Week 2

What are these histories, cultures, nations?
President Obama speaks mainly about the Americas and some of the Muslim countries and their specific cultures and customs.
What is your summary of this video?
Obama basically is talking about the fact that this is OUR world and that if the Muslim countries would work together with America then together we could succeed. We could forget all of this terrorism drama and move on toward a better future together.
What information did you learn that you did not know before?
I didn’t know very much about the Muslim culture before listening to this speech. I also didn’t know the extent of Obama’s dreams of making the whole world a unified nation. Most presidents only worry about their own country.
What does the President say about 'dialogue'?
He says that the verse “do unto others as we would have them do unto us” is universal rule for every religion/belief system in the world. This is true. It is in the Talud, the Koran and the New Testament. If people only knew that we were all striving for the same thing then they may not be so darn nagative. We are all on the same team.
What did he say that relates to culture through either one of these items: the visual arts, drama, film, music, dance, literature, philosophy, religion?
When he spoke about culture he was just getting the point out there that there are so many different aspects of culture and although so many people have different ideas of life, that deep dwn inside they will have something in common, whether it be art, music, or even with their thoughts of how to treat others… there is always something there.
Why do you think this relates to Latin America?
Well, this is defiantly a world issue. And Latin America is a part of the world, but the truth of the matter is that as Americans, I think that people just group everyone else together as different or bad… this is not true… we have a future that will invole Latin America as well as the Muslim countries.
PART 2
This video was taken at a commencement ceremony at Duke University?
Yes it was
Who is in the video?
Oprah
What summary can you provide of this video?
Oprah gives a speech and tells 7 different stories about how people in life have succeeded and become her personal heroes.
What part strikes you the most?
I love the story about the Columbine episode that she recorded, but never aired. I love the fact that she thinks about her viewers and puts out positive messages to her audience. She didn’t air the episode because it was too dark for her viewers.
Does this person affect any part of our culture through either one of these items: the visual arts, drama, film, music, dance, literature, philosophy, religion?
Oprah talks a lot about the value of all of these things
Do you think this person has influence for our interdisciplinary studies (why/why not)?Oprah has an influence in all things she touches. She is one of the most influential people in the world. The fact that she is a woman and African-American just adds to the power of her persuasion.
Alyssa said “As people we need to learn about others and understand other cultures to better ourselves.” VERY TRUE!!!
Candace thinks that President Obama wants to let the Muslim people know that America has no ill will towards them as a people and that we are aware of the contributions to the modern world made by the Islam societies. --- I agree that this was his exact intention!
Isbell President Obama very eloquently and firmly opened the door to building solid relations with the Muslim world.
Julisa mentioned that Oprah’s godson William Bumps was graduating.
Logan restates that Obama mentions the injustice of woman's rights and the history of African Americans throughout our own history.
Mike said President Obama's speech to the Middle East is a positive step forward by the US to communicate the new approach our country is willing to make to establishing a new type of relationship with people in the Middle East and establishing a new paradigm in solving problems that have long made our relations less than desirable and productive between our country and the Middle East.
Nancy thinks that Americans may recognize and connect with some of the Muslim cultural values Obama mentioned.
Robert believed that every statement he makes applies to Latin America
Shannon says that Obama believes now is the time for a new evolution of humankind and that evolution begins with a pledge to dialogue.
Susan thinks that this video is about reaching out to other country's and trying to bring Muslims and Americans together.