Critical and Argumentative Writing
Blogging in the Blogosphere
English 103
FORMAT:
When you blog, in the Title, write your first and last name as you would as if you are turning in a paper to me. Then you do not have to write my name because I know you are in my class. Write what English class you are in whether it is English 52, 60, 100 and what College.
For example, one would write:
Yue Hayes
English 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
Homelessness
Font size
In addition, for the title, pick the topic of discussion, grammar/organization, content, current events, pop culture or literature as a TITLE that we have discussed in class. Write the posts like this: write #1 Post or #2 Post or Post #50, so I can easily keep track of them and how many you write.
Of course, you are welcome to write more than several posts, and in doing so is another form of participation and does count in the participation grade. Perhaps, in class, you may not participate all that much but in the realm of the blogosphere, you can from the comfort of your own home,
* reflect on the day's class discussion or offer up an insight that you found particularly interesting, etc., etc.
*
* How does it change the way you think or thought before on the subject?
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* What actions might you take in the future? Anything is open to interpretation.
Of course, I need not go on and on about being respectful towards your peers' opinions and beliefs. If you disagree with another student's views be discreet about it: Do not say so and so is completely wrong because of this and that. Instead, say, I disagree with so and so and here are the reasons why I do. Go after their evidence and support and do not, I repeat do not attack someone else personally. This is supposed to be a forum for everyone to share their ideas and views.
*I will enforce the blogosphere by either deleting your hard work, making an example out of you here in the realm of the blogosphere or in class* . . .
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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ReplyDeleteI hope i'm doing this right...
ReplyDeleteCasey Tharp
English 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
The Allegory of the Cave
I have read this piece of work before and I have also been asked to draw a picture of it so this was nothing new to me. As i started reading it for the first time, I began drawing the picture beccause i'm a visual learner. I looked more closly at the ending and the words that were used when i read it through the second time around. This piece of work could be interpreted into many things. For the most basic of things, it remind me of rich and poor. People who are poor see prices of items, they see pieces of food thrown away. They are much more observant to the dark side of the picture. While more wealthy people don't see the darkness. They do not see the prices of items, they do not pay attention to detail. They are living the life. If a rich person became poor, and had to go live with the poor people, i do not believe they could adapt as well and that the poor people would ridicule them for being rich at one point. They are different and would shun them out. We tend to fear what is different or what is unknown. Everytime I read this it always makes me more grateful for what i have. I am a big observer of people so when i read this, i really observe the little things in life like the sun and the shadows.
Cassie Gardea
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C.
Post #1
Reflection on Allegory of the Cave
So I guess Socrates is talking to Glaucon about his views in life. From what I understood, there are prisoners who are chained around legs to help keep still and the neck so they may not see anything else except the shadows of people, and trees. All they know are shadows.
My guess is that the fire that this story talks about is a torch being held by an outsider so the prisoners get a little shadow movie going on in the cave. Or maybe I over thought about it. . . it could be just a torch standing outside causing the shadows itself.
As for the lucky one who was able to escape the cave/prison, everything changed. What he knew is no more. He stepped into a new, real world. Now he wants to go back to the cave to educate the prisoners and open their eyes.
My main point is that the people inside are living in some illusion. They think that where they live is just life. But it is not, there is so much more.
My questions:
1. Why are they prisoners?
2. How do they eat? Do they eat?
3. Who put them there? They must have seen the world before if they were put there in their childhood.
4. How did the man free himself?
5. Why did the "free" people, or should I say the people that live in reality, not help?
I guess that is why it's an allegory. But still, one wonders. I just like to know WHY? WHY? WHY?
Lori Medina
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
Casey's earlier blog on The Allegory of the Cave was great. She used the same metaphor I was thinking when I finished reading it for the second time. It did take me two times to comprehend and relate it to something more understanding to me. I had also visualized the privileged and the unfortunate in todays society and the major lifestyle differences they have. The poor see life as a blessing and would rather not waste a single piece of food or a piece of clothing. While the privileged individuals would rather purchase expensive food at a high class restaurant then be seen eating at a King Taco. These types of people have no ides how it could be living with out the good things in life. Just like it is to work so hard for the good things to have them taken away. Like from what I understood line 32 was meaning, coming out of the darkness to see the sun and reality and the beautiful things in life just to be put back in the darkness would differently bring sadness to anyone.
Agnes Rulinskaite
ReplyDeleteenglish 103
cerritos college
post #1
The first time I posted, it was on the old blog, so I am reposting it:-) I have red "homonyms by Giorgio Agamben, it was pretty confusing at first, and it still is; however, I believe that I understood the main idea of it.
It talks about different classes in life. Most of the times people in life don not understand that each and every one of us has our names as such. Therefore, we should not be renamed or called something that we are not, even though sometimes there are the same exact words in writing, but it does not mean the same thing. Also, for logicians, non predictive expressions are much more numerous than one might think. Every term refers by definition(although sometimes it might be not right)to every and any member of its extension, and can, furthermore, refer to itself, one can say that all words can be presented as classes. Here it talks about words as definition itself, but looking deeper into it, it means that sometimes we might be hurt by what we are called, or what we said ourselves to others, but it might be because we did not know exact meaning of it As I mentioned already, there are a lot of words that are written the same, but have totally different meanings, so sometimes, we should think before we say something because it might be hurtful rather than enjoy full.
July 7, 2009 1:21 PM
Kathy Wammack
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
Allegory of the Cave
This is an interesting piece as it gives a lot of insight into everyday life and how one views their own world. In this story the characters are chained and their reality is what they know which is only what they have been exposed to. When exposed to the real world they retreat to the comfort of their own world.
In real life people often act the same way. One often exposes one self to only a single side of an issue and procedes to argue a point with fury never having been exposed to the other valid points of the issue.
As for myself, this story gives me the motivation to enude all perspectives of any issue I face so that I will make more informed, valid decisions for my life (not to mention avoid comming across as ignorant). In the future I will be less quick to judge and more open to hearing the positions of others.
Chinyerum Okpara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
The allegory of the cave was some what interesting to me. Sometimes I find it hard to imagine what life was like before people knew about certain things like light and fire. It amazed me while I was reading that these grown men did not think to question what the shadows were or where they were coming from. I know for myself just seeing something is not enough to just believe it, I need to know the “ins and outs” of things. But then towards the end when the prisoners are released then begin to understand what the shadows are and how they were made. In The Republic what Socrates is trying to tell Glaucon is that the philosopher’s job is to open people’s eyes to the truth. The philosophers have to take the cave men and lead them out of the cave and into the light so that they can see what is good and what is wrong.
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ReplyDeleteGabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post#2
Hello all,
I read and very much enjoyed reading your thoughts in regards to The Allegory of the Cave.
Indeed this excerpt raises a lot of questions and brings out many feelings. When I saw this was a fable- I immediately thought "Okay, so there will be a lesson of some sort taught here."
What I concluded is that we use our senses to understand our world. Although sight was the only sense mentioned, it demonstrates the importance it played for the slave and then, the free man. Whether in a dark cave relying on shadows or in the upper world, our sight enables us to live, experience, appreciate and reason.
Cassie Gardea
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C.
Post #2
So the Allegory of the Cave is like us. The prisoners are the students whose minds have not been fully opened, and you, Professor Hsiao is the prisoner who is freed and has seen the other side of things. So now you are going to teach us to be more open.
Gabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
One rarely stops to consider how language and pictures are heavily dependent of each other. Whether or not we are addressing/applying the right “concepts” as logician Russell would state, the fact remains. People have been trained to communicate with each other by using the idea to image approach for a very long period of time.
An example of this would be a baby. Doesn’t he start off as a clean slate? Yet everything he’ll encounter already has a name. That name will always remain the same for that object and therefore, it’s only a matter of time before the baby makes that discovery.
Adults play a key role during this critical language period because they use and reinforce extensive vocabulary both in the presence and absence of an object. At this time, the vocabulary may have no meaning until an object is shown followed by a word. Soon enough, the baby makes connections to words and their actual meanings. Ultimately, learning language or is it learning idea to image?
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ReplyDeleteMelissa Alcaraz
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103-06
Cerritos College
Post #1
The Allegory of the Cave by Plato is an insightful reading written to illustrate being a philosopher. I must admit that when I first read the story I was confused and could not find a meaning to the reading. After yesterdays class when professor Hsiao mentioned that The Allegory of the Cave and The Matrix could easily be compared, I was able to visualize and comprehend the story a lot better. For example, each story has a chosen one in The Matrix it was Neo who discovers that life on earth is a fabricated reality created only to fuel the Matrix. In The Allegory of the Cave the prisoners have never known the world outside the cave, it was only when any of them is liberated one will feel the need to stand up walk, turn his neck and walk towards the light. (Hence the “chosen one”) It is only after each character has discovered the reality that from there on out they will focus on enlightening others. It is easy to say that once the ex-prisoner is placed back into the cave, his newfound vision will only be portrayed as newfound blindness.
I can easily agree with Casey and Lori’s metaphor about the privileged and the less fortunate. Yet, to me the story was more about leadership instead of classes. I can see the prisoner being enlightened when he chose to climb out of the cave, the same way Neo was enlighten when he chose between the two pills. I believe Plato reading helps the reader envision that once one sees the light we should become leaders to those who may have a misconception of reality.
Rosemary Mercado
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
Allegory of the Cave
As we all are submitting our interpretations of Allegory of the Cave, I interpret it as such that. An interpretation. There are no facts. Each of us have different personalities and outlooks to everything around us, including the reading. Because of our culture, upbringing, childhood and so forth, we interpret situations and life based on our own experiences. The Allegory of the Cave is describing two world's. One inside the cave and one on the outside. It is an example of how we live our lives. The inside of the cave and the shadows that the prisoners see are examples of the people in our lives that have "molded" us and made us look at things the way we do, such as our parents, guardians, peers, etc. We interpret life the way we do because that is what we have been taught to follow and believe. The outside of the cave is the real world. I beleive that by breaking the chains and looking out into the light like the prisoners have done is an example of people finding themselves in life. Finding a purpose to explore new things and becoming better. We strive to find peace and happiness within ourselves.
Uchenna Nnabue
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C
Post #1
My way of visualizing Plato's Allegory of the Cave would be to use a young man who lives in a rough neighborhood as an example. This young man lives in a neighborhood that is filled with crime, drugs, etc. Others around him feel that the only way to survive and escape is to do what they see and that's drug dealing. But this young man knows that drug dealing is not the best way to gain money in order to escape his surroundings the answer is through school. So he goes to school, finishes, and then leaves. Now he is successful and decides to go back to his old neighborhood to convince those that are still trying to escape to turn from their ways and go to school.
I could be wrong, but this is how I understand the story.
Mariana Lara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
When I first read Allegory of the Cave which was written by Plato I was extremely confused. Here where two men,Plato and Glaucon, forming sentences in forms that I did not comprehend at first glance. After rereading Plato's work a couple of times I was able to attach some meaning to it as it might relate to my life. I like to think of myself as the prisoner in the cave. I only see what lies in front of me and have yet to be enlightened. Little by little we will be exposed to the sun (critical thinking). At first we will be blind and might want to look back at the shadows. In time we will grow accustomed to the sun and when we look back at the shadows we will not look at them in despair but at how far we have come.
Luis Centeno
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
cc
post #1
my take on the happenings in the cave.
i understood the story as a simple case of mistaken reality. it is as if the cave is a classroom and instead of the prisoners being shackled in place, they are simply there by the orders of the teacher. the children in the classroom are watching a puppet show and take it to be real, what they do not know is that the puppets are merely that, puppets, being controlled by a hidden puppeteer. if one of the children were to go astray, the child would eventually wander off finding out that the puppets are not real and the truth would simply astonish the kid. once the child knew the truth, this very child would go and try and tell the other children what the child has learned but the other children would reject his truths. the child would be forced to either continue to watch the show and ignore what the child knows or to simply leave the situation.
Sarah Hunt
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
Allegory of the Cave
After reading the story for the third time, I realized I enjoyed it, as well as the moral. The men who were changed to the cave and blindly believed that the shadows on the wall were real, are no different then people today.
I believe at the core what Plato is trying to say is that if one does not go out into the world and explore, think for themselves or question what is in front oneself then they become like the men chained in the cave; mindless followers who rely on others to do their thinking for them. To become truly enlightened, one must go out into the world and experience it on their own.
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ReplyDeletePhilip Juarez
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
Allegory of the cave by Plato
When reading Plato's Alleegory of the Cave i was quickly able to make an analogy. The first is that we are obviously the prisoners that Plato describes in his figures. For example, the chained prisoners are like us humans watching our hollywood movies. Here the directors & producers( the people behind the movies) are the illusionists. I think it is in our natured to quickly belive something that seems plausible similar to what the prisoners think of the puppets; the reality. The reason that the prisoners think the puppets are the reality isbecause thats all that they have ever got to know about. If we believe a movie we too are being chained up prisoners that believe what is thrown at our face. We have to remember that most of th time, Hollywood loves to exaggerate their stories for the mere purpose of money. Unless we have the ability to be rational about the things we digest and actually venture out to seek the truth, then we too have escaped the den
Isela Zavalza
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
Homonyms by Giorgio Agamben
When I first read the title my mind could not help but break that word down, I recognized the root Homo- meaning human in Latin but it also means same in Greek but I was not sure how Agamben was using the root. I had to read the reading a couple of times to put some sort of meaning to it. During yesterday's class discussion, when Prof. Hsiao was asking us about our past, present and future I still was not sure how it related. Prof mentioned finding something common that could help us relate to our different group of friends. We are one person with different groups or classes but we are one same person with the ability to shape shift. We are all connected somehow.
From the reading I concluded that the point Agamben is trying to make is that we are all composed of subclasses which make a whole. Not one of us is a virgin element but rather an extension, we have combined our past knowledge, others influences and different components to create a new us. Even though we might not change for example we are human and then out of the blue we are known as a horse that is not going to happen but instead our experiences will help shape who we are and become a better self.
Victor Aguirre
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 1
Homonyms Reflection of Classes
My reflection on Giorgio Agamben, “Homonyms”, is very interesting. As stated by Mr. Agamben, all objects and properties are divided into classes. Mr. Agamben is reflected in the divine creation. According to Genesis, the first book of the bible, in the beginning God created the heavens, earth, day and night; he also created all living creatures, man, women, good and evil. As consequence, it can be inferred that class differences have existed from the beginning of creation of things. In our present time, societies and communities are also divided into different classes. In many instances, what our society calls upper class community sometimes does associates with the lower class. Other class differences can be found amongst those with upper education and limited education, racism and discrimination, political and religious views, etc. From the beginning of times to the present, it can be concluded that our societies and communities will always be broken down into different classes.
Casey Tharp
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #2
Cathedral
Both of the stories were good. I enjoyed the meanin of each story. However, i have more to say about the Cathedral which is why i have choosen to write about it. I am a person who can see from every point of view. I can always logically see two sides of a debate as long as both sides are logical. So it always bewilders me how someone can be so naieve to somthing that is different or somthing that they do not understand. So all while reading this, i was confused as to why the husband couldn't understand a blind mans point of view. He wanted to make fun of it and at the same time seemed very annoyed that his wife truely enjoyed this man who was blind. Being blind was considered a flaw to the husband.
I enjoyed the ending of the story very much. The husband was to high and drunk to give a darn about doing what the blind man wanted him to draw so he just did what he was told. His whole attitude was, "why not" "lets entertain the blind man" Little did that husband know, with just closing his eyes and drawing, he was opening his eyes to a whole new style of living as well as thinking.
Cassie Gardea
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C
Post #3
Only Daughter
I love this story. In a way it reminds me of my life except for all the siblings.
My dad is a great person, but he is strict. He always gave me a hard time when I asked him how to solve math problems when I was younger. He never understood why I never learned it right away. Everyone learns different ways. He'll never understand. So anyway, I feel that he feels that I can't make it in college. He tries hard to believe in me. There are times I bring home B's, that's never good enough, but I really don't care I'm happy. One day, I hope to be like the "only daughter" and make my dad so incredibly proud of me. I'm pretty sure that day will come when I become a nurse.
Lori Medina
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #2
Only Daughter
I can relate to this story since I grew up in a Mexican house hold. She had worked so hard to become someone and the only thing that mattered to her was her fathers approval. Why do most people grow up wanting our parents approval in one way or another?
Being the oldest my father expects me to be the first one to graduate from college to set a good example for my sister. But he does not know how hard these classes would be and working full time just limited the amount of classes I could take each semester. My father is very supportive and I know he does not mean any harm by asking me, "are you almost done yet," or " why has it taken me so long." Every time he asks I always feel like I have disappointed him in someway. In the end once I finally finish I know I'll be proud of myself and so will my family!
Isela Zavalza
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C.
Post #2
In reply to cassie, Only Daughter,
I think everyone always tries there very best to make their parents feel proud of them. Even though sometimes parents do not express it. This happens to me as well. People around me tell me how proud they are of me but very few times have I heard my mom say that. I know she loves me and does this so that I can reach my full potential.I try very hard and to me I think I have done good. I have a good job, I own a house am still going to school, I don't have kids. I have not graduated yet nor received any degree because i had a change of heart with my career. My mom thinks am just going to give up because I've been in school for so long.That i will fall into the typical hispanic stereotype of getting pregnant and flush away all my hard work. I know I did make mistakes but i have learned from them and i think thats what should be important that I realized i did not want to pursue that career.I decided to explorer other possibilities one in which I got gratification from my job not so much in my paycheck. So like i said parents are proud sometimes they might just not know how to express it but have faith in yourself and you will achieve it. If you make mistakes you just live and learn from it which in the long run will make you an even better person. And it will be more gratifying.
Paul Yun
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
Im not sure if im doing this correctly, I missed doing the first blog. If not, please tell me. Thanks!
The Cathedral
I actually read this story before in a previous class in my English 100 class and I'm really glad Professor Hsiao has chose this story to be apart of this english class. In the beginning of the story, the husband comes off as having a very negative vibe towards the blind man. But as the husband spends more time together with the blind man, Robert, the husband starts to see that Robert is a lot more normal than he had first had thought. In the beginning of the story the husband felt awkward and umfortable at the thought of being around a blind man. But after the husband drew out the picture and grazed his hand along the sheet of paper, it seemed as if the husband became more understanding of Robert. I think this story has the same moral as the saying " Do not judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes." Also it seemed as if the husband was searching for attention from Robert when his wife and Robert were talking after dinner.
Kathy Wammack
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
CC
Post #2
Only Daughter
I found this to be a very interesting story. I relate it to society as a whole against an individual. Often times one is put in a position where they made to feel they are not a significant factor of the whole, yet they are able to succeed because they still feels self-worth. I feel tolerance is key in this reading. If the daughter had not been so tolerant of her father’s ignorance toward women she would have never shared a moment he of success with him. In society, if we let all those who deem us as disposable or without worth control our destiny we also will never experience our moments of success.
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ReplyDeleteGabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post#3
Reflection: Only Daughter
Cisneros’s story does an outstanding job at capturing gender views and roles portrayed in typical Hispanic cultures. Daughters are clearly treated differently and the expectations for them are to learn to cook, sew, to get married rather young and attend their family.
