Theoretical Sources

KKK Homosexuality

                This article is from a larger collection.

                Gibson, James. "Homosexuals and the Ku Klux Klan: A Contextual Analysis of ..." Jstor. The Western Political Quarterly, Sept. 1987. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.

                I believe the focus is to show that anyone should be allowed to protest even the Ku Klux Klan. As a people, the KKK hate virtually anything not American or white. Their “hate” protests incite anger in everyone across the world. The article mentions an exact protest from 1984 in which the KKK protested homosexuality. They were being escorted around town but hundreds of officers. It shows how the city and law enforcement support knowing the KKK’s rights to do so. I chose this article because my subject is how the KKK had an effect on the civil rights movement. The KKK is relevant to my paper because it shows the ideas and thoughts in a KKK member’s head. There is history here and maybe a primary source.

                For my paper the framework of it all will help bring in the reality of Civil rights to both sides. (KKK VS Others) Also find what counts as rights and not just anarchy.

                “On Saturday, June 9, 1984, 55 members of the Ku Klux Klan marched down Wertheimer Street in the Montrose Area of Houston in protest of homosexuality. The Klansmen were escorted and protected by 800 members of the Houston Police Depart”(427).  This also reveals yet another source to protest, being homosexuals not just hating on black. “Unpopular political minorities have often met intense resistance from the majority when they have sought to assert the rights of citizens of democratic policies”(427). Makes me think further pointing out inequality and the KKK making sure these smaller groups are put to rest before they get sense that they can work together. “…items, actual civil liberties disputes provide an illuminating context for studying applied political tolerance” (427).The protests on both sides start to blur the edges of legal or not legal.

Working with Theoretical Sources

Soviet Samizdat and Nonconformist Art Movement - Colin Potter

Johnston, Hank. “Talking the Walk: Speech Acts and Resistance in Authoritarian Regimes.” Repression and Mobilization, edited by Christian Davenport, Hank Johnston, and Carol McClurg Mueller, University of Minnesota Press, 2005, pp. 108-137.

The argument that is posited by this essay is that not all protests and forms of collective action adhere to the conventional structure and concept of protest usually used to describe protest movements. In particular, Hank argues that in authoritarian regimes where the punishment for conventional protest is very severe, simply engaging in oppositional speech and expression qualifies as a form of protest. Hank explores how the samizdat in the USSR provided a way to disseminate culture that was inherently oppositional and how safe spaces were created to promote this kind of speech. Hank states that "oppositional speech acts are a less demanding and less risky form of collective action" (117). This argument relates directly to how I need to analyze the Soviet nonconformist movement. Because the action people took during the movement weren't conventional forms of protests such as marches, sit-ins, petition signing, and letter-writing to name a few, it is important to establish first that this movement is still a form of protest. This source does that, and it contextualize the important features of this kind of protest, from why it occurs, to what it accomplishes beyond the superficial level that many historians focus on. It is something I will need to establish early on and does a good job at providing a framework from which to investigate this movement.






Cochlear Implant Protest - Daniel Tannen
Key Term: Audism

Eckert, Rowley. “Audism: A Theory and Practice of Audiocentric Privelege.” Humanity & Society, vol. 37, no. 2, 2013, pp. 101-130.

The protest against the Listening and Spoken Language Symposium that was sponsored by the Alexander Graham Bell Association was based on the idea of oppression and discrimination. However, many individuals (those unfamiliar with the deaf community) may not immediately associate the use of cochlear implant technology with oppression. The article by Eckert and Rowley establishes a framework for thinking about oppression of deaf individuals by exploring a key theory: audism. In 1977, Tom Humphries defined the term as “The notion that one is superior based on one’s ability to hear or behave in the manner of one who hears” (Eckert 105). The authors seek to use this word and associated theory to, “improve social scientific and public understanding of audism as a social problem in postmodern times” (Eckert 120).

In the protest performed by Audism Free America in Los Angeles in 2013, the audience must understand the emotional and logical opposition the deaf community holds against proponents of cochlear implant technology. Eckert and Rowley specifically take note of a type of audism called the auditory industrial complex (AIC) that aggressively targets Deaf children for medical treatment often through surgery techniques (Eckert 107). Deaf individuals do not perceive the inability to hear as a disability and have therefore become outraged about the push for the implementation of medical procedures that seek to “fix” them. The ideas presented in the article are essential to understand the societal background that gave rise to the protest movements for deaf civil rights.



KKK Homosexuality - Lance Reidenbach

This article is from a larger collection.
Gibson, James. "Homosexuals and the Ku Klux Klan: A Contextual Analysis of ..." Jstor. The Western Political Quarterly, Sept. 1987. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.

