Cassy's Perspective

Middle Class American

I’m the embodiment of middle class America

“I got mine at vision works”.

The person depict in the image on page 440 does appear to be a middle class American from his dress he appears to have a regular office oriented 9 to 5 that probably is informal from the necklace that he wears and the headgear. 

From his caption that he embodies middle class America upon looking at him that is what one sees.  He’s clean shave has a crisp white shirt over what appears to be a suit jacket and seems serious about the work he is to perform. 

Vision works has chosen him to do a commercial and I feel that he was a good choice from the manner in which he looks.  His eye-wear forces one to look at his eyes and I feel that they were a good choice for him.  They showcase his features in a good light the oval shape is very appealing on him.  He does force one to put more effort into choosing eye wear as to choose something that highlights one’s features.

The caption on page 441

I used to be a gang member

I’m a formal gang-member that has become a teacher

Bandannas not just for gang-members

After observing the I used to be a gang member caption I see what are gang member attributes in this gentleman.  Tattoos, bandanna on his head and his overall stance, gives the impression that he is a gang member.

After reading that he has now become a teacher I say wow people can reform and that was probably a good choice for him as he can detour some young adult from going down the same path.  He can share with them insight that they would have not gotten otherwise had he not lived the tale.  I think that was probably a excellent choice for him on his career path one where he can make the most impact.

Having a bandanna company come in and offer to pay him for a commercial is phenomenal he show cases how bandannas can be used by not only gang members but by others in their off time.  They have a multi-purpose and cross all social economic lines.

The image on page 442

I survived poverty

I had nothing but threw hard work, I turned it around.

Give to the united way so people like Carlton Davis can have a second chance.

After reading I survived poverty, this gentleman’s picture to me can be viewed as someone who has come threw poverty.  His clothing doesn’t appear to be very expensive and he appears to be low key.

Upon reading how he turned it around I’m impressed with his due diligence and not giving up and knowing that there is always a better day and better times ahead. For the United Way to have chosen him as their spokes person is commendable as he impitizies an American coming threw on the other side of poverty.  He shows his perseverance and committment to being and wanting a better life.

Page 443

This is what hope looks like

America gave me a second chance

Hallmark has decided to use him along with several other father’s for their up coming Father’s day commercials.

After reading the caption what hope looks like, I can see hope beaming from this gentleman, he appears as easy and at peace.

After reading America gave me a second chance, I want to know more of his story because from that statement I gather that this gentleman has been threw some things which were probably difficult but he overcame them and came out on the other side.

I think it’s phenomenal that Hallmark has decided to use him as one of their spokes people, this was a campaign of which one had to be nominated and a two page essay had to be provided as to why you want to recommend this candidate.  From this I gather he must be a pretty good father, despite any other challenges he may have encountered in his life and that is commendable.

These are the eyes of sadness

I’m bruised but not broken

I’m Christianity

After reading the caption the eyes of sadness, I see sadness in those eyes and wonder what story they have to tell.  What troubles they have withstood and what pain has had to be washed from them.

After viewing the caption bruised but not broken, I’m further intrigued by what bruises he may have suffered and at the hands of whom.  Family, friends, relatives etc..  Obviously from his quote it has been a difficult journey but he has managed to survive all of the turbulence.

The Southern Christian leadership group is putting together a few commercials and has chosen this Carlton Davis as one of the spokes people.  The board was so moved by his story and all that he has been threw that they unanimously choose him.  Wait until we see these commercials one could not help but be moved to be and do the best that they can.

My ethnicity is made of the following:

My environment where I grew up, it was a small city, where everyone knew everyone; it was quaint, and safe.

My values come from a strong believe in God and my religion. The manner in which I was reared.  There was a strong sense of work instill in me, from what I experienced growing up.  Mom and dad always had a strong work ethic. 

My life experiences having been around several different cultures throughout my life.

My family has been such a strong influence on my being, from our holiday traditions to how we keep in touch. 

