Project description
For my third project, while brainstorming ideas for project three I came across an article, that took a physiological look at the aspect of heroism. It began to get me thinking about what really does make a hero. I have always thought that heroes don't really exist, that it's just something people make up to keep them hopeful. I wanted to see if in history there were their times' people were considered heroes and why. I began taking a look a the heroic stories of Malala Yousafazai, Nelson Mandela, and Mahatma Gandhi. All three considered heroes for going against the status quo and fighting for what they believed was right despite the odds.
History
For my history portion, I analyzed the stories of three heroes in global history. I focused more on their flaws and how they make them stronger. I researched the hardest ships each hero endured and what kind of innermost secrets or problems they had to overcome. This will help me build an idea as to what are the reason these heroes are so heroic because with overcoming these hardships they would be strong enough to step up for the cause. I will be creating than a cape using shapes and the symbolism around them create a window into the mind of a hero. For my history portion, I combined my art project with my history portion. I created a cape using the symbolism to represent the flaws that the heroes. Then explained each element in regard to the heroes personalities and history. I compiled then onto the Prezi below.
The purpose of this cape was to really grasp what it means to be a hero and what attributes make a hero strong. Young kids were are commonly presented this perfect hero that is good looking and strong shading minds from the truth. I want to prove that real heroes can exist, even in our own backyards.
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Art
For my art portion, I decided it would be fun to make a superhero cape. My entire project was about learning what makes a hero. Along the way, I discovered that like most human beings they have flaws but it the way the deal and use them that makes them remarkable. I found that each one of them was able to make decisions that were only in the best interests in their communities and they were willing to put themselves at risk do so. For this project I wanted to try something new for myself, so I did a sewing project. With my mom's guidance, I was able to sew a cape together, a cape that used symbolism to show each heroes flaws. I chose to create an abstract piece of art. rather than trying to identify my heroes in an object I wanted to represent their evolution through shapes and colors.
English
For my English portion, I wrote three poems about the three heroes I researched. I chose to use symbolism and extended metaphor to summarize their lives. I wanted to highlight their struggles and the obstacles that made them stronger. I took the time to research each one individually, to properly represent each one with the appropriate symbolism.
Wings of Power - Malala Yousafzai
A butterfly flying from flower to flower, flapping its wings, spreading change. Cared for within its chrysalis, filled with love and warmth, protected til the time would come to be heard, to spread its wings. Flowers kept in fields, unable to bloom. The rain had been unleashed, drowning all hope of spring. The rest of the world remained hidden in the depths of the soil, stowed away from danger, never to see the sun again. Yet this little butterfly, led by the wind, soared high into the sky, unveiling the true beauty of freedom. Never forgetting home, flies back to the field. The same one that gave it flight. Fighting to be seen so others can rise too. Now they spread their petals, unleashing their beauty. The world watched in awe, this little butterfly, flying higher and higher, unleashing her wings of power. The Great Oak - Nelson Mandela
A seed is planted, within its humble pot, watered, and cared for, awaiting the day to sprout. And in its pot, it grew and grew. with roots so strong and branches stretched. So the pot was put aside into the ground, the tree now went. Now this tree was free to roam all that it could uncover. As spring arose, its branches changed, blooming flowers were everywhere. A top the hill, it flowered and blossomed, sheltered from the danger. A storm was soon approaching. Then winter came the tree began to wither, without the light, there was no hope. This little tree would soon depart. A ray of sunshine, a ray of hope, this big old oak, could once again hope. And on the hill, it stayed to blossom, and to flower. For those around him knew his name, and so proudly they called him, Nelson. Eyes of Wisdom- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
A large shadow swoops up onto a perch in a tree, with wings carried by the wind through the night sky. Great big eyes look out into the dark that's been long forgotten and lost in fear. After years of oppression, the moonlight reflects on those eyes, filled with wisdom and courage. A powerful screech omens the others, it's time to take flight. Danger over the horizon, some scatter, someday to return stronger. When the time comes, they gather once more, as one. The sky is filled with shapes of all sizes, moving as one together flying free. The eyes of wisdom and years of courage, lead the way for the Madam President. |
