Project 1 - Exegesis

(RUTH points impatiently to the rolled up Tribune) - pg. 14

Daily newspaper published in Chicago. The Tribune is one of the leading U.S. newspapers and long has been the dominant voice of the Midwest. Founded in 1847, it was bought in 1855 by six partners, including Joseph Medill (1823 – 99), who made the paper successful and increased its stature while promulgating his generally liberal views. He bought a controlling interest in 1874 and was publisher until his death. During Robert McCormick's tenure (1914 – 55), the paper achieved the largest circulation among U.S. standard-sized newspapers and led the world in newspaper advertising revenue. The Tribune also reflected his nationalist-isolationist views, but its editorial positions moderated after his death. It subsequently became the flagship of the Tribune Company, which has holdings in broadcasting, cable TV, publishing, and other media. In December 2008 the Tribune Company filed for federal bankruptcy protection. Answers.

Walter: Say, Colonel McCormick is sick. - pg. 14

Robert Rutherford McCormick (July 30, 1880 – April 1, 1955) was an American newspaper baron, owner of the Chicago Tribune, and popularly known as "Colonel McCormick." He was born into the newspaper dynasty of Joseph Medill, and naturally took control, initially with his cousin Joseph Medill Patterson and later as the sole editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune company. Under his leadership the Chicago Tribune achieved the largest circulation among U.S. standard-sized newspapers.

A leading opponent of United States entry into World War II and of the increase in federal power brought about by the New Deal, McCormick continued to champion a right-wing, traditionalist course long after his positions had been eclipsed in the mainstream. His idiosyncratic editorials made him the leading example of conservative journalism of his era. Under his editorship, the paper was strongly isolationist and actively biased in its coverage of political news and social trends, calling itself "The American Paper for Americans." McCormick was highly successful in his day, developing the great newspaper empire begun by his grandfather and greatly affecting public opinion with his editorial power. However, the use of editorial power in this way can easily lead to abuses. The Chicago Tribune under his leadership was hardly a conveyor of the facts, but rather McCormick's view of them. Although he believed his views were best for his country, history showed him to be incorrect on many issues. New World Encylopedia.

(He hands the boy the coin) - pg. 19

The Franklin half dollar is a coin of the United States struck by the United States Mint ("Mint") from 1948 to 1963. The fifty-cent coin pictures Founding Father Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. A small eagle was placed to the right of the bell to fulfill legal requirements. Produced in 90 percent silver with a reeded edge, the coin was struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints. The coins were struck regularly until 1963; beginning in 1964 it was replaced by the Kennedy half dollar, issued in honor of the assassinated President, John F. Kennedy. Wikipedia.

Ruth: You mean graft? - pg. 21

In this context probably dishonesty, bribery, or peddling influence in public or political life. Slang-dictionary.

Mama: Why is you got to flit so... - pg. 35

To pass quickly or abruptly from one place or condition to another. To move in an erratic fluttering manner. Merriam-Webster.

Mama: Sing the 'No Ways Tired' ... - pg. 41

Written by Curtis Burrell
Recorded by Rev. James Cleveland


Chorus:
I don’t feel no ways tired,
I’ve come too far from where I started from.
Nobody told me that the road would be easy,
I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me.

Vamp:
I don’t believe He brought me this far
(repeat as desired)

I’ve been sick (I don’t believe),
but God brought me (He brought me this far).
I’ve been in trouble (I don’t believe),
but God brought me (He brought me this far).

I’ve been friendless (I don’t believe),
but God brought me (He brought me this far).
I’ve been lonely (I don’t believe),
but God brought me (He brought me this far).

Please don’t leave me (I don’t believe),
don’t leave me Jesus (He brought me this far).
Don’t leave (I don’t believe),
don’t leave me Lord (He brought me this far).

I don’t believe (I don’t believe)
that God would bring me
(would bring me this far).

I don’t believe (I don’t believe)
that God would bring me
(would bring me this far).

I don’t believe (I don’t believe)
that God would bring me (would bring me this far just to leave me).
All Gospel Lyrics.

(BENEATHA in dungarees) - pg. 42

(... the colorful robes of a Nigerian woman) - pg. 48





(A Yoruba exclamation for admiration) - pg. 48

Location: Southwestern Nigeria, Bénin, Africa

Population: 10 million

Language: Yoruba (Kwa)

Neighboring Peoples: Fon, Igbo, Igala, Idoma

History: The oral history of the Yoruba describes an origin myth, which tells of God lowering a chain at Ile-Ife, down which came Oduduwa, the ancestor of all people, bringing with him a cock, some earth, and a palm kernel. The earth was thrown into the water, the cocked scratched it to become land, and the kernel grew into a tree with sixteen limbs, representing the original sixteen kingdoms. The empire of Oyo arose at the end of the 15th century aided by Portuguese guns. Expansion of the kingdom is associated with the acquisition of the horse. At the end of the 18th century civil war broke out at Oyo, the rebels called for assistance to the Fulani, but the latter ended up conquering all of Oyo by the 1830s. The Fulani invasion pushed many Yoruba to the south where the towns of Ibadan and Abeokuta were founded. In the late 1880s, with the help of a British mediator, a treaty was signed between the various warring factions. Yorubaland was officially colonized by the British in 1901, but a system of indirect rule was established that mimicked the structure of Yoruba governance.

Political Systems: The political and social systems vary greatly in different regions, and allegiance is uniformly paid to the large urban center in the area, rather than to a singular centralized authority. Each town has a leader (Oba), who may achieve his position in several different ways including inheritance, gaining the position through participation in title associations, or being personally selected by an Oba already in power. Every Oba, however, is considered to be a direct descendant of the founding Oba in each city. A council of chiefs usually assists the Oba in his decisions. Title associations, such as the ogboni, play an important role in assigning and balancing power within the cities.

Religion: The Yoruba claim that they have 401 deities; in truth, there are more than these. The complexity of their cosmology has led Western scholars to compare them to the Ancient Greeks and their impressive pantheon. Yoruba deities are known as orisha, and the high god is Olorun. No organized priesthoods or shrines exist in honor of Olorun, but his spirit is invoked to ask for blessings and to confer thanks. The Yoruba believe that when they die they enter the realm of the ancestors where they still have influence on earth. Annual homage is paid to the grave sites of ones' forbears, and lineage heads are responsible for honoring all deceased members of the lineage through a yearly sacrifice. Maskers (egungun) appear at funerals and are believed to embody the spirit of the deceased person. Other important orishas include Eshu, the trickster; Shango, the god of thunder; and Ogun, the god of iron and modern technology.
Gateway-Africa.

Asagai: Assimilationism is so popular in your country. - pg. 49

The practice of assimilation (in anthropology and sociology, the process whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society. The process of assimilating involves taking on the traits of the dominant culture to such a degree that the assimilating group becomes socially indistinguishable from other members of the society. As such, assimilation is the most extreme form of acculturation. Although assimilation may be compelled through force or undertaken voluntarily, it is rare for a minority group to replace its previous cultural practices completely; religion, food preferences, proxemics (e.g., the physical distance between people in a given social situation), and aesthetics are among the characteristics that tend to be most resistant to change. Assimilation does not denote “racial” or biological fusion, though such fusion may occur.) Encyclopedia Britannica.