I believe the focus is to show that anyone should be allowed to protest even the Ku Klux Klan. As a people, the KKK hate virtually anything not American or white. Their “hate” protests incite anger in everyone across the world. The article mentions an exact protest from 1984 in which the KKK protested homosexuality. They were being escorted around town but hundreds of officers. It shows how the city and law enforcement support knowing the KKK’s rights to do so. I chose this article because my subject is how the KKK had an effect on the civil rights movement. The KKK is relevant to my paper because it shows the ideas and thoughts in a KKK member’s head. There is history here and maybe a primary source.

For my paper the framework of it all will help bring in the reality of Civil rights to both sides. (KKK VS Others) Also find what counts as rights and not just anarchy.

“On Saturday, June 9, 1984, 55 members of the Ku Klux Klan marched down Wertheimer Street in the Montrose Area of Houston in protest of homosexuality. The Klansmen were escorted and protected by 800 members of the Houston Police Depart”(427). This also reveals yet another source to protest, being homosexuals not just hating on black. “Unpopular political minorities have often met intense resistance from the majority when they have sought to assert the rights of citizens of democratic policies”(427). Makes me think further pointing out inequality and the KKK making sure these smaller groups are put to rest before they get sense that they can work together. “…items, actual civil liberties disputes provide an illuminating context for studying applied political tolerance” (427).The protests on both sides start to blur the edges of legal or not legal.

precis

1. Steven Schwarze, published November 24th 2006 online. Thesis is that melodrama is useful in the right context in the execution.

2. Shwarze gives an example by tallking about the Asbestos victims in Libby, Montana

3. His purpose is to bring new light to Melodrama and show how it can be a useful rhetorical tool in analysis.

4. Critics of melodrama and also people invested in researching protest methodologies. He establishes a relationship with the audience by giving multiple examples.

Research Question

Lance Reidenbach

ENGL 306

10.17.2016

The Line

2?

In this paper I will answer the question if the KKK's moves, motives and protests are effective by their results.

What effect did the KKK in the twentieth century have on Civil rights in America? 

Exploration

Lance Reidenbach

ENGL 306

10.15.2016

Explore

1.

                My paper is not yet based on a single protest. I am exploring the idea of the Ku Klux Klan. It is a very large area to deal with going with so many dates, spanning so many years from the beginning of the United States all the way up to the present time. As for geographically, their areas with large amount of Ku Klux Klan members are based southeast by do have places up and down the east coast. It is very rare for the western side of the United States to have leagues. I am considering the southeast with the period of time in the present from about 1960 or so.

2.

                 The identity in my attempt to write a paper of the Ku Klux Klan and what they do is very specific. It is basically: white, supremacist, male, Christian. They are against, not just blacks, but almost any other unwanted immigrants who they claim have no right in the United States. They are against Catholics and other religions. They believe most sternly with the Democratic way of running the United States. All members are male even though there isn’t really anything against females. As a matter of fact there is a women’s Ku Klux Klan. (WKKK) They participate in the parades and other public gatherings.

3.

                The Ku Klux Klan is known for multiple parades and gatherings as protests. There are also singular protests where they use their power and special ways to oust people they think are against them and against America. It feels like constantly you hear issues of KKK members doing things they shouldn’t but also things they should. Things they shouldn’t include bombing of black churches. Some things they do that should not be looked down on is preserving America. For example a few days ago they stood outside a monument protecting it from protesters because it resembles a bad point in America’s history. “Diversity= white genocide)

4.

                When dealing with this project I am having troubles with chronological decisions. I know I said above that I might be going recent style but I am still undecided. I don’t think I will have any issues connecting the identity to the “protest”. With this topic I think I may have trouble finding work specifically to the time period I choose considering the mass amount of information that is most likely out there. I don’t know if I call it all a protest or do I mention many protests into the paper? I need a really good starting point right now and I am still swaying on time.

Popular vs Scholarly

http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/08/simpsons200708

This link comes from Vanity Fair magazine, which makes profit and has simple language throughout. It also features glossy photos.


http://scholar.harvard.edu/fryer/publications/hatred-and-profits-under-hood-ku-klux-klan

To begin the article is in PDF format. It also has citation and is slightly current. It comes from a reliable source, Harvard University, and the author is credible. He is the professor of economics.

KKK

Who/what: The Ku Klux Klan is mainly a huge grouping of white, Christian supremacists. The KKK have risen and faltered many time through out America's history.They do prefer to keep identities private, not all. They have been known for burning crosses on black people's front lawns and those of people who happen to even spend time with black people. They have been known for lynchings of blacks from trees as they celebrate and congratulate each other. During their acts of hate and prejudice their identities can be hidden in the outfits they wear. Though many kinds of variations the most known are the white robes and masks that cover their faces. 

