Once Upon a Time In Cabramatta

"Once Upon a Time In Cabramatta" Image credit : www.madman.com.au

“Once Upon a Time In Cabramatta” Image credit : http://www.madman.com.au

In this week blog post, I mainly discussed about the key things that I found interesting in this documentary film “Once Upon a Time In Cabramatta” which directed by Sue Clothier and Craig Grahman. It is a documentary that shows the untold story of how Vietnamese community overcomes the unfamiliar place. This is an interesting documentary film that shows what actually happen in Cabramatta. It showing the real stories and the challenges that Vietnamese has been thru when living in Cabramatta. Besides, the racism, poverty, family dysfunction and crime are kindly presented in this documentary as well.  (Alstin, 2012)

Refugees from Vietnam . Image credit : http://www.couriermail.com.au

Customs Officer Frank Dalton holding a Vietnamese refugee child. Image credit : http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au

From this documentary, we clearly understand the Vietnamese has escaped their home country by boats during the Vietnam War. Because of the communist has take over and control the whole Vietnam, therefore many people are decide to leave the country. In 1970s, many Vietnamese become a refugees who came all the way illegally. As we all knew that, no one wanted to be a refugee unless there are only a chance to survive and life better. It is because refugees is a group of person who don’t know what are the challenge and risk that waiting for them to face it. Their destiny is a life-death decision. They can’t control their own life because everything is controlled by the others who have more power and decide who and what they going to be. Basically, refugees are mainly relying on the sympathy of the country that provides them an opportunity to live.  This is why, as it explained in the video by Hien Le- Vice President of Vietnamese Community in Australia, we clearly understand that this is the biggest history for the Vietnamese to make such decision.

 The Vietnamese choose to live in Australia because it was so different compared to their country. They bring high hopes because they believe Australia is amazing place that helps their children has a better life and bright future. The Vietnamese parents are willing to do and work even harder just to make sure their children are live happily. However, this doesn’t seem happen because of multiculturalism. The Australia believed that different culture can live side by side, but it actually not. The consequence of multiculturalism has causing trouble from a clean country turn into darkness. The Vietnamese seem unimaginable the hopes has destroy.

Tony from "Once Upon a Time In Cabramatta" Image credit : www.madman.com.au

Tony from “Once Upon a Time In Cabramatta”
Image credit : http://www.madman.com.au

From this documentary, it clearly shows that the peer pressure and the different culture are the main reason for having this issue happen. For example in the case from Tony –one of the responses who born and lived in Australia, he mentioned that he feel frustrated when he couldn’t share his happiness and sadness to his family because of language barrier. Tony can speak fluent in English but not the Vietnamese. In addition, the Vietnamese parents are working hard for their job and will never around with their children. The Vietnam kids are not growth up like the normal living which always has the parents with them whenever their needs. This is the reason why, the kids are getting involved with the criminal –drugs and violence.

“The drug are divided the family…”

5T gang – it is a criminal gang in the Vietnamese community which heavily involved in crime. The media in Australia has portrayed 5T as those teenagers from broken home and without parents. But the real meaning behind 5T is all about a group of young age peoples without true love from the family. This group of peoples has started to make attention to the people around in Australia. They joined up with the other gang to sell drugs in all around the place. Besides, this Vietnamese groups were also involved in murder, robbery and gambling as well.

With those temptations and the greed, the youngster started to change and deal for drugs. It is because selling drugs can make money easy which they think it can lead them having future. But for their parents this makes them feel pain and regret. The bright future of their children is totally ruined up because of drugs. They don’t want to see their own child has doing all the bad things.  The Vietnamese parents looking many ways just want to make their child turn clean. It is because they want their children has a better life in future, and not to having the same experience and the past as they have.

In conclusion, form my understanding in this documentary, I’m pretty sure many people including me and you might thinking those refugees who has the opportunity to live in others country is always the nice thing for them. But after watching all the three parts of this documentary, it proves that not all the refugees are lucky one who doesn’t need to be worry about the future.

 In this documentary, we understand the problem of multicultural is getting serious and given an unexpected consequences to the Vietnamese. Because dealing with different culture, it causes a big problem not only for the Vietnamese but the Australian as well. The Vietnamese was trying adapting themselves in the Australia culture, because they wanted to be one to be a part of the country and just to be equal as anybody else. They want to live in Australia without thinking to going back. Because of the lack of communication and the racism in the country, it makes the Vietnamese treat unequally. And, there’s how the criminal issue has become increase.

We clearly understand, many refugees left their home country to another because of the economic reason. But some of the Vietnamese are actually seeking for the better life especially for their children and kids. But, it deeply failed for them to achieve this. Everything seems different to them. The children are starting to involved crime, drugs and others bad things. And, this is not what the Vietnamese parent’s wanted.

From this, we clearly understand most of the media are quickly to portray the refugees are doing the bad thing. The media untold us the truth stories behind. From this documentary, I am so glad the Vietnamese can be spoken up for their right, telling the truth and what are the actual things that have been involved in Cabramatta. Although it is a sad case to be happen, but they don’t feel angry, complaint and blame anyone. But from the explaining and the sharing of the stories, I can feel how disappointment and hard life for the Vietnamese. I learnt a lot from this documentary. I understand the difficulties for the refugees to live in a new place.

References :

Adam, 2005, accessed 6/6/2014, http://www.nuaa.org.au/files/usersnews/UN43/UN43_How_It_Was_In_Cabra.pdf

Alstin, 2012, ‘Once upon a time in multicultural Australia’, Eureka Street, vol.22, no.1, pp 25-26.

Asylum Seekers

To be honest, the issue of asylum seekers is getting serious and highly topical in everywhere around the world.  As you can seen in our country –Malaysia, there are many asylum seekers and refugees that can be found in everywhere around the corner. Somehow, we may surprise is this the country where we live. It is because the “foreigner” who came all the way from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar and etc are always surrounding all of us. This is one of the reasons why; the tourists who visit Malaysia might feel surprise and shock because they can’t differentiate who is the Malaysian and who are not.

So what is the meaning of asylum seekers?

