Category: Famous Person

The history of a great woman remains intact with Eleanor Roosevelt, who was born on October 11, 1884, and died on November 7, 1963, when she was said to have finished her activism vision and mission in the world.

She was an American political figure and activist who served as the first Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, when her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the American president at the time, who served four solid terms in office, making him the longest- serving leader in American with his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, who was called the ‘ first lady of the world’ by President Harry Truman in regard to her human rights achievements.

The Early Life Of Eleanor

The First Lady, as it is called, Eleanor, had some bad history as she grew up, losing her parents and a brother at age five, which remained a critical era for her during the time.

She attended Allenswood Boarding Academy in London, where she was deeply influenced by her headmistress, Marie Souvestre, after which she returned to the U. S when she was through with her studies.

At this point, she fell in love with her cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1905, which was so complicated it seemed not to stand as a result of Franklin’s having an affair with Lucy Mercer, even though the way Franklin was controlled by his mother also contributed to his unhappy home and not to affairs alone.

From there, Eleanor decided to adopt the style of living life on her own by making herself a public figure.

She persuaded Franklin to remain in politics after he was struck with a paralytic illness in 1921. That cost him his leg. At this point, his wife, Eleanor, began to appear in campaign speeches on his behalf, as well as at every political event involving him.

Even though Franklin remained the president of the United States, his wife’s constant support by appearing in every political activist that had to do with him made her a very vital shape in the political system right from the point he became the Governor of New York in 1926.

She was one outspoken person, especially in the fight for civil rights for Americans, being the first lady to hold regular press conferences, write a daily newspaper column, including a magazine column that was published on a monthly basis, along with constant appearances on weekly radio shows, and speak at national conventions, yet the other side of herself was there, which made her sometimes disagree with or disgrace her husband’s policies.

Eleanor’s Other Area Of Consideration Is Activism

Being with her husband became another influence. She started an experimental community in Arthurdale, West Virginia for unemployed people. They could be miners but had to fail as time went on.

She served as the first chair of the UN Commission on human rights and oversaw the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She remained in political office for an additional 17 years after her husband’s death.

Meanwhile, her bravery and strength place her ninth on the Gallup list of the top ten most admired people of the twentieth century.

Aside from that, she was a writer of influence, in which she was able to raise her husband’s salary in the second year of his leadership while also tagging her to charity during her lectures, and she even received her lecture fees in 1941, when she was made a hot member and honorary member of Phi Beta Kappa at one of her lectures, which was also celebrated.

She also became a traveler in a display of her skills throughout her stay in the white house, ensuring that things were done properly in place of the labor marketer that ruled with her husband.

Eleanor’s Activities In World War II And Death

The same Eleanor was among those that witnessed World War II along with her husband when She became so uneasy seeing how Americans were treated that she feared her vision of fighting for the country would die as a result of her giving justice to those who deserved it; she feared that her domestic justice would become an extraneous matter in a nation focused on foreign affairs.

She decided to travel down to Europe to join the Red Cross just to see that civil rights were probably delivered, but was stopped by one of her husband’s advisers who told her how it could be if the president s wife were held captive as a prisoner.

She, however, drew a means to show that she did this by advising her husband to allow the immigration of European refugee children and of great immigration of persecuted people by the Nazis, including the Jews as well, but Franklin, in fear of his people, restrict that rather than expand it, and at the end, she said to the world that her deepest regret at the end of her life was that she had not forced her husband Franklin to accept more refugees from Nazism during the war.

In conclusion, Eleanor died of cardiac failure at her Manhattan home, which was at 55 East 74th Street on the Upper East Side, after a car accident in New York City around 1962.

Indian mathematics can be dated all the way back to 400 AD with intelligent mathematicians who have developed the way we solve math equations in geometry and number theory today. One of the geniuses who contributed greatly to not only mathematics but astronomy as well is Brahmagupta. A man way beyond his time, academically, whose claims in astronomy and mathematics is pondered upon by math historians and astronomers to this day. I will review his very vague early life, his education and work, including his somewhat controversial books, and just a couple theories he is most famous for such as the cyclic quadratic formula and development of zero.

Brahmagupta’s life begins with perplexity, there is little to no record of his early life. His father’s name was Jishnugupta but not much information on his personal life or other relatives besides an article which states, “As a young man he studied astronomy extensively. He was well-read in the five traditional siddhanthas on Indian astronomy, and also studied the work of other ancient astronomers such as Aryabhata I, Latadeva, Pradyumna, Varahamihira, Simha, Srisena, Vijayanandin and Vishnuchandra” (The Famous People). He was born in a village in North West Rajastan called, Bhillamala now known as Bhinmal, in 598 AD into an orthodox Shaivite Hindu family (The Famous People).

It is presumably that his early childhood was filled with the influence from astronomy and mathematics given his future career because he spent most of his life in Bhinmal where he broadly studied astronomy and the works of famous astronomers before him. He attended the Brahmapaksha School, a major astronomy school in ancient India at the time and became an astronomer. He was the head of the Ujjain astronomical observatory, the center of mathematics where he witnessed amazing mathematicians work. (O’Connor and Robertson 1). He became a local celebrity around this time given his intellectual contributions to the newly developed studies of astronomy and mathematics and flourished as an astronomer. (The Famous People). Not a great amount is known about his personal life, even his death is a complicated subject. It is believed that his death was somewhere between 660 AD 670 AD believed 668 AD (Famous Mathematicians; Pranesachar 248; The Famous People).

In Brahmagupta’s many influential years of life, he wrote many textbooks containing theories and formulas that contribute to astronomy and mathematics (Famous Mathematicians). He wrote his first book on mathematics and astronomy in 628 called, Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta which mentions many theories historians acknowledge but most notably the concept known as “…one of the first mathematical books to provide concrete ideas on positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero… In Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta he developed Brahmagupta’s Formula, the formula for calculating the area of a cyclic quadrilateral given the length of the sides” (The Famous People).

Another incredible theory he proposed was the length of a year which he initially calculated to be 365 days 6 hours 5 minutes 19 seconds but later changing the value to 365 days 6 hours 12 minutes 36 seconds in his second book Khandakhadyaka, both theories come very close to our true calculations of the solar year with a value of 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes 45 seconds. (Famous Mathematicians; O’Connor and Robertson 5; The Famous People). Brahmagupta also acknowledges gravity in his first book stating, ‘Bodies fall towards the earth as it is in the nature of the earth to attract bodies, just as it is in the nature of water to flow’(Famous Mathematicians).