Education isn’t pushed because motherhood takes precedence and it almost seems as though women are solely measured by their homemaking abilities. These generalized gender assumptions will undeniably have a profound impact on a daughter, who has dreams of becoming a professional or simply not wanting to fit in one of those traditional molds.
This is where the Author is. Her hurt and frustrations are clear. Her desire to make her parents proud (especially her father) means the world to her. I don’t think its acceptance she’s after. I think she wants to be the one who takes the blindfold off her father so that he can finally realize that both genders are equally capable of anything.
Melissa Alcaraz
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103-06
Cerritos college
post #2
Only Daughter
After reading only daughter by Sandra Cisneros it only reminded me of how much I enjoyed reading her short stories. For one she is a Mexican American writer and as a latina reader I can easily relate to her stories. Although in the story Only Daughter she struggles with being the only girl amongst six brothers. Being a daughter in a Mexican American home is extremely overwhelming.(As I am sure of many other cultures as well) I know for me my parents expected me to got to college become a professional but by the time I was ten years old I had to serve my older brother. Cook tortillas, the frijoles before I could even start my homework. Then if that was not enough the boundaries they create for you because you are female. My parents frown upon me going away to college because it is unethical for a young woman to move out of the home before she is married. It makes me wonder if they truly want you to get an education or simply find a man to marry so you will no longer be there responsibility.
At the end of the story when sandra's father finally reads the story, you can clearly see how proud he is of her and how he wants to share his joy with everyone around them. I would agree with Kathy because if the daughter would have been tolerant of her fathers ignorance she would have never shared the moment of her success.
Chinyerum Okpara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #2
Only Daughter
I thought that this short story was interesting. I have read other works by Sandra Cisneros (such as House on Mango Street) and I like her writing style because it is different. I like how she talks about her life and really engages the reader. She uses good imagery so much so that I can actually imagine her entering her house and smelling the tamales and hearing her relatives talking. I can relate to her being lonely as a child growing up. I have a younger brother and we do not get along that much because the things that I am into he is not really in o such as I like to watch shows that have something to do with the career I want to go into and he likes to watch sports and shows were people are always fighting like College hill. When Cisneros talks about seeking her father’s approval I can some what identify with that because a lot of people that I know constantly seek their parents approval. Sometimes I do and I relate to her because even though she did not get her father’s approval she still went ahead and did what she wanted which is a lot like what I do. Another thing that interested me about the story was the fact that she had so many siblings, especially older siblings. I have always wanted an older brother or even a sister.
When her father makes the mistake of telling people that he has seven sons instead of 6 and one girl I found that funny because my dad always mikes his pronouns whenever he refers to his kids or even regular people. But at the end of the story I feel that her father comes to realize that all her hard work was not just a waste of time because finding a significant other is not only what going to college is for. In the end she writes a book that brings her and her father together which I think makes up for all the dissent she might have felt for her father.
Rosemary Mercado
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #2
Only Daughter
I enjoyed Sandra Cisneros Only Daughter very much because I relate to her story. The specific details she gave reminded me of my household, my father and my mexican culture. I am the oldest of 4 children and the first one to pursue a college education. My father is a business man and my 19 year old brother is following his foot steps to carry on the family business. Even though they are supportive, I know that they do not fully understand or have the same opinion about my education. Perhaps he asks himself "If I became successful with out a high school diploma, much less a college eduation, why can't she do the same?." I can especially relate to clause 11 when she talks about college being an investment. I believe that this is exactly how my father feels. I know that he wants the best for us but at the same time he does not take the time to try and undestand what his children aspire. I would like my father to accept my choices in life and appreciate what I will accomplish; Not because of my salary, but because I want to make a difference and be an example to my siblings and family. Like Kathy mentioned, I would like to share my success with my father one day as Sandra did because I came to realize that I was a significant factor of the whole.
Mariana Lara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #2
The Cathedral by Raymond Carver
Although I identified more with Sandra Cisneros story, I am choosing to write about Cathedral for i felt cathedral had more valuable lessons weaved within its pages. When i first began reading this essay it seemed uninteresting. The narrator angered me a bit for i could not believe someone could be so judgemental , ignorant and close minded. I believe it was this short moment of anger that kept me reading the story because i was curious as to how the story would end. I hypothesized the story would be just a story about a narrator complaining about an innocent blind man. As the story progressed i found that i could identify with the narrator. I put myself in his shoes for a second and thought about what it would be to have a blind man visit me. I too, like him, would try to keep the conversation going for moments of silence are uncomfortable. I like this essay for it reminded me that learning never ends..its a continous beautiful process that is eternal. We always learn from each other. There are instances of the old teaching the young, the blind teaching those who can see and vice versa. I believe that when you meet a person for the first you need to put all your preconcieded notions aside and give them the benefit of the doubt. How can we ever learn valuable lessons if we are always judging? if you judge someone you cannot love them and engulf what it is they bring to the table. We fear what we do not understand and this essay was a great example of it.
Diana Quinones
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Testing, to make sure I am doing this correctly.
Agnes Rulinskaite
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
cerritos College
This was my first time reading that kind of story. It really makes you stop and think, do we live for someone else or ourselves, and do we have to fulfill someone else’s needs or ours?
This lady, who was the only daughter in the family wanted to squeeze every bit of herself, so she could become someone more in life than just a wife to someone. She wanted to be an example to other people, who are in a similar situation as she was, and also, she wanted to explore herself.
Her father wanted for her something totally different, but again, each and every one of us has our own minds, so did she. She proceeded with her English degree. It was the best investment she could ever make. She became well known writer and a wealthy one as well. Her stories were mostly for and to her father, which at first he could not understand them, because they were all in English, but later she had one story that was translated in Spanish. After he had read every single line of that story he asked to his daughter, "where could we get more copies of this for our relatives?"
And the daughter thought to herself, of all that happened to me last year, that was the most wonderful, because she knew right then that her father understood that her daughter became someone in life, and that she was not wasting her time doing something as silly as majoring in english:-)
Casey Tharp
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #3
How to Tame a Wild Tongue.
First off let me say that both readings were difficult for me. Reading things of the past and things dealing with religion have always been pretty difficult for me to read. So right away i thought I would blog about the Tongue story. Then i actually read the Tongue story and i was more confused then before. I understand the gist of it. I went to one of my friends who speaks spanish and he was able to help me understand it better. As i've always said, i can see both sides to a story. The same goes here. I can see how some americans may feel that you are in america so speak english. On the other hand, America is all about being free to express your indiviuality so why not speak another lanuage. Why not show you have an accent and be proud of that. Americans and America are constantly going back and forth with eachother. America the land of the free...as long as you speak english. What is that about? The rebuddle is always this "Well if i go to mexico i'll learn spanish so you learn english" its always the same, but why not learn both? I do have faith that one day...things will change for the better and i hope i'm around to see it.
Cassie Gardea
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C.
Post#4
At His Disposal
Honestly, it was a bit confusing. I think I understood that she had to go through suffering to bring some peace. She described Jesus being rejected by his own Father because he took on all our sins. I'm not 100% sure if she is comparing herself to him, or if she's looking to him as an example of what she needs to be.
Mariana Lara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #3
"At his Disposal" by Mother Theresa excerpt from Come Be My Light
Whenever I saw an image of Mother Theresa on television she always had a smile on her face. That is the person I thought she was, happy and content. I think i forgot that she was human and was allowed to have an array of emotions within her. I never could have imagined that she was lonely for she felt that she had taken on sin by helping the poor and had to fight and resist their tempatations. Oh how she loved her sisters as if they were her own. I always like placing myself in other peoples shoes because it allows me to identify with them, so i shall do it again. I too love my sisters dearly and if I had to be apart from them I think i would feel hollow inside. She was a great person not only for the work she did, the things she had to endure, but also because she wanted to spread love throughout this earth and spreading love never hurt anyone
" If often happens that those who spend their time giving light to others, remain in darkness themselves"
The above quote is so profound to me. Those 17 words say so much. I think that sometimes we give so much of ourselves to the world and we forget to care for ourselves. Its important to balance things out in order to feel inner happiness and peace.
Kathy Wammack
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
CC
Post #3
At His Disposal
I read this story several times. I was very confused at first. It was a little difficult for me to follow. I am not Catholic and have had almost no dealings with the Catholic Church or their beliefs; however, this reading seems to be more about faith and the endurance of such than organized religion. Mother Teresa gave her life to the Lord, she sacrificed all of her personal needs and yet she was immersed into a society that did not believe in the her God. In this she experience Hell; for to Mother Teresa life without God could be nothing but Hell. When Mother Teresa said “her darkness was the price of lighting…” She was saying she would live in Hell if this allowed her to bring the Lord into the life of someone else. She often feels isolated and alone because she really has no one to connect with but God. In Paragraph one, part two she expresses how occasional meetings with her sisters gave her “much joy”, it was these times she felt renewed and connected. The people who surround her do not believe in her God and He is with her in spirit only – she is sad and desperate. To believe in something so much and not have other people be able to recognize that greatness can be overwhelming and discouraging. Not to mention God did not really acknowledge her. She knows he is there but he isn’t really parting the Red Sea for her and she is doing all this ministry for him – it could definitely be a very dark place for Mother Teresa. In the very last paragraph she talks about two of the sister who leave the congregation – they left, they quit this particular ministry. It was too hard for them; they gave up and in Mother Teresa perspective they gave up on God. He wasn’t worth the sacrifice to them.
Chinyerum Okpara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #3
“At His Disposal”
At first I did not want to post on this reading because it did not excite me nor interest me. However, after reading the second reading and being thrown off with all of the Spanish with no translations, I decided to write about Mother Teresa story. I do understand what she is talking about because I have been in Catholic school all my life and we learn about the same things every year. One thing that I noticed (because it was repeated more then once) and that stuck with me was “darkness was the price of lighting the fire of love.” Being lonely and feeling like you are constantly in the darkness I a really big price to pay for other people, especially people that you do not know. But once you sign your life over to God that is something that you have to do, you have to be “at His disposal.” But for them, in the end I think that the sacrifice would have been well worth it because you will be able to enter the kingdom of God knowing that you tried your hardest and suffered hardships to bring other people closer to God.
Agnes Rulinskaite
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103
Post # 3
First of all, both of the stories were confusing. I thought it was only me who did not quite get the stories, but by reading other people's post, I see that those stories were confusing for most of them as well.
Furthermore, at first I thought I will post about "How to tame a Wild tongue", then I decided to read "At His Disposal" for a second time, and I thought I will post about that, but I am coming back to the second story, "How to Tame a Wild Tongue", although I can relate to both of them in a way, but I will discuss only one for now.
Of course, I could not understand all of the Spanish phrases that was there, but I think I got the main idea :-)
In that reading they are talking about languages. How, and which language is used in different places that we go to. For example, in America for the most part we should speak English; however, it is such a diverse country that people are from all over the world, therefore, if they feel more comfortable speaking their native language, they will do that, and there should not be any stereotyping or judging about it. As long people are putting the effort in learning the other language, it should be good enough; however, those who are not trying, and they are showing off just by speaking their native language in none native country, then it can be a problem. Another thing that I want to point out is people's accents. For the most part, all the foreigners will have accents throughout their lives, but it's ok. Those people who will want to understand them, they will, without being judgmental, and others will be complete opposites, but its ok, let it be. Those people do not understand what is like to be a foreigner and appreciate life even more, and they never will. It's a disadvantage to them, and not to us.
America is a free country, so let us be free too, and express ourselves the way that we want to, and not in the way that others would like us to.
Melissa Alcaraz
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103-06
Post #3
"At His Disposal"
Growing up I always heard stories about mother teresa on the news and in church. I am glad that excerpts of her writings exist she was selfless and always gave in the name of God. In page two and paragraph two she writes about Jesus incarnation and how he was forgiven for all sin but yet in the Passion he was rejected by his father because he took on all of our sins. I feel this i the moment in the excerpt where Mother Teresa relates to Jesus because she too is taking on the same fate as Jesus.
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ReplyDeleteIsela Zavalza
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 3
"At his disposal"
“How terrible it is to be without a God”
There are times in which a person needs something or someone of higher power to believe in, to give them hope. Hope and faith is what Mother Teresa had, it is what kept her going. Even when she had no God, when she lived without him she found a way to maintain her faith. I have at times loved and hated God. When I had been in the depths of darkness and thought there was no way out, when people told me to believe in God that he had a plan I refused. I stopped believing. I thought of it all as a fraud. How was it that this religion and this God I prayed for my entire life could let such evil things happen? It did not make it easier to live with. Among my personal struggles the scandals with the priests in the Catholic Church was going on as well. How did people expect me to believe in something that was in sinning as well? How were they going to help me? Then in that darkness he (God) was the only one to give me light. I prayed to God. I was in a ball of confusion in regards to religion. It is people who do harm. I am still in doubt with the actual practice of the teachings, the clergy, they distort the word of God and in doing so have some followers at their mercy for fear of eternal damnation. One thing is clear to me though that there is a God. Somehow I have made my own interpretation of his teachings, for life to go on we must suffer to grow. We must have knowledge to know what is right and wrong. If we have done wrong we must use that knowledge to repent of our actions because we know what he have done is wrong. When we suffer and when we see the evil in this world is when we can appreciate all that we have and have been blessed with so that we can give back to those who have not yet found the light. As I was reading some of the comments here I saw the quote that Mariana put
“It often happens that those who spend their time giving light to others, remain in darkness themselves"
Is it true that sometimes one gives some much of oneself to the world but what I have thought of is, what if, maybe that’s a way for some to repent their sins? That they are looking for peace while giving themselves all to others? Because there is a void that needs to be filled and even though a person gets satisfaction from helping others there are many more days in which that person sees all the other evils that the poor and helpless have to endure. That they must fight along with their poorness, hunger and homelessness and still find a way to give them hope when all seems to be no hope. Along with the materialistic obstacles there are other oppressors, those who were not as strong. I work with Sp.Ed young adults and sometimes when I tell people what I do they tell me God is going to bless me but there is only so much I can do. I thank them for their words, inside of me though every morning and when I find myself in turmoil I ask God to give me patience, strength and guide me to make the right decisions.
Rosemary Mercado
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103
Post #3
How to tame a wild tongue
Anzaldua's writting is very moving. Her descriptions allowed me to get more in depth with the writting. It helps better visualize the struggles of the Chicano people because of their "bastard" form of speaking. Not only do chicanos go through this stage of critizment and judgement, but all immigrants as well. The expectations from their native country are high as it is in the United States. They need to be the best in both of their surroundings. I was able to relate to the story because of my mexican background and I agree with everything Anzaldua says because I too speak with a "forked tongue" which is "illegitimate." I have been referred to as a "Pocha" because of my unproper spanish and the spanglish I speak. Both of my parents speak and understand english so I do not carry on long conversations in spanish on a daily basis. The only time I have conversations in spanish is when I am speaking with my grandparents, which is not often. At times I am embarassed and ashamed of myself because I cannot carry a long and normal conversation with them. I cannot find the proper and correct words to explain what I am trying to say and often turn to my mother to translate a word for me. They look at me with a blank stare of diappointment because I once spoke fluent spanish as a child. I hope to speak fluent spanish again one day and not let this intent to censor our language overcome our free will in this country. I hope we can carry on our language wether it is considered more "cultured" or not.
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ReplyDeleteIsela Zavalza
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #4
"How to tame a wild tongue"
First of all I would like to say I loved the title. It reminded me of what I had been hearing all my life. "Little girls should not talk back","you need to know when to stay quiet" and i did for a bit but it was so hard to control this tongue of mine. It is so hard to tame it, not to voice opinions. How can they give you tools and expect one not to use them? Yes my tongue has gotten me in trouble some instances I knew it was my fault but other times it was because I could not sit back and let tyrants rule over the masses because they were afraid to speak up. But my tongue has given me opportunities as well. I have learned to use it to my advantage I receive a stipend at my job because I am bilingual. I am the bridge of communication among parents, teachers and administrators. It is funny though because when I am at work I speak both proper Spanish and English. When I am at home my tongue gets twisted with both languages and I find myself using spanglish. It has happened twice when someone of Mexican origin have asked if I spoke and understood Spanish because they had never heard me speak it.One of which was my neighbor. =D
Kathy Wammack
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103 5-7pm
CC
Post #4
I Have a Dream
I have read this speech many times and each time it get more meaning from it. I think that I really have to look hard at my fellow man to understand the depth of bigotry that has consumed this country for many, many years. I was never exposed to prejudice in my family and therefore did not understand the depth if its existence. My very first exposure to discrimination was when I was very young, not from my family but a much more seemingly benign source. I was traveling with my parents to visit relatives in the south and my mom took me to use a public bathroom and there was one door that said “Colored” and one door that said “White”. I being a very young age wanted to go into the colored bathroom but my mom said no and tugged me to the other door; I started to pout but went willingly because I did not want a spanking. Later she explained to me that that bathroom was not a bathroom that had been painted a color it the one Black folks were allowed to use. I myself have a lot of difficulty understanding discrimination based on the color of skin, sex, physical challenges, etc. It simply does not make sense to me. I am embarrassed for those who are so ignorant to think that there is any difference in ability based on ethnic group. I am glad there were some very brave people, Martin Luther King being one of them who stood up and faced hatred. I do not know that I would have been strong enough begin such a battle.
Kathy Wammack
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
CC 5p-7p
Post #5
A Simple Path and an Open Heart by the Dalai Lama
This is the first opportunity I have had to read either of this writings and I was inspired by this work. This is a perfect recipe for life. It is the perfect addition to any religion and for those who claim to be atheist it is the perfect guide to live by. I felt A Simple Path not only introduced the An Open Heart but also gave the reader permission not to accept this as a replacement for ones own religious belief. As for me, I do not follow a religion, but find the idea fascinating. Like many others I claim to be spiritual – no religion is attached to this claim, not Catholic, Baptist or anything else. I do not really understand religion. I understand the need for rules to keep a peaceful society but I do not understand the rules involved in religion. I think human nature is inherently good. Most people are good people and they want to do good things; although, sometimes they are mislead by the ideas and influences of others usually their hearts on in the right place. At any rate, fathom the idea of everyone adding the principles of Buddhism to their own life – as individuals; overnight the world would immediately become a better place to live.
Gabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post#4
Reflection: Cathedral
This story depicts the life of a married woman who has a strong bond with a man from her past named Robert. This woman seems to be captivated by him. She’s an open book with him, sharing her deepest thoughts and adventures. My personal belief is that these two people have deeper feelings for each other but their relationship never unfolded because their timing was off.
The wife’s husband notices this too. He’s definitely seen the affect they have for each other and how inseparable they seem to be. Although the husband continuously mentions his discomfort towards Robert for being blind, the truth is that he’s really uncomfortable with his wife’s attachment to Robert. Thus, having him over for company brought out a slight level of insecurity.
Not sure what importance the Cathedral had in this story other than it being a pass time activity to keep two semi-drunk men busy and talking about something to stay away form awkward silence.
Lori Medina
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
post #3
At His Disposal
I was not raised on religion but i think no matter if you grew up with religion or not i think Mother Teresa's words relate to all. she went out were not everyone wanted to go just to help the poor and injured she sacrificed herself in different ways just to show others the goodness we can give to each other. After years of helping others she described a feeling of dark loneliness and relating it to her own hell but she did not see that as an excuse to give up on others it just made her want to spread the love and the word of god around to others. while others gave up and left the congregation Mother Teresa showed her strength and wisdom by staying and helping as many people as she can She was a person who will never be forgotten for all her good doings!
Gabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post#5
Reflection: How to Tame a Wild Tongue
Gloria Anzaldua does an extraordinary job in hi-lighting the struggles Latinos go through for being their own heritage. From having to fight constant stereotypes and prejudices to having to please their family’s beliefs and values, Latinos are always being judged by someone. If they speak in their native tongue, use slang or dare show ethnic pride, it’s guaranteed to set someone off.
The world is full of mixed signals and everyday we form part of endless categories. These categories are based on but not limited to our gender, our background, personal features our dress, our friends… the list is infinite. Even though it’s become a widely known fact that we are a richer place because of our various cultures. Accepting each other is a whole other concept.
The question remains, should someone stop speaking in their native language if they migrate to another place? Should that person disregard where she/he came from? Should they stop eating their culture’s foods? Should they even take it a step further and change their names to better accommodate those who have difficulties pronouncing Latin names?
The answer is absolutely not. Things may never change completely. There will always be ignorant people who will feel superior and feel as though they are entitled to more. Who cares, at the end of the day, it’s only their opinion.
Gabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post#6
Reflection: At his Disposal
Okay, now I really feel like a crapy Catholic. Here’s what I gathered from this excerpt, we must stop living solely for ourselves. It is important to stand back and look at the bigger picture (the community we are part of). Lending a helping hand to friends and strangers should be second nature to us meaning that we just do it for the sake of love, for brotherhood and sisterhood. If we all had this mentality and we all did our part, our world might just become free from sin.
I guess the lesson learned here is that sometimes we must go through pain and suffering to see the light. I have sure learned from my falls and tribulations, and I’d like to think that they’ve made me a stronger, better person. Obviously my faith could never be compared to Mother Teresa’s and my limited understanding of this lesson is sure to be an insult to her, but like I said, I’m not very Catholic. Not proud of that- just being honest.
Uchenna Nnabue
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos CoLLege
Post #3
How to Tame a Wild Tongue
This story is about Latinos that struggled to preserve their identity while still trying to be accepted in what seemed like an anti-cultural society. Anzaldua uses the dentist as an example. The dentist is trying to clean out Anzaldua's roots, but because of her tongue moving about the dentist found it very difficult to do so. His comment, "we're going to have to do something about your tongue," denotes that he intends to control it.
You can connect the dentist to being society and Anzaldua's tongue to being her culture. In this certain situation society wants to change people by MAKING them fit in rather than HELPING them fit in. This is why their identity is shaken.
Victor Aguirre
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 3
Reflection: At His Disposal
The excerpt of paragraphs and lines of Mother Teresa are wonderful words by pursuing us to be believers and continue praying to God no matter how difficult could be the situation. God will definitely respond and be there for anyone, if there is true faith. However, it is obvious that a non-believer will not accept this concept of ideology. Even so, a believer can also have his/or her doubts as what happened to Mother Teresa when she stated “It often happens that those who spend their time giving light to others, remain in darkness themselves” (3). No wonder she asked Father Neuner to pry for her because she though that her inner faith was fallen into darkness and she ultimately wanted to persevere, which she did so, even with mixed disappointments.
On the other hand, she asserts that “If there is hell--- this must be one” (3) with this statement she allows us to think that our interior darkness is always at temptation and that we have to be at least careful and parallel to God’s word, otherwise, we can be easily distracted and failed into disappointments especially with God. Anyhow, Mother Teresa’s sacrifice was not in vain because she was drawing closer to God as she put it in a most Christian beautiful sentence: “I want to be faithful to him –to spend myself for Him, to love Him not for what He gives but for what He takes—to be at His disposal…I only ask Him to use me” (1). In fact, any one who is a strong believer in God will be at his disposal no matter how difficult the case may be. He would come and provide a peaceful resolution to any issues.
Nancy Felix
ReplyDeleteEngl.103
7/8/09
Post #1
The Allegory of the Cave by Plato
My interpretation of Plato’s message is simply… a philosophical explanation of human life. That is, that the majority of the human population, are much like the “prisoners” – chained in a dark cave, watching shadows dance on the wall. The prisoners are not concerned or interested to know more than what they see. Therefore, they lack any knowledge as to question, what motivates and influences the shadows? In addition, the chains that holds their heads in place and limit their freedom, does nothing to stimulate any desire to resist. Also, there is no desire to set themselves free. All we know is that tangible world that we live in. A world of ignorance, much like the – “cave”. We are even comfortable with that ignorance, because it is all we know. Like the prisoners that do not resist their own captivity. This confirms the idea that most people live in a world of illusions and are more comfortable to remain in that fantasy. Like the – “shadow people”. It is therefore our own responsibility to continually search for our own perception of truth and understanding. Finally, when the light of the sun shines on the freedman, it represents self discovery, a testament to one’s own truth and rediscovery of self, wisdom, and clarity. It is then when we ascent out of our “cave world” and enter a world of enlightment.
Nancy Felix
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #2
Only Daughter
This short story was wonderful to read. It deals with a Mexican-American family of six sons and, their only daughter. She remains unappreciated by her brothers who never played with her as a child. Her father all along, wants her to get married but, she becomes a writer instead. Undoubtedly, she feels rejected by her male siblings and the lack of acceptance from her father, (for her profession as a writer), becomes a displeasing matter of conflict between the only daughter and her father.
The narrator sets the tone with her style of writing and bilingualism. She expresses with an ease, adding authenticity to the voices of the “Chicano Culture”.
During the daughters childhood years, her only siblings refuse to play with her because – “boys don’t play with girls” and her father referred to her as one of his sons. “mis siete ninos”. This way of thinking and attitude is so typical among the Mexican and/or Latin culture, specifically – the male gender of all ages. A clear presentation of “machismo”.
As a young lady, she expresses the desire to go to college and her father agrees with her but, only with the idea that she can find a husband. It is his believe that a woman’s place is in the house to care for her man. Again – a depiction of a typical view of a Latin and/or Mexican male gender. The reality is that there is very little or no value at all for women’s goals and, much less or nothing at all for their accomplishments.
Throughout this great story, there is a constant battle as she struggles to earn her father’s recognition and respect as a single, educated, and by now a professional writer. All along, it is both cultures that clash. The one that she bravely and solely explored – the Chicano culture, and the one that she inherited by her father, “and people like him”, “the public majority” as she puts it, and describes them as “not interested in reading”. With greater percevience she triumphs. She earns a second National Endovement for the Arts Fellowship, her book gets published, and her financial status, puts her in a class of her own.
Finally, ten years later on a family Christmas gathering, her father or as she referred to him “papa”, reads one of her books, which was translated into Spanish and enjoys it and in fact, requested more copies for the family to read. He is now a proud father and the conflict between them is over. What a wonderful Christmas it must have been for her!
My final thoughts: This short story was more than entertaining. I felt a personal association with the narrator, as I pointed above. In addition, she describes the family gathering; bunch of family members gathered in one place and some speaking at the same time with one another (which I do not know why we do that either), and tamales cooking in the background. She was describing the family and culture that I belong to.
Paul Yun
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #2
At His Disposal
" To be in love and yet not in love, to live in faith and yet not to believe, to spend myself and yet be in total darkness-Pray for me.." This quote, in my view, exactly what Mother Teresa is to me. She had spent her entire life living with only one thing on her mind, to help others. It seems as from this story that Mother Teresa touched my lives, enlightening the world on how we should be treating one another. Imagine what the world would be like if there were just one more Mother Teresa.
Diana Quinones
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #2
How to Tame a Wild Tongue
The comparisons Gloria Anzuldua made in regards to all the different types of the Spanish Languange was very impressive. When she said "Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself" speaks of her very highly. A person who takes pride in knowing about there culture and ancestors is well respected by others. She takes a stand for speaking both languages Spanish and English but defines for us the variations they take as they are spoken in different parts of the World.
These are Rosalva Chavez-Ramirez's posts:
ReplyDeleteThe Allegory of the Cave
From my understanding Socrates is explain his view of life to Glaucon. In doing so he uses the allegory of the cave. As far as I know an allegory is a representation of an abstract idea or principle through characters, figures, dramatic events or pictorial form. Here Socrates has Glaucon envision this prisoners in a cave in which they cannot even move there head and that cave is all that they know along with whatever it is they see on the wall of shadows. By giving this representation Socrates refers to those who are ignorant or who chose not to seek out the truth of reality. Then he one of the prisoners manages to leave the cave and though at first the light hurts his eyes he is then able to see reality to its full extent not just based on shadows. In a sense it is better to live a harsh and honest life than to go on as living in ignorance. Near the end he quotes Homer, "Better to be the poor servant of a poor master, and to endure anything, rather than think as they do and live after their manner?" from this I understand that it is much better to think for oneself than to live exactly as that one that was before us. To sum it up Socrates is saying those who are naive never prosper as for those who seek the truth, the truth does not come easy yet when they find they are truly enlightened.
Here is another one:
ReplyDeleteHomonyms
What I understood from Agamben’s Homonyms is that there is a need to classify things yet there is more than just putting them in a class. For example in the reading the idea of horses is brought up and is put in a class which is then transformed into an object. “In other words, if we try to grasp a concept as such, it is fatally transformed into an object, and the price we pay is not longer being able to distinguish it from the conceived thing.” So looking back at the word horse most have grasped that it is an animal. No two people will think of the exact same horse when the term comes to mind. Other than that homonyms mind throbbing because half the time I was not sure of what I was reading. I was trying to make it out of a 100 acre maze while blindfolded.
And another,
ReplyDeleteOnly Daughter
In this piece I understand where Sandra Cisneros is coming from, even though I’m not an only daughter. In my family it is my parents, my younger sister and I. My father also can read in English or Spanish so he does not bother to read at all. Anyway in Only Daughter Sandra’s father thinks that college is good for getting a husband. In my case my father expects me to stay away from boys and focus on my career that there is no need to look for a husband yet. Sandra goes on to explain how even as the only daughter all she ever wanted was her father’s approval and though it took her a good while to get it she finally was able to reach her goal and that she described as the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to her. I am still working on getting my father’s recognition as a successful person and I hope to obtain it as Sandra did even though my situation is different.
Finally,
ReplyDeleteCatherdrals
In Raymond Carver’s Cathedrals he introduces his audience to the most superficial and unhappiest man that anyone can imagine. The amazing thing about this story is how Carver goes about introducing this character to the reader. He never describes him or gives him a name but all his thoughts are known to the reader. As the story goes on he throws in a metaphor of the potato which seems to symbolize this superficial lowlife character that is in the story. Even though Carver never describes him directly in the reader has a clear idea that this man in has lamest of life which in turn make the reader reflect; is my life worthwhile? Hence he makes think about our persona and who we really are.
-Rosalva Chavez-Ramirez
Nancy Felix
ReplyDeleteEng. 103
Cerritos College
Post # 3
How to Tame a Wild Tongue By Gloria Anzaludua
My thoughts about the authors story is an issue associated with individuality. It affects and in many cases defect s. It abandons and has the potential to move around freely to recreate again. Much like change and the need to evolve. Nothing is constant, but change it’s self. Heard that before? This article speaks about language, specifically the Spanish language. She further points out eight variations of it, (or as she referred to “languages”). You will not see these variations as an option to select on a legal document. It is more than that,- it is about linguistics, cultures, ethnicity, and identity. “Who is to say that robbing a people of its language is less violent than war”, this quote, holds to be true. Racialism, against or within cultures, and ethnicity, promotes a silent tongue and, if the language is no longer used it will die.
Furthermore, I do agree these variations are a legitimate point to bring to surface. My reasons are similar to paragraph 16, I remember when I as an elementary student in the 3rd. or 4th. grade, I was required to attend an after school special education class. I had a heavy accent, when I spoke English and I recall being teased by the other kids. As a result, I preferred not to speak at all! Already, myself esteem was wounded and continued throughout part of middle school. By then, I was a shy and timid young girl. My English advanced but, I became ashamed of my roots, embarrassed to speak Spanish. How silly is that?
In general, one must have knowledge of your own history, a “know about” or awareness of where you came from, your culture and the struggles it took to get there, the place you call home. Where ever that is. Whether it be manifested by the language that you speak now, or spoke then, or whether it is a place of region that you call home.
Casey Tharp
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #4
President Barack Obama Acceptance Speech
I am not into politics. Plain fact. The news depresses me so i do not watch it. I understand history repeats itself but i do not want to hear the detailed truth about darfur. Needless to say, i did not hear President Obama's speech so this was the first time i read it and got to 'hear' it for myself. I can see how it relates to MLK speech. Both are very uplifting and both make me proud to be an american. I enjoy reading them both because its good to know out of all the killings, wars, pain, misery, there are people who have hope and courage to pull together and make a change. Now i know, not being political or listening to my government about our topics is not the smartest thing to do. I have tried though but it just upsets me about how stupid some topics discussed are, stupid to me that is, just from my perspective. I understand i should be more politically aware, however, my choice right now is to focus on my school and my work. I have heard it all. People constantly telling me i should know whats going on in my world and i agree...however...in the land of the free...i choose not to because i'm not strong enough yet to face it. When i become strong enough i will but for right now...i care for children and people close to me. It breaks my heart to watch a little boy punch another boy...i'd be completely torn to read actual statistics on how many men died to protect my freedom to choose weather to be politically aware or not.
Back to the point...President Obama's speech was very moving. Our world can change. I am constantly saying this to every black (i use the term black loosly) who calls me racists because my skin color is white. I am not denying that racisim and prejuice still exsist because i know for a fact they do. I understand different parts of the world express different forms and different levels of prejudice. What i am simply stating is that in 50 years, California has grown, NFL has grown, Basball has grown, My parents have grown, I have grown, The grass has grown, the plants have grown, and some people have grown. I believe that people who still feel the USA hasn't grown, are people who refuse to believe that it has. I do not vote. I do not vote because i am not political aware. However, i do believe change is coming even if i wasn't apart of the inital change, i can start now.
Victor Aguirre
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 4
Reflection: I have A Dream by Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King’s rhetoric was so wonderful by keeping the dream alive. It is so wonderful that it went down in history as one of the greatest speeches that moved masses and connected with their struggles and sufferings. No wonder groups tainted and conspired against him and eventually assassinated him. He talked about one hundred years later nothing had been done in respect to segregation and discrimination, one hundred years later still the Negros were not free and still fifty years later so many things still had to be accomplished. Now, one can ask is there freedom? Is America defaulting on its promissory note; the note of promise of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I will honestly answer with a big NO. I believe there is still much that can be done because our basic rights given by the Constitution are still being violated. For instance the most current issue that it is being discussed by the Senate as whether the CIA violated the first amendment right of freedom of speech by taping into emails, text messaging and phone conversations of American citizens as well as terrorizing middle eastern population just because of their looks. I believe that the Bush Administration went far by violating all of these basic rights and violated Martin Luther King’s vision of dream “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” (20). Moreover, I agree with the needed satisfaction that he asked for, especially when he said that “we can never be satisfied” for the victims, for the disastrous treatments of blacks, Hispanics, immigrants, poor, uneducated, loses of dignity, etc., etc. until there is true justice for a better society and continue to “always march ahead” for a good cause and no “turning back” as Mr. King reflected on his well known speech, I have A Dream.
Cassie Gardea
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C
Post #5
"I Have A Dream" by MLK
As I was reading this my though was, "How weird is it that he said all this, hoping and believing that one day the "colored" people would be free and live normal lives, but he probably never ever thought that one day, a "colored" person would be president of the United States. I think his dream came a long way.
Lori Medina
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #5
I Have A Dream
Martin Luther King Jr. was a mover and a shaker, he was a leader not a follower. He knew this world needed change, his speech started everyone to think of the possibilities. It was as if he opened everyone's eyes and minds to grasp the truth that no matter what color our skin is we are all meant to be free. He even quoted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutions saying all men no matter color of skin are, "guaranteed the unalienable Rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" (4). He believed in equality, he was one of the few who stood up and spoke his ideas and dreams to the world. If only he can see what a difference he and several others have made to bring us to where we are today.
Even though I did not hear president Obamas acceptance speech I saw the news. The excitement everyone had to be a part of the biggest change our country has ever seen. To finally prove all men are created equal. i was excited also to know we as a minority have finally risen to the top, to actually have our voices heard is an incredible feeling. His first paragraph says it all, that dreams can come true and I think he is talking about Martin Luther King Jr. speech. Anything is possible as long as you never give up!
Rosemary Mercado
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103
Post #4
President Barack Obama Acceptance Speech
Like Casey, I personally am not into politics. I have never voted in any type of election. Not because I do not have faith and believe in change, but because politics and the government give the people little hope in change. I began to think this way last semester when I took a political science class. Our professor taught us the real means behind politics and how things have not been changed for many years. We are stuck in a circle, repeating history and continuing to make the same mistakes as the presidents before. In his speech, President Obama attacked Bush weakly, attacked McCain weakly, talked about unity, gave a shallow run through of some of his policies, and quickly spoke about socialism. It was emotional, forward looking, not superior but inspirational. His introduction as the new president is what I hope to be an excellent presidency.
Agnes Rulinskaite
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
Post # 4
Both of the speeches touched my heart. I actually could feel the pain in those people hearts, and see it in their eyes.
However, I will concentrate on "I have a Dream" speech, by Martin Luther King.
America is a country built on having the freedom to be different. It's a land of many races, religions, ethnicity's, and belief's. Through all that there seems to be unrest between blacks and whites. All though we live in a free country where all have equal rights some people of minority races feel that they are not treated equally. Also there are differences and similarities between black and white attitudes towards the topic of equality. Most blacks feel they are not treated equally in the general community and also claim to not be equally considered for jobs, have more trouble with housing then whites, and are given lower standards of education. Nowadays, it might be less of that, but in 1960's it was the most unfair and rough times for people, especially for those who had different skin color. However, Martin Luther King saw and knew that changes need to be made. He even said, "This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children". Martin Luther King had a dream for all the people and the whole nation. However, the people had to give their share as well. He kind of said, and I am just interpreting to it, all for one, and one for all.
Furthermore, most of Martin’s Luther King speech about equal rights, peace and tranquility tights to Obama’s speech as well. Our President wants a change for the country and its people, and he is seeking that with our help. He believes that even though there will be obstacles the way, but he said, “I have never been more hopeful than tonight that we will get there”. He said, “We as people will get there”.
Chinyerum Okpara
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103
Post #4
I have a dream
I can see what the professor was talking about when he said that both speeches are kind of similar in that they both draw off of the similar ideas. I remember every year during black history month my teachers would show Martin Luther King Jr. speech in class and we would sometimes talk about the meaning and significance that the speech had on the people. In his speech King talks about how long African Americans have waited for their moment to being seen as equals in the eyes of America. King says that they have waited “5 score years” to be seen as equals. One thing that particularly caught my eye was when king talking how the African Americans were going to cash in their checks. This caught my eye because I never thought about freedom for them in terms of a check. The way that King explains what he means by cashing in their check makes sense to m because he says that the original signers of the constitution promised that everyone would have unalienable rights, which is the check. He then continues to say that the African Americans were given bad checks because they were denied their unalienable rights and that it is now time to cash in that check and receive their rights. In President Obama’s speech he talks about being the answer to all those Americans who had doubts about whether or not this day would come when a black man would become the president of the United States and he says that he is also the answer to those who doubted that the dream of the original founders wanted to create would ever come true. I think that in a way President Obama fulfill all the things that Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed about.
Gabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post#7
I Have a Dream:
Dr. King’s famous speech has been one of the most influential speeches of our history. His speech delivers a riveting, inspiring, and chastening message to the nation in his "I Have a Dream" speech. A multitude gathered to hear his message of hope, challenge, prophecy, and condemnation. The impact of this powerful speech culminated in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed segregation in schools, public places, and employment.
Martin Luther King made our world a better place. If he were alive today, he would be proud of the transformations our world has gone through (even though our justice system is far from perfect). Nevertheless, progress has been made and the fight for betterment is still our focus. I really enjoyed reading his speech in its entirety. I was surprised by how many quotes and parts I knew by heart.
Victor Aguirre
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 5
I totally agree and believe Gabriel's quote when he refers to "our justice system is far from perfect." I love ready your comments guys.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteUchenna Nnabue
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C.
Post #4
I Have a Dream
I was young when I first heard this speech. Coming from Nigeria at the age of 7 I knew nothing of America's history especially when it came to slavery. When I first heard this man speak I was captivated. His words and his tone was unlike anything I have ever heard. It was then that I was fully exposed to Americas dark past. The injustice that were brought upon African-Americans, the horrible crimes commited against them and the discrimination they faced, I hated everything that I was learning about that dark time in history.
My parents never experienced any of this, but after hearing the speech one day on a television special they were moved. Even though his speech was given decades ago, it compelled them to want take some sort of action.
This is a moving speech from a great man.
Melissa Alcaraz
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103-06
Cerritos College
Post #4
President Barack Obama Acceptance Speech
When I read President Barack Obama Acceptance Speech it was extremely easy to relate the speech to martin Luther King Jr. speech "I have a Dream." although we no longer live in a world of segregation there are many social issues we live have to live with daily. Barack Obama noted those issues the same way Mr. King spoke out about segregation in nineteen sixty three.
I too cannot say that I follow very single election since I have come of age. But in the passed year I believe that I have become more aware. I am proud to say that I have become more socially conscious of politics all around the world. I admire both President Obama and Martin Luther King for always staying true and believing that we can make a change. I too find the news overwhelming and depressing, but I rather be informed than live in "in a dark cave."
Mariana Lara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #4
It's really difficult to focus on one speech. I believe that if we were to compare and contrast the speeches againts each other, it would make for an excellent english paper. I chose to focus on the President Barack Obama speech for that is something that happened within my lifetime, something that i experienced. I too do not follow politics at all however I have voted at every election since I turned eighteen for I feel that it is my civic duty and because I am a woman and at one time in history we were not allowed to vote. I think president Obama gave a lot of people hope when they had lost it. President Obama represents America for he is a mixture of races. President Obama is Martin Luther Jr's dream.
Philip Juarez
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #4
I have A Dream
Aside from being a powerful speech, I truely believe that in a sense is very beautiful. It is powerful because he opens up with Abraham Lincolns "
five score years ago". He opens up with a quote from one the most patriotic figures of the country. I also like his questioning of the countries’ flaws, which is how come he freed the slaves but the negroes are still not freed? I think it is a rhetorical question as well. The reason why I think this is a beautiful speech is because the speech almost sings in a powerful & hopeful tone similar to a poem. While the speech is flowing, we are also bombarded by great imagery. I think all this elements collectively played a well job ,therefore, making this speech, one of the best speeches ever.
Isela Zavalza
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #5
President Barrack Obama's Speech
So many things to write about so I will just write. For one i was in doubt that Obama would win the election. Yes he had many supporters and everything seem nice and dandy but I kept recalling Martin Luther King Jr.'s tragic endind. I thought that it might happen to Mr. Obama. To me politics always seemed rigged. I hoped that change would come but I set my expectations low. Why? Because a lot of people have their mind set and do not want to accept change and will do anything to stop it.
Mr. Obama and his team must have fought very hard to overcome their adversities. I am not only talking about his color but convincing that masses that he was the one to make a change. There are so many that will say we are behind you 100% but how many really are? Who will be there when times get tough, not very many. But he and his team were able to make it happen. That I believe is a virtue to have power over masses and be able to do good with it.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
ReplyDeleteThe Allegory of the Cave
Jessica Chee
Cerritos College
English 103
Post #1
The Allegory of the Cave
This allegory paints of picture of how some people choose to be slaves to their senses. In this story, Socrates speaks to Glaucon about prisoners that are chained and living in the caves. These prisoners only see their world to be full of darkness and shadows. They refuse to see that there is light because they are so used to the darkness and chains.
Our ways of thinking has a dramatic effect on our attitude in life. Our attitude is reflected by our behavior, and our behavior is reflected by our actions, beliefs, and of choices that we make in life. Everyone of us, has the ability to decide how to image our lives. There is always 'light' and something good in our lives to appreciate. No matter how dark or burdensome our lives may seem to be at times, we have the control to view the glass as half full, instead of half empty. We all go through trials in life. However, we can learn from them and decide if we will become a slave to all those difficulites, or to move past them. The prisoners in the story were so used to being in chains that they gave up on the light. Though the light was there, they were too scared to see reality.
Posted by Jessica Chee at 1:01 PM
Thursday, July 9, 2009
ReplyDeleteonly daughter
Jessica Chee
CC
English 103
Post #2
This story was about a girl who always tried to gain the approval of her father. She had six other brothers and always felt invisible. Growing up, she felt unappreciated and forgotten by both her brothers and her father. One thing that her father believed was that she would find a husband in college. However, after four years in college, she still had no husband. It almost seemed as if she had failed her father and was only a dissapointment to the family. But was her years in college a complete waste? Was it all work for nothing? No, that is not the case at all and she proved that it was not. After majoring in English, the daughter successfully wrote professionally for ten years and begun making a lot of money. Finally, at the end of the story, she wins the approval of her father and recevies the appreciation of her hard work in college.
I believe that this story is sending the message that hard work never is a waste. Even if you do not find what you intended to find, there is always rewards in store for you.
Posted by Jessica Chee at 3:34 PM
Monday, July 13, 2009
ReplyDeleteAt His Disposal
Jessica Chee
CC
English 103
Post #3
At His Disposal
In this excerpt from "Come Be My Light," Mother Teresa expresses her compassionate nature. She talks about how terrible the world is without the love of Christ. She is determined to serve the Lord by helping the poor. Through this, she experiences the darkness and trials. However, Jesus had truly suffered when He died for us on the cross. He did this in order to save us from our sins and the least we can do is do what we can to make a difference in people's lives. Mother Teresa realizes that the darkness was the price of lighting "the fire of love." She knew that there would be trials coming and sacrifices must be made. She continually tried her best to stay positive and also kept praying. The holiness and compassion was seen through Mother Teresa because of her actions. It was apparently seen of how compassionate her heart was to others. I believe it is true that we need to serve God through others. By serving others, we are also serving God. Sometimes we will need to make sacrifices and get out of our comfort zone, but it makes us humble and stronger.
Posted by Jessica Chee at 3:15 PM
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
ReplyDeleteI Have A Dream
Jessica Chee
CC
English 103
Post #4
This memorable and famous speech by Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizes that all men are created equal. King believed in racial justice. He sets goals, establishes hope and determination, and encourages freedom throughout the nation. He acknowledges the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and how it was a beacon light of hope to the Negro slaves. However, these Negro slaves were still served unjustly after one hundred years. King talks about the discrimination and poverty of the Negros. America has not followed the words of the Constitution..."Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Those words were supposed to guarantee the equality of all men. King says that we need to have dignity and discipline in this nation. Though we all may face trails and tribulations, King had a dream 'deeply rooted in the American dream.' With faith and hope, King believed that we all will be free one day.
Posted by Jessica Chee at 1:55 PM
Casey Tharp
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos college
Post #5
A simple path and an open heart
I really enjoyed reading this piece of work. In a way, it is how i feel about religion. I was baptised catholic but i always tell people i'm a cafeteria christian...i pick and choose what i believe. I do not deny others beliefs, i choose believe what i believe and they believe what they believe. I do not necessarly think they are wrong, they just believe somthing different. This piece, to me, is saying that is is ok to have different beliefs. As long as we are happy with what we believe, we can believe in whoever we like.
Rosalva Chavez
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #1
I think I finally got this...
Cassie Gardea
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C
post # 5
The Erosion of Civilization
I had no idea that Iraq began almost everything we do. I had no idea they were in power at one point in time. I guess they made the bad decision of cutting down their money makers (environmental resources). And now they are left with oil.
English grew out of the Indo- European languages that was originally spoken by Middle Eastern peoples??? That's an eye opener.
As I am reading this... I am thinking this is slowly happening to us. I mean, we are already blaming our governments, and we have been killing eachother... I guess crazy leader is next. (No, it's not Obama, he's sane)
Victor Aguirre
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 6
Reflection: The Erosion of Civilization by Jared Diamond
This piece of essay is a wake up call on the issue of the Global Warming. Even the title puts you to think of how civilization can be eroded over the misuse of our resources. The term known as “Fertile Crescent” is a term that we should analyze and look into it very carefully for several reasons. For example, the declining ecology and natural resources, deforestation, irrigation, colonization/militarization and degradation are concrete results of the “causes and effect” that took place on ancient civilization. Eventually, it will take the same pattern, if we do not take this seriously, consciously and aboard the issue of global warming. A fact is that the regeneration of our forest will be at a very slower pace. As a consequence, carbon-dioxide will be at its highest level known to humanity, which will bring us global disasters never before seen. Is that what human kind is expecting? I hope no. We should not wait until things are irreversible. Therefore, we should go green, green, I mean it. Or find other alternative ways for new technology as well as having an open mind to protect our natural resources and not have the soon to be ex-governor Palin’s mentality, when she stated in her campaign “Drill, Baby Drill.” At any cost, we should not tap into Alaska’s natural resources, why? Because doing so, it will keep us depending on oil for years to come. I believe that it is time for the United States to take a new approach and step up for changes to make the difference and continue to be the world’s leader. Of course, we do not want to end up as Iraq, Syria and Jordan and be an “Infertile Crescent” an appropriate word that Jared Diamond refers to in his essay.
Lori Medina
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post# 6
The Erosion Of Civilization
I feel the same way as Cassie. I had no idea Iran, Syria, and Jordan all started off as fruitful lands. The civilizations there grew so strong and advanced; they created the first copper tools and were even the first civilization to develop the first writing system. They took advantage of the land, not thinking about how fast the forests and agriculture would grow back. they lived in an area where it hardly rained so deforestation was occurring and they did not stop it. It makes you think about our land and global warming. Just because they were small does not mean this would not happen to us.
But what really got me thinking was his comment on paragraph 10 about cause and effect. The economy goes bad and the people become poor and start to suffer from diseases they blame there government and then that is when the mass killing and fights break out creating wars. This in some way is slowly occurring now. Our economy is still going down we have many people without jobs. They also lost there homes and there faith in everything.
If anyone could remember watching the news about a month after the first group of people were let go, there was a man who killed his entire family due to him losing the house. I know that is not the only story out there, but we are looking for change and we hope the economy changes soon. Where on a good start due to our new president but lets hope we learn from Iran, Syria, and Jordan and don't follow in there foot steps.
Mariana Lara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 5
I must say that I really enjoyed reading "The Erosion of Civilization". We use words like "oil,terrorism and war" to describe Iraq and I had come to believe that those were things Iraq had always been however i know now that was not always the case and that there was a time when their land was full of flora and fauna among other riches. I've never before read anything about Iraqs history so this is a real eye opener for me. I am sitting here wondering about the rest of the people in america. I am thinking about the man that is sitting in front of the television that only believes what the media feeds him...and i am sitting here wondering if the media fuels and creates hate for other nations and people? People believe that we are so different from third world countries but whats to say we are any different? look at the way in which people behaved after the Lakers Championship and that was just a basketball game...now imagine if we had no food to eat?
The essay also talked somewhat about global waming. I have been hearing about Global Warming all my life. In elementary school we watched a video on "Mother Nature". Will Smith,Robin Williams and others encouraged us to be "green". Things must be far worse than we are told because people tend to act when it is a little bit too late.
Jessica Chee
ReplyDeleteCC
English 103
Post #5
A Simple Path and An Open Heart
I thought this was a very interesting reading. I agree that generally speaking, all religions have the potential to serve humanity and develop good human beings, as stated in the text. Every religion has a certain beliefs that are all different from other religions. However, we should respect each other's beliefs. Dalai Lama states that she would have to say her beliefs are the best. However, we all think that of our own beliefs. If you are to base the point of religion on values, then yes, it has the potential to develop a good heart. 'Mental attitude is very important because it makes a real difference to our state of happiness.' Through the proper attitude, we can develop more compassion, loving ,and forgiving.
Jay Bhakta
ReplyDeleteEng 103
Cerritos College
Post 1
The Allegory of the Cave
Normal
Meaning
In Plato's The Allegory of the Cave, Plato uses symbolism to bring meaning to his piece. The prisoners chained in the cave are meant to represent the people in our society, each individual. The chains which do not allow the prisoners in Plato's short story demonstrate how individually we are unable to turn our heads to the whole truth. The end of the piece brings forth the fact that the shadows were not the absolute truth. However, the fact that the prisoners believed the shadows to be completely true, illustrates that we may believe something to be true when in reality it may not be. At first all we see are shadows, not the true figure. We only see an undefined shape, an outline. Not until all of the chains are removed can one witness the whole truth.
Jay Bhakta
ReplyDeleteEng 103
Cerritos College
Post 2
Only Daughter
Normal
Influence
In Sandra Cisneros' Only Daughter, Cisneros shares her life experiences to show her character was influence by the family she was raised by. Being the only daughter in a mexican family of six sons impacted her perspective of life as a hispanic women. The cultural rules and the ancient traditions caused her father to raise her a certain way. These facts are reality for many others as well. We are raised by our parents from the moment of birth. We absorb their actions, words, attitudes, and behaviors towards various aspects of life. Unable to really think for ourselves for a short span of our lives leaves us vulnerable resulting in the mimicing of the actions around us. After, we reach a turning point in our lives- young adulthood, and just as Cisneros had done in her life, we find our own views and opinions. What we want to happen then would be to have our parents except our views, and to respect them. We probably cause our family a good amount of stress due to these different and often conflicting views. However, when we all land on common ground, it would be the most wonderful feeling.
Jay Bhakta
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103
Post 3
How to Tame a Wild Tongue
Normal
Relation
After reading Gloria Anzaldua's How to Tame a Wild Tongue, I realized that many other cultures are able to relate to the experiences that Gloria went through. We all deal with different stereotypes aimed at our culture, personality, looks etc. and we all feel differently about their effects. On September 12, 2001, a day after the attacks on the world trade centers, I experience racism and stereotypes aimed at my culture for the first time. Different children, even those who I once called friends called me a terrorist, and claimed that Osama Bin Laden was somehow my relative. I had never been so confused. Many had assumed I was guilty by association. I had not even taken into account the fact that I had been associated with a culture that was not even my own. However due to ignorance and lack of factual information I was grouped as a terrorist. Many others wrongly faced these accusations, and the land of tolerance became less tolerant. We must not let these waves of ignorance wash away who we are. As Anzaldua said, "Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself." (20) It is important to know who one is above anything else, and it is important to take pride in one's self in any aspect of one's life. Let no one define who you are.
Jay Bhakta
ReplyDeleteEng 103
Cerritos College
Post 4
President Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech
Normal
Witnessing History
If one is alive today, then one is witnessing history in the making. We are alive to see the first African American President of the United States of America. Looking back to the notorious past of our nation regarding the enslavement of African American people, one would never have guessed we would see a black president. The transition the nation has made from the time of Martin Luther King Junior's I Have a Dream speech, to president Obama's acceptance speech only illuminates the potential strength of our nation. Our nation faces callous times once again. A declining economy, and terrorism that seems to have divided our country lurk around the corners of our nation. Times may be grim, however our president has encouraged us that there will be changes taken pace to rebuild our nation, brick by brick. Overcoming obstacles in the past leaves hope that we have the ability to do so once again. With a smart, sophisticated, and sensible president can we improve the conditions we face? "Yes We Can."
Chinyerum Okpara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #5
The Erosion of Climate by Jared Diamond
When I first began reading this selection, it reminded me of history in terms of how the world came to be formed. However, some parts were interesting. When the author talks about language and how the Middle East dominated the world in terms of speaking and that Ireland and India spoke that language, I thought that was interesting because today the Ireland and India do not speak that language anymore. I thought that this was interesting because it showed how much language has changed. Another part that I thought was interesting was when the author talked about Iraq led the way in language and technology. This is interesting because today, they are behind which is why the author says that this is ironic. Thousands of years ago Iraq had a very fertile land but after deforestation their land became barren. I think that is when Iraq started to fall behind other countries in developing. Iraq went from being the leader o being the follower and had no other choice but to conform to what other countries wanted in order to survive.
Gabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post#8
Refection: The Erosion of Civilization
What is it that leads a country into unpredictable distress, continuous famine and inhumane living conditions? What do leaders of these countries do to combat their situation? I would hope to hear that leaders are doing all they can, and that various organizations are in place to provide a vast amount of services for its people. I would like to hear that leaders work endlessly to fund needed programs and I would like to think that with time, a country can fully recover and run effectively.
Turning to war, intimidating neighbors and harboring terrorism isn’t the way to heal. When I think of Iraq, I can’t help it but to feel strong feelings of frustration and anger. I guess I can’t see pass what I know of Iraq, and my strong feelings have definitely over- shadowed this story in front of me.
What is clear is that we all depend on our climate for survival. We depend on the sun to give off its energy and give life to everything around us. We depend on mother nature to bring her seasons, and we depend on our leaders to keep our economy strong so that our country remains powerful and influential. The fact is that an “Infertile Crescent” as stated in this story can happen anywhere, which is why we need to take care of our resources and stay as green as possible especially with global warming and water shortage being today’s critical issues.
Rosalva Chavez
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #2
The Erosion of a Civilization
I truly enjoyed reading this piece by Jared Diamond. He writes about a past in which the Middle East shaped the world in a way that no other ever has. They brought about agriculture and herding something which no other civilizations had ever thought about and even though these ideas brought them greatness and helped build on their empire they did not measure the consequences of their actions. A great contributor to their success was the environment in which they were in; they had the largest number of wild plant and animal species suitable for domestication. They produced huge surpluses of food and livestock without taking into account that they there were degrading the fertility of the land. Diamond uses the history of the Middle East to support the argument that if we do not measure the consequences of our actions and their effect on the environment we will hit our downfall as well. Then Diamond goes on to pose solution to the problem as well. Overall we can prevent history from repeating itself the questions is, are we will to change for the better? It is a good thing we have Obama.
