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I see the world with the martini glass half full

Thursday, December 11, 2008

FINAL VERSION- Manifesto

The Manifesto of Acceptable Speech


Throughout time word of mouth has been used to pass messages, stories and information. The ability to openly discuss and relay comments, questions, concerns, thoughts, opinions and so on is considered one of the American Rights. In fact, it says in the United States Constitution under the First Amendment that every American is entitled to free speech. It fulfills the basic needs of a country’s citizens. However, my purpose in redefining Free Speech is to give a new voice to a complicated concept. I propose a new set order that determines what is, and is not, Free Speech.

My project took on four distinguishing steps to get to my final presentation.
Ø The Destination
Ø The Interpretations
Ø The Conversation
Ø The Re-Imagination

THE DESTINATION
In choosing a space I could feel was my own, I had to initially let go of the fears and concerns that have been holding me back throughout the course. However, in realizing my inability to complete disregard my personal feelings, I decided to find a place that expressed progress as opposed to complete change. Foucault deals with many elements that create his Manifesto, but what relates best to my work is the fifth element which describes “heterotopias [that] always presuppose a system of opening and closing that both isolates them and makes them penetrable” (Foucault 6). Brower Commons, named after Rutgers University alumni Charles Brower, is the designated free speech area, which is located on the steps between the main entrance of Brower Commons Dining Hall and Stonier Residence Hall on College Avenue. The space also extends back to the Records Hall courtyard. In order to find this a suitable candidate for the presentation I had to take in account its existing boundaries and my personal existing boundaries and Foucault’s notion that “the site is defined by relations of proximity between points or elements; formally, we can describe these relations as series, trees, or grids” (Foucault 1).

THE INTERPRETATIONS
As Brower Commons is commonly refered to as a free speech zone, I wanted to get more in depth to what “free speech” really stood for at this University. In a country-wide understanding, freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitation. I came across information on FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) which was able to give, in detail, the story of a complaint filed against Rutgers University for not complying with free speech regulations. FIRE was able able to inform me that Rutgers is considered to have a red light rating for censoring student speech. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Some of the details that led to such a negative rating dealt with the lack of policies on diversity, multiculturalism, harrassment, tolerance, respect, sensitivity, hate, and honor (http://www.thefire.org/index.php/codes/1015).

THE CONVERSATION
In discovering the space as a free speech area, I wanted to figure out what would be the best way to get a sense for the space as a whole. I considered audio, visual, Krzysztof Wodiczko’s use of the “unseen, unheard”, involving outsiders’ participation and so on. In the end, I created a puzzle that led you around iconic visuals within the area. The clues on each puzzle piece led you to the next one. Once it all comes together it read out “The Steps @ Brower Commons are a Free Speech Zone.” Then I will dispel any rumors of how free our speech actually is at Rutgers.

THE RE-IMAGINATION

Free Speech/ Acceptable Speech: 10 Most Important Rules


It will no longer be considered free, but Acceptable Speech. Acceptable still allows for profanity and all other disputable language but no longer gives the right to an individual or group to voice hatred, or other negative notions towards others.
Acceptable Speech covers oral, written, and nonverbal communication.
Acceptable Speech rejects the ideas of racism, sexism, classism and hate for cats.
Acceptable Speech requires two ends- a speaker or writer and a listener or reader.
For example, it is not considered Acceptable Speech when someone sits alone in their room, talking out loud.
Acceptable Speech would be a person sitting along in their room writing down their thoughts.
Acceptable Speech would also be a person talking to another person.
Acceptable Speech includes all forms of media- television, radio, Internet, etc.
Acceptable Speech overwrites the FCC.
Acceptable Speech only exists within the confines of the United States. The rest of the world is not ready for such a Manifesto.
Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak positively of cats.
Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak highly of Hana Iverson, Professor of Neighborhood Narratives.
Acceptable Speech requires Hana Iverson to give Alissa Ogen an A when she writes down the final semester grades. (Alissa loves cats, remember that).




