Living with Disabilities Through the Power of Rock (and other things)

In my other blog for Disability Awareness Month, we looked at scholarly material in book chapter form , with lots of facts and data about people around the world living with disabilities. They had some personal stories, but they were often short, and if you want to understand what life is actually like for people with disabilities, I feel like you should read full stories about them. There are great nonfiction and biographical stories out there, but at this library, some of the best accounts are in YA (Young Adult) fiction stories. Go figure. Maybe the reason these stories work so well is that none of them are really all about being disabled. Most of them are more coming-of-age stories that just happen to have main characters who are deaf or have cerebral palsy or something. Others are a bit more…dramatic. Which is the best approach to take? Judge for yourself!

 

                                       Five Flavors of Dumb  by Antony John

This is a coming-of-age story about a teen girl dealing with school, her family issues, and getting ready for college. She is also the manager of a teenage rock band (it’s set in Seattle, so of course) that she is pretty sure is a total mess. She can’t be 100 % sure though, considering she’s deaf. The book has two major storylines, one with the band (and her attempts to get five vastly different people to come together), and her story with her family, mostly with her troubled brother (who can hear) and her deaf baby sister, for whom her parents get cochlear implants so that she can hear. Oh, and her parents used money from her college fund to do this. Ouch. Our main character, Piper, is a likable protagonist, who is often pulled between the subculture of deaf Americans, and the more mainstream world of rock and roll.  Hardly a tragic victim, she’s a normal girl, with issues and flaws and humor, who just happens to be legally deaf. In fact, most of the book has nothing to do with her disability; it’s more about her relationships with her band and her family. It’s a relatively light story about hearing aids, family, and the power of her music helping a young woman grow up.

 

                                                                 Reaching for Sun   by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

This is less of a traditional story than the last one, mainly because the whole thing is told in poetry. But hold on, don’t let that scare you off! The poems, told in accessible free verse, are used to tell the story of Josie, a 7^th grade girl who lives in an aging farmhouse with her grandmother and her well-meaning but nagging mother. She also has cerebral palsy, so she has trouble moving one side of her body, and saying certain words. She has trouble making friends, until she meets a new boy named Jordan, who she becomes friends with. It’s a lyrical sort of book, with the problems Josie has being tied up in metaphors and similes, often linking to gardening or nature, the settings where she feels most comfortable. Like the previous book, it’s not about feeling bad for the main character and her struggles, it’s just about a young girl living her life and trying to figure out her place in the world, while feeling self-conscious about what makes her different.

 

                                        Stuck in Neutral  by Terry Trueman

Remember how I said some of these books were more dramatic than the others? This is a big one. It’s told from the perspective of 14-year-old Shawn. He likes music and cars and girls, and is a normal teenage boy. Except one big thing. No one knows he likes these things, because he has very severe cerebral palsy from brain damage at birth, and can’t move, feed himself, or even talk. Everyone thinks that, in his head, he has the intellect of a 3 month old, when in actuality, he is highly intelligent, funny, and even optimistic. Oh, and he thinks that his father might be trying to kill him. Not because he hates him, but because he thinks he is constantly suffering. And there is nothing Shawn can do to stop him. It’s not an easy book, it talks about how families deal with children with severe disabilities, how society in general deals with them, and most of all, euthanasia. Look, I am not going to talk about who is right and who is wrong in this story, or about euthanasia, but man, this book will get to you. It’s a short read, but by the time you get to the last chapter, it packs a huge freaking punch.   

The point I am trying to make is that these books might not be true stories, but they very well could be. There are millions of people all around the world right now living with physical and mental disabilities, some extremely severe, others more manageable. Some of them might be into rock music, or gardening, or just imagining. While these are all Young Adult books, they have a lot to say to people of all ages, whether you have experience with disabilities or not.  

  

CP

The Facts, Stories, and Myths of Disabilities

So, it turns out that March is not only National Women’s History month; it’s also National Disability Awareness Month. This means I get to write about more awareness related stuff! Anyway, the purpose is to share information about disabilities, be they physical or mental, to dispel stereotypes, and to learn how individual people have dealt with living with disabilities. In this blog, I am going to be looking at one book series, Disabilities:insights from across fields and around the world, that has three volumes, shelved in Reference on the first floor. And yes, I am going to be looking at all three of them, examining experiences, cultural issues and stigmas (please don’t get your knowledge of mental illness from TV's Law and Order), and the more practical and legal ways people deal with these issues. And no, I don’t think many people deal with them through being “inspirational” in a made for TV Hallmark movie. So let's get started!

