Project description
Before the project began, we read a story called "Whistling Vivaldi." It talks about a black man who couldn't walk down the street without being feared. People would intentionally cross the street because they didn't want to walk by him. Eventually, he learned that if he whistled Vivaldi, people didn't feel as threatened. They thought that he was a classy, civilized man, which is opposite to what institutionalized racism implies him to be.
Institutionalized racism refers to the social pattern of treating people negatively because of their ethnicity.
"Stereotypes are widely accepted and fixed ideas of a particular type of person or group of individuals. These identifying labels are one of the biggest obstacles that our community faces for they lead to oppression, inequality, and intolerance. More so, the practice of stereotyping will even give way to a phenomenon called:
Stereotype Threat refers to being at risk of confirming, as self-characteristic, a negative stereotype about one's group. (Steele & Aronson, 1995)
This project is a MOVEMENT that we are naming #BreakFree. This project is about creating something VIRAL that encourages our viewers to “BreakFree” from the misconceptions, to BreakFree from societal judgments, to BreakFree from history’s abuses, and more importantly to BreakFree from the threats of stereotyping. Our Dream Goal is to become VIRAL in the world of the media." -Joanne Sith
Institutionalized racism refers to the social pattern of treating people negatively because of their ethnicity.
"Stereotypes are widely accepted and fixed ideas of a particular type of person or group of individuals. These identifying labels are one of the biggest obstacles that our community faces for they lead to oppression, inequality, and intolerance. More so, the practice of stereotyping will even give way to a phenomenon called:
Stereotype Threat refers to being at risk of confirming, as self-characteristic, a negative stereotype about one's group. (Steele & Aronson, 1995)
This project is a MOVEMENT that we are naming #BreakFree. This project is about creating something VIRAL that encourages our viewers to “BreakFree” from the misconceptions, to BreakFree from societal judgments, to BreakFree from history’s abuses, and more importantly to BreakFree from the threats of stereotyping. Our Dream Goal is to become VIRAL in the world of the media." -Joanne Sith
final products
Depression A-Z
Acting normal, building walls. Begging for it all to end. Cutting, crying, no sleep tonight. Depression is not a fucking trend. Endlessly trying to hold up their chin. Facades to mask the pain within. Grabbing, but there’s nothing there. Hope is just for ignorant fools. Illusions that they will not buy into. Joking just to keep their cool. Knowing nothing will get better. Lying every time they say, “I’m fine.” Mourning what will never be. Nothing there inside. Only they can understand their pain. People say that they will be there. Questioning everything is such a drag. Running out air. Sleep sounds really nice right now. Trying to find a reason to stay. Upset, tired, and out of time. Vacations can be here to stay. Why try to live, when we’re all made to die? Xanax can only do so much. Yes, they’re ready to say their goodbyes. Zen will come with death’s gentle touch. |
Brick Wall
If you see her sitting there, leave her Because you won’t be able to help her For she has a brick wall built around the soft part of her hardened heart No one can penetrate this beautiful force of destruction So she falls But not for long Because the strongest angels are the ones with scars on their arms |
"That" Card (Spring 2016)
Dear Anorexia,
I let you in. You promised to fill the emptiness in my heart, as long as I kept my stomach empty as well. You said that my problems would melt away with the fat. We made a deal, but like a demon, you weren’t honest. I should’ve known not to trust you. Perhaps deep down I did know.
You gave me a false sense of happiness. When I woke up hungry, I felt that I made you proud, as if I had reached a checkpoint in this marathon to nothingness. You cheered whenever my stomach growled because it was proof that I was strong. Every time I got away with skipping a meal, you made me feel cunning. You made me think I was smart because I knew how many calories were in almost every food item. I knew how to hide food. I knew how to ignore the hunger cues.
But you also made my life hell. Every time I looked at food, you made me cry. You constantly whispered insults in my ear, and when I disappointed you, you made me repent by opening my flesh to let out blood. No matter how much weight I lost, it wasn’t enough for you. You took my sophomore year. You took my energy. You took me.
