Chapter 17: Trayvon Martin

In the STEM course called Equality, we've been served a very unique dish, one that only made us hungry for more. In this Unit named History, we've studied just everything that true equality can impact and whether or not it's here. The Action Project for this unit has us creating our own chapter in a history text book. There were many challenges I personally faced, such as finding an appropriate subject matter that I felt relate to the class, however in the end, I've managed to choose something I  could expand upon greatly, especially considering the impact this event has made to our modern society. Just below you can read though this mock text book, enjoy.

An Artist's Assessment

 We roll up into the Winter Term here at GCE and in the Math and Science course "Systems & Models" a new Action Project has dawned upon us students. We were to create a self-portrait of sorts that represents us, and create an identity which also aligns with the assessment of our personalities according to several tests, including Myers Briggs, Enneagram, DISC, and a few others. The first Unit had a heavy focus on understanding what makes us tick. How we work, and why we work like that, or at the very least, what to expect from those of us who cat like that. There were different levels that scaled just how much we can associate with these strong personality types, whether we associate with 2 at once or just a single type completely overshadowing all other traits. I was definitely proud of the statement I was able to pull from my self-portrait as I drew first and then assumed how it correlates. I didn't want an unnatural flow of my creativity, which is why I actually don't emphasize any particular traits or personality types. I wanted to keep it generalized initially, making sure that I wasn't stressing over conveying a specific message when talking about me, since I never did like focusing on myself. There were certain challenges in finding how to show every point, such as how my drawing relates in a big picture to my test results, but I was able to overcome some challenges by looking beyond the lines, and entering my own psyche to determine the exact message this neutral image is conveying. Just below you can find the artist's statement as well as my hand drawn image, and I hope you actually find yourself encouraged to find out more about yourself.

VG "V" 2017, Chicago

"V"

No. 2/HB Pencil(s) and standard ball point pen

Sketching paper 11.5" x 8.5"

I slowly veer off to my right, with subtle signs of interest. I don't show to much emotion because I wouldn't want to find myself in a situation that would grow into a struggle or conflict. Yet simultaneously, if I can be of use by assisting others then I will search for said opportunity. This piece is very practical and literal, but with hints of fictional elements, as while I'm down to earth, I must imagine scenarios around me in a sense that intrigues me, and anything that can make me thing is something I enjoy, thus revolving around a perpetual lust for satisfaction. The empty background follows my many concerns for my own safety, or rather my reluctancy to ever leave familiar zones that I know I at least feel safe in. There's a specific lack of exaggeration in my expression to (ironically) express my fondness for my neutral relations with many, as I find myself to be lacking in bias whilst also maintaining a great sense of personal justice and equality. When I drew myself looking into 2 mirrors, I wanted to draw attention to everything and nothing, hence my simpler art style with clean, open negative spaces, but the inclusion of shading draws the eyes around the image

Click to enlarge

These notes directly correlate with the rather accurate personality assessment tests. One of them being the Enneagram Test, (The Enneagram Institute, accessed Jan, 2017) which assesses your personality type based on numbers 1-9, with each number representing drastically different kinds of people, yet sharing slight characteristics which act as wings to the personality. In this case, my results ended up being a major 9 with a 2 just barely underneath. I personally strong associate with personality type 2 as it's main descriptions are to have sense of value with your own life by being helpful and caring, and with some though, 9 is also an excellent fit, as it's to be patient and calm. To be peace with one's self to survive. The full list of results is honestly something I can say I identify with, after understanding what each type is in its simplest of forms. Reflected in my art with a calm look that has peaked interest over to the side.

Now the TKI (Thomas-Kilmann Instrument) test I also have somewhat of a agreement with. As I stated early, despite the fact I was merely drawing based off of impulsive instinct alone, I managed to create a piece that represents me well, not focused on what's in front, but also not in, or doing any, major action. It show's off my observant nature, but the raised eye brow also displays some slight concern, which easily relates to how I have a strong desire to help others when they need assistance, and that's why my eyes quirk in that direction with such interest.

The process of creating the image was honestly just to draw from the heart. I made what I saw fit as comfortably as possible, and that's why this image resonates with me so much. It's how I see myself during a specific action that I do the most, observe my surroundings.

My set up had 2 small mirrors near each other at such an angle in which I was able to actually see myself looking at the one mirror with would give me the unique angle and eye focus. I felt that it was critical to make this realistic in my own sense, which is why I used a pen outline but utilized pencil shading, since it gives off a smoother feel for the already bright room that I was drawing in, effectively replicating the lighting that was present in that room at the time. It was bringing reality into my world of illustrations and that is why I decided to draw from life rather than a captured image of myself. As my good friend, "double A", put it, "when you're making yourself, you're not drawing what other people think they see, you're drawing what you want to see", and that definitely influenced my decision on sticking to my anime-esque art style, with the cartoonish eyes and such.