                                                    Disabilities (The Experience)

This first book is the most informational, defining what constitutes a “disability”, how they are caused, and what that means for individual people and society at large. Each chapter has a different author and a different topic, all somewhat based around information on specific types of disabilities. It ranges from “But Stroke Happens to Older People Doesn’t It?” a chapter about people in their 30s or 40s dealing with the physical and emotional aftermaths of suffering a stroke, to “Disability in Arab Societies”, a chapter about…people with disabilities in Arab societies. Both of these chapters combine general information as well as personal stories. If you’re reading this book for a paper, it also has lot of references at the end of each chapter, telling where the authors got all their information, as well as where to find more. As a start to this book series, it’s a good way to begin, laying out the groundwork for the later books that get into more details of the issues discussed. And it is a much better way to get information on normal people living with disabilities than whatever is being shown on some procedural this week.

                                       Disabilities (The Context)
 This book, while in the same series with the same themes, covers environmental, social, and cultural considerations. Where the first book was defining what exactly a disability is, this is more about how society reacts to them. Governments around the world have long struggled with how to help people with disabilities, and how much they can and should help. Or, how much people with disabilities even want help. In one chapter, called "Autonomy and Disability: A Quest for Quality of Life", the author discusses how people with disabilities have fought to be treated like anyone else. It’s more about people with disabilities who want to be independent. More importantly, it asks how society can support people with various disabilities who want to live independently, especially children who want to learn to eventually function as adults. There is another chapter about a nurse who changes her whole perspective on research and disabilities when her brother is in a car accident and becomes brain damaged. It also provides a very harrowing look into what families go through when someone gets a brain injury, and how little support they receive in health care settings. Yeah, this book is not always super cheerful, to be honest. But, it’s not supposed to be. It’s supposed to be both informative, and personal. And this one is personal in ways that the last one was not.

Disabilities (Responses)

So this is the third in our trilogy, and the one that combines both the elements of the series, the personal stories and the facts. It is also the book that goes abroad a lot, looking at treating disabilities in elementary students in Greece, cancer related disabilities in Canada, and the increasing issues of disability in Sri Lanka, among many others. It’s mostly facts, but they're woven into personal stories, which I think is an interesting way to talk about these issues. Plus, people don’t always think much about how different countries deal with disabilities, and it’s interesting seeing how different cultures have tried to deal with things. While the second book was about society, this one is more about political issues. It deals less with how society or individuals manage physical or mental issues, and more with how countries and governments deal with them. Some of the chapters are more like the first book, just lots of information, while some are more like the second, and are more personal. Which one is your preference? Doesn’t matter, because there are plenty of both!

All three of these books provide both information and personal stories about living with various disabilities. And with disabilities, it’s important (again, I feel like I keep repeating this)to talk about these things. People who have issues mentally and physically have long been unfairly stereotyped and overlooked, as either weak or “crazy”. The only way to for people to really get over that is to get information, and also to hear actual stories of real people who face these problems every day, and just live their lives, with turning into the killer of the week on CSI, or some awful inspirational Lifetime movie. The real life stories are much better, and rarely subject us to painful adult contemporary soundtracks.  

 

CP

A Few of My Favorite Things

Do you have a favorite place in Rice Library? Besides Starbucks, of course. I've spent a lot of time here in the library, even before I worked here. I get WAY too distracted in my own apartment to do much in the way of homework, and this place has tons of computers and books and even more interesting distractions, so it’s an ideal building to find a place to actually try to accomplish things. And, honestly, when I first came to USI on a campus tour, one of the things that really sold me on the school was its big, fancy library. I don’t know if it's normal to select your place of higher education partially based on how much you dig their sparkly new library, but it is kinda what I did! OK, so it opened in 2006 and isn't so brand-new anymore...but you have to admit it's impressive! Oh, and I came to USI for the excellent English program, competitive price range, growing campus, and friendly faculty and students, but the library was a big plus! And really, my love of this library has never really ended. Over my (many) years here, I have discovered a few places in particular that I just love, and now that I am about to graduate, I'll share my thoughts on these places to read, places to relax, and just parts of the library that I really like. Think about what your favorite places are, while I show you some of mine!

                          The University Archives

When I think of a classic library (ancient books, wise and mysterious librarian, couple secret passageways) the Archives on the third floor are sort of a miniature version. Lots of old books, some on the rare side, and archival records, with old-timey looking chairs and tables. It has lots of collections as well, especially of USI and Evansville history, like an enormous collection of old USI yearbooks (yeah, we used to have yearbooks- go figure) and a display of USI articles and advertisements of the past. I just like looking at things there, smelling the old book smell (it’s a thing I swear), and just being there in the quiet. If you think you might fall asleep, just stare at the funky carpet to wake up. Yeah, a lot of people don’t really know about the Archives, so when you go its usually pretty quiet and peaceful. And one of these days, I swear I am going to find that secret passageway.

