Montagnard Documentary

I like to describe this brief documentary as a journey!  I had never heard of the Montagnard Dega people and was immediately drawn to learn more about these fascinating people and their story.  It reminds me that many of the people of the world share similar stories.  It resonates in different languages, in different geographic locations but as a people we are not so different.  I found very little information on the forced sterilization of the Montagnard women.  I wanted to learn more!  Although my research reached a stand still, I decided to focus on the possible reasons why this and other injustices occur.  My hope is to inspire future research and interest on the topic.

Is Digital media bad for us?

When it comes to Digital Media I guess you can say I'm a bit ambigiuous on the topic.  I too have worries, but and grateful how much content is accessible witha click of a mouse.  The social-political worries usually surround issues of control of content.  From allowance to the sources of this content to the security and privacy of information.  Although people thnk of America as the land of the free, the government also controls what information and content we recieve.  If you have ever read or watch the news (current events) you realized other countries allow much more content for viewers.  Every American at one time has preach "Freedom of Speech" but fail to realize how Digital Media/Content is associted to that right.  I can understand both sides of the fence.  The fear of giving too much information.  Perhaps like Plato sugests inviduals prefer to live in a cave, and when "freedom" from a cave leads to yet another cave. 


The next worry is social-interpersonal worries.  They include the effects of the internet on personal relationships.  My nieces and most youth are guilty of withdrawing from society and imersing themselves into the social world of internet base programs.  But I wonder how different this is from when we were teens?  I remember withdrawing from my family and having my friends, sports and of course my beeper and house phone as a outlet.  I used to worry that communication would be lost in the generations to come.  But perhaps I need to except change.  The verdict is not completely in for me, I can definetly see pros and cons.  I like that I can use programs like facebook to connect to people from my past, or use my personal website to to share my work and network non verbally.  I have numerous friends who use internet based programs for dating and have been successful in finding thier mates.  I on the other hand perfer an old fashion snail mail letter, lol.  Late night conversations on the phone, and of course human contact/interaction.


The next worry is psychological-emotional.  This can be understood by terms like:  crackberry, twitter, facebook, shall I go on?  The fear is in the obession or addiction.  I mean as I create this blog I have another tab opened for facebook.  And of course the minute I receive an update I click over.  I know people who gave up fb for lent.  It can apparently be that serious for some people! 


The next worry is psychological-cognitive.  The fear is humans will become stupid...  As if digiatl media is capable of reducing one's mental capacity.  Again when I think of my nieces and youth I can see the overloaded use of short hand, I wonder to my self if they are evn capable to spell.  Then I think about some educational programs are considering have computer per every student and allow them to respond via computer eliminating verbal communication.  Others might argue digital media and technology has also created a freeer thinker.  I can't evn count how many times I've searched online for tutorials to assist me with projects....  I am amazed that most are created by young children whom are much more tech savy then I. 


The last worry is Behavioral-pratical.  This is a new issue for our culture, and a legitamate one too!  Some people children and adults alike prefer to sit in front of a computer, or gaming console.  It is not a subsitution for our activities.  We have to find the perfect middle.  We can not allow this Digital Age to control our lives completely!

Art and Artists in the Digital Age

When you envision an Artist, you automatically associate words like freedom, expression, creativity, visionary, ground breaking.  Many of the Digital Media personalities can be described by the same words!  I seem to keep Girl Talk fresh in my mind.  Some may classify his creations as "remixes" others as a "custom blend" and some simply as danceable beats!  Wikipedia's  entry on remix defines it as:

 "A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song"But later goes on to explain that "Remixes should not be confused with edits, which usually involve shortening a final stereo master for marketing or broadcasting purposes. Another distinction should be made between a remix and a cover. A remix song recombines audio pieces from a recording to create an altered version of the song. A cover is a recording of a song that was previously recorded by someone else."
If you find yourself a bit confused or find yourself thinking a remix and a edit are closely similiar it's because it is!  Girl Talk is a combination of a remix of countless songs and tracks, but it also an edit because it involves shortening of track/songs/beats....  Even the representative in the copyright office was stumped!  It of course leads us to the issue of "fair use" from the U.S. copyright office.  As it applies to copyright and ownership of content
 The distinction between fair use and infringement may be unclear and not easily defined. There is no specific number of words, lines, or notes that may safely be taken without permission.   It basically was created to protect and give control to large corporations.  Acknowledging the source of the copyrighted material does not substitute for obtaining permission. band making music on a subway train with iPhones.  What an Amazing video!  I was in complete amazement to hear the music that was created from an ipod!  It's actually funny, but geniuos in the same breath.  I couldn't help but notice the band's tour dates!   