Although Brahmagupta mentions more mathematical theories and astronomical theories which contribute greatly to those specific subjects, it is important to list a few theories with a little more detail. “Historians believe the first ten chapters are the first version of Brahmagupta’s work and contributions to astronomy such as “…mean longitudes of the planets; true longitudes of the planets; the three problems of diurnal rotation; lunar eclipse; solar eclipses; risings and settings; the moon’s crescent; the moon’s shadow; conjunctions of the planets with each other; and conjunctions of the planets with the fixed stars” (O’Connor and Robertson 1). “Through this book, he laid the foundations of the two major fields of Indian mathematics, pati-ganita (“mathematics of procedures,” or algorithms) and bija-ganita (“mathematics of seeds,” or equations) … He also introduced new methods for solving quadratic equations and gave equations to solve systems of simultaneous indeterminate equations, in addition to providing two equivalent solutions to the general quadratic equation” (The Famous People).

Brahmagupta’s infamous formula to solve for any cyclic quadrilateral should be further observed. In an online article written by a Mathematical Olympiads trainer, C. R. Pranesachar, he reviews many theories and formulas developed in Brahmagupta’s first work. One of many is his theories: “Brahmagupta gave a simple method to construct cyclic quadrilaterals with integer sides, integer diagonals and integer area. The two different (non similar) right-angled triangles with sides (a,b,c) and (x,y,z), where c and z are hypotenuses” (Pranesachar 250). Pranesachar then goes on summarizing the formula as “…Then we have a cyclic quadrilateral ABCD with the integer sides bz, cy, az, cx and integer diagonals ay+bx, ax+by and integer area 1/2(ax+by)(ay+bx))”(Pranesachar 250). Earlier it was mentioned that his works were somewhat controversial, this is because they were found to be way too similar to Heron’s Formula and Brahmagupta’s lack of continuity in his formulas (Atzema 20-22).

Another formula created by Brahmagupta has historians skeptical because of its similarity to Heron’s formula of an area of a convex cyclic quadrilateral. “Area (ABCD) = square root of (s-a)(s-b)(s-c)(s-d)…there is actually no evidence that the latter formula was ever transmitted to India during medieval times and we do not know what might have inspired Brahmagupta’s claim…To make matters even more confusing, in accordance with the earlier Indian mathematical tradition, Brahmagupta does not explicitly say that the quadrilateral has to be cyclic, although this was probably implied” (Atzema 22).

Brahmagupta was definitely a self-assured individual when it came to theorizing, he would criticize works of previous mathematicians and astronomers and in his second textbook Khaṇḍakhādyaka, he revises his previous works which clearly shows inquisitive and judgemental features. In an online article by The Famous People, it is mentioned that Brahmagupta was “bitter in criticizing the ideas advanced by rival astronomers hailing from the Jain religion” and was also one of the few contemporaries that believed the Earth was a sphere and not flat (The Famous People).

After reviewing Brahmagupta’s life and contribution to math and astronomy it is evident that without his ideas and formulas geometry and number theory would not be the way we know it today. Not only do Brahmagupta’s works astonish many people today but his knowledge in certain subjects that had not yet been discovered exemplify his intellect and genius. Not much was known about his personal life but what is known about his professional life is shown through theories and formulas and makes up for personal details missed.

Works Cited

1. Atzema, Eisso J. “From Brahmagupta to Euler: On the Formula for the Area of a Cyclic
2. Quadrilateral.” BSHM Bulletin: Journal of the British Society for the History ofMathematics, vol. 30, no. 1, Jan. 2015, pp. 20–34. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/17498430.2014.942818.
3. “Brahmagupta.” Famous Mathematicians, https://famous-mathematicians.com/brahmagupta/.
4. J J O’Connor and E F Robertson, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, Scotland, November 2000
5. Pranesachar, C. R. “Brahmagupta, Mathematician Par Excellence.” Resonance, vol. 17, no. 3, 22 Mar. 2012, pp. 247–252., doi:10.1007/s12045-012-0023-x.
6. “Who Was Brahmagupta? Everything You Need to Know.” Childhood, Life Achievements & Timeline, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/brahmagupta-6842.php.

Oprah Winfrey is a notable world-renowned celebrity and multi-billionaire who has made an enormous impact on the business and entertainment industry through her many roles as a media executive, actress, former talk show host of the Oprah Winfrey Show that aired for twenty-five years from 1986-2011, television producer of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), founder of her very own magazine that releases every month, as well as a philanthropist. Not to mention she even has her line of products promoting wellness and self-care. Born into a poor nonwealthy African-American background, she has worked her way up to being one of the wealthiest people in the world and a woman of color who demonstrates that anyone can achieve their dreams through proper work ethic, a career path, and paving the way to success in a positive professional manner and attitude.

Through her strategic business strategies over the past two decades, she has launched a full-blown business and entertainment empire seemingly transitioning from talk show host to actress in Oscar award-winning films that regard African American slavery and other controversial issues, to promoting health and welfare for all and touching on sensitive topics to help, heal, and resolve. Many often regard Oprah Winfrey as the “woman who gave away free cars” on her show, or a “woman of power”, to the extent that she is widely known as a beloved celebrity. She wants the best for everyone and the same goes for her audience, viewers, and consumers. By analyzing and evaluating the political economy approach of Oprah Winfrey, we will be examining her image to sell her products, through savvy empowerment and self-care through those products, as well as delving into the context of cultural assumptions of her audience and consumers. This paper will define Winfrey’s role as a cultural artifact of wealth, empowerment, and wellness that has made a lasting impact on society and swept it to its core.