Where:Through out the United States of America. It is an American issue. They do have bigger gatherings in the southeast where the hatred of blacks is stronger and where there are more African-Americans. 

When: There appears to be three time where the Ku Klux Klan rose in numbers and held strength. First run was about 1865 to 1870s. The second was 1915 to 1944. The third was 1946 to present. I will most likely focus on the third round.

Why: The KKK members think they are doing the job of God. They are cleansing the United States of blacks, white people who help and support black people, and even members of the Catholic religion. The Ku Klux Klan even have issues with immigrants coming into the United States.

The Identity: I believe the obvious identity is the white, Christian and supremacists males. They are against anything else such as blacks, other religions, other government set ups besides Democracy and anyone not American, meaning immigrants.

“Movement as personages”

Definition:

Part of the old way of collective action. Seeing issues and the problems as just people. Without a real organization or concrete collective.


Example:

In the industrial age it came as workers struggling for citizenship and anti capitalist ways against the bourgeois. This is "movement as personages." When these two greatly separate is when begin to group together on both sides and become social networks (Mathers, 12).


From The Text:

"...the collective phenomenon- whether a panic, a social movement, or revolutionary process- is treated as a unitary empirical datum," (330). All thought as a single one. No thought towards collectivism or rethought. No viewing of possibilities. Melucci also mentions the industrial age. "... the working class in the phase of industrial capitalism served as a model, now feared, now favored, for the study of collective phenomenon"(330).This is showing the old way with these few people trying to rise to where they think they should be. The old look, where as the new look would have larger and more collected fighters, on both sides.


Cited works:

 Mathers, Andy. Struggling for a Social Europe: Neoliberal Globalization and the Birth of a European Social Movement. N.p.: Ashgate Group, 2007. Print. 

Public Sphere

Definition:

Deluca and Peeples describe public sphere as, "public sphere denotes a social space wherein private citizens gather as a public body with the rights of assembly, association, and expression in order to form public opinion," (185).

Example:

In September of 1963, in Montgomery, Alabama the Supreme Court ordered for desegregation of schools. Many members of the Ku Klux Klan and other white citizens along with the white students gathered together to protest the entering of black children into a white school. They wanted to express their hate and disapproval.

From The Text:

In the paper by Peeples and DeLuca they describe how we start from a public sphere to a public screen. From people gathering together to express their opinion we now use newspaper and televisions to get the ideas and points wanting to express in a larger scale. One example for public sphere is at the beginning. "From November 30 to December 3, Seattle, high-tech capital of the present future, became the site of a contested contested New World Order as the forces of global capital, meeting under cover of the anonymous acronym WTO (World Trade Organization), were surprised by a cacophonous cadre of international grassroots activists in a pitched battle over visions of the future (183)." These people as well, came together as a group with a cause and an opinion they needed to express. This group also grew. "...crowds of thousands clogging the commercial center of Seattle and stranding WTO delegates in the mass of humanity," (183). We grew into the larger public sphere we are now from far in past such as, "The Pynx, Athen's theater of democracy," and "the New England town meeting..." (186)

Works cited:

© Flip Schulke/CORBIS 8: Associated Press 12: © Bettmann/CORBIS 15: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library

 Sokol, By Jason. "IIP Digital | U.S. Department of State." White Southerners' Reactions to the Civil Rights Movement. IIP Digital, 29 Dec. 2008. Web. 08 Oct. 2016. 

Stokely Carmichael

1. He talks about how 250,000 people showed up for the "I Have a Dream" speech and the support that other historical leaders showed for it. He provides a list of other major contributors to the movement without delving in too far into their own rhetoric. It serves to outline the exact range of dates in the movement that are being observed.

2. He writes that he identified a fundamental cause of the evolutionary struggle within the social movement. He goes on to say that dissatisfaction found within the movement from newer generations who grow impatient are a major cause in the evolution of rhetorical movements. e.g how Stokely Carmichael took a more aggressive stand and assertive rhetoric out of his dissatisfaction of the lack of results gained through a more gradual, peaceful rhetoric.

Ethical

Definition: Concerning matters of morality and practical uses of said morality in various context. Adhering to a moral standard set by those who have come before us.

Example: Carmichael not only going after white supremacy but directly attacking moderates and liberals even within the movement, often on a personal level, in order to push a more radical front.

From the text: Haiman states, on page 14, that protest is not justified if it constitutes the invasion of privacy of others. 