It will no longer be considered free, but Acceptable Speech. Acceptable still allows for profanity and all other disputable language but no longer gives the right to an individual or group to voice hatred, or other negative notions towards others. They say smiling is contagious, and so it is the premise of Rule #1 in my Manifesto to keep negativity out. It is allowable to say “I do not like Someone because…” but is breaks the rule if someone were to reword it as “Someone is a $&(#@%!*” The inclusion of positive ‘I’ messages will be very influential in the success of this rule.

Acceptable Speech covers oral, written, and nonverbal communication. The rules of Acceptable Speech apply when speaking, writing and in all other methods of communication between two sources (amongst people, person and paper, person and computer, etc).

Acceptable Speech rejects the ideas of racism, sexism, classism and hate for cats. Perhaps the most difficult of the new order of rules, the throwing out of old ideas of race, class, sex, etc must finally come to a conclusion. Anyone who breaks this rule is sentenced to Speech School. Classes are given once a week.
Ø First offense: 1 session
Ø Second offense: 3 sessions
Ø Third offense: One month of sessions
Ø Fourth offense: 3 months of sessions
Ø Fifth offense: 6 months of session
Ø Sixth offense: 1 year of sessions
Ø Seventh offense: 3 years of sessions
Ø Eight offense: 5 years of sessions
Ø Ninth offense: 10 years of sessions
Ø Tenth offense: Get out of the country. You should have learned by now.

Acceptable Speech requires two ends- a speaker or writer and a listener or reader. As long as the information is being passed, it is under the confines of Acceptable Speech. Do not get caught breaking the rules or you are hereby subject to Speech School.

Acceptable Speech includes all forms of media- television, radio, Internet, etc. As long as the information reaches, or is available to others, is falls under the rules of Acceptable Speech.

Acceptable Speech overwrites the FCC. What Acceptable Speech does not cover, the FCC may continue with their original set of rules.

Acceptable Speech only exists within the confines of the United States. The rest of the world is not ready for such a Manifesto. Once outside the borders of the United States of America, any U.S. Citizen is free to speak in terms of hate, etc. However, be aware that you represent an American standard that strives to be upstanding and respectable.

Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak positively of cats. Say what you will about dogs, fish and other animals- but cats are to receive the royal treatment and be spoken about just as well.
Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak highly of Hana Iverson, Professor of Neighborhood Narratives. Alongside other educators and artists, Professor Iverson’s work should be portrayed as inclusive, educational, like a catalyst for new works, and seen as an opportunity to share thoughts.

Acceptable Speech requires Hana Iverson to give Alissa Ogen an A when she writes down the final semester grades. (Alissa loves cats, remember that). Writing is one of the main components to Acceptable Speech and requires positive communication. Anything less than uplifting and successful responses will be considered just plain rubbish.

Final Project Methodology

My project took on four distinguishing steps to get to my final presentation.
Ø The Destination
Ø The Interpretations
Ø The Conversation
Ø The Re-Imagination

THE DESTINATION
In choosing a space I could feel was my own, I had to initially let go of the fears and concerns that have been holding me back throughout the course. However, in realizing my inability to complete disregard my personal feelings, I decided to find a place that expressed progress as opposed to complete change. Brower Commons, named after Rutgers University alumni Charles Brower, is the designated free speech area, which is located on the steps between the main entrance of Brower Commons Dining Hall and Stonier Residence Hall on College Avenue. The space also extends back to the Records Hall courtyard. In order to find this a suitable candidate for the presentation I had to take in account its existing boundaries and my personal existing boundaries.

THE INTERPRETATIONS
As Brower Commons is commonly refered to as a free speech zone, I wanted to get more in depth to what “free speech” really stood for at this University. In a country-wide understanding, freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitation. I came across information on FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) which was able to give, in detail, the story of a complaint filed against Rutgers University for not complying with free speech regulations. FIRE was able able to inform me that Rutgers is considered to have a red light rating for censoring student speech. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Some of the details that led to such a negative rating dealt with the lack of policies on diversity, multiculturalism, harrassment, tolerance, respect, sensitivity, hate, and honor.