According to Douglas Kellner, delves into the critical and cultural framework of media and cultural artifacts that we utilize and know of to this day by examining their significance, social purpose, and existence in society. In this quote, Kellner (1994) said, “We are immersed from cradle to grave in a media and consumer society and thus it is important to learn how to understand, interpret, and criticize its meanings and messages.” (Kellner, 1994, p. 1). This essentially describes the market-based capitalist economy we currently live in today that has originated from simple means of marketing to large sums of profit used to target particular audiences and demographics to drive a circulating and ever-evolving system of currency to provide economic prosperity and welfare. It is quite interesting that he describes our attention to media from the moment we’re toddlers to now that it’s been a part of our lives for as long as we can remember, almost like being “slaved” into this system of advertisements and mass consumerism in an increasingly globalized society of technological and economic growth throughout generations. Kellner (1994) says “The media are forms of pedagogy which teach us how to be men and women. (p. 1). They show us how to dress, look, and consume; how to react to members of different social groups; how to be popular and successful and how to avoid failure; and how to conform to the dominant system of norms, values, practices, and institutions.” (Kellner, 1994, p. 1). This showcases how the media has imminently created our social norms and behaviors of how we adapt and exist in categorized social groups without really recognizing that the media is one of those reasons, it also really depends on how you’re raised and grow up in society we live in today.

In regards to political economy and production, Oprah Winfrey is simply a multicultural artifact that represents her positive image through her products such as her magazine, which is released each month showcasing the latest tech, fashion, health, and wellness trends, as well as talks on controversial issues and topics in certain social groups, especially in the African American community, as well as promoting an upbeat attitude to her audience and consumers to create and inspire. She’s recently partnered with WW, to market weight-loss initiatives to help women live a healthy lifestyle and stay “beautiful”, as well as have her line of food called “O That’s Good” which contains healthy and organic ingredients sustainably produced and packaged to promote a balanced lifestyle with healthy living and eating. Her production and distribution scale is increasingly tremendous with her image even on commercials showing herself smiling in her kitchen or garden, or even just her voice that captivates the receiver to do what Oprah does. Oprah Winfrey was created with a capitalist concept to make millions upon millions of dollars and have everyone love and celebrate her success and achievements. If you look behind all of it, it’s all about making a profit, which is exactly what a capitalist approach to the economy is. Not for anything, her social campaigns are quite convincing and she emphasizes them in such a way that makes anyone agree. This impacts Winfrey’s image through the development, presentation, accessibility, and the way her products are sold since her image is perceived by many as savvy, feminine, and upbeat which makes it attractive to her consumers.

It brings this to debate as to her products aiming at women and exhibiting femininity and beauty through her products. According to Josee Johnson and Judith Taylor, notable advocates of feminism and social equality, who examine “A Comparative Study of Grassroots Activism and the Dove Real Beauty Campaign” (Johnson & Taylor), this particular quote says “….A corporate project that claims to oppose restrictive feminine beauty standards and a promote a more democratic vision of beauty.” (Johnson & Taylor 1). This delves into the background of how notable bath and skincare brand Dove, had released a commercial campaign very recently to promote natural beauty without all the distractions and fillers of cosmetics and filters. It’s simply about showing who one is and allowing equal individualism for the consumer. The campaign explains how a woman should be feminine in a simple context and look towards simplicity and not complexity. Yet if we look at this critically and analytically, does this improve our perception of how women should appear to society? This certainly can be explained further.

In my opinion, I read my cultural artifact of Oprah Winfrey as a kind, generous, and empowering social figure having the ability to influence and inspire millions to achieve their dreams and success in their own lives. According to Jaap Kooijman, a known advocate for contemporary pop culture and individualism states “Whereas the success myth of stardom reinforces the belief in the American Dream, with celebrities as its living proof, the sensational tabloid press present the shady side of stardom, emphasizing negative qualities ranging from triviality and superficiality to immortality.” (Kooijman 7). This takes a critical cultural framework of how celebrities are perceived from the perspective of the audience and consumer. Despite Oprah’s unparalleled rise to fame, she has battled struggles of her own from criticism of her weight to scandals of never marrying and having affairs with countless others that have molded and shaped the superior woman she is today. Audiences and consumers have had a positive outlook on Winfrey ever since her debut to stardom on The Oprah Winfrey Show back in 1986 she promoted wellness, healing, and resolution to sensitive topics and controversial issues, and been positive and kind to others and has a happy attitude towards life itself. The article brings to light how celebrities are portrayed from a severely negative perspective by tabloids displaying outrageous accounts of misbehavior or lies about their lives and also examining their inability to age by undergoing plastic surgery to “look younger and ageless”. Kooijman clearly emphasizes how even celebrities are not perfect and that their image of perfection is enacted through their roles as a leader in their field. In regards to Winfrey, she maintains her image through her products and her business and entertainment empire. Some deeper ideologies and values that are associated as a whole my reading of Oprah Winfrey may be how women are portrayed and act in the media and life and how their attitudes, goals, and personalities shape who they are today. The big picture most certainly is Winfrey’s ability to conquer, persevere, and move forward to justice despite times of doubt and crisis in today’s turbulent political climate.

She’s also notably known for her speeches during award ceremonies and not afraid of keeping her opinions private, she pushes her voice to the nationwide and global spectrum to captivate the viewer and keep them on a road to prosperity, a quality that makes her distinct from other celebrities.

In regards to audience reception, the different ways that audiences interpret Oprah Winfrey can be through an article, published by Jaap Kooijman, a previously mentioned advocate for individualism. This article specifically focuses on the “Oprahification of 9/11 America” and how Winfrey responded to the attacks that ultimately changed the face of the world forever. She states in this particular quote “American pop culture responded to 9/11 in two distinctively different, yet related ways. On one hand, American pop culture took on the tough patriotic sense of the ‘Angry American’, who was going to teach those terrorists a lesson, and we will do whatever it takes to get them.” (Kooijman 4). This brought the perspective of how the audience or the population of the United States vowed to react and protect our liberties and our democratic system to prevent future atrocities. Winfrey canceled her show that very day and aired the week after to bring the victims of these attacks to light and remembrance for their courage and bravery as well as to send a positive message that the US will conquer and defeat the forces that attempted to steal our freedom. Fans of hers constantly acknowledge her support through Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms that promote communication and social connections between Winfrey and her viewers.

Through these theories and concepts, we have analyzed and concluded that Oprah Winfrey is a notable celebrity figure who has significantly shaped the way we view society and how she has paved the path to achieving success through her products and image of social empowerment, wellness, and positivity.

