Enlightenment and Modernism in Art

Enlightenment and Modernism in Art Some people would describe the period of Modernism the latest and absolutely new movement in art, which appeared in 1850s and lasted until the 1970s. However, if looking at this period of time more careful, it becomes obvious that it is not just an art movement, it is the whole worlds evolution within different contexts. I would say an epoch of Modernism is the start point of not only the worlds biggest changes and revolutions but also of human minds evolution. This essay is showing my review of the topic What is Modernism. First part of it contains the explanation of my own understandings of the modernist period of 1850-1970s, based on research I have produced. My second part includes a review of selected Modernist object that I have found in Victoria and Albert Modernist permanent collection when visiting a museum. In this part I described The Festival Pattern Group of 1951, its historical relation to my timeline and the wallpaper Boric Acid 8.34 as a particular example from the mu seums collection. The third part is a paragraph concerning the description of The Beatles band and their album Let It Be within the context of You say you want a Revolution (1966-1970) exhibition. In addition to my review, I also explained my own appeal to those objects and why I considered they are important to write about. Conclusion is the last part of my essay that is summarizing all parts together in a thought-provoking way. The period of Enlightenment or in other words, the Age of Reason, is time when politics, philosophy, science, and communications were radically reoriented. Philosophers argued the human natures origin, scientists invented new technologies, and politicians were involved in revolutions where wars took place (Crouch, 1999). During this period of time many intellectuals achieved great accomplishments and contribution. For example, Sir Francis Bacon1, an English philosopher, argued that people should avoid misleading tendencies that distort truths. As a result, he became one of the leading figures in the English Scientific Revolution (The Enlightenment: Sir Francis Bacon, 2017). Another significant philosopher-mathematician who influenced rationalism was Rene Descartes2. Both of them are considered as Fathers of the Enlightenment (Biography Online, 2017). Age of Reason affected Christianity, and as a result, two distinguishable schools of religion occurred: Rational supernaturalism and De ism (Newworldencyclopedia.org, 2017). At the same time there was an anti-religious innovation when people argued that universe determines its own course, rather than with the help of Gods intervention (Newworldencyclopedia.org, 2017). Moreover, it was time of experimentation and reason, questions and answers. The Enlightenment was a period when the solar system was completely discovered with the help of Newtons theory of universal gravitation (Mo Lea, 2016). The French Revolution of 1789 was a political outcome of the Age of Reason when Louis XVI was executed and Napoleon Bonaparte began his dictatorship (Mo Lea, 2016). Culmination of the Enlightenment led to the bloody terror. In the decades surrounding all these revolutions and violence, the visual arts, like other realms of culture, experienced radical change and experimentation. An epoch after Enlightenment is an epoch of Modernism. In Art History the period of Modernism started in 1850s and lasted for 120 years until the 1970s (Crouch, 1999). It is time of re-appropriation, rejection of tradition in light of new social and political advances created in the industrialized world (Mo Lea, 2016). When comparing the works before and after this period, a dramatic change can be seen: realistic images changed to abstract representations of subject. This is mostly due to invention of the first Kodak camera by George Eastman in 1888 (Kodak.com, 2017). Before the invention of photography, the primary role of the painter was to record people and events as accurately as possible. However, now artists could start experimenting with aesthetics the philosophy of beauty (Visual-arts-cork.com, 2017). Moreover, they grouped into movements according to their particular aesthetics. There are many discussions on who is the modern arts founder: is it Edouard Manet3 (1832-1883) or Paul Cezanne5 (1839-1906) (Jones, 2017). Personally, I consider both of them as Fathers of Modernism. Paul Cezanne did much afford to develop new kind of artistic-analytical practice that led to abstract art. Moreover, his works directly inspired Picasso and Braque in Cubist experiments (The Art Story, 2017). Edouard Manets painting Luncheon on the Grass6 (1863) was shocking and obscene. Furthermore, this paintings technique was contrary to the accepted academic style which also led to new modernist representation of objects (Manet.org, 2017). Freedom of expression and primitivism with bizarre effects are characteristic to Modernism era (Crouch, 1999). In addition, if looking at art pieces of different modernist movements, new materials and