TOW #17: Visual - Cartoon in Response to Charlie Hebdo Attack (by Joep Betrams)

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On January 7, 2015, Joep Betrams, a famous cartoonist, shared the cartoon, seen above, on Twitter in response to the terrorist attack on the satirical journal, Charlie Hebdo. As terrorists barged and forced their way into the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo in Pairs, cartoonists were killed and the world was outraged. Attacking due to the controversial political and religious cartoons released by the newspaper, Islamic terrorists attempted to silence the cartoonists and reporters of Charlie Hebdo by brute force. Yet, the response to the attack shows that the killing of writers did not silence them, but caused an outbreak in the freedom of press and the freedom of speech. The cartoon by Joep Betrams, one of many released, shows the spirit of journalism and the press and the ineffective attempt to silence the world.

The true fighting spirit of the press and journalism is seen by the cartoon. Despite the Islamic terrorist killing the man, who is wearing a shirt labeled Charlie Hebdo, the man is not dead. Though a head is missing from his body, the tongue continues to taunt the shocked terrorist. The connection between the blood dripping off the terrorist's sword and the headless body allows one to understand that this depiction coorelates with the killing of satirists, writers, and cartoonists of Charlie Hebdo. Even though the man is missing a head, the tongue is still active. This taunting tongue symbolizes the freedom of speech and press. Charlie Hebdo will not stop utilizing the freedoms of speech and press that it has. On a bigger scale, this cartoon represents the spirit of the press and journalism by showing that it is impossible to stop, silence, and prevent the world from being stripped of its freedoms. No matter what terrorists do, this cartoon shows that all attempts are futile and that journalists, the press, and the world will respond with the unstoppable, unbeatable power of words.

The tongue taunting the man not only depicts the fighting spirit of the press and journalism, but also sends a message to terrorists and potential attackers of Charlie Hebdo and any other news source. In the picture, the terrorist shows an expression of shock and disbelief that the man, who lacks a head, is still able to use his tongue. Though attackers attempt to strike fear into the hearts of the people to stop further unwanted action, this cartoon shows the unifying effect that the killing caused. Charlie Hebdo is being supported by cartoonists, like Joep Betrams, and many other people around the world. This cartoon shows that even though the terrorists may believe that they were successful for killing men and women, they were unsuccessful and the attack was ineffective for instead of silencing the world, they only stirred up more conversations about the importance of freedom.

The cartoon, made by Joep Betrams in response to the terrorist attack, shows the true, fighting spirit of the press and journalism and relays a message to terrorists that their attack was unsuccessful. The attack on Charlie Hebdo reflects the power words hold. In a time of chaos, murders, and destruction, guns are not the only weapons people can use. Words have the capability of implementing harm and damage. It is the job of the people to protect the rights to the freedom of the expression, freedom of speech, and the freedom of the press. A silent world that has been struck with fear will not grow. A world bustling with ideas and uninhibited speech is crucial to developing a better world. The cartoon provides courage to the people and relays a message of perseverance and resistance that the people will not fall to fear, but will, all the more, speak.

TOW #16: IRB - "The Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli

As The Prince was a manual on how a principality should rule, not only is it an outline, but every point made by Machiavelli is its own argument. The way Machiavelli speaks about his version of an ideal government is simplistic and straight-forward. Machiavelli uses comparisons and references to previous governments and rulers in history to provide concrete evidence for his arguments in order to convince his audience. With Machiavelli's manual of how tow to manage and become a strong state, his recipe for gaining and maintaining sovereign power has been revolutionary. His stance on the issues of politics and morality continue have questioned people for centuries, even until today.

