Segregation: The Foundation That Every Gang Needs

By Jeremy Rock

Because of the failure of government institutions in segregated housing projects, gangs have risen as pseudo-governments to fill the demand for an organization.

Gangs were originally formed to help communities, not just gang leaders. They were not involved in drug trafficking or extortion. They were formed to protect certain communities and provide services that the government neglected. As we are aware now, gangs are largely involved in drug trade and other illegal activity. Gangs have formed an entire economic system similar to any other business, except the activity is illicit. This is because segregated, low opportunity communities provide little chance for upward mobility. Because of the failure of government institutions in segregated housing projects, gangs have risen as pseudo-governments to fill the demand for an organization. They provide several services to the community that the government neglects in their neighborhoods which in turn creates a community that is reliant on them. While it may seem enticing and exciting to poor, lower-class boys to join a gang, it is more dangerous for a person to be in a street gang than it is to be on death row after being convicted for murder.

Failed Institutions and the Mayhem that Follows

Gangs were originally formed to help communities, not individuals. They were not involved in drug trafficking but were created to protect certain communities and provide services that the government neglected. As we are aware now, gangs are largely involved in drug trade and other illegal activity. Gangs have formed an entire economic system similar to any other business, except the activity is illicit. They provide several services to the community that the government neglects in their neighborhoods which in turn creates a community that is reliant on them.

This subject strongly resonates with the Search For Order theme present during the enlightenment period. I see many instances where a need for organization is filled by the gang. There is a demand for government in these projects, and the gang provides this structure. It isn't always the way the people want it but it is better than nothing. These problems are perpetuated by poverty that a highly segregated community engenders.

Housing Projects in Harlem

Another theme that applies to gang activity is the conflict and collapse motif of the Modernism period. While not quite as dramatic as a world conflict or the collapse of the empire, it does reflect a small-scale collapse of government institutions based off of race conflicts. These institutions quite literally fail the people they are meant to serve. Pseudo-governments commonly referred to as gangs, fill the gaps that the collapse of institutions fails to accomplish. Housing, protection, basic needs, law and order, and much more are the responsibility of the gangs. While gangs do benefit some people, it is at a steep price to the people that these needs are fulfilled. 

Image: Harlem Projects by ArtisticOperations, licensed by CC through Pixaby 2.0

Hot Topics of Sociology

Hot Spots of Sociology:

• ·        Social Protests in Sports

Colin Kaepernick was a highly successful NFL star. He played an important role in helping the San Francisco 49ers reach the super bowl during the 2012 football season. While they did lose in the championship, he did establish himself as the future starting quarterback for the team. However, during the national anthem before the games. This was in protest against the unfair treatment of minorities, specifically by police. This highly controversial protest lost him his position in the NFL. NYtimes - The Awakening of Kaepernick

• ·        Youth Gangs as Psuedo-Governments: When Institutions Fail

When institutions fail the people they are meant to help, there is a void left behind. Gangs are often the organizations that fill this void. The gangs become appealing to poor youth because it appears like a way out of poverty, a chance to climb the socioeconomic ladder. These gangs fill in for many government institutions by providing order, protection, an economy, and other services, even if it is all done illegally. Jstor - When Youth Gangs as Psuedo-Governments

• ·        Increasingly segregated and unequal schools

Inequality of social class begins at a young age. Segregated schools cause some schools to receive better funding and others to fall behind. This difference can lead to huge inequalities in the education system. Students who attend the poorer schools will be much less likely to get a strong education that will lead to a college degree or even a high school diploma.

Increasingly segregated and unequal schools as courts reverse policy - Sagepub

Of these three, the first one strikes me as the most interesting. I think it is a highly controversial subject on the matter of social protest that uses a silent form of communication to cause a huge uproar across the country. However, I am fascinated by the reason's youth put their lives at risk by joining gangs as well. I think people generally do not understand this subject because they do not realize the poverty that forces people to look to gangs for help.