                                                                                     Browsing Periodicals Section

In the Periodical Browsing Section, the part of the library right by the newspapers and magazines, is another part of the library that I am pretty fond of. Whereas the University Archives are quiet and out of the way, the section on the first floor by the magazines, right near the Promised Land (Starbucks) is part of the library's busiest, noisiest floor. Where The Archives are contained and cozy, this place is big and full of echoes because it's open to the ceiling of the second floor. It’s got huge walls with big windows, so it’s filled with light and sounds. It also has the magazine racks, which have everything from Catholic Digest, Newsweek, or Rolling Stone, to the previously mentioned Ms. Magazine. It has lots of big, comfy chairs to sit in, and tables to study on. I just really like doing work here. It’s quiet (still a library) but also right on the main floor where the most is going on, so it’s not too out of the way. More importantly it also has that cool wooden staircase that goes up to the second floor, leading to a balcony at the top, where you can gaze down at the whole section and enjoy the pretty views, or just creep on people. It’s actually my favorite part of the section, so go to the top of the staircase and be prepared to creep.

                  Grand  Reading Room

Alright, you know that story I told in the beginning about coming to USI because I loved its library? And how I said I was kidding? Alright I was, but this place? This room? Honest to God this is a huge reason I started paying more attention to USI. You know on the second floor, that big blue room, with the giant walls, and big windows, that’s so dang quiet every time you open the door you feel like you’re smashing through a forest?  When I went on my fist campus tour, I looked through the windows on the third floor down into this room  (it’s a really cool view) and I was in love. Well, I was more in shock that a school had such a giant room for students to study in (I didn’t get out much apparently). But you know what? I still love this room. It’s so quiet it can almost be a little unsettling, but once you get used to it, it’s just very peaceful and easy to relax in. It’s also a great place to hear musicians or speakers, but mostly, I just find it incredibly tranquil. Yes it’s been years since that first visit, and my first look at the Rice Library, but dang it, I haven’t stopped loving this room, and when I leave, I still might have to sneak back just once to take one last look.

So, I am graduating in May. It’s a big deal, and I'm excited and all, but it also makes me look back at my time here. I have spent a TON of time in the library, and it’s weird to me that in a while, I won’t be here anymore. I won’t stand in line for ages at Starbucks, or scan through the archives, or read a magazine by the first floor windows, or study in a giant blue room. I'll have moved on. And for all the long nights here studying, and all the times the printer has jammed or the study rooms are all being used by one guy on a laptop, I have had a lot of great memories here. So, explore the library, and make some great memories of your own, because trust me, it moves way faster than you think. Maybe you`ll find that secret passageway in the Archives that I know must be there.

CP 

Les MS!

Have you heard of Ms. Magazine? Some new blog, or fem crit book? Coming out in the wake of this whole War on Women thing we keep hearing about? Well, look back a little bit more. Ms. is a feminist magazine co-created by famous feminist Gloria Steinem in January 1972. The feminist movement had been going on for quite some time at that point, but there was a lot of work yet to be done. For the record, feminism is a collection of ideologies and movements that strive to create equal rights for women. It’s NOT about angry female liberal arts students burning their bras and screaming about “evil male patriarchal phallic symbols.” Just to get that out of the way. Anyway, Steinem and other like-minded feminists decided they wanted to create a magazine written by women, for women, about women’s issues. At first, publishers expected it to be a sort of proto HGTV/ Better Homes and Gardens sort of magazine, but boy were they wrong. The first issue sold out in just days, dealing with topical women’s issues like abortion, women getting less pay then men for doing the same work, lesbianism, and the general struggles of women (it also had Wonder Women on the cover, which is pretty cool). This was a huge deal, and the magazine stirred up both controversy and praise. And guess what? It’s still in print (and online) today!

While Ms. isn’t quite the force it was back in the 1970s, it’s currently trying to appeal more to young people, and figure out its relevance in today's culture. In my opinion, its writers still seem like they have some important things to say. In the issues I've read (including the 40^th Anniversary issue, which recreates the famous Wonder Woman cover), they have covered everything from domestic abuse, women involved the in Occupy Movement, women’s issues abroad, women voters, and yes, the War on Women. If you don’t know much about that…it’s a touchy subject for a lot of people, so I would encourage you to do your own research. Maybe grab an issue of Ms. Magazine? The articles are interesting and well written, and I like the variety of issues they discuss. It’s not all politics and social reform, there is also information about female writers, politicians, and tech geeks that are just fun and likable. And it doesn’t really fall into that unfortunate “all men are EVILLLLL” thing that seems to seep its way into some feminist discussions. At least, I didn’t notice anything in the stuff I read, and I have only read the very recent issues. Like with all things political, I can’t tell you what to think about its feminist/liberal tendencies, or really get into what I personally think about the issues discussed. Beyond, you know, women should be equal to men(which I REALLY hope most people already think) and they should have more representation in government and the media in general. And despite all the talk about equality, women STILL make only 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. And domestic violence is really bad. Again, hope you just kinda know that. There, I talked about my personal political views on the internet. Come at me bro!