Jay Bhakta
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Cerritos College
Post 5
An Open Heart
State of Mind
In the opening paragraphs of The Dalai Lama' An Open Heart, The Dalai Lama claims that the mental attitude of an individual determines the way one acts or how one feels. The examples given in the piece relate to examples in real life. If we have a consistent, positive mental state then we are less likely do be disturbed by bothersome things. On the other hand, a pessimistic view may lead to seeing a glass as half empty rather than the optimistic view of half full. The Dalai Lama also touches on the concept of concentrating to live free of unnecessary luxuries. We have all heard that money does not buy happiness. I am sure that who ever came up with that thought has heard of the Dalai Lama. It would be hard for me to agree that money can solve the problems we face internally. We tend to favor our "material situation"(2) when we should be more concerned about our inner or mental well being.
Paul Yun
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Cerritos College
Post 3
Erosion of Civilization
It is amazing to see where the countries on the Fretile Cresent are now. To have had such great success in the early stages of their development to a 3rd world country. I can see how America can easily follow in their footsteps. It is true that we could help these countries out as much as we can, but I do believe that there has to be a limit. Without a limit, we are bound to end up in the same situation and end up needing help from other countries.
Rosemary Mercado
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103
Post# 5
Instead of limiting his perspective to immediate, short-term actions and consequences, Jared Diamond examines the long-term factors that lead to any society’s success or failure. The deails that are provided regarding Iraq's good fortune with agriculture and technology is interesting because it has dramatically changed. Even though the United States is viewed as "having it all", we too can have a dramatic change and loose it all like the middle east did. Global warming is an example of the destruction that is going on. We have the choice to make a difference. We can either sit back and create a world with less capacity for living or we can bring change and leave a world for future generations to enjoy.
Daniel Macias
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Cerritos College
Post 4
The Erosion of Civilization
To be honest I had no idea that Iraq was so strong and so advanced backt then. I was surprised to find out that Iraq at one time was not even a third world country. I think Iraq was stripped down from what they had, they might have not been strong enough to protect it. If you think about it today if you mention "fertile cresent" it would not go hand in hand with Iraq. I think this story goes to show that they U.S. has money but they use it in stupid #@$ ways!
Daniel Macias
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103
Post #1
The Blind Cave
In the short story, "The Allegory of the Cave," I tend to get confused. At first I get the feeling that puppets are involved assuming that it talks about not being able to move the heads and also they look out towards the light. Maybe that's just me but that what I was thinking about while I was reading it. In reality I think it is talking about that to be a philospher you have to find a different way of thinking. Instead of just following one path out of a cave, which he is using the cave metaphorically, so find other alternatives and not be so blind and narrow minded.
Diana Quinones
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Cerritos College
Post #3
The Erosion of Civilization
I find this reading very interesting and sad at the same time. It is very unfortunate to read about a country such as Iraq who emobodied the term "civilization" for 8,000 years and in present times shows no display of such fortunes. It is a great example to the rest of the world of how the explotations of natural resources can lead the country to become a Third World Country. But, I find it fascinating to see how the United States always intervens to help other countries when we have so many problems to fix at home.l
Daniel Macias
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103
Post #2
Finding Hope
In the short story "Only Daughter," it talks about how a young mexican girl tries to get her dad to notice her as an individual and not as a typical girl. I relate to this alot, differences being im not a girl but dad has always pushed me too far. He yells at me when I do something wrong. But when I do something right he kind of just nods and looks away. This past year he finally realized that I have plans for myself and he respects that.
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ReplyDeleteUchenna Nnabue
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Cerritos College
Post #5
The Erosion of Civilization
I just enjoyed this piece because it informative and surprising as well. If you look at Iraq now, you wouldn't believe that it had such a rich history. I cant imagine Iraq the way that Jared Diamond explains in his piecce. It is definitely ironic. The other information about government involvement in other Third World countries isnt new to me. No comment on that.
Agnes Rulinskaite
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Post # 5
The Erossion of Civilization
Wow, I was shocked and surprised that Iraq once was that country that started everything. However, there was a time when Fertile Crescent peoples lost that big lead, and it was by ecological suicide. Their society depended on environmental resources, but they destroyed it all. Isn't this sad? I also had no idea that Somalia and Afghanistan were ranked the poorest, weakest, and most isolated countries on Earth. Wow....shocking.
We just have to hope and believe that United States will not go down so much, let’s hope that Obama will do something about that, although there are people already killing each other every day, but we still have to hope for the better. Hope is the only thing that is left for us.
Isela Zavalza
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C.C.
Post #6
First of all its funny that we read The erosion of civilization and i was wearing my save the earth t-shirt yesterday. As i mentioned to the class and Prof.Hsiao it is my tree hugger outfit. =D
I was not surprised that Iraq, Afghanistan and the other neighboring countries were once a power house for i knew that already thanks to previous courses. These countries were among the highest in their era but it could not have lasted for ever. I mean to every beginning there is an end. Especially if the civilization was facing turmoil.
I like the fact that Diamond gives the reader solutions, ways in which the First world could help the Third World. By proving humanitarian aid once a crisis has happened which i think the First world has done. The third selection is where i think there might be a problem intervene before a crisis occurs. I think that sometimes the First World puts it off or hopes that the third world will solve their own problems but in reality they cannot. So why let it escalate to that point? Then we are face with more problems than solutions.
Melissa Alcaraz
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103-06
Cerritos College
Post #5
The Erosion of Civilization by Jared Diamond was very interesting. I always knew about injustices in third world countries but it is completely different when you read it. When Diamond writes about about the effects about cause and effect. It fascinates me to realize that many of societies outburst are due to a bad economy.
when I read about wars in third world countries I often ask myself, why wont the United States get involved? I guess it is because it is a very sensitive subject. But if we got involved sooner, it is a known fact that less money will be spent.
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ReplyDeletePhilip Juarez
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Cerritos College
Post # 5
The Erosion Of Civilization
I actually find it very ironic to see Iraq s decline because it was one of the most powerful countries of the world. I am also intrigued by the Middle Eastern cities because they are evidence and home to many ancient civilization artifacts; It is a shame that some were even stolen by travelers and U.S troops that were deployed there. It’s also obvious that they architectural style influence many other countries like Europe. This message is important because it just illustrates that even the most powerful countries can hit rock bottom in an instant. The U.S is a good example because most of our country is very industrialized and what you have to think about is that buildings means something has to be given up; which is agriculture, because of the space needed. It’s a call as for humans to pay close attention to our resources because they are not unlimited and what happened to the Fertile Crescent can also happen to us.
Jessica Chee
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English 103
Post #6
Man's Search for Meaning
In Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning," he shares what life was like in the concentration camps. Giving detailed situations, Frankl tries to find a sense of meaning to life. There were terrible experiences and brutal treatment towards the prisoners. He uses psychology when referring to the extreme suffering of the prisoners. He examines the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are all affected by their misery. "...Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." I believe this to be very true. We always have a choice to choose how we look at a situation. Frankl also says,"It is spiritual freedom- which cannot be taken away-that makes life meaningful and purposeful."
Kathy Wammack
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Post #6
Man’s Search for Meaning
This is a powerful essay. Frankl recites his story of living through extreme mental and physical torture. He watched others deteriorate to nothing but skin and bones knowing all to well that his own body was deteriorating right along with the others. He knew death was walking toward him yet he was able to withdraw into his mind and fend it off. His mind allowed him to keep living and loving. In one part Frankl talks about how his thoughts centered on the details and how real those details could be to him. His thoughts kept him sane in a circumstance that screamed insanity. Retreating into his mind allowed him to retain his human dignity that would have otherwise been lost as his survival instinct took over. It is amazing to realize what the body will endure if the mind remains calm and at peace with itself.
Mariana Lara
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Cerritos College
Post # 6
I have to say that of all the essays we have read thus far " Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl is my favorite for various reasons. When i read his essay it was as if i were watching a movie of the holocaust and could see and feel what they were going through. When Frankl said " When the last layers of subcutaneous fat had vanished , and we looked like skeletons disguised with skin and rags , we could watch our bodies beginning to devour themselves", i was able to visualize this horrific scene and the pictures of holocaust victims i had seen at the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance came like flashbacks to me. This essay invokes an emotional response from the reader. I nodded my head in agreement when i read the part about his suggestions about not aiming for success. I think too often people want to be successful and end up choosing a career path that makes them miserable and unhappy...ive seen this far too often. Its important to hold onto hope no matter what the circumstances we are in for if we have no hope...we do not have anything. I think im going to add "Man's Search for Meaning" to my list of books to buy...i was dissapointed that the essay was not longer..i seriously wanted to continue reading.
Rosemary Mercado
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Post #6
Frankl's writting is a powerful example of the power of positive thought. Even after everything was taken away from him, he still found a reason to live and remain positive. The vivid examples he provides are proof that he endured painful maltreatment. If Frankl walked through the fires of hell and survived all his sufferings while bringing positive meaning, who is to say we cannot do the same with our lives? Even though we face negative and harsh life experiences, we should not let them weigh us down. Instead, we should learn from these experiences so they can make us stronger. Like Frankl said "...everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms--to choose one's attitude on any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." This story is a way for us to find and choose our own personal meaning.
Melissa Alcaraz
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CC
Post #6
Man's search for a Meaning
Let me start by saying that to me any reading about the holocaust is always moving and inspirational. Reading about a holocaust survivor and how survived it with such a positive outlook on life inspired me to stand up for my freedom.
After reading the story and seeing how even in these camps where the prisoners had nothing to give, their were still those who gave anything they could to help thy neighbor. Even if there right to help/give was the only freedom the prisoners had left they chose to do it.
"Don't aim for success-the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it..." When I began to read the first paragraph I could not help but think about the times that I go running. I refuse to look at the finish mark because the further and further and further I feel from it. Of course the reading in no way relates to my running, it was simply my observation.
Lori Medina
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CC
post #7
Mans search for Meaning
Everyones wants success but when you search for it you can never reach it, but its a different concept to believe in that we can reach success when we don't care about it. I have experienced this when it comes to lost objects. I will be searching for hours for something but once I finally except the fact its lost I'll sit down and it will there in plane sight. Its strange but it happens a lot. I guess it can happen with success.
When he began talking about the holocaust I felt really sad about it all in general. It very inspiring especially when he begins to talk about the prisoners and how they "experience the beauty of art and nature as never before" (11). It reminds me of all the beauty we have around us each day and never realize it. It also reminds me of that saying, you never realize the good thing you have until it is gone. I'm sure that does not only apply to relationships. Its still sad knowing the prisoners suffered so much during the Holocaust and its not a fair comparison but we have people today prisoners of there on lives. Doing the same thing daily and never opening there eyes to appreciate the beautiful things they have.
Casey Tharp
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Cerritos College
Post #6
Man’s search for meaning
When Professor Hsiao told us in class that the second story was about a holocaust victim, I thought I’d hate reading it. I have had to read Night two times for school and each time sucked. I can’t even describe in words how much I dislike reading that book. Every page made me more and more nausea. I understand that what was happened was evil and that that same evil is still going on to this day, but my stomach just can’t take reading about it. So when I began reading Man’s search for meaning, I thought I’d totally dislike it. On the contrary, I actually enjoyed the text. It was written very differently than Night. Instead of reading a tragic story about a boy in the camp, it was more of a friendly conversation. It was detailed enough to give you the disgusted feeling in the pit of your stomach, yet it got all the points across in a brief 2 page story. I really enjoyed the ending where he talked about spiritual freedom. I never thought of it before until I read the story. Out of all our freedoms, it really does make sense that the freedom to keep going or give in is up to us. It is inside our body and no one can make us do one or the other. It is something we choose to do. It is our right as a human being to have spiritual freedom.
Chinyerum Okpara
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Cerritos College
Post #6
Man’s search for meaning
As I was reading this story I liked the part that talked about how you have to virtually forget about success in order to achieve it. In a way I think that this saying is true because a lot of people who go looking for success end up trying to hard and missing the mark. Not trying for success allows the person to become one with whatever they are trying to do, whether it is writing, drawing and even acting. When people become one with their profession it allows them to love what it is that they are doing even if they do not achieve success. In the beginning I forgot that this was about the concentration camp. I thought I was about solders learning to live away from family and the things they love. I came to this conclusion after reading the part that talks about how they had no way of cleaning their teeth yet their gums were still healthy, no clean clothes and how before they were light sleepers but know they are able to sleep good even with someone snoring in their ears. But then I kept reading on and realized that it was about the concentration camps. Something I thought was interesting was how instead of dreaming about the luxury that they used to have such as being able to take showers and eating better tasting food, a lot of what the prisoners dreamed about was the simple stuff such as being able to open their apartment door, turning on the lights and even writing the bus. In a way I can see why they missed these things. One would think that they would miss the important things about being free but what people do not realize is that the things we take for granted will be the things we miss the most when everything is taken away from us.
Agnes Rulinskaite
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Post # 7?
Man Searching for Meaning
No matter how many times I would read this story, it would be an inspiration to me. This story gives a human faith and makes him thing outside the box.
I loved this part about forgetting your success in order to achieve it. We, humans are thinking to much about our success in general. We are hoping for something every day, but it seems that it never comes; however, if we would switch our minds to something else, maybe then it would come to us.
Also, this story it’s intense. It’s about how people were suffering, and it made them appreciate life even more. A lot of people died in that concentration camp, but it happen not because of starving or because they overworked themselves, but because they did not have inner faith. His inner decision was weaker than himself. We all can retain our human dignity even in the most tragic moments.
Faith and human freedom is the key to the success.
Cassie Gardea
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Post #8?
Man's Search For Meaning
So I was going to read about Ghandi, but honestly, the first paragraph just threw me off, so then I began reading Frankl, and WOW, this dude has wise thoughts.
One of my favorite quotes is, "Strangley enough, a blow which does not even find its mark can, under certain circumstances, hurt more than one that finds its mark." In my opinion, this means that the harder you want something, the less likely you will get it becausae you are thinking to much about it. But if you put it out of your head, it will miraculously pop up in a way.
It is amazing how people begin to think and wisen up after something tragic. Frankl must have gone through so much to realize little things that we barely think about. Why is it that most of us take life for granted and do not truly appreciate what we have? Just the other day I was thanking God to have lightbulbs in my home. It is something most of us do not appreciate, but little things like that have been crossing my head lately.
Sherry Larios
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post#4(i think)
Man's Search For Meaning
First I have to start by saying "Wow"
This was a heavy story. My favorite part throughout the story was when he talks about the men that would give their bread to those who needed it more than themselves. With that single act of humanity, it showed how they were still human, they had the ability to be themselves under such negative surroundings. This part also remided me of the piece that we read fron the Dalai Lama, "If we have a positive mental attitude, then even when surrounded by hostility, we shall not lack inner peace." But overall, this is one my favorite readings because it made me stop and think of myself and what I am realy living for. Everybody has their blows in which they have to stand and suffer, but they should not live by the blows they had to endure; but by who they are inside and what they are capable of.
I feel like this reading can be compared to a lot of the readings in our class book. I looked ahead on our readings (sorry Prof. Hsiao) and I saw the poem by Ginsberg, which is one of my fav. poems of all time, and if I'm not mistaken I think the poem is talking exactly about the same thing. We have to see past our surroundings and through ourselves, and once we achieve that state of mind, then thats when we discover who we really are and how beautiful we can be as people.
Yay I posted!!!!!
ReplyDeleteVictor Aguirre
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Cerritos College
Post # 7
Reflection: On Satyagraha by Mohandas K. Gandhi
I really love Gandhi’s philosophy as he states, “Victory is impossible until we are able to keep our temper under the gravest provocation.” How amazing is to think in this way when under brutal pressure. I believe that under considerable training Gandhi was able to do that and the ability to posses the power of the “passive resistance.” No wonder he did a great job controlling the English soldiers and able to express his non-violent action towards the impressive militarism. The unjust case that he over saw in India, was a pure call to rise to an armed action that some leaders would follow which we have seen take place in other countries and ultimately become so bloody. The Civil Disobedience approach that he managed to use was so passionate to admire because he and his people were under retaliation and were able to succeed and throw the English occupiers out of India. This approach is probably just for few chosen people by God, such as Mosses led his people to the Promised Land, as King David’s victorious fight over Goliath, or the same Jesus Christ who came to save us by using love and compassion. How wonderful it is when someone is there for you and understands your suffering and gives you love in response. So we can say that Gandhi’s courage and discipline were and still are something to admire and also taught us that conflicts can be resolved without violence. So the question that can be asked is that if the Satyagraha discipline can be applied in hostile government systems or countries, that response will be Yes, but with too many difficulties as currently seen in Honduras, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and some other countries with hostile systems. However, it could be a worthy approach to keep teaching these stubborn leaders that use militarization to subdue their people. Let’s bring Gandhi’s way back and inspiration of resolving difficult and hostile environments.
Rosalva Chavez-Ramirez
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Cerritos Collge
Post #3
Man’s Search for Meaning by Vicktor E. Frankl
It is amazing how a man who lived a life such as his can still have an outlook on life like he does. He managed to teach himself to realize what true freedom is and how every individual can value it. He understands that the freedom of one’s self is important but the greatest freedom, the one that can never be taken is spiritual freedom. The story about how he spends his time contemplating the image of his of his wife is heartbreaking. Even in this hell that he is trapped in; he finds inner peace by simply giving life to all his memories. Frankl also tells about those who were selfless and were willing to give up there last piece of bread to another those who did not fall into to form the typical inmate those made a choice of their own. Even when freedom of the body was lost the freedom of the spirit could make any prisoner retain his human dignity.
Jay Bhakta
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Cerritos College
Post 6
Satyagraha
Tranquility
Mohandas, or Mahatma Gandhi is an international icon. His idea of reaching independence through non-violent means united a country that used peaceful protest to gain independence from British oppressors. Gandhi's principles of truth and non-violence were taken up by many African and Indian citizens during oppression. We have strayed from Gandhi's philosophy of passive resistance. The idea of passive resistance no longer seems to have the effect it had in the past. We do not have a capacity for endless suffering. After the attacks on the world trade center, we were unable to remain calm. We believed that retaliation was necessary under Bush's presidency. Our country was consumed by fear brought on by terrorism. All of our actions while "under fire" refute Gandhi's principles. The world it self has nearly forgotten the potential power of passive resistance. Those ideals have simply been swept under the rug.
Paul Yun
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Cerritos College
Post #5
Man's Search for Meaning
This story is amazing. Viktor E. Frankl was sent into a concentration camp and lived through it with a point of view that is remarkable. Reading this story made me take a different view of the Nazis and concentration camps. I just thought of the concentration camps as a place where the Nazis made to kill off Jews, but it was much more than that, it was to kill the spirits too. Viktor E. Frankl took this harsh punishment and rose above it, having an attitude that we all have choices to make. Instead of allowing the Nazis to bring him down, he stayed mentally stable, even when his own body was eating itself away. I believe without this ability to stay strong, he like most Jews, would of died.
Gabriel Aceves
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Cerritos College
Post #9
Reflection: Satyagraha by Mohandas K. Gandhi
Satyagraha is a belief/ practice that addresses one’s truth to the soul and spirit. It embodies high morality conditions that one must accept and sacrifice for the better good.
I agree with Vick when he states that this approach is only for a few chosen people like God, Mother Teresa, etc. because “normal” humans regardless of what religion they practice are far from this saint idealism. Although I can definitely see how passive resistance can be effective, the truth is that our society at large has already established a set of rules both legal and illegal. Legal rules, the laws created by the constitution, in courtrooms and so forth, while illegal rules (which affect our daily lives) is what we see in the streets; gang violence, buying and selling bootleg items or stolen goods etc. Again, we are just not built like Gandhi.
