Category Archives: Project #2

Monuments

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Donald Nian

Professor Jody R. Rosen

ENG

Oct 2nd 2017

 

Draft

In New York City, there are many monuments that are important and each monument has a meaning. Each monument are important because it was part of our history and it teaches us a lesson in order not to repeat it again. Lessons are great in life because it protects us and it makes us understand better. Obviously in New York are filled with international people and sometimes, people doesn’t want monuments here because it’s either they don’t like it or it reminds them. Monuments should make us proud because it’s not going to repeat in the present and history did this for us.

The Korean war veteran plaza is an example of a monument that should make people proud especially Koreans and Americans. The Korean war was kind of ridiculous because North Korea wanted to have only one Korea but they initiated the war. However, this war is important because many people in the army participated this war and fought for our country. A lot of soldiers were missing, dead, and injured. Another reason why it’s so important to remember this monument because soldiers that fought for us that has families and they lost their lives. At the plaza, majority of the people are tourists and they seem to not understand what the monument means. People usually takes pictures with the statue and some people would read it.

Another fact is that some monuments are not popular as others. There are mainly two reasons why it isn’t popular or seen oftenly because one reason is where the monument is placed or another reason can be like people just doesn’t care about it. Fighting in war is very tough decision for the person because it’s either you’re dead or you’re alive.

It is pretty upsetting to see how people go to some monuments to take pictures, have a picnic, or just chilling there. If we all think carefully about history, we should realize or say “Oh is this what they’ve gone through? It must be tough for them.” Another reason that is not okay is when monuments are taken down for another thing or spacing. It is understandable to learn history in the textbooks however going to see a statue gives us a better experience.

Another criteria can be racism. An example can be Robert E. Lee and Stonewall jackson was removed from the CUNY hall of great americans because New York stands against racism. It says that Lee and Jackson were best known for leading a seditious war against the union. In the article, it says “There are many great Americans, many of them New Yorkers worthy of a spot in this great hall. These two confederates are not among them.” This explains that these two monuments are not suppose to be with the great hall due to racism. Another quote in the article was, Busts of Lee and Jackson — best known for leading a seditious war against the Union — are featured in the hall alongside prominent black Americans such as inventor George Washington Carver and baseball great Jackie Robinson. Lee was inducted in 1900 and Jackson in 1955.” This explains Lee’s and Jackson’s history.

Some monuments should be removed and everyone should at least care about monuments. It is great that monuments are installed in New York city because there are a lot of people in the city and it’s usually busy. We should always remember what the monument means and its history.

Cites:

  1. Jaeger, Max. “Cuomo orders Confederate busts removed from CUNY ‘Hall of Fame’.” New York Post, New York Post, 16 Aug. 2017, nypost.com/2017/08/16/cuomo-orders-confederate-busts-be-removed-from-cuny-hall-of-fame/.

 

Summary of “City Limits”

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In the article “City Limits” by Colson Whitehead It was mostly about his experiences in New York city and how it operates. He gives attention as to why New York is known as the city that never sleeps. He gives his first impressions on his encounters in New York city which I believe is the point of the Article. In the article he states that New York never remains the same it is constantly changing. He then continues on about the history behind NY it’s surroundings, buildings and people. This is the place of opportunities where you can make your dream a possibility.

Summary of The “Stroll”

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“A Literary Visitor Strolls in From the Airport” was about the psycho-geographical analysis of New York from the viewpoint of a visitor from London. The visitor is Will Self, a novelist, recovering drug addict, and a student of psycho-geology. Will Self is a weird character in that he walks for miles on end, usually more than a marathon length at a time, he uses this as a form of relaxation rather than using drugs. The article logs his walk from JFK airport, to 1 Centre street in Manhattan. Through his walk he talks about many different boroughs, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, and how the culture, people, and livelihoods of people living so close change from boarder to boarder.

