Royal families have always been a huge part of British politics and culture. As I’ve grown older I’ve also began to familiarize myself with these royal figures and what major contributions they made to British society, as well as the rest of the world. However, one figure I have never had to take a crash course on is Princess Diana. Though I was young at the time of her life and death, I can still remember the impression she left on me. I think it’s fair to say that she left that very same impression on millions of others.
Princess Di’s personal life (marriage, divorce, and children) was one of the first royal lives to be dissected thoroughly by the media. However, even though today being scrutinized by the press usually means that the media has picked apart and brought to light every imperfection, Princess Di was looked at in a different way. People who dislike or disapprove of her are few and far between.
During the late twentieth century she was a very public figure…her marriage to Prince Charles, as well as her funeral, were watched by millions of viewers. Some even suggest that she was the most photographed woman of that time. However, she was not known as a political figure, but as a humanitarian. She worked with many charities including the Red Cross and with AIDS foundations. In fact, Princess Di shattered the publics opinion when she was the first celebrity to be photographed touching a person infected with HIV. At the time this was huge because people still believed AIDS could be spread through casual contact. She also worked to stop landmines.
It’s no wonder why Princess Dianna’s legacy still lives on. Even as a child I could see that she was someone worthy of affection. With her welcoming smile, warm character, and hopes to changes the world it’s easy to understand why she is the “People’s Princess”
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A Textbook Couldn't Teach This
The Holocaust has been something that I have always found myself wanting to learn more about. Besides reading The Diary of Anne Frank in middle school, I really didn’t learn much about the Holocaust until my senior year when we read Night for my senior transition class. I was horrified when I saw pictures of starving Jews and piles of bodies that looked like nothing more than skeletons. Then my freshman year in college my world history professor touched on the subject as well. She did a lecture in which we watched a film of Hitler rallying the crowds. She also taught us of how efficient the Nazis were. They didn’t waste a thing, but kept hair to make blankets, golden teeth to gain a quick buck, and many more personal possessions.
This past weekend a friend and I visited Krakow for Easter. While there we did a tour of Auschwitz, the largest and most well known death camp of the Holocaust. It was a haunting sight to see, but after years of learning about the atrocities that took place there, I’m glad I got to see it firsthand. Many of the buildings, or blocks as they were called, were turned into small museums. There were pictures and testimonies plastered on the walls. As the tour continued, we were led into a room where piles of hair were kept in a glass case. Our guide told us that all of the hair weighed nearly two tons. There were more cases containing shoes and kitchenware. We also got to see the standing cells and other confinement spaces. I think the most chilling sight for me was when we walked through the gas chambers and I saw the crematory ovens. That, the execution wall, and the case of shoes were the hardest sights to take in.
The Holocaust was an unbelievable event that took place in the 20th century. This time period is so well known for the advancements made; advancements in industry, standards of living, and globalization. But during the Second World War, politics really seemed to fail those being persecuted. Furthermore, on top of either an outright hatred or an under-the-rug hatred for those who were different, there was booming industrialization that allowed for a new kind of violence to take place. Genocide of millions of people took place through industry and did so without a personal effect on those who carried it out.
This past weekend a friend and I visited Krakow for Easter. While there we did a tour of Auschwitz, the largest and most well known death camp of the Holocaust. It was a haunting sight to see, but after years of learning about the atrocities that took place there, I’m glad I got to see it firsthand. Many of the buildings, or blocks as they were called, were turned into small museums. There were pictures and testimonies plastered on the walls. As the tour continued, we were led into a room where piles of hair were kept in a glass case. Our guide told us that all of the hair weighed nearly two tons. There were more cases containing shoes and kitchenware. We also got to see the standing cells and other confinement spaces. I think the most chilling sight for me was when we walked through the gas chambers and I saw the crematory ovens. That, the execution wall, and the case of shoes were the hardest sights to take in.