You could say the mighty Disney empire started the whole copyright issue because they were fearful others would benefit financially from their success.  In actuality Disney borrowed information, content, and based characters off of other successful companies.  Why were they not affected by these copyright laws? 

I had the opportunity to watch Atomic Tom

Creativity, Influence, Ownership and Art in the Digital Age

I really enjoyed the documentary film Girl Talk!  I think he has such a genius mind to be able to blend and create these music remixes!  Wow!  I mean incredible! 

I realized it is great when you can make connections between the things you are studying and the things you are learning or have learned.  In my Foundations class we recently studied Baudelaire and read his opinion of photography.  One can easily associate that with how many people view Digital Media.  Although in the beginning Digital Media was just seen as a mechanical/scientific thing very much like photography in its early days.  But like any medium once a visionary or an artist grabs hold of it a new art form is born!  It is comical that evena  representative in the copyright office is unclear whether or not if these remixes are in actually infridgement on copyright laws!  Even a student here at art we often times look to past creations as "inspirations".  Could it be argued that we have crossed the line of any copyright laws? 

Framing

In DMA we were asked to view and read information about Framing and Media Studies Field Guide.  As we begin to move towards our study of the Montagnard or Dega people and our theme of global village revisited, we were allowed to find areas of interest to us and present them creatively and of course exhibited intelligence.  In one of the the linked websites I found George Lakoff's explanation of framing most helpful and enjoyable.  He says:

"Language always comes with what is called "framing." Every word is defined relative to a conceptual framework. If you have something like "revolt," that implies a population that is being ruled unfairly, or assumes it is being ruled unfairly, and that they are throwing off their rulers, which would be considered a good thing. That's a frame."

 The power of a word is amazing, it carries along with it implications and a story.  A word itself is a great marketing/advertising scheme! 

"Linguistic frames are involved in all language-use, but are not explicitly stated. Instead they get get established and communicated through implication and association, and as such they can be quite invisible and hence not even noticed by us."

http://sites.google.com/site/dma0910/george-lakoff

When we begin to disect a word, is when we can realize the power it holds.  One must chose their words carefully and almost strategically!  I'm hoping as I am creating my Montagnard project that my words convey the message I hope to share with the world!

Video Remix (traditional vs. contemporary theme)

In our Digital Media Class I was introduced to a fascinating documentary called "Girl Talk".  We were asked as a class to create a "Video Remix" The theme is to blend traditional vs. contemporary, other than that we were free to create anything we wanted. I felt like this would be a great opportunity to expose my Puerto Rican culture, Music and customs to the class and my readers/viewers! 

I wanted to incorporate Bomba y Plena, and Salsa  as my traditional Puerto Rican mucis/dance.  It's style reflects the African heritage of Puerto Rico.  Although Bomba and Plena are grouped together they are different.  Bomba predates Plena.  The music comes from enslaved Africans brought to Puerto Rico during the 17th century.  Some say bomba music was an expression of both political and spiritual feelings. The lyrics spoke about their condition, and the songs inspired rebellions and uprisings. The sounds also encouraged movement.  Plena derived from bomba music in the 20th century. It's lyrics are narrative, they tell a story. I felt I had to incorporate both Bomba y Plena into my piece! 

How could I leave out Salsa music too?  I love listening to my classic salsa music.  Whenever i hear Salsa I imagine myself drinving the roads in Puerto Rico.  Almost a dying musical art form, it's significance is equally important and historical impact to its parents bomba y plena.   

In the present years hip-hop and reggae have also had an important influence on the music and culture of Puerto Ricans!  I hope you enjot my blend! 

