When we were in the library last Monday, Mark, the reference librarian, was telling us about his fieldwork with farmers in the Azores (in Portugal). He said that after living there for a few months, he began to witness a theme he had read a lot about in the research on farmers in the Azores: honor versus shame. This is a cultural theme: honor vs. shame. The farmers' code of conduct was rooted in their honor, in behaving honorably and in sharing their bounty with their neighbors. But, when a fellow farmer would break "the code," he would be shamed by the community. Indeed, there was a true "honor code" that exists there, that keeps the culture "in check" so to speak.
This is where you want to be going--looking for a similar theme or thread that can represent a "code" of your subculture. It might help, too, to represent your theme as a dichotomy (as opposites, two sides of a coin). For example, Kevin might be noticing that, within his subculture, there is a direct relationship between worship and community--peoples' faith in the Dominican-American subculture is directly linked to their connection with their immigrant community here in Providence. They are "displaced people" and find solace, comfort, and community in worshipping God together.
Or, for another example, Xenia might be noticing that, within her subculture, mothers of children with cancer have to be so strong and so stolid and so sturdy that their involvement with a support network of other mothers works to help build themselves back up, to "refill" their energy for the week, their self-esteem, their store of hope. And, there is a long history of women coming together in such support networks to help each other cope and get through. Very cool.
One more example is in Rachael's subculture, where she might be noticing that it's difficult to tell whether "underground artists" choose to be "underground" or if society pushes them underground because they are so far outside the mainstream. Is an "underground artist" something I can grow up to be someday or is it because of my political, edgy art that I will someday be forced, by others, into this "underground" category of artists?
I urge you--implore you--this week to post an idea or two here to SHOW ME that the wheels are turning, that you are thinking and moving forward in your thinking about this project. It's time for the rubber to hit the road here--it is most important that you do not lose energy or momentum now! Keep going!
11 comments:
Thesis statement:
In an underprivileged South Providence community the celebration of faith becomes more of a festivity than an obligation in the Dominican Catholic community that ties everyone together in shared support and worship.
Dana; If you are still looking into the social and marketable aspects of the Scouting Programme, Doreen Williams is a Rover and I think she might have the Duke of Edenborough. She lives in Nova Scotia and was (or still is) in 1st Woodlawn. Her Facebook is below if you are interested:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=505387369&ref=ts#/profile.php?id=505387369&v=info&viewas=650303036
Kevin,
Ah, I see you are of the "thesis statement" variety. My questions (did you think I wouldn't have any?): What is a "festivity?" What is and "obligation?" How do these concepts play into the life of this subculture? (P.S. I love where you're going with this and think sussing out these terms will help you get there and help your reader come to understand what you already understand.)
-_-' Kevin is making the rest of us look bad with that thesis statement of his (just kidding. haha).
Any, here's the theme I'm noticing, based on my own experience, as well as the two interviews I've done so far:
The support of the other mothers is a coping mechanism. Talking to other moms in the same situation does more than venting frustrations to family or close friends. The moms take their strength from one another, and although they have different lives outside of the clinic, inside it, they're all the same. (Think along the lines of "united we stand, divided we fall"...or was it "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts"? one of those two works for what i mean. LOL)
I probably just paraphrased a small part of what my mom told me in our interview...but she really has a point. I can totally see it now that she said it.
I've finally realized that people who get tattoos are part of their own subculture. And I've decided that this will be the main focus of my paper. I was a little iffy at first because I realized that all sorts of people get tattoos, not just the bikers, gang members, and inmates anymore. However, it all fell into place as I did my interviews this weekend.
"No matter how different people are they all come in here for the same reason."
Not sure if this is what you're looking for, let me know I'll check back later in the week and maybe I'll have something else.
It seems like Girl Scouts are very close within their troops by the way they act in their meetings. Also, they learn to have responsibilities and basically have the same morals while enjoying themselves at their meetings.
Also, in my research, I have discovered that between World War I and World War II, Girl Scouts were engaged in convincing women that domesticity was important for feminine happiness and that Girl Scouts helped perpetuate the idea that the "true" American girl was middle class and white. I thought this information was interesting because it seems to contradict the morals of present day Girl Scouts, which show pride in being girls and seem to believe in equality in everyone.
Unfortunately, I was unable to interview any of the band member from Miapollo before they made their journey back to Ohio. I have been corresponding with them via email and myspace – just to keep in touch, and because I had a blast hanging with them in the studio. I decided that I would take the opportunity to ask a couple of questions. The answers came from Brandon Wertz, the lead singer and bassist. I thought some of his answers were pretty interesting...
