message and outcome. Different genres were standardized to create a nostalgic sound. Many would consider this style of country a fake image and representation of its original roots. Record companies created a super-star system where they would get young singers with a certain look and give them music to sing just to make them popular and make money off of them. This was looked down on by many country musicians

In the 1960s there was a folk revival as a reaction to the popular commercialized music that was dominating the genre. Also the 1990s was a time of a roots revival in country music as a reaction to the mainstream. But, although country music has changed throughout the decades included several revivals, there are certain aspects of country music that have remained throughout the years. This was our emphasis in analyzing country music, and we used a song from Brad Paisley to demonstrate our point. His song titled, “This is Country Music” describes the sort of things the country has always been about, such as sad life events, mention of God and Jesus as answers, and things that go along with rural American life like trucks and tractors. In this way, the poetic nature of country has not changed much over the years. Even though the music has moved more to the conservative side since the beginning, it has been successful in America as a symbol that allowed the music to speak for and depict rural Americans among an ever increasing urban country. It has also been able to create a southern identity outside of the south. Country music is now popular all throughout the nation, not just in the south.

I chose this project because I wanted to learn more about country and its roots to figure out why it was such an important genre to people and how it became what it is today. I have studied mostly classical music in my previous academic studies and I have enjoyed studying other genres such as jazz and country, and especially how they fit into the American identity. I had never really been interested in country music just to listen to until just a few years ago, but I don’t listen to it often. I mostly judged the music by its musical structure, chords and progressions, because that was what I was trained in previously. I was not impressed with the simple harmonies and progressions and found it boring, but I like it more now because I see something more than just musical structure. I see more of the poetics, tradition, and American characteristics that make the music what it is. This project, and especially the class as a whole, has helped me have an open mind with music, art, and literature and to appreciate certain aspects of each and their importance in our American culture.

Jazz in American Politics

I was interested in Jazz and how it affected America in the mid 20th century. After reading more about Jazz in Lisa Davenport's Jazz Diplomacy along with Satchmo Blows up the World by Penny Von Eschen, I decided to write a little about what I learned.

Jazz played an important role in American political strategy during the cold war years. Eisenhower used Jazz in his world wide cultural exchange program that began in 1954. The purpose of using Jazz was to reshape the perceptions of American democracy. During this long conflict with the Soviet Union the United States struggled to keep a positive world image when it came to race relations. The Civil Rights Movement was covered internationally through the media and many viewed the U.S. as a hypocrite nation. They saw the cruelest of injustices within the borders of the nation that promoted freedom and democracy. This issue was a defeat for the U.S. and a victory for the Soviet Union. This is why the government sent Jazz bands on tour around the world, to be ambassadors for the U.S. and show that African-Americans are valued and successful. Among these groups sent abroad were Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Duke Ellington.


Jazz was also a tool used by African-Americans to promote political and social change at home in the U.S. Jazz emerged from black culture and was used in expressing black identity. Jazz became a symbol of black alienation in a white supremacist society. Many black artists used these perceptions and features of Jazz to make political statements. Some say that the music paralleled the Civil Rights movement. The Harlem Renaissance helped influence this musical activism in the 1950’s and ‘60’s. One of the most explicit of this politically charged music was Max Roach’s “We insist: Freedom Now Suite”.

There were some Jazz musicians who used artistic achievement to gain America’s attention rather than political activism. One of these musicians is Duke Ellington. Some purists claim that Ellington along with others chose to conform to the new cold war politics instead of sticking with the traditional identity of Jazz. But, I believe Ellington was able to keep the African-American identity and feel along with making his name known throughout the world. He was able to make great contributions to America politically through his international tours as well as culturally with his modern big band Jazz. He was also the father of swing. Here is a clip of Ellington and his band playing on of his famous swing melodies, Satin Doll.

Thomas Moran and “Mary’s Veil”

Thomas Moran is well known for his majestic landscape paintings of the Rocky Mountains, especially those of Yellowstone, the Tetons and Yosemite. The Brigham Young University Museum of Art displays his rather small painting of a waterfall found in Utah’s Bullion Canyon in the Fish Lake National Forest. Though this painting is only a twelve inch by seven inch oil on board painting, it has significant cultural value to America. Moran’s “Mary’s Veil, A Waterfall in Utah”, is an example of American ideals and social norms because it, along with others, encouraged others to protect the “sacred landscapes” by creating national parks, and also attracted western expansion and exploitation of the natural resources that were available (“Works”).

The background of Thomas Moran will help to illustrate the significance of his western paintings. He was born in Bolton, England in 1837. His father brought the family to America after having trouble finding work as a result of the industrial revolution. They settled in Pennsylvania where his brother Edward began a career as an artist. Thomas followed right after his brother and started working with him in his artwork. He was informally instructed by several Philadelphia painters and began creating accomplished paintings in the 1860’s. His style most closely resembles the Hudson River School style. Thomas and his brother were influenced by the English painter J.M.W. Turner. One of the most prominent characteristics common to both Moran and Turner is the idea that the artist has the right to use artistic license or liberties when creating any painting. In 1866 Moran went to Europe with his brother to study European masters including Turner and to exhibit some of his work. At this point he was yet to visit the place that would most capture his attention and launch his career; the American west.

