Protest

Really, anything that creates conversation about an issue or idea is a protest. Before taking this class I thought protests were characterized only by pickets and big groups of people, but now I see it differently. A protest can be a form of dress, an organized movement, or a lifestyle.

After studying various forms of protest during the semester, political or otherwise, it seems all are challenging the status quo. For example, the Punk Fashion movement protested popular consumerism and mainstream music. The Dixie Chicks protested against a widespread belief (supporting the war).

After analyzing Critical Mass I understood that not all protests have to be highly organized or have only one mission. This protest example really got me to realize that each individual entity is involved in a protest with regard to their individual thoughts, feelings, and preferences. This was also a prime example of how governmental intervention can spoil a really great and genuine movement.

Above all, I've learned that pretty much everything is a protest. We are all somehow pushing a certain agenda with the choices we make in our lives. Whether they are seen blatantly or not, we are protesters in our daily lives.

A Hippie Protest

"Imagine" is John Lennon's account of the perfect world. His ideas epitomize the hippie movement and reflect the thoughts and feelings of many during the late 1960's and early 1970's. He writes about everyone in this world living as one, sharing our world without boundaries we know as countries, or religions that seem to restrict universal understanding.

His plea for peace and brotherhood is captured in his lyrics:

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world.

I believe his song had a huge impact during this era. It was obvious that many (known as hippies) wanted peace, but Lennon's words bring a new perspective: he protests the notion that we need to eliminate frontiers that hinder our ability to be "brothers" and "share" the world. His lyrics are soft, but portray a loud message: this is our world, and its up to us to band together and create peace.

I also think Lennon was careful not to impose his ideas onto his listeners. He carefully asks us to "Imagine" and "hopes one day you'll join us." He was the poet who accurately reflected what society may have been calling out for during wartime.

I believe John Lennon was a major catalyst in the social justice and peace revolution, and "Imagine" was a main factor in categorizing him so.

Ann Coulter and Michael Moore

Ann Coulter and Michael Moore are definitely protesters. It is obvious that what they write and produce are not only informative but also highly biased and controversial. Michael Moore, for example, is a widely known documentarian who shows America the "real truth" behind the issues of the Iraq War and the Bush Administration. The reason for his popularity is based on the idea that he gives the American public some "inside factor" that isn't shared through the mass media. He craftily puts together a string of scenes which imply a certain point of view: The Bush Administration has failed to fight the war the way it has been widely perceived by the American people.

Ann Coulter is a renowned author with 5 or so best-sellers under her belt. She is clever with words and is forceful and adamant with her points of view. She makes statements which may appear to be outrageous to most, and then back up her statements with simple, and sometimes flawed logic. She appears to have no compassion as she has publicly offended Hillary Clinton and Elisabeth Edwards. Coulter stabs the Edwards with the death of their son, and uses it as a point against ... actually it's unclear what the relevance of that comment was. She coyly evades direct questions and often takes quotes and statements out of context to support her own claims. This is obvious as Elisabeth Edwards kindly asks her to stop directing hatred toward her family while Coulter says "the presidential nominee's wife is asking me not to write books?!" Clearly misinterpreted, clearly defiant.

I think Moore and Coulter appeal to audiences because they are portrayed as "knowing more" or "seeing through" the government. The people believe they have better logistics, better numbers, better facts. Not to be overlooked is the appeal to pathos. Both protesters are covering very relevant issues to our society. Matters of life and death.

I was very turned off by Ann Coulter. I can see she is widely read, informed, and talented. However, she comes off as rude, defiant, and omniscient. My opinions on Michael Moore are along the same lines. I have only seen Fahrenheit 9/11, but look forward to delving into more of his works to properly asses my feelings about him and his work.