THE CONVERSATIONIn discovering the space as a free speech area, I wanted to figure out what would be the best way to get a sense for the space as a whole. I considered audio, visual, outsiders’ participation and so on. In the end, I created a puzzle that led you around iconic visuals within the area. The clues on each puzzle piece led you to the next one. Once it all comes together it read out “The Steps @ Brower Commons are a Free Speech Zone.” Then I will dispel any rumors of how free our speech actually is at Rutgers.

The Re-Imagination is 2 posts below.

Neighborhood Narratives Final Project: 'Common' Clues

Neighborhood Narratives Final Project
Clues Sheet

Clue #1- given to class, stand anywhere
Go one, go all…go on and drift but don’t fall. Here you’ll rest and make your call.
Sends them to the benches

Clue #2- At the Bench
Hipcast won’t help you here. Call this # to make your clue clear! (This uses up Lifeline #1)
Has them call me- I send them to the tree with this poem----sends them to the tree

“As a class we’ve gone into New Brunswick to see what’s there,
Each adding to the experience to show we all care.
Joyce Kilmer’s House was one stop on our way,
I think his poem might be something to say. “
I will give you the first line, complete the thought for your next clue:
CLUE: “I THINK that I shall never see”



Clue #3- At Tree
Here people have their ups & downs, smiles & frowns. Use your memories of doing emotional maps to go where people feel at home. Go as a group, never drift alone!
Sends them to Stonier

Clue #4- At Stonier
Now that you found your way to another clue, there’s something I need all of you to do. Take out a camera & stalk for a minute, then regroup and we’ll get back to it. Use the map (on the back of the clue) to get to the next clue.
Sends them to the back steps (use map to get there)

Clue #5- At Back Steps
From now until the puzzle is pieced together, you must tag each location with something that reminds you of weather. (Take a photo of this) Still need a clue? A lifeline will do!
Has them call Professor…

Clue #6- At Back Steps Still…
Professor: “Cats are curious creatures- where in this area would be a great outdoor feature? I suppose a pasture is out of the question, but there might be a small scale suggestion.”
Has them go to the grassy knoll

Clue #7- At Grassy Knoll
Creating this puzzle was no easy task, only a few more questions I will ask. What icon looks like a junkyard but the material is way hard?
Has them go to the statue

Clue #8- At Statue
You made it to the statue! Listen to my trivia and then solve this acronym:
B CATS (Brower Commons are the solution)---sends them to Brower

TRIVIA: That statue at the College Avenue entrance to Brower is NOT Richard Nixon staring towards the River Dorms. We asked Colonel Henry for information on this sculpture, and here is what we found out.
The sculpture was done by Herbert Ferber and is entitled Caligraph KCIII (1965). The Nixon interpretation is mistaken and the sculpture is simply a three dimensional rendering of the initials "K" and "C." Captain Commons continues to hear Red Shirts and other Tour Guides tell the Nixon Story, and wonders how long the Nixon "Urban Legend" will continue.


Clue #9- Congratulations! Brower Commons Dining Hall completes your puzzle. Put it together for one final thought (on the back)

“The Steps @ Brower Commons are a Free Speech Zone.”



So clearly, my project deals with the issue of Free Speech. These are the ‘Designated Free Speech Areas’ on Campus-

Designated Free Speech Areas:

Douglass CampusA designated free speech area is the patio and grass area on the Nichol Avenue side of the Douglass College Center

Livingston CampusA designated free speech area is located on the patio of the Livingston Student Center.

Cook CampusA designated free speech area is located in the middle of the Newell Apartments.