Wings of Power Annotations
A butterfly Flying from flower to flower Flapping its wings Spreading change Malala has been known for traveling the world and informing others about the need and importance of education for all kids. Cared for within its chrysalis Filled with love and warmth Protected til the time would come To be heard, to spread its wings Malala’s father was a principal at a private all-girls school. Her father made sure he never treated Malala any different than his sons, he wanted her to be able to dream and be anything she wished to be. Malala was raised knowing and valuing education thanks to her parents. Values that would push her to rise when the occasion arose. Flowers kept in fields Unable to bloom The rain had been unleashed Drowning all hope of spring When the Taliban invaded and took over Malala’s home, Swat Valley in Mingora Pakistan, they proclaimed that all girls would not go to school. Subjecting 50,000 school girls to lose their education, and hence their freedom. The rest of the world remained hidden In the depths of the soil Stowed away from danger Never to see the sun again After the Taliban had announced their ban from girls attending school. All of the schoolgirls were forced to stay in their homes hidden unable to even pick up a book. The war and violence became more apparent and as the government lost more control over their Swat Valley, families lost hope of peace. Yet this little butterfly Led by the wind Soared high into the sky Unveiling the true beauty of freedom “Yet” with all this violence going on Malala and her father began to raise awareness and voice their opinions and their support toward their people. Not only did this cause young Malala to be targeted by the Taliban, but the government finally took action and fought back against the Taliban. This small victory pushed Malala to keep fighting to be heard and taken seriously. Never forgetting home Flies back to the field The same one that Gave it flight Malala’s family along with others were forced to leave their home as the government attempted to recover control. But unlike many families, Malala’s family decided to stay her father saying, “I may get a brain hemorrhage because of the pressure. That I left my people in hard days. I should have been beside them. I must bring them out from that quagmire. This is my duty. And if I die for it, I think, there would be no better chance for me to die, better than this.” Malala’s father was someone who influenced Malala to stand up for what she believed in her voice to raise awareness about what was going on. Fighting to be seen So others can rise too Now they spread their petals Unleashing their beauty Unfortunately, Malala was shot on the side of her head by a member of the Taliban for speaking out against them sometimes, was shot on the side of the head. This event angered and scared many people who supported Malala. This event was a turning point in Malala she became fearless, even of death. She realized she need not only fight for her own education but every child's education. She used her faith to believe God had given her a second chance to change the lives of every girl and boy so they could “unleash their beauty” or their full potential. The world watched in awe This little butterfly Flying higher and higher Unleashing her wings of power Malala’s story became known around the world awarding her a noble peace prize naming her the youngest recipient ever. She is a true role model for every girl and women using her voice and pure passion to advocate for women's right. One of the most astounding attributes of Malala is her ability to forgive. In many of her, she announces her forgiveness to the man that shot her and the Taliban that destroyed and terrorized her home. This is a true attribute of a hero she is truly an example to many people around the world. I chose to compare Malala to butterfly after watching a comment her father made stating that he never cut her wings of he just let her fly. Not only was this the foundation for the book he wrote about raising Malala but the way he always taught and raised her. He knew Malala could be much more and he always supported and guided Malala through her journeys. The Great Oak Annotations
A seed is planted Within its humble pot Watered and cared for Awaiting the day to sprout Nelson Mandela was born into a privileged life, he was the son of a chief. This meant Mandela, had the best possible education available. After his father passed away his father’s trusted friends raised him and taught him to be a leader until he would one day be able to lead on his own. And in its pot It grew and grew With roots so strong And branches stretched Nelson Mandela attended many different institutions and universities. He never seemed to be given a fair chance whether it was financially or racially. This made Mandela a strong man who knew how to work for what he wanted. During this time Mandela really began to notice the discrimination, and continuously sought out help to aid him in his cause. So the pot was put aside Into the ground, the tree now went Now this tree was free to roam