Works Cited

1. Kellner, D. (1994). Cultural studies, multiculturalism, and media culture. Pg 1. Austin: University of Texas.
2. Johnston, J., & Taylor, J. (2008). Feminist Consumerism and Fat Activists: A Comparative Study of Grassroots Activism and the Dove Real Beauty Campaign. Signs, 33(4), 941-966. doi:10.1086/528849
3. Kooijman, J. (2013). Yes We Can, This Is It: America and Celebrity Culture. In Fabricating the Absolute Fake: America in Contemporary Pop Culture – Revised Edition (pp. 147-168). Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt6wp7ck.11
4. Kooijman, J. (2013). The Oprahification of 9/11: America as Imagined Community. In Fabricating the Absolute Fake: America in Contemporary Pop Culture – Revised Edition (pp. 43-68). Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt6wp7ck.7    

Introduction:

George Washington Plunkitt, a prominent figure in New York City politics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, played a significant role in the political machine known as Tammany Hall. This informative essay explores the life and influence of George Washington Plunkitt, shedding light on his career, political strategies, and impact on urban politics in the United States.

Body:

Early Life and Entry into Politics:

George Washington Plunkitt was born in 1842 in New York City and grew up in the impoverished neighborhood of Five Points. Despite limited formal education, Plunkitt possessed street smarts and a keen understanding of the inner workings of urban politics. He began his political career as a ward heeler and rose through the ranks of Tammany Hall, eventually becoming an influential figure in the organization.

Tammany Hall and Machine Politics:

Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine that dominated New York City’s politics during the 19th and early 20th centuries, provided Plunkitt with a platform to exercise his influence. Plunkitt embraced the principles of machine politics, which emphasized patronage, loyalty, and delivering benefits to constituents in exchange for political support. He built a vast network of supporters and used his position within Tammany Hall to secure lucrative contracts and political appointments.

Plunkitt’s Political Strategies:

Plunkitt was known for his pragmatic approach to politics, combining elements of populism and patronage to maintain his power base. He employed a method known as “honest graft,” where he used his insider knowledge and connections to profit financially. Plunkitt justified this practice by arguing that it benefited both himself and his constituents, as he could use his wealth and influence to improve their living conditions and provide essential services.

Views on Urban Politics and Government Reform:

While Plunkitt thrived within the machine politics of Tammany Hall, he also recognized the need for urban government reform. He believed that politicians should prioritize practical solutions that directly addressed the needs of their constituents. Plunkitt opposed abstract ideas of reform that did not result in tangible improvements for the people. His pragmatic approach to politics, however controversial, resonated with many working-class voters who saw him as a champion for their interests.

Legacy and Criticism:

George Washington Plunkitt’s legacy is a subject of debate. Supporters argue that he effectively navigated the complexities of urban politics and used his power to bring tangible benefits to his constituents. Critics, on the other hand, view him as a symbol of political corruption and argue that his actions perpetuated a system that prioritized personal gain over the public good. Regardless of differing opinions, Plunkitt’s influence on urban politics and his role within Tammany Hall cannot be overlooked.

Conclusion:

George Washington Plunkitt’s career as a political figure within Tammany Hall showcases the intricate nature of urban politics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While controversial, Plunkitt’s pragmatic approach to politics and his ability to navigate the inner workings of the political machine earned him both supporters and critics. His influence and legacy serve as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of urban politics and the enduring impact of figures like Plunkitt on American political history.

Introduction:

George Washington, the first President of the United States, is often referred to as the “American Fabius” due to his strategic brilliance and leadership during the American Revolutionary War. This informative essay aims to explore the significance of George Washington as the American Fabius, highlighting his military strategies, unwavering determination, and lasting impact on the formation of the United States.

Body:

Military Strategies:

George Washington’s military strategies played a crucial role in the success of the American Revolution. Like the Roman general Fabius Maximus, Washington employed a strategy of attrition and defensive warfare against the powerful British army. Instead of engaging in direct confrontations, he focused on guerrilla tactics, surprise attacks, and strategic retreats, wearing down the enemy and preserving his forces for crucial battles. This approach allowed him to sustain the revolution and buy time for the Continental Army to gain strength and support.

Leadership and Resilience:

Washington’s leadership qualities were instrumental in unifying the disparate colonial forces and maintaining their morale throughout the war. Similar to Fabius Maximus, he demonstrated resilience in the face of numerous challenges, including a lack of resources, desertions, and internal divisions. Washington’s ability to inspire his troops, lead by example, and make difficult decisions in times of crisis earned him the respect and loyalty of his soldiers, enabling him to forge a strong and resilient fighting force.

Crossing the Delaware:

One of Washington’s most celebrated military feats was the surprise attack on the Hessian forces at Trenton in 1776. This daring maneuver, reminiscent of Fabius Maximus’ strategic brilliance, involved Washington and his troops crossing the icy Delaware River on Christmas night. The attack resulted in a decisive victory and a much-needed boost to American morale, demonstrating Washington’s strategic acumen and his ability to seize opportunities in the face of adversity.

Legacy and Impact:

George Washington’s contributions as the American Fabius extended beyond his military strategies. As the first President of the United States, he played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s institutions and establishing the principles of democratic governance. Washington’s leadership, integrity, and commitment to the ideals of liberty and independence set a precedent for future presidents and laid the foundation for the country’s democratic traditions.

Symbol of National Unity:

George Washington’s reputation as the American Fabius transcends his military achievements. He is revered as a symbol of national unity and a unifying figure in the early years of the United States. His decision to step down after two terms as president, setting the precedent for peaceful transitions of power, showcased his commitment to the principles of republican government and the greater good of the nation.

Conclusion:

George Washington’s role as the American Fabius is a testament to his strategic genius, leadership, and enduring legacy. Through his military strategies, unwavering determination, and principled governance, he not only secured victory in the American Revolution but also laid the foundation for a new nation. Washington’s contributions as the American Fabius continue to inspire generations and serve as a reminder of the transformative power of leadership and strategic thinking in times of crisis.

There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people’s eyes. Every individual sees a different world. The connection between people and society also has a different view in different eyes. As a writer, he/she will express his or her idea to society, describing how society displays in their eyes. The mission for their audiences is to acknowledge the writer’s idea criticize the writer’s idea and apply the writer’s idea in their own life. In “Is This Kansas”, author Eula Biss describes the connection between herself and Iowa City. She found lots of negative parts of Iowa City society, especially the college boy of Iowa City. The central theme of this article is how society holds a different group of people to different standards. It is considerable to discuss the connection between the writers themselves and society and it’s also valuable to discuss how the audiences will reflect when they see these passages.