Based on my own understanding, asylum seekers refer to those who escape and move across the borders from their home country to others places whether they arrive by boats, plane, or others illegal immigrant. They are the person who fled their own country where the actual place they belong to and search of protection. They are the peoples who arrive and live in a country without any appropriate documents, visas and passport. These groups of peoples are actually arrive illegally to a country, and held in detention whenever they were being caught by the police.

download (1)
Image credit : www.popsugar.com.au

In the SBS and Cordell Jigsaw Productions, it was a television documentary shows named “Go back to where you come from” which hosted by David Corlett and together with the six brave Australians. The six Australians are turning themselves and experience as asylum seekers who has no identity, passport, wallets, phones, and official protection from the government. They need to seek for survive and safety from their own. They experience immigration raids in Malaysia, Kenya and Iraq. (Song,2013)  By after watching one of the episodes from this program in the first series, it totally amazed me a lot. It changed my view about asylum seekers. This is a brilliant piece that was surprising me all the time. Although it might be uncomfortable to everyone because it showing how cruel and challenge in the real situation, but in this program it raises questions of morality and illegality.

In this short video clips above, this is the crueler thing that I seen it happen in Malaysia. This video is making me so upset and feels pity to the asylum seekers. Although I am Malaysian, but the way the policeman treat the asylum seeker is so wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I was not trying to say it was not right to do that. But this is the most heartbreak moments whenever I watching It again and again.

As we all knew the fact that, the way media that reporting on this issue are the key influence us the way we look them differently. But, no matter how kindly we are the value of stereotyping and racist are still causing us to perceive them in different way. It is because the media and the government are characterizing them in false beliefs. Most of the people believe they are dishonest, and the one always under crime issue. But, is this truth? Why they came in to other country?
This is the tough questions, with no answer.

In my opinion, in law they are the person with no rights and seriously need to be punish because of the illegally sneak in to others country. But are they the one who deserve to be treated as this? As one of the response from “Go back to where you come from”, he stated that the asylum seeker that being caught by the Malaysia policeman has beaten them hardly and treat them like no one. Based on this, we understand the darkness of asylum seekers.

Well, every one of us has our own family and friends. We have our own reason to survive and live better. It same goes to the asylum seekers as well. The main reason for them to decide to be asylum seekers is not easy but because of the money they are willing to live in an unfamiliar country without family and friends. They just to want make sure the money they earn can help their family members are not in danger and live better. They sacrifice themselves for living in their country and take risk all the way here. They also are willing to work in low pay because this is the golden opportunity for them to earn more money.

By discuss in this situation, for me the both parties – government and asylum seeker are done wrong. The government should not open the gate and allowed them to work in our country. If really do, I think everyone of us including me and you should not threaten them differently. We should not look down on them because of who they are. Although everyone of us are live in different background, but we should appreciate what they do for us. Look at the positive side, the tall buildings are mainly built by the asylum seekers. They are the one who more hardworking than us although their pay is lower than us. But, without having them I’m sure there’s no one willing to work for it. Therefore, how we perceived this issue is based on the attitude and behavior that we have. We should always have our own judgment to differentiate what’s right and wrong.

Lastly, I want to share one of the project that did from Coca-Cola Singapore which showing how they appreciate the workforce from the workers.

References :

Song 2013, accessed 3/6/2014, https://www.altlj.org/news-and-views/law-and-culture/law-and-culture-vol-38-1/514-go-back-to-where-you-came-from

Television are still important

Image credit :rockerhuffy.hubpages.com

A quick look at the world today, everything started to be changed. The world is getting smaller because of the globalization and the emergence of modern technology. Whenever we like it or not the phenomenon of globalization means a lot to us, it highly takes place and influences in our daily life that we never ever noticed how impactful of this. In my own words although we are living in the different nation across the world, globalization is all about linked every one of us to interact, integrate, share information, recognize and practice together. It also helps all the peoples around the world keep in touch easily.

By looking at what we have today, although there are rise of new media but the old media such as television are still one of the important medium that greatest influence all of us. (Tay & Turner, 2008) It is not only informing us about how the world should be and what’s happening around the world, but it also providing a wide range of films, dramas, and variety shows. (Mitu, 2011) Television also indented to entertainment the audience as well.

In addition, televisions today are no longer just providing the local television program to the audience. However, what we watched in the television today are mostly import the content program from others countries. For example, we able to watch Korean dramas, Live sports competition and others television program easily as long as we owned a television at home. Well, based on this it clearly shows that globalization makes all of us listening to the same music, watching the same dramas and movie no matter where we live. Every one of us has the same behavior pattern because of the same content and what we explored on the media. This is why television can be the powerful medium that helps spreading the different culture that influences us.

Mitu, B 2011, ‘Culture and Television’, The Television Globalization, vol.6, no.2, pp896-900.

Tay, Jinna and Turner, Graeme, 2008, ‘What is television: Comparing Media System in the Post-broadcast Era’, Media International Australia, no.126, pp71-81.

12 Years a Slave

In this week’s topic, it was so interesting to discuss and understand about what are the people’s perceptions on different races. Besides that, it also given a clearly understand how the community being represented. Because of this is a sensitive topic to be further discuss, at here I need to declare that what has been posted or mentioned below was based on my own point of views and thoughts, there’s no offensive. So, let’s start off the topic today –“Race, Ethnicity and the Media”.

Image credit : http://www.moviehdwallpapers.com/

I just finished “12 Years of Slave” –the movies that based on true story that showing Solomon Northup a free man who kidnapped and sold into slavery. This is one of the eye-opening movie that I watched so far, it allows me deeply understand and feel the cruelty side of slave trade. To be honest, by watching the first ten minutes from the movie I feel so sad and disappointed to see what’s really happen in the past. From this movie, it was really touched my heart deep inside. The strong and realistic scenes that showing in the movie was totally amazed and inspired me, it makes me felt so real like I was the one who be involved. Besides that, this movie was also given me a great lesson to understand how serious of the inequality between white peoples and black people in the back then. It shows that the white peoples are more superior compare to the black people. They believe the black peoples are born to be slave and they has the right to be treated them harshly.

