Clambake

The book Clambake by Kathy Neustadt is not only about a food festival. It is about tradition, and identity for the people of Allen's Neck. As I was thinking about this book after discussion, it really hit home with me.

This year my family's Thanksgiving changed. My grandfather has suffered a stroke and we lost my uncle to cancer. We couldn't have our traditional Thanksgiving at my grandparents because there isn't room due to the bed in the livingroom, and my aunt didn't think she felt up to the celebration. The rest of the family gathered at another's home and instead of my grandmother and aunt preparing the food, everyone brought something to contribute. It was still great being with everyone and the food was tasty but it didn't feel like Thanksgiving to me. Something was missing. The same people, the same type of food, but what made it different was who and how the food was prepared and where the feast was held.

I didn't realize that so much of the meaning to me of that day was about more than getting together to eat and give thanks.

Well, I guess this is my last post for this class. I just want to say that I have enjoyed Folklore Genres and it has opened my eyes to the world of folklore that I didn't know was out there. I hope everyone in my class finds success in their careers and are happy being folklorists. I think your jobs are important and have a meaningful and contributing place in our lives. Good luck!

Amy Noble

Style Wars

Style Wars was a film I had never seen. The most interesting part about it to me was watching the graffiti artists with each other. Some developed a family like relationship with one another while there was also a large level of competition between groups to go "All City". Some people would look at the graffiti and see trash or vandalism, the bombers would see beautiful, skillfully done art.

I agree with the point in discussion that the bombers used their art to say that NYC was their city too and that it gave them an identity, both as individuals and as part of a group.

I haven't ever been to a big city where graffiti is all around. I wonder how the culture has changed from then to now. It would be interesting for someone to do a follow up film to Style Wars.

I kept wondering where the people in the film were today and then I thought about airbrush t-shirt artists.

Another thing I've always wondered. Do people that write "Jesus Saves" as graffiti on bridges around here feel that because of their message, it makes it okay?

I think the artistic skill of the bombers in NYC is great and that some of their work is fascinating to look at, but I don't think they should be doing it.