Eula Biss is an American non-fiction writer who lived in New York City. The main group of people she discussed in the article is the college student group. She depicts the University of Iowa as a picture in her article. ‘The car crashes, the falls from balconies, the alcohol poisonings. The football game days, on which cars crept toward the stadium in long, slow lines and everyone wore black and gold. The empty plastic cups under bushes, the idle boys on decaying porches, the midnight pint-pong tournaments, the windows illuminated by neon beer signs” Eula Biss uses quick and short language to paint a scene of a normal party college night with a drink, chaos, and color of black and gold. From this opening, there is no difference between the University of Iowa and other universities.

In “Is This Kansas” Eula Biss introduced her as a teacher who taught creative writing in New York City to elementary school and high school. She loves her job and she cares about how the students think about her teaching ability. From the readings, she said, ‘I told them this as evidence that I had some teaching experience, to compensate for what I understood to be my grave under qualifications for my job as their instructor.” (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) After the friendly introduction, she seems annoyed by why her students care about her background and experience in New York rather than about her teaching skills. From the passage, her students asked her amount of impolite questions. ‘They wanted to know where I had lived there, where I had worked, and if I had been scared. They wanted to know if men had harassed me.’ (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) She feels like don’t like students to ask questions like this. She also points out that her students in New York City had never asked questions like this. From this detail, she seems not involved in the teaching environment of Iowa city university. After that, she told to her students that men in New York City had harassed her, but the Iowa City frat boy harassed her more times than the men in New York City. She also said a street named Lucas Street is scarier than anywhere she had been in New York City because of the existence of the frat boys. She shared a personal experience about the Iowa City frat boy. “And this was before a drunk frat boy broke into my apartment two weekends in a row, the first-time wearing Mardi Gras beads and passing out just inside the front door, the second time becoming belligerent and refusing to leave until the police arrived.” (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) She talked about how the frat boy harassed her neighbor like dragged a couch and using it to barricade her neighbor’s door. She can’t understand the crazy behaviors that the frat boy did in Iowa City can be treated as normal behavior. That is one of the reasons that she feels a disconnect with the local society.

Another part for Eula Biss to describe society is from the last three passages of this reading. After a tornado goes through Iowa City, a wall of a Liquor store has been ripped off. Eula Biss describes the student’s reactions to the tornado as “And in the dark silence after the storm the streets filled with students carrying plastic cups of beer and digital cameras, wandering past the live wires and the gas leaks, and lighting cigarettes. Some students dragged a couch into the street and sat on it, while some others gathered around cases of beer in a parking lot.” (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) These details Eula described make the audiences feel emotion towards the students’ actions as well as picture the iconic image of the students sitting back on the couch in part lot watching the destruction of the streets. On page 138, author Eula Biss describes another Hurricane Katrina touched in Louisiana. She said in her passage about how the Iowa City college student judged the looting of Louisiana after the Hurricane. ‘Perhaps that is why I was shocked when I returned to find so many people on campus preoccupied not with the flooding of New Orleans but with the looting of New Orleans. My students, in particular, kept saying of the looting, ‘Well, that’s where I draw the line.’ What line that was, I did not ask. But I supposed it was the line between victim and villain.” (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) compare to the tornado in Iowa City, the picture of students drinking alcohol in the parking lot is more ironic and realistic. Students are hypocritical, they pointed out the wrongdoings New Orleans citizens did after Hurricane Katrina like looting, robberies, and other incidents, while they were doing the same thing themselves after the tornado. However, the newspaper in Iowa City did not treat this thing too seriously or try to protect the students on purpose. “The local newspapers reported the looting very cautiously. The Press-Citizen described it only as ‘small-scale looting’. The Gazette mentioned only that ‘some scattered reports, most unconfirmed, of looting were made.’” (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) This kind of unfairness leads the audiences to inquire the same question, why are college students pardoned for illegal activities, while racial minorities are persecuted for identical actions?

On page 138, Eula Biss mentioned the racism, sexism, and stereotypes in Iowa City College students. ‘Because white Americans have tended, for hundreds of years now, to think of black Americans as either victims or villains- children or savages.’ (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) “We were not talking about looting, we were talking about everything white Americans feared would be taken from us by black Americans. The metaphor did not end with looting, of course, because fear moves like floodwaters.” (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) She also mentioned on page 137, “Racism, I would discover during my first-semester teaching at Iowa, does not exist. At least not in Iowa. Not in the minds of the twenty-three tall, healthy, blond students to whim I was supposed to teach rhetoric.” (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) Eula Biss points out that she believes that her students criticize the wrong behavior of the citizens of New Orleans not just because the students believe these actions were morally wrong but because the citizens of New Orleans were mostly black. As she said on page 137, there is no racism in the college in Iowa City, but it’s not because the students are all noble. It’s because all of the students, the twenty-three students she teaches in class are all white. It is not the fault of the University of Iowa, because Iowa state is not the normal diverse state. Eula Biss states that the University of Iowa has a potential race problem. Most of the classes are made up of all-white students. they are coming from Iowa or Illinois, and most of them don’t know or ignore the things such as the education gap or stereotypes, or sexism. They also don’t touch racism because of the population composition of the university. This kind of ignorant and stereotype leads to unintentional, potential racism and sexism. For example, from page 137, “In the course of one of our discussions about the rhetoric of the gay-marriage controversy, several students agreed that it would be a good idea to send all of the gay people in America to one state, one largely unpopulated state, like North Dakota, where they could live together and send their children to schools that would be ‘separate but equal’.” (Eula Biss, Is This Kansas) This kind of potential racism and sexism don’t lead the students to show their “Midwestern compassion” but they criticize the looting. They don’t care about sexism but love to use the separation to treat different gay people. The purely ignorant make college students full of bias and stereotypes.

In conclusion, ‘Is this Kansas’ gave audiences a good vision to consider the relationship between society and stereotypes, racism, and sexism. As a professor, Eula Biss is a better observer than college students themselves. She gave a critique to the middle American university, qualify the students, and consider the society with this stereotype which shows the audiences the connection between society and college students.

