Activity Portfolio: What is culture? Summary

Activity Portfolio
Student’s Name
Institution
Week 2: What is culture? Part 1
Reflection
Martin Luther King’s speech and the article by Safiya Charles relate to a great extent with the theme of our class of communication, culture, and power. I enjoyed listening to King’s speech not only because of his fascinating oratory skills but also because of the clarity and significance of the message he delivered. I think that he was extremely gifted and very people can match his capabilities. From the speech, I gathered that he was an expert in communication, particularly in the way he juxtaposed different aspects of American society at the time. It was quite interesting to hear him articulate the tale of two Americans, with white Americans on one side and other racial groups on the other. He clearly explains to the audience how white Americans were characterized by prosperity, good education, and abundance while the other groups were marred with despair and poverty. In his speech, King had the power to move the audience. Therefore, from the speech, it is easy to see how communication and power are present.
The speech and Stevie Wonder’s lyrics as covered in the article talk of white backlash. Both King and Wonder are disturbed about the negative response of white people towards the progress of other races. The culture of white backlash is something that also disturbs me. Why would some white people be outraged by the advancement of other races? I think this is a difficult question to answer. Anyway, from both King and Wonder, I have learned that white backlash is deeply rooted in the racist culture that has been in America for centuries. I was impressed by Wonder’s effort to get a holiday to celebrate King. His relentless efforts to hold rallies and even form an office for the cause probably explains why is loved my many people. I gathered that there is power in music. It is evident that communication, culture, and power are depicted in the King’s speech and in Charles’ article. It is however unfortunate that the divide is still present in the modern America with blacks still fighting for equality.
Week 5: Messages and Meaning, Part 1
Mimesis and Social Construction
The mimetic meaning that can be derived from this picture is that it is a depiction of people standing together and raising their fists in solidarity as if demanding something. From this perspective, it is just a picture representing people protesting, with one of them carrying a placard with the words “black lives matter”
The picture also can be seen as a representation, constructing reality, as it is a symbol of struggle against police brutality. It can be seen that people of different races came together to protest for justice for black people who have lost lives due to police brutality. Many black lives matter protests have occurred in the last few years and the image represents the advocacy against police violence towards black people.
Week 7: National Geographic Part 2
Searching for Shangri-La
The two images in the National Geographic May 2009 issue try to portray Tibetans as backward and having not adopted modern lifestyles. The first picture depicts a teenage Tibetan walking the pil...