Blog about The American Dream

Kevin Jennings grew up in a conservative family, and they had very strong feelings against blacks, Jews, Catholics, anyone really who didn't believe what they believed. The author said that "honestly thought I was would grow up to be the President". His idea of the American Dream was that anything could happen to anyone who wanted something because America was the land of opportunity in his eyes. However, as he grew up and faced challenges, he knew this was less than true. Jennings began to realize that he was gay, he tried to deny it because he knew his family would in no way approve. At one point, he attempted suicide because he thought being gay would prevent him from reaching this "American Dream".

I believe that Jennings was trying to say that real freedom is freedom of stereotypes and labels, not just having rights but having respect as well for you are. Every legal citizen is an American, whether their black, white, gay, straight, Catholic, Jewish, tall, short, whatever, we all live by and stand by our country. It is not okay for other people to say what's normal and what isn't. Just because the bar of normal standards was set by someone doesn't mean that it can't be adjusted to fit everyone, there is NO normal. One should not have to adjust how they feel and who they are to feel 'normal'. Every one should have an equal opportunity, it is up to us however to go after and reach that goal we are striving for, regardless of what people see you as.

Blog about White Guilt

Get Information: We are a generation of media, we can easily attain information about this issue by simply turning on the television and watching a commercial or a program. Most likely, an issue regarding race will come up. Also, by looking at your surroundings you are likely to see how racism affects our society. By becoming aware of how we let racism affect us we can make an effort to eliminate those problems.
Do Something: It is as simple as stating your opinion. Many notice acts of