I wish I could say that I finally stood up for myself and said enough is enough. I wish I could say that I courageously fought against you. The truth is, I gave up. Every time I got out of treatment, I begged you to take me back, but before we could get far, I got slammed back into treatment. Eventually, I got tired. I figured that if I’m going to be forced to gain everything I lose, I might as well enjoy the foods that I once loved.
I’ve often wondered if I would undo it all. Would I have shunned you from the start if I knew the truth? I gave you so much, yet got so little. There are so many people that I’ve met in hospitals, residentials, and day treatment. Almost everyone I have met through you is so supportive and amazing. For that reason alone, I don't regret meeting you. It’s ironic that you brought me to them, and they keep me from you, no matter how much I still hate my body and want you.
I am more than you.
No Longer Yours,
Cianna <3
I let you in. You promised to fill the emptiness in my heart, as long as I kept my stomach empty as well. You said that my problems would melt away with the fat. We made a deal, but like a demon, you weren’t honest. I should’ve known not to trust you. Perhaps deep down I did know.
You gave me a false sense of happiness. When I woke up hungry, I felt that I made you proud, as if I had reached a checkpoint in this marathon to nothingness. You cheered whenever my stomach growled because it was proof that I was strong. Every time I got away with skipping a meal, you made me feel cunning. You made me think I was smart because I knew how many calories were in almost every food item. I knew how to hide food. I knew how to ignore the hunger cues.
But you also made my life hell. Every time I looked at food, you made me cry. You constantly whispered insults in my ear, and when I disappointed you, you made me repent by opening my flesh to let out blood. No matter how much weight I lost, it wasn’t enough for you. You took my sophomore year. You took my energy. You took me.
I wish I could say that I finally stood up for myself and said enough is enough. I wish I could say that I courageously fought against you. The truth is, I gave up. Every time I got out of treatment, I begged you to take me back, but before we could get far, I got slammed back into treatment. Eventually, I got tired. I figured that if I’m going to be forced to gain everything I lose, I might as well enjoy the foods that I once loved.
I’ve often wondered if I would undo it all. Would I have shunned you from the start if I knew the truth? I gave you so much, yet got so little. There are so many people that I’ve met in hospitals, residentials, and day treatment. Almost everyone I have met through you is so supportive and amazing. For that reason alone, I don't regret meeting you. It’s ironic that you brought me to them, and they keep me from you, no matter how much I still hate my body and want you.
I am more than you.
No Longer Yours,
Cianna <3
REFLECTION
When I first learned that we had to do this project, I hated the whole concept. My outlook on life was that I didn't care to change anyone's mind about anything because everyone I influence will die eventually, so who cares what soon-to-be dead people think? Joanne always said, "Remember, you are doing this project for you, not me. If you are writing this for me, you are doing it wrong." I remember thinking that if that was true, I wouldn't be doing this project at all. My participation in this "grand movement" is so that I don't fail the class. When we started on the video project, I wanted to do something revolving around beauty. Unfortunately, I was not in class the day that the video idea was decided upon. Not only did I have to make a video about something I had no interest in, I also had to write an extensive proposal on it. When I learned of this, I asked Joanne, "Why do we have to propose a project that we have to do regardless?" She replied by saying, "You don't HAVE to do it... You GET to do it." This was very frustrating for me because I had to do a lot of tedious work that took time away from creating the video itself. I decided that I would use this project to practice my video cutting skills and to use on upcoming college application. That was the absolute only good thing that I thought could come out of this whole project. About a week later, I sent her an email.
27 April 2016
Though my pride does not want me to admit this, I have had my #breakfree moment. I no longer dread doing this project. Sorry for judging it too early.
I was listening to my music on my phone, and "I'm a Slave 4 U" (The Glee Cast version) came up. I thought that it could be a possible song my group could use for the project. This is a song that I listen to a lot, and I always sing to it (unless I'm in public or something like that). I googled the lyrics and read what the words said, and I was shocked a little. At first, I was kind of disappointed because I really liked that song and music video. I remember watching the episode of Glee with that song when it first aired in 2010 (I googled the date). I hadn't even had my first period and I was singing about wanting a guy to "dance on me." Most of me wants to go back to ignorance because I still really like that song, just not the words so much. I really don't want to do anything to spread awareness about anything, but if I get (have) to, I'm glad it's something that I actually agree with/believe in (which I didn't before today). This makes me open minded about whatever other #Breakfree moments that may come. Before today, I thought that objectifying women was just a guy thing to do in real life and in songs. I've heard so much objectifying in my life, that I was kind of desensitized about it.I realized that I listened to/sang that song since I was twelve. If it took me that long, I wonder how many people take longer or never even get there.