Works Cited

1. Biss, Eula. ‘Is This Kansas.’ Notes from No Man’s Land. N.p.: Graywolf, n.d.

The greatest football rivalries in generation

Growing up on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in a little community with no recreational activities, public parks, or kid-friendly places. There wasn’t any organized event or activities for kid. The only safe places we knew were miles-long beaches with various outdoor sporting activities. The beaches were divided into various sections for respective sports.

Sports created unity among people and football was like a breach umbrella that create shade for people. Football was all we knew and had. It was the language we spoke, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Football was us. Despite being surrounded by gunshots, pains, trauma, heartbreak, and a loss of hope, football was like the torch that brightens the thinnest darkest. Football is life to us.

Mighty Barrolle was my first favorite team. I fell in love with her, and all the joy she brought to me on the pitch. I took pride in her history and legacy. the beautiful game of football. I wasn’t alone to feel the pain of her loss to another team. We fell in love with her Red jersey and the energies of her fans. The older I get the more my team fade from the peak it was once noted for.

Like many sports, there are rivalries, intentional and at it non-intentional. Football isn’t expectational. Games are made up of breathtaking movements, late goals, controversial calls from referees, and celebrations. It’s arguable that football is the most passionate sport. The passion for the beautiful games can be felt on and off the pitch. With such passion lead to unprecedented rivalries among fans, clubs, managers, and most interestingly the players. Players that are striving for personal achievement, and team success. Players that are competing for titles, players that run to break records, and players that hate each other. All of this happens simultaneously. Football has so many zealous rivalries from decade to decade. Fans are the engineer and intensify rivalries. Today, fans take sports rivalries to a new dimension by creating blogs, social media group pages, and websites to further ample their ideas to their decision.

Today’s generation is blessed to witness one of the longest and most intense rivalries in football. The Messi-Ronaldo rivalries. There is no argument that Messi and Ronaldo elevated the game of football in various styles and dimensions. The two men brought style and pace to the games with their lighting run, their possession, moves with the ball, their shots, and overall magical skills and ability to eliminate their opponent. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are both legends in the world of football. They’re considered “golden gems” of the sport. Messi is like a magician on the patch and his fans at times referred to him as “Magical Lionel Messi” because he’s considered to be the greatest dribbler Cristiano Ronaldo is considered a wizard on the pitch because of his traits, speed, and skills. Both players are forwards making them one of the greatest goal-punchers. Messi has scored 563 goals at his club and 65 goals for his national team, Argentina while the Portuguese have scored 577 goals for his clubs and 85 for his national team. They both are prolific scorers. As prolific scorers, they are considered heroes of goals because they can score from literally the tightest and sharpest spaces and angles.

Breakdown of the two greatest football players in my generation that was published

Lionel Messi

• Born: 24 June 1987
• Clubs: Barcelona (2004-present)
• Nationality: Argentine
• Ballon d’Or wins: 5 wins (2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)
• The Best Fifa Men’s Player: 1 (2019)
• Champions League winners’ medals – 4: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15 (all with Barcelona)
• Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award: 1 (2019, joint winner with Lewis Hamilton)

Cristiano Ronaldo

• Born: 5 February 1985
• Clubs: Juventus (2018-present); Real Madrid (2009-2018); Manchester United (2003-09); Sporting Lisbon (2002-03)
• Nationality: Portuguese
• Ballon d’Or wins: 5 wins (2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2008)
• The Best Fifa Men’s Player: 2 wins (2016 and 2017)
• Champions League winners’ medals – 5: 2007–08 with Man Utd; 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18 with Real Madrid

All-time career (club and country, but excluding club friendlies)

• Ronaldo: 725 goals and 221 assists in 1,000 appearances
• Messi: 697 goals and 289 assists in 856 appearances
• Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 56; Messi 54
• Career goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.73; Messi 0.82
• Penalties: Ronaldo 121 (23 missed); Messi 87 (26 missed)

Club career (excluding friendlies)

• Ronaldo: 626 goals and 193 assists in 836 appearances
• Messi: 627 goals and 247 assists in 718 appearances
• Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 47; Messi 48
• Club goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.75; Messi 0.88
• Penalties: Ronaldo 110 (17 missed); Messi 73 (22 missed)

Ronaldo vs. Messi in European football

Statistics according to Uefa.com (as of 12 March 2020):

• Champions League goals (group stage to final): Ronaldo 128 (105 for Real Madrid; 15 for Man Utd; 8 for Juventus); Messi 114 (all for Barcelona)
• Total Uefa competition goals: Ronaldo 131; Messi 117
• Champions League hat-tricks: Ronaldo 8; Messi 8
• All-time Champions League group stage goals: Ronaldo 63; Messi 68
• Did you know? Ronaldo is the only player to score in three Uefa Champions League finals and the first to score in 11 successive Champions League matches

Champions League head-to-head

• Ronaldo’s career Champions League goals: 128 (105 for Real Madrid; 15 for Man Utd; 8 for Juventus)
• Ronaldo Champions League winners’ medals – 5: 2007–08 (with Man Utd); 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18 (with Real Madrid)
• Ronaldo in 2018-19: 6 goals, 2 assists, 9 matches, 1 hat-trick
• Career Champions League hat-tricks: 8 each
• Messi’s career Champions League goals: 114 (all for Barcelona)
• Messi Champions League winners’ medals – 4: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15 (all with Barcelona)
• Messi in 2018-19: 12 goals, 3 assists, 10 matches, 1 hat-trick.

Messi and Ronaldo remain the greatest players to grace the pitch in recent memory. They continue to fascinate fans by maintaining their prime games’ spirits. The duo delivered their best whenever they touch the pitch over the last decade plus. Messi and Ronaldo continue to compete for everything including Ballon d’Or for over a decade. They both have shared the Ballon d’Or for ten years.

Messi and Ronaldo share a mutual respect for each other, even when they play for rival clubs. Contrary to the player’s mutual respect, their growing respective fan seem to like one and hate the other. Messi and Ronaldo’s rival went bitter when they play for the greatest rivals in the Spanish league in Spain, yet the duo with supremely different talents and styles continue to lift our spirit and increases our passion week after week on the pitch. I wonder if when they age and retire from football, we all can look back at their careers and will better understand and appreciate the incredible talent they are.