Beslan Protest for Acknowledgement

Lance Reidenbach

9.13.2016

ENGL 306

Beslan

                On 1 September, 2004 in Beslan, North Ossetia, Russia, a school was swarmed and attacked by men who eventually held them hostage for three days. Twelve years later on 1 September, 2016 five women stood up at a mourning site, removed their shirts to reveal another shirt, all of them reading, “Putin is the executioner of Beslan”(Guardian). Protesting respectfully at the memorial site the women were soon removed and arrested for violating a law against unauthorized protesting (RadioFreeEurope). Many believe their rights to free assembly were being violated. With these five women were two camera men who were recording the whole incident.

                First some main points of the situation being protested about. On 1 September, 2004 roughly 1,200 people were taken hostage at a Beslan school by 32 heavily-armed gunmen.  The men were part of a terrorist group, “they called themselves Magas, Fantomas and Abdullah, the first two of whom were associates of the notorious Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev,” (Beaumont).Their main goal was to cause havoc with other atrocities as suicide bombings and blowing up airplanes. The school was under siege for three days ending on 3 September, 2004. The school was rushed and bombarded by Russian forces with guns, rockets and explosives. After a total body count it reached 334 dead and over 700 hundred wounded. Among the dead were the lives of 186 children, 118 relatives or school guests, 17 teachers, 10 Special Forces officers, 2 Emergencies Ministry employees and one policeman (International). In the end the one who decided the final rush on 3 September, 2004 was the, at the time, current president of Russia, Vladimir Putin.

                The names of the five women who were protesting with their shirts showing their hate for Vladimir Putin have now been named. The five names are: Emma Betrozova, Ella Kesayeva, Zhanna Tsirikhova, Svetlana Margiyeva, and Emilia Bzarova (RadioFreeEurope). All of these women are part of the “Voice of Beslan” movement that continues as an advocacy group for the victims of the shooting. Emilia Bzarova, “…no longer believes that the Russian authorities are possessed of even the slightest degree of integrity or conscientiousness,” (Orlov). Svetlana Margieva suffered during her arrest,“I was hit on the head and began to vomit”(Orlov). The location as to where the protest occurred is actually at the school site itself. A large granite wall has been put up with the names of the people lost engraved. Pictures are constantly being changed when the previous ones fade away. Every year they release 334 white balloons, one for every person who passed on and the school bell tolls.

                This year is important because Vladimir Putin is president and running for presidency again. First he was president in 2000, and then re-elected in 2004 and sworn in on March 15. He stepped down in 2008 being replaced by Dmitry Medvedev. On 4 March, 2012 Vladimir Putin is president again by less than 65% (CNN). Many are still curious as to how he won re-election in 2016. Vladimir Putin is in a lot of trouble right now. This could add gas to the fire and be the way to bring Putin down from president.

                The ones speaking through this protest may appear to be five crazy women as they are, in a sense, threatening Putin in a Russia with strict laws, but really this is five women representing the many other women who lost sons and daughters and husbands in the massacre. They are speaking for the ones who cannot. These five ladies were brave knowing what could happen to them. Luckily they only got a short prison stay and a fine for each as well as community service. All of these ladies wanted an audience. The audience was more than one. They wanted to reach out to the ones who lost family and friends. To the ones who can help them. But most of all they wanted to reach out to the Russian government, mainly Putin, as their shirts revealed. Overall their message is to show how Vladimir Putin is a terrible president. They want to reveal his fallacies, to bring him down, and bring forth a new era. Putin has a huge crowd, who hold him responsible for that terrible day back on 1 September, 2004.

                “Ethos” has a place here. There is no need for the stance in credibility. They, being the parents and wives of the murdered members, are credible enough. Three of the women were actually hostages. They saw as tanks blew holes in the school with people inside. In their protest there was a strong tone of heart and seriousness and anger. As for word choice, their shirts say “Putin” and not “Russia”. This is not an attack on Russia. This is an attack on Putin, the one to blame for the body count. The women reminded people of the horror with their shirts and why people should care again. They are experts on the subject and use that to better their argument.

                When it comes to the protest by the five women it pays to look at it from a “logos” point of view. There were 344 dead including 168 children. It is a fact and everyone knows it. Putin was president and he made the decision thus the murders are on his hands. I believe “ad hominem” fits here where since his first term as President of Russia his popularity and following has plummeted. He is the killer. Killers are terrible leaders. If Putin, mass murderer, went away, then Russia would be at peace. The women used interviews from fellow hostage survivors to prove far more people were affected. The ladies used a simple title for the shirts to get to the point and bring interest.

