Day 1: Music

Bob Dylan is considered one of the most significant singer-songwriters of all time. His earlier songs typically revolve around hot-button issues of the 1960s like racism, protests, wars, politics, etc. He became especially popular during this time. Below are the lyrics to his song, "Only a Pawn in Their Game." This song discusses the murder of an African American activist and how his murder is not to blame as much as the influencial people in the murder's life who promoted and developed the deep seeded hatred and racism that prompted his murderous actions.

A bullet from the back of a bush took Medgar Evers' blood.

A finger fired the trigger to his name.
A handle hit out in the dark
A hand set the spark
Two eyes took the aim
Behind a man's brain

But he can't be blamed

He's only a pawn in their game.

A South politician preaches to the poor white man,
'You got more than the blacks, don't complain.
You're better than them, you been born with white skin,' they explain.
And the Negro's name
Is used it is plain
For the politician's gain
As he rises to fame
And the poor white remains
On the caboose of the train
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

The deputy sheriffs, the soldiers, the governors get paid,
And the marshals and cops get the same.
But the poor white man's used in the hands of them all like a tool.
From the start by the rule
That the laws are with him
To protect his white skin
To keep up his hate
So he never thinks straight
'Bout the shape that he's in
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

From the poverty shacks, he looks from the cracks to the tracks,
And the hoof beats pound in his brain.
And he's taught how to walk in a pack
Shoot in the back
With his fist in a clinch
To hang and to lynch
To hide 'neath the hood
To kill with no pain
Like a dog on a chain
He ain't got no name
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

Today, Medgar Evers was buried from the bullet he caught.
They lowered him down as a king.
But when the shadowy sun set on the one
That fired the gun
He'll see by his grave
On the stone that remains

Carved next to his name

His epitaph plain:

Only a pawn in their game

 

Today, there are people in the media and in politics that induce fear in the general population. Some may argue that these fears are based on misinformation or racist thoughts or simply exagerations. Obviously, this depends heavily on what issue is being discussed and what person is discussing it. Regardless, think of a person that may fall into this category and argue for how their words and actions could be potential dangerous to someone who doesn't know any better. Write between 250-500 words. HAVE FUN!

Day 2: Art and Advertising

Below you will see Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and a photograph of a night time cityscape. Obviously these two pictures are very different from each another for a number of reasons. Even if you don't think this particular way about Van Gogh's piece, I'd like you to write a 250-500 word persuasive response that argues for why his depiction of a night sky over a town is more captivating, beautiful, etc. than a more realistic depiction of the same thing. Be sure to explain why this style of painting is so impressive, and/or intereting, and/or beautiful.

HAVE FUN!

Day 3: Sports

The NFL lockout. This may be something that you care very little about. It may also be something that you care about more than anything in the entire world because you really love football. Either way, it is pretty significant that America's most popular sport played on a field, court, or ice (Nascar being the overall most popular), is threatening to have no season this fall if the players and the league cannot come to a contractual agreement. Please read the linked article titled, "NFL Lockout Lunacy: They Keep Talking, But Is It Going Anywhere?" that gives some recent news about the potential lockout for next season. After reading about the issues present on both sides, come to a conclusion about which side you agree with more. Either pick the players or the league and provide evidence for why. Please keep the response between 250-500 words. HAVE FUN!

Day 4: Politics

William Bennett

An article by CNN's William Bennett illuminates some of the problems with the public school system of the United States. Although you are all privileged enough to attend a private school, the issues that he brings up are still relevant and interesting to consider. After reading his article, Pressure for School Reform is Building think about your own experience in Math and English classes while attending Central Catholic. Do you believe that they are or were up to a higher standard than a typical public school? Do you believe that your personal abilities as a Math and English student are higher than the national average discussed in the article? Please explain both answers thoroughly. If you are planning to be critical of your education here at Central, please leave out any names of teachers that you may have or have had in the past. I'm not concerned with the "Who" but rather the "What" and "Why" that you believe may need improvement. Of course, if you do believe that both you and your classes are up to par then explain the reasons for that as well. Please write between 250-500 words. HAVE FUN!

Day 1: Music

Below you will find a YouTube video featuring the Incubus song "Idiot Box"--released in the late 90s on an album entitled S.C.I.E.N.C.E. While you listen, try to focus on the message being conveyed through the lyrics. What is the lead singer hoping to express to the audience? Although this song acts as a social commentary for one very common electronic device (the television), consider how one could apply these same ideas to the many electronic devices that people utilize and possibly over utilize within our culture today.



Before you begin writing, remember to write with a top down approach. As always, provide evidence to support your interpretation of the song and also your thoughts on the song's application to society today. Your response should be between 250-500 words.

Have Fun!

Day 2: Art and Advertising

PART I: Since the Super Bowl is the most exciting time for new advertisements, I thought we would view one of the more popular ads that was featured this past Sunday. After viewing the Volkswagon Passat commercial, think about what makes this ads so appealing. Why might someone be more inclined to purchase this products after viewing this advertisement? Think about how little this ad has to do with the car itself. Don't feel like you need to think too deep about your answer. Just write down whatever comes to your mind and consider why you find this ad to be appealing to yourself and potentially others. Write a 100-200 word response.

