Logan Frey

Andrew Brown

April 10th, 2017

UWRT 1104

Studio #4: Tasks Which Those for Tolerance Which Actually Are Related

I. All the Little Things, with Panti Bliss, a TED Talk

* watch the following TED Talk Video, featuring Panti Bliss, the first and only Ambassadorial
Drag Queen from Ireland...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIhsv18lrqY

After watching, please answer the following prompt on public displays of affection (PDAs):

1. Tell me about a PDA you were involved in or witnessed. Has there ever been a time you have
committed a public display of affection, which made others uncomfortable? Or, were you
witness to one? Tell me about the who, the where, the what, and the why? To the best of your
ability, what made others uncomfortable and why? It doesnt have to be a homophobic gay-
bashing, but it can be a sloppy, wet, slobbery kiss between you and a SO which made your little
siblings make ick noises for ten minutes. You only need about four to five (4 - 5) sentences.
As Panti stated in the TEDTalks, Gay people do not get to hold hands in public without first
considering the risk. Gay people do not get to put an arm through another arm or put a hand on a
boyfriends waist, without first considering what the consequences might be. With that being
said, in my opinion I believe most public displays of affection being carried out by gay
individuals is perceived as more uncomfortable than most public displays of affection. The
reason I bring up the perception of gay public displays of affection is due to the fact that the
last public display of affection I witnessed was between two gay individuals about two weeks
ago in the city of Charlotte. I believe the reason this display of affection made others feel
uncomfortable was due to the sexuality of the individuals, and I was able to witness the amount
of attention this display of affection attracted.

II. A Paradox of (the) US

* Please watch the following video, without writing or making notes, to grasp the overall
concepts...

https://www.facebook.com/HuffingtonPost/videos/vb.18468761129/10153699398631130/?
type=2&theater

Now, re-watch the video and identify these three (3) things for content:
1. A quote from one of the famous individuals mentioned in the video -- simply pick one you
like. Will Smith said, We spend money we havent earned on things we dont need to impress
people we dont like.
2. Identify something from the video which you think links to current events. Something in the
video that I think links to current events is how the same technology that brings us close to those
who are far away takes us far away from the people that are actually close. Technology is
something that is dominating the current world and it will continue to advance and become more
relevant in todays world. With that being said, the video captures the standpoint on technology
perfectly, in the fact that technology allows individuals to connect with those who are far away,
but takes our attention away from those who are right in front of us, weakening those personal
relationships with people that are closest to us.
3. Something which stands out to you, personally. Something that stood out to me personally is
how one in four CEOs claim to be struggling from depression. This stands out to me due to how
most CEOs experience wealth and material things that most individuals would see as things that
make oneself happy, but on the other hand, these wealthy individuals are the same individuals
struggling from depression.

Personal context questions: (give an answer which includes a "how" or a "why")

4. Is the United States/Western Civilization without a compass? In my opinion, a compass is tool

used for direction and without a compass the likelihood of misdirection increases drastically.
With that being said, I believe that the United States/Western Civilization most definitely has a
compass, and that compass is why the United States/Western Civilization has been able to
develop as much as it has.
5. Is modern culture/society a paradox? In my opinion, I believe that modern culture/society is
seen as a paradox due to the individuals with higher influence on the world perceiving
everything that is currently happening is in the best interest of modern culture/society, which is
why most people see numerous situations as morally correct, when in reality these different
situations occurring at the same time cant all be seen as morally correct.
6. Does the modern age need to look back at the mentioned past/texts to look for answers to
modern problems and social concerns? To what degree? Like the video said, modern age does
need to look back to mentioned past/texts to look for answers to modern problems and social
concerns. In my opinion, Albert Einsteins quote captures this standpoint perfectly when he said,
The problems we have today cant be solved with the same thinking we used when we created
them. These modern problems and social concerns are being developed through modern
thinking, and with that kind of thinking these problems wont get solved. By going back to past
texts to look for answers to modern problems and social concerns, to whatever degree is
necessary, is how we will dig back to our roots and use the original way of thinking to solve
these modern problems and social concerns.