                Now, look at it from a “pathos” perspective. Their personal stories were being broadcasted across the area. The women used their emotions to connect with the hearts of the people at the protest. People were able to feel them and connect them to Putin, the man they hated and why they hated him. They were calling out for Putin, to take responsibility. They wanted everyone in Russia to know and feel what they know and feel. They succeeded at bringing up the issue another year. After the women were arrested and finally released they used their story of being beaten in prison to strengthen their connection of the heart.           

The five women lost family members, Emma Betrozova lost husband Ruslan, 16 year old son Alan and 14 year old son Aslan. Ella Kesayeva lost two nephews.  Zhanna Tsirikhova was a hostage and lost her eight year old daughter Elizabeth. Svetlana Margiyeva was a hostage with one daughter, Zarina, who lived and another daughter who died.  Emilia Bzarova was a hostage with two sons, husband and mother-in-law and nine year old son Aslan who died, in September 2004 (Kostyuchenko). These women had the freedom to do what they were doing. There was no necessity for just five little women to be taken away and beaten. These protesters want Putin gone. Russia is trying to keep their mistakes quiet by taking care of those who question their authority. The government even arrested one camera woman because she was “in a group of women” and “made statements” (Trump). These women will not stop until Putin is punished and Beslan is recognized.

Citations

@RT_com. "3 Days in Hell: Russia Mourns Beslan School Siege Victims 10 Years on." RT International. Reuters, 1 Sept. 2014. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

Agents', By 'Russian. "Russian Police Detain Beslan Mothers Who Blamed Putin For School Tragedy." RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Novaya Gazeta, 1 Sept. 2016. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

Beaumont, Peter, and Nick Paton Walsh. "Focus: When Hell Came Calling at Beslan's School No 1." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 04 Sept. 2004. Web. 25 Sept. 2016.

"Beslan Mothers Detained over Anti-Putin Protest at Ceremony." The Guardian. Ed. RFE/RL. Guardian News and Media, 01 Sept. 2016. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

"Beslan School Siege Fast Facts." CNN. Cable News Network, 15 Aug. 2016. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

CNN Library. "Vladimir Putin Fast Facts." CNN. Cable News Network, 22 Jan. 2016. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

Kostyuchenko, Elena. "Dreams of Beslan." Hobar. N.p., 2 Sept. 2016. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.

Orlov, Serge. "The Executioner of Beslan." Mikhail Khodorkovsky. N.p., 15 Sept. 2016. Web. 25 Sept. 2016.

Trump. "In Beslan, over the Protests of the Women Sentenced to Community Service and Fines." News. News Russia, 2 Sept. 2016. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 

Discussion (9/28): Citizen

ENGL 306 | Discussions

September 28, 2016

Where on the line were you?

Erika - 5

Kaali - 5

Lance - 3

Micah - 4

How did you decide?

Lance

Felt like it was whining (complaining almost), it didn't really cause me to think any differently. She took something and stretched it, her stories and tailored them to her opinion

Micah, Kaali

It didn't feel like she was (actively) pushing an agenda. Her writing didn't feel extreme or aggressive enough for it to feel like a protest to me. Much of her writing was open to interpretation, the reader could choose what message they wanted to get from her writing. 

Erika

Citizen may fit the definition of a protest, however, the characteristics I generally associate with protest were not strongly emphasized in her Citizen. Although her writing was very powerful, it felt more like this was informative than persuasive. 

What evidence might you use to support your decision?

Lance

On page 12 (the one where she is on the airplane), when the mother and daughter come up to her and the mother says that she will sit in the middle, that is not necessarily an example of racism. The daughter could have wanted to sit on the side simply because she did not want to sit by a stranger.

Micah

The use of "you" in Citizen

Kaali, Erika

It's difficult to reference a specific part of the book because it's more the absence of certain characteristics that we generally associate with acts of protest.

"The Battle in Seattle" Analysis

1. The authors see the use of violence as the most significant part about the "Battle in Seattle." They discuss how the protestors intended the protest to be nonviolent, though the organizers expected violence from the police. The nonviolent protestors elicited the same violent response from the police as anarchists did.

2. The data that is used to make their argument is the media coverage of the protest, explicitly TV news coverage such as CNN, ABC, and CBS.

3. This data that is being used in this case study is an effective use of logos, making the data points made effective. However, because this is only reflecting one situation, it may not be legitimate.

4. The sections main point is on how media's framing of protest causes for the presentation of the protest to be distorted. It also highlights how people get their news threw their television screens, which highlights how people's opinions regarding protests can be so easily changed. News is brought to the people, leaving them with a second-hand account of what actually happened.

5. We all agree with their argument. Media has the tendency to warp many events that is covered, and protest does not escape this trend. News media sometimes amplifies the scene, causing somethings to look extremely different. The intention of the protest gets distorted. However, news media has become one of the only ways to get crucial information about events.