All that it could uncover Mandela began to get politically involved in 1942 when he joined the African National Congress to help form the ANC Youth League (ANCYL). He began to get recognized for his effort to help his community and speak out about unjust laws. As spring arose Its branches changed Blooming flowers Were everywhere As he grew older and more independent he began to realize his calling. He had studied different careers but none seemed to suit his want for a change. He was always raised to be a leader and an outspoken man even when it got him into some troubles he always got back up. A top the hill It flowered and blossomed Sheltered from the danger, A storm was soon approaching Mandela was a leader and an advocator for black Africans. He and Oliver Tambo established the first South African black law firm, “Mandela & Tamo”. This became a tool for black Africans to be supported against unfair laws. Then winter came The tree began to wither Without the light, there was no hope This little tree would soon depart. Mandela was arrested for treason and was put on trial. His life was on stake and those who had supported him stood by his side. He managed to secure his life but later on was sent to prison for 27 years. During this time he managed to continue his activism while in prison. A ray of sunshine A ray of hope This big old oak Could once again hope On 1990 he was released from prison after overcoming some sickness. After the unbanning of the ANC, many of his comrades in his organization were also released. When Mandela returned to the spotlight he continued to express his thoughts on minority rule. He was then elected ANC President to replace his ailing friend, Oliver Tambo. This then allowed him to later be elected as President and contiue to show the world that black and white people can live peacefully. That the need for a certain race to dominate a country is only going to leader to violence and oppression. And on the hill, it stayed To blossom and to flower For those around him knew his name And so proudly they called him Nelson Mandela lived the rest of his life working as an activist and building his foundations to support various groups in his community. People all around the world would come to know his name as the man who fought against discrimination without the need for violence and more discrimination. He was a hero to his country for he saw that is could be a place where all races live peacefully together. He never gave up on this dream that stood the test of time and change while he was in prison. Eyes of Wisdom Annotations
A large shadow swoops up Onto a perch in a tree With wings carried by The wind through the night sky Ellen Sirleaf was raised to be powerful women, her father was known as the first indigenous Liberian to sit in the national legislature. This meant that her father faced scrutiny for being indigenous. This is a reason why she fought for unity among communities. Great big eyes look out into the dark that's been long forgotten and Lost in fear Sirleaf is a woman who not only was a typical daughter but a woman who suffered abuse at the side of her ex-husband. She was a brave woman for leaving him. She is a strong woman for being able to continue on her own. She not only fought for peace but became a symbol of power for women all around. She saw what her country was becoming and used her powers in government to aid her people during tough times. After years of oppression The moonlight reflects On those eyes Filled with wisdom and drive Women tired of the oppression were ready for women leaders. They looked at Sirleaf for the hope that things would change. Sirleaf was on a mission to help her country get out of debt after the civil war. She was well educated and had had her years of experience working for the government. A powerful screech omens the others It's time To take flight As Sirleaf continued to work for the government. Women all around took notice and began to envision a world in which women could lead. But more so a world in which everyone lived more peacefully. Danger over the horizon Some have to scatter Someday to return Stronger Sirleaf chose to use her voice and power to speak against the government. Unfortunately, this caused her to spend 10 years in prison. She was later released but only to leave the country. She was forced to abandon her country, and in her absence, the civil war resumed. When the time comes They gather Once more As one After Charles Taylor was exiled Sirleaf returned in 2003. She took part in the chair the Commission on Good Governance, which oversaw democratic elections. That position was the aid she needed in order to see what it would take to run for president. The sky is filled With shapes of all sizes Moving as one Together flying free With the help of women all around they rallied with Sirleaf to make her the first democratically elected women president in Africa. She was the 24th President of Liberia and help the country get out of debt. The eyes of wisdom And years of courage Lead the way for the Madam President Ellen Sirleaf was given the name “Iron Lady” during her election she vowed to end civil strife and corruption. She was brave enough to fight for the unity among her people. |