Monday, January 24, 2011

PROPAGANDA AND ITS IMPACT







In 1933, the notorious leader Adolf Hitler was named chancellor and formed a campaign of propaganda with his followers to give a false image of all Jews. Hitler completely brainwashed everybody, including children. This hatred of Jews gradually spread throughout the nation, depriving all Jewish citizens of their rights and liberties.

Jews have been responsible for many things in the past and this sense of vengeance grew. Hitler hated Jews and fed all Nazis and the public with propaganda, causing them to perform atrocities, such as raiding houses and killing. This night of violence resulted shattered glass to appear everywhere and therefore this was called "Kristallnact", which is German for "Crystal Night."

This hatred forced everybody to act inhumanly. There were broken friendships,betrayal,abolished businesses and despair. The first concentration camp was established on March 1st, 1933 at Dachau. Jews were expelled from the civil service and universities. They were also imprisoned without a trial which was part of Hitler's Nuremberg Laws. The personal greed of one man dispersed everywhere. Everybody approved that "they" were the reason they lost the great war. They neglected "their" misery and only cared about retrieving the fatherland's glory. Jews fled but had no where to dwell, no one accepted them, they were trapped in an inevitable cycle of despair. It was only "pure" German. It was harsh,cruel,unreasonable and most importantly unessesary.

The Jews eventually became isolated and different. Hitler targeted children knowing that soon they will be the ones to rule the fatherland. They learned to dedicate everything to Hitler, they were taught that he was their savior. They were taught to despise Jews to think of them nothing more than low-class scum. They took oaths, promises which ensured their loyalty to the Fuhrer and to the fatherland, and their hatred for the so thought "traitors."

I was startled at how so many fell so easily into his trap, how so many began to hate,blame and lie. Although there were so many supporters of Hitler there were some who did not believe his decisions were reasonable. However, these people failed to stand up, failed to prevent this propaganda to grow. However, one decision which was logical and brave, was performed by a 12 year old boy named Andre. (whose name is mentioned in an article.) Andre was part of a Hitler youth group who were requested to throw stones at Jewish shops. Andre did not despise Jews and had nothing against them. He was fearful that if he did not participate in this his family's image would be given a bad name. However, his parents decided to leave the country. This is an epitome of courage. It is a small act like this which prevents power and injustice to grow.

The painting above named, "Man, Controller of the universe" by Diego Rivera has a strong connection to propaganda and responsibility. The meaning of the painting is that man is responsible for many things, that man is a potent force in the world. However, it also means that man is responsible for things which may be positive and negative. Similarly, Hitler was a man with a good purpose which was to get rid of despair for his people and restore its previous glory. He deemed that he could have brought hope for the "fatherland." However, the steps he took to accomplish this impacted so many innocent Jews in a negative manner, but brought Germany its sense of superiority and pride. Yes, and it was he who was responsible.

"Krystallnacht", was a turning point of history. Thousands sought assistance but died. They were deprived from their voice. It portrays how hatred could lead to despairful consequences for so many. It shows how propaganda encouraged so many to hate and lose compassion for others. One man monopolized everything. This one event changes everything, because now there is no superior race we are equal and we always will be.


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

MY ASPECT OF LEARNING








I recently found out my learning profile and how I approach new skills,ideas and knowledge through a series of tests which determined my learning profile. I learned that you're brain is divided into two hemispheres, the left which is more logical,linear, and systematic, and the left is "gestalt", which is learning through patterns,visualization,movement, and images.





I find it difficult at times to communicate and obtain new knowledge which may seem uncertain and cause stress.Therefore, I find it easiest to learn new things when the instructions are evident and when I am free from stress, and through movement. I find it difficult to concentrate on occasions where I just sit still and stare at something. However, during classes and certain occasions such as P.E and sports I can keep my brain functioning, but during classes that do not involve much movement I keep fidgeting or playing with things in my pocket to help me focus.

In order for me to learn new things it is essential that I need a clear picture and context of something in order to understand it. Since I am a gestalt learner I don't prefer to follow step by step instructions, I like to find another way to accomplish my work. When I am stressed I must keep moving and express myself to clear my head.

Some things that would help me learn better are exercise,such as jogging, performing hand movements or gestures that help me remember what I just learned, and continuous foot tapping which would keep my brain active.

I would be pleased if my teachers are aware that I work better in the front of the classroom or any place where I can concentrate individually. I usually work better when I am free from distractions and can express what I have learnt through gestures and movements.


I am a double "J", a visual learner who approaches creative ideas, rather then following a particular system or format. I learnt some intriguing things about my self and the way I act. I really had a great time identifying my learning profile and learning how to improve on my weak areas of my ability to learn. I hope it will succor me in future situations.