Writing on Historical Photograph

Jamel Rogers

Prof. Richard Dragan

ENG 274

30 October 2018

Response to “The Americans” by Vivian Maier

The historical image of “The Americans” by Vivian Maier represents a clear depiction of a family documenting their life while living the American Dream. The brightness of the sun and type of clothing on individuals gives way that this is during the summer or springtime in which this photo was taken. The nine individuals in the photo seem to be happy posing with one another as a family. The age groups vary from middle-aged adults down to adolescent teenagers and toddlers. This photograph looks like it was taken during the 1940’s and/or 1950’s. Based on the vehicle and homes in the neighborhood suggest that this family is of the upper middle class. Initially, when first viewing the photograph, I thought of the infamous film “Pleasantville” by Gary Ross, with the black and white cinematography and perhaps the influence of a complacent world while living the American Dream. Nevertheless, the boy sitting on the steps by himself looking off into the distance at his family, suggest isolation and/or perhaps neglect. In addition, though the neighborhood is suburban there’s perhaps a sense of desolation for the simple fact there isn’t anyone else besides the family in the streets and/or across where the neighbors home is. Nevertheless, another significant factor would the idea that everyone looking into the camera looks optimistically present and happy, except the little girl in the very front. Her facial expression seemingly appears to be disturbed and uncomfortable. In conclusion, this photograph holds a significance in American history of the average household size and culture of families during this particular time period. Photographer Maier captures this clearly and accurately.

Blog Assignment #2

Jamel Rogers

Professor Richard Dragan

Creative Non-Fiction ENG 274

Blog assignment #2

Response: Tara Bahrampour “Persia on The Pacific”

After reading “Persia on the Pacific” by Tara Bahrampour. I have a better understanding of the Iranian culture and lifestyle. The title “Persia on the Pacific” is in correlation to Los Angeles as the city on the Pacific, and rather than saying Iran, Bahrampour describes Iran with a less implicit name, Persia. Throughout the passage, Bahrampour gives readers tons of effective details, some, in particular, would be the phrase “Irangles” as stated in the passage. This, in fact, is a clear indication for readers to understand the amount of Iranians residing in Los Angeles. As stated by Bahrampour “the number of Iranians in the greater metropolitan area falls somewhere between a hundred thousand and six hundred thousand.” In comparison,  “The city has Iranian republic clubs, Iranian rotary clubs, and Iranian nightclubs; Iranian bank tellers, and Iranian insurance agents, and a few Iranian homeless people” stated by Bahrampour. This gives way that the Iranians who migrated to the U.S live a normal and blended life , just like most Americans. Bahrampour uses precise detail throughout the passage, helping readers identify with the identity struggle faced amongst Iranians, a constantly experience for them within America. In addition, another phrase that really stood out to me is “traffic-plugged, smog filled-bowl, where Iranian retirees putter in gardens and wait at bus stops.” This statement reminds me of my neighborhood in Queens, NY where there's an abundance of diversity and movement by people surrounded by smog-filled air, and nonstop traffic. I decided to choose “Persia on the Pacific” simply because I’m intrigued by Bahrampour style of writing and descriptive detail on explaining the detachment that the Iranian people are facing. There’s a clear message being depicted, as a reader, Bahrampour narration was clear and personally I feel she stepped outside herself as a narrator by describing the experiences, struggles, and day-to-day life of the Iranian people.