Spheres of Influence

The timing of this discourse is important to how receptive the audience will be. With the war having ended just months before, the world was beginning to see the lines of influence being drawn by the Soviet Union and the democratic nations. With war being so vivid in the minds of the people, all sides were anxiously on alert for how diplomacies would take place.

Churchill understands what the audience wants to hear. The main topic of interest is the tension between communist and capitalistic states. In paragraph 21, he states this and proceeds to state the facts as he sees them. This is important because he does not tell the audience what to believe but tells them what he believes and allows them to make their own judgments accordingly. He does weigh in on what he believes by using an artful display of words as described by the following quote:

“From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.”

               Churchill understands the power of metaphors and likens the situation in Europe to that of a curtain. As is well known, curtains are used to block out a person’s view or to establish privacy. In this case, Churchill emphasizes that the Iron Curtain has blocked much of Europe from the influence of democracy. By using this unmistakable metaphor, Churchill establishes his view on the matter in a powerful way.

               Churchill concludes with a powerful explanation of the consequences of what their actions will have on the future. He makes it clear that war is unlikely, however, the Soviets desire the fruits of war and the spread of their influence. His call to action is to assert that World War II was the most preventable war if timely action was taken. If timely action is taken now, future devastating wars can be prevented as well. He names the title of his discourse “Sinews of Peace” which illustrates just how delicate peace can be.

Image credit: Iron Fence, by eliver22. licensed by CC through Pixaby 2.0

The Great War Changed the Definition of War

War has always been an interest of man. He who has the strongest army tends to hold the power. In the feudal society, the lords had access to armies which resulted in their dominance over the common man. In imperialistic Britain, the British were the most powerful, and thus, the economically wealthy nation in the world. With a dominant army, came a correlation of a strong economy. People saw war as romantic because the most skilled warriors determined a victory. World War 1 turned these ideas around.

Howitzer artillery gun used in World War I

World War 1 introduced the first mass killing machines. The introduction of the machine gun changed warfare forever. No longer was a war dependant on who was a better-trained shot, because with a machine gun, a spray of bullets into the enemy did not require skill and it was much more efficient. Artillery meant shells could devastate large groups of enemies.

One's skill with a rifle or a sword no longer determined if they would win a fight. The machine gun was the great equalizer where the only thing that mattered was how strong a position was. Mortar shells no longer required soldiers to even have to see their enemy to kill them. For the first time, a war was turned from an art or skill to an extermination effort. Whoever could kill more in less time, wins the war. The devastation was unprecedented.

Today, war can often be performed from different sides of the world. Rarely are conflicts large outright invasions because death can be delivered on a scale that would make large masses too easy with too large of costs of lives. War is impersonal. It is disconnected. Killing enemies is closer related to exterminating pests with a drone strike screen and hunting high-profile leaders like rodents.

Image credit: Howitzer gun Turkey World War 1, by WikiImages. Licensed by Pixaby under CC 2.0

Romance with War

A Very Long Engagement was clever mélange between a romance and a war film. Romanticism is built into every bit of the film. A young couple who are deeply in love is separated by a brutal war. She refuses to accept the fate of her soul-mate and a romance with the trail of his death begins.

All things considered, this is a mystery/romance however it was a painfully drawn out version of the genre. The film is great and it is really hard not to be emotionally involved with the characters. That being said, the nature of the film is to frustrate the viewers as poor Matilde runs into dead end after dead end. A well-made film should make people feel things during it or I do not feel like it is worth watching.

This film brought a stark realization of the realities of war. Every person shot has a family who misses and loves them back home. Every person has a background that is effectually erased when their lives are meaninglessly snuffed out. Too often when we talk of wars, we state the death statistics like that is all they are. Each number represents a person. Although we romanticize the idea of war because of the honor and glory it brings.

Ultimately, I feel this film wraps up the storyline as you would expect. The final scene is the bow on top. “Does it hurt when you walk” is the same line he used to first catch Matilde’s attention, and it ties the whole experience together as they are reunited. She watches him as he performs a meaningless task. “Elle le regard” a simple phrase repeated as a smile spreads across her face. I could not help but feel my own heart stir.