City Limits Summary

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City Limits by Colson Whitehead was largely about what he thought it meant to be a New Yorker. He defined being a New Yorker as being someone who has seen things come and go, people, buildings, businesses. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, but from the moment you enter New York your own personal slice of New York’s creation has begun. Like a fresh slice of $1 pizza that you just keep adding Parmesan and oregano to. City Limits goes on to talk about how although New York is an ever changing city, it’s sad to see things come and go. Places people were born and raised, places you once lived, the lunch spot, the hang out, where you had your first kiss. The city is constantly changing, so fast that you won’t have the time to say goodbye.

Statue Of Limitations

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Joseph Corniel10/7/17

Project #2

 

 

 

If there was a monument to be placed somewhere, it should be a person who has made a difference in society and also continues to do so today by inspiring others with his or her past actions. There are four criteria’s which I have made that should be considered for use when placing a monument and those criteria’s are How do people portray this monument today? How important is this person to our history? How did this person use the position he or she was in to help others around them? Did this person have a positive impact on society? If so what did he or she do to make that positive impact possible?

There are many historic figures that we as a people memorialize today an example of one of those people is Henry Ward Beecher. He was a 19th-century minister, preacher, and social reformer who supported abolition and women’s suffrage. He was the brother of an author as well named Harriet Beecher Stowe. He is memorialized because he represented the most popular and lovable strain of American culture also, mainstream Christianity is so infused with the eloquence of Christ’s love that the majority of American’s cannot imagine anything else, and  have no memory of the revolution fought by Beecher and his noblemen. Beecher is also, memorialized in New York for being a Congregationalist preacher, who emphasized god’s love rather than his punishment. He also used his position as a social reformer and minister to urge churchgoers to buy freedom for enslaved individuals.

Now I selected these four points for my criteria because if there was to be a monument placed, it should be a person that has made a difference in society and also continues to do so today by inspiring others with his or her past actions. An example of Beecher inspiring others can be found in the new world encyclopedia website, where it says “During the American civil war, Beecher’s church had raised and equipped a volunteer infantry regiment. Early in the war Beecher also, pressed President Lincoln to emancipate slaves through a proclamation. The preacher later went on a speaking tour in England to undermine support for the south by explaining the North’s war aims. Near the end of the war, when the stars and stripes were again raised at fort Sumter in North Carolina, Beecher was the main speaker.” This shows how Beecher inspired others because he had his whole church congregation on his side ready to fight at all costs. Beecher also, got Abraham Lincoln on his side and because of this today we have what  we call the emancipation proclamation which reads “all persons held as slaves within any state or designated part of a state, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the united states, shall be then, thenceforward, and be forever free.” So as you can see Henry Ward Beecher was a very important person in our history and plays a major part in the abolition movement. Today you can find a monument of Henry Ward Beecher in Columbus Park in the civic center of downtown Brooklyn, this monument was created by John Quincy Adams ward, and was unveiled on June 24th, 1891. Beecher is seen as hero in today society and is memorialized because he was one of the men that was noble enough to stand up against all opposes even when others did not see his bigger picture.

 

Many people are memorialized for many different reasons some are remembered for their heroic acts throughout history others are remembered for their injustices to society for example a heroic monument in New York would be the statue of Gandhi at the south west corner of union Square Park. Another example is the Christopher Columbus statue on 59th street but as of lately it’s in the process of removal because of the controversy surrounding the sculpture. Citizens didn’t think that Christopher Columbus was such a heroic figure due to the fact that he pillaged villages and killed innocent people for riches and on top of that had the guts to brag about it in his journal entries pretty psycho if you ask me. But what are the criteria behind the removal of a statue? What are the standards it’s held by to make it a statue in the first place? Well as I found through researching there is no criteria for them when being taken down what people are doing is basically applying modern standards to past behavior and that’ll lead to a distorted understanding of history. Plus, history itself rarely provides an easy to digest narrative. Most heroes often have a little villainy in their past.

Suggestive Guidelines

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Monuments have been created and put up to show the importance of an event, a person, or group of people. They provide a foundation for the social upbringing of today’s society. They’re set in place for remembrance of what our society was like years prior. Sometimes they go unnoticed because there are many ways of defining a monument. The most popular forms are plaques or statues. Due to recent controversy about particular Confederate monuments and whether they should stay or be taken down in Charlottesville, North Carolina, Mayor De Blasio is being asked to conduct a thorough examination of the monuments in New York City. He has plans to come up with a criteria for evaluating monuments based on a set of questions that the Mayor’s office could use to represent the progress of American history. In my view, guidelines for the criteria could potentially include location, who/what the monument represents, what impact it has, and why it is significant to today’s society.