 

Montagnard Dega Project

I would say I am interested in so much when it comes to the Montagnard Dega people.  I'm curious about their culture, their history, their food, their music and dance, but I would say I feel passionate about the women of the Montagnard Dega.  I actually stumbled upon articles of the forced sterilization of the women by the Vietnamese and it remained of age old stories of forced ethnic cleansing too familiar to many of the people of the world, including Puerto Ricans.  As a teenager I decided to undertake the study of the history of Puerto Rico and it's inhabitants by the United States.  You could say I stored the information in the back of my mind only to be resurfaced by learning of recent genocides of the Montagnard.  Somewhere deep inside I feel this is where my efforts need to be.

In order to be successful I feel that I need to know personal and historical accounts of the Vietnamese  include a statement about what you think you still need or want to learn in order for your project to be successful, and 

  

I can't identify one person I would like to reach out to in the Montagnard community but rather I feel I need to reach out to at minimum 3 people.  One being a Woman whom may have been personally affected by the sterilization, or one whom was present during the government's efforts towards the "ethnic cleansing".  My second subject would be an elder man, who was either personally affected but the governments actions.  And lastly I would love to speak to a member of the Dega youth who grew up in the US and has heard personal accounts of their families or friends accounts of life in the Highlands.

Who Is Ms Mani?

Felicia Mani is my name.   Who am I?  Now that is a little more complex.  No one ever knows what I am.  I love that you can't exactly figure it out by looking at me.  people ask me all the time "What are you?"  I usually exclaim "I am human!"  I am diverse, I can blend into so many cultures.  I actually had the opportunity to work on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean.  Apparently Americans are not well like throughout the world and having the ability to blend and not look "American" worked to my advantage! 

I am actually Puerto Rican and Thai.  My mother was born in Puerto Rico, my grandfather from my father's side was from Thailand, formerly known as Siam.  He was a merchant marine and came into this country through the Philippines.  Little is known about that side he died before I was born and my father never played an active role in my life.  I was left with art, books, documents, a stamp collection and many questions.  I guess you can say I most identify with the Puerto Rican side.  
 
I was born in the Bronx, New York and lived there most of my life.  From my mother I have 1 brother and 1 sister, on my father's side I have 2 brothers and a little sister.  My family is my strength, I love them.  My family is not how Americans would classify "family", my family consists of my grandmother, my mother, brother, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces.  We are supportive to one another and life and survival would not be possible with out them.

I always keep New York and my family in my heart.  It goes with me on my journey.  I'm a free spirit, I love to travel and am willing to take chances in life, including moving to Winston-Salem, NC at 34 years old to finish my degree.  Puerto Rico is a common-wealth of the United States, but I would still consider my grand parents coming here as migration.  My grandmother (my mother's side) has a 3rd grade education and my grandfather had a 5th grade education.  My grandfather was the first to come here, because he was light skin he was able to get a job in fancy hotel in Manhattan.  Little by little he sent for his wife and children, even if they came at different times.  They lived in tenement slums, and were eventually moved into the projects in Chinatown located in the lower east side of Manhattan. 

My mother works for the NYC Board of Education.  My perspective of the main problems to watch out for teenagers might differ from others, because I'm older and am looking at it a aunt, and a god mother.   I love that the United States is a melting pot of people of the world but my fear is that we will lose those cultural things that make us who we we are.  I look at the youth today and I wonder if those things i hold dear will disappear, like the history of my people, the music, customs and of course our traditional foods.  I've never grown my own food, although it is normal for my family in Puerto Rico.  I would love to one day to have a garden to grow my cilantro and recao, among other herbs and vegetables.

You could say I have always been drawn to art in some form.  I wasn't able to recognize my love for it until later in life.  The advice I would give teenagers who newly arrived to the United States is to never lose sight of who you are.  Your culture, your family, your experiences will help to form the unique person you are.  I would like to share one of my favorite quotes:

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.  

                                                                                                         -Marcus Garvey

 I once worked on a cruise ship as a Hairstylist and was given the opportunity to see England, France, Spain, Tunis, Greece and the Greek Isles, Turkey, and Italy.  It was amazing!  I look forward to traveling once more!    I can't say I learned one thing from my experience but you realize how similar we as humans are.  I was fortunate to grow up in NY and attend high school in a extremely diverse community, so being exposed to other cultures have never been a culture shock to me! It's quite the opposite, when I go to other places I am amazed ho segrated people are from one another.  I prefer to be in culturally diverse community, when I 'm not I feel uncomfortable and a bit isolated.