Image credit:WW1 Trenches, by bmewett. licensed by cc 2.0 by Pixaby

The Lady of Shalott's Final Moments

My first contact with this painting was nearly five months ago. I was studying for a final with a friend and a passerby exclaimed that she loved that screensaver! My friend’s screensaver was a picture of the painting of the “Lady of Shalott.” They had a surprisingly intense conversation about the painting and then moved on with their respective lives. This struck me as a powerful interaction about a painting that I had never experienced. It confused me how they could feel so strongly about a painting that was more than a century old.

That evening I searched the painting online. I sought to understand how they could have such strong sentiments about this painting. I love stories, I love understanding “The Why” behind people’s actions. I am generally not a fan of ambiguity and personal interpretation. I prefer the absolute truth.

"The Lady of Shalott" by John William Waterhouse 1888

During my research, I learned that this painting was created to supplement a powerful poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson. I also learned that John William Waterhouse loved painting women right before their deaths. This appeared to be a vulnerable moment. I learned the story I wanted, and the painting suddenly struck me at a much deeper level. The Lady is dying for breaking a curse. In her last moments of life, she chooses to experience the life she has not been able to enjoy by leaving her tower and venturing out on a boat. Her face expresses a mix of deep emotions including fear and sadness, but I would also argue satisfaction and even pleasure.

In contrast with my first experience where I did not understand this piece, I have grown to love this painting. This painting typifies the Romantic period. This displays a full range of emotion expressed by the face of the Lady of Shalott. The colors in the painting are a contrast of light and dark that creates a focus on the Lady while also displaying the dark gothic or difficult emotional state that she is in. It expresses both a fear of death, desire for the unknown, and releases a tone of fatal reverence as one would feel I the presence of a dying loved one. 

Image credit: John William Waterhouse "The Lady of Shalott" 1888. By Plum Leaves licensed under CC by 2.0

The First Mystery

The Moonstone offers a fascinating view of the social constructions of the late 19^th century that creates a unique dynamic. Many of the actions made by characters in the book are formal and when there is an outburst, they immediately apologize for “breaking the norm.” I found it interesting that it reflected an almost feudal system where the rich family was waited on by several servants, however, it was much more progressive as the relationship between the characters was not only financially motivated but often out of love or loyalty. Despite potential motivations for their work, the servants were much like an extended family to the nobles they served. This book reflected the strong distinction of social class between these nobles, government officials, and the common servants and lower class, evident during this time period.

This novel seems like one of the original thief stories. I noticed connections between both mystery and crime forms of media.  These connections to mystery include a highly observant detective seeking the truth who is hedged up from every side. Such films, books and tv shows as the timeless Sherlock Holmes come to mind in this department. The intricacies of the plot to steal the diamond remind me of Ocean’s 8, which is a film about an inside job performed to steal a multimillion-dollar diamond. In the real world, we rarely hear about intricate thieving plots.

The Moonstone was a large diamond worth an outrageous amount

While participating in a discussion online at Goodreads.com, I found an interesting viewpoint on what this book brings many firsts to the table by Bill Kerwin. He points out that this book was the first to detective novel with a large guest list of suspects, the first to have a small, suggestive clue have significant impacts, the first crime reenactment at the scene of the crime, and the first pursuit of a disguised criminal through a major city.

I believe that this book opened up a new form of entertainment. While many novels already existed, this genre engages a new market of mystery lovers. This niche of entertainment has become a large part of the entertainment industry with thousands of films, books, and stories utilizing precedence’s set by The Moonstone.

A quote that struck a chord with me was when a character of the book was announced to have killed herself, Gabriel, the narrator at the time, made the quote: 

“Your tears come easy, when you're young, and beginning the world. Your tears come easy, when you're old, and leaving it. I burst out crying.” - Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone

Image: 17914, by PublicDomainPictures/Images, Licensed by Pixaby from CC 2.0 

Figuring Out The Moonstone

               The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is categorized under the detective mystery genre. I am about to begin reading it to better understand the emergence of novels that came from the Enlightenment era. I am under the impression that it is an epistemological book, which means that is it is largely made up of letters from different people, combined to make up a storyline that can be followed.