Great man though…
Daniel Macias
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Cerritos College
Post 5
Satyagraha by Monhandas K. Gandhi
This passage sounds alot like the movie I watched on Gandhi. It takes alot for someone not to fight back even when his or her own people are dying. What is amazing is that he established his or her own rules. He never made anyone else try to follow them but it was your choice. I think it makes you a bigger man in the end spiritually and physically in some cases. The idea of civil disobedience is used commonly now, an example being the prop 8 dispute. I think satyagraha should be practiced more..
Uchenna Nnabue
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C.C.
Post #6
Mans Search for Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl is an amazing author. There are things that he says in this piece that I think will stick with me for the rest of my life. "Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it." This is my favoritye line, the one that caught my full attention. I read it over and over again because for some reason, I don't know why, it had a sudden affect on me. What he said seemed to make sense, "...the more you aim at it (success, happiness) and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it."
His confinement in the camps and his struggle to retain his dignity made the story very doleful. The thoughts he would have to think of during his current situation may have been what kept him alive and going. I personally believe that I wouldnt be able to keep my mind peaceful while my surroundings aren't.
Isela Zavalza
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English 103
Post #7
Satyagraha
"Victory is impossible until we are able to keep our temper under the gravest provocation."
A person can get defeated by outside forces. A person can get defeated by lack of strategy but it is because they had no control over those situations. Losing because the lack of self-discipline it is ones own fault. If a person is able to control their temper in any situation, especially when they are being bothered then victory is much more obtainable. Keeping one's temper under control a person can think straight use their brain to strategist instead of acting on impulse due to emotions meaning anger and fury. If one uses ones mind to maintain calm they can become more disciplined and will be able to execute the plan more effectively. BY keeping one's temper under control one becomes the better man.
Philip Juarez
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English
post #7
Man's Search for Meaning
First, I think the quote were he mentions happiness and success should just occur is interesting. I think it is interesting because I never thought about it in that sense. What he says is that the conscious decisions that are made by the individual will ultimately determine if they are rewarded or not. I also found the absence of the sexual urge interesting because food and sex are the 2 main things that make a body feel good. So I asked myself if they had no food then wouldn’t they at least have some sort of urg?. He also goes on to prove that even though they had nothing in their mind they could be strong. The mind is something that the Nazis could not rob them off unless they let themselves vulnerable. I think the reason why he says that happiness should happen to you is because if you let yourself aim at one target you are not free to choose anymore. Therefore sticking to a target would make live less meaningful
Kathy Wammack
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Post #7
What is Poverty?
Okay, you got me. You said my name when you mentioned this essay and I was compelled to read it. I am not sure I reacted the way you might have thought I would… I reacted more to this woman being poor (I am assuming she is in this country) and having to endure the hardships and challenges in her life. Many questions come into my mind as I read this essay. Why does this woman only get $78/month? Where are the food stamps? She has a school aged child; why are the teachers and administrators allowing this to go on? CPS should have been called because teachers are mandated reporters. I know one answer. It is because it is easier to turn one’s head that to take on this battle and people who are exposed to these situations become numb.
In my office we have a program that assists this particular population. This essay is not exaggerated or made up. People just like this woman and her children live right here in Southern California – they live in Orange Country! They have no money. They cannot afford diapers for their babies and they cannot afford formula. The parents may not be able to read so they cannot fill out Medi-cal applications. Older kids to younger kids wear hand-me-downs and the oldest kid wears mom or dad’s clothes.
On the other hand, I do react to this as a mother having to watch her children suffer and not knowing where to turn. This woman is lost in the system and does not have the strength to find a way out. It is really a very sad essay.
Paul Yun
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Cerritos College
Post #6
The Statue That Did Not Look Right
I can not believe a museum with such great respect such as the Getty were fooled into buy a fake statue. Even after fourteen months of researching and testing, the scientist were still out smarted by experts who were able to spot the statue as "fresh" or felt a wave of " intuitive repulsion." It is amazing how our minds work, being able to work so quickly. I believe our first judgements are usually on point but there are times when it could be wrong. I also found it hilarious how the museum put the caption of " About 530 BC, or modern forgery" in the catalogue. Did the museum really pay the guy 10 million dollars for a fake? A 10 million dollar mistake.. WOW!
Mariana Lara
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Cerritos College
Post # 7
"What is Poverty"
This story was amazing...in a dismal way. It was so dark and filled with sadness but I was hooked since the first sentence. When i began reading this essay I remembered visiting my grandmother in Tijuana and what the narrator described is exactly what i saw every time i visited Tijuana. It is very unfortunate that she is not talking about people in third world countries...she is talking about America. I think that poor people like the ones described in this essay are forgotten by many of us..because whether you want to believe it or not..they are out there and they do exist here in California and over there in New York and the sad reality is that they are everywhere. This essay made me realize how much I take for granted like hot water and toothpaste and my health and education. I am looking forward to helping out at that church now than ever before.
Casey Tharp
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Cerritos College
Post #7
What is Poverty?
One word...Wow. I know this stuff goes on...we all know this stuff goes on. I just have never thought about it in such detail as it is in this story. I was in shock while i was reading this. I wasn't in shock because i was surprised this stuff goes on; that is not the reason. I was shocked because the writing was so well detailed i felt i was walking along with this women; watching her day pass by. I must admit, most poor people i see beggin, i also see with a bottle by the liquor stores so my money stays with me. Unfortunetly, it is those kind of poor people that tend to ruin it for others. When i do help out, i ususally give water and fruit if i have it. I ususally always have water in my truck so if someone is on the offramp i'll give them a water. It isn't much but its something. It makes you wonder...what if everyone gave somthing? With our fifteen classmates, we could each spend about 10 dollars on soap, water, food, clothes and help this women out. I think the main reason people don't give is because they think they themselves can't afford it or they believe that their money will be used for alcohol or drugs. All we need is for everyone to give just one thing and we could restore hope in many.
Isela Zavalza
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C.C.
Post # 8
"The Statue that did not look right"
I had heard of this story before in my previous class. The Getty was anxious to get this piece even though deep down like Gladwell mentions they thought something was wrong with it. I think this happens to a lot of us, we want something so bad we are denial of the bad habits we tend to over look these things. We were having a conversation similar to this last time before class with some of the females. They were saying that a girl can make a guy change. A guy can not change if they do not want to. A girl is denial for wanting to change instead of just accepting their lose and moving on. In the reading experts came by to see the statue and they all thought that there was something wrong but were not sure of what it was. They should have gone with their instinct and not acquired the piece. I agree with the author in par. 8 " our unconscious is a powerful force. But it is fallible." Our internal computer does not always see the truth.
Victor Aguirre
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Cerritos College
Post # 8
Reflection: What is Poverty? By Jo Goodwin Parker
This essay really saddens and depresses me because of the dramatic sense of poverty as exposed by author Parker. The anaphoric of the story is poverty and it is amazingly true in the eyes of people who suffered from poverty. I have seen poverty in Guatemala, I have seen poverty in Mexico, I have seen poverty in Latin America, and I also have seen poverty in India as well as around the world. Especially, among indigenous people who are stripped of their education, because education cost money. The bottom line is money, because everything has a cost to it as Parker states, “But you ask, why not hot water? Fuel costs money. If you have a wood fire, it costs money. If you burn electricity, it costs money. Hot water is a luxury. I do not have luxuries.” It is true everything costs money, if you do not have the luxury of sparing a couple of bucks then what do you honestly do? Absolutely nothing and you can’t avoid it. Perhaps you silently suffer, just wishing for a better day next day and keep dreaming for the sake of your own survival. Not going far, here in our city, we can absolutely see poverty cases around us, such as the homeless people in nearby gas stations, at the entrance of freeways, at endless corners in our neighborhoods, etc. These are cases of desperate people looking for monetary help to alleviate their financial needs. As a consequence, I can determine that money becomes the bottom line in solving many basic needs.
Lori Medina
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cc
Post #7
What is Poverty?
Its amazing how this story just sucks you in. You can actually feel so much pain as you read it. Everyday we all live our own lives behind curtains only looking at what we want to see. we do not see the poor around but this story is true, they are out there. I have seen a man every so often standing on the freeway exit, and once in a while I get people asking for money for food. I usually do not carry cash but i always have change, so whenever someone asks i empty out my change purse. Even if I have an extra fruit or something i offer it to them. I'm sure they do not want out pity they just need help, a lot of help. Just like in the story people every day have to much pride to ask for help but once you get to low in life they might not have another choice.
this story should make everyone feel grateful for the life's we have, because there are other places in this world that have large cities that have to deal with poverty. I still have family in Mexico that do not have running water.
Jessica Chee
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CC
Post #7
What is Poverty?
I found this reading to be very interesting and graphic. Parker describes povertyas the following: as getting up every morning from a dirt-and illness-stained mattress, as being always tired, as dirt, as staying up all night on cold nights to watch fire knowing one spark on the newspaper covering the walls means your sleeping child dies in flames, as asking for help; but never getting it, as remembering, looking into a black future, and as an acid that drips on pride until all pride is worn away. Parker begins by telling the reader not to feel pity on her, but to just understand. However, after reading this, it makes me feel bad. I cannot imagine living like that....how hard it must be. However, reading this, teaches me that i have so much to be thankful for. Many times, I take what I have for granted. I need to be more appreciative. This reading shows me that I am very blessed.
Agnes Rulinskaite
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Post # 7
What is poverty?
It is sad and emotional reading in a way. It sucks you in so much that you do not even want it to end, you hope that there will be some more after the last paragraph. From this type of story we can really learn stuff; seriousness of life, and how we have to appreciate everything that we have. Each moment, each second is so delicate-fragile. It seems that not until we read stuff like that or see in the real world, we do not realize how lucky we are for what we have. It seems that people who have everything, or at least more than what this poor-young had, they do not know how to appreciate the little things anymore. We are so full of everything that nothing can bring us joy anymore, but it is not true...if we would just open our eyes, we would see how colorful and wonderful life is.
This lady in the reading was so poor that she even did not think, or could not even imagine things to be any better. She simply got used to her life being the way that it was. Sadly, but she even thought about her two boys being behind the bars, and she thought maybe it would be even better life for them, than to suffer from the poverty. How about her daughter? Well, she thought the best that she could become was the same at her mother. This poor lady could not even stay together with her husband, because the poverty was bringing them all down, and she could not afford to bring any more babies in this poverty.
So, let’s enjoy every bit of what we have today, because we don't know what is waiting for us tomorrow. Sad, but no matter how good of the life we have now, we still have to think, but what if, what if.....tomorrow only the dreams will be left from all of what I had.
Rosalva Chavez-Ramirez
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Cerritos College
Post#4
The Statue That Did Not Look Right by Malcom Gladwell
This is truly an amazing piece of literature. Malcom Gladwell Could have simple sat down to write a paper on human psychology but instead he tells a story that then gets to his point. Prof. Hsiao mentioned yesterday that it is not how you write but rather how you go about writing. Gladwell has an interesting view on how humans come up with their immediate reactions to certain things or situations. What I find most interesting is how he believes that this reaction or methods of response can be controlled. The human brain consists of a conscious and a subconscious. The conscious is hard to fool and is always looking for reason, logic and truth. The subconscious on the other hand is easily fooled and will believe anything if it hears it enough times. A question that came to me after the first few paragraphs was: why is the Getty spending so much money investigating the kouros? And as it turns out there subconscious said fake but there conscious wanted it to be real. Sometime we can take something that’s fiction and make truth simply because it sound or seems like the truth and, in my opinion, that’s what the people in the Getty were doing even though there subconscious had the truth already.
Gabriel Aceves
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Cerritos College
Post #10
Reflection: What is Poverty
When I think of poverty, I think of people not having enough money struggling to make ends meet and maintaining a tight budget to make it through their next paycheck, but poverty goes beyond that. Poverty can mean having absolutely nothing just like this woman in the story. To add to insult, not being able walk into a hospital or pharmacy to get free of cost care is truly insane. Poverty to that extent shouldn’t exist in this country because we have (or so I thought) various assistance programs in place. More importantly, there are children at stake. Have we forgotten that today’s kids are tomorrow’s future?
This story was extremely sad, I could picture this family in great suffrage being silent to the world but dying for help. One needs to remember the importance of giving back to others for it could be us one day, homeless, lost and most vulnerable.
Rosemary Mercado
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English 103
Post #7
What is Poverty?
This story is very moving. It explains the life of a single mother who is suffering to keep herself and her children alive. Although she says "listen without pity", I could not help it. How could anyone not feel sorry for her? More than feeling sorry for her, I feel sorry for the children. Although it is her responsibility to care for them, they do not deserve to live this way. It is hard to believe that this story is taking place in our country. There are so many programs willing and able to help those in need. Why hasn't social services taken the children away? This woman can barely feed her children, and here we are throwing out bowls full of food. At times we complain about what is on the dinner table because we are not "craving it". This story has made me re-evaluate my blessings. I need to stop taking what I have for granted.
Uchenna Nnabue
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C.C.
Post #7
What is Poverty?
This is a powerful story. I felt very sad after reading this. You do hear of poverty but this story takes you deep into the life of one who was in that situation. You see those that are poor and you know that they have no home or money, but I after reading this I was made more aware of other horrible effects of poverty. It is a very terrible experience.
Chinyerum Okpara
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Cerritos College
Post #7
What is poverty?
Out of reading all four stories I chose to write about this story because it was the one that made the most sense. I would have written about the statue story but because of all the psychology part in the end I did not like it. I felt that it did not really add to the story at all. The sunflower poem had a good message at the end but it took a long time to get to that message and the Bhagavadgita was the least interesting. What is poverty is about a woman and her family’s struggle through poverty. One thing that I really like about this story was the author’s use of imagery. Everything that the author described as being poverty, I was able to visual see. For instance I can see the family sleeping a mattress that has had too many “accidents” and I could see the mother staying up all night watching over her kids as they slept. Some one the things that she talked about needing, some people take for granted such as Vaseline for her hands. I know that when my hands are rough and cracked and we have no Vaseline, then my parents just go out and by a new bottle. Something’s some people think are essentials as well such as warm water. When I think of living in an apartment I expect it to have warm and hot water as well as electricity. After reading this story, it really made me open my eyes to some of the things that I as well as others take for granted because there are some people who do not have things to take for granted such as tissue.
Jay Bhakta
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Cerritos College
Post 7
The Statue That Did Not Look Right
Thoughts
As I first read Malcom Gladwell's "The Statue That Did Not Look Right," one specific thought came to my mind. There is more to a thing than meets the eye. On the surface the statue mentioned in the piece seemed legitimate to the Getty Museums staff, yet an "intuitive repulsion" led to an investigation regarding the kouros art. I felt that the story Gladwell tells is a perfect example of the fact that one must analyze a certain thing (a statue in this case) before we jump to conclusions about that certain thing. The second part to the piece perhaps my favorite. Paragraph three simply blew my mind. The study done by a psychologist by the name of Nalini Ambady proved that our adaptive conscience has an outstanding ability. Interestingly enough, that "repulsion" which was developed by the adaptive conscience was right. Although the evidence is strong, I still can not believe that one can be right about something with a simple two second glance.
Melissa Alcaraz
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Cerritos College
Post #7
What is Poverty?
Personally, it is always difficult to imagine families living in poverty. I have to admit that when I started reading the story I imagined a man dirty and smelly. Then when the narrator began describing her small children and her hands, I was in complete shock. By no means do I mean that a man living in poverty would be any better. It just hurt realizing that not only a woman was suffering in poverty but her small children as well. I feel for her when she dreads explaining and having to show proof of her poverty. As much as I feel for her and wish that it was easier to get help, there are many people in this world who ask for government assistance without actually needing the services.
Daniel Macias
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Cerritos College
Post 6
What is poverty?
When the word poverty comes out in a story,tv, and media I just shut down. Even as a little boy I liked to give. I prime example I have a kid on my team, do not want to give out the name, but he is illegal in the country and he can not get aid and it makes me upset because he has to pay for everything!
Sherry Larios
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Cerritos College
Post #5
The Statue That Did Not Look Right
As I started reading the paper, I wasn't sure whether to classify it as a documentary of a fraud statue or a piece of literature that was in letter form. I chose this paper to blog about becuase it talks about something that always has interested me ever since I took an anthropology class. As i turns out, there is a piece of our mind that is always on and contantly making decisions without our consent. Not only is it intuition, but basic instinct. On subconcious level, we are always making decisions through experience that is based on knowledge. Sometimes it is good to follow such instinct but there are also times where the kowledge based from the instinct is incorrect. Our ancestors passed down knowledges that we base out intuition on; such like the how to pick fruit or how to pick a mate with good genes. All this decision making cannot be fully explained or completley comprehended, I guess it is safe to call it a gift.
Philip Juarez
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Post #6
English 103
The whole point of the writing what is poverty? is so you can almost feel what the author is going through the story. She does so, by using a lot of powerful metaphors. At the beginning of the story, the author tells us to disregard any previous images that conjure up in our heads when we hear the word poverty because she is going to present us with the reality. The reason the author say this is because when people hear poverty, they immediately imagine a bum on the street. When someone thinks of a bum, they think they understand what poverty means and they move on with their lives. This text is hard for many people to digest because of its grotesque images. The reason why the author says poverty is this and that is so you can see what real poverty is. By repeating poverty she is able to show us the many forms of poverty. Again it does not mean only a bum. I think that is why she opens up with a vague description of poverty. The conclusion is very effective because she’s telling us to be so angry at the situation. The anger should be directed at how painful and cruel the situation is and will actually get you up at do something about it.. She ends with saying “are you silent”? She is really asking if they are polite and they listen.
Cassie Gardea
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ENG 103
Post #8 or 9
What Is Poverty?
WOW! I really enjoyed reading her story, I love the way she argued everything, well not really argue, just the way she told her story is mezmorizing.
I wonder how much $20 dollars back then was today! And her husband leaving only benefited her and her kids, maybe now she can afford vaseline.
It makes me wonder what other unfortunate mothers have to go through.
Casey Tharp
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Cerritos College
Post #8
The school days of an indian girl
I have decided to write on this story because i feel i have more questions than answers; also because professor Hsia said he didn't think hardly anyone would write on it :) i'm a rebel that way. So basically, what i understand is that this indian whtie girl gets the chance to go with the missionaires Eastward to attend a school. The teachers are all "palefaces" which i found to be a very interesting term used. it is like the girl didn't even relate them to being human, they were not of her nature. This white folk treated her differently and it frightened her. Being picked up like a rag doll and tossed in the air was not somthing her mom did. This story just tells again how white people (back then) thought they were better than anyone else. If your skin was not pale, you were beneath them. It sad that people really thought that. White men especially (i'm talking about back then again) believed that they were the right hand of God. They were the best thing living and deserved everything. To me, this is just another story about how whtie people took other peoples identies away and tried to throw them into a melting pot. It is depressing.
Kathy Wammack
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CC
Post #8
What Abu-Jamal is writing in his essay is true, and yet not so much. It is the rich who rule the world, the powerful; whether that be evangelist, Catholics, politicians and corporations, money talks and when it does people listen, but the poor have a tendency not to use their voice. They don’t vote, advocate, or present to local politicians. Watch your own city politics on TV. The people who go to express their thoughts and ideas are the business men/women, the land owners, board members, etc. This may be because the poor are passive and do not engage in the power of wit – so their voice is softer than that of the wealthy. They do not write letters to congress or to their local politicians to express their views; they sit idly by and complain about it to their friends while they watch Extreme Fight Night.