A monument has a big impact on the people around it and its location. An example of a monument with an appropriate location would be the Frederick Douglass monument that was recently placed in Harlem. The monument is  significant to Harlem’s African American society because Fredrick Douglass largely impacted the black community with his heroic actions as an abolitionist. The monument shows how important he is to African American history and reminds us of the great things he accomplished at great risks. However, if we were to place this monument in another area or community, there might be a debate on its social impact in the community. Based on this we must create a criteria to evaluate a monument that includes its location and whether or not it is relevant to that neighborhood or population. Furthermore a monument’s location can impact the community, either positively or negatively. According to Archivolti, monuments can help a community economically. Most bring about jobs and more money around that area is due to the fact that many tourist may be interested in viewing a specific plaque or statue.

Moreover, when creating a monument many tend to think about who it’s for and what it should represent. Thus the criteria for evaluating a monument’s status  should break down whether this person contributed to American society. An example of that would be the Christopher Columbus monument located in Columbus Park in Brooklyn. Christopher Columbus, according to American textbooks, he discovered America.That information, as we know, isn’t historically accurate because Native Americans already owned and lived on the land.  According to Zahniser, Columbus Day is now being renamed “Indigenous People’s Day”.Critics may say “Why Columbus? He didn’t do anything important.”. When deciding on whether a monument is good in its community, one must ask if it has positive or negative connotation behind it. The most important thing is to keep a monument if it doesn’t bring about hate.

Similarly, a monument’s impact should show the “ link between the past, present and future” (Amemco.us). It should show American growth from a particular event or set of people. Monuments have the ability of bringing a community together or tearing them apart. Most are used for the grieving of those who have passed away. Examples of that would be the 9/11 waterfall for all those that died during the four coordinated terrorist attacks, the Prison Ship Martyrs monument put in place for remembrance of the prison and soldiers who died during the Revolutionary War, and even the African Burial Ground National Monument that was put in place in [dedication] to Africans of early New York and Americans of African descent. (National Park Service). The impact of a monument is very important because without significance, there is no real reason to keep a monument standing. It can be relocated to where it is best suited.

This brings me to my last criteria used to evaluate a monument which is how it affects society today. For example, some critics have said that monuments bring about gentrification. Gentrification is “the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents” (Merriam-Webster). Gentrification occurs because many neighborhoods try to renovate for the attraction of that monument or relating to the removal of it. Gentrification also relates to the maintenance of monuments because with the desire to improve them may be to keep up with the neighborhood. These changes make our mayor question whether they help the economy or not. Along with that is the question of who pays for these improvements or removals. Rumor has it that they are paid for by taxpayers.

In conclusion, the protest of the removal of a statue of confederate icon General Robert E. Lee saw great tragedy, being described as one of the largest white supremacist events in recent  American history. Mayor De Blasio is being asked to conduct a thorough examination of the monuments in New York City. Criteria for these examinations could potentially include location, who/what the monument represents, what impact it has, and why it is significant to today’s society.  

 

Work Cited

  1. Archivolti, Raffaele. “Why Preserve and Restore? Importance of Saving Historical Monuments.” Linkedin, Raffaele Archivolti, 11 Nov. 2014, www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141111100252-151087658-why-preserve-and-restore-importance-of-saving-historical-monuments.
  2. Amemco. “Important Monument Information.” Important Monument Information, www.amemco.us/monument_info.htm.
  3. “Gentrification.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2017.
  4. NPS. “History & Culture.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 10 May 2016, www.nps.gov/afbg/learn/historyculture/index.htm.  
  5. Zahniser, David. “L.A. City Council Replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day on City Calendar.” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2017. Web. 10 Oct. 2017.

 

The Truth Behind These Monuments.