But for real, I haven’t read every issue, so I don’t know if I agree with every article ever written here. I don’t even know if I totally agree with every article I have actually read. But, I'm glad I read them. As I have said before, when it comes to political and social issues, we need to at least talk about them; even if you disagree, or the subjects are awkward to talk about, talk about them we must. I had heard vaguely of the magazine and its relevance in the 70s, but I was surprised to see how many of the issues they discussed then, still seemed fresh in these newer copies of the title. So, 40 years later, is Ms. Magazine still relevant? I would say a very enthusiastic yes. Issues facing women are far from over, and neither is the importance of Ms. Find the latest copy in the library's Browsing Periodicals area on 1st floor (and yes, they even have the 1972 issues!)

CP

Spartans, Authors, Inventors, and Other Women Who Made History

Happy March everyone! Did you know that March is National Women’s History Month? Well now you do, and I'm going to dedicate some blogs to some awesome women of the past, as well as some of the equally awesome women of the present. But first, we talk history. It hasn’t been easy being a woman. In many countries, women have been oppressed, belittled, and generally looked down upon as stupid girls who apparently had cooties or something. But just because it was tough for women to get things done, what with society against them and all, doesn’t mean they didn’t try! So today we look at some of the accomplishments of the ladies of yesteryear, and at the impact they still have on us today. And I swear, if one person makes the inevitable “make me a sandwich!” joke, I'll make you eat one of my sandwiches, and trust me, that’s punishment enough.

Uppity Women of Ancient Times/Medieval Times/The Renaissance by Vicki Leon

For some reason, people tend to assume that since women have often been underestimated and oppressed, that they have not done anything worth talking about in the history books. This assumption is extremely inaccurate. A lot. Women have been accomplishing great things for all of history, and if you’re interested in learning about some of these lesser known ladies, these books are a great place to go. The books, each one about women of a specific time period, are light hearted and funny. They make jokes, and have a breezy style to them, but at the same time, are full of genuinely interesting bits of historical information. Each section tells the tale of one woman (or group of women) who made history, or at least attempted to. I am a sucker for books about random historical trivia, so these are just my style. In Uppity Women of Ancient Times, we learn about women like Elissa, a Phoenician woman who founded the ancient empire of Carthage when not living one giant personal melodrama, and Cynisca, a Spartan lady who was one of the first women to win medals in the Olympics, in the 4-horse chariot race, no less. In the Middle Ages, we meet Artemisia Gentileschi, who had endless miseries put upon her, before becoming a successful painter and the first woman to join Florence’s prestigious painters guild.  In the Renaissance, we meet Widow Trepperel, who made her fortune publishing trashy romance novels around 1545, and Bess Talbot of Hardwick, who through multiple marriages and smart investments, had so much money by the end of her life she could pretty much buy half of Europe. As you can see, no matter when and where she was born, it’s hard to keep a good (or at least business savvy) woman down.

          Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History     by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

You have probably heard or seen that phrase once or twice, usually in an inspirational speech or on someone’s car bumper. But there is a lot more to it than that. The phrase was coined by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, an historian and author who specializes in feminist theory. In the intro to her book, Ulrich expresses a bit of surprise about the popularity of her quote, but also looks at what exactly it means. She wonders what exactly it means to be “well-behaved”, and what exactly the definition of that is. Does it mean fighting gender discrimination or standing up for workers' rights, or publishing your drunken rants on YouTube every night? Then it moves on to other chapters, telling the stories of famous female writers, female revolutionaries, slaves, and other women trying to change the status quo. She also talks about individual women, like Ada Lovelace, who created a blueprint for computers decades before anyone got around to building one. There’s also an interesting chapter about Amazons, and their impact on ancient culture, as well as more modern interpretations. This leads into a discussion about Ms., a feminist magazine that started in the 1970s, that we're going to be talking about later! Ulrich's book is a good read, especially if you’re interested in the history of feminism, really radical women, or bumper stickers. BTW, there's another hot bumper sticker around: Write Women Back Into History!

