Have you ever noticed...

Personally, in my own personal opinion, I honestly believe that some people hold off on having bad news until you are completely swamped with projects to complete, such as trying to finish two assignments after having a 7 hour shift at work. You know, when you're already stressed enough about your school work and having to graduate in May.

I mean seriously, Mom and Sister, it wouldn't hurt sometimes to just casually mention that Dad went to the ER perhaps before I begin to stress over my work, and wait till this afternoon after I turn in all my work? You know that I'm dealing with a bunch of stuff on my plate, so I would honestly appreciate you realizing I don't do well in school when I'm too busy stressing.

All last summer, every time I had a paper due in one of my classes, someone would pop up and make me stress just as I was trying to type the paper. Last semester, I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and such. Now, I have to deal with my Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma. Like seriously people, I'm trying to graduate here. I'm not trying to be selfish, but you just got to stop complaining about my grades when you're loading all this stress onto my shoulders.

La Última Cena

Based on historical events, La Última Cena (The Last Super) depicts the treatment of African American slaves during the 18^th and 19^th centuries when Cuba became a leading sugar production area in the global market. While not a historical documentary, the movie exhibits real social problems that affected the inhabitants of Cuba of the time period. The issues of racism and oppression of the African slaves are highlighted throughout the film as viewers are able to observe the labor conditions, treatment, and punishment of insubordinate slaves (i.e. Sebastian) by their European master and a Hispanic overseer.

The Havana sugar mill’s main purpose was to produce a substantial amount of income for the Count and the mill’s overseer, Don Manuel. The consideration of a slave’s accommodations at the mill was not in the forefront of the Count’s mind, even after viewing the poor conditions of the mill in a tour. According the Shultz’s article, detailing a discussion of African slaves becoming legal citizens, the educated elite describe Africans as “harmful members of society for which they are a burden” (Shultz 31). A typical African individual, free or bonded into slavery, was considered unworthy of equal citizenship to the Europeans or native peoples. The Count, from his education and the influential social customs of his peers, blindly follows the tradition of believing that the most practical use of a slave is as a tool for his mill instead of a free man. Their existence in the sugar mills is to complete a job, nothing more or less. Similar to the Europeans, Don Manuel dominates on the use of African slavery, despite his status as a Hispanic man, and he requests the Count purchase more slaves to produce sugar at a quicker pace.

However, an underlying issue is presented as the film progresses: the religious sanction of slavery and the justification of the institution. While Don Manuel’s evil intentions for the slaves are obvious to the viewers of the films, the priest living on the sugar mill utilizes his education to continue slavery in the area. The bondage of another human being is considered to be sinful, but the priest manages to validate the bondage using religion has an acceptable reason. According the Mraz’s article, “a priest works assiduously for the ruling class, endeavoring to persuade the slaves that their lot is tolerable and just” (Mraz 112). In the film, the priest and the Count explain to the chosen 12 slaves that they can only attain their true happiness through the difficulties of harsh labor opposed to living a life freely outside the mill. The justification is thus further proven when an elderly slave is granted freedom by the Count at the dinner, but is unable to leave the mill due to his inability of finding a new home.

The African slaves at the sugar mill are continuously taught that their harsh labor will give them true happiness after their deaths, however, after being denied a holiday off from work, the slaves rebel in a violent manner. While racism and oppression are easily perceived by the viewers, the justification of slavery through religion drives the main plot of the film. While the Count continuously states that he supplies the slaves with the religious means on attaining happiness, his main concern is attaining income from the mill and not providing proper accommodations for the African slaves.

To that Special Fella

In regards to my last post:

Baby, I know you said something stupid and you feel incredibly guilty about it, I LOVE YOU.

Just remember, ever since birth control pills, I cry over anything, so don't worry about it some much.

<3


Emma Lee

Not School Related - Boys have competitions for who is dumber

Yes, the title says it all. I honestly believe that boys stand there and try to figure out who can say the dumbest material just to piss off their lady friends. C'mon boys! I'm sure you realize that when you piss off a lady it's a lose-lose situation for all involved. Just don't say that stupid joke, or that comment about her weight, and you'll be living the high life with her after that dinner and a movie date.

Wo what, if a girl complains about her weight and doesn't go to the gym. Just don't tell her "Well, why don't you quit since you're obviously not serious about it." Why? That's just asking for her to get pissed at you and to try and rip your head off through the phone. Trust me, my boyfriend figured it out the hard way, stupid comments are not appreciated at all by anyone involved.

So you fellows may be looking at me like I'm on this ginormous pedastal, preaching to the choir about how women have feelings and that men consistently insult their feelings. Well, it's mostly true. Men always have the habit of ruining the mood with their outspoken thoughts. So here's a little bit advice for men who are looking to get lucky: smile and nod.


Emma Lee

Professors who warn students just a tad too late....

Oh dear lord, if you are a professor and you cancel a class due to an unforeseen illness, try to warn us as soon as possible so that we may check our e-mail and not have to rush in the morning to get to your class.

Because seriously, I just woke up late and ran to your classroom, only to find out by logging onto my laptop there that you sent out your class cancellation about 10 minutes earlier. Like what the frack, professor, what the frack!


I'm sure you're not happy with me either, professor. I'm the student that doesn't check her e-mail every five minutes to make sure there isn't some new update that I have missed. Well, I have a ghetto phone that has limited access to the internet and I can't exactly log onto my laptop as I'm walking down the sidewalk from my apartment to the classroom. So don't try going and blaming my poorness or my inability to multi-task while walking on this. I'm angry at you and you only, Mr. Professor.

By the way, I really do hope you get to feeling better from this illness. It sucks having a cold the first few weeks of class, cause then you'll never be able to catch up.




Emma Lee

To be the first of several weeks worth....

Hello professor, teaching assistants, and my peers!

I just finished managing to set up my blog (which is quite different from the old blog format of Myspace if anyone can remember that phase) and I've decided to celebrate the only way I know how: coffee. I think the Starbucks on campus have definitely gone down in quality, but that's just my opinion. But it's awesome how I'm the only one who orders a cold beverage so my order is quick to deliver, instead of waiting behind every hip or scene kid that wants that darn hot peppermint mocha. Who the hell wants to drink peppermint anyway?

By the way, I have already found my project group. Unknowningly, 4 of my peers from my History 499 seminar class have also decided to bless their presence in History 475 and, dare I say it, I am grateful. Now I don't have to bother with that nasty "Hello... I don't know you but I would like for you to trust your grade in my irresponsible hands" moment.

Oh darn, look at the time. I must run. Maybe I'll use this thing as a comfortable outlet for my rage regarding classes. Or maybe I'll just ignore it until I have to complete my assigned blogs. Eh.


Emma Lee
(Emily Allsbrook)