Image credit : http://www.moviehdwallpapers.com/

“If you want to survive, do and say as little as possible. Tell no one who really are and tell no one that you can read and write. Unless you want to be a dead nigger.” –Clemens ( one of the slave) tells Solomon Northup. Based on this conversation, it prove that those who being sold into slavery has no right to stand up for themselves. The way to survive is just keep the head down and do as much as possible, and speak at least as possible. The responsible for them is just doing whatever the instruction from the owner without any complaint.

Furthermore, in this movie it also is showing the painful, sufferings and torturing that happen for the slave. The most memorable part that I have seen in this movie is when the black peoples has dragged in chains and beating hardly until they are bleeding. Besides, Solomon Northup hung from a tree by the white peoples is the most shock me as well. From this scene, you can clearly found out there’s no one willing to give a hand and helps him out although they having the same race and skin colour as well. Solomon Northup’s toes barely touching the ground helps to keep him alive. From this scene, the struggle helpless is so uncomfortable to be seen.  I understand that the white peoples are incredibly powerful in the back then, there’s no one dares to mess around with.

Image credit : http://www.moviehdwallpapers.com/

On the other hand, this movie also showing the darkness side of slave women. The slave woman has high risk of facing for rape and sexual abuse. The white men have taken advantage of the slave women. Just like what has been shown in the movie, Patsey one of the slave eventually raped by the Edwin Epps. In addition, the behalf of Edwin Epps –Mistress Epps is one of the evilness that beats Patsey because she is the one that her husband’s wandering eye and obsessed with. From this movie, it shows the despicable actions from Mistress Epps treating Patsey she throwing the glass, scratches Patsey’s face, and asking Edwin Epps to whippings her until she seen blood from the body. Based on this action, it understand not only the racism can be affected the people’s behavior of treating the others race, but the jealousy can be affected and makes them behave in this actions as well.

Well, from this movie it shows the shocking reality of what black peoples has went through in the past. Although the truth is ugly to know about how suffer and what has really happen in the slave trade, but this movie was education the viewers as well. After watching this movie, I have a deep thought on it. Although I am not one of the race has been describe in this movie, but I’m pretty sure it has the same history in every country as well.

By looking at the surrounding today, we already knew about racism is the serious issue, but non one of us has actually take part and be responsible to solve it. Racism getting worse and serious is because the human being. As Glasgow (2009) did mentioned stereotypes are one of the major reason cause individual have racist behavior. Stereotypes can be happen to anyone of us when we dealing with others group of peoples. It is a view from an individual who give wrong judgment and placing people into categories. (Mooij, 2005)  And this is how racism begins to happen. From the movie that I mentioned above, the white people has judge the black people and fixed them born to be slave. This action and mind thinking are so wrong to be happening.  Because of this, the attitudes and stereotypes that surrounded is still pervade in our society today. So, by solving this problem we have to treat everyone equally, understand each other’s race and culture behavior. Therefore, that’s how everyone of us in different race can live in harmony.

Glasgow, J, 2009, ‘Racism as Disrespect. Journal of Ethics’, accessed 17/5/20174, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/648588

Mooji, M.D. , 2005, ‘Global marketing and Advertising: Understanding Cultural Paradoxes’, United States: SAGE Publication, vol.2.

Gender and the Media

As we all already knew the facts that media is one of the most powerful and pervasive that shaping people’s perspectives, attitudes, values and behavior. No doubts, it is the important roles to influence our mindset on how we view a man and women. It plays significant roles that provide an understanding to the viewers about the gender roles that play in the real world. (Morawitz & Mastro, 2008)

Look at what has been shown in the mass media today, we shocked that most of the media especially in advertising are negative portrayal of women. It used the woman’s body to shows the masses but not showing how intelligence and leadership women can be. Besides that, media are also conducted our mindset about the ideal of beauty. (Goodall, 2012)Those who have fair skin, nice body, and slim are the one can be known as pretty otherwise it was not. But, does it really right to portray that? For me, I strongly not agree. It is because it given negative impacts especially for us especially the young girls’ lack of self-confidence on who they are.

On the other hand, it’s not only the advertising media has negatively representation of women in the media. Surprisingly, Disney films are one of the best examples that clearly demonstrate and portray in the gender roles as well.

Photo credit : disneyandmovies.pbworks.com

When we were little kids, I’m pretty sure many of us grew up by watching Disney films. Disney is one of the largest companies that give us a good childhood memories. Because of the fairy tales stories and the gender representation in the characters, it influences the children to think in a certain way. The Disney Princess is a role model of children, this is why everyone has a dream and hopes for becoming a Disney Princess. The fairy tales stories that shown in the film are allow us to imagine and fantasize ourselves into the characters. However with so much exposure to the Disney films, somehow the messages that showing in the films might mislead and misinformed us.

In the early age, Disney was tend to portray women must be soft, weak, and wait for a man to love. This phenomenon mainly can be found in the earlier films that release in Disney such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” and “Cinderella”.  In the films “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” which was made in 1937 has given an idea that love is “easy”.  In this whole film, it does not show the process of falling in love. The Snow White manages to wake up and be in love with the prince after her prince awoke her with a true love kisses and they live happily at the end. (Sawyer,2013) In addition, it also portrays that woman should take care of the house without complaint at all. In the film “Cinderella”, it shows that Cinderella was doing her domestic tasks such as cleaning, washing without any complaint. She unable to stand up for herself when the time her stepmother is bully and scold her. (Dawn, Lara & Melissa, 2011)

Based on this, given a wrong message has become a serious issue especially in the children’s media. Children are always known as the active learners, they imitative on what the media has been shown. Because of the information in the media has affects and could be persuaded the perception of the children. (Wood, 1994)This is why, comparing to the past and the Disney films today it definitely show the changes. We’ve noticed that the female character in Disney film has no longer being portrayed as the feminist side but added up some of the masculine characteristic as well such as “Pocahantas”, “Mulan” is the most obvious films that have been portrayed the women independence.

Besides that, the latest film “Frozen” are also one of the examples as well. This film is one of the interesting and good films that I ever seen. It is because the story plot is so different compare to others. Based on this film, we clearly knew that Disney has tried on something new to portray the characters in the film. Why I said so? Comparing with the earlier films that release, the story is basically all about the romance and fantasy but in this film it shows differently. The whole story was focusing about the sisterly love and how Princess Anna has save Princess Elsa and rescued the kiss from the love one.