The Holocaust was an unbelievable event that took place in the 20th century. This time period is so well known for the advancements made; advancements in industry, standards of living, and globalization. But during the Second World War, politics really seemed to fail those being persecuted. Furthermore, on top of either an outright hatred or an under-the-rug hatred for those who were different, there was booming industrialization that allowed for a new kind of violence to take place. Genocide of millions of people took place through industry and did so without a personal effect on those who carried it out.
Bird Eye View
It seems like every major city has a high point where residents and tourists alike can look out over the city. In Paris it’s the Eiffel Tower, in New York it’s the Empire State Building, and in London it’s the Eye.
I’m not sure why, but tall buildings seem to be a universal part of all cultures. Furthermore, industry in the 20th century has allowed for many of these vantage points to be built.
The London Eye, first called the Millennium Wheel, was opened in March 2000. It was built to commemorate the new millennium and the wheel design was made to be a metaphor for the end of the century. When it was first opened , the Eye was only supposed to only stand for a few years, but it turned out to be a huge tourist attraction. In 2002 and 2003 alone it welcomed 11 million overseas visitors and 16 million UK visitors. Also, it has gained recognition for being the largest, most famous observation wheel in the world. It stands 443 feet into the sky and offers a roundabout view of the city.
The wheel has had a huge impact on 20th century London. In many ways, it embodies Britain’s number one post-war industry: Tourism. After WWII London was no longer the top leader in world affairs. Instead tourism became the major focus. Not only that, but it has also transformed the South Bank and allowed that area of London to grow physically and in wealth.
I’m not sure why, but tall buildings seem to be a universal part of all cultures. Furthermore, industry in the 20th century has allowed for many of these vantage points to be built.
The London Eye, first called the Millennium Wheel, was opened in March 2000. It was built to commemorate the new millennium and the wheel design was made to be a metaphor for the end of the century. When it was first opened , the Eye was only supposed to only stand for a few years, but it turned out to be a huge tourist attraction. In 2002 and 2003 alone it welcomed 11 million overseas visitors and 16 million UK visitors. Also, it has gained recognition for being the largest, most famous observation wheel in the world. It stands 443 feet into the sky and offers a roundabout view of the city.
The wheel has had a huge impact on 20th century London. In many ways, it embodies Britain’s number one post-war industry: Tourism. After WWII London was no longer the top leader in world affairs. Instead tourism became the major focus. Not only that, but it has also transformed the South Bank and allowed that area of London to grow physically and in wealth.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Hallmark of London
Today my class took a field trip to Tower Bridge. I’ve seen the bridge on numerous postcards but seeing it in person was a great experience. Tower Bridge, when built, was a symbol of Britain’s imperialistic and industrial power during the Victorian era. It continues to stand as a symbol of the city of London and was a huge aspect in twentieth century politics and culture.
Besides being a hallmark of London, Tower bridge has been important to British culture. For one, it was a simple form of entertainment to British and foreign citizens alike. The style and techniques of the bridge were new and innovative and proved to be an attraction worth seeing.
The bridge also provided room for sport. Prior to WWI, pilots would try to fly through the bridges lower level and upper walkway. This novelty, however, was soon seen as a threat because of the war and was put to an end.
Also, during WWII when London was faced with months of air raids, Tower Bridge was never bombed. It endured the war flawlessly because it was used as a landmark by the Germans.
The bridge also provided for many creative advertisement campaigns. Because it was seen as such a symbol of Britain and Britain’s wealth, many companies used it to attract customers.
Besides being a hallmark of London, Tower bridge has been important to British culture. For one, it was a simple form of entertainment to British and foreign citizens alike. The style and techniques of the bridge were new and innovative and proved to be an attraction worth seeing.
The bridge also provided room for sport. Prior to WWI, pilots would try to fly through the bridges lower level and upper walkway. This novelty, however, was soon seen as a threat because of the war and was put to an end.
Also, during WWII when London was faced with months of air raids, Tower Bridge was never bombed. It endured the war flawlessly because it was used as a landmark by the Germans.
The bridge also provided for many creative advertisement campaigns. Because it was seen as such a symbol of Britain and Britain’s wealth, many companies used it to attract customers.
