James Agee's "America, Look at Your Shame!"
*REVISED*
Did anyone think that the picture of the two men with the bloodied African-American man seemed a bit weird? When I first saw this picture -- before I read the essay, mind you -- I thought that the two white men appeared to be gloating over having just beat up the man. One of the men looks like he's smiling. Then, I read the essay and thought, "Am I the only one who thought this looks strange?" Just something to think about, since we'll be examining visual rhetoric in this up-coming project.
Many of you have commented on the "rambling" you perceive in Agee's essay. Hm. I'm not sure I see what you're seeing, but I'll look it over again. Please try to identify where you find this to be the case and bring it up in class.
So, my vision for this blog is to get folks into conversations through the comments. Feel free to comment on the comments of others and check back later to read other responses. As the course moves along, we will develop ideas about how to use the blog more.
Pulbish your comments to the Agee reading here.
39 comments:
I believe that Agee inaction on the bus showed just how hard it was for the men in the PM photographs to stand out from a huge angry crowd to help the people who needed it the most. It is hard to go agains the popular movement and to stand out and be unique. i beliee Agee looked at those men as the real hereos, not the soldiers or sailors on the bus. he would see the men in the photographs as those who did something right that maybe was not the easiest thing to do
Cait G.
I think that the men in the PM photographs were definatly very heroic to stick up for people of a different race during that time period. Also, it took alot of courage, because they may have been degraded for helping the blacks and could have put themselves in danger if people saw them helping. I think when he got off the bus he saw the men in the newspaper the same because they truly chose the corect thing to do which was to help.
Meghan Kearney
I admire the men in the photographs. During that time period, those men would probably end up losing their life for helping someone of the different race. I agree with Cait G., who said that "Agee looked at those men as the real heroes, not the soldiers or sailors on the bus." Sure, one man on the bus gave up his seat to an elderly Negro woman, but the men in the photos really helped.
Now, actually reading this composition was difficult for me. It seemed like Agee was rambling. I had a hard time following what he was saying. I understood the gist of it, but it was confusing.
~~Heather C.~~
I pretty much agree with what everyone has said so far about how the men in the photographs were very heroic to stuck out of a crown for a different race, especially in that time period. i also agree with heather when she says "it seemed like agee was rambling" and it was hard to understand, i felt the same way, like there was too much going on.
~lauren chetta
Besides the discomfort the image makes me feel, there is no doubt about the fact that standing up for the right thing is hard no matter what especially when you are facing a group of rioters. The picture was taken in 1943 where this hate crime was virtually impossible to convict a person or group of people for doing it. While riots are taking place all over it seems they are being hidden from people and Agee is trying to make it known, when he writes this. This is a brutal history that took place in america because of racial tension in Detroit. As it has been said, and one can not dissagree, it was brave to help a black person at this time in history but there were some who did. It is hard to see what the expressions on their faces mean exactly but it is obvious this time in history was crutially life threatoning as a black person.
Francis Adams
I believe that the people who helped out the "Negroes" as stated in Agee's story, are very heroic. The first picture in the story was a very disturbing picture for one of the men is cover in blood and is very injured. I liked the part in the story when a big sailor gave up his seat for a elderly lady of a different race.
--Jenna Elliott
I agree with everyone else about how the men in the PM photograph were the real heroes. Those men risked their lives to help the black man when the very well knew that other people of their race would have strongly disapproved of the gesture. This piece of writing perfectly proves that it doesn't matter who the person is on the outside it is truly who they are in the inside that counts. The "elderly Negro" woman who sat down on the bus said it best when she told them, "Ain't your skin that make the the difference, it's how you feel inside. Ought to be ashamed..."
I also agree with Heather C. when she said that Agee was "rambling" because that is how I viewed the composition too. Yeah, the writing proved a good point about being a good person but a lot of the things he wrote about didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the composition, it was almost like he wanted the reader to know that he really knew what he wanted to say he just couldn't say it..."I couldn't gather a phrase of it together and make it mean anything, even to myself."
Krysten Augello.
The men in the phots were very heroic. I think that no matter the situation, its always hard to stand up for what you believe in, especially when you're the only person going agaist a group of people. It takes a lot of courage to be that one person trying to make a difference. When the sailor gave up his seat on the bus to the elder woman of a different race, i think that shows that not everyone agrees with what is going on, and even during crucial times there is always going to be at least one person who is good.
Amanda B.
Agee's story was difficult to read because he goes back and forth so much throughout it. How he wants to help the black man but knows he will get harassed for it if he does. How when the older woman who is not white is telling the soldier he should be ashamed he catches the other man's eye and they slightly smile at one another but he doesn't want to smile.
-Christine S
Agree's inaction on the bus suggests that the men in the PM photographs are heroes. I think that Agree looked at those men as them being heroes and doing what is right nomatter what everyone else thinks. They did the right thing and they helped in a great way even though it wasn't easy.