What brought you to White Noise?
1. Casey brought us out to white noise. being from Ohio coming all the way to RI wast our first choice but we aproached casey at a show with a press kit and when he listened and liked it he asked us to come out to do the record.
What was your experience there?
2. our experience was amazing. we had all been on tours and done records before but this was our most mature and serious attempt yet. more than anything we grew as musicians and as people,
What was it like working with Andy, Nick, and Casey?
3.Casey Andy and Nick where the best producers we could have asked for. they where professional and did great work with the record as well as identifying with us all personally. The opportunity was a blessing and they where the only reason the process went so well.
What were your biggest problems/frustrations?
4.Aside from money our biggest problem probably came with band dynamic. being a 6 piece with 3 guitars makes things a little confusing at times but Casey Andy and Nick where great about working through it and coming out with a great product.
Final comments, anyone?
5. Final comments? haha well. I learned Rhode Island is the most expensive place on earth? haha the whole experience was incredible. i would push anyone considering working at white noise to do so. I've never been happier with a product.
Exciting Artists! (by Rachael)
So the other day I went to AS220 to meet Mike and Jenine and to see the 'underground' (Ive learned 'they' don't really like that term) band the White Mice and the Tokyo base phsycrock band DMBQ. I honestly was scared at first. After listening to the White Mice on myspace, i realized i really didnt like that type of music (screaming electronic) but it turns out i had a great time. This is the e-mail i sent Dr. Cook as soon as i got home, with a few additions. additions={ }
Hi Dr. Cook
I just went to a White Mice concert. (they are an underground band from Providence) and it was crazy! I have a feeling you would have loved to be there. The people watching was awsome.. its strange how people can look soo different from 'normal' yet all look the same. {almost everyone had numerous amounts of periceings and tattoos. many had dread locks or facial hair. So many people carried backpacks that were all run down beat up and decorated.} The White Mice all dressed in costume with personally made mice masks, all with blinking lights in them. They also had on lab coats that had 'blood' smeared all over them. The lead singer was also the basist and leaned over the mic which was decorated with a bunch of unidentifiable stuff. His mask came over his face so when he sang it looked like the mouse was eating the mic. The screaming crazy banging angry music was rather intimidating esspecually when someone tried to start a mash pit. {I was immediately told by Jenine to buy the $1 ear plugs sold at the bar unless i want to be like my cousin, and have my ears never stop ringing. It was good advice since my pants were vibrating it was so loud. Im sure anyone a block away could hear the music coming from that place. The moshers were also discourgaed.. its not that kind of show apparently and most peopel were just standing there head baning at various intervals} but they didnt play for very long and then the next band came on; DMBQ. They were from Tokyo and classify themselves as phsyc rockers. At one point the lead singer put on a gas mask (about the same time the amp cought on fire) and stuck the mic in his mouth and sang like that. he climbed onto the croud and croud surffed (not an easy thing since there werent tons of people there) then when he was done the drummer got up and passed his drum set, piece by piece, into the croud where he proceded to climb on top of it and play like that.. all while the amp is smoking ... it was really cool. I was told that ill be hard pressed to find a show that will be as cool as this one. Just thought id let you know!
~Rachael
ps. i kept wishing i had my notebook to write stuff down.. even though that would have been accward.
Festivity = enjoying mass, dancing, hugging, kissing, smiles, Buenos Días's
Obligation = quiet, boring, against will...being obligatory
Shows Dominicans like mass.
This is still a work in progress since I feel there's so much more for me to explore in this subculture, but so far...
I've learned there are many different attitudes or "types" of people in the theater. I noticed this especially when I took notes around Trinity Rep and Perishable and noticed the difference between the two. I'm beginning to find exceptions to the "stereotype" of actors. I've also found there is a difference between those who see this as a lifelong career and commitment, as opposed to those who feel they still need to find a "real job". I hope to investigate that aspect further.
Hey Researchers,
As you think about your developing questions and themes, I urge you to think critically. That is, consider the "norms" of our culture where gender and power are concerned. For example, in Rachael's subculture, folks are, in a way, fighting back against "official" art culture, which is often laced with money, prestige, and "high society" types. Underground artists are challenging the establish power base in the art community. Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol all got started this way, too! So, if I were Rachael, I would write about POWER as a theme in my subculture.
If I were Kevin, i would write about immigrants and displacement and rebuilding community in another place.
If I were Dana, I would write about a sense of belonging and the power of role models for young girls.
Are you starting to get the picture, as far as what a "THEME" is?
Cool--My expectations are not wavering, folks, so keep mulling all this stuff over...
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