Honors Humanities
Honors Independent Study Project:
Manipulation and Oppression of the Cheyenne and Arapaho People: a Rhetorical Analysis of the Sand Creek Massacre
Artist Statement:
I chose to create a collage because it can best represent how the rhetorical discourse was used in the Sandy Creek massacre to oppress and manipulate the Cheyenne and Arapaho people. In my art, I chose to use a collage of maps to represent many areas of land that were taken away from the Native Americans. California is an example of a large area of land that once belonged to the Native Americans. I used a collage of many different Native Americans to represent the different types of cultures that have been subjugated through scheming rhetoric.
I chose to create a collage because it can best represent how the rhetorical discourse was used in the Sandy Creek massacre to oppress and manipulate the Cheyenne and Arapaho people. In my art, I chose to use a collage of maps to represent many areas of land that were taken away from the Native Americans. California is an example of a large area of land that once belonged to the Native Americans. I used a collage of many different Native Americans to represent the different types of cultures that have been subjugated through scheming rhetoric.
Research Question:
How did the usage of rhetorical discourse during the Sand Creek Massacre shape the American perception of White-Indian relations?
How did the usage of rhetorical discourse during the Sand Creek Massacre shape the American perception of White-Indian relations?
Research Synthesis:
Documentation Binder:
Project Reflection:
For my honors humanities project I decided to study the Sand Creek Massacre. I was really interested in this particular massacre because it took place in Colorado. I found it interesting how we constantly are learning about different genocides and massacres that happen elsewhere, when we don’t mention the fact that a massacre took place in our own home! Although this massacre happened in 1864, the rhetorical language used to oppress and manipulate the Cheyenne and Arapaho people was immoral. It is important to recognize and learn that rhetorical language can be used in negative ways. Rhetorical language has been used to oppress others such as women and gays in the recent history. In this particular event John Evens, the governor of Colorado at the time, used rhetorical language and calorized the Indians as “friendly” and “unfriendly” Indians. Even though there was no particular way to tell if the Indians were unfriendly or not, the white soldiers were directed to kill multiple innocent tribes.
Throughout this independent project I grew a lot as a person. Since this was an independent project, I had to learn how to manage my time wisely in order to give me enough time to produce work that I was proud of. This project gave me a large amount of freedom to dive deeply into my project throughout our research phase of the topic of our choice. It was challenging setting separate time aside to work on this project in addition to all my other required schoolwork that I had to do. Managing my time was definitely the most challenging part of the project. I had to learn how to work around my schedule so that I could finish this project on time. My collage took a longer than I thought it would take so that added some stress as exhibition began to approach. I also had to juggle this independent project as well as my honors chemistry independent project since they were both being exhibited on the same day. I learned that if I use my time wisely and create an action plan, I would have plenty of time to create quality work as well as get my assignments done on time. Although it was stressful and a large amount of work to do, I feel more prepared for the amount of work I will be given in my future in college.
If I were to go back and revise my work I would refine my documentation binder because I did not spend as much time as it as I would have liked. I think it is important to have thorough notes and research in order to understand and grasp a concept or topic. Since I was rushing on the analysis and research notes of each source, I do not believe that my work is as refined as I would like it to be. I did not provide enough time for me to think deeply about each source in order to brainstorm more questions about the source or to answer the questions I had. Another area that could use some refinement is my art piece. Due to lack of time I decided to gel transfer words onto my collage at the last minute and to paint color underneath in order to make the words pop. Although I am proud of this art piece, I wanted to add more texture as well as some things to add to my background. Lastly I wanted to add a couple more layers of gel in order to create depth within my art piece.
For all future honors’ students:
I would suggest beginning the project right as you are assigned and giving yourself enough time in order to process what you are learning. Not only will you benefit from having you assignments done on time, but also you will provide more time for you to dive into your project and deconstruct the topic of your choice. Also it is really important to create a clear research question that is specific. Do not wait to cram the entire project in the last couple weeks because it will be extremely difficult to produce quality work that you are proud of.
Throughout this independent project I grew a lot as a person. Since this was an independent project, I had to learn how to manage my time wisely in order to give me enough time to produce work that I was proud of. This project gave me a large amount of freedom to dive deeply into my project throughout our research phase of the topic of our choice. It was challenging setting separate time aside to work on this project in addition to all my other required schoolwork that I had to do. Managing my time was definitely the most challenging part of the project. I had to learn how to work around my schedule so that I could finish this project on time. My collage took a longer than I thought it would take so that added some stress as exhibition began to approach. I also had to juggle this independent project as well as my honors chemistry independent project since they were both being exhibited on the same day. I learned that if I use my time wisely and create an action plan, I would have plenty of time to create quality work as well as get my assignments done on time. Although it was stressful and a large amount of work to do, I feel more prepared for the amount of work I will be given in my future in college.
If I were to go back and revise my work I would refine my documentation binder because I did not spend as much time as it as I would have liked. I think it is important to have thorough notes and research in order to understand and grasp a concept or topic. Since I was rushing on the analysis and research notes of each source, I do not believe that my work is as refined as I would like it to be. I did not provide enough time for me to think deeply about each source in order to brainstorm more questions about the source or to answer the questions I had. Another area that could use some refinement is my art piece. Due to lack of time I decided to gel transfer words onto my collage at the last minute and to paint color underneath in order to make the words pop. Although I am proud of this art piece, I wanted to add more texture as well as some things to add to my background. Lastly I wanted to add a couple more layers of gel in order to create depth within my art piece.
For all future honors’ students:
I would suggest beginning the project right as you are assigned and giving yourself enough time in order to process what you are learning. Not only will you benefit from having you assignments done on time, but also you will provide more time for you to dive into your project and deconstruct the topic of your choice. Also it is really important to create a clear research question that is specific. Do not wait to cram the entire project in the last couple weeks because it will be extremely difficult to produce quality work that you are proud of.