~Christine L
I think that the men in the photograph were all courageous people. They stood up for what they believed in and did something that was unthinkable in their times. By helping people of a different race they show heroism and out themselves in danger. The situation was a hard one to be in and I think there could have been a lot of different feelings going on at that time. It was a little confusing to follow but in all a descriptive encounter.
I think that the men in the photograph were all courageous people. They stood up for what they believed in and did something that was unthinkable in their times. By helping people of a different race they show heroism and out themselves in danger. The situation was a hard one to be in and I think there could have been a lot of different feelings going on at that time. It was a little confusing to follow but in all a descriptive encounter.
-Ashley Bosselman
I agree with everyone that sticking up for a race other then your own. At that time it was scary to do because people cold turn against you for just sticking up for what you believe in. I also agree with Jenna that the frist picture with the man bloody and njured was disturbing and when the salior gave up his seat was a good part.
Jessica. C
i agree i think this shows very well how hard it is to act against the popular movement. it was very strange because its so hard to imagine all of this is so different to what we are used to.
Agee's inaction on the bus showed that it took a lot for the white men in the PM photograph to help the black guy that was bleeding. Back them the number of people the were racist out numbered the number of people that actually wanted to help blacks, so to stand up and help a black person, these people risked their lifes. After Agee got off the bus, i'm sure he had more respect for the men in the photograph; He saw for himself how hard it was to stand up and help a black person when almost everyone around him is racist or just plain quiet about the issue.
Nordian D.
I think that the picture of the men helping the black person are very strong willed and heroic. they stuck up for someone even though everyone else was against them. It shows that they have a great deal of courage they could have been made fun of or looked down upon.When he got off the bus he saw the men in the paper doing the same thing helping someone.I don't think he would have thought differently about the men.
Sarah Schwartz
It was hard to read about all the hate crimes in Detroit during that time period. I think the men in the pictures were very brave to stand up against what other people believed and help someone from another race. It was a brave act act for them to seek out because they did not know how people around them could have reacted.
-Kaustin
I think that Agee's reaction on the bus was very typical of alot of people back then. I also think that his inaction to say anything was just as typical. Alot of people back them knew what was right but were just too scared to go against alot of people. It is a difficult thing to do and i give alot of credit to the people that are able to.
Carolann M.
I believe that after Agee's bus ride he gained a lot more admiration for the men in the photograph. He relized how hard it is so stand up and take the opposing side from everyone eles. He relized it when he felt he should have stood up agaist the men in the bus but didnt have the courage too. Also the moral is sometimes the easiest things is not the right thing to do.
Jess W.
I agree with everyone when they say that the men in the PM photographs were heroic. Being in their position back then was dangerous and life threatening. It took a lot of courage for them to tand out and help when others were doing the harm. The soldiers/sailors on the bus shocked me that their attitudes about negros was the way it was since their were representing out country and they had the nerve to say what they had said. I also agree that this essay was hard for me to follow.
Although Agee could not build up the courage to put his two cents in on the bus, I still have a great deal of respect for him. He was knowledge of the situation going on in his country, and even more significantly, the world. He knew how difficult it was to take a stance against the ignorance and violence which turned out to be all around him (on the bus). Agee sympathized for the two white gentlemen in the photograph, and continually noted how brave they must had been in the essay. I was disgusted by the actions of the soldiers and sailors, as it must have put a damper on how the individuals on the bus felt toward their government. It was ironic to see that the people trained to help our citizens live safe happy lives were the ones expressing such a strong hatred towards blacks. Agee, just being passionate and supportive of those two white gentlemen, was more of a hero than those soldiers and sailors would ever be.
I also believe that the men in the PM photographs were very brave when they took it upon themselves to stand up for the people. They risked alot when they commited to this, its hard to do something that is different from whats expected, especially in those times. Because of this agee realized the real heros in this time.
Lreilly
This reading was hard for me to follow and completely understand. I felt that Agee’s views/stories were boring and tedious. Although I got the main idea, I felt that there wasn’t a real connection between the race riots and the bus story. I’d have to agree mostly with what everyone has already posted, that the men in those pictures were the real heroes, while the photographers and Agee just sat by on the side lines and photographed/listened to the racial issues of the time. I felt that especially with the older black gentleman present on the bus someone should have stood up and said something to those soldiers, I mean come on are they really going to start a fight on a New York bus? Probably not.
J Haley
The men in the PM photos did the right thing. At some times it seems very hard to do the right thing and stand up for what you believe in. Many take the easy road and just stand back and watch whats happening go on because they are scared to deal with the scutiny other people. But a strong and brave person stands up for what they believe in and take action to stop whats happening or prevent a tregady. And this is what the men in these photos did. Even under all the scutiny that they would recieve from teh public at the time they still did the right thing and helped the blacks.
Anthony Erz
Considering the time period that this is taking place in, I consider this a huge deal to hear and see in the photos, these men giving their support and helping the blacks, and giving themselves risk. A huge amount of riots took place during this time with enormous crowds all agaisnt the same thing, blacks. For these men to stand in front of all that, defending an opposite side, shows a huge amount of courage. It is very admiring.