Citizen: Beginning to End

Beginning To End

                One thing that I noticed and liked about the book are the titles, or lack of. I saw the book as three parts. Part one is where the poems were untitled except for the roman numerals. I feel that without the title you have to really listen more than you may have before to find the meaning. Coming into this book I already knew it was poetry, protest related and written by a black woman. With that information you look into the poems and pull out things otherwise not found. This book felt like three parts: how a black person lives in awkwardness and being thought little of, how black people are targeted by white people (mainly police) and then how they feel it best to not bring up such things due to backlash of some sort.

                At one point she mentions a meal with a woman she just met. The woman claims her son could not get into the college because of her. She knows it wasn’t her fault but, “You are not sure if you are meant to apologize for this failure.” (13) Even at twelve one is looked down on, “she (Sister Evelyn, teacher) cares less about cheating and more about humiliation or she never actually saw you sitting there.” (6) At this age she feels even teachers, ones who are support the student and give them every advantage, look away when a black child is at center stage.

The second part has moments such as “Then the pickup is beating the black object to the ground and the tire marks the crushed organs.” (94) This is when James Craig Anderson, a black male, was run over by a group of white teens. They may have not gotten away with it as Zimmerman did when he fatally shot Trayvon Martin protected by the “stand your ground law.”

                Near the end of the book Claudia Rankine writes this passage. “..the feeling that was born from understanding and now stumbles around in you- the go-along-to-get-along tongue pushing your tongue aside. Yes, and your mouth is full up and feeling is still tottering.” (154) The way I read it sounds like the blacks have the knowledge of what is going on. They know the mistreatment. Something should be said, but they also know what happens if a black person tries to defend themselves. At times they “accidentally” go away.
               Overall when asked about the audience she is trying to reach or who this book is intended for I believe it is for anyone. For the blacks as support to show there are others (including black) that know what is happening and are willing to stand with you. It is also for the white. Try to show them what seems to slip their mind. The unheard to soon be heard.

5 women Beslan

Lance Reidenbach

9.13.2016

ENGL 306

Beslan

                On 1 September 1, 2004 in Beslan, North Ossetia, Russia, a school was swarmed and attacked by men who eventually held them hostage for three days. Twelve years later on 1 September, 2016 five women stood up at a mourning site, removed their shirts to reveal another shirt, all of them reading, “Putin is the executioner of Beslan”. (Beslan 2016) Protesting respectfully at the memorial site the women were soon removed and arrested for violating a law against unauthorized protesting.(Agents 2016) Many believe their rights to free assembly were being violated. With these five women were two camera men who were recording the whole incident.

                First some main points of the situation being protested about. On 1 September, 2004 roughly 1,200 people were taken hostage at a Beslan school by 32 heavily-armed gunmen. The school was under siege for three days ending on 3 September, 2004. The school was rushed and bombarded by Russian forces with guns, rockets and explosives. After a total body count reached 334 dead and over 700 hundred wounded. Among the dead were the lives of 186 children, 118 relatives or school guests, 17 teachers, 10 Special Forces officers, 2 Emergencies Ministry employees and one policeman. (@RT 2014) In the end the one who decided the final rush on 3 September, 2004 was the, at the time, current president of Russia, Vladimir Putin.

                The names of the five women who were protesting with their shirts showing their hate for Vladimir Putin have now been named. The five names are: Emma Betrozova, Ella Kesayeva, Zhanna Tsirikhova, Svetlana Margiyeva, and Emilia Bzarova. (Agents' 2016) The location as to where the protest occurred is actually at the school site itself. A large granite wall has been put up with the names of the people lost engraved. Pictures are constantly being changed when the previous ones fade away. Every year they release 334 white balloons, one for every person who passed on. The school bell tolls. On this day 1September, 2016 the five women brought special shirts, shirts with their hate for Putin.

                Why is this so important to the world? Why is it important to Russia? Why is this year so significant? Vladimir Putin is president. First he was president in 2000, and then re-elected in 2004 and sworn in on March 15. He stepped down in 2008 being replaced by Dmitry Medvedev. On 4 March, 2012 Vladimir Putin is president again by less than 65%. Many are still curious as to how he won re-election in 2016. Vladimir Putin is in a lot of trouble right now and perhaps, these five women who have lost one or more members to the siege think they can finish him off. Push him over the edge. This could be the way to bring Putin down from president.