There are a lot more great books to read about the history of women, and all the ways they have contributed to the world [have a look through the HQ section of books on 3rd floor.] Feminism means a lot of things to different people, and it’s something that it’s hard to get into discussing, considering how strongly people feel about it. But really, that’s not what this blog is about. It's about the ladies of the past who have changed history, made bank, stood up for what they believed in, and kicked a lot of you know what. All without cooties, as far as I know. This month, check out some of these books in honor of these ladies, and all they’ve accomplished, and hear their stories before the inevitable Queen Nefertiti movie is green lighted (come on Hollywood, make it happen.)  

 CP

In the Trenches of the Culture Wars

Know the easiest way to make a party really awkward, especially if you don’t know anyone there very well? Politics! Yes, I know the old rule: never discuss religion, politics or the Chicago Cubs. But sometimes you just have to, even if it gets more awkward than running into your ex out on a date with your best friend. These days, people in the news seem to be talking a lot about culture wars, this idea that America is being torn apart by differing ideals, and that the arguments, particularly those between conservatives and liberals, are eventually going to explode. You’ve seen it on talk shows, news reports, friends' Facebook statuses--- just think about what it was like before the elections, around October/November last semester. The whole culture wars thing seems to be less about conflicting political ideas and more about how people are unwilling to acknowledge all sides of the issues. Also, let's not forget how easy it is for people to share their opinions now with the advent of social media and the internet. Anyone with a keyboard can comment on sex scandals, the economy, gay marriage, the Patriot Act, or whatever is the hot topic of the day. But how much do you really know about these issues? Are people just jumping into battle without bringing their guns? Well, if you want to learn from a more reliable source than your cousin's Twitter account, check out some of these reference books located on the first floor of the Rice Library.

Culture Wars in America: A Documentary and Reference Guide

A quick way to get information is to go straight to the source: primary documents! I know that doesn’t sound super exciting, but when studying culture wars, a reference guide like this one is a great place to start. The articles in Culture Wars in America: A Documentary and Reference Guide come from court cases, academic papers, magazines and newspapers. They cover a wide variety of American topics (gun control, gay rights, welfare, immigration), all of which are conveniently grouped together by subject. But reader beware; these articles are not of the fair and unbiased variety. Tons of them have very obvious political agendas, and a few of the authors can be rather…intense (ALL liberals want to destroy marriage and turn America into Satan’s Woodstock! ALL conservatives want to turn America into a theocracy where all language comes directly from Bible quotes! NO EXCEPTIONS!!). At the conclusion of every article, however, the editors examine each author's portrayal of the issue at hand. I like this a lot, as it helps to keep everything in perspective. The culture wars seem to be about a lack of compromise, and several of these articles present good examples of extreme opinions on both sides of controversial issues. Plus, this text includes its own reference list! I love it when writers are nice like that.

Culture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices

Want some more basic information about what is going on here? Check out this encyclopedia about everything affecting the culture wars, including various political figures, social activities, news sources, and laws. Unlike the last book, the articles in Culture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices present only the facts without taking sides. And honestly, I think that’s important. These days, it’s hard to find information on politics where the writer does not showcase some sort of personal opinion. And chances are that opinion is going to affect you, especially if you didn’t know much about the issue in the first place. While it’s very hard to write about an issue without letting your opinion get in the way, this encyclopedia does an admirable job of trying. It’s a good place to turn for background info if you want to join the battlefields of the culture wars, or just write that English 201 paper.

It seems like you can’t go anywhere anymore without hearing people go on about one issue or another. A real issue arises when people voice their opinions without informing themselves first. I don’t care which side you’re on, or what you think about the morality of modern America, just be sure to support your argument with cold hard facts. If you come across an issue that fascinates you or that gets you riled up, inform yourself before you start the inevitable Facebook debate or host a national TV show. Check out these books to learn more about the great divide in our country and the ways that you can help try to bridge it with information and context. I mean, no one in the supposed culture wars, not even the most liberal Democrat or the most conservative Republican, thinks of themselves as the bad guy. So simply accusing them of being one is probably not going to help prove your point. Take a look at these books, and try some well-informed peace talk before resorting to all-out war.

I swear, it really shouldn’t be hard. I mean, look at this blog! I got through a whole political blog without comparing anyone at all to Hitler! And that’s something we should all be proud of.

 CP

How Tattoos, Powdered Wigs, and Uggs Have Made Us Who We Are

Be honest, how much time to do you spend on your looks in the morning? Do you have piercings or tattoos, or dyed hair? What does any of that say about you? You would be surprised how much things like that have changed over the years, or depending on where you are in the world. Hair styles, tattoos, piercings, and other body additions say something about you, and the culture you come from. And I don’t just mean those people who get their favorite bands tattooed on themselves. I mean real cultural tells, like how women in Europe refused to wear bangs in the Middle Ages, because they were considered manly and secretive. Or you can look at henna tattoos in India, with multiple meanings behind their elaborate patterns. Even simple things, like how long your hair is, or how much make-up you're wearing, have years of history leading up to how much gel I put in my hair this morning. And yes, we DO have reference books about this, so let’s get reading!