All of the above traits have contributed to my being they have influenced the way I behave in my daily life.  From how I treat people I’m always trying to treat people the way I want to be treated.  My drive to be the best in all I can do, steams from seeing how hard my parents worked throughout the years.  It makes me strive to be the best and do my best at all times. My culture that taught me that I could have whatever I desired as long as I was willing to work hard. My life experiences being around different cultures helped me to realize there are different ways of doing things.  Sometimes they are for the better and sometimes not, but it’s good to know there are many paths that will get you down the road you wish to travel.  Perhaps finding one that’s better or one that runs a little smoother.  Having the holidays spent with my family where we gather for Thanksgiving and Christmas to enjoy a good meal and exchange presents. 

The first image has a couple of small groups scattered about.  Some are ordering at a concession stand, some seem to have found an interest in just having a casual conversation. The ones ordering seem to have found a taste for the items on this particular concession stands menu.  They all appear to be dressed casually as if they are at an informal event.

The second image is of two groups of  students on campus.  The two guys appear as if they maybe going back to the dorm.  While the other group appears to have books and maybe coming from or going to a class.  They all seem to possibly be chatting about common interest.

The third image is of gentleman that appear to possibly be going to work.  The photo was taken early in the day one gentleman appears to have purchased a cup of joe.  The others are waiting for the light while one talks on the phone and the other appears to be checking out the surroundings.

The fourth image is of the game on yesterday with Dallas and Carolina.  This photo shows one fan as he works with his cell phone.  The teams seem to be gather on the field to perhaps go over their plays.

The fifth image is of a group of gentleman hanging out in the park. One gentleman appears to be on the phone, the others just appear to be observing their surroundings.  They are all dressed casually some of them could possibly be homeless from their appearance.

The sixth image is of what appears to be a family, possibly tourist.  The gentleman appears to be the dad and is holding what looks like a camera.  The mother seems to be partaking in conversation with her child.  They are dressed casually as if they are sight seeing.

The seventh image is of the Marta station, people are hustling around trying to get to their destination.  Most of them appear to be in a rush to get some place. There is what seems to be a family off to the side in what may be an attempt to get a game plan in order as to how they will proceed with their day.

The eighth image is another view of the game, there is a massive array of people in attendance.  They come from all walks of life but all gather to support their favorite team.  There are tons of hats, sunglasses, team jerseys and tees display. A great time to be had by everyone.

The ninth image is of a group of people going threw security to enter the court house.  They are preparing their bags to go threw security.  There is a woman to the right that appears to have a clip board and is possibly there to give directions to anyone in need.

The tenth image is of a group of people waiting to cross the street.  The women seem to know each other and or participating in casual conversation. The guys seem to be acquaintances also as they are holding a conversation.  Everyone is dressed casually as if they are out for a relaxing casual day.

The above photos capture me in my purest state, I’m quiet I learn a lot this way I observe more, I’m more attentive and observe body language a lot more than one who isn’t as quiet. I didn’t start out this way I use to get in trouble at school for talking to much, I have allowed my life experiences to bring me to this point.  I’m extremely shy have always been, it something I constantly struggle with I’m most   comfortable in a quiet space with minimum people.  It’s one of those traits I have to fight against every day. I’m especially detailed orient I establish goals for myself and proceed everyday in the direction that will get me closer to obtaining them.  I find that if you write them down and constantly view them it places you on a path to obtaining them.  I’m very loving, I only have a few close friends that I adore and cherish along with my family.  These are people that I would go out of my way for at any time.  I try to be forgiving I’m moving in that direction it’s not always easy, that’s why I struggle, one of those things I have to make a constant effort to do. Lastly I’m memorable once you get to know me you want forget me.  I’m unique in my uniqueness.

Upon viewing the images of Mr. Mapplethorpe I find several differences starting with the cigarette protruding from his lips in the first photo and no signs of it in the second. His hair is styled in a masculine manner in the first photo and very feminine in the second.  His eyebrows are shaped differently from the first photo to the second.  He appears to be wearing make-up in the second photo it appears that he has chosen to wear full facial makeup from eyeliner, mascara, blush, foundation and lipstick.  With the removal of the shirt and jacket this provides an even stronger visual to Mr. Mapplethorpe’s attempt at a feminine appearance; the shirt and jacket are very masculine and with the simple removal of them along with the above mentioned enhancements Mr. Mapplethorpe has made a commendable attempt to appear feminine.