III. The Glass Ceiling: A Game for Girls

* watch the following Comedy Central fake commercial, which is painfully true...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJsw9NHxIPY
1. Has there been a time when you thought someone was discriminated against because of
gender, even if it wasnt you, but maybe someone you witnessed? Or was it nationality? The
way someone was dressed? Was a female crashing into the glass ceiling, or a redneck pushed
aside for a suit and tie in a restaurant? Again, four to five (4 - 5) sentences to tell me about the
situations basics - who, what, where, when - even if it wasnt you who was the subject, but
maybe an event you saw, or happened to a friend or loved one. The situation I have witnessed in
which an individual was discriminated against was when I was at the JFK Airport in New York
and an individual wearing a headdress was preparing to walk through the security scanners. It
was hard to distinguish the ethnicity of the individual, but when the individual wearing the
headdress approached TSA where she was casually preparing to walk through the scanners, one
of the TSA agents approached her and asked her to step aside. After I witnessed thirty to forty
individuals walk through the security scanners without any problems, I was baffled to see
someone covered in a headdress be discriminated against the way this individual was. The TSA
agents did a full search of this individuals carry-on bag and did an extensive search of the
individual, all due to the type of clothing this individual was wearing.

IV. On Privilege

* Read this online comic strip, called, this is the simplest, easiest way to explain why climbing
out of poverty is harder than scaling Everest.. Read each line left to right, to see the
comparison. Also, notice the baby eyes blink at you little things move, too.

http://thewireless.co.nz/articles/the-pencilsword-on-a-plate (full comic)

1. Have you been shafted over money? Have you shafted someone? Or was it simply a time
you didnt have money to go do the things you wanted to with friends? Tell me about money
issues, again a few sentences to cover the basics. In my personal experience, I am not proud to
say that I have shafted someone due to their situation regarding money. Money is something that
a vast number of individuals struggle with and I have complete respect for the individuals
struggling with money as long as they are doing something to better their situation. This situation
was regarding a time when I wanted to go on a spring break trip, but due to my friends situation
regarding money issues, he was unable to go, therefore I treated him in a way that I am not proud
of. Reflecting on that situation, I have come to appreciate and be grateful for the situation I am in
regarding money, but I also have total respect and appreciation for those working hard to make it
out of the situation they are currently experiencing.

V. The Lady Tilda

Another online comic, this one more in the graphic, narrative style. We a brave *lady* knight,
taking on a perilous venture to solve the kingdoms problems with a deadly dragon problem. But
all problems arent what they seem at first glance. This comic has no words. It is pictures only.
So, youll have to tell yourself the story by deciphering the images. You did it all the time when
you were a younger, wee, little child. Im sure those skills are still present if you let them out.
Right click on each section/chunk and you can magnify to see the intense and wonderful
details.
http://thehappysorceress.tumblr.com/post/140106211991/smgoetter-lady-tilda-and-the-dragon

1. What is the overlying message presented here? Why so? In my opinion, I would say the
overlying message is that women are better peace makers and can connect to individuals at a
more personal and emotional level. As seen in the comic, the Dragon was a small and kind
dragon, but knew what was going to happen when the knights (men), were sent to slay him,
therefore when Lady Tilda was sent to slay the dragon, the comic ended in a way that most
readers wouldnt have imagined. At first, the Dragon was startled to see Lady Tilda and acted in
a way to protect itself, but after seeing what it had done to Lady Tilda it felt sad. At this moment,
Lady Tilda didnt fight back but instead hugged the Dragon which displayed that personal
connection and created a line of peace between the two.
2. Arch-Bishop Desmond Tutu famously stated, For there to be peace, women must lead.
Relate this statement to the comic. Like I previously said in question number one, Lady Tilda
was sent to slay the Dragon but when she encountered the Dragon she was startled by the
appearance of the Dragon which was described as terrible and terrorizing. Lady Tilda was
sent as the Last hope, and through this she was displayed as a leader, but when she
encountered the dragon and saw how the dragon reacted, Lady Tilda hugged the Dragon to create
that sense of peace between the Dragon and herself. The way that Lady Tilda stepped up as a
leader, she was able to form peace between the Dragon and herself, which later led to a personal
connection, which is why this comic correlates to Arch-Bishop Desmond Tutus famous quote.
3. How well does the comic present Tutus case? How so? This comic presents Tutus case, in
the fact that Tutu said For there to be peace, women must lead, and in the comic Lady Tilda
was presented as a leader. Through her leadership role in the comic, Lady Tilda went to slay the
Dragon, but when she encountered the Dragon she realized that it was perceived as something
much worse than it actually was. During their encounter, the Dragon was startled and acted out
in violence, but following the Dragons violent outbreak Lady Tilda hugged the Dragon and
created that sense of peace.