techniques were used more often. The most decisive events in the world were the WWI (1914-1918) and WWII (1939-1945), which divided up modern art in three groups: Pre-War, Interwar, and Post-War Modern Art. According to this division, the Pre-War art period started with Impressionism (1870-1890) that changed to Post-Impressionism (1880-1905), which gave place to Symbolism (1880s-early 1910), Art Nouveau (late 1880s-1910), Fauvism (1899-1908), Art Deco (1900-1945), Expressionism (1905-1933), Cubism (1907-1922), and Futurism (1909-1920s) (The Art Story, 2017). The year of 1851 is a birth year of first international exhibition of manufactured objects, named as Great Exhibition (later Victoria and Albert Museum) and organized by inventor Henry Cole and Prince Albert in Hyde Park, Britain (Mo Lea, 2016). Sometime later the first practical sound recording and reproduction device, known as mechanical phonograph cylinder was invented (1877) (Mo Lea, 2016). Moreover, by the beginning of 1900th technical manufacture progresse d: the first successful airplane was invented in 1903 (Mo Lea, 2016). An outcome of such inventions was Industrial Revolution. Eiffel Tower became an emblem of engineering and technology built on the 100thanniversary of French Revolution (Mo Lea, 2017). The years of WWI and WWII were the most horrific that affected society and the world in whole. In 1917, while Interwar period, there was Russian Revolution and, as a result, new communist government created the country of the Soviet Union with Joseph Stalins leadership (Ducksters.com, 2017). Furthermore, all women were now given equal rights along with men. By early 1921, Adolf Hitler becomes the Nazi Partys Leader (Historyplace.com, 2017). Avant-garde, which is experimental art, was misunderstood and rejected by Communist government and Nazi Party due to that kind of works were not found aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, many works by modern artists were labeled Degenerate and destroyed (Filmfest716, 2017). As speed was becoming the most important thing during this time, modern lifes dynamism influenced artists and new movements occurred: Constructivism (1915-1930s), Dada (1916-1924), De Stijl (1917-1931), Surrealism (1924-1966) (The Art Story, 2017). As there was political instability in a world, many artists represented war and peace in their works, such as Pablo Picassos weeping woman6 painted in 1937 was a kind of his respond to horrific bombing at Guernica, taken place at the time of the Spanish Civil War (Mo Lea, 2016). The most influential art and design school of the 20th century was Bauhaus (1919-1933), established by German architect Walter Gropius. His concept was very revolutionary: he wanted to combine architecture, sculpture and painting with crafts and engineering to create a new style that would unite beauty and usefulness (world, 2017). Many full-length films were produced during this decade, such as Metropolis (1927) German expressionist science-fiction drama directed by Fritz Lang and influenced by Bauhaus, Cubism and Futurism (Mo Lea, 2017). During the Post-War years, more and more artists started moving from Paris to New York. In 1947 Jackson Pollock created new way of abstraction painting through applying layers and drips of opaque paint. Such abstractions were also represented by other artists, which led to new Abstract Expressionist movements establishment (1943-1945). Another group of artists encouraged viewers to use critical thinking when observing absurd abstract works of Neo-Dada movement (1952-1970). As because there were mostly men in art industry, women artists were concerned with equal representation in art institutions; so feminist artists of 1960s combined aspects of various movements into Feminist art works that message about the need of gender equality. Another part of the wider conceptual art movement in the 1960s and 1970s was Pop Art. Artists, such as Andy Warhol, embraced the post-war manufacturing and media boom to create their own style. Alongside with Pop Art, popular was Op Art (1964) that stress ed on illusion. In comparison with long-lasted movements, there were some that lasted for less than a decade, such as Minimalism (1960s) (The Art Story, 2017). However, new ideas and styles were represented not only in paintings and architecture but almost in every medium. Quite popular movement in 1960s was becoming Earth Art, which is sculpting of the land using natural materials, such as rocks (Mo Lea, 2017). One of the most famous land art works is Robert Smithsons Spiral Jetty 7 (1970), which I concern as a very attractive and unique art style. While art world was developing, there were some political instabilities on the background, such as African-American Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Their goal was to stop discrimination concerning education, voting rights, and social segregation (Scholastic.com, 2017). Another important event in US history at Post-War modernist period was Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrins moon landing experience (1969) (Nasa.gov, 2017). By the end of the Modernism period there were many inventions and establishments made, however, it continues to expand in Post-Modern society. Nowadays, there are lots of museums, such as Guggenheim Museum founded in 1937 by Solomon R. Guggenheimand VA Museum in Britain, where people can observe preserved collections. Personally, I am pleased that I had opportunity to visit Victoria and Albert Modernist permanent collection not a long time ago. An exhibition included objects not only from the mid period of Modernism but also from the Post-War years. As the timeframe I was given lies up to the 1970s, I am going to make a review about The Festival Pattern Group of 1951 because in comparison with other projects and movements, this one was the most pleasing that I found. Moreover, I was very amazed with the concept of bringing together science and art. The particular object I found amazing is wallpaper Boric Acid 8.348 designed by William J. Odell and manufactured in 1951 by John Line Sons Ltd for the Festival of Britain (Jackson, 2008). Its design remains the crystalline structure of boric acid (Jackson, 2008). The reason why it appeals to me is because I like its colour scale as much as the whole concept. The print looks fascinating and fashionable, as far as scientific and enigmatic. I like how ye llow, red, white, and dark-green colours work together. Its roots belong to The Festival Pattern Group (FPG) which was an organization formed in 1949 and consisted of 28 manufacturers, X-ray crystallographers and designers working conjointly and inspiring each other (Pattern BeneathThe Surface. The Festival Pattern Group, 2017). According to Mary Schoesers explanations, this project allowed ordinary people get closer to science through the visual language of the patterns of atomic structures (Wellcome Collection, 2008). As the years after WWII were the years of turmoil, British government wanted to make people feel recovered. So in 1951 FPG was the subject of an exhibition at the Festival of Britain. Banham and Hillier (1976) outline that Festival of Britain was considered by people differently: to some, it was a glorious monument to the future; however, others called it a tawdry carnival and were worried that it will set British design on the wrong course for years. However, in the words of Sir Gerald Barry, Director-General of the Festival, it provided A Tonic to the Nation (Stewart, 1987). As my chosen object relates to FPG, I would say that its aim turned out really well, especially by the example of wallpapers that bring science and design together. In addition, even scientists, whose names were not credited in order to protect their scientific reputations, were positively astonished with the result (Jackson, 2008). In my opinion, the particular object I described is very distinctive and deserves to be a part of VA Modernist permanent collection. As because 1950s and 1960s were decades of rapid change, it is important to show people that good design ideas can come from absolutely every field. As one of the advantages, manufacturers wanted to increase Britains export power through production of new, intriguing patterns for textiles, wallpapers, floor coverings etc. Such production promoted increased interest in exploring micro materials and nanotechnology, which is fully developed nowadays (Festival Pattern Group, 2017). It proved that science and art can match and truly impact each other. The historical background of the Fifties and Sixties was vast. One of the most important events in British history is the date of Queen Elizabeths II coronation that happened on the 2nd June 1953. Almost every aspect of society was affected by revolutionary changes: teenagers were given a voice and freedom to do what they wanted, so drugs became more commonly used. Very influential ideology was becoming feminism: more jobs became available to young women. Moreover, they were free to wear attractive mini. By the late 1960s very vivid colours and prints were more popular, that became considered as a hippie style (The 1960s. The Decade That Shook Britain. 2017). In conclusion of this part I would say that such revolutionary Modernist ages continue up to nowadays. Furthermore, 1951 Festival of Britain and FPGs collection, which we can observe today in Victoria and Albert museum, is only one of the examples of how British design evolved. There are many exhibitions taken place at the VA museum and one of the most recent ones is You say you want a Revolution of 1966-1970. In this part of my essay I am going to write a review about the influence of the popular musical band The Beatles9and their album Let It Be in particular. I really love the expression by composer Aaron Copland: If you want to know about the Sixties, play the music of the Beatles. (Broackes and Marsh, 2016). I strongly believe that all those revolutions that took place in different areas, such as fashion, music, festivals or human rights protests between the years of 1966 and 1970 shaped our modern society in the way we live today. The Beatles started their career in Liverpool in 1960 and the band consisted of four members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The Beatles are an excellent example of how music influenced younger generation of Sixties. Recreational drugs, such as marijuana and LSD were widely experienced by the band members and, as a result, by their followers. What is in common nowadays relating drugs, in my opinion, is that it is very difficult for people in show business to avoid becoming involved in a drug world and the saddest thing is that it encourages youth to follow their idols. In the decade of 1960s, LSD made people feel happy and, in addition, it promoted hippie movement (The 1960s. The Decade That Shook Britain. 