Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
A Cross-Classroom Project for Spring 2007
Welcome!
Welcome to our English 103 Cross-Classroom blog project! We will be, in groups from four different English 103 classes, discussing various war poems/lyrics in terms of how they use rhetoric and the messages they convey.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2007
(13)
-
▼
March
(13)
- Group One: Max B. (19), Staci T. (19), John E. (33...
- Group Two: Megan B. (19), Lily B. (33), Hayley R. ...
- Group Three: Sarah B. (19), Devyn L. (33), Tom C. ...
- Group Four : Nathaniel C. (19), Jan W. (19), Mary ...
- Group Five : Rachel D. (19), Rob P. (19), Justin R...
- Group Six : Elise F. (19), Sarah B. (33), Scott W....
- Group Seven : Scott S. (19), Bryson T. (19), Kirst...
- Group Eight : Lindsey H. (19), Jamia B. (33), Will...
- Group Nine : Valerie N. (19), Mandy Z. (33), Sean ...
- Group Ten : Tonya S. (19), Ashley T. (19), Kenny D...
- Group Eleven : Kate S. (19), Sydney D. (33), Danie...
- Group Twelve : Anna J. (19), Stephen M. (19), Geor...
- Guide for the Rhetoric & War Cross-Classroom Blog
-
▼
March
(13)
20 comments:
Have You Forgotten? by Darryl Worley
I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right
Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
Hi Group 3,
My name is Devyn League and I am a Health Science major here at Clemson. For this cross classroom blog, we were assigned this song titled “Have you forgotten?” by Darryl Worley. After reading through it a couple times, I saw that he is asking a few meaningful questions which are obviously supposed to remind us about how we felt as a country on 9/11. One line that immediately caught my attention, was when he brought up the towers falling and how our own “neighbors [were] still inside going thru a living hell.” This really reminded me of that tragic day, and how the whole country was in deep despair. It also made me remember how patriotism seemed to flourish dramatically from every corner of the country post 9/11. With our soldiers still being in Iraq, they deserve the utmost respect and it would only seem right to still have that level of patriotism today. However, as Darryl Worley seems to be saying in this song, people have forgotten.
-Devyn League
Hey group 3!
I'm Lizanne Ferrell, a Special Education major here at Clemson, and I am familiar with Darryl Worley's song "Have you Forgotten?" As a country music fan, I own the CD! :) I remember when the song first came out in response to 9/11 and the War on Terror. It has always struck me as a song with really great emotion and patriotism. I think after the dramatic responses to 9/11, over time a lot of people (including myself) had lost their sense of hurt and anger towards what had been done to our nation.
I think this song serves as a great wake up call to remind us how tragic the terror attacks were for many families and neighbors. It also reminds us of how wonderful our country is and how we should support the fight to protect freedom.
Hello group...
My name is Jaclyn James, and I'm a Graphic Communications major. As for the assignment, I think Worley asks a great question. "Have you forgotten?" Now that it's been a few years after the attack, I personally don't think about it on a daily basis. Some people have forgotten about supporting our troops who fight for our country's freedoms. Worley says the soldiers "remember what they're fighting for" because they are facing it every day. We, on the other hand, only see what's on the news. This song serves to open the eyes of the American people and remind them of the horrible and unifying experience of the terrorist attack.
Jaclyn James 34
I am Will Foster and I am a business major. I have heard this song many times and I strongly agree with what this song is saying and represents. I have not forgotten what Bin Laden did that day and even remeber where I was when it happend. Obviosuly this song is for those people who were against the war from the start and have forgotten why we are there. This song creates vivid images of what happend that day and should serve as a reminder to why we are over there. However this song is only limited to Bin Laden and Afghanistan. The war has extended to other grounds making this song irreleveant to the current state we are in. This is a great song and has a strong message but I feel that this song can no longer change anyones views on why we are over there.
Hello everyone! I’m Sarah Boehmer and I’m a finance major. The first thing that jumped out at me is that the song is pro-war. It seems like all the other songs about 9/11 that I’ve heard are anti-war, and I think it has something to do with the type of music: the more conservative types might be more into country music while hip-hop and pop are more for the younger, more liberal crowd. The song also makes a personal appeal at people. If you go up to an anti-war person and ask, “Have you forgotten,” they are not going to say “yes.” They may not like to say “no,” but they couldn’t say “yes.” The song is getting down to the actual reason for the war, and leaving all the political games out of it, which is the way it should be, in my opinion.
Hello Group 3,
My name is Tom Carnot and I am a business major here at Clemson. This song, "Have you Forgotten" by Darryl Worley, sends a strong message to the American people that it is important for us as a nation to not be afraid to fight and defend our freedom after being attacked and that war is a necessary part of being able to protect the very principals that make America such a great country. He also tries to create a sense of anger and patriotism in the song by using lines such as "Have you forgotten how it felt that day? To see your homeland under fire And her people blown away" to show that the people who attacked us need to be punished and that we should be thankful for what the soldiers are sacrificing in order to protect our freedom. After 9/11 the country was full of anger and he wants the American people to remember how we felt that day and to make sure people do not forget that it is important to defend the country and its freedom and to punish those responsible for the terrorist attacks.
