Final Blog... A Reflection

Looking back on the past semester and the first blog composed, I can see my perspective changing on protests. Originally, I thought that protests were for extremists and or those highly motivated to make change. Now I have come across many more examples of people who simply want to raise awareness for a cause.

I am looking at my very first line of my first post, "it must begin with a disagreement," and find my views now to be slightly different. Maybe some join a protest because they agree that they need change or in some cases, that they don't. Previously I believed that the size of a protest determined, in large part, the success of a protest. Now, I believe differently. Ann Coulter, Al Frankin, and who could forget Cindy Sheehan - all individuals and all known for protest. I have learned that groups may get easy media attention, but individual people can find the same, too.

However, there are several things that were reinforced over this semester. Another line reads, "Protests themselves are more often than not a reflection of the protestor's beliefs or the change they desire." I gave the example of the monk who burned himself in protest against the war. I am finding more and more that style is important to recognize in a particular protest because it often reflects the intentions of the individual or the group.

Before this course, I could only think of major (and usually historical) events as examples of protests... now they stick out to me in everyday events. Whether it is the man holding a cardboard sign on the corner of 24th and Guadelupe or the masked students in costume screaming out against Scientology, protests are truly everywhere.

Persuasive Songs

When I was searching through examples on Google for examples of protest songs, I noticed a predominant theme among those I sorted through... most were songs protesting war and related violence.  I realize this is a hot political topic and has been for many years now, but why does it seem that the  vast majority protests war?  There are limitless subjects to protest, but acts of violence are highlighted in so many.  Another interesting note: most of the protest songs against war and violence are played by rock-and-roll and punk rock artists.  To me, these tend to be examples of more "aggressive" music.  I would expect the anti-war/ anti-violence songs to generate from less intense (in sound and rhythm) musical artists.  I just found it interesting...

My examples of protests songs for this week include Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1960) and Imagine by John Lennon.  The song, Fortuante Son, largely protests the government and war that were in operation at the time.  Additionally, the song's lyrics suggest concern for lower class citizens or working class families as opposed to the highly publicized upper class.  I also feel that the song's lyrics portray the idea of confidence despite some "misfortune."

The second example I looked at is Imagine.  The role of religion is discussed in John Lennon's song as unnecessary and as an obstacle.  Lennon implies what most would consider to be "hippie" ideas and moral holdings.  He expresses his visions of a perfect world in the song with comments opposing religion, war and government.

Coulter and Moore...

Ann Coulter and Michael Moore do not come across to me as persuasive protesters. I feel that both are unfairly biased in their voiced opinions and allow personal convictions to narrow their viewpoints. I can appreciate Coulter's conservative perspective - but she has taken it too far and seems like nothing more than a public figure with strong ideas, which she is more than happy to rant about. The same goes for Michael Moore who has gained popular attention by his numerous documentary films. It is apparent in watching the film Farneheit 911 that he is primarily concerned with picking apart the flaws of President Bush since (and even prior to) his election to office. Since the War on Terror is a big topic in political discussion, Moore capitalizes on the opportunity to insert his political ideals into a "documentary" to gain public awareness and attention. While Michael Moore is busy voicing his opinions in film, Ann Coulter is hard at work writing books about the short-comings and flaws of liberal Americans. When confronted about her strong opposition to the political values, she avoids direct questions and refocuses on her own subjects, not allowing others to interject commentary or keep the debates focused.

I am not conviced of the standings of either individual do to their biased presentations and seclusions of important information.