2017). Moreover, the bands thick moustaches and longer hair were a marker of the hippy style that exists even nowadays (Broackes and Marsh, 2016). John Lennons song Give Peace a Chance showed people the pointless of war, and, as a result, young people of hippie movement started pursuing peace and freedom (The 1960s. The Decade That Shook Britain. 2017). Even if their career did not last long, the Beatles success definitely inspired society to start experimenting. Their last album Let It Be, recorded in May 1970, one month after the Beatles had broken up, shows visually their distinct separation: there are four individual portraits of band members on the album cover (Broackes and Marsh, 2016). The idea behind the album was meant to capture them singing live in the studio without any effects, however, due to re-production of the tracks, the idea was later changed by their producer (The Beatles, 2017). In my point of view, The Beatles is a legendary band that is still unforgotten and is still loved by many people in the world.ÂÂ   I am sure that if something was considered as a legend in a past, will definitely stay legend in the future. So, the exhibition You say you want a Revolution could not show all the revolutionary changes and impacts in the world without having the Beatlesstory and albums exhibited there. The importance of band being mentioned on the exhibition is very necessary due to it helps to understand the real scale of its influence on society. The affect of Beatles can be considered in three ways. Firstly, they affected society socially and culturally by bringing hippies together through music and festivals. Secondly, there was a political affect on society: spreading of drug culture and peace movements. Lastly, their intellectual affect promoted new beliefs showing people new ways of life. (Worldwide Hippies, 2017). The reason why I chose to write a review just about this particular band is because I love their music due to even while listening to their songs now, in modern society, their music still makes me dreaming of a better world. To sum up, the VAs exhibition You say you want a revolution made me feel deeply the years of 1966-1970. The content was very cognitive and visually representative: I could observe all the developments from the civil rights to multiculturalism, from the permissive society to feminism and gay liberation, from environmentalism to communality. In conclusion of my essay, I would like to highlight that an epoch of Enlightenment and Modernism was a period of re-appropriation, rejection, and revolution. From the architectural point of view, the start point of Modernism was the construction of Eiffel Tower and its end point was building up the Pompidou an iconic landmark in Paris that contains over 50000 works of art, including paintings, sculpture, drawings, and photography (Mo Lea, 2017). Moreover, I would consider the Modernism as one the most important time periods in history due to many inventions were created, crucial events took place, and variety of outcomes happened within different contexts. Such cultural processes and developments gave us our world of rapid communication, urbanization, and consumer goods. Each decade of the modernist timeframe influenced society differently. My favourite time period of Modernism is the decade of Fifties and Sixties because these years are Post-War years of recovery and big social re volutions. My review of The Festival Pattern Group and The Beatles serve as an evidence of that. Each of them represented different cultural impact alongside with development of new ideology. Both of them served as recovery for people: objects made by The Festival Pattern Group were exhibited at the Festival of Britain, which was a diversion for people that helped to forget about horrifying years of war; The Beatles were considered to be idols for youth, nevertheless taking drugs. If we are talking about the period from 1850s until 1970s, so we are talking about revolutionary term. I would like to sum up my essay with Charles Dickens interpretation of this vast period (Broackes and Marsh, 2016): It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct to other way 1. (Francis Bacon n.d.) 2. (Rene Descartes n.d.) 5. (Luncheon on the Grass by Edouard Manet 1863) 7. (Gorgoni n.d.) 8. (Boric Acid 8.34 1951) 9. (The Beatles n.d.)

