I believe my image to be quintessentially American, and also fits in with Watson's ideology (along with Crevecour's) on being an American - being one man. Although it shows a cartoon; the cartoon is typically an American image and by saluting shows once again how being an American is being patriotic, proud to be an American and proud to be one single nation.
Controversially, the a huge antithesis is apparent in Watson's essay in the way that he talks about the segration of America and how different races and creeds are still being sorted in cities by a horrendous "colour coding" system. For example, keeping whites in the suburbs, and the blacks/hispanics in the ghetto. This picture is from the film 'American History X'; a film that doesn't just touch on racism and the rise of the neo-nazi's in modern day America it destroys any sugar coated imagery anyone might have of America becoming one nation.
I placed these two pictures side by side because to me they both equally symbolise America from the point of view of Watson. With the patrioism right down to the terrifyingly open display of racism they seem to have.
3 comments:
Both the images you have shown both represent America, the cartoon is a very typical part of some areas of America, for example Florida.
Both the pictures shown are very strong points in Watson’s ideology, they are both proud, strong and male influences picture, which is one point that Watson made a lot of comments on.
The second picture stood out to me more as there was a three strong men in front of the American flag, but looking from the picture all from different back grounds and different religions.
I don’t understand why people would hang up a picture of Mickey Mouse with the flag behind him in their houses but I suppose it does show the American culture as fun but strong way of life and shows Watson ideology of America.
Nicely done, Rachel. Freaky images, to be sure, but you have elegantly tied them into the ideas that Watson/Crevecoeur highlighted in the article. I must see the film, but I can't say I look forward to it...
I think Rachel has found two awesom images to represent different views of patriotism.
The first is a classic image of someone standingly proudly in front of the american flag but is made considerably better by incorperating an image of micky mouse into it. He is a classic icon for american children and this image will create the stem from which patriotic ideals can form.
The second image from American History X is totally opposing and contradictory, while at the same time attempting to create similar emotions through iconography. Edward Naughton plays such a strong figure in this film and is so charismatic that sections of it really will inspire hate in the impressionable and small minded. The image is a shining example of that and i think both pictures are perfect examples of patriotism from entirely seperate demographics.
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