The Flower Carrier by Diego Rivera

            Dating back to the mid-1930s, Diego Rivera created an oil and tempera piece that pictures a tan woman standing behind an equally dark man, supporting a large basket filled with beautiful flower upon his back. This vibrant masterpiece, The Flower Carrier, was painted during the time period of mass unemployment in America, around the same time when Rivera was painting several murals in the United States.

The Flower Carrier

I analyzed this visual with the idea that the woman and the man represents the working class of Mexico in the States, inferring from the traditional attire and because Rivera is also of Hispanic descent. The contrasting colors of the subjects behind the rather dull background creates an emphasis on the individualism of the pictured figures. This generates a value to each of the workers that are struggling to carry the flower basket as well as their burden to please the capitalistic world.

What I thought was very ironic was the strikingly beautiful flowers that is crushing the man down to all fours. The man is not carrying normal cash crops such as corn, but flowers. This might be alluding to the ornamental center piece that adorns the homes of the wealthy. Therefore, it suggests that Rivera’s purpose of painting this piece is to shine light onto the debilitating endeavor of the working class to maintain the opulent lifestyle of the upper class.

TOW #2: Corn-Pone Opinions by Mark Twain

In Mark Twain’s “Corn-pone Opinions,” the main concept encompasses and depicts society’s inherent aptitude for conformity. Widely recognized as “the Father of Literature,” Twain delves deeper into the human tendency to blend according to their peers and environment. Through his writing, he attempts to make the unconscionable behaviors of compliance known to his audience worldwide.

            When Twain was a boy of fifteen, he lived in a time period of slavery and inequality. Black slaves were to do as told despite the severity or the questionable logistics of the task. Although it was apparent that the ideology of white superiority was morally wrong, no person went against the norms of the “corn-pone opinion.” When Twain describes his friend as “a gay and impudent and satirical and delightful young black man” but goes on to pause and reveal the underlying disadvantage: “a slave” (Twain, 1). His mentioning of his friend’s race in the description of what makes him who he is, it reflects the societal norms of racial discrimination. Although the black man was the complete opposite in regards to race as young Twain, he was of great admiration to the developing child. Twain’s ability to shun the accepted values of his surrounding white neighbors displays his awareness of right from wrong.

To Twain, his friend was “a wonder. I believed he was the greatest orator in the United States and would some day be heard from. But it did not happen; in the distribution of rewards he was overlooked.” (Twain, 1). For him, his black friend was just as equal and deserving of renown as those of the accepted race, but because of the norms of the south back then, Twain was unable to understand the reasoning behind the societal belief that blacks should go unnoticed. It was within the nature of society during his time that the intelligence and talent of black slaves were overlooked. This goes on to suggest that this repeated practice of indifference continued as no one had the courage nor the need to go against the public opinion. Twain goes on to state that he does not agree with the widely accepted view that blacks are inferior than whites, but ends the anecdote with resignation to his efforts as “that is the way, in this world” (Twain 00).

Just in case you didn't know, this is a corn-pone bread

Contrary to the “corn-pone opinions” of his neighbors, Twain believed that the world was in need of racial equality. His personal anecdotes and the insight into the most private part of his mind further strengthens his argument as a writer.  Despite that this essay was written over one hundred years ago, the meaning behind his writing is still applicable to this day. 

TOW#1: How It Feels to Be Colored Me by Zora Neale Hurston

                Written during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s, “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” portrays the self-discovery and confidence of the author, Zora Neale Hurston, despite her racial identity in a predominantly white community. Acknowledged as one of the greatest writers of the twentieth-century African American literature, Hurston recounts the first realization of the connotation behind the pigmentation of her skin. After moving away from her Negro hometown in Eatonville, Florida to Jacksonville, she instantly becomes aware of her “colored-ness” as she begins to distinguish the differences between her and her white peers. She mentions how she “was not Zora of Orange Country anymore” but “a little colored girl” (Hurston, 115). However, Hurston remained determined all throughout her life to not to let her dissimilarity prevent her from staying true to who she really is.

                In the conclusion of her essay, Hurston illustrates an extended metaphor, drawing connections as she compares herself with a brown bag filled with a random assortment of junk. She continues to develop the metaphor across a greater scope as she describes other people the same way. She goes on to indicate that if the contents of the bags were to be emptied and refilled, there wouldn’t be a significant change that would alter the bag entirely. Hurston reminds the readers that “a bit of colored glass more or less would not matter. Perhaps that is how the Great Stuffer of Bags filled them in the first place – who knows?” (Hurston, 117). The “Great Stuffer of Bags,” as Hurston described, represents God the Creator who may have purposely created the human race this way since the beginning. The purpose of her analogy as well as her entire essay is to remind the audience that we must rid ourselves of prejudice and look beyond another’s race because at the end of the day, none of that matters. The contents of the brown bag symbolize the same human character that everyone shares despite the physical differences that may ostracize them.

                I believe that Hurston’s attempt to familiarize each other’s similarities that may have been previously overlooked was successful. Raising awareness of the logic behind social equality with the use of her analogies was easier to register and instill the lesson within ourselves. Despite releasing this essay in a time period of racial hatred and discrimination, I am sure that her way with words was widely accepted by the public as she was able to deliver her influential message to anyone and everyone.

Zora Neale Hurston
https://www.plainfieldlibrary.info/pdf/Pathfinders/HarlemRenaissance.pdf

IRB Introduction for Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

To start off this school year's independent reading, I wanted to choose a book that I could learn from. I decided upon Silent Spring by Rachel Carson because I've heard many positive feedback from previous readers. They all mentioned that this book gave them an insight on the consequences of human development on the environment. The number one reason why I decided to go vegan a year ago was not just because of animal cruelty but also the environmental detriments that trace back to the consumption of animal byproducts. Hopefully by reading this book, I can gain an intellectual understanding and awareness of the severity of our behaviors on the ecosystem.

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
http://www.pophistorydig.com/topics/rachel-carson-silent-spring/