I invest time and effort into my appearance on a daily bases.  I ensure I have styled my hair in a neat manner and have applied makeup.  I choose clothing depending on my mood that day since my work affords me the ability to dress down if I choose I choose to do so on most days.  By wearing jeans and t-shirts however there are those days when I want to dress up or I may have a meeting  which forces me do so.  I can go either way dress up or down but which ever way I choose I always make sure my basic grooming requirements are always met

This photo is from 1987 a lot has changed with me personally since the taken of this photo and society in general.  Starting with society, computers are now main stream and they weren’t then the things that we did growing up are embedded in memories and not posted on face-book and twitter in a lot of ways I’m grateful for that.  That was a time one could make a mistake and it wouldn’t haunt you indefinitely except in your mind when we choose to reflect upon it.  This was the time when you could deposit .10 in a pay phone and make a call and we did quite often, now I can’t remember seeing a pay phone never the less using one.  They may still exist but quite honestly I haven’t noticed, has anyone?  Answering machines were still main stream now voicemail is the thing. This particular hairstyle I choose to display was popular then now unless I see someone lost in the 80’s this style is nonexistent.  Penny loafers were mainstream when have you seen a penny-loafer?  I miss the Flintstones what happen to Fred, Barney, Betty and Wilma?  I watched schoolhouse rock on Saturday mornings learning what the function of a conjunction was; it was entertaining and educational. 

   Personally I have grown tremendously over the years going from a very naive teenager to a well rounded adult.  I still often reminisce on past dreams such as becoming an attorney.  I still believe I would have been a great attorney, but never pursued the road to attorney land it just always remanded elusive.  I ended in a field of sales and it’s been a great ride , the road I choose didn’t end where my initial dreams thought that it would but where ultimately I should be. I still view the world threw the eyes of a teenager with all the endless possibilities and knowing that all I desire and want is mine for the taking if I just work hard and believe.

I chose this photograph because I feel it truly captures me.  I feel as though I have a great smile and a bubbly personality and this photograph captures the essence of me. It shows me in the best version of myself, happy, peaceful and joyful.  I remember the day I set out to take this photograph it was a chilli winter day.  I think the photographer capture the photo at the optimal moment.  The pose doesn’t seem forced or staged it capture me at my best, warm, happy excited about life and it’s possibilities. This photograph represents my outlook on life and all its potential, I feel that life has to offer all that you desire if you have a positive attitude and or willing to work hard and push threw the challenges as there is always a better day if you stay in the fight.

I believe we all use photos as a means of remembering when.  I believe there is a part of us that is so afraid of forgetting really special,precious memories and photos recapture them.  After reviewing the images on pages 236-239, I’m more incline to believe this, we forget the real reason for taking the trips we take; to have the experience of seeing or doing something we always wanted to, and get lost in trying to have evidence that we did. Perhaps there is a part of us that believes others want believe us unless we can provide proof.  Regarding the gentleman holding the camcorder it seems as if he’s lost for what he truly wants to focus on.  He probably started out looking threw the telescope and then transition to the camcorder to capture something he thought was memorable then something caught his eye outside of that.  Perhaps there were so many intriguing images that he couldn’t decide on which he wanted to focus.

The image of the photo being taken at Acropolis seems to be of tourist trying to capture evidence of their trip perhaps to share with friends and relatives upon the return home.

The image of what appears to be a grandmother taking a photo of her granddaughter at the beach is a bit intriguing to me.  Is the photo a means to remember when they were at the beach and saw the rainbow, or was the taking of the photo with the rainbow not even a thought.  Perhaps the girl said grandma take my picture not even realizing there was a rainbow. 

Finally the photo of what appears to be tourist taking photos of poses holding up the leaning tower of Pisa is fascinating that so many people feel compel to capture this pose as their own. 

The computer has a significant culture reference for me because it has completely changed the way in which I do things.  From how I pay bills to the manner in which I shop.  I no longer have to mail or write checks I could actually live without a check book which 10 to 12 years ago this seemed so far fetched.  I no longer have to drive to a department store it now literally comes to me.  It has caused once viable companies to go under as it makes information that required me to take a trip is right at my fingertips it has brought most things that I want and need to my fingertips. I can make phone calls, I can do my grocery shopping and I can have it delivered with a few keystrokes.