Author: schweitzer.105

Text Review Assignment: The Hunger Games

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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Francis Lawrence brings us an even better round two. (film review) | Lisa Thatcher

I will be doing my text review on the Hunger Games movie series. There are several parallels between the themes in the Hunger Games and the themes and concepts we covered in our class this semester. This movie is about 12 districts that are controlled by the Capitol. Each year there is a competition that involves two people from each district in which they fight to the death and the winner brings rewards back to their district. The districts are treated terribly and the Capitol people are treated as royalty and have much more power and wealth as compared to the people in the districts. The president showcases his power over Katniss as he says he can ruin her life. The people in the capitol all look forward to seeing the Hunger Games and the members of the district fight for their lives. There is a clear difference in power as well as injustice as the districts are treated unfairly. This reminds me of the Master and Slave dynamic. The Master in this movie is the Capitol and the Slave represents the districts. The Master forcefully rules over the slaves which is how the capitol and districts are. The identity of the people of the districts is formed by the treatment of the capitol and the events resulting for the Hunger Games. This relates to some forms of identity such as physical characteristics or culture that cannot be controlled. The districts struggle with this, and in the later movies they rebel against the capitol. These movies also remind me of the One and Other concept, which the Capitol is the one and the districts are the other. The power inequalities and injustices are clear throughout the movies which are not overturned until later where Katniss leads a fight for her power back from the Capitol for herself and all the districts. A few ideas I think the author wants the audience to take away is to respect the power you are under but don’t accept it and continue to fight for change. Katniss showed determination and grit in the movies and this proves how she didn’t let the identity placed on her define her. The author also wants us to not accept injustices and continue fighting for what is right. This aligns with the Black Lives Matter movement and how fighting for change can make a difference. Overall, The Hunger Games films provide great context and themes involving the struggles of power, identity, and injustice while showcasing the fights and battles won against these topics.

 

The Hunger Games (2012) - IMDb

Week 11 Context Presentation: America After 9/11

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15 years since 9/11: Pictures from that fateful day and those that followed - The Brooklyn Home Reporter

America as a whole had a major shift after the attacks on September 11, 2001. There were plenty of positive and negative changes associated with the horrific event. I will specifically be explaining and detailing the increased security and “new normal” that was presented after. These attacks are still thought about today and will for forever, and it has forced the government to step up in many ways. The Department of Homeland Security was created and other restrictions were made to make air travel safer.

Poll shows most Americans are willing to give up some privacy and freedom to fight terrorism - nj.com

Security in airports was heavily increased, baggage was scanned, and boarding passes were made mandatory to be in a terminal. Congress also created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the organization that secures the airports and regulates baggage. Airports used to be secured by private companies which lead to unorganized and inconsistent airports. Congress took this control back and regulated security. There are now officers that watch for specific actions and behaviors to catch anything missed in the security checkpoint. Full body screening machines were added to check for any weapons or illegal objects. However, with this added security, racial profiling has become more prevalent after these attacks as specific groups are targeted.

This Is What It Was Like To Go To The Airport Before 9/11 | HuffPost

Another important addition to the security department was the creation of The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This organization was formed by criminal and civil authorities brought together to strengthen national security that was broken after 9/11.  This organization dealt with oversees agencies relating to immigration, removed criminals, and added new immigration officers. ICE was formed strengthen and make immigration safer for immigrants and the United States.

All of these changes created a “new normal” in the United States, and it was forever changed after 9/11. Travel changed as more time was necessary to pass through security, restrictions were placed on baggage, and items brought were limited.

Another change were the increased wars in Afghanistan and fights against terrorism being fought daily. The world is now so hyperaware of security threats and terrorist attacks, and staying on top of this is key. The policies and changes implemented were necessary to improve the state of America.

Increased spending was also needed to secure the United States to the level that was now necessary.  These increased budgets pushed more policies and movements to strengthen homeland security and research terrorist groups. Overall, the attacks on September 11 forced increased security, created a new normal, and changed America forever.

9/11 to now: Ways we have changed | PBS NewsHour

 

Works Cited:

https://www.history.com/news/september-11-changes-america

In the aftermath of 9/11, different versions of the “new normal”

https://www.ice.gov/features/history\

https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/how-9-11-changed-airport-security.html/

https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/ways-immigration-system-changed-911/story?id=17231590

 

https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/how-9-11-changed-airport-security.html/

Diary of Systemic Injustices Showcase: Olympic Gymnastics

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The topic that I thought was the most interesting systemic injustice was about olympic gymnasts and the harsh reality of the elite system. As multiple forms of abuse that USA Gymnasts went through uncovered, change and justice were needed. I have attached two articles describing the abuse gymnasts endured, and were taught was normal in order to reach their dream of competing in the olympics. This forced silence of the “authorities” (coaches, doctors, coordinators) reminded myself of the master-slave dynamic. The gymnasts were made less than, and had their lives controlled from every aspect. However, in reality the gymnasts were the one’s providing the victories and all the achievements for the country. This injustice has been apart of gymnastics since the very beginning, and as it is getting better, more progress still must be made.

While reading Morrisons, “Recitatif” I was reminded of the trauma and pain many children and teenagers face. I was very lucky to grow up in a  club where the coaches treated me with respect and cared for me. However, when I went to national training camps, that reality was not the same for other gymnasts around the country. I witnessed many coaches screaming at and demeaning there gymnasts that were just teenager’s. Morrison’s story reminded me of how harsh people can be and how much judgement occurs. I also faced this heavily growing up, and it is a problem for many women. The mistreatment of gymnasts is sadly a systemic issue that has been brought to the surface only recently. This mistreatment occurred internationally and at all ages and levels. Coaches believe they reign power over gymnasts and they can treat them badly without consequences. This was done by silencing and punishing gymnasts that would speak up and tell them that their opinions do not matter. This reminded me of Maggie in Morrison’s story, and the girls felt they were better than her and mistreated her without any consequence. Many gymnasts have and continue to speak out and share stories of the battles that they overcame. This systemic injustice happened for decades, which caused too many gymnasts to be abused and for their abusers to get away with it. This issue could be found from Olympians to gymnasts as young as 7 years old. Changes have and continue to be made as coaches have been suspended, and gymnastics as a whole is being analyzed to provide the safest environment possible for these athletes and to finally be given the justice they deserve.

I am thankful that current and former gymnasts have stood together and shared their stories. These articles and personal stories are one of the necessary parts to change this systemic injustice issue. Many are being held accountable for wrongful actions and a change of culture must happen within and around the sport in order to make progress. Thanks for reading!

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/olympics/ct-us-gymnasts-verbal-emotional-abuse-20180223-story.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/03/sports/olympics/gymnastics-abuse-athlete-a.html