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A monument is a statue, building, or structure dedicated to someone important in history. It can also symbolize someone’s success and historical background. However, over the years, monuments have become less relevant to the public, but it struck societies interest when New Yorker’s wanted the statue of Christopher Columbus removed. Therefore, after researching, I have come to conclude that certain monuments should be removed. Should we as the people, glorify those whom oppressed and hated a group of selected individuals based on race, or ethnicity?
Currently, all monuments across state/city wide are being reviewed.
Some monuments are reminders of the untold truth of what happened in history. Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced a 90-day review on public monuments; this may be good for the society because it gives us a chance to reevaluate the good and bad side of the statues history. Therefore, before removing any monuments, or historical statues, a review must be conducted by the Commission.
Although, Mayor Bill de Blasio wants a 90-day review of all the New York City monuments, there are also people that believe this review will cause division amongst the people of New York City. For example, Nicole Malliotakis stated “She believes the mayor issued a press release on a 90-day review to help himself politically, yet he really didn’t think it through; now he has created massive division between the people of the city.” she wanted him to release the monuments before the election. Thus, Nicole feels as mayor he should have issued a review before the election, but by doing so now he potentially put all monuments at risk or danger of being removed or knocked down.
In this case, using my criteria for the 90-day review issued by Mayor Bill de Blasio, he and the commission would be able to identify which monument within all boroughs of the city are displaying violent, or hate crime towards people of all ethnicity groups. One of my criteria from my list is, what was the foundation that lead to that person’s historical empowerment? This is one of the questions that should be asked when conducting the review. now was this historical figure empowered because of slavery, bad conduct, or good-hearted actions and good deeds to our nation. A full background check should be done when doing these kinds of reviews. All truth about this monument should be displayed to the commission. Historical public figures should be held responsible for any wrong doings in the past because some of us use them as inspiration, and ideals; therefore, if I was the government I wouldn’t miss lead our good people in thinking otherwise.
Another criteria is, are tax payers money going into the maintenance of the monuments? During the past month it was confirmed that tax dollars were used to maintain the vandalized monuments. One article stated that $5,000 was used to cover up monuments and install no trespassing signs. This is illegal because the legislation states, “no federal funds may be used for the creation, maintenance, or display, as applicable, of any Confederate symbol on federal property.” However, all the monuments will have to be removed out of every state if the land is not private. This mean that the maintenance of these monuments are illegal and tax payers should not be paying to upheld monuments of people that oppressed any minority.
This leads to the following question does the monuments lead to any economic benefits of the environment? Yes, monuments help the environment economically and help establish it as a commercial area. It creates jobs, but most importantly tourism. With tourism it creates lodging, restaurants, and transport which helps flourish an area. For example, in for years a location can make up to 7.1 billion dollars with just visitors.
Even though, a monument can economically benefit a location, it still should not be worshiped. A monument of a person that invaded and killed other people is wrong. Why should someone be in support of a monument of a person that helped build the foundation of slavery. Why would anyone want to know that their taxes are being used to maintain a monument when there are more important things money to be used for? Why waste it to maintain a monument? Therefore, I believe that Bill Di Blasio should use my criteria to look into the removal of the monuments and see if he to can relate to New Yorkers.

 

Cesario , Anthony. “Charlottesville Officials Forced To Waste Taxpayer Money As Vandals Won’t Give Up.” Charlottesville Officials Forced To Waste Taxpayer Money As Vandals Won’t Give Up, Conservative Daily Post, 22 Sept. 2017, conservativedailypost.com/charlottesville-officials-forced-waste-taxpayer-money-vandals-wont-give/.

Neuman, William. “Ordering Review of Statues Puts De Blasio in Tricky Spot.” Ordering Review of Statues Puts De Blasio in Tricky Spot, The New York Times, 30 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/nyregion/ordering-review-of-statues-puts-de-blasio-in-tricky-spot.html.

Repanshek , Kurt. “National Parks Traveler.” Is There Economic Value to National Monument in Your Backyard?, Nationalparkstraveler.org, 17 Mar. 2010, www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2010/03/there-economic-value-national-monument-your-backyard5531.