                                 Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History

Yep. Entire book dedicated to hair. I do love the library's Reference section. This book goes through the whole history of hair styles, and there is a lot more to hair than that time in the 90s when everyone thought that not washing your hair was really fab. Like how in the 1600s, hair was a major factor in the conflict between Puritans and Royalists in England that broke out into an all-out war (Our powdered wigs are WAY better than your stupid wigs!) In ancient Greece, women shaved all the hair on their body, except the head, but later on in the ancient world, body hair on a woman was seen as attractive. Sometimes, hairstyles are not exactly trends, as much as laws. In the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Theophilus made a law that all men had to have short hair, supposedly because he was bald and had a major case of hair envy. That’s just a few bits of trivia available here; maybe I've gotten you interested in finding out more from the book! Because no matter what culture or time period you come from, we can all bond over the fact that our hair never looks quite the way we want it to. Bad hair days have always been around.

          Feet and Footwear: A Cultural Encyclopedia
We go from the top of the body to the bottom in this reference book about…feet and footwear. Feet and shoes really take so much abuse, being the things that have to take the blunt of our weight, as well as dealing with whatever sidewalk terrors await us on the way to class. This book talks about modern shoes like Nikes or Candies, mostly about how they advertise, using celebrity endorsements in shoe wear. In modern culture, shoes are a status symbol, and having popular celebrities wear them makes them seem like higher status items. Hilariously, it also talks about Ugg boots, a super trendy shoe that literally is short for 'ugly.' They were originally used by Australian sheep herders, before surfers started wearing them for comfort, followed by the hipsters, and then the world (I can’t judge too harshly, I own a few pairs. I like the style, so don’t judge me either.) There is also information about not so funny things, like ancient Chinese foot binding (don’t Google pictures, it will haunt your dreams) and old-time foot amputation. With a saw and maybe a glass of booze to dull the pain. Ouch. So, take care of your feet and make good choices on your footwear, and I promise we will put away the saws.
 

                              Faces Around the World

When you look at a face, what do you see? This book, from the library's ebrary Academic Complete collection, looks at faces. All kinds of them, like Catholics with forehead ashes on Ash Wednesday, masks in Mexico during the Day of the Dead, Bindis on Indian women, all things that need some cultural context before you can really understand them. There are also a LOT of facial tattoos pictured in the book. Some are culturally symbolic, meant to indicate power or wisdom, and some exist just because they look cool. Some are just a few colors and symbols, and others cover the whole face with symbolic lines and patterns. But it’s not all tattoos and funky masks. Did you know that freckles have been thought of as both beautiful and a mark of the devil throughout history? That uni-brows in Central Asia are considered so attractive that people add makeup to their brows to enhance them? That this ebook is full of tons more information? All those questions answered here!

So what’s the lesson here? That we should all be happy that forbidding body embellishment is officially out? Don’t have longer hair than your emperor? Or just that what we look like has always had a ton of cultural and historical relevance? There is a lot more to talk about with all this, so check out these books. Trust me, after you have seen a “sharpening stone”, you will never forget to thank the hair salon people ever again.  

CP

CREDO-PEDIA

Everyone loves a good research paper, right? Finding a topic, looking for references, getting all those fun publisher dates for your bibliography...you know the drill. I have written many a reference paper, and for a while, my research method consisted of doing a Google search and maybe checking Wikipedia. Eventually, I learned that there were much more effective ways to do research. Guess where this is going? Yes, we are going to another part of the library's website! Specifically to CREDO Reference, an electronic database that allows you to look up any number of topics and titles, most of which are very research-paper friendly. As of today it has 615, yes, 615 full-text reference books that you can search through. Or if you're just looking for something to do when you’re bored and want to read about propaganda during the French Revolution, then this is a dang good place to start.

One interesting CREDO title is Icons of American Popular Culture: From P.T. Barnum to Jennifer Lopez. Even though this title was published in 2010, I would argue that even then, Jennifer Lopez could no longer be called an “icon," but don’t let the hilariously out of date title keep you away. It has long, well researched articles about historical figures like John F. Kennedy and Muhammad Ali, plus pop culture types like Michael Jordan. Yes, this is rather outdated (there is a real lack of awful reality stars here). When it comes to more historical figures, however, it does a good job of giving a basic overview without the fear of edit bandits you might have using Wikipedia (which most profs don't want you to use anyway.) A lot of the articles are like that, to the point and full of reliable information. This is a great resource for those English 201 papers and CMST 101 speeches!