The clock, the paper, and the writing tools each relate to the
emerging mystery and epistemology genre

I believe this will relate strongly to the Republic of Letters as the mystery is publicized about the stealing of the diamond and rumors begin to flow. I would not be surprised if this book changes a frame of reference. Stories in the enlightenment age were rarely told from a conglomeration of letters. This provides a different form of literature that casts a new light on the way stories can be told. It also relates to this era as the order the letters are written, sent, and received could greatly affect the content of the plot. This relates strongly to the clockwork universe that begins to surface. Timing can make all the difference in the content of the novel. Will it be a chronological list of letters or will it be letters written by observers long after the events have taken place?

This epistemological genre of The Moonstone intrigues me as it relates to a part of my life. I lived for two years in Quebec and Ontario as a volunteer missionary for my church. To remain focused on my work, I would only write an email or letter home to my family once a week to let them know how I was doing and what events had transpired. Many times, we would be helping people to overcome addictions or trials in their lives and I would have the chance to tell my family all about their progress. However, a lot can happen in a week and so the story of my experiences was always progressing as each week would pass. 

This book seems to contain several enlightenment themes. I have learned that this is one of the first mystery books written and I will likely set a precedent for the genre. 

Image credit: Still Life by Mozlase__, licensed under CC 2.0 by Pixaby

Social Contract of the New World

The writings of Locke were highly influential in the creation of the current government that exists in the United States today. The social contract is a concept that had been breached by degrees in the past, however, it was usually only under extreme pressure that power or liberty is ceded to another.

One of the earliest examples that I find is the Magna Carta. in 1215 King John was forced to sign a document giving certain rights to some of his rebellious nobles. In the past, kings were all-powerful within their realm. Because of abuses, the rich barons rose up and overpowered the king, forcing him to sign over certain rights to religion, freedom, and power that had not existed in the past.

A more modern example is the social contract that exists within most governments today. The declaration of Independence used by the United States to formally secede from the British Commonwealth was written by Thomas Jefferson. This document was strongly influenced by writers such as John Locke.

At the time the Declaration was written, the "United Colonies" were in no position to bargain with the British. However, the Declaration and later the Constitution combined would eventually make up a document that is not too different in content from the Magna Carta. It would define specific liberties that the government or "king" could never take away. In exchange for these rights, the common people promise to follow the law, pay taxes, etc. otherwise these liberties would be revoked. This was the contract between the government and the governed that would directly affect how we interact with governmental institutions today.

Image credit: by WikiImages: Declaration of Independence, Pixaby licensed under CC by 2.0

The Consequential Age of Discovery

Since the beginning of time, humans have been led by an insatiable desire to explore the world. This is particularly evident during the Renaissance time period. While explorations in the past have not always brought great change, several of the discoveries have had astronomical effects on the world.

Trade routes dominated early European economies

Vasco de Gama was a Portuguese explorer. He was one of the first to sail around the horn of Africa and landed in India. What makes this voyage particularly significant is the trade routes that it opened up. The spice routes brought great riches to Portugal. The effects of controlling these trade routes would set in motion events that would change the world. I would argue that this is one of the most important events in history. This time of prosperity that Portugal enjoyed was an inspiration to rival nations that riches lay in undiscovered trade routes. This is one of the primary reasons Spain sent Christopher Colombus in search of a different route to the Indies. While watching their neighbors grow richer by the day, they were willing to take a bold step to find a better way.