Okay, so when it comes to media - media does not cater the rich. Here is where the middle/low income classes let their voices be heard. Here is where they tell the world what is important to them, and what they deem is important are movie stars, Octo-mom, car chases and the like. So, in a way yes, the wealthy are being heard but not because those considered the “people of poverty” do not have a voice – they just are not saying much worth listening to.
I’m not really sure of the point Abu-Jamal is trying to make with the Christians other than the obvious…Christians are confused.
Casey Tharp
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Cerritos College
Post #9
Class Discussion
I just wanted to post about the discussion we had today about the two previous stories. When i was going home i was thinking how most people, when they first meet me, get the wrong impression. It reminded me of that saying "people that don't know me think i'm quiet and shy, and people who do kno me wish i was" That saying completely applies to me. When i first meet someone i tend to be quiet and just observe the other person. It not like i look them up and down, i just observe their behavior. I did that when i first came in this class. For the first couple of days i really didn't talk, i observed everyone in the class as well as the professor. I noticed Kathy really focuses on lectures and sits a little leaned back when she understand what is going on, but when confused or has a question, she sits more straight in her chair. I noticed Rosalva always has her headphones going up her back and around her neck. Kenneth hardly ever sits stright in his chair. I also noticed that whenever Professor Hsiao really wants to make a point to the class, he walks forward and puts his hands together and then puts them on his chin with his head a little bit tilted down. People always think i'm crazy because i notice such little details about people. It always surprises my friends about how much detail i can remember about them. Once i feel i kno someone in that way, i feel more comforatable to talk and as everyone has noticed, i'm not afraid to speak my mind. I'm very blunt and sarcastic. I tend to make friends easily once someone talks to me basically because i'm a very openminded person. I suck at debates because i can see both sides but i do love discussing about the issues. oh yeah...and i tend to ramble so back to the point ->It just goes to show that first impressions can be wrong.
Cassie Gardea
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ENG 103
POST #8 for sure this time
The Salt of the Earth
The Woman or Man that wrote this was/is incredibly passionate about his/her belief in Americans being ignorant I guess. In my opinion, he/she is saying that we could care less about the less fortunate. And if Americans are Christians, then were Christians at fault for killing people? for bombing people?, for sending the Japanese to camps?
Our Society does not seem to are about any of the real important things. All we care about is about Michaels Death, Chris Brown and Rhianna, Jon and Kate, stuff like that.
Why can't we talk about the real world? About the real problems?
Victor Aguirre
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Cerritos Community College
Post # 9
Reflection: The Salt of the Earth by Mumia Abu-Jamal
It is a good question to ask ourselves if America is a Christian nation as Abu-Jamal states in his essay, “The Salt of the Earth.” Upon reflecting on this simple question, I may state no for several same reasons given by him, such as the following quote: “It is Christian to cast thousand of Japanese into concentration camps and to seize their properties on the pretext of that magical word ‘security.’ If it is really so, then it is Christian to vaporize hundreds of thousands of fellow humans by dropping an atomic bomb on them, as a global ‘demonstration’ of power.” I believe America has kept up with its philosophical view of power since the founding fathers and in the name of “security.” Also, America has undignified people as seen in the recent cases at Guantanamo Bay with the well known torturing of waterboarding, which in reality is a violation of the Geneva Convention. All in the name of “national security.” Perhaps the system is “built on fear.” Then one may ask, is this acceptable in God’s eyes as a Christian nation? I do not think so; we can not keep demonstrating to the world that we are applying the concept of “eye for eye, tooth for a tooth.” No, for the simplest reason that as a nation, we have to be compassionate, and united to a worthy cause of peace and happiness with our surrounding countries and across the world.
Lori Medina
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CC
Post#9
The Salt of The Earth
We are told we live in a country of freedom. Mumia Abu-Jamal brings up a thought that these freedoms like, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of expression are controlled and are not exactly free to all.
I am not very religious but I do know we are to love each other and treat each other with kindness. In his story he says that Christians stole land from the indians, wiped out native people, and put millions on japanese in concentration camps. he sees Christians as vampires sucking all the blood of thousands killed when they dropped an atomic bomb to show power. He says this is all the points to the church who leads the people. From the sounds of it the church is not preaching what God has said but is leading them to what the church wants.
Freedom of expression is also said to be free but he says that we never hear from the poor or the powerless. That the powerful and the rich dominate the free speech today and we never hear from the poor or suffering. It is just similar to the media also. Big corporations own parts of the media and they control the things that are seen on TV or read in different publications. Corporations want to rack in the money so they do not always show the important information, they show us what will bring in ratings, which is all the emotional stuff. In a way these freedoms are limited and controlled not by the people but by money hungry corporations. It's strange how so many people do not even notice this, they live each day thinking if there was something important going on the government will tell us but that is not true!
Gabriel Aceves
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Cerritos College
Post # 11
Reflection: The Salt of the Earth
This selection allows us to step back for a moment and reflect on the life we’re currently living. If you are like I am, you want to think you’re in full control of your life and that all the decisions you make aught to be of benefit and progression. Being in control gives one the power and ultimate authority. It means that we’re in charge of what we allow to happen and what we avoid in our lives.
Furthermore, having this control over one’s life is what allows us to feel confident and valuable in both our world and work force. Everything in life is competitive because we are consumers. Therefore, when we buy a car we might ask ourselves who makes the fastest car? When we buy our homes we look in areas that have higher property values. If we need groceries we tend to go to places that will give us more for our dollar. This constant competition makes us lose moral and become blindsided by this superficial system.
I didn’t have to read this story to remind myself that we only need the things God gave us. I haven’t forgotten this, but just like everyone else, I am caught up in the powerful system that tells us that in order to be heard, one must have wealth, power influence and rank.
Agnes Rulinskaite
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Post #8
The Salt of the Earth
It seems that all we think now a days is how many people died, and about the worst things in general. Maybe we should stop and think not only about ourselves, but also about the poor. Where is the God of the poor? Of those who are powerless and damaged from all the cruelty that is going on around the world. America is considered to be Christian nation, but is it really true? How can we say that America is a Christian nation if Christians are the ones to vaporize hundreds of thousands of fellow humans by dropping an atomic bomb on them, as a global "demonstartion" of power.
We are all humans’ beings, so let’s act like human beings. We all have our everyday lives, let’s stick to it. Let’s stop thinking about cruelty and let’s live peacefully.
Jessica Chee
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English 103
Post #8
The School Days of an Indian Girl
It was interesting to read about the school days of the little indian girl. The story begins with eight indian children and the "pale-faced" missionaries, heading to the Red Apple Country. This Red Apple Country was a boarding school for the indian children. It was built to civilize and teach the indians. The white teachers were not very nice to Gertrude. Though she had dreamt the school was going to be a place of her dreams, where she would taste 'big red apples,' she realized the reality of it all later. Gertrude was a young and innocent little girl. Sadly, she loses her connection to her native religions, customs, culture and people. However, when she grows up, she takes the position of a teacher. She looks back on the past and ponders all her memories. She ends with a quote saying, "In this fashion, many have passed idly through the Indian schools during the last decade, afterward to boast of their charity to the North American Indian. But few there are who have paused to question whether real life or long-lasting death lies beneath this semblance of civilization."
cassie
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c.c
post # 9
I POSTED ON SALT OF THE WORLD. AND I ALSO POSTED ON POVERTY. I DO NOT SEE THEM.
I POSTED ON POVERTY LIKE AROUND 7PM YESTERDAY, AND THEN I POSTED ON SALT OF THE WORLD RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL.
Mariana Lara
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Cerritos College
Post # 8
" The School days of an indian girl"
I found it very interesting and kind of comical when the Zitkala Sa referred to the train as "iron horse",to caucasian people as "palefaces" and to the stairwell as "wooden boxes". When we do not know how to say something we collect words we know and use them to describe the new object. I felt kind of bad for the girl for everything is new to her. I think she was confused..she was not friends with the "palefaces" and when she went home i dont think she felt a sense of belonging anymore. I think i can relate. When i was little i had speak in english in class however when i got home my parents wanted me to speak spanish and if i were to pronounce a spanish word wrong i would be corrected. I argue with my parents about who i was..i would tell them "im mexican" and they would say "no you were born here so you are american" then when i grew up they told me i was "mexican american"...it was frustrating..
i guess im all of these things.
cassie gardea
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eng 104
post # 10
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA.... NEVERMIND... I FOUND THEM. I AM TRIIIPIIIIN OVER NOTHING.
forget i said anything.
Sherry Larios
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English 103
Post #6
The school Days of an Indian
When I finished reading this story, I automatically thought of "How to Tame a Wild Tongue." In both stories their culture was threatened and discriminted against. As i read the story I felt as if I was in the train sitting next to the little innocent girl watching her every move. At first I could'nt figure out where she was headed on the train, later I thought that she might have been headed to an orphanage but it seemed like she had plenty of family. Once it was clear to me of where she was at, i was surprised because I had no idea that there are schools that strips one of their culture and teaches them the way of the "white-man."
I liked how in the end she realized her true calling even after she felt completely removed from her roots. It shows that no matter what circumstances one is in or has gone through, the importantance of life comes from the inner person.
Paul Yun
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English 103
Post #7
The SChool Days of an Indian Girl
I am still alittle confused on this story. An Indian girl is coming from India to the United States? or to Europe? She is traveling with a missionary right? Ive read this story 3 times and i am still alittle confused.. haha. From what i can get out of this story is that the little indian girl is leaving her family for a better life, for a better education. But she is feeling isolated even with love. As she grows she is still isolated from the palefaces and it is not until later on in her life when she is a teacher that she is able to start changing. It must be hard to come to another country and try to be brave, i would be terrified.
Chinyerum Okpara
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Post #8
The Salt of the Earth
I would have posted on the first story about the Indians because I thought that that story had a better story line. However I really do not understand the point she was trying to make. A lot of the time when I was reading, I could not understand some of the things she was talking about. So I often time just ended up skipping those paragraph because I thought that they did not go with the story. The Salt on the Earth was interesting to me for several reasons. First I thought it was interesting because it talked about how America acquired its land. I always thought of it as buying the land, never as stealing and forcible seizing the land. Another reason I thought it was interesting because I never thought of America being a Christian nation. Sure I know that there are a lot of Christians and Catholics but I never thought of it as being dominantly Christian. I also never thought of as America wiping out the native people, stealing millions of people from their homelands, and killing people using atomic weapons. I know these things happen but I never really thought to put all the blame on America. The way the author wrote it made it seem as if America is the bad guy and was out to get everyone. Towards the end of the story I thought that what he was saying about the media and how they determine what gets told to the public and what does not was true. I think that the media does seem to cater to those who are more powerful and have more money. In the end, when the author wrote about Disney buying ABC and how one day Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck will one day they will be hosting the evening news, I thought that was very funny.
Rosemary Mercado
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English 103
Post #8
The Salt of the Earth
This reading is raising questions about the United States. First, of how it is not a Christian natio. It gives a lot of history examples that proves this nation to be everything but Christian. It goes on to talk about how the poor, powerless, and underpriveleged are stepped all over by the rich. Their voices are never to be heard. Furthermore, it explains how we all are living in a materialistic nation. Most individuals are working at their jobs because they need a pay check, not because they enjoy what they do. We believe that love, family and nature are not enough. Lastly, it explains about the media and how it is corrupted. The media does not display real news. The large corporations that own the networks are tampering with the information and adjusting it based on what will sell. What will catch viewers attention eventhough it means cutting out the real news? This is something to think about because this is what we are being brain washed with. The government, the nation, the media, our bosses, everyone. It is a way to keep things unfair and unjust.
Jay Bhakta
ReplyDeleteEng 103
Cerritos College
Post 8
The Salt of the Earth
Our Voice
Our behavior regarding rule over government illustrated that money buys power. Unfortunately today, our world revolves around money. Money buys power, develops a social status, and influences our environment. In "The Salt of the Earth," the author, Mumia Abu-Jamal, states that "In order to be heard, one must have wealth, power, influence, [and] rank." (3) Abu-Jamal also adds that forms of the media such as the press are owned by multinational corporations. These flow of events and circumstances, disregards the common, and less-wealthier man. Their voices drown in an ocean of overwhelming upper class wealth. Those with money are able to control what people say, what people do, and what people need. A horrid truth that is often underestimated. The irony is that we all fallow the influences introduced to us by figures in the media who we admire.
Rosalva Chavez
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #5
The School Days of an Indian Girl
I enjoyed the story main because I can relate towards how she felt when on the ride to the school. It amazing how people change over time and how most of us always have to flex in order for the paleface to get his way. The things is that at the end she seems to have lost her culture, but she keeps it in her memory.
Melissa Alcaraz
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
Post #8
The school days of an Indian girl
When I read the story it was sad to see the little grow up so upset and confused. As a child she was confused and scared but as time went by she accepted her faith and did as the "palefaces" said. When she grew older on the outside she had confirmed the the "paleface" society. I feel this was when she was most upset with herself and decided to give it all up.
The story also makes references to the palefaces coming into Indian territory and in a way 'supervising" them. Making surer that they are learning what the "palefaces" believe they should learn. This was very upsetting to read. It is such an invasion of space and their culture.
Daniel Macias
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post 6
The School Days of an Indian Girl
This story reminds me racial profiling in way. Sometimes it is not that racism is taking place but you have to cooperate sometimes to meet half way. Although there was not really cooperation she did what she had to, to move forward and not backward.
Isela Zavalza
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
C.C.
Post # 9
The school days of an Indian Girl
Being away from loved ones is hard especially at a very young age. There are times when one just needs that comfort of knowing that someone will be there. Somethings one experiences as a child continue to follow one in ones mind. Even though one might try to forget and one may think one has succeed it will still be there. It probably won't be there at that moment but sometimes a place or a smell might trigger that memory back. I felt sad for the little girl because she was in a foreign place to her. The missionaries gave the children candy it was not enough to comfort her. It was not the same as the nurture she needed. The nurture she needed left a void in her. I liked the last quote "But few there are who have paused to question whether real life or long-lasting death lies beneath this semblance of civilization." The palefaces thought they were doing good by whitewashing the indians but how many of them actually stopped and asked the indians if they were happy with this?
Philip Juarez
ReplyDeleteCC
Post 8
English 103
The salt of the Earth
In the Salt of the Earth, there were a couple of passages that interested me. In human being he is speaking about people buying into systems. He says that we are sucked in and other times we ourselves allow to be bought by system. Personally, I hate systems. Why? Because I believe they are despotic. We are so entangled in these webs of the system that sometimes we are not able to think for ourselves. He also goes on saying that even it’s a system; we are able to fight it. The second passage I like I s objectivity and media. This is true because our news is composed of murders, cop chases and so on. Instead of being intellectual news, it focuses more on the feeling we receive. One good example is fox 11 news. Every time I watch fox 11 there is always a minority committing some sort of crime. What about the positive news in our community? They are not the headlines, they don’t sell, and if they are on its only for like 3 seconds. To add on, the red carpet is somehow the most important news for everybody. Have we forgotten about the war? Have we forgotten about Katrina? Topics like these actually stir up questions.
Paul Yun
ReplyDeleteNot sure if I am allowed to do this.. GOODLUCK on the midterm!!!
Thanks! I think we will need all the luck we can get !!! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE....even if you are not in my class =)
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul and Mariana
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest that before the next test
we create a cirlce prayer (+:
Ha! Best of luck to all...
Gabriel
Mariana Lara
ReplyDeleteCerritos College
English 103
Post # 9
Proposal
Hospital Medication Errors
I would like to do my research paper on hospital medication errors. I would like to discuss the issue, provide possible solutions and my take on things (call to action). Hospital medications errors harm many people and cost America billions of dollars every year. This is an issue that affects every one directly and/or indirectly and we should be aware of the issue. I work in a Hospital Inpatient Pharmacy and see hospital errors happen all the time. As a Pharmacy Technician one of my job responsibilities is to help reduce hospital errors. Hospital medication errors is a reality that I am forced to deal with every day that I work. At the hospital that I work with we have instituted a bar coding system. The patient’s wrist band now contains a barcode that is specific for every patient. The nurse must scan each medication prior to administration and scan the patient’s wristband in order to ensure that she or he has the right patient and right drug. For my research I would like to discuss our hospital’s bar coding system as one of the possible solutions to the problem. I would like to interview a clinical pharmacist and ask him/her what it is that they are actively doing to prevent medication errors from occurring as well as other questions. Since we have to be able to identify socio/economic/political psychological/spiritual phenomena I will choose to focus on the economic and political aspect of the issue. I would like to use books, EBSCO HOST as well as scholarly articles. I am currently working on a second topic for research in case my proposal gets denied.
Jessica Chee
ReplyDeleteCC
English 103
Post #9
Proposal
"Who Am I?"
I would like to write the alternative final paper. It seems interesting to me to learn more about myself and what kind of career fits me the best. For the past four years, i have been set on becoming a physical therapist. When I took Biology in highschool, I began to learn more about the human body. I became fascinated in learning about the different systems, bones, and muscles in the human body. I then took Anatomy/Physiology after that, and absolutely loved the class. Anatomy required a lot of memorization skills and it came extremely easy to me. I excelled in that class and never ever got bored. I was excited that I had found a subject that I was particularly interested in. All the other subjects did not do anything for me. History, for example, bored me, and math killed me. I struggled with math a lot and hate solving any mathematical problems. Anyways, after having taken Biology and Anatomy, I excitedly told my parents how much I loved learning these subjects. They said, "You should become a physical therapist! You would make great money! Get your masters degree!" However, I do not want to base my career on money. So far, I have had my heart set on being a physical therapist for the alst four years because of the interest I have in learning it. I also love children, so I plan to work with children and their injuries. I like the idea of being a physical therapist for many reasons. For one, I would be helping people. I want to contribute myself to the world by helping people and making them feel better. Sometimes I wonder if physical therapy is right for me. It seems to be, but I wonder if I have been closed off to something out there that might be good for me as well. I think I will enjoy writing this paper because it will probably open me up to new ideas. I took the 72 question personality quiz, and was surprised how accurate it was. I read the description of my result and it totally defined the type of person that I am. ISFJ= Slightly Introverted, Moderately Sensing, Distinctively feeling, and slightly judging. Reading the description clearly goes into detail of what these words mean. Very interesting.
Cassie Gardea
ReplyDeleteC.C
ENG 103
Blog 9
Nursing
Proposal: I want to propose an efficient way to bring us out of the nursing shortage we are in. If the nursing schools lowered their school fees, many prospective nurses would be able to afford it, this means that California would have as many nurses as they need. The truth is though, nursing educators expect a big salary and they expect that salary with the nursing school fee the prospective students must pay.
Topic: Nursing
Description of Topic
Issue- Most nursing schools average out to 25,000 a semester. It is a bit expensive to become something that your home has a shortage of. How can they promote nursing if the price throws people off? And for the ones who dream about it have to put their dreams on hold until they can manage to pay for it.
Solutions- My solution is that nursing school costs should be lowered. With lower costs, we can expect more educated nurses to be walking our streets.