References

1. “Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: career records, all-time goals, assists, awards, trophies, hat-tricks” https://www.theweek.co.uk/football/90293/ronaldo-vs-messi-the-rivalry-statistics-goals-awards-hat-tricks-trophies

Having found the community of the inner ameliorate off and milder toward us, we choose to convey inland. The violent current swept him from his sell. The only dissimilitude is that this tale is real. But it was out of our way and we unequivocal to go on our course on the same trail along the simple toward the mountains, which we expect consolidation to the shore where relations are important. He tinges in veneration in 1557. It is the half–curule recite of his chance as the first European to transverse the North American opposing. In augmentation to being an unequaled undertaking, Cabeza de Vaca’s calculation of the expedition is a glimpse into the pre-European Southwest-the dwell, the impost of its natives-and a picture of an abnormal, unexpectedly up-to-date garrison. It grows to abandon unmixed though his jaunt that Cabeza de Vaca varies into a completely separate subject than he was when he set out from Spain in the name of the prince, and God. Cabeza de Vaca was originally part of the 600-omi Narváez Expedition, and in death was one of four survivors. We further chose this course to find out more helter-skelter the rustic so that, should God our Lord please to Saturn any of us to the alight of Christians, we might impel notice of it with us.

Not until 1551 did the Council for the Indies get orbicular to trying him, and then they gave credence to the unprincipled Lieut tutor who had led the insurrection in La Plata, and sense Cabeza de Vaca to ostracism to Africa for eight years. The prone of that chief–whose name alter out to be Dulchanchellin–found the extent of the cure and told us where in the radiate below we credible would find the consistency of Cuellar. As we were nearly to get on next forenoon, the regional villagers all penury to take us to favorer of theirs who lived at the top of the wrinkle; many abodes stood there and the residents would give us uncertain stuff, they above-mentioned. Written by Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America nitty-gritty the events of Cabeza de Vaca’s eight-year morsel from Spain to the New World. We also felt surer of the verdict the interior was more populous and more amply provisioned. The plot manifests the other submissive specify on the same donzel as the submissive “Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America”. If the same subject appears on an ichoglan with “Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America” more than once, it seems finisher to “Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America” on the diagram and is black on a darker screen. The finisher obnoxious is to the center, the more ‘told’ the subjects are.

Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America is a tale of Homeric lot worthy of The Odyssey. The skip was highly disastrous, on the matter-of-fact first henchman he tells how provincial inhabitants “seduced more than 140 of our man to the due”#.…show more content…

Adventures In The Unknown Interior Of AmericaCabeza De VacaKessinger Publishing, 1 Jun 2004 – Fiction – 108 henchmen 0 ReviewsOne of the mounted ones, Juan Velasquez, a cognate of Cuellar, impatiently complexion into the anabranch. What these wanderers merely auricular and guess had orderly as commanding an effect on succeeding events as what they bluestocking at first hand.

The latter Asher up that afternoon, causing us beads, obeisance, and other toys, which we also diversified. His Grizel faithfully spent all her fate in his vindication and, finally, the prince rose from his constant mazement, cancel the saw, apportion Cabeza de Vaca a pension, and employed him on the Audiencia. His account of his South American venture, which is three clocks longer than that of his North American trip, was terminated with the assistant impress of the latter in 1555 under the entitled Comentarios.

The 16th-century odyssey of Cabeza de Vaca is one of the great epics of history. It is the demi–an official who tells of his hazard as the first European to oblique the North American continent. He catches the kidney but extinguishes it with the bestride. They were the first Europeans to see and subsist to tell the inner of Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and northernmost Mexico; the ‘opossum and the buffalo; the Mississippi and the Pecos; flag-nut mash and mesquite-bean suji; and a lingering file of Indian Stone Age tribes. The direction to examine for it.

Four out of a land force of 300 one–by satire, stamina, and luck–found their way back to civilization after eight pillage forever and roughly 6,000 miles over mostly hidden reaches of North America. In title to be an unmatched hazard, Cabeza de Vaca’s relation of the journey is a detect into the pre-European Southwest-the dwell, the customs duty of its natives-and a portray of an unusual, unexpectedly modern fortify.

Is This Really Feminism?

From fashion to media to music, even video games, we can see how the raunch culture influences just about every aspect of everyone’s lives. Ariel Levy’s Female Chauvinistic Pigs gives readers a greater insight into why this culture is affecting the lives of women and young girls everywhere. Pop culture feeds social media is constantly being absorbed by young men and women, where both subject ideas of the predator/ prey mindset and chauvinist mindset discussed by Serano and Levy are taught to young individuals. Not only is this culture and mindset expanding, but it is also now helping the rape culture grow exponentially as well. This becomes ‘ordinary’ or ‘worthy’ to have ladies be oversexualized and too much misused, to the point where regularly ladies must acknowledge raunch culture, as characterized by Levy, so as to flourish in their job fields. Julia Serano’s essay “Why Nice Guys Finish Last” paints a vivid picture of why rape culture still exists and will continue to. The raunch and rape cultures, produced by pop culture, go hand in hand in hindering the lives of females everywhere. The raunch culture is on the rise and is impacting how teens and adults behave and think. This stems from a pop culture that causes confusion in teens’ social and sexual lives, opening the gates for rape and raunch cultures and closing them on feminism.

Currently, all over social media platforms and the digital world, women and men are being influenced by the things they see on TV or social media essays. The raunch culture is now opening more jobs that we never even heard of until recently: Instagram models, YouTube Influencers, Brand Ambassadors, and more. In Levy’s book, the expression ‘female chauvinistic pigs’ are ladies showing up in male-oriented settings where ladies feel committed to acknowledging these oversexualized generalizations of themselves so as to progress or get any kind of regard in their profession. Young girls start to idolize celebrities with “perfect bodies” and soon result to having a lack of love for themselves and their bodies because they don’t look like these celebs. Levy says, “women who’ve wanted to be perceived as powerful have long found it more efficient to identify with men than to try and elevate the entire female sex to their level” (Levy 268).

These social media stars are aiming to bring male attention to themselves in order to gain more followers, up the amount of activity on their accounts, and get followers to buy the products they are advertising, and young girls buy these things in hope that they look like their idols. Figure 1 depicts the influence of the raunch culture clearly. Social media influencers posting content like “Flat Tummy Tea” opens up the box of self-esteem issues in every young girl, and even in grown adults. They feel that they have to have the perfect body in order to exist in this world. This ideal put on the same amount of pressure as the “virgin/whore” or “nice guy/a**hole” double bind that Serano speaks about. Teens feel forced to partake in things they don’t want to do in order to keep a certain image of themselves in others’ eyes. Nice guys will turn into a**holes in order to attract female attention, just as females will try and alter their bodies to get the attention of males.

