TGJ 4MG Black History Poster Assignment

Preliminary Research

Your first assignment is inspired by the Barack Obama Hope poster, created by Graphic Artist Shepard Fairey. Read the article entitled "Popaganda: the Obama Hope Poster" at http://www.flatmancrooked.com/archives/938

Shepard Fairey's poster was based on the style of old soviet WWII propaganda posters. This is what he has to say about the subject of propaganda (from the abovearticle)

“Propaganda has a sinister connotation,” Fairey said. “But I wrote a paper when I was a sophomore at the Rhode Island School of Design on political propaganda, coming from a position of moral integrity. Whether it’s pro a cause or against a cause, it’s propaganda either way. I see a role for both. It’s always interesting to hear people say, ‘Your stuff is just anti-advertising propaganda.’ It’s really not. Even the idea of using propaganda to encourage people to question advertising and other propaganda is propaganda. Blindly accepting every ad you see and not questioning it is the wrong way to go, and I have a superior alternative, which is getting you to question that stuff. That’s propaganda. Anti-propaganda propaganda.”

Please also check this next link to read more about the artist's thoughts about this poster and it's connection to early Soviet Propaganda posters and to view the posters.

http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.radio.shortwave/2008-10/msg00082.html

Your first task is to find one or two old propaganda posters that focus primarily on an individual (Lenin, Stalin, Mao etc.). Research the origins of the poster - initial purpose, message behind it, era and style. Save the image and your work in a word document. Then post it to your blog and title it: Propaganda research.

Then search for an African-Canadian person who has made a significant contribution/ positive difference to Canadian society and that you think should be celebrated, known or remembered. If you are choosing sports or music, please choose someone really unique and that isn't already a mainstream celebrity. Look into politics, the arts, literature, human rights, pioneers etc...

There are several websites you can start with:

http://blackhistorycanada.ca/topic.php?id=158&themeid=7

http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/Canada/black_canadians.htm

http://www.yorku.ca/aconline/culture/profiles.html

http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/

Please post a photograph of the individual and your written information on your blog as well. Title it: Black history research.

Check back soon for more instructions re: this assignment. Good luck!