I posted the CTL Showcase flyer on one of the entrances to Storm Hall West.

“When will we live in a world where discrimination towards women no longer exists? #equality”

Using Google as my search engine, I received this 15.2 KB image from http://www.anb.org/articles/20/20-01920.html. The image seems to be in clear condition, considering its modifications since its original publication. This image was initially considered an American wartime propaganda poster, created by J. Howard Miller in 1943. The poster is usually called “We Can Do It!” but may also be considered and known as “Rosie the Riveter.” During World War ll, government officials and industrial leaders encouraged the emergence of women into the workforce, in order to replace the loss of male workers who joined the war as soldiers. In different forms of media such as movies, newspapers, posters, photographs and articles, the “Rosie the Riveter” campaign stressed the importance of patriotic need for women to enter the work force. This motivational poster seemed to be working considering a dramatic increase in female workers in the years of 1940 and 1945, rising nearly ten percent. As the topic for my essay, I discussed how women’s role in society changed during the roaring twenties, after acquiring the legal right to vote. Twenty years after that time frame, women continued to experience growth in their societal duties and developed a sense of equality within their communities. “Rosie the Riveter” has gone from a wartime propaganda poster in the 1940s to a feminist symbol in current society. The image provides a sense of women empowerment and persuades the female population that they are capable of anything. I chose this image to represent my discussion topic because I enjoy exploring how women’s role in society has greatly increased and expanded. Throughout history, women slowly but surely earned equality in most aspects of life, including politics, the workforce, and in private life at home. Although there is always room for improvement regarding how much rights and equality women really do have, this image illustrates that women are capable of anything and that they are needed in order for society to succeed and prosper.

This week I focused mostly on the Gay Liberation Movement. Just as African Americans and women all fought for equality, gay women and men fought for legal equality, such as marriage rights. This movement was sparked in 1969, after a riot began in the Stonewall Inn in New York City between the police officers and gay men. I have personally experienced my own participation in antidiscrimination for gay men and women. Last year I attended the Gay Pride Parade in hillcrest, which really allowed homosexuals to feel at peace and were able to experience no judgments from others. Even as time passes and society progresses, there is still room for more improvement regarding equality.

Today in lecture we discussed the emergence of hippies and what their culture consisted of. The Beat Generation gave way to the hippies who experimented with their sexuality, drugs, and fashion. The hippies wardrobe consisted of tie dye, beads, fringe, and were all about peace and love. In present day society, we have the contemporary culture of hipsters. Hipsters consist of having a retry and vintage sense of style. They associate with indie and alternative music and are typically described as young Bohemians. Although both the hippies and hipsters experienced a change in style, it was the hippies who rejected certain elements of society and promoted their own beliefs.

This week in my RWS class, my professor discussed how borders have more than just one interpretation. Not only is there a physical separation, but as well as a cultural separation, spiritual separation, and an emotional separation. This concept reminded me of when Professor Putman discussed the Soviet border and their struggle to secure it throughout the Cold War.

For my essay topic, I chose the Roaring Twenties. Throughout my essay, I will be focusing primarily on the technology that the twenties consisted of, their culture throughout this time frame, and how women’s role in society changed. One of the main technological innovations that the twenties experienced was the development of the assembly line, which allowed sped up in production. In addition, the Roaring Twenties experienced “a dramatic expansion of popular culture” (Schultz, 376). This era experienced a growth in movies, music, and sports. Women also experienced a more active role in society. The right to vote with the Nineteenth Amendment became the stepping stone for many feminists and activists to promote women’s rights. Women became known as “the new women” with their political success and they even began to dress differently.

During the Gilded Age, Andrew Carnegie believed that wealthy Americans should regenerate society by using their money in a way that could improve conditions in poverty. Carnegie used his wealth to help society by establishing schools, libraries, and universities in America.