-Cianna <3
During the final stages of video editing, I asked my multimedia teacher if he would look at my video and critique it. At the end, he said that in the future, we should use a device to help stabilize the camera. He also said that it was one of the best student films he ever saw. This made me feel proud, but my proudest moment was when Joanne called our group in for a meeting to discuss what grade our video deserved. Towards the end of the meeting, she left the room and told us to decide what grade we would give the video if we could grade it ourselves. I wanted to ask for a 97% because I felt that if I said anything higher, the teacher would give us a lower grade, thinking that we were too cocky. In the end, we agreed that we should ask for a 99% because our video wasn't perfect, but it was really strong. When we were finishing advocating for our grade, she said that she believed that our video deserved a 99.5% because 100% would mean that it was flawless. She also said that it was the best #BreakFree video she has seen. After the meeting, I asked other classmates what their video's grade was, and no one had an answer. This made me realize that Joanne was so confident about how good our video was, that she didn't have to think twice about our grade.
In the end, this project was so much more awesome than I thought was possible. I loved being able to see a vulnerable side of my classmates. My favorite part was rockestra (rock-orchestra). I played the drums for "Stand By Me" and the ukulele with a trombone solo for "Same Love."
27 April 2016
Though my pride does not want me to admit this, I have had my #breakfree moment. I no longer dread doing this project. Sorry for judging it too early.
I was listening to my music on my phone, and "I'm a Slave 4 U" (The Glee Cast version) came up. I thought that it could be a possible song my group could use for the project. This is a song that I listen to a lot, and I always sing to it (unless I'm in public or something like that). I googled the lyrics and read what the words said, and I was shocked a little. At first, I was kind of disappointed because I really liked that song and music video. I remember watching the episode of Glee with that song when it first aired in 2010 (I googled the date). I hadn't even had my first period and I was singing about wanting a guy to "dance on me." Most of me wants to go back to ignorance because I still really like that song, just not the words so much. I really don't want to do anything to spread awareness about anything, but if I get (have) to, I'm glad it's something that I actually agree with/believe in (which I didn't before today). This makes me open minded about whatever other #Breakfree moments that may come. Before today, I thought that objectifying women was just a guy thing to do in real life and in songs. I've heard so much objectifying in my life, that I was kind of desensitized about it.I realized that I listened to/sang that song since I was twelve. If it took me that long, I wonder how many people take longer or never even get there.
-Cianna <3
During the final stages of video editing, I asked my multimedia teacher if he would look at my video and critique it. At the end, he said that in the future, we should use a device to help stabilize the camera. He also said that it was one of the best student films he ever saw. This made me feel proud, but my proudest moment was when Joanne called our group in for a meeting to discuss what grade our video deserved. Towards the end of the meeting, she left the room and told us to decide what grade we would give the video if we could grade it ourselves. I wanted to ask for a 97% because I felt that if I said anything higher, the teacher would give us a lower grade, thinking that we were too cocky. In the end, we agreed that we should ask for a 99% because our video wasn't perfect, but it was really strong. When we were finishing advocating for our grade, she said that she believed that our video deserved a 99.5% because 100% would mean that it was flawless. She also said that it was the best #BreakFree video she has seen. After the meeting, I asked other classmates what their video's grade was, and no one had an answer. This made me realize that Joanne was so confident about how good our video was, that she didn't have to think twice about our grade.
In the end, this project was so much more awesome than I thought was possible. I loved being able to see a vulnerable side of my classmates. My favorite part was rockestra (rock-orchestra). I played the drums for "Stand By Me" and the ukulele with a trombone solo for "Same Love."