CREDO Reference also contains quite a few ebooks with pictures of art, and information on the paintings and why they exist. For instance, I came across a text entitled Pocket Guide: Myths and Legends which discusses the portrayal of fantastical characters in paintings and writings. It’s pretty amusing how many people in ye olde times wanted their portraits to make them look like gods or legendary heroes. Good to know the human ego knows no boundary of era. They also frequently used portraits for political purposes, portraying political types as heroes favored by the gods. A lot of the images featured here are from the Middle Ages or the Renaissance, but they are all based around myths from classical mythology. They had some pretty serious Greco-Roman nostalgia going on at the time, and the artwork definitely shows it. This is all pretty interesting, as I always like learning about the more mundane aspects of life back in the day, and it has pretty pictures- what a great combination!

But CREDO Reference also includes a lot of books and reference articles that just seem…random. For example, there is an entire ebook with people’s obituaries, going back to the 19^th century (Great Lives: A Century in Obituaries). There's a title detailing the history of the cow in the American economy (The American Economy: An Encyclopedia). There is another ebook with information on icons of southern music (The South), which just makes me feel like I want to write a blog all about that. What I'm trying to say is, these references are pretty cool. Even if you don’t happen to be scrambling around the internet for research, CREDO Reference still a fun place to go if you just want to learn about some cool topics. You may want to store them in your head for the NEXT research paper, because come on, we all know the next one is right around the corner. Oh, and don’t forget to try the Hargrave's Communications Dictionary article on 'corner frequency'. Yeah, that’s a mathematical term and not a hipster band from somewhere out West. Ah the things you learn in the library. And you can find CREDO Reference in the A-Z Databases list. 

CP

Riding the Soul Train

February is Black History Month, a time when we consider the many contributions African Americans have made to American society. Now granted, I think we should remember those contributions pretty much all year round, but I guess it’s good to set aside a time to really focus on it. And now USI is getting into the spirit by bringing IU's much acclaimed Gospel group IU Soul Revue to our campus on February 26 at 7pm in Carter Hall!  To celebrate, I dedicate this blog to some of the amazing things done in African American music. And if I have to spend all day rocking out to awesome gospel and blues songs to do that, so be it!
 

                 African American Music
African American music has taken many forms over the years. There is soul music, gospel, jazz, blues, and plenty more. If you’re interested, take a look at the book African American Music, which is about…well just guess. It takes us from folk music, to spirituals by  slaves, to the blues movement in New Orleans, to political music in the 1960s. It gives a lot of pictures and context, talking about what was going on historically, and how that affected the music being made. I have always loved the history of music, and especially music made from specific sub genres. But I'm biased, considering one of my favorite genres of music is the blues. Speaking of….

                              Nobody Knows Where the Blues Come From

This book is a quest to find the history of the blues. It describes the strange, colorful lives of blues singers, and it gives a strong analysis of blues lyrics and what they mean. The blues has long been music strongly influenced by oral traditions, with the iconic blues man being the lone traveler with a guitar, traveling back roads, singing about what he sees on his journey. This book looks at the blues movement in the West Indies and the roles of race and gender in blues music. It also explores how various tragedies and injustices have influenced the blues (well, after all, blues is not the most cheery name for a genre). Do they find the true origin of the blues in this book? Guess you will have to read it to find out!

                African American GoodNews (Gospel) Music
Before the concert, you might want to do a little research on gospel music so that you'll know all the right times to jump up and start cheering for the Lord. There is a long, rich tradition of African American gospel music in this country, and many people have pioneered this musical form. This book is mostly biographical information about gospel singers, with lots of pictures and information about them, going back to when everyone seemed to style their hair really high and wear a lot of suits. It’s a good book to use as a reference guide because it's not about the genre so much as it is about the singers. This book even provides ways to cite information about them, the venues where they performed and the places where they recorded. It's not the most lively book about gospel music we have, but it’s a good way to get familiar with the genre. And yes, laugh a bit as the pictures start to reach the 1980s near the end. Oh the '80s, you even infected the word of God.

Best of Blues

As you might have noticed, I really like blues music, always have. It’s a distinctly American, grass roots genre with a folk vibe, all things that I really dig. But this CD isn’t about history or what blues means to the greater culture. It's just about the music. This CD features some of the best African American blues singers in history, with songs from Big Mama Thornton, B.B. King, and the legendary Billie Holiday, among others. Most of the tracks are older blues, going way back to the 1920s or 1930s, and it just seems very old-timey, but it's so dang relavant. Blues music can be fun and it can be lively, but it is often known for its songs of pain, because, again, it's even called the blues. Check out this CD from the Rice Library's audio collection, and have a listen for yourself!