                The ones speaking through this protest may appear to be five crazy women, but really this is five women representing the many other women who lost sons and daughters and husbands in the massacre. They are speaking for the ones who cannot. These five ladies were brave knowing what could happen to them. Luckily they only got a short prison stay and a fine for each. Emma Betrozova, Ella Kesayeva, Zhanna Tsirikhova, Svetlana Margiyeva, and Emilia Bzarova, wanted an audience. The audience was more than one. They wanted to reach out to the ones who lost family and friends. To the ones who can help them. But most of they wanted to reach out to Russian government, mainly Putin, as their shirts revealed. Overall their message is to show how Vladimir Putin is a terrible president. They want to reveal his fallacies, to bring him down, and bring forth a new era. Putin has a huge crowd, who hold him responsible for that terrible day back on 1 September, 2004.

                Let us look at it with the “ethos” view. These five women do not really have much related to ethos. There is no need for the stance in credibility. They, being the parents and wives of the murdered members are credible enough. There is a choice of word and tone. You can sense seriousness. And for word choice, their shirts say “Putin” and not “Russia”. This is not an attack on Russia. This is an attack on Putin, the one to blame for the body count on that day in September.

                When it comes to the protest by the five women we need to also look at it from a “logos” point of view.  From here one would be sharing logical numbers and statistics or reports. What kind of numbers do you need to know? There were 344 dead including 168 children. It is a fact and everyone knows it. Putin was president and he made the decision thus the murders are on his hands. I believe “ad hominem” fits here. You could think that these women are fighting about the loss of life and family but at the same time are mostly in hate with Putin and want him gone. He is the killer. If Putin went away then Russia would be better.

                Finally we can look at it from a “pathos” perspective. These women were absolutely emotional here. Their personal stories were being broadcasted across the area. The tone of anger and pain came from the cries. They were calling out for Putin, to take responsibility for the loss of their family. People were able to feel them and connect to them. Keywords included “Putin” and “Beslan.” The man they hated and the reason they hated him. This was not just for the higher ups to hear. Not just the ones they wanted out.  They wanted everyone in Russia to know and feel what they know and feel. Know what happened and asking them to help fight. And around them the people did grow. The crowds grew and support rose up.

                The five women, Emma Betrozova, Ella Kesayeva, Zhanna Tsirikhova, Svetlana Margiyeva, and Emilia Bzarova, lost members of the family in September 2004. They are targeting Vladimir Putin as the evildoer who needs punishment. Putin, being the one who initiated the attack on the school ending up killing 344 people, 186 of them children. The women put deaths of day to name of Putin and come up to this solution. They scream for their lost. They wear apparel calling out Putin. They rally others around them to help and to support them. Apparently Russia or perhaps Putin is scared of them. The government did arrest them illegally. These women had the freedom to do what they were doing. There was no necessity for just five little women to be taken away. These protesters want Putin gone. This is the moment to do so. He is dealing with many other issues against him and only recently was elected president again. Putin has a lot on his hands maybe these ladies from Beslan will push him over the edge.

Citations

@RT_com. "3 Days in Hell: Russia Mourns Beslan School Siege Victims 10 Years on." RT International. Reuters, 1 Sept. 2014. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

Agents', By 'Russian. "Russian Police Detain Beslan Mothers Who Blamed Putin For School Tragedy." RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Novaya Gazeta, 1 Sept. 2016. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

"Beslan Mothers Detained over Anti-Putin Protest at Ceremony." The Guardian. Ed. RFE/RL. Guardian News and Media, 01 Sept. 2016. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

"Beslan School Siege Fast Facts." CNN. Cable News Network, 15 Aug. 2016. Web. 14 Sept. 2016.

CNN Library. "Vladimir Putin Fast Facts." CNN. Cable News Network, 22 Jan. 2016. Web. 14 Sept. 2016. 

suffrage poster, Land of Confusion, Mother's Beslam School Siege Protest

Who/what: This is a poster in support for women suffrage. The poster is one of many different renditions all on one topic with "WOMEN" all over them. In one spot around the bottom it reveals not just for adult women to vote but a better future for all womanhood at any age. The poster was most likely put up in 1912.The people responsible for the post is the "College Equal Suffrage League." The CESL is an organization started in 1900 by Maud Wood Park and Inez Haynes Irwin to attract more female to the cause.

Where:This poster is sure to be found in many places including large cities and near colleges for women. In the cities chances are on every wall on every corner.

When: The group who posted the poster (CESL) was formed in 1900 and the poster has a date of 1912. Safe to say somewhere between those two years.

Why (is it interesting/relevant): The poster shows one step towards women's right to vote received in 1920. Reveals that women are important too and should have rights.. After 

The identities it reaches out for is mainly college women but also all women who would be of age to vote. There does not seem to be any urgency towards men from no mention in the poster. It plays towards the idea that women are more than the kitchen and home.