College Avenue CampusA designated free speech area is located on the steps between the main entrance of Brower Commons Dining Hall and Stonier Hall on College Avenue. The space also extends back to the Records Hall courtyard.


Ø Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitation.

Ø In the United States freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. There are several exceptions to this general rule, including copyright protection, the Miller test for obscenity and greater regulation of so-called commercial speech, such as advertising. The Miller test in particular rarely comes into effect.



FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education)Freedom of speech is a fundamental American freedom, and nowhere should it be more valued and protected than at America's colleges and universities. The "marketplace of ideas" upon which a university depends for its intellectual vitality cannot flourish when students or faculty members must fear punishment for expressing views that might be unpopular with the public at large or disfavored by university administrators. Yet this freedom is under continuous assault at many of America's campuses. Speech codes dictating what may or may not be said, "free speech zones" confining free speech to a certain area of campus, and administrative attempts to punish or repress speech on a case-by-case basis are common today in academia.
Complaint Filed Against Rutgers-Victory for Freedom of Conscience," FIRE Press Release, April 2, 2003: In September 2002, Rutgers University denied the InterVarsity Multi-Ethnic Christian Fellowship, a student group, the right to take into account religious beliefs when selecting its leaders. A lawsuit, sponsored by the Alliance Defense Fund, was filed against Rutgers by FIRE Legal Network attorney David A. French on December 30, 2002. Rutgers has now settled with the group, and the students will be allowed to organize on Rutgers’ campus in a manner consistent with the purposes of their freedom to associate on the basis of their shared beliefs.

The Manifesto of Acceptable Speech

The Manifesto of Acceptable Speech

Throughout time word of mouth has been used to pass messages, stories and information. The ability to openly discuss and relay comments, questions, concerns, thoughts, opinions and so on is considered one of the American Rights. In fact, it says in the United States Constitution under the First Amendment that every American is entitled to free speech. It fulfills the basic needs of a country’s citizens. However, my purpose in redefining Free Speech is to give a new voice to a complicated concept. I propose a new set order that determines what is, and is not, Free Speech.

Free Speech/ Acceptable Speech: 10 Most Important Rules


1-It will no longer be considered free, but Acceptable Speech. Acceptable still allows for profanity and all other disputable language but no longer gives the right to an individual or group to voice hatred, or other negative notions towards others.
2-Acceptable Speech covers oral, written, and nonverbal communication.
3-Acceptable Speech rejects the ideas of racism, sexism, classism and hate for cats.
4-Acceptable Speech requires two ends- a speaker or writer and a listener or reader.
For example, it is not considered Acceptable Speech when someone sits alone in their room, talking out loud.
Acceptable Speech would be a person sitting along in their room writing down their thoughts.
Acceptable Speech would also be a person talking to another person.
5-Acceptable Speech includes all forms of media- television, radio, Internet, etc.
6-Acceptable Speech overwrites the FCC.
7-Acceptable Speech only exists within the confines of the United States. The rest of the world is not ready for such a Manifesto.
8-Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak positively of cats.
9-Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak highly of Hana Iverson, Professor of Neighborhood Narratives.
10-Acceptable Speech requires Hana Iverson to give Alissa Ogen an A when she writes down the final semester grades. (Alissa loves cats, remember that).


It will no longer be considered free, but Acceptable Speech. Acceptable still allows for profanity and all other disputable language but no longer gives the right to an individual or group to voice hatred, or other negative notions towards others. They say smiling is contagious, and so it is the premise of Rule #1 in my Manifesto to keep negativity out. It is allowable to say “I do not like Someone because…” but is breaks the rule if someone were to reword it as “Someone is a $&(#@%!*” The inclusion of positive ‘I’ messages will be very influential in the success of this rule.

Acceptable Speech covers oral, written, and nonverbal communication. The rules of Acceptable Speech apply when speaking, writing and in all other methods of communication between two sources (amongst people, person and paper, person and computer, etc).