I think that supporting our troops is great, but I also think that the war is a waste. We aren't really fighting for our freedom anymore. We're fighting for other countrys' freedoms that they may not even want or appreciate. I support the troops fighting and risking their lives, but it's for other people, not Americans. This song represents the Bin Laden era of the war, but as said before in these message posts, the war has moved on from this, so it's not relevant anymore. I think it's good to remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks and how it united us as a country for a while. It's good in that sense and the song is powerful in relation to that, but it doesn't necessarily make people want to support the troops currently with the war in the position that it's in.
Jaclyn J. (34)
Hi Everyone,
I agree with Sarah that the song is unique because it is pro-war. Most songs about the war generally are about getting our troops out of Iraq or are against the war all together. This song really reminds you how you felt on September 11, 2001 and the weeks after the attacks. I also agree when she says, "The song is getting down to the actual reason for the war...leaving all the political games out of it." The media has worked to alter our country's personal views on the war through bias and debate between contrasting political views. What many people have forgotten is the real reason for the war, and the pain we all felt as a country on that day. It's not necessarily about the decisions President Bush has made about putting our troops in Iraq, but about what is actually going on there.
I also agree with Jaclyn when she wrote how the songs lyrics reminded you how we have no real idea what our troops are facing everyday in Iraq; we only know what gets put on the news. This song could really work to open your eyes to remember what our troops are risking their lives every moment for: Our freedom.
-Devyn League
I think our group has some really great ideas towards the ideals of this song and what it stands for. I agree with you all on how we should remember the shock and hurt that was delivered by the terrorists; and how Mr. Worley argues that we should support our troops' efforts. I also agree that the war has moved on from what it originally started as, and I'm sure if there was to be a new version of the song written, these changes would have to be made in order for it to be relevant. I still feel, however, that it is important for us to support the troops who are laying down their lives for others (whether it be American lives or not). I think it's great that some celebrities are willing to make that a point, while most are criticizing the efforts of the soldiers at war.
-Lizanne Ferrell
Hi Group,
I think everyone in the group has made some really good points so far about what the song stands for and the message it is trying to convey. I agree with Lizanne in that the song does serve as a great wakeup call to remind us of how tragic the terror attacks of 9/11 were for the country and how just a short time later alot of people were willing to forget about the events and let those who planned the attack go unpunished by protesting the war. The song tries to make sure that people do not forget why the soldiers are over there and wants to be sure we are supporting them in their fight for our country's freedom. I also agree somewhat with Will in that the song is about Bin Laden, but I don't believe that the song is totally irrelevent today. When President Bush entered the War on Terrorism he stated that the war "will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated." There are still soldiers fighting to defend our country from these terrorist groups today and I think Worley wrote this song promoting the work our soldiers are doing and the defending of our country from anyone who is threatening our country's freedom.
--Tom C.
I think everyone’s comments about the song are great and I also agree with everyone about how we should remember 9/11. I agree with Sarah and Devyn that this songs meaning does get down to the real reason for the war but I also agree with Jaclyn that the war has turned into a big waste. I think that fighting against Afghanistan was great but when it moved to Iraq I started to doubt why we are there. Now I really do not see the point of still being their since Hussein is no longer a threat. Even worse we are now talking about maybe moving into Iran as well because we think they are supporting Iraq with weapons. Like I said in my previous post I think this songs meaning applied to the war with Afghanistan and not with Iraq. I just wish we would come home because obviously terrorism is not going anywhere.
-Will Foster
Hey everyone! I agree with Lizanne’s comment that the song serves as a wake up call. Like I said in my first comment, I thought the song was weird because it was pro-war and because 9/11 was kind of a long time ago—people aren’t really thinking about exactly what happened on that day anymore. But it makes sense now that I think of it as a wake up call. Jaclyn also made a good point in her second comment, that the song is kind of irrelevant because the war has moved on from what actually happened on 9/11. She said, “It doesn't necessarily make people want to support the troops currently with the war in the position that it's in.” I think that is one of the first arguments that an anti-war person would make in response to this song. I am for the war, but I agree that it has gone off on a bunch of tangents, and there might be better ways to fight it. By ignoring this important aspect of the war, it makes Mr. Worley and his song sound pretty stupid. An educated, intellectual person, whether they are for or against the war, is going to look at all the facts.
- Sarah
Final post: Jaclyn J. (34)
Since this song was released around April of 2003, it reminded a lot of people about the much more recent attack at the end of 2001. That means he probably actually wrote it one the first anniversary of 9/11 and released it 6 months after (just a guess). I think he brings up excellent points about the soldiers and what they are fighting for, but the tables have turned, and like Sarah said, "it has gone off on a bunch of tangents." The war isn't really about OUR freedom, which Worley was talking about with the "towers," "Bin Laden," and our "homeland under fire."