The first time he traveled to the American frontier was in 1871 where he saw Yellowstone for the first time. When he saw this land and all of the rugged marvels it contained he knew it was a subject he wanted to portray in his artwork. He joined a survey party traveling the region and created numerous sketches and watercolor paintings for easterners to see the first images of the famous region. He traveled with the famous F.V. Hayden, a geologist, and William Henry Jackson, a photographer. Together they supplied the first in depth description including images of this region and it proved to be an effective tool when they began to promote this region to be protected under federal law by creating a national park. Moran’s images captured the viewer’s attention by the dramatic, sublime, and overwhelming way he portrayed nature. His landscapes were heroic and full of solitude. Although the wilderness is portrayed as rough and wild it conveys a feeling a hope and peace. These are all characteristics of the Hudson River School style and it was effective in portraying the beauty uniqueness of the Yellowstone region. His images, along with the photographs of Jackson, played a key role in the decision of congress to grant Hayden his request to make Yellowstone a national park and preserve its natural beauty for future generations.

Following his expeditions in Yellowstone, Moran joined John Wesley Powell in Utah for Powell’s second trip to the Grand Canyon in 1873. Moran’s painting “Mary’s Veil, A Waterfall in Utah” was created while journeying to Arizona. This painting depicts just a small portion of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountain wilderness. Depictions of natural wonders such as Mary’s Veil waterfall attracted Americans to leave the crowded cities and come west where there was opportunity, solitude, and beauty. The Transcontinental Rail Road used Moran’s images as advertisements to promote business and travel. Miners, trappers, and settlers were traveling west to take advantage of the natural resources such as gold, furs, and open land. The waterfall in Moran’s painting was an actual site for gold miners in rural Utah. This expansion and progress helped move America forward, but there was debate about which lands should be used for economic purposes and which lands should be protected and preserved. Moran’s paintings attracted people from both sides of the debate. That debate still goes on today.

Today, Moran’s paintings are displayed in museums all over America because of their cultural impact and, of course, for their beauty and majesty. I went to view his painting “Mary’s Veil, A Waterfall in Utah” at the BYU Museum of Art. It was compelling to me because of the vastness and expanse that is portrayed even in such a small painting and with a narrow view of the waterfall. The sky at the top of the painting seems endless and unreachable. It seems nostalgic and untouched by humans. It feels like a pure wilderness and there is almost something spiritual about it. The light is soft and radiant which I think adds to the peaceful feeling of the painting even though the power of nature is very much real. The brush strokes are jagged and smeared with an unfinished quality. That is the view from close up, but when you step back all of the smears work together and creates a very different feel. It is beautiful and almost magical in how it transforms. That is a bonus for see a painting in person; you can see it from different points of view. These are all characteristics of the Hudson River School style of painting.

One thing about Moran that might differ from the Hudson River style might be his lack of a literal depiction of the landscape. He once said, “I place no value on literal transcripts from nature. My general scope is not realistic; all my tendencies are towards idealization… topography in art is valueless” (“Thomas”). Perhaps this is why his paintings were so popular and adored by Americans. They are very beautiful and capture the wonder of the natural world of the west, but maybe not always in a completely realistic way. Maybe he was just trying to depict the beauty he saw and felt as he experienced nature not just what he saw in a photograph. I think that is what makes it so appealing. It caters to our imaginative minds. But I do believe in many paintings he has captured the real beauty and reality of nature and that is why I find his work so great. For these reasons I think the cultural and aesthetic aspects of Moran’s paintings are inseparable.

Looking and the work and life of Thomas Moran is culturally significant to America and it’s westward expansion and economic development as well as the higher ideal of preserving natural lands that are unique and beautiful. His painting “Mary’s Veil, A Waterfall in Utah” is an example of his significant paintings. Many Americans today take time to enjoy nature by taking advantage of the national parks available and all benefit from what America has become today.

Works Cited

“Thomas Moran.” National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. 2010 .

“The Hudson River School.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2010 .

“American Landscape Painting: The Hudson River School.” The School for New Learning, DePaul University, Chicago, IL. 1998 .

“Works of Art: Related to Thomas Moran.” Brigham Young University Museum of Art. 2010 .

Big Bill Broonzy

This is "Big Bill" Broonzy playing in his traditional folk-blues style. I decided to do some more learning about blues music and those who helped develop the blues in America. I found Big Bill's name and some of his songs and really liked his style. His real name was William Lee Conley Broonzy. He was born in 1898 and began his music career in the 1920's. He began with country blues and then moved to a more urban style in Chicago. He was a big part of helping develop the Chicago blues and did a lot of recording there. Then towards the end of his life in the 50's he turned back to folk music. He also had an impact on work songs, spirituals and ragtime music.