Criteria Mayor Bill De Blasio should consider

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Monuments are placed and seen all over the world. The main concept of a monument is to give recognition to individuals, groups of people, or things. Monuments are also placed to bring awareness to a topic or issue. However, many people have their own interpretation of the representation of a monument. Due to these varying perspectives, many people are left discontent. In order to minimize controversy, I believe it’s best if the mayor takes certain things into consideration; such as the amount of damage these statues, plaques and figures are causing. After analyzing various articles, my criteria on monuments that are causing racial tension by showing one sided history, drawing unnecessary attention around academics institute, or constantly being vandalized, should be removed.
When a monument is causing racial tensions, most times it’s because the people feel that it’s sending a hurtful message to the public. Other times people can also feel as though some truth within their history is being hidden and not respected. People tend to believe that when monuments such as “Robert E Lee” are requested for removal, it’s an attempt to erase their history. However, I recognized a good point from Mayor Landrieu, in the “we can’t walk away from the truth” article when he states “ why there are no slave ship monument, no prominent markers on the public land to remember the lynchings or the slave blocks ; nothing to remember this long chapter of our lives ; the pain, the sacrifice the shame-”. My interpretation of Mayor Landrieu’s point is that their are so many people focused on “preserving and remembering history” when in reality their only showing the world what they want to be seen, in other word rebranding or rewriting the past, rather than bringing forth the whole truth. Another good example is the “great italian explorer”; Christopher columbus might have sailed across the atlantic and discovered new lands, but what else did he do? Why isn’t every aspect of his life being shown to the world since history is so important? This ideology serve as a good enough reason as to why a monument should be removed; if its causing racial tensions; by being oblivious to the whole truth and not displaying the past wholly.
There are many monuments all over the world. Monuments tend to draw a lot of attention for many different reasons, whether its admiration, or in disgust. If a monument is always being crowded around, especially around a academic institute or business I believe it’s unethical and should be relocated, or maybe even removed. For example, the Stephen Foster monuments that’s located in Pittsburgh is placed right outside of the University of Pittsburgh. Many people found the statue as disturbing due to the fact that an African American male was placed by the feet of a Caucasian male and had over 50,000 petition request for its removal. Despite the fact that those were norms back then, I believe that due to the area that the figure is placed, and the amount of attention it’s receiving, that specific location wouldn’t be a good place for the monument. In addition, the statute might be disturbing to folks as they travel back and forth. The monuments seems to degrade African Americans in a way and might create controversy among the school environment.
Monuments are currently being vandalized all over the world. Many times, the vandals are fully aware that they could be incriminated by their actions, however, they’d rather give up their freedom than accept disrespect in their own communities. As mentioned before, the vandals, and other people might be offended by the message and meanings they receive from these figures. Whether or not that was the intended message, acts of violence will always be considered during such disagreements. Mayor Landrieu even stated “we will continue to pay a price with discord, with division and yes with violence”.. That in which serve as a good enough reason as to why a figure should be removed; to reduce controversy.
There are tons of monuments, statues, or figures all over the world. Some might say the removal of these figures will erase a part of our history, but some can also argue that these monuments are being bias and not portraying our history as a whole in any sense. Even though their may be a great deal of monuments around the world, too many to be removed or relocated, I think the mayor should take these reasons into consideration. A decision needs to made on whether or not these controversial confederate monuments, should be destroyed or relocated. Its understandable that everyone has their own opinions, however no opinion is worth subjecting people to statues that can cause them pain and discomfort. People are so upset that they’re at a point where they are willing to give up their freedom to have it removed. I understand that as the mayor you have to listen to all of the people. The removal of these statues is the best decision. It can put an end to the suffering of its victims while simultaneously putting an end to the hate that they help to promote.

Monuments in New York City

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Edwin Contreras

Profes. Rosen

English 1101

October 10, 2017

 

      In today’s society, I believe a list of criteria should be created in order to evaluate a monument, whether the monument should be removed or remain in its place. I believe the community needs to focus on the money invested into the monument. How much was spent, and how much money the monument is making. Similarly, we should also need to focus on the person/people/idea related to the monument. What history does it have behind it? What does it stand for? The location of the monument should also be evaluated. I believe monuments should have a criteria in order to evaluate and examine if the monuments should stay in the area it’s in or be removed from its location.