Hans Reveal Frozen Comic

comic anna sacrifice

Photo credit : www.whataboutcynics.com

Furthermore, in this film it also shows that the perfectly prince charming has become more layered. In Frozen, Princess Anna believes her true love –Prince Hans is the only one can save her from death. But, unfortunately the male character has portray differently compare to the pass. There’s no longer show how protective a Prince must be. (Dalfonzo, 2013)  In this film, Prince Hans has become the bad guy characters and betrayed of Anna. Because of his greed on wealth and power, he ended up become a killer and tried to kill Princess Elsa.

Well based on all this explanation and examples given, obviously every one of us has a clear picture on the impact of media as well as the changes in Disney. Based on my own opinion, I think it was a good kick-start for Disney to showing something different and relates to the society and real life. Just like the movie “Frozen” it shows that the female can be strong, brave, protective all the time while the male character are not necessary must be muscular, and the good one. In addition, in “Frozen” it also telling the viewers about life can be a twist just like how Prince Han treats Princess Anna. Therefore, I think it is great to show Disney has taken the responsible to acknowledge the fact to the viewers on what is considered as entertainment, and what is considered as real.

References :

Dalfonzo, G 2013, ‘Frozen’s Cynical Twist on Prince Charming’, accessed 12/5/2014, http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/12/-em-frozen-em-s-cynical-twist-on-prince-charming/282204/

Dawn, E, Lara, D & Melissa, A 2011, ‘Gender Role Potrayal and Disney Princessess’, Science Business Media, vol.10, pp556-567.

Goodall, H 2012, ‘Media’s Influence on Gender Stereotypes’, accessed 12/5/2014, http://ezproxy.uow.edu.au/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.uow.edu.au/docview/1291075912?accountid=15112

May, B 2011, ‘ Beyond the Prince: Race and Gender Role Portrayal in Disney Princess Films’, Saint Mary’s College, accessed 12/5/2014, file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/Final%20Senior%20Paper-May.pdf

Sawyer, N 2013, ‘Feminist Outlooks at Disney Princess’s’, James Madison University, accessed 12/5/2014, file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/SawyerFinal.pdf

Wood, JT 1994, ‘Gendered Media: The Influence of Media on Views of Gender’, Communication, Gender and Culture, pp.231-244.

Who is Journalist ? What Is News ?

Back in those days, journalist is a job that speaks on behalf for the government, organization and public. They are also responsible to report the facts and truth on what’s really going on in the society world.  But, as we already knew there are not much of journalist are actually fight for the right and reporting the truth stories to the public.  It is because most of the mainstream media are under controlled by the government, such as the ownership of New Straits Times Press and Utusan Melayu Press is under control by UMNO while other main component parties the MIC, MCA and BN are also control in Star Publications, Sin Chew Jit Poh and Tamil press accordingly. (Wang,2001)

The government can be known as the gatekeeper in journalism which censoring and filtered before the news has been published out. This happened when it discusses about the political or others sensitive issue. As Ward (2009) did mentioned in the article, journalist should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Unfortunately, how many journalists are did that today?  As we can see journalism today has been changed a lots. There’s no longer to deliver any news and any information like the past. They trying to feed us based on what we have to know and not what we need to know. In addition, the writing styles and method of reporting by the journalist are different as well.

As the image below, the controversial headline that been published by Utusan Malaysia in year 2013 right after the two days of the 13th General Election in Malaysia.  The racial statement are showing non-professional site of journalism.Therefore, does it show that journalist today followed by the rules and ethnic? Not really, as I said.

Photo credit: josephinemock.wordpress.com

Furthermore, when the technology and internet has been taken part in our lives it gives problems and challenged to the government as well . Although it was true that government has the power to cover up or filtered some of the news before it published, but the citizen journalism today has become the greatest power. There’s no longer just the profession or traditional journalism has play an important role in journalism. However, citizen journalism is mattering much as well. The internet has open up the field which provide a platform allowed the public to gather and share information, ideas, thoughts or even “news” at anytime and anywhere. Every one of us can be a journalist today, as long as we provide the wide range of juicy news which relevant to the society.

As Luke Goode (2009) has define that citizen journalism is refer to a wide range of web-based practices whereby everyone can engage in journalistic practices. It is using the inexpensive way to reach the people around the world, such as blogging, photo, video sharing and posting eyewitness commentary on current events. Peoples can post whatever “news” to them in anywhere and anytime they want to. The internet is helping us to connecting each other in just few clicks no matter how many miles away. The news has become more transparency when more and more peoples has been viewed it. This is why, more voice can be heard when every one of us are contribute debate, sharing all kind of sources and information that known as “News”.

“Traditional journalism is the outside looking of the news, while citizen journalism is the inside looking of the news.”(Peter Dooley, 2008) Based on this statement, we admitting that citizen journalist is mostly bring up some point which missed out from the news. They might add their own opinion, and criticize what has already published by the professional journalist into their own stories. In addition, they are not professional as traditional journalism who has well trained. But, most of us are still believe it as the credible one. Therefore, this is the reason why once the citizen journalism has become popularized, it’s not only blurs out our mind hardly differentiate which is truth with fact and which is not on the newspaper. However when there’s are many voices out there, it has come to point that confusing us to identify what is the real news and which news has to be trust.

In conclusion, based on my own point of view there’s are both good and bad for emerging in journalism. The good thing was everyone of us are given an golden opportunities to freedom of speech. While the bad thing was how much credibility and facts that citizen journalism is. Yes, it was a good sign for everyone of us to speak out and express what we think freely. But, when there’s more debate going on it might causing a problem as well. The more information and sources we can get, the more we don’t believe on the mainstream media. And, there’s how the newspaper has not important anymore. Therefore, what consume news are actually based on how we see it. It no longer like the past, the news are always NEWS to us.

References :

Ward, B 2009, ‘Journalism ethics and climate change reporting in a period of intense media uncertainty’, Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics, vol. 9, pp. 13-15.