This song, "Hey, Hey", is an example of his traditional, acoustic folk-blues. As you listen you can hear that it is in a 12-bar blues form. It has a very rich cord base and a catchy tune. I loved this song the first time I heard it. It's great! He is also a great singer/song writer. To hear more clips of his music visit http://www.broonzy.com/Music2.html.

Bill Broonzy was important to helping to form Blues music and introduce a truly American form and style of music. It was actually recognized by both black and white Americans and later by much of the world as a great American creation. Elements from blues music were used in many other American forms of music. These elements of the blues are found in jazz, popular, country and even classical music. Many popular composers and musicians were very successful with using blues elements and were known as being uniquely American.

Here are some lyrics by Big Bill showing some of the vocal artistry and African-American identity:

Mississippi River Blues-

Mississ-ippi river
Is so long, deep and wide
I can see my good girl
Standin' on that other side

I cried an I called
I could not make my baby hear
Lord, I'm 'on get me a boat, woman
Paddle on away from here
(guitar)

Ain't it hard to love someone
When they are so far from you
Lord, I'm on' get me a boat and
Paddle this old river blue

I went down to the landing
To see if any boats were there
And the fareman told me
Could not find the boats nowhere
(guitar)

The big boat ease up the river
Are turnin' 'round an 'round
Lord, I'm 'on get me a good girl
Or jump overboard an drown.

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/big_bill_broonzy/#share

Freedom to Choose

My husband helped me come up with the idea for this paper. I thought it an important topic and pretty touchy for many people. It is not meant to be offensive or crude in anyway. I felt that some strong language was needed to imitate Twain's style. So, here it is:

The clinic was full with a line extending out the door. Women were coming from all around the area to exercise their right to choose. America is a land where women have freedom and power. Freedom to dictate there lives in any way they please. These women were coming to choose to have an abortion. For some the wait in line was indeed long, unsettling, and tentative. There were many young girls there on that day as was the case everyday.

One particular young girl, in line all alone, was vindicating in her mind her appearance to the clinic. She was nervous, but why should she be? She has the right to an abortion if she doesn’t want to be pregnant. It is her body, and she can do what she wants with it because it’s not going to affect anyone else. “The law says I am the proper age to abort if I choose” she thought to herself, “and I am not obligated to tell my parents. It’s all legal so it must be right. My parents don’t need to know anyway. They would just make things difficult. After all, it’s not a baby yet, it’s just an embryo, a bunch of cells. It is still early enough for me to abort without hurting anyone or anything.” These thoughts continued to flood her mind as she stood in the endless line as an effort to console her nervous anxiety.

As this validating process was going on inside this young girl, she suddenly noticed an older woman was standing next to her. This woman was rather short with wiry grey hair that ruggedly hung about her shoulders. Her face was wrinkled and tan and her eyes were a piercing blue. Her hands were also wrinkled holding a short cane. She had on a simple brown dress that covered her tattered shoes. The girl did not know the woman and thought it odd that she would stand next to her, but the girl gave the old woman no notice. The old women then looked at the girl and began to speak, saying, “There is reason to doubt.” The girl who vaguely heard the women turned and asked the old woman if she was speaking to her. The old woman repeated, “There is reason to doubt your decision.” The young girl responded, “Do I know you?”

“I was once in your shoes,” replied the old woman, “and I wish I had never come to this place.” The young girl wondered where this woman had come from, and wished she would just go away. But the old woman continued. “I didn’t know there was another voice that I could not hear. When I made my decision there was another voice, a child’s voice. But I did not hear. The voice said, ‘Do you really know what your doing? Do you know what will happen to me? You are killing my chances for life on earth. You are killing me. This is cold blooded murder. You talk about your right to choose, but what about my right to live. By exercising your legal right to an abortion you deny me even a glimmer of hope of any life on earth. By your promiscuous behavior and lack of self control you brought yourself into this situation and took upon yourself the responsibility to take a life into your hands. You have the ability and responsibility to bring life into the world or deny your responsibility and take an innocent life away. By choosing an abortion now you are only delaying the consequences that must surely come. You even deny yourself to seek the guidance, experience and wisdom of those who truly love you; those are your parents. They would be of the most help to you at this time, but you choose to be alone and forsaken. This does not just affect you. No matter how much you think this is your life and it only affects one, you can not change the fact that you have an impact on so many that are living now and even more that are to come. With this abortion, generations will not come into being because the life of one child did not make it to the earth.’ These are the words of the unheard voice. I was sent to you for this reason; to tell you of the truth of these words that reach only to God. Now you know them. Use your agency wisely.” When the old woman had finished, she vanished. The young girl stood perplexed. She never saw the old woman again and thought no more of her afterward.