If this sounds interesting, come on out to the IU Soul Revue in Carter Hall at 7pm on February 26. Celebrate all the great music African American musicians have given America, and how much they have given to us all. Again, these are things you should do always, but February is as good a time as ever to blast some soul music in your car as it heats up.
CP

And the Academy Award goes to...

It's Oscar season baby! As a major movie geek, I absolutely love Oscar season. I love the speeches, the awkward banter at the podium, the outfits, the speculation, and, of course, the films. Of the nine movies up for Best Picture this year, I have seen eight of them (come on Amour, would a wide release be so much to ask?!) and I have to say, it’s been a pretty good year for movies. But we have plenty of places to read about the current nominees (TMZ anyone?) I want to look at some of the Oscar winners of yesteryear, the best actors, the best movies, the best writing, the best everything. And, as it so happens, we have several past winners right here in the library's DVD section! So if you feel like getting pumped for the big show (I beg you Seth McFarland, let’s see more Ted and less last few seasons of Family Guy), check out some of these favorites from Oscars past!
 

                                  In the Heat of theNight
If you haven’t seen much of Sidney Poitier, look up some of his movies. This guy is classy. Sidney Poitier is an African American actor who made a lot of his most famous movies in the 1960s, and was the first African American to win a Best Actor Oscar in 1963 (Lilies of the Field), a time when, in many parts of the country, black people couldn’t even use the drinking fountain. In the Heat of the Night, which won Best Picture in 1967, is one of his most famous, telling the story of detective Virgil Tibbs from Philadelphia who, while traveling through a small Mississippi town, is accused of murder by racist cops during a heat wave. When they realize who he really is, he calls his bosses up north, who tell him to stick around to help find the real killer. It’s basically a murder mystery, but it’s more about simmering racial tensions that eventually come close to exploding, and how Tibbs has to navigate the territory, while still trying to solve the murder. The performances here are great, not just Poitier, but also Rod Steiger as the racist sheriff who is forced to work with Tibbs, and eventually come to respect him. Coming out in the 1960s, a time when race issues were exploding all over America, this movie was a big deal. Even without all the historical importance, it’s a dang good movie, with an excellent leading actor, and an all-time great tag line, "They call me MISTER Tibbs."

                                                    No Country for Old Men

The Oscars have a bit of a reputation for picking movies that are “safe”, ones that are not controversial or too off-putting. While there is probably a little truth in that, it can’t be 100%. Case in point, no one could look at a movie like 2007's Best Picture winner No Country for Old Men and call it “safe”. Written by Joel and Ethan Coen, it's a very strange movie to become a mainstream hit. It’s a very dark, twisty modern day western about an aging lawman, a small-town Texan who wanders into a drug deal gone bad, a bag of stolen money, and Anton Chigurh, a monotoned, unstoppable hit man who seems to use his stupid haircut to distract people from that fact that he might be the personification of unstoppable killing power. Or death. Or chance. I don’t know, there's a lot of symbolism in this movie, and a lot of ways to interpret what the movie is about. From a story  standpoint, this movie is bizarre. This movie is just so oddly structured, with long tracking scenes and major events happening off-screen; when the movie ends, it doesn’t end in a dramatic shoot out or a fight, like in most Westerns, it just ends… well, see it for yourself. Some people really hate this movie, but personally, I find it fascinating. It's beautifully shot and acted, and it’s such an odd version of a modern western that even if you don’t like it, you will at least remember it. And that’s what an Academy Award winner should be above all: memorable.
 

   The Sea Inside

I have always liked watching foreign films. I know some people aren’t into subtitles, but if the story is good enough, I don’t think it should matter. So I have always liked checking out the Best Foreign Film nominees and winners, and this is definitely an interesting one to try out. It’s a 2004 Spanish film, a winner of Best Foreign Film, about a mechanic who becomes quadriplegic after an accident, and his fight to be allowed to end his own life. While it discusses a lot of the implications and issues surrounding euthanasia, it’s really more a character piece about one man trying to end his life, while at the same time inspiring the people around him to live life to the fullest. I don’t know if it’s my favorite foreign movie winner, but I would say if you are interested in foreign films, or in the issues this movie talks about, this atmospheric film is as good a place to start as any.  

 

Since the Academy Awards began in 1927, we have had all kinds of films win the coveted Best Picture award. Silent films, westerns, weepy dramas, war movies, period pieces, even the occasional comedy (or dramedy). In all those, there must be something there to like, so if you can’t check out the current nominees, or the Academy Awards show on Febuary 24th, take a peek at the library's DVDs of some earlier Best Picture flicks. I promise not a single awful remake or sequel in the bunch!

CP