Dooley, P 2008, ‘The technology of Journalism: Cultural Agents, Cultural Icons’. Northwestern University Press, pp.83.

Wang, LK 2001, ‘Media and democracy in Malaysia’, vol.8, pp. 67-88.

Barnes, C 2011, ‘Citizen Journalism vs Traditional Journalism’, media release, accessed 26/4/2014,

ScreenHunter_68 Apr. 17 18.00Image credit : http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/

“How to inform without informing” – I think this statement was strongly well describe about FASHION. When we heard about the word –“Fashion”, you may always think of the hot supermodels, the luxury brand, the movies of “The Devil Wear Prada”, and also the fashion place Milan. No doubt, this example was always linked to each other whenever we discussed about it. So, what is FASHION? From the author Kawamura (2005), stated that fashion is considered as an abstract force whose integral components are novelty and change. It is a group of styles which established or adopted during a particular time or season. However, based on my own point of view “Fashion” is more than just putting the nice clothes, nice dress that we have in the closet. It is a way to showing our creativity to the peoples around. It makes our lives become more creative than usual by improving the taste of fashion when we think about what to getting dressed every day. In addition, Fashion enables us to show our identity. It allows us to express who we are and what we really stand for. It helps to show the true personality to those who don’t know you. It also help to build self confident and showing the good impression to those who we meet. As I can say, we can identify a person based on how he or she wore without a verbal communication. But at the same time, Fashion is an ART to me as well.

How fashion can be turn into an art?

I still remembered the first fashion show that I seen it from YouTube was the Spring/Summer collection by Alexander McQueen. It totally inspired me although it just 14 minutes short video. For me, Alexander McQueen is not just a well known fashion designer who already being recognized by all the peoples around the world but he also a talented artist as well. The every pieces of his collection is an art piece. He is the one of the designer that caught my eyes on his collection. Each of the fashion show from Alexander McQueen is totally give me a lot of thoughts. I am so curious and wondering what is the “fashion world” that he has on mind. Unfortunately, we have no longer to see more creative work from him anymore. He has passed away on age 40. (Gilin, 2010) Well, for me and you might think this happen is not a big deal, but it mean a lot for those who in fashion.

By looking each of the fashion show from his collection, it was giving a powerful message to the audience. He communicates through his clothing and of cause the theme and setting of the stage as well. Each of the fashion show are having different concept and message that Alexander McQueen want the public knows about.  By explaining the first video that I seen from his collection –Voss (Spring / Summer 2001) it totally amazed me. I have never seen and expected to have this kind of fashion show. It is creepy and weird but it’s very artistic as I can say. I guess this is why Alexander McQueen is so unique that we can clearly differentiate by comparing him and others fashion designers.

Catwalking.comVOSS Collection by Alexander McQueen S/S 2001,  Image credit :www.catwalking.com

The fashion show “Voss” was giving out a concept of upending conventional ideals of beauty. The show was purposely late for 1 hour just to force the audience and the media looking themselves at the mirror and feel awkwardness (Reflection). It shows the set of the mental hospital and with the pale looking model. Besides, this stage has a two way mirrored box which the model inside the box can’t see the audience but they can see their own reflection. This is why most of the model are perfectly in the character (as patient) when walking in to the stage. Some are dancing freely, some stuck their face at the mirror, and some are tearing their clothes. (Lindgren, 2011)

MCQUEEN_SS01_FINA_0035   Image credit :www.gainsburyandwhiting.com

Furthermore, this image above is what happens at the end of the fashion show. The black box was open slowly and crash down. It shows a plump naked women with a breathing tube, masked face and surrounded by flying moths.  This set was actually inspired by a photograph from Joel Peter Witkin called “Sanitarium” . (Knox, 2010) With this, Alexander McQueen wanted the audience have a mindset of understanding what beauty is. In the society today, most of the individuals treat plump women as NOT BEAUTIFUL. Therefore, in this fashion show he wanted to send out a message to the audience by understanding and find the “beauty” which most of us not considered as.

In conclusion, FASHION is one of important part in our lives that we can’t live without. It influences our lifestyles, our trend, gain our interest and demand as well as the way how we perceived thing. Although fashion is constantly changing season by season but just take a look at the surrounding, everything changed because of Fashion. Even though media that we have today are highly influenced as well for example, television program such as “Fashion Police”, newspaper, magazines and others. So, what is Fashion mean to you?

Picture of “Voss” Fashion Show :

tumblr_m9u61tNygW1qj7piio1_1280Image credit :www.style.time.com

mcqueen_page99_top Image credit :www.style.time.com

References :

Craik, 2008, ‘Fashion : the key concepts’, Oxford New York : Berg Publishers, pp15-393.

Gillin, 2010, ‘Designer Alexander McQueen Dead at 40’, St.Petersburg Times, 02 February, PB.2.

Kawamura, 2005, ‘Fashion-ology An Introduction to Fashion Studies’, Oxford New York: Berg Publishers. pp13-16.

Knox, 2010, ‘Alexander McQueen’, Genius of a Generation, pp30-129.

Lindgren, 2011, ‘The Perception of Fashion: Alexander McQueen’, Centre for Fashion Studies, pp1-67, accessed 15/4/2014,


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Question (59435) | Anti-CDKN2A/p16INK4a antibody [2D9A12] (ab54210)

I’m wondering if you might be able to help with the specificity of your WB antibodies for Ink4a/p16? Our model is the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus); I know that previously we had tried ab54210 (human and rat) but were getting multiple bands due to the overlapping transcripts at that locus (p16, p15 and ARF) – There are several Ink4a antibodies listed on your catalogue but I’m not sure which is specific for p16 only? Alternatively and possibly more useful to me; is there accessible information as to which amino acids /epitope the antibody binds to so as to be able to predict the specificity from protein alignments?