      New York City is having a tough time dealing with controversial monuments. I propose a criteria should be set, in order  to evaluate the monuments and see whether or not we should be removed or remain in its place. First thing to remember, what has this person done in history? Labeling the significance of the statue is an important step. What happens if we are talking about a controversial monument? For example, there is a statue of J. Marion Sims in central park, New York. DeNeen L. Brown wrote an article in The Washington Post explaining how the people demand the removal of the statute. J. Marion was known as the “father of gynecology.” Even though J. Marion was a great surgeon, the people didn’t like the idea of how he came to be. He experimented on enslaved women without anesthesia. Coming back to the idea on what has the person done in history, the people of New York City do not want to remember a man who practiced on enslaved black women. A monument is defined as “A lasting evidence, reminder, or example of someone or something notable or great.”  I don’t think the people in the neighborhood want to remember a man who was cruel to women. The residents of New York City don’t want a reminder of the treatment of black enslaved women, they believe the monument should be taken down.

       Secondly, a monument should be evaluated on the money that gets invested. Many monuments are funded by the government or by a private investor. A monument that can bring the support of both parties can be very beneficial. The 9/11 memorial is recognized for the lives lost on September11, 2001. The people that were trapped in the buildings and died, and we also recognize the men and women who risked their life trying the save the people in the buildings. David B. Caruso and David Porter calibrated in a article in nbcnew.com that states the monument cost about $700 million to build. In addition, the yearly cost to operate such monument will be $60 million. They state that the monument needs private security due to the fact that at one point it was subject to a terrorist attack. The security is also very expensive, $12 million a year. Investing this amount of money into a monument is outstanding. The 9/11 memorial is one of the top visited sites. In order to get in to see the monument, you would need to pay. The amount of tourists that visit the monument every year is outstanding, it is one of the most recognized site in New York City.   

             Evaluating a monument is never easy. Location is key in evaluating a monument. Is the person/event relevant to the region? Does it interfere with anyone? Understanding if the person is relevant to the region is not a difficult task. Doing some research on the person/event could also help us understand the true meaning of the monument. Christopher Columbus is a well known man all around the world. He is known for discovering the Caribbean islands and opening up America for European colonization. Due to the fact he is more relevant in the Caribbean’s island, we should set a monument there and there alone. Additionally, a monuments location should not interfere with anyone. Manhattan is high populated area, having a monument in the middle of the streets or even on the side of the road could affect the daily routines of people. Living in New York City, I understand how difficult  is to move around, especially with tourists. Tourists go around New York City looking for these monuments, trying to understand our rich history. These people stand in the way trying to take these photos, trying to get the perfect shot. Relocating these monuments, moving them to museums or even to less populated areas could help out the community.

      In Conclusion, in order to determine whether to remove the monument or leave the  monument in place, a set criteria should be created. A monument should be evaluated on its effect on the region. What has the individual done to stand out in history. In addition, the location of the monument could place a key role in its removal. Last but not least, money also provide a big role in its removal. Is the monument worth the investment? I believe in this set criteria, to evaluate monuments and determine if the monument should remain in its place or be removed.

 

citations:

Cover Letter for Project #2

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In class, we’ll reflect on Project #2 by writing a cover letter for the work you posted on our site.

In your cover letter, please reflect on your process and write about the following (in any order you wish):

  • What are you most proud of in Project #2?
  • What challenged you the most in Project #2?
  • Did you meet the requirements of the assignment?
  • If you had another few hours to work on your project, what would you change?
  • How much time did you spend overall on Project #2?
  • What did you take away from reading your classmates’ work, from their comments, and from class discussions?
  • If you could have changed the assignment, how would you have changed it? What would you insist on not changing?
  • How was your work method or product different than for Project #1 (not including the differences in the assignments themselves)?
  • Is there anything else I should know about your work or about you as a writer or as a student?

My comments to you will again come in the form of a letter in response to your cover letter, so it is helpful to me to read about how you work and what you think of your work.