The discovery of the Americas by Christopher Colombus led to a series of events that would change the world forever. Conquerors, missionaries, and explorers alike would be drawn to the New World for the unknown opportunities that could be discovered. The New world offered seemingly limitless land. Many an explorer left their homes in search of treasures in the Americas. Other notable explorers of the New World include:

• Hernan Cortez who conquered the Aztecs
• Francisco Pizarro who conquered the Incas
• Jacques Cartier explored Eastern Canada 

Jessie Bruner wrote a blog post titled "World Discovery: A Necessary Evil..?" about how the conquistadors and other ruthless explorers were a necessary evil to discover the new lands. their methods were inhumane, yet, it opened up a world of opportunity that would lead to the founding of many great nations. Spain would soon be plagued by war, which would tear the New World from the Spanish control, however, they have already left their mark as millions of South and Central Americans still speak Spanish today.

America would continue to draw explorers and settlers for centuries to come. Carter Shearer wrote a blog titled "Manifest Destiny"  about the people who would soon sweep the nation as they spread west. As America was settled by immigrants from across the world, it would soon become a land of opportunity like none before it. Unclaimed land was oftentimes given away by the government to motivate settlers to develop lands.

Despite all these incredible discoveries, I believe the most significant discovery was not of lands or people.  I would argue that the discovery of the printing press was the most consequential discovery of the Renaissance, and perhaps of any time.  It revolutionized the spread of information. The Protestant Reformation could have never succeeded without it, as many had tried before to reform the Roman Catholic Church. The common folk finally had access to books, including the Bible, which had never been possible before in history. This opened a world of discovery for the lower classes.

Image credit: TheAndrasBarta World maps 2015, by Andras Barta licensed under CC 2.0

The Disappearing Venetian Treasures

During the 16th century, Venice became the printing capital of the world. Mass printing became a powerful tool of mass communication at the time. The demand for printing became so large that many aspiring entrepreneurs and humanists chose to center their work here. Venice offered many powerful advantages including:

• Easy access to the Adriatic sea
• Economic wealth
• A center of trade and industry

This is a photo of Venetian waterways that I took myself

With these advantages, many aspiring artists, merchants, patrons, and other influential people were drawn to Venice. It quickly became a place of beauty and wonder. Few cities could match the novelty of a metropolitan built on the water.

Unfortunately, the city is not what it once was. While still maintaining much of the novelty and aesthetics that it once held, it now lacks a reliable economy and infrastructure to manage the upkeep. The city is quickly going bankrupt as the economy has shifted to a tourism-based income. The city is more interested in marketing it's unique qualities than protecting the city. This is evident in the contaminated water, pollution levels, and overpopulation. Large cruise ships have also begun to dock in the city, further raising water levels and damaging the unique environment. 

Europe is largely a progressive society. Some areas do a better job than others at taking care of their cities. I feel that Venice is lacking largely in this department despite it being a city that needs more upkeep than others. The past is literally sinking into the sea, and before long the damage will be irreversible. The city no longer has the industrious society that it needs to protect the cities unique history.

The John Donnes of the Modern Era

John Donne was a fantastically witty poet and author. What is interesting about the life he lived is that his life took a dramatic turn and this can be seen the content of his writings. While he was young, he was wildly successful at writing love poems that attracted a younger, wilder crowd. It bought him popularity, validation, and wealth. However, John Donne chose to marry a young girl without the approval of his parents. This is where his life took a turn for the worst.

At this point, he lost nearly everything. He loses his diplomatic influence, his wealthy parents ostracize him and he is left to fend for his growing family. His tone begins to change in his writings as life is no longer as perfect as it once was. This is something that I feel most people can relate to. there are times in life where it seems like nothing could go wrong. Some enjoy this hiatus from problems longer than others. I find that many of the upper-class people in modern society experience this life growing up. This rarely lasts forever, as depicted by John's life. He was humbled and changes his writings from witty love poems to zealous pleas to God. Despite not always understanding why God sent him these trials, we do notice that he writes with deeper, more sincere intent than his earlier texts.