Thank you for your enquiry and your interest in our products.
We have several antibodies against CDKN2A but none of them have been tested for cross-reactivity with Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).
Regarding ab54210 - the exact immunogen sequence of this antibody is unknown. We expressed the antigen via an expression vector provided to us so we do not have further information about the exact sequence. We have not done any related testing, so we unfortunately cannot comment on cross-reactivity with Syrian hamster. We can only guarantee reactivity with human and rat as presented on our data sheet.
My apologies, we could not provide a more definitive answer.
If you need any further assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Episode 58: Luke Reynolds, MG Writer & (God Bless Him) Former Middle School Teacher

This morning we interview Luke Reynolds, author of The Looney Experiment (Blink),  Surviving Middle School: Navigating the Halls, Riding the Social Roller Coaster, and Unmasking the Real You, and most recently Fantastic Failures: True Stories of People Who Changed the World by Falling Down First, which comes out Sept 11!

We talk about how Luke was inspired to write Fantastic Failures through personal experience via his career in teaching middle grades and junior high students. So many young people struggle with overcoming failure and rejection, and Luke wanted to write a book for kids that shows how the most successful people in history have a long (LONG!) history of personal and professional failures.

Luke himself always wanted to be a writer, but his B+'s on writing assignments in school never made him feel that he could be successful - he only learned later that persistence was the key, and having an honest perspective on what it takes to complete a book - drafts upon drafts upon drafts! Luke also credits his oldest brother for noticing he was on the wrong path and making him run with him every day, forming a connection and keeping him out of trouble. We need people to care about us, be authentic with us, and lead us - and then hard work and grit come into play. Various biographies in Fantastic Failures had people who wouldn't have made it without help along the way - friends, families, mentors - that encouraged them to keep going.

One of the takeaways from this book is to change the idea of failure - don't see it so much as failure, but as one of the steps in succeeding. How do we change this perfection for ourselves and our kids?

"I think it's become somewhat popular to talk about failure and making mistakes in general, but the next level is really hard to get to - to actually start talking about our OWN failures and rejections...to start talking really openly about how I failed as a dad, as a teacher, a writer, a friend, a brother...to start normalizing it. We all experience deep rejection and failure, and we'll talk about the "safe" failures - things that happened 30 years ago, but not yesterday." - Luke Reynolds

One of the main reasons Mel and Abby started this podcast was to start recognizing and normalizing the iterative process of writing, and how bad writing and bad first drafts are a normal thing. It can be a beautiful process, but only if we see failure as one of the steps to success. And is there any real joy without a struggle, anyway? If something comes easy to you, you don't feel as great about it as opposed to the things you really had to work for.

"The people who sustain their love of something are people that fail often, early on - and you can't get the love of it out of them. People who succeed very quickly tend to quit quickly as well." - Luke Reynolds

Luke's Books


Quick and Easy Tips For A Happier and Healthier Spring

Spring cleaning isn’t just for our kitchens, bedrooms and closets. it’s also a great time to detox and “spring clean” our bodies as well.  Amanda Bowen, creator of FAWEN Ready-to-Drink Soup and certified yoga instructor, offers five quick tips to reboot our bodies and minds for spring.

Move Your Body!

Winter can be plain hard. It’s cold, dark, and can inspire lethargy. As we transition into spring, it’s important to embrace how beneficial movement is in maintaining a healthy, happy body and positive mental well-being. If you’re just getting back into activity, you don't need a gym membership or fancy boutique fitness classes (although if that gives you motivation, do it!). There are many ways to fit in movement right at home. One of my favorite ways is to start the day with a simple 5 minute stretch routine, as it helps to set the tone for making healthy choices throughout the rest of my day. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Warm Up

Stand up straight, keeping your feet hips width apart, feet pointing forward. Roll your shoulder forwards 2-3 times, then roll them backwards 2-3 times. Then roll your head in a circle to the right 2 times and then to the left 2 times. Take 1 deep inhale and exhale.

Standing Side Body Stretch

 Stand up straight, keeping your feet hips width apart, feet pointing forward. Lift your arms over your head. Take your right hand and grab your left wrist. Inhale as you gently pull up and exhale as you bend to the right, keeping your hips in place. Take a 3 deep breaths here, feeling your left lung stretch and expand. Repeat on other side.

Standing Heart Opener

Stand up straight, keeping your feet hips width apart, feet pointing forward. Interlace your fingers behind your back, resting around your tailbone. Keeping your hips in place, tailbone pointing down, inhale as you gently pull your knuckles downward and allow your upper back only (behind your lungs) to arch slightly, opening up your heart space. Exhale. Take 3 deep breaths here.

Standing Cow

 Stand up straight, keeping your feet hips width apart, feet pointing forward. Raise your arms stretched out in front of you and interlace your fingers. Reverse the grip to have the backs of your hands facing towards you (palms facing away). Inhale, keeping your hips in place, and exhale, pushing your hands away from you, tucking your chin and rounding your upper back. Take 3 deep breaths here.

Standing Forward Fold

Stand up straight, keeping your feet hips width apart, feet pointing forward. Bring a sight bend into your knees. Inhale your arms up overhead, and as you exhale, slowly fold over from your hips, and let your upper body hang heavy. Try to move your body weight towards your toes and draw your hips up. Over the next 5-8 breaths, you can grab opposite elbows with opposite hands, and/or sway gently from side to side - whatever loosens your back and/or hamstrings the most, or simply calls to you. When you’re ready to come back up, take another inhale, and exhale as you slowly roll up, stacking one vertebrae at a time until you reach standing - go slow! Once you get to the top, I like taking another breath, raising my arms overhead and drawing my hands to palm center on my exhale, as it makes me feel centered. Give it a try!

Fuel The Things You Love

 We know our bodies need vitamins to function properly, fight infections and prevent illness. But, incorporating the correct amounts into our busy schedules can be challenging and time consuming (who wants to spend hours slaving in the kitchen when you can be out doing the things that you love?).  I struggled with this myself! That’s why I created Fawen Ready-To-Drink Soup. Packed with pure plant energy and fiber from whole organic vegetables, Fawen Ready-To-Drink Soup is loaded with 16 different vitamins & minerals, and tons of natural fiber from vegan and gluten-free superfoods like beets, purple cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potato, and coconut. We never juice or press their ingredients, so you get more nutrients and delicious flavor in each sip, not to mention fiber to keep you feeling satisfied without weighing you down. All three flavors include the hydrating benefits of coconut water and are ready-to-drink (no heating or spoon needed). Whether you are on the go, before or after a workout or stuck at your desk during a busy workday, Fawen fuels the things you love!

