This assignment will springboard off of the Photo Memoir essay you wrote in Unit 2. Revisit your photo memoir essay and research
a historical event that occurred during that time period. In lieu of research, you may use primary sources such as family letters or documents that could be used to provide background for your essay. Rework the photo memoir essay to incorporate the historically significant information into a new essay that argues a point based on the graphic and textual sources you gathered. Cite the sources both implicitly and explicitly within your essay.
Here is the memoir I wrote
“It is what it is”. Though it’s a cliche phrase, this is the photograph that I’ve selected to discuss. It may sound trite, this quote possesses a deeper meaning. When life seems to be out of control, it causes me to feel overwhelmed. It’s an instinct that I immediately want to take matters into my own hands, but in some situations, this is not feasible. This quote represents a deeper meaning that I cannot control things that are beyond me. Furthermore, the topic of discussion will revolve around It Is What It Is.
It’s hard to deny that when situations in our life don't go our way or even how we had planned we don't get upset. In my case, this situation can ruin my day. For example, before a ski race I used to have an expectation for myself, and I would give my best performance on the hill. Sometimes I would come up short, and this is what used to upset me. Although at the time I didn't realize that I did everything in my control to win, so at the end of the day I was racing myself. How does this tie back to It Is What It Is? Well, it seems that increasingly often you hear the phrase, “It is what it is.” I was taking the phrase to mean, “It’s not this and it’s not that; it’s something more subtle that I don’t have a name for, and I’m ok with that.” This actively demonstrates that you're ok with things not going your way, and this can lead to better self-development. By letting things hang in an uncategorized state in their mind they may slowly come to a richer, more nuanced understanding of it, which may lead to a new insight or invention.
Although there are benefits to It Is What It Is, the phrase comes with downfalls. For example, when you do have the power to change something going wrong, and you use the phrase it may come more across as giving up. Another way of saying this would be if somebody needs your help, and you have the power to help them, although you decide not to because you think the outcome is inevitable. Even though there is this downfall it does not ruin the phrase. You just have to use it at the correct time. For instance, the correct time to use this phrase would be when something is out of your control, and you are struggling to cope with it. The phrase wasn't meant to give up, it's less meant to deal with it. This phrase oddly enough has helped me cope with things that are out of my control.
To sum up, everything that has been stated so far It Is What It Is is an expression used to characterize a frustrating or challenging situation that a person believes cannot be changed and must just be accepted. In saying this it demonstrates more regard for I won't let something out of my control affect me.
Help me understand what to do?