Considering the time period that this is taking place in, I consider this a huge deal to hear and see in the photos, these men giving their support and helping the blacks, and giving themselves risk. A huge amount of riots took place during this time with enormous crowds all agaisnt the same thing, blacks. For these men to stand in front of all that, defending an opposite side, shows a huge amount of courage. It is very admiring.
(Jessica Wood)
I thought that it also was a really big deal that they actually had a picture of two guys helping out a beaten colored man especially considering the time period where you are putting yourself at risk.
-Maria D.
I believe that the PM photographers were the hereos, the way they stuck up for those of a different race proves it. You see they are full with courage to help these people, during this confusing, dangerous time. I agree with Caitlyn, when she talks about how it is hard to go agaisnt the current, you have to have courage within yourself to do such things.
-Michelle K
I fee like the men in the photographs were the heros in the story. Back then, it took to so much courage to stand up for colored people, knowing they were considered as worthless. The sailors and soldiers were heros in their own way but they were not heroic when it came to helping the colored people.
Ashley d'Entremont
I also agree that the pictures should be viewed as heroic, racism is a difficult battle to fight and and expecially if you feel alone when your doing it. I also feel that heroism was shown when the sailor gave up his seat on the bus to the "elderly negro" because that shows guts to get up and do somthing you belive is right, when no one else agrees with you.
-Lydia Mojkowski
This story was very interesting, and I enjoyed reading it a lot. Many people were involved but the most important ones were the colors due to not gaining respect. I think the colors are heroes because they strived to gain respect. It takes a lot of courage to stand up for what you believe in.
This story was very interesting, and I enjoyed reading it a lot. Many people were involved but the most important ones were the colors due to not gaining respect. I think the colors are heroes because they strived to gain respect. It takes a lot of courage to stand up for what you believe in.
Jamie R.
I believe that Agree realized that the men in the pictures were in fact the bravest, most heroic men. Agree kept thinking of these pictures before and after the bus ride reminding him that it took courage to stand up.
Jonathan M
i basically have the same feelings about the reading as everyone else. The men in the photographs were very courageous to stick up for those of a different race. It is hard for people to do this in a society that is so racist and dangerous, but they helped the blacks even still.
The pictures are disturbing, but it shows just how brutal people were. I also agree that it was hard to read, but after i was done i did understand most of what i read.
Erin P.
Agee's inaction on the bus showed that he is not as courageous as the men in the PM photograph. He has the same desire to help, but not the strength to put forth actions to his thoughts. Agee seems jealous of the men in the photograph, and after his experience on the bus, his admiration for those men probably increased.
Alyssa S.
Kristina Bliss
Question 2
Agee’s inaction was probably a good example of how a lot of people felt during the Detroit riot time period. Agee was very afraid of the violence that would occur if he spoke up and I think that was a big problem for many people. These negative opinions were so strong that if you were white you were supposed to believe them and if you didn’t you were hated. So it is obvious that it took a lot of courage for people help black people during the Detroit riots because they were in danger of getting hurt. I think Agee thought differently about the man that gave up his seat to the elderly black woman because it was contradicting what he was saying. When I read that part it made me think that the soldier didn’t fully believe everything he was saying and he may have been following the crowd.
I agree that this was a hard story to read because the author would ramble and stray a little from the topic. But at the end of the story I understood the point that he was trying to make and I think it was a good description of how people felt during the Detroit riots.
Agee stepped onto a bus full of opposing opinions and hate all around. Agar listens and watches from afar and is unsure how he should respond to the uproar caused by the sailors. Agee is certain that the worst thing that he could do was to stare with a "blank eye." I don't blame Agee for not carrying out his hypothetical planned out actions. Many people at this time could identify with Agee and his thoughts. The time where this incident took place was burdened with ignorance and hatred. It is apparent that the bus passengers felt defenseless in this racist battle. The fellow onlookers could feel the tension at their feet.
As for the picture with the two men carrrying out the bloody man, I feel as though one of them is gloating with pride. It is a wonderful courteous act to help a man but, I agree with what Agee described him, as a "over-realistic caricature" face he had portrayed. Agee is unsure of himself and what he would of done if caught in the situation. Nevertheless, the PM photographers lended their helping hands in the riot to aide. It takes real courage to stand to the opposing figure, especially in the time of a crisis.
-Christine Lam
1.) The internal conflicts he presents is that he is very disgusted by the way the sailors are talking. The whole time he tries thinking about what he could say and imagining situations that may seem unrealistic. For example, he wanted to just punch the sailor in the jaw and hope someone will have his back. Or by questioning them and asking "Why are you fighting the war?". Externally, he is so occupied he isn't paying attention yet he kept overhearing them being loud and ignorant. By the end of the novel Agee didn't do anything and they walked off the bus.
2.) Agee's inaction just goes to show how courageous, brave, and gutsy you must be in order to help the colored man in the photo. It takes honest men with huge character to put their lives on the line like that. I think Agee after he left the bus had an even greater respect for the two white men. It was even more difficult then he first believed to help a colored man up and see if he's okay.
-- Joshua M.
Post a Comment