Get Your ZZZZs

Recent studies have shown that lack of sleep – which happens chronically in our fast-paced world – causes impairment in immune function, which can directly lead to other health issues. So, one way or another, make sure you get your beauty sleep! This one is the hardest for me. To change your routine, take baby steps at first. For example, for the next 2 weeks, take 2 minutes on Sunday to plan which weeknight you will get to bed 15-30 minutes earlier. It’s helpful to have the days be consistent if possible. Think of those earlier nights as a special “treat” and a commitment to taking care of your body! See how it goes, and try adding an extra 10 minutes every two weeks until you reach your optimal amount of sleep, which for most of us, is 8 hours.

Boost Your Veggie Intake

Smoothies and soups are an excellent way to increase your intake of healthy fruits and vegetables in a way that’s equally delicious and nutritious. Try this delicious smoothie made with FAWEN to start your day with a boost of superfoods:

1/2 c Fawen Broccoli & Cauliflower with Turmeric

1/2 c frozen spinach

1/4 c frozen blueberries

1 c unsweetened almond milk

1 serving unsweetened chocolate plant protein

1 tbsp chia seeds

1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp maca powder

Pour into a glass and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon and a few cocoa nibs. Drink up!

Finally - Just Breathe.

 Mental health is as important as physical health. They work together to bring you harmony, grounding, focus, happiness, health, and overall positive well-being. Sometimes one or more of these aspects are blocked. Rest assured that you have all the tools you need to rebalance. One of the most accessible of these tools is the breath. Every inhale and exhale is an opportunity to connect inward, lower your stress levels, bring oxygen to your body, and feel alive! Try noticing your breath once a day. Check in with yourself and notice if your breath is shallow, or where it might be caught in your body - your nasal path, your throat, your chest, or your belly. From there, just try deepening it. A few breaths will do. If you can, try to put down what you’re doing, close your eyes, and follow the journey of your breath, flowing in and out. Even taking time for one breath can be a powerful tool. The best part is, you can access your breath anywhere, anytime. That’s something to rejoice about!

Here’s to a healthy and happy spring!

About Amanda:

Amanda Leigh Bowen is the Co-Founder of Fawen Ready-To-Drink Soup, along with her fiancé, Fabio Fossati. Amanda and Fabio quickly discovered their shared passion for healthy food and living an active lifestyle when they met at a gym in Brooklyn. They then went on to create Fawen to share their delicious, healthy lifestyle with the nation. Amanda is also a certified yoga instructor, who enjoys cooking and creating her own nutritious recipes for family and friends. She thoroughly embraces everything health and wellness related, finds true joy in all matters of the heart, mind, and soul.  Amanda and Fabio currently live with their two dogs in Brooklyn, New York.


Public Release:

What happens when materials collide? Observing fracture in stressed materials

Osaka University

IMAGE: above: Cross section of typical spallation of a material. Big damage on the lower part of the back surface is clearly seen. Below: Distribution of space debris in earth orbit.... view more

Credit: ESA & NASA

Osaka, Japan - Ever wondered, while cruising at 36,000 feet over the Atlantic, what would happen if a piece of satellite, asteroid, or other debris collided with your aircraft?

Dynamic fracture is the fragmentation of a material because of some stress, such as during impact. This has obvious importance for the debris shielding of materials used in aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, nuclear reactors and armor, as well as in general engineering and manufacturing.

Until now, the dynamic fracture of materials has only been observed using bulk-scale techniques, such as measuring fragment speeds or forensically examining samples. Dynamic fracture at the atomic scale could only be studied using computer simulations, since the size range that could be observed in materials by experimental techniques was too narrow. However, this has changed thanks to a new technique reported by an Osaka University-led team for directly observing dynamic fracture in metals.

The researchers have used a laser pump and X-ray probe to detect movement, such as stretching and compression, in the atomic structure of tantalum under high stress. Specifically, a laser produces a shock in a thin piece of tantalum, a metal used in alloys to increase their strength and corrosion resistance. The X-ray probe then measures the spacing of atoms in the opposite side of the tantalum. This technique is extremely sensitive to atoms near the surface, which are the ones most closely associated with surface damage.

"The evolution of lattice deformation associated with the ultrafast fracture in tantalum is given by a time series of X-ray diffraction patterns," explains Dr. Bruno Albertazzi. "This deformation shows us the shocked part of the tantalum, which is extremely small, but the shock travels through the tantalum at nearly five kilometers per second." It should therefore be no surprise that the tantalum's strength becomes compromised. The measurements, carried out at the Spring-8 synchrotron complex in Japan, show a decrease in the spacing of tantalum atoms immediately before fracture. The team validates their observations by demonstrating a close match with computer simulations.

This technique can be used to investigate high-speed cracking and other stress-related effects. "This method bridges the gap in the understanding of the relationship between atomic structure and material properties," says Associate Professor Norimasa Ozaki. Movement in a material's atomic structure under stress can now be observed in real-time, and an important material property--the stress required for fracture-- can be determined. This knowledge will benefit the design and manufacturing of equipment and technologies where resistance to impact is paramount.


The Law of One Search Results for ‘roots of mind’

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90.14 Questioner: Now, as I understand it the archetypes are the biases of a very fundamental nature that, under free will, generate the experiences of each entity. Is this correct?

Ra: I am Ra. The archetypical mind is part of that mind which informs all experience. Please recall the definition of the archetypical mind as the repository of those refinements to the cosmic or all-mind made by this particular Logos and peculiar only to this Logos. Thus it may be seen as one of the roots of mind, not the deepest but certainly the most informative in some ways. The other root of mind to be recalled is that racial or planetary mind which also informs the conceptualizations of each entity to some degree.

87.21 Questioner: What was this root cause?

Ra: I am Ra. The root cause of blockage is the lack of the ability to see the other-self as the Creator, or to phrase this differently, the lack of love.