Acceptable Speech rejects the ideas of racism, sexism, classism and hate for cats. Perhaps the most difficult of the new order of rules, the throwing out of old ideas of race, class, sex, etc must finally come to a conclusion. Anyone who breaks this rule is sentenced to Speech School. Classes are given once a week.
Ø First offense: 1 session
Ø Second offense: 3 sessions
Ø Third offense: One month of sessions
Ø Fourth offense: 3 months of sessions
Ø Fifth offense: 6 months of session
Ø Sixth offense: 1 year of sessions
Ø Seventh offense: 3 years of sessions
Ø Eight offense: 5 years of sessions
Ø Ninth offense: 10 years of sessions
Ø Tenth offense: Get out of the country. You should have learned by now.

Acceptable Speech requires two ends- a speaker or writer and a listener or reader. As long as the information is being passed, it is under the confines of Acceptable Speech. Do not get caught breaking the rules or you are hereby subject to Speech School.

Acceptable Speech includes all forms of media- television, radio, Internet, etc. As long as the information reaches, or is available to others, is falls under the rules of Acceptable Speech.

Acceptable Speech overwrites the FCC. What Acceptable Speech does not cover, the FCC may continue with their original set of rules.

Acceptable Speech only exists within the confines of the United States. The rest of the world is not ready for such a Manifesto. Once outside the borders of the United States of America, any U.S. Citizen is free to speak in terms of hate, etc. However, be aware that you represent an American standard that strives to be upstanding and respectable.

Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak positively of cats. Say what you will about dogs, fish and other animals- but cats are to receive the royal treatment and be spoken about just as well.

Acceptable Speech requires everyone to speak highly of Hana Iverson, Professor of Neighborhood Narratives. Alongside other educators and artists, Professor Iverson’s work should be portrayed as inclusive, educational, like a catalyst for new works, and seen as an opportunity to share thoughts.

Acceptable Speech requires Hana Iverson to give Alissa Ogen an A when she writes down the final semester grades. (Alissa loves cats, remember that). Writing is one of the main components to Acceptable Speech and requires positive communication. Anything less than uplifting and successful responses will be considered just plain rubbish.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Looking like the Gay Parade at age 21

"G-Big" (1:26:34 PM): i didnt even have any of that stuff when i turned 21
AlissaBrooke26 (1:26:42 PM): so u did it to me, why???
"G-Big" (1:26:54 PM): HAHAHAHAH cause i didnt get it so i had to dress someone us
"G-Big" (1:26:57 PM): shut up u loved it
"G-Big" (1:27:04 PM): u looked like a glowing blinky toy
AlissaBrooke26 (1:27:30 PM): i looked like a gay parade
"G-Big" (1:27:45 PM): HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"G-Big" (1:27:54 PM): but the handcuffs added such a nice little touch to it
AlissaBrooke26 (1:28:15 PM): yea, a gay bondage touch
"G-Big" (1:29:40 PM): i loved it even got u to that pole
"G-Big" (1:29:41 PM): hahhaa
AlissaBrooke26 (1:30:04 PM): so now im a stripper in a gay parade. lovely.
AlissaBrooke26 (1:30:20 PM): you got the pole. the handcuffs. and the flashing colorful lights.
AlissaBrooke26 (1:30:36 PM): all we need is some extras and a script and its fucking Queer as Folk
"G-Big" (1:31:38 PM): HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"G-Big" (1:32:59 PM): its fine
"G-Big" (1:33:09 PM): throw in a little glitter u could of been a great drag queen extra
"G-Big" (1:33:29 PM): talking about drag queens did u see ur bigs halloween costume? i heard someone asked her if she was a drag queen
"G-Big" (1:33:40 PM): or i could of just made that up but something about her and being a drag queen

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Stalk Walk







huntington st (then the camera dies)
left onto sicard
right onto senior
right onto college ave
to the RSC bus stop
LX bus
beck hall bus stop
beck hall auditorium
class.