I have been out of commission for a while - the life of a student has got to me in the most intriguing ways. I am currently Co-Editor of Photography of the Howard University Hilltop as well as a misused intern for an unnamed paper. On the daily, I am the student coordinator for the Commissioner's Camp: Summers of Success.
Through all of these things, I have found that photography and images are an integral part of life. . .
In Costa Rica, I found that outside life isn't what the government wants it to be from a firsthand perspective. It was the visual realization of the fact that Imperialist governments come into so-called 'third world countries' with over abundant resources . It has the largest percentage of protected areas in the world at a whopping 25% - that is, 25% of Costa Rica is made up of national parks and protected areas.
Businesses are able to secure tax exemption statuses due to the fact that the government wants to generate outside revenue. This allows all sorts of people to come through and overrun the population with things that are completely unlike the inherent culture. It disturbs me to see Asian Cuisine here. It makes no sense whatsoever.
The most desirable jobs are those which bring them in constant contact with tourists and the resorts there - whew! Perhaps because I have never been to an all-inclusive resort I am so overwhelmed with annoyance at the separation between the actual country and the resort. The only way that one would know that you were in Costa Rica is because of the beach, the Costa Rican workers, and . .. no - that's it. The weather is comparable to any tropical area. It makes me want to cry - I wanted to practice my almost non existent Spanish, but the people who worked there and that I ran into were more interested in learning English.
I find that discouraging - the fact that many of the people that live in places other than America are more comfortable with learning and accepting customs and traditions from America rather than preserving their own culture and identity.
Other than that, I have not encountered anything out of the ordinary. Michelle Obama came to our school for a cameo appearance at a high school graduation. It was, among other things, a regurgitated mess. I'm sure she has the same exact speech in different variations for the same occassions. It was broadcasted but in the same respect, I don't feel any further motivated or moved. While I do understand that there are only so many minutes in a day and being such an important person (so-called) you have to prioritize your time and energies. With that being said - why hasn't Barack Obama been to Howard University (one of the premiere HBCUs) since he's been elected the leader of this country? Perhaps this is my own sentiment that no one else shares, but I feel as if he should pay homage where it is due. It is not a problem of him being a "Black President" in the respect of catering to "his people," but more so also because he is a beacon of light to all of America (whether it be a flourescent light or one of those new energy saving bulbs) to let it be known that he is a person of cultural understanding and loyalty. Yes, he is half white and yes, he is half Black, and yes - he identifies as Black. However, he is also a President of Change. In that respect, in my opinion, he should have been present at one point or another at all of the universities in the D.C. area. No Question.
Giving younger children something to look at - 'Oh! He visited a college - I can't wait until I can get to college so I can meet really important people' and giving those who may have not made an effort to go to college when they were at the 'ordinary' age some sort of motivation (that is, if it's the Black President that rocks their boat).
Perhaps I am just one of the many who is overlooking the fact that he is one of the busiest men in the world, but I do feel that some things can be taken care of especially since this man has a contract with William Morris (as well as Ms. Rice) and if has the AUDACITY to charge people to hear him, then he can have the grace and humility to be a decent icon towards the youth of America. The same youth that will be figuring out his health care coverage when he's old and decript.
[sigh]
America..... what are we to do.
In other news,
I'm in Lousiana - getting ready to go to New Orleans to cover Essence Fest. My travel and housing plans are sooo unstable but I will trust in the powers that be and believe that everything will work out for the best.
I'll be posting a few images as I see them - I'm armed with the D40 this time. If anyone has a camcorder it would be nice to lend it to me!
1 comments:
Yo, you touched on alot of topics. That Costa Rica travel story is something serious. There are 3rd world customers who come into the attraction everyday, glorifying America and its values, even while we have imposed our beliefs on them so much that they conform to it and make it their reality. Barack is a cultural installment and many people look to him as a Messiah. I was talking to a customer yesterday who said that he didn't vote for Barack believing that he wants to change America rather than fix what is wrong with the original shi, I guess. I don't know. He made me think a little...He did make it clear though in his campaign change you can believe in. This change he is talking about upsets the original foundation of America, capitalism, racism, sexism, and classism, I think. And although I totally disagree with the mass federal spending when schools, homes, and jobs are so destitute right now, I think he has done a tad bit of a good job with the racism,sexism, classism thing. Truth be told, all that still exist whether mentally or institutionally but he is giving people who has been influenced by this a chance and maybe in hope of actually CHANGING America, the white collar, white face, white whatever...but that's another topic. I also agree with the college trips. I look at it in terms of sequential order, sad but true, health care and education should be tackled at the same time but if he has a one tracked mind like me, I totally get why he chooses to handle certain things at certain times. But I won't wrap this up, we can dialogue about this nother time. I enjoyed reading and most importantly I respect ya insight sweety. It is always a pleasure when people share their views.. peace. continue to have fun.
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