Citation:

Irwin, Haynes."Women Pay Taxes." On A Wall. College Equal Suffrage League.5 Nov, 1912. Poster Presentation.

"College Equal Suffrage League." Wikipedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV4oYkIeGJc

Who/what:The video I used is done by a heavy metal band. The song is "Land of Confusion" by Disturbed. It came of the album "Ten Thousand Fists" in 2006. "Land of Confusion" was originally done and performed by the band Genesis. When Disturbed did the cover they did change a few lines such as "And the sound of your laughter" was turned into, "in the wake of this madness." Every once in a while Disturbed puts out a song with a deep meaning to it. In "Land of Confusion" they sing about how the world is falling and why. Pointing out whose doing it, how they are doing it and who and what will be needed to try and fix this issue. The main evil is the abuse of money and how in return it abuses the world.

Where: The song "Land of Confusion" is on the album, "Ten Thousand Fists," a cover remade in 2006. The original from 1986 by Genesis. Disturbed's albums are sold at almost any store across the world.

When:The original song was created in 1986 by Genesis and covered by Disturbed in 2006. Even though the time span is wide, the message still stands true.

Why (is it interesting/relevant): I find it interesting in the fact that people look down on this type of music and consider it "trash." But Disturbed comes out and proves metal cares for the world too. In the video they use the dollar sign in swatzica formation is a way of expressing how money is the seed of evil. Money separates the world. How war is created by ;leaders blind to the thought of the people by this money. The video shows that there is no "Superman" coming to save them. The people need to stand up and take control of the world. We are the only ones who can save us. The video also shows how wars over oil and land and such would end if the world were to unite. Not fear each other, afraid to be the one left behind. Prevent destruction.

The identities they are trying to reach are the youths of the nation. They are claiming that we need to step up. We can't just blame it on someone else. If we want a better future the present needs to make it happen. Our youth need to make it "a place worth living in." (lyrics) What the youth does now will decide what the future will get. Coming together and fighting for peace. A line expresses what may be best, "But I can hear the marching feet/They're moving into the street."

Citing:

Disturbed. "Disturbed- Land of Confusion [Official Music Video]."Online Videoclip clip.YouTube.YouTube.Oct 26, 2009.Web. 1 Sept 2016.

Mother's Beslan School Siege Protest

Who/what:On 1 September, 2004 a Beslan school was taken hostage including children, staff and a few others.The total amount of hostages in the beginning was over 1,100. In the end Russia stormed the school with rockets and explosives leaving a death toll of over 330, 186 of them children. On the 12th anniversary 1 September, 2016 protests were held. Five mothers stood out. Each of these women had lost a family member in the siege. At the protest they removed their jackets showing shirts with "Putin is the executioner of Beslan." Putin is blamed for such a high of the dead. The women were arrested along with one person recording the protest.

Where: Beslan, North Ossetia, Russia. It occured in a grade school in the little town.

When: The siege began on 1 September, 2004 and after three long days the siege ended on 3 September, 2004.The protest I am referencing happened on 1 September, 2016. To add every once in a while the protest happens again and again. 

Why (is it interesting/relevant): This protest is different than the previous ones.Putin has served two terms as president of Russia. One time being over the massacre. He won a landslide win for president 15 March, 04. In 2012 another President stood up. But here in 2016 Putin ran for President and won. This not by a landslide, in fact less than 65%. So this protest is not only his horrific handling of the Beslan school siege but also he does not deserve to be president. So in theory Protests like this could take him out of office.

The identities for these women with loss children and husbands is for anyone and everyone involved. The hostages themselves, The families who lost members in the haste. It is for mothers everywhere being the age of the children and the location, a school. People who are already angry at Putin for some other thing he shouldn't have done. This protest is fuel for the fire.  

Citation

RFE/RL, By. "Russian Police Detain Beslan Mothers Who Blamed Putin For School Tragedy." RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. N.p., 1 Sept. 2016. Web. 02 Sept. 2016.

"Vladimir Putin Fast Facts." CNN. Cable News Network, 22 Jan. 2016. Web. 02 Sept. 2016.

Yo, this is John and Lance

I, John Chestnut, am majoring in English and Journalism. I have two kids and I plan on moving to Alaska after my schooling is done.

Hello, I am Lance Reidenbach. I am majoring in English. I have a doggy and a brother, E-Poo and Austin. I want to ultimately become a Librarian.

We enjoy watching NFL football, Lance is a Cardinals fan and John is a 49ers fan. We also share an interest in video games. John's favorite game is the "Witcher 3". Lance's favorite game is Mario Bros. on the NES.

Lance would also like to point out that he does not have a drivers license.