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds?
Living in London for the past three months has made me want to try to integrate into the culture and understand it as much as possible. I’ve tried the “best” British ales, learned that a “queue” is a line and a “mobile” is a cell phone, and I’ve memorized the life and reign of each monarch.(ok so that’s an exaggeration, but I do know the basics!) But after visiting Abby Road, I realized that there was one other way I needed to integrate into the British culture. I needed to learn more about the Beatles and try to appreciate the music they made. I’m embarrassed to admit that I know very little about them or the music they made. But it seemed worth it to learn more about them, I mean I am in their home country and they seem to be a hot item, even today almost 40 years later.
Then my wish came true in class one day. We learned about the Beatles and the time period they lived in. Only problem was, well the music. We read lyric from Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Seriously? The lyrics made absolutely no sense to me. What are cellophane flowers or rocking horse people?
That’s when I decided to do a little out of class research. I asked someone who I thought would know for sure: my dad. Sure enough he did. He even took the liberty of explaining the significance of it all to me. His words of wisdom can be summed up in this, “You just have to understand the time period.” He echoed what I had already heard everyone else say; that it was the change they made to music that was so notable. It was the Beatles that revolutionized music. Even they began in the bubblegum wave with songs such as She loves you ya, ya. But as times changed with the Vietnam war and the drug culture, they changed music with meaningful lyrics that portrayed more adult statements and with more complicated instrumentals.
All of this made sense to me- a change in sound, more complicated instrumentals that shaped music years to come- but I still didn’t get the lyrics. That’s when my dad came to the rescue again and reminded me of the slang that’s evident in all the songs. That’s when the light bulb inside my head finally came on! When I think about music that’s popular today I also think of all the slang that’s strung throughout the songs. This slang will be completely meaningless to future generations much like how the slang from the sixties is completely meaningless and foreign to me. Good point dad.
One last thing my dad mentioned to me was that not only were the Beatles so important because of how they revolutionized music or because of the statements they made but because they were there, apart of his life as he grew up. He told me to ask anyone his age about the Beetles and they won’t just remember the song or the lyrics, but also where they were when they heard the song or the feelings they felt as they listened to it. So overall, it’s more than music itself, it’s about where the music takes you. I guess it’s not important to understand cellophane flowers or rocking horse people.
Then my wish came true in class one day. We learned about the Beatles and the time period they lived in. Only problem was, well the music. We read lyric from Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Seriously? The lyrics made absolutely no sense to me. What are cellophane flowers or rocking horse people?
That’s when I decided to do a little out of class research. I asked someone who I thought would know for sure: my dad. Sure enough he did. He even took the liberty of explaining the significance of it all to me. His words of wisdom can be summed up in this, “You just have to understand the time period.” He echoed what I had already heard everyone else say; that it was the change they made to music that was so notable. It was the Beatles that revolutionized music. Even they began in the bubblegum wave with songs such as She loves you ya, ya. But as times changed with the Vietnam war and the drug culture, they changed music with meaningful lyrics that portrayed more adult statements and with more complicated instrumentals.
All of this made sense to me- a change in sound, more complicated instrumentals that shaped music years to come- but I still didn’t get the lyrics. That’s when my dad came to the rescue again and reminded me of the slang that’s evident in all the songs. That’s when the light bulb inside my head finally came on! When I think about music that’s popular today I also think of all the slang that’s strung throughout the songs. This slang will be completely meaningless to future generations much like how the slang from the sixties is completely meaningless and foreign to me. Good point dad.
One last thing my dad mentioned to me was that not only were the Beatles so important because of how they revolutionized music or because of the statements they made but because they were there, apart of his life as he grew up. He told me to ask anyone his age about the Beetles and they won’t just remember the song or the lyrics, but also where they were when they heard the song or the feelings they felt as they listened to it. So overall, it’s more than music itself, it’s about where the music takes you. I guess it’s not important to understand cellophane flowers or rocking horse people.
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