He also says that the soldiers "remember just what they're fighting for." I think the soldiers should be able to have a choice on whether or not they should fight for another country's freedoms (which they may not care to have because they're satisfied with their current leader...) I think most of these soldiers signed up before they realized they were fighting beyond their homeland's safety and freedom. Some kids who just turned 18 signed up to join to get scholarships or because they wanted to defend THEIR country. I know that SOME soldiers were thinking about this possibility, but others most likely didn't. I heard that one soldier absolutely refused to fight in Iraq and was court marshalled and accused of being a traitor to his country. Although I do support our troops going out and risking their lives everyday, in all honesty, what ARE we fighting for?
Jaclyn J. (34)
Hi Everyone,
I agree with Jaclyn when she said how supporting our troops is just as important. However, we aren't there fighting for our freedom, or really for a reason to benefit the US anymore. Instead, we are fighting for other country's freedoms, and working to spread democracy. I also agree when Sarah says the song makes a personal appeal to people.
For the other representation of this song, I would definitely have to say that any of the photos taken on 9/11, especially the ones with the two towers burning are good reminders of how we felt as a country on that day. Just looking at any of these pictures, brings back the feelings of sadness, hurt and grief we all together felt. I think this song was written to remind you of just that. An example can be found at the following link:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/National_Park_Service_9-11_Statue_of_Liberty_and_WTC_fire.jpg
-Devyn League
Hi Group 3,
I agree with Lizanne's second comments that "that it is important for us to support the troops who are laying down their lives for others (whether it be American lives or not)". Even if you don't agree with the war, it is still important to support the troops because as Jaclyn said some of the troops didn't even know what they were signing up for and had no idea that they would be fighting in Iraq, but are doing so anyways because, for whatever reason whether it be pride, loyalty, or they were seeking a scholarship or career, they vowed to serve for their country and put their lives in the hands of their military leaders. Those that are there know why they are there and are doing there job to serve their country and I am thankful for that.
As far as a representation of this song, Keane's song "Is it Any Wonder", according to the band, is also about the current war and the people (in this case the British) not knowing what their country is fighting for and why they are even in the war. Here is a link to lyrics of this song and a link to information about the song's meaning:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/keane/isitanywonder.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Is_It_Any_Wonder
--Tom C.
This has been a really good discussion with a lot of great ideas. I feel that we all have based our beliefs (pro or anti-war) because of what we have personally researched or because of some of our own personal experiences. I think that it is good to know what you believe and not just go along with the crowd and the media.
I feel that our discussion has moved away from just analyzing the song and diving into our own thoughts and feelings towards what is happening in our country today. I agree with you who feel the war has moved from what it originally started and think it's great that whether or not you agree with it still going on, that we can all support the soldiers who are stuck over there. We know that they do not receive much, if any, personal support while in foreign soil, so it's important for us to support them back here at home. More than likely you know someone or are related to someone who is serving somewhere, so the best thing is to keep them in your thoughts and prayers daily until all of this comes to an end.
If you'd like to help out more with showing support to the troops, this is a great website: www.americasupportsyou.com
-Lizanne F.
Hi everyone
Jacyln’s last post brought up a good point, that whether a man will be fighting for his country or another country may make a difference in his choice whether or not to be in the army. If I was in that situation, I would definitely be more likely to fight for my own country than for Iraq. From one point of view, it can be argued that they are not really fighting for America. That gets to the whole question of whether the United States should be involved with other countries as much as it is. I also agree with Lizanne, that whether you are for or against the war, you should support the soldiers. It is not the actual soldiers who are deciding to fight; they were sent over there by the government, and there are many reasons why each individual solider got involved. I doubt that for many, the reason is they wanted to go over there and kill someone—it is likely to be for education/scholarship, career training or even continuing a family tradition. For my piece, I selected a picture of a pro-war demonstration. Obviously Worley’s song is pro-war, and the part that caught my eye is the sign with an X over Bin Laden, since Worley specifically mentions Bin Laden.
-Sarah
http://www.stevekaneshow.com/prowar2.jpg
http://www.dantejoseph.com/Archives/madeinusa200702.html
I like the picture that sums up this song (located on the left of the page at the link above). I couldn't find a better or bigger picture, but it seems to represent the song well.
Jaclyn J. (34) Continued final post
This has been a great discussion and I agree with every post. I agree with Jaclyn about how she said that the soldiers deserve to choose what they are fighting for and how we are fighting for another country's freedom and not our own. I also agree with Lizanne and how we have moved away from just analyzing the song. The song was written about 9/11 and what we where fighting for. I myself even moved away from it and into Iraq. The song is a representation of what our country is. I am just glad that we can express what we think freely because we are free and give our opinions openly. This song represents that and what we are doing to keep it. This has been a great discussion with many ideas and interpretaions of what the song meens to us.
-Will Foster
Post a Comment