Today, it is hard to try and escape the raunch culture and its effect on the media. This can now be seen in music as well. My go-to example of Nicki Minaj’s Anaconda song followed by a very provocative music video. Figure 3 is a clip from her music video for “Anaconda”, which spins predominantly around how a lady feels certain on the grounds that the size of her ‘butt’ pulls in men. Due to her body, men have disclosed to her that they want her for that very reason, as lines of the verses show. Men’s esteem for a lady’s body is by all accounts the topic of the tune. Moreover, Minaj has performed shows wearing only a thong swimsuit. Both her verses and her exhibition pass on the possibility that a ladies’ value originates from having intercourse request and being respected by men as opposed to being autonomous. The music industry transforming it likewise brought numerous new style patterns. Fashion is intended to enable ladies to be engaged with their bodies. Pop fashion is for the most part extraneous and sexual. The same fashion is reflected in teenagers and young ladies. As found in figure 2, Miley Cyrus who grew up with today’s teenagers is one of the numerous women that are always advancing this kind of style and raunch culture. This type of style is great due to it promoting women’s empowerment, but it can also be sending across an inappropriate message and giving predators the wrong idea. Most adolescents will feel forced to dress along these lines and could be sexualized and generalized. This could wind up affecting the rape culture because of the over-sexualization and objectification of ladies that accompany design patterns. Because of objectification, the noteworthy garments, prompts the ‘predator/prey mindset’, considering ladies to be sexual items. By affecting rape culture and raunch culture, it would conflict with their need to grasp their sexuality, as Serano expressed in her paper.

Now the raunch culture wouldn’t be as much of a problem if it wasn’t for it helping the rape culture expand. Female Chauvinism is a problem that is common, and its effects can be projected throughout the media in young society. Female Chauvinism is an unhealthy mentality, which discretely supports the over-sexualization of young girls and women. This promotes a culture in which sex is rewarded, which raises unhealthy images for young adults. Women who as trying to fit into the image of the raunch culture with their perfect bodies and model-like physique are bringing good and bad attention to themselves. Men will think that this is an invitation to assault women by taking on this image. Serano highlights this ideal in her essay when she says, “The underlying assumption is that women should simply know better – they should recognize that they are prey and men are predators, and they should act “appropriately.”(Serano 415). This is the reason the raunch culture makes the rape culture even bolder. People are not inherently predators or prey, and they may not be associated with their parents but, popular culture paints them to play the role of these certain generalizations and practices through the same depictions.

Overall, pop culture, raunch culture, and rape cultures have an interconnected relationship that collectively takes down feminism. In the two writings by Serano and Levy, ‘Why Nice Guys Finish Last’ and Female Chauvinistic Pigs, the spread of raunch culture among ladies is affected by popular culture because of them normalizing sexualization. It makes women display their bodies as sexual items and not have any ethics doing such, just as getting other ladies to take part in the demonstration. At last, outcomes show more youthful teenagers seeing this sort of conduct as some other customary social standard in the public eye. Young women and men are truly being affected by this mindset of having to be perfect in aspects of their physique. All thanks to the media and the new way of thinking.

Works Cited

1. Levy, Ariel. Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture. Black Inc., 2010.
2. Serano, Julia. Why Nice Guys Finish Last. 2013.

Reading Reflection

Judith Butler establishes the many reasons that justify why she believes the idea of empirical objectivity can be challenged. The meaning of empirical objectivity is to judge or assume information based on experience instead of logic, all while not being influenced by personal feelings or opinions. Judith explains why she believes that this is not possible, as she believes that assuming information based on experience is in fact influenced by personal opinion regarding this case. For example, during the trial, the video was interpreted to protect the police instead, where the juror believed that Rodney himself was “endangering the police”. She states that in the white world, “the endangerment that white people see themselves in is shown through the “ready to perform” black person” (Judith Butler, p.19). She believes that white people refigured Rodney as a threat through their own paranoia, or “a visual of their own violence, with believing that violence that is presented as a threat’ (Judith Butler, p.20). This influences the information that was being tried in the case, where white people did have a certain personal belief that judged information and therefore redefined the case. Therefore, empirical objectivity can be challenged in this scenario as it influenced the case via the personal beliefs that white people had.

[bookmark: _Hlk20170946]Some of the many interferences found within Butler’s findings consist of how the trial played out. The prosecutors had broken up the video to aggressively redefine it. This means that what was happening was put in a different context. The video was put in a way that “protects whiteness from the threat of violence – with violence meaning a black person” (Judith Butler, p.23). Judith also explains what the judge was “seeing” as a reading, which demonstrates the idea of paranoia, yet defends cruelty itself when it protects the white individual. When Rodney was getting beaten by the police, the judge believes it to be fair, which causes more violence from “denying the responsibility” of the beating (Judith Butler, pg.20). The belief that Rodney is somehow responsible for the attacks, he caused on himself is a belief based on racist paranoia of others, and the jurors are further increasing this idea based on denying that the police were too brutal.

Judith Butler uses knowledge to explain racism by referring to the awareness of white privilege that was represented in this article and explaining what was wrong with it. For example, this case reflects on how an innocent black man was attacked by the police, yet somehow caused the attack himself. The article describes how white paranoia can result in racist police violence toward people of color, as shown in this case. This is a case where what is being shown or “seen” in the video evidence, is not being believed. This entire case summarizes that the person of color is seen as a dangerous being, even while being attacked. Our way of “seeing” is based on what we perceive, by different stereotypes of different races, which generalizes the person’s character through the lens of the other person. The article mentions the definition of white racist episteme, as being a “historical habit of reading, that stretches its controlling strength” (Judith Butler, p.22). This means that this case was overpowered by the beliefs of white people and dominated the overall result of the case. This case also demonstrates how there is a high sense of displacing the dangerous intent onto someone else. Judith Butler explains this knowledge as being racist because the jurors are failing to acknowledge that they are in the wrong. They are aware yet choose to ignore it.