Chechnya and its People Essay examples -- War Europe Essays

Chechnya and its People The ongoing civil war between the semi-autonomous republic of Chechnya and Russia has dramatically caught the attention of the world – a world that perceives the conflict primarily through the distorted lens of Russian propaganda, and the contradicting images of Chechen suffering on the independent media. If the West seems impartial or even indifferent to the Chechen conflict, it is because there is little understanding of this people, of their struggle, or of the vast complexities of the greater North Caucasian region in which the Chechens are a part. This lack of understanding extends to the hazy Western perception of the role of Islam in Chechen society. The broad generalizations that have been made by those in the media, by aid organizations, by the Russians, by Islamic groups, and by those in the American government are all politicized oversimplifications which seek to bring the core of the conflict to its lowest common denominator. Many of the claims revolve around Islam ; yet, few bother to take into account the greater character of Chechen society, or of the broader historical scope of change that Islam has followed in Chechnya. Often, Islam has changed in response to a Russian stimulus, but many of the Russian actions and reasons in this conflict are well documented. This study aims to analyze the Chechen role in the civil war – and the role of Islam in Chechnya – as opposed to the Russian role, which has been analyzed many times over. The North Caucasus It is difficult for Englishmen to take an intelligent interest in the internal affairs of Russia, owing to the vast number of problems involved, all of which depend upon varying local circumstances, and because comparatively few of us, ev... ...i International Magazine. 16 Oct. 2003 18. Menon, Rajan. â€Å"After Empire: Russia and the Southern ‘Near Abroad.’† The New Russian Foreign Policy. Ed. Micheal Mandelbaum. New York: Council on Foreign Relations, 1998. 100-167 19. Chechnya : Tombstone of Russian Power 20. Islam in Chechnya. 13 March 1998 Univ. of California, Berkeley. 15 Oct. 2003 21. Kagarlitsky, Boris. Russia Under Yeltsin and Putin. London: Pluto Press, 2002. 22. Russia Under Yeltsin and Putin 23. Russia : Islamic Countries Unlikely to Help Chechnya. 19 Nov. 1999 Radio Free Europe, 19 Oct. 2003 24. Kagarlitsky, Boris. Russia Under Yeltsin and Putin. London: Pluto Press, 2002.

Islam is the second religion of the book Essay

Incidentally, the term: â€Å"People of the Book† comes from the Qur’an which cites both Judaism and Christianity, religions which came before Islam, as having part of its origins in the prophet of Abraham. In this, we can see a respect for the other religions; a respect which is lost on the perception of a vocal minority of Muslims and as a result, a perception that Muslims hate all other religions. This is false and dangerous assumption for both sides. Belief in Islam requires that a convert believe in only one God, the revelations which he has given to his people from his angels, his messengers and chiefly, the prophet Mohammad whose writings from 610AD until his death in 632 AD helped to compose the Holy book of Quran. It is a central belief and one that is seen as the most important: That there is no â€Å"God but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet. † This is required of all those wishing to consider themselves Muslims and followers of Mohammad and his teachings. There are an estimated 1. 6 billion Muslims with an annual growth rate which exceeds all other religions in the world. Muslims are spread all over the world but are highly concentrated in the Middle East. Pakistan is the most heavily populated country of Muslims and even America has an estimated seven to ten million Muslims in the country. Muslims believe that the Koran is the literal word of God and was made such by a visitation of the angel Gabriel to the prophet Mohammad. Angels are described in the Koran as: â€Å"messengers with wings. Two or three of four pairs. He adds to Creation as He pleases. † This is a central belief as well as the fact that Mohammad, despite his greatness in the religion of Islam, is not considered a deity of any kind. Neither is Jesus who, despite being highly regarded in the official teachings of the last fourteen centuries, is considered to be only a man and a prophet of God’s, although his greatness is not to exceed that of the prophet Mohammad. God is a central theme of the religion and his is referred to as: â€Å"God, the One and Only: God, the eternal, Absolute, He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto him. † It is also a central theme of Islam; the Day of Judgment. Similar to the Christian belief in predestination, many Muslims believe that people are predestined as to whether they will enter heaven or enter hell on the Day of Judgment. That is not to say that an individual does not have the freedom to choose, rather that God, from the beginning of time, knows the destination of every person who ever existed, or who will ever exist. In this fervor, the message of a complete submission to God is central as well as to the belief in Islam. Disbelief and a failure to submit to the will of God are one of the main offenses which, according to the Koran, will result in a person, on the Day of Judgment, going to hell. The latter is one of the main appeals that individuals have for Islam as in many countries with a high population of Muslims, the living conditions are less than substandard and people live a very tough existence. Lastly, one of the most important and central teachings of Islam is called the â€Å"Five Pillars of Islam. † There are five major aspects of Islam which individuals are strongly encouraged to observe. The first is belief in Mohammad as the