19.21 Questioner: Is this then the root of what we call astrology?

The root of astrology, as you speak it, is one way of perceiving the primal distortions which may be predicted along probability/possibility lines given the, shall we say, cosmic orientations and configurations at the time of the entrance into the physical/mental complex of the spirit and at the time of the physical/mental/spiritual complex into the illusion.

This then has the possibility of suggesting basic areas of distortion. There is no more than this. The part astrology plays is likened unto that of one root among many.

50.2 Questioner: In the last session [you] made the statement that experiences are attracted to the entity through the south pole. Could you expand on that and give us a definition of what you mean?

Ra: I am Ra. It takes some consideration to accomplish the proper perspective for grasping the sense of the above information. The south or negative pole is one which attracts. It pulls unto itself those things magnetized to it. So with the mind/body/spirit complex. The in-flow of experience is of the south pole influx. You may consider this a simplistic statement.

16.49 Questioner: You’re saying that we ourselves then create these?

I am Ra. We communicate now.

23.15 Questioner: I was really questioning more about the more basic cause of the disease rather than the mechanism of its transmission. I was going back to the root or thought which created the possibility of this disease. Could you shortly tell me if I am correct in assuming that the general reduction of thought over the long time on planet Earth with respect to an understanding of the Law of One created a condition in which this— what we call disease could develop? Is this correct?

Ra: I am Ra. This is correct and perceptive. You, as questioner, begin now to penetrate the outer teachings.

The root cause in this particular society was not so much a bellicose action although there were, shall we say, tendencies, but rather the formation of a money system and a very active trading and development of those tendencies towards greed and power; thus, the enslaving of entities by other entities and the misapprehension of the Creator within each entity.

Ra: I am Ra. This is correct.

63.31 Questioner: It would seem to me the heating effect that takes place on the planet is analogous to a disease in the body and would have as a root cause the same or analogous mental configuration. Is this correct?

Ra: I am Ra. This is correct except that the spiritual configuration as well as mental biases of your peoples has been responsible for these distortions of the body complex of your planetary sphere.

36.10 Questioner: Well, let, let me be sure I understand this then. We have spoken of certain particular individuals. For instance, we were speaking of George Patton in a previous communication. Then his higher self at the time of his incarnation here as George Patton about forty years ago, his higher self was at that time sixth-density? Is this correct?

Ra: I am Ra. This is correct. We make note at this time that each entity has several beings upon which to call for inner support. Any of these may be taken by an entity to be the mind/body/spirit complex totality. However, this is not the case. The mind/body/spirit complex totality is a nebulous collection of all that may occur held in understanding; the higher self itself a projection or manifestation of mind/body/spirit complex totality which then may communicate with the mind/body/spirit during the discarnate part of a cycle of rebirth or, during the incarnation may communicate if the proper pathways or channels through the roots of mind are opened.

90.21 Questioner: Then what you are saying is that once the path is recognized, either the positive or the negative polarized entity can find hints along his path as to the efficiency of that path. Is this correct?

Ra: I am Ra. That which you say is correct upon its own merits, but is not a repetition of our statement. Our suggestion was that within the experiential nexus of each entity within its second-density environment and within the roots of mind there were placed biases indicating to the watchful eye the more efficient of the two paths. Let us say, for want of a more precise adjective, that this Logos has a bias towards kindness.

61.13 Questioner: OK, then I will ask this one. Could you tell us the purpose of the frontal lobes of the brain and the conditions necessary for their activation?

Ra: I am Ra. The frontal lobes of the brain will, shall we say, have much more use in fourth density.

The primary mental/emotive condition of this large area of the so-called brain is joy or love in its creative sense. Thus, the energies which we have discussed in relationship to the pyramids — all of the healing, the learning, the building, and the energizing — are to be found in this area. This is the area tapped by the adept. This is the area which, working through the trunk and root of mind, makes contact with intelligent energy and through this gateway, intelligent infinity.

Are there any queries before we leave this instrument?

42.16 Questioner: I had one experience in meditation which I spoke of before which was very profound approximately twenty years ago, a little less. What disciplines would be most applicable to re-create this situation and this type of experience?

Ra: I am Ra. Your experience would best be approached from the ceremonial magical stance. However, the Wanderer or adept shall have the far greater potential for this type of experience which, as you have undoubtedly analyzed to be the case, is one of an archetypal nature, one belonging to the roots of cosmic consciousness.

78.26 Questioner: The choice of polarity being the unique circumstance, shall I say, for the archetypical basis for the evolution of consciousness in our particular experience indicates to me that we have arrived, through a long process of the Creator knowing Itself, we’ve arrived at a position of present or maximum efficiency for the design of a process of experience. That design for maximum efficiency is in the roots of consciousness and is the archetypical mind and is a product of everything that has gone before. There are, unquestionably, relatively pure archetypical concepts for the seven concepts for mind, body, and spirit. I feel that the language that we have for these is somewhat inadequate.

However, we will continue to attempt to understand, and that is a poor word also, the foundation for this and I am hoping that I have laid the foundation with some degree of accuracy in attempting to set a background for the development of the archetypes of our Logos. Have I left out anything or made any errors, or could you make any comments on my attempt to lay a background for the construction that our Logos used for the archetypes?

Ra: I am Ra. Your queries are thoughtful.

65.7 Questioner: How would conventional warfare offer the opportunities for seeking and service?

Ra: I am Ra. The possibility/probabilities exist for situations in which great portions of your continent and the globe in general might be involved in the type of warfare which you might liken to guerrilla warfare. The ideal of freedom from the so-called invading force of either the controlled fascism or the equally controlled social common ownership of all things would stimulate great quantities of contemplation upon the great polarization implicit in the contrast between freedom and control. In this scenario which is being considered at this time/space nexus the idea of obliterating valuable sites and personnel would not be considered an useful one. Other weapons would be used which do not destroy as your nuclear arms would. In this ongoing struggle the light of freedom would burn within the mind/body/spirit complexes capable of such polarization. Lacking the opportunity for overt expression of the love of freedom, the seeking for inner knowledge would take root aided by those of the Brothers and Sisters of Sorrow which remember their calling upon this sphere.

Ra: I am Ra.

Exercise Three. Gaze within a mirror. See the Creator.

67.30 Questioner: In that case, continue.

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