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=9f4c2bed-868f-4309-8f18-a9fdadf772f0" target="_new" title="">Volkswagen Passat: Young Vader</a>

PART II: Now I'd like you to consider other types of advertisements that persuade audiences to purchase a product that is potentially bad for them (i.e., alcohol, cigarettes, etc.). Think about the way in which these products are promoted. Below you will find two commercials for two different types of alcohol. What is the message being conveyed in each? Why might someone consider this method of advertising to be irresponsible or misleading? Determine what your beliefs are on this form of advertising and write a 200-400 word response.





Have Fun!

Day 3: Sports

Football is and always will be a collision sport. Because of this, players get hurt. Injuries of every kind are expected to occur in a game that thrives off of big men delivering even bigger hits. It shouldn't be surprising then that this fast paced collision sport is having some problems with head, neck, and brain injuries. We are probably all familiar with the controversy over the "illegal" hits James Harrison's put on some players earlier this season that costs him over $100,000 in fines courtesy of the NFL. Even if you disagree with the reasons for the league fining Harrison, it is likely that the problem of football players getting hurt and getting hurt often is not going away due to some high priced fines. Players of all ages are affected by the hard-hitting nature of this great American Pasttime and fining a rich NFL player might not be the final solution. So, what is one to do? Should people just face facts that football is dangerous and anyone who plays it has to face the consequences? Or,is there another and maybe even a better way to handle this issue?

After watching the Outside the Lines special about this very issue, consider both sides, pick a side, and then write s 250-500 word response that argues for that side.



Have Fun!

Day 4: Politics

On Super Bowl Sunday Bill O'Reilly of The O'Reilly Factor conducted an exclusive interview with President Barrack Obama. While viewing the following interview, please write down your reactions to any questions and answers given throughout the conversation. From your reactions, formulate a thesis and write a response to any aspect of the interview that you found to be significant, thought-provoking, or note-worthy. Provide evidence from the interview to support your argument. Your response should be between 250-500 words.



Have Fun!

DAY 3: Sports

The Terrible Towel--What does this iconic symbol of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Franchise mean to you? Maybe it doesn't mean anything to you. Maybe it means a great deal to you. Regardless of how it makes you feel personally, consider the edge that it potentially gives our home team when they step onto the field. In many ways, this probably doesn't give the Steelers that much of an edge at all. The reality is, both the Steelers and the Packers are in Super Bowl XLV because they both played well enough on the field to win their respective conferences.

So, instead of talking about the allure and mystique of the great Steelers' battle flag, the Terrible Towel, let's talk about undeniable, irrefutable FACTS! Typically, die-hard fans have a difficulty referring to concrete aspects of the game like statistics, but I figured it might be fun to take a close look at both the Steelers and the Packers 2010 season statistics and make a rationale and academic argument for which team will win Super Bowl XLV. The really fun part about this is that you do not get to decide which team will win. 


I will assign you a team and you must make a valid argument using the stats that I provide you with today. Please utilize and feature the most applicable statistics in your 250-500 word response that will argue for "your" Super Bowl winner! 

Have Fun!

DAY 4: Politics

The following video will help make sense of Day 4's political discussion about Egypt and it's current politic situation and social instability. Enjoy.

DAY 4: Politics

If I would've asked any of you a month ago, "What comes to mind when you think of Egypt?" it is likely that you would've responded with answers concerning pyramids, mummies, hieroglyphics or other aspects of the ancient civilization that dominated the Arab world thousands of years ago. If I were to ask you the same question about Egypt today, some of you may have much more to say about the modern Arab state and how it is in the midst of a serious uprising.

The current situation in Egypt is a complex one that dates back 30 plus years. To give you an idea of the turmoil that this country has faced, the last president of Egypt, Anwar al-Sadat was assassinated 30 years ago due to his unpopularity; however, his successor has been in power ever since. That means that for twice as long as most of you have been alive, Egypt has had only one president. And just in case you were wondering, they don't like him either.

Because of these unsettling political issues that have plagued Egypt over the last half century, the people are demanding CHANGE. They want it, need it, and believe that they deserve it. Below you will find a series of videos that depict the protests that have been going on over the last week and a half. I want you to observe the civil liberties that are being denied to the Egyptian people.

In addition to the Egyptian government cutting off internet access, they also cut off cell phone reception and transportation services to its people. Consider that riot police brutalized peaceful protesters and vandalized properties (like the mummies in the museum) to make the protesters appear more destructive than they actually were.

These are the times when more fortunate individuals such as ourselves need to reflect on the value and the significance of our rights as American citizens. For example, freedom of speech is important. It is the core right that makes our nation so unique. So think about it...

In 250-500 words, write a persuasive response that argues for the importance of freedom of speech. Use examples from the Egyptian protests to support your argument. In other words, explain how the current situation in Egypt acts as an example for how valuable it is for all people to have the right to free speech. 

HAVE FUN!