prophet of God and that the words of the prophet which are located in the Koran are the literal word of God. The second is praying in the direction of Mecca, five times a day. The third is the giving of alms or charity to the poor and needy. The fourth is fasting during the month of Ramadan in which one must not eat or drink from dusk to dawn. The last is called the Hajj or a pilgrimage during the fourth Islamic month to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. † The latter will compel millions of Muslims, sometimes two and three million Muslims at a time, to go to Mecca at the same time in order to fulfill their last duty, or pillar of Islam. When asking Mr. Aziz about the importance of the religion of Islam within his own life, he gave a very passionate and informed response. â€Å"In America, there is a great deal of misconception about the religion of Islam and as a Muslim; it is my responsibility to live in a way that would help to dispel those myths. Although not in the same light, nor with the same amount of spotlight, it is similar to the experience that the American boxer, Joe Louis had while he was the Boxing heavyweight champion of the world. His manager was careful not to have Joe Louis portrayed in a way that would add to the misconceived stereotypes about African Americans at that time since the last African America boxer, Jack Johnson, had done the opposite and was shunned by America. † When asked if he has found this to help within his own life; the conception of others about him, his ethnicity and his religion, Mr. Aziz had a mixed response. â€Å"There will always be people who will not change their opinions about the Middle East or Islam. I can’t really help that. However, for three high majorities of people who make the effort to know me, they have sometimes come out and said that they were wrong about Muslims, or at least about me. There is still a hint of racism within such sentiments. However, it is progress. † Mr. Aziz then talked to me about his religion. â€Å"In Islam, there are five pillars which every Muslim is expected to respect and obey these pillars. In no specific order, these five pillars are to travel to Mecca at least once in your life, to give to charity, to pray five times in the day while facing in the direction of Mecca, to fast during the Holy Months and to believe that there are no gods but Allah and that Mohammad is his messenger. The last is the most important and is what helps to connect the more than 1. 6 billions Muslims in more than a hundred countries in the world, each one to the other. It is very important to all Muslims. I have not yet gone to Mecca but I hope to by the end of the decade. I have not always been faithful in the completion of the other four on a daily basis as most people of faith experience a lapse in their faith and devotion. That has happened before. However, I am quick to connect the dots and to separate myself from whatever vehicle is serving as an impediment to my faith. † â€Å"Fasting is also important. During the Holy month of Ramadan, there is to be no eating during sunlight. This is one of the most difficult of the five pillars. The reason to fast is that it will help to bring the believer closer to God through the realization that God is the supplier of everything and that nothing can be done apart from him. We eat his food and breathe his air. We use his sunlight and are stewards of his world. In comparison with God, man is so small and weak. Sometimes people forget that. Fasting helps to remind them. † Mr. Aziz also prays five times a day as well as gives to charity. â€Å"I wake up at 5am and pray then as well as at 8am, noon, four pm and before I go to bed at 9pm. Since I was raised to do this and to adhere to the five pillars, this has become a habit of mine and is not really difficult. I remember as a child, I rebelled a great deal towards this especially since I wanted to stay in bed. It was not until two consecutive years, did I feel its difficulty ease and I began to enjoy it. † It is also important to give to charity. This does not solely mean money. There are many people in the world who are very poor and do not have the money to give. To give to charity, or to give alms, means also to be helpful to one’s neighbor. Whether it is shoveling the snow from an elderly neighbor’s driveway or simply just informing a person at the grocery store that they dropped their purse; these all are examples of charity. † Mr. Aziz also speaks to the importance that his religion has towards his community. â€Å"Even though here in America, there is an estimated three to seven million Muslims, there are very few where I live and no places of worship. One of the reasons for the latter I believe is caused by the beliefs that the people in the surrounding towns have about Muslims and that we are all terrorists. Therefore, there have been many attempts, to diffuse any building plans for a mosque. † How do you feel about that? â€Å"It is discouraging to me but me and fellow Muslims meet in people’s homes in order to worship and pray. It is similar to the 1st century Christians who were barred from worshiping by the Roman authorities or the Jews who during WWII were not allowed to worship either. We are not under the same level of persecution but as these other two groups. However, it still requires some planning. † â€Å"It is my family and friends which help to lay a foundation of faith within my life. There are few Muslims in the surrounding areas. Therefore, the friends that I do have and which practice Islam as well as my family, for more than one reason, provide a structure and foundation for me. This is very important. America does not have the same problem with their Muslim population in comparison to the troubles in Europe because we have assimilated. This is important to a degree. We