Through his detailed writing, Machiavelli shows, by physical length and description, that there are many aspects of a government that must be run properly in order to be and remain successful; by using comparisons, Machiavelli provides evidence to support his claims. An example of Machiavelli's use of comparisons is seen when comparing auxiliaries, which he claims are "the other useless kind of troops" (83) to a mercenary army. Machiavelli state that "auxiliaries are fatal; they constitute a united army, wholly obedient to the orders of someone else; but mercenaries, having conquered, need more time and opportunity to harm you...wise princes, therefore, have always shunned auxiliaries and made use of their own forces" (84), showing two major points of Machiavelli's arguments seen in many chapters: a prince must be the leader of the military and that arms must be used. In this comparison, Machiavelli states that auxilaries are fatal due to the lack of connection between the soldiers and the prince, while mercenaries, which were conquered by the prince, are the better option. This comparison that Machiavelli uses shows not only the best option for weaponry, but also ruling. The comparisons provide evidence to further support his claims, helping him convince his audience: Medici.

Throughout the entire book, Machiavelli shows his knowledge for politics through the studies of previous rulers and governments. Displaying this knowledge in his writing, Machiavelli uses references to previous principalities and states as concrete, historical evidence to show the qualities that lead to the downfall of such governments, and how to avoid the same fate. An example of Machiavelli's usage of history is seen when he famously discusses cruelty and compassion in Chapter XVII. Stating that "Cesare Borgia was accounted cruel; nevertheless, this cruelty of his reformed the Romagna, brought it unity and restored order and obedience" (95). This example of the Duke of Valentinois expands upon Machiavelli's point that cruelty and fear is, at times, needed to provide the best for the state and the people. Using concrete examples, especially ones of history, help Machiavelli in his arguments of how to avoid the deathly downfall that other principalities have reached.

Machiavelli, in his famous book, The Prince, uses comparisons and references to previous rulers and governments in order to provide concrete evidence for his arguments; thus, his arguments are more persuasive. The effective argumentation that Machiavelli uses, along with his straight-forward claims and descriptive content, has made a lasting impression on the world. Many rulers have followed Machiavelli's points in order to create the best state possible. Though some of his ideas are morally and politically questionable, Machiavelli makes readers question, even until today, to what extent a ruler must go so that his state may thrive.

TOW #15: Visual - Evolution by Dove

The depiction of beauty is becoming distorted due to false presentations of the version of a beautiful woman. An advertising campaign was released by Unilever in 2006, for the Dove Self-Esteem Project, called Evolution. In a little over a minute, the commercial illustrates how media is affecting the perception of beauty. With its many awards and nominations, the advertisement has received critical acclaim for its representation of the cold, hard truth about the world; the mentality about beauty is horrifically distorted and gaining this type of beauty is impossible and unattainable. Evolution shows the process of Photoshop and the comparison of before and after to prove how society's expectations of beauty are unreal and artificial.

Throughout the entire video, the photo of the model is seen receiving touch-ups, enhancement, and slimming to create an almost unrecognizable person as the end result. By showing the process of Photoshop being done on the model, one can see that the model herself is not perfect. The Photoshop illustrates how the desired features and the overall perception of a woman's beauty are almost impossible to attain. The model has flaws that are edited, windblown hair that is artificially created, and the perfect bone structure must be produced digitally. As the message of the campaign is to improve the self-esteem of many girls, the commercial reassures its audience that the beauty seen on television and magazines is not real.

In the image below, the comparison of before and after is seen; this depicts the power that Photoshop and makeup has and also how companies change the appearance of their models to appear more aesthetically appealing to the world. The two pictures, placed side by side, augment the artificial beauty that society deems to be desired. As this image is the promotional image of Evolution, it captures the true reason behind the commercial: the beauty that is advertised is superficial and unreal.

By showing the process of Photoshop and exhibiting the before and after phases of the photo shoot, the Dove Self-Esteem Project successfully proves that society's expectations of beauty are not real. As the Dove Self-Esteem Project attempts to help girls overcome anxieties over beauty and self-image, the commercial illustrates that even women, who appear flawless and perfect, have flaws and quirks that makes them unique. The fight against society's perception of beauty continues to rage on, and the awareness being spread by this commercial and the Dove Self-Esteem Project helps girls grow to become confident women who are beautiful in their own ways.

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