Call to Action/ Truth- The truth is, is we lower costs of nursing schools, then the prospective nurses would have a proper learning experience. With the costs the students pay, comes the purchase of dummy simulators, teachers, classroom settings. . .
Motivation for Research: My wish and goal is to be a Registered Nurse. I love doing research on things that I am passionate about.
Potential Sources to use:
- http://www.costhelper.com/cost/education/nursing-school.html
Back Up Topic: My back up topic would be about solar energy. My proposal is plain and simple . . . solar powered homes. We will save money in the long run. But the problem is that they are very expensive and may take years. I could go to http://www.solarenergy.org/resources/youngkids.html #8, to further my knowledge.
So what exactly is due on Monday?
ReplyDeleteJust the proposal?
Rosalva Chavez-Ramirez
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Post #6
Genetically Modified Organisms
We produce millions food products all throughout the world, yet there is still starvation. Due to our fragile environment growing crops and keeping sustainable agriculture is becoming more and more difficult each day. GMOs (genetically-modified organisms) are most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. The purpose behind GMOs is to stop world hunger and to solve our problem with climate change. The disturbing part of GMOs is that it cannot be tested efficiently within a lab environment. Companies have now taken the liberty of releasing these GMOs to public groceries stores without letting the consumer know that the item has been genetically modified and some people might suffer certain unknown side effects. GMOs are somewhat unknown to the typical consumer, but for those at are aware of it can find that this topic has its pros and cons. Many debates have been going on about the use of GMOs. It obviously a concern to everyone on the planet that eats. It startles many religions yet excites and engineers and scientist working on creating a better tomorrow yet the real question is where can we draw the line? Will this new GMOs solve all of our problems or will it potentially create more? My idea is using number (7) to write out my paper ARGUE ONE SIDE ARGUE OTHER SIDE SYNTHESIS/TRUTH ARGUE YOUR SIDE. Also a potential source is www.saynotogmos.org and www.organicconsumers.org .
Lori Medina
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Post #9
CC
Gender Identity Disorders
Society and the media have us raising children thinking little girls are meant to only play with Barbie dolls and to only where pink and purple what we all call girl colors; while, little boys are meant to only play with trucks and wear blue which are considered boy colors. Our grandparents were raised to believe this and so where are parents, and the main reason for this was, was the fear of having a child with gender identity disorder. Which is children relating more to the opposite sex, basically little girls playing with trucks and G.I. Joes and little boys playing with baby dolls?
Most parents start of not worrying about what a child plays with until the thoughts of having a gay child start floating around that’s when they seek help. I wanted this research project to concentrate on the doctors and psychiatrist point of views and there way of giving a concerned parents the diagnosis and or treatment. As for a truth, I would assume that would be raising a happy child with out the side effects to getting treatment from a doctor or psychiatrist and accepting and loving a child for being them selves.
I not sure what difficulty level this would fit in but if anyone has suggestions please let me know.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCasey Tharp
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #10
Teenage Pregnacy
The issue at hand is teenage pregnancy. In the past two years, teenage pregnancy has gone up 1% each year. The most likely reason being more sex and less contraceptives. Most parents still feel they have no say in their child's sex life when 31% of teens say that parents most influence their decisions about sex. Between 1991 and 2005, the teenage pregnancy rate declined 34%. In the past two years, the rate has increased about 3%. The question is what can be done to help the teenage pregnacy rate decline again? Some surveys have shown that parents as well as teens wish they had more information about sex and contraceptives. There are many arguments as to why the slight increase in teen preganacy. The main goal is to help the teens and parents get what they need to form a healthy relation so they feel comforatable enough to talk openly about the truth about sex, abstience, and contraceptives. I want this research paper to concentrate on the communication between parents and teens and how that relates to the outcome of teenage pregnancy. This topic interests me because with all the contraceptives out there, the free contraceptives at that, there are still girls crying and freaking out when they become pregnant. I'd like to get a look at the other side and see why it is teen girls are becoming pregnant. It isn't just stupidity, it is that there are not imformed of all their options. I'd like to further reserch what kind of solutions there are and what is more actual.
A potential resource site is : http://www.thenationalcampaign.org
Chinyerum Okpara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 10
The rising cost of tuition
The issue that I have decided to write about is the rising cost of tuition. Paying for college in today’s society is a major issue among many students who are debating whether or not to go to college. Many students do want to go to college, but they do not know if they can afford to go, even with the help of government aid. There are many solutions that students can chose from that can help pay for college such as grants, merit-based awards, loans, and scholarships According to MSNBC “Average tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose 6.6 percent this year…outstripping increases in financial aid and pushing students into more borrowing.” While some people might think that going to a community college for two years might save them money “prices at two-year colleges…rose 4.2 percent to $2,361” (MSNBC).
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21420361/ns/business-personal_finance/
The reason that I want to write about the rising coat of tuition because the people that it is affecting is “America’s future.” By raising the cost of going to school, I think that the government is encouraging young people not to go to school because the government does not want to pay for it. If “America’s future” does not attain the kind of education needed to become teacher, doctors and lawyer, the in the end the United States may end up reverting back to the time when there was no education like Iraq did. Without America’s youth attaining an education, the United States will no longer be one of the leading countries in the world, we would become a third world country.
Agnes Rulinskaite
ReplyDeleteEnglish 110
Cerritos College
Post 8-9?
07/27/09
First of all, there are thousands and thousands of different cultures around the world, and all of them are unique and important. However, I will be writing about my own culture, where I came from, the culture itself, and how the country is expanding now.
Lithuania in general is a small country. Lithuanian population is only 3.7000000. Total area 65.3 thousands sq. km. It is a country on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, which following the fifty-year Soviet occupation, returned to the political map of Europe in 1990. The country is well rid of an entrenched soviet argumentation belief that a small country is incapable of independent existence. In this area, however, Lithuania is larger than countries such as Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland or Holland. In addition, largest cities by the population are Vilnius 541,800; Kaunas 360,600; Klaipėda 187,000; Šiauliai 129,900; Panevėžys 115,300. Of course, economy’s crises are scaring people, so lots of them are running from their native country to other places in the world to better themselves; however, they never will forget their own culture, the traditions that we have, and everything else that other places do not have. It makes me tear when I write about my own country because I miss it so much, however, it is wonderful to remember and o find out even more about my own country. Continuing, who are they0Lithuanians? They are only a few millions in number. Of the many Baltic tribes, only those of the Lithuanians and the related Latvians have survived to the present day. A comparatively young nation speaks the oldest living Indo- European language (Lithuanian), which foreigners find complex and which could have easily fallen into disuse when banned by a 19th century. Like philosopher Immanuel Kant held the belief that “language is the most relevant means of shaping and preserving the character.” With that being said, I will be concentrating on the Lithuanian culture, the country itself, and how it has changed. Also, my potential sources are: http://www.ltembassyus.org/index.php?-571947450, also a book called Lithuania, as well as another book that talks about Nature, traditions, culture and the cities. I believe it will be unbelievable experience even for me writing for me this paper, however, I want others to enjoy my research paper as well. I believe that you will learn a lot from it, and will discover unexpected.
Sherry Larios
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
post #anybody's guess
Alternate Final Paper
Well I dont know what it is that I have to propose since it is pretty much self explanatory.
For those of you who don't know, I am a very unique individual. I'm not trying to put the spotlight on myself or anything of that nature. I have always recieved that kind of feed back of my personality from many different people.
I had always known i was a different kind of person, but I thought it was just in my household. Growing up I figured out that my personality is like no other. It can be so many different things at once.
I have never fully comprehended my personality and when I took the Briggs test in high school, I freaked out because it was spot on in many, if not all, my personality
I think with this paper I have the chance to really see who I am, to comprehend myself on a deeper level.
GOOD LUCK everyone with your topics!
and I hope we all did good on our midterm.
Melissa Alcaraz
ReplyDeleteCC
Post #9
Dual Language Programs
In 1998, proposition 227 passed in California. proposition 227 changed the way that english was thought to english learners as well as ended bilingual education.
Last year marked the ten year anniversary since the proposition has taken into affect. Since then Dual education programs have taken into affect as an option at certain schools in LAUSD. Dual language programs allow english learners and english proficient students to receive instruction in english and a target language in the same classroom to develop academic proficiency in both languages beginning in kindergarten for a minimum of six years. Dual language programs range include spanish/english, Korean/english, mandarin/english. By taking part of the Dual Language Program a students achieves communicative and academic second language proficiency, primary language proficiency, and most importantly you instill an appreciation for cultural diversity.
I chose to write my research paper on dual language program because first an for most I am interested in our education system. Secondly because I feel most students in an english learning program (ESL) are created for english learners, once they finish the program they are left to catch up, and becomes harder. I want to compare effect of an ESL program and Dual Language Programs. I plan on using articles such as "Learning English in California" by patricia Gandara. 'Direction in Language and Education" by Maria E. Torres Guzman. I will also be using online resources such as the LAUSD website, Prop 227 websites and the Dual Language Programs directory.
Jay Bhakta
ReplyDeleteEng 103
Cerritos College
Post 9
9-11 Attacks: Conspiracy vs. Truth?
On September 11, 2001 the United States of America witnessed one of the most horrific tragedies in U.S history. Although it was disturbing to see the attacks on television, there are still doubts that linger in the minds of many Americans. What really happened with Nixon and Watergate? Who is really responsible for the September 11 attacks on our country? There have been various spins to the story. According to a documentary on Google "Loose Change," Terrorist attacks were staged decades ago in Guantanamo bay to facilitate American intervention in Cuba. Many believe that on September 11, 2001 history successfully repeated itself. Some of the concerns regarding the attacks are the events that took place prior to the attacks and the finding of evidence of the attacks at sites such as the pentagon and the world trade centers. Many government officials canceled flights scheduled for the day the attacks took place. Put options on stocks for Boeing and American Airlines were put in place up to the day before the attacks took place. Government reports indicated that the plane which hit the pentagon had skid on the ground before impact on the building itself. Pictures from the day of the attacks would show no evidence of a plan hitting the ground. Reports had also indicated that there was little to no debris from the supposed Boeing 757. Our government claims that the fuel from the plan incinerated the entire Boeing. Surveillance cameras from near by gas stations and hotels had caught the footage of the American Airline Boeing 757 supposedly crashing into the pentagon. The FBI seized the surveillance tapes and only released a 5 frame video that shows no clear evidence of a large aircraft crashing into the pentagon. If the government had nothing to hide, all they would need to do was show those surveillance tapes, yet we the public have heard nothing.
The twin towers has a segment of its own. Contradicting witnesses who claim to seen either a commercial airline, a military helicopter, and other various forms of aviation prove that there is no certainty (besides what the government claims) that an actual American Airline flight had hit the towers. The evidence is understandably hard to swallow. Would our government plan such a horrific event to gain power over seas? Who do we believe?
Victor Aguirre
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos Community College
Post # 10
Visually Impaired and Blind community in America
I would like to explore the awareness and education about the visually impaired and blind community in America, Why is this community being left behind? America should fine a mission statement to help visually impaired people to learn and develop job skills to lead lives of independent and normal by achieving through education, training, counseling, communication and technology. These series of experiential events could provide awareness and education to this community, and help raise funds to provide these types of services. If these could be focused on, as a primary objective to provide job skills, training & placement necessary to disabled persons to pursue their personal & financial independence by purchasing or renting a home and ultimate to live fulfilling lives. This dream vision can be awesome achieving it as well as expending it nationally. Also, by challenging any entities for their help to fulfill hope and serving a road to full, active, and productive life for individual with blindness and eye diseases, which could be an exemplary action on their behalf.
Some actual facts to take into consideration is that a big percentage of people age 65 and over report some form of vision impairment, which represents millions of people. One of them is me. I am already categorized in that level of impaired vision. Because of these vision diseases and problems affecting people and myself, I have decided to research and write my paper on this issue. Also, to raise awareness, as well as rise funds to provide services for the visually impaired and blind community. In consequence, by supporting these visually-impaired individuals, the lack of understanding of the working world and their place in it, and the little exposure experience they tend to get at any given circumstances makes me wanted to help out, because these people deserve the same joys and career opportunities as anyone else.
Casey Tharp
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post #11
Status Anxiety
This artical is all about the status quos that society places on people and things. The paragraph about the car advertisement was really good. It is good because it applies to everything that people sale. They hypnotise you and reel you into the merchendise. They don't tell you that they are already working on something better and that it will soon be old news. They don't tell you its faults or why you shouldn't buy it. They tell you what you want to hear. They hide it inbetween all the mumbojumbo but they are basiclly saying "if you buy our stuff you will be cool". It seems like thats what everyone wants and companies make fortures off of everyone because of it. Once you get that something better, the old version means nothing. This is true to everyone including me. As a projectionist i'm trained to look for every flaw a film presentation carries from scratches to misplice, labsplices, dust, color, the presentation in general. When we started getting digital projectors i got spoiled and now i can't watch flim presentations because they are horrible! Digital is so much better, the color, the picture, the sound, everything is just much crisper. And now within the theatre business you are "cool" if you run a digital house. Edwars has 3 digital houses and ones an imax so we are the "popular" one out of our closest relatives. We are all weak to the pressure of society in one way or another.
Victor Aguirre
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos Community College
Post # 11
Reflection: Status Anxiety by Alain de Botton
The perspective status that is placed upon society is by the status quo. For instance, as the author states in “Status Anxiety” “this notion that ‘decency’ must be attached to wealth—and ‘indecency’ to poverty” how sad is that? Unfortunately we have already conditioned our selves to this social status and we live it without complaining. We presume that this is the life style for everyone and we accept it. It appears that these rules are set in stone and nothing can be done, because that is what we perceive and accept in society as a whole. However, a beautiful and true statement that the author mentioned is “Life seems to be a process of replacing one anxiety with another and substituting one desire for another.” Which means humanity is never satisfied by its own achievements. It always keeps striving and seeking for more challenges, so perhaps that is our nature as humans.
Mariana Lara
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 10
" Status Anxiety"
As i was reading this essay i was nodding my head in agreement with the author/narrator of the essay especially in the first sentence of the essay. I am guilty of ethnocentrism. As a matter of fact everyone has been ethnocentric at one point or another...it's okay we are human and we make mistakes. I also liked the example he used about the car. It's very true that they sugar coat the vehicle for you. They do not speak of how much you are going to have to spend per month for that engine on wheels..who knows you might have to spend half your check on the car. When you are watching that commercial and you see that it's only going to cost you 256 per month you think to yourself and say" oh, that's not so bad." you seem to forget about the insurance and everything else.
" Status Anxiety" made me think about the numerous obituaries i have come across when reading a newspaper. If you look closely you'll notice they talk about degrees and acomplishments. I always wonder what type of life those people lived. I want to know what type of person they were ..were they happy? did they attain those degrees because it was something they were passionate about? or where they merely blinded by money?
Agnes Rulinskaite
ReplyDeleteCerritos college
English 103
Status Anxiety by Alain de Botton
As Alain de Botton states, "Every society holds certain groups of people in high esteem while condemning or ignoring others, whether on the basis of their skills, accent, temperament, gender, physical attributes, ancestry, religion or skin color". Yet, this type of criteria does not determine a person's success. A person can be poor and uneducated, and others, who have lots of money, can basically do nothing with their lives, and go down the hill very fast. However, let’s think if all of the material necessities can make a person truly happy, or it is just the things that they must have because that how the world set up. Let’s say we go to the store because we decided to buy a car. Do you think we will walk out from there with the car that we had in mind, or it's will be that we will be affected psychologically by that advertisement so we will walked out with something that someone else wanted us to buy? But isn't that's how the world around us is? The society tells us what to buy or act the certain way. It seems that we have no opinions or ourselves, sad....
There is more to it, but it can be discussed in class. I would like to hear what others got to say about this in the greater detail.
Gabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 12
Reflection: Status Anxiety
Stereotypes are found for every social aspect of our society. There are stereotypes about ethnicity, age groups, gender, sexual orientation, people with mental disorders and anything else to do with different groupings in society. The stereotypes result from social structural conditions, such as perceived cooperation-competition between groups, and their relative social status. Different group stereotypes create distinct emotions, such as envy, pity, and disgust. These emotional prejudices matter because they make people discriminate in different ways.
This story strongly correlates with the previous readings “What is Poverty” and “Salt of the Earth”; because it emphasizes the superficial system we’re part of and how its constant pressures keeps us competing with each other for wealth, power, influence and rank.
Gabriel Aceves
ReplyDeleteEnglish 103
Cerritos College
Post # 13
Research Proposal: “Why Gangs become a Choice”
Gangs, who thought them up and since when have we lived around them? The discovery of petro-glyphs and old bones tells us that Native Americans and European hunters were afflicting one another with criminal intent long ago, but this is only a mere example of how far back gangs and their crimes date back to. Another example is Ancient Rome. The Romans must have broken every rule in the prostitution, rape, and incest category, and “The bible itself is full of stories regarding thieves, redeemed or otherwise, as well as white collar crimes among moneylenders” (Life).
Gangs continue to thrive because of their ability to adjust to change. They modernize their organization(s) according to the alterations of their environment making it the key factor of their longevity. During the middle ages, a secret society formed in Sicily, which embarked the beginning of the well-known Mafia that still exists today.
These days, Americans find themselves dealing with our modern version of gangs, no longer limited to fighting with fists and knives. Now, they have easy access to a vast variety of weapons and even harmful chemicals that can destroy a person, infrastructures, or anything else desired. Crime in America has elevated to what was once unthinkable. Today, deaths can occur for wearing certain colors and clothing accessories, or just for walking down certain streets.
The question at hand is what are the motives for gangs today? Why has organized crime remained prevalent era after era? This research report may not answer the reasons for the gang activity long ago, but it will take a profound look at gangs today. In this report, I plan to address the factors that influence gang behavior, define gangs and their activities, study gang structures and its organizations, and through thorough research, analyze how widespread the problem of gangs really is. Lastly, I plan to explore how the community can lessen or end the threat of gangs.
Cassie Gardea
ReplyDeleteEng 103
C.C
Post #12
Status Anxiety
Judging others and stereotyping others is human nature. As human beings, we tend to critique almost every person we meet. If I were to run in to a homeless person, my thoughts about him/her would be that he/she did not finish school, was kicked out of the house, and now lives on the streets. Now I am asking myself why? Why do I assume that? He/she is probably very smart, probably worked for NASA, or was a doctor.
Many people think, "Oh because he is black he must be in a gang!" or "No wonder he drives retarded, it's because he is asian" or "Only Mexicans cut grass" or "White people always think they are all that and they do not even have a back bone"
Melissa Alcaraz
ReplyDeleteCC
Post #10
Status Anxiety
I feel "status anxiety" talks about everything; Media, advertisers, religion, relationships all play a great role in anxiety.
As a society we feel that if we own the luxury car, or the expensive object we will be one step closer of achieving the status quo. Advertisers try to make it easy for you, making it seem desirable and easy to purchase. As a consumer we believe the advertisers and want to feel better about ourselves, ( after all we want to give the appearance that we are "decent")
Then we have religion, christianity. According to Alain de Botton christian moralist try to make the anxious feel better by helping them understand that it does not matter who is wealthy, who is poor. In the end, we will all have the same faith.