A face that doesn't speak out many stories but clearly takes several in. That it my self-portrait.

Was the Bay of Pigs Invasion Justified?

Hello everyone once again, with another Action Project for the class called Policy. In the second project for this history and literature course, we've been tasked to refer to a war/conflict that the US has participated in and then broadcast our stand on whether or not we believe it was justified or not. The second unit itself revolved around the Executive branch of the government and how certain policies affected wars that the US may or may not have justly participated in. It was a challenge to single out a single conflict as the topic of war is very negative from my standpoint, but to only look at one side is without a doubt singling out a lot I can truly criticize. Anyway, without further ado, just below the picture you will find a written essay of my views regarding the Bay of Pigs Invasion, which happened in Cuba.

JFK picture; presidential library museum, 1962

1961, Cuba. 1500 exiles opposed the infamous Fidel Castro with an invasion that was supported via financial support from the U.S. government. However it was a few years before the incident occurred that is truly noteworthy, as Fidel Castro overthrew Fulgencio Batista's reign of dictatorship. As of that start of 1959, relations between Cuba and the United States began to become a trifling matter. With Castro in charge, he claimed as much private property as possible, and much of that territory was owned by North American interests. Castro provided many hostile comments and claims such as the U.S. attempting to sabotage the newly establish government and time went on. It was a conflict from the start. President, serving the term of 1956-1960, Dwight Eisenhower was allowed to commit acts of retaliation as legislation passed such laws as of June in 1960. As America was cutting off purchases of sugar, soon following up with an embargo, only allowing the export of food and medicine to Cuban soil. As of January 1961, one of Eisenhower's final acts was to cut diplomatic ties with Cuba. There was great hostility between the 2 countries.

However every since May 1960, a great invasion was planned by the United State's CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) and heavily debated with newly appointed president (at the time) John F. Kennedy. Eventually, succumbing to the proposition, the plan to invade was finally approved. 3 US-made airplanes bombed Cuban air bases, and then soon after, only a couple days, several Cubans trained by the US landed upon the "Bay of Pigs" on Cuba's South-Central coast. This series of events, albeit something Kennedy initially wished to condone against, forced him to issue out an "air-umbrella" as a plan of attack as Castro reacted with over 20,000 troops heading towards the beach, greatly overshadowing the 1100 men ordered out by the CIA's plans. Probably due to an altered time zone, the air umbrella attack plan arrives an hour late and is shot down... There were many prisoners, and plenty of casualties too.

The policy allowing the Invasion to happen was quite the large risk on Kennedy's part. With the CIA organizing such a hostile plan early on only made the act all the more questionable. However Castro was ready as his aggressive behavior did intimidate the United States, more specifically Eisenhower. This conflict really branched through 2 presidents, and Kennedy was truly thrown into the middle of things. Initially, I'd still personally say that for the size it grew into, the Bay of Pigs Invasion was far from justified. The United States went through a lot during that time, and Eisenhower essentially was making a new enemy hastily. JFK really seemed to have limited options, either wait for Castro's assault, or do what he can to prevent that by attacking first. The CIA's plan was disputed against several times, but Kennedy final saw no other option. If he were to be here today, there's no doubt that he too would say the conflict was unjustified. Now that's not to say Castro did nothing wrong, as confiscating the land was provoking a response from North America since it was privately owned as their's. Consequences of the Bay of Pigs Invasion resulted in hundreds of casualties, and the long term consequence was increased support for Castro, allowing him to continue what the CIA wished to stop.

Overall, the Bay of Pigs Invasion did not seem righteous in the slightest as the first issue was the seizing of already owned territory. Embargo and trade restrictions were made in response to Castro's actions, yet the escalation to violence the CIA decided upon was concerning even to Kennedy. It's possible that even Eisenhower had no clue of the CIA's intent. Honestly, it's even debatable as to whether or not the conception of such a plan was even legal for the CIA to create. The act of Castro taking land he didn't may have provoked the US, however regarding that issue, Eisenhower had an embargo set in place, so at that moment, it was still being taken care of. The act of violence was simply an escalation that did not seem to benefit the Untied States as much as it should have. It was as if America only had a hunch because there was known and obvious tension.

Citations:

• Bay of Pigs invasion, Encyclopedia Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, NA
• The Bay of Pigs, JFK Library, NA
• The Bay of Pigs Invasion, History Today, Micheal Dunne, NA
• Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis, Foreign Policy Journal, Karthik Gopalan, 2010