So I have chosen to create a drawing that describes my take away from Steven Willis’ poem “Ebonics 101”. In the drawing, the setting will be a classroom. Steven or a black man in general will be a teacher, suit and tie on with a pointy stick pointing towards the chalkboard/blackboard. The blackboard will say “Ebonics 101 Chapters/lessons 1-3”. He will be facing a classroom with majority of white people at the desks to symbolize him teaching the man what they do call call Ebonics. There will be black people as well in the classroom to symbolize Stevens actual audience. The white people in the classroom, maybe two or three of them will be raising their hand to show that even though they judge us for our slang they’re actually lowkey interested and want to learn and understand “Ebonics”. Also to symbolize some of his references I will try to show some of them around the classroom. For example there would be a area in the classroom that has stuff that’s been confiscated from students such as a Arizona bottle, skittles, and a hoodie to signify travon Martin. The others I will try to figure out but that’s how the drawing will be set up.
1. Do you think I need to add anything to the drawing? Comment what and where
2.How do you feel about the idea for the drawing? Do you think it’s an effective way of symbolizing what I took from it?
3. Do you have any questions about how and why I’m drawing this?
4.Should I need to take away some details? If so comment where
Hey Taisha! First thing first I love that you’ve chosen the format to draw illustrating this poem. Great choice!
1. My favorite part of your project is while reading your rough draft, I’m having this tingling sense of imagery. I visualized the classroom, chalkboard, and the students. Most importantly, I love the part where you mentioned Arizona bottle, skittles, and a hoodie symbolizing Trevon Martin.
2. I would like it if you expanded on these two ideas. One is if you are going to draw Steven as a professor, focus on how you’ll demonstrate his body language (hands) and facial expression. Since his poem is based on violence, history, and power. Since he’ll be lecturing what ebonics mean to him. Secondly, focus on the three white students. I’m guessing you’ll be showing the students reaction towards this lecture. If you do, show their facial expression as well. Like maybe one feels disgusted talking about inequality, segregation, race, etc. And the others like you said is interested in the topic. That way we’ll understand how their emotions.
3. It seems like I can tell who’s the audience. I’m guessing It’s for black and white people. I really like that you are using half the class as black people referring to the audience Steven has in his video. But I feel like there should be at least 5 white people. The reason why is because I feel like Steven addressed his message to the white people by saying “So hipsters I hope you got your note pads ready, this is Ebonics 101”.
4. Two things to make your project really powerful is in the classroom you can draw some signs on the wall like a qoute from Ms Lauryn Hill, which Steven mentioned in his poem. Secondly, since Stevem mentioned “Hipsters” in his poem you can draw one of the white people as hipsters. Wearing plaid shirt, hats/ beanies, etc. (I’m not sure how they dress up but google will help lol)
5. The part I’m confused about is the white people raising their hands. My question is why are they raisin their hands. Is Steven or who ever is the professor stated something and they are disagreeing? Can you help me understand the message?
6. FINALLY, the last question :’) Overall I love you’ve choosen the format visual. I was going to do drawing but I wasn’t sure how my ideas would’ve went for one of the poems. But I am super excited and looking forward to see your master piece. Good Luck Taisha 🙂
Taisha,
You know what I think about this idea, and Maria’s comments, from class. Both of you, brava.
Like… I am so excited for this.
Your insights into this piece, just from your description of what you want to draw, is spectacular. I’m so stoked to see how it comes out. I’m particularly excited to see the subtleties of how you’ll indicate that the Black students are his real audience (a beautiful insight and important thesis!), and how you’ll show that the white students are like, interested but trying to be lowkey about it because they’re also probably hella uncomfortable. The particular details you chose to portray the subtleties of these things are going to be super important and also super important.
And yesssssss I’m all for having a Lauryn Hill record/poster/something somewhere in that classroom because *I mean.* Great idea, Maria!
Taisha, this is going to be amazing!!