 A modern example I have noticed is Lamar Odom. He was a former professional basketball player who won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately, he got into drugs and like John, fell from fame. This story lives on today as he fought his addictions and is currently working to join the Chinese basketball league. The Lamar we knew is not the Lamar we see today. He is grateful for every day, realizing how close his life came to being lost. No matter who we are or what we have accomplished, nobody is invincible. In dropping to the lowest point, either our best or worst self is able to emerge.

Image credit: Love, Creative Commons Love, John Hain, licensed under CC by Pixabay

Early Humanists Set the Example For Future Revolutions

Early humanists were few and far between. Part of the reasoning for this is that humanists lacked the resources to succeed in helping others on a large scale. There are a few examples in the past of humanist efforts but they lack large-scale efforts to improve life.

This picture depicts an ancient printing press similar to those used by Aldus Manutius

One of the greatest examples of early humanist efforts is that of Aldus Manutius. This is one of the first examples of large-scale operations to improve life for the common man. He invested large sums of money into creating a business based around providing books for the common man. This is unheard of for the upper class to care for the peasant's needs.

Before Aldus, access to books, even printed books, was far out of reach for the common man. Few could afford an expensive book to be copied by hand and even books printed by a press were hard to get hands on. Aldus recognized this as a problem and created a successful company to provide books at a reasonable rate. He was fist a humanist and second a businessman. While he may have been able to increase margins by charging more per unit, he chose to put his products in reach of the lower class. Despite this fairly bad business move, he was incredibly successful.

One thing that makes the renaissance such an incredible time period is the beginning of large-scale humanist efforts such as this. Without heroes like this to lead the cause, it could have been centuries more until a collective consciousness of the basic rights of human beings was accepted. I believe that humanists like this are part of the reason there are still people fighting for rights today.

Voyages of Discovery Lead to Exchanges of Culture

Voyages of discovery are some of the most significant events in history. The beginning of the exchange of cultures, languages, agriculture, lands and more shape the world in incredible ways. Of course, not all people are benefitted by this, such as the millions of North and South American natives who have been displaced or died from Old World plagues. However, it is impossible to imagine the world today if the Americas had not yet been discovered.

Originally, these voyages were undertaken with the goal to exploit native populations and conquer more land. This is the narrative that took place for hundreds of years. However, this led to an interconnected modern world. Without these voyages, civilization as we know now, with all its weaknesses and strengths, would not exist. I do believe we have made significant progress in improving the quality of life, government hierarchies, and in establishing basic human rights in most places in the world. This was not always the case.

Global trade has made the world a different place. A personal favorite of mine is Swiss chocolate. Somehow it just tastes creamier and purer than the chocolate we have in the United States. Chocolate originated in the Americas yet was brought over and adopted into the European culture. I say this because it is a simple joy that globalization has brought me. The world is not a perfect place. Many have been taken advantage of or their people have been wronged. We cannot always change the dark pasts we are born into, but we can take joy in the sweet things and make it our quest to improve the future for all.

Patronization of Renaissance Art Takes Many Forms

The renaissance granted the world a new outlook on what art consists of. In the past, only such organizations of power such as the church or the wealthiest of kings could afford to pay for the artists, labor, and materials necessary to create significant pieces of art. What the Renaissance brought to the world was a new take on art. While the church still held influence across Europe, wealthy merchant families, such as the Medicis, were able to commission some of the worlds best artists to create sculptures, paintings, and other works of art that were not necessarily confined to religious inspiration. We see artists such as Bernini who was solely contracted by the church to perform

               We see some of these fantastic artists such as Michelangelo creating masterpieces such as “The Creation” which was obviously contracted by the church. However, during this time we begin to see paintings such as “The Mona Lisa” by Leonardo Da Vinci that redefined how we see art. Da Vinci also stretched his limits by trying new inventions, performing anatomical surgeries on corpses to better understand how the body works, and other such activities that were not commissioned or even approved of by the church. I believe religious art is a beautiful thing, however, I am impressed with how the works of art during the renaissance were able to take on a wider scope than simply worship. This form of art was quite rare in the centuries preceding the renaissance because few patrons could afford the economical and political costs of funding masterpieces not affiliated with the church.