do not want to become completely Americanized but in the process, love American sports and the traditions that come with this country. † So we are then relegated to worship nearly in private. † It is one of the prices to pay for being a Muslim in America. However, since the majority of American Muslims are doing well in America and enjoy this land, we are content to pay some of that price. We are Muslims first however and Americans second. Just as Christians have as a major aspect of their identity in which it cannot be separated from who they are, the same can be said about Muslims. † â€Å"The societal restrictions towards Muslims in America have eased up. However, as a Muslim in America, I still feel as though I am a foreigner in a country that I immigrated to legally over twenty years ago. America has still given me more opportunities than my homeland. I just look forward to the day when I can be truly being considered an America. If I do not live to see that day, I will be sad but I will remain happy that I have had such a rewarding and blessed life while living in America. † Mr. Aziz still continues to work and to support his family. When asked about the faith of his two daughters, Mr. Aziz comments: â€Å"They are eight and ten years old so they are young, but not too young to understand some of the world around them. I hope that I can keep them from experiencing instances of racism or prejudice. I do not however, that the worst that they receive in America, is still better than what they could have hoped for in Pakistan. That is why I am hesitant to complain too loudly. I am still able to raise my children, along with my wife, in the ways that we choose. This is a great freedom that America has; its religious freedom. I recently watched a documentary on Thomas Jefferson and learned that he was instrumental in creating a foundation of religious freedom that is present in America. This happened more than two hundred years ago. Yet, I am a recipient of such actions even today. It is very amazing to me and I am very appreciative. † â€Å"I am proud to be an American. However, I am also proud to be a Muslim. It seems that in the past few years, especially since 9/11, such sentiments have been seen as an oxymoron. I believe that they are one in the same as America promises religious freedom to all who will practice their religion of choice without breaking the law. This is the great gift that America’s forefathers and all who help to preserve such efforts, to contemporary Americans and all who will follow. It is the effort of every Muslim, not to be swayed by the fleeting morals of a society but to hold firm to the faith and teachings of Islam. This is what I am attempting to do. I have not always been successful and have fallen away from my faith from time to time. It is important, just like with anything in life, that once somebody has fallen short of their personal expectations, to get right back up and to try again. Religious faith is an ongoing process and does not stop while one is alive. † This is my hope and prayer for me and all others who feel that the law can only go so far and that a personal relationship with God is paramount in a person’s life. WORKS CITED Armstrong, Karen Islam: A Short History New York: Random History 2006 Burns, Ken Thomas Jefferson New York: Steeplechase & PBS Films 1997 Miller, James Religions of the World. New York: WW Norton 1987 The Holy Qur’an (2002) New York: Oxford University Press An Interview with Mr. Aziz. Recorded with his permission on November 1, 2007 and Transcribed on November 4, 2007.

George Orwell s Brave New World - 1279 Words

It has been said that literature and art reflect common beliefs and sentiments from the time period in which it was created, especially so for literature. Throughout history it has been observed that a person’s writing reveal historical moments and the gathered consciousness of a generation. George Orwell wrote â€Å"1984† in response to the impeding totalitarianism of the Soviet Union over Europe on the cusp of WWII after having experience the regime first hand in Spain. â€Å"1984† displays the fears of living under a totalitarian society along, warning readers not to become mindless followers to the government and to question authority figures along with the order of things. Similarly, â€Å"Brave New World† by Aldous Huxley was written partially in†¦show more content†¦In â€Å"1984† people are categorized into three sections of the hierarchy , the inner party, the outer party and the proles. The inner party gets the best treatment, be ing able to eat real food with favors, and live in nice houses, the proles get the worse treatment and have to live in shabby houses with limited resources, and the outer party is in the middle, having more resources than the proles but not as many privileges as the inner party members. In the novel, Winston describes the treatment of the proles and how the rest of society views them, saying â€Å" the Party taught that the proles were natural inferiors who must be kept in subjection, like animals†¦all that was required of them was primitive patriotism which could be appealed to whenever it was necessary to make them accept longer work hours and shorter rations† (71 Orwell). From this passage it is clear to see that society looks down upon the proles, comparing them to animals that mindlessly accept their own oppression. The characterization of the proles mirrors that of the lower class in todays society. In the modern world people often look down on the lower class and individuals who work blue collar jobs, viewing them as less than or inferior. Moreover, many individuals that can be categorized as lower class often work long hours and receive just enough money to get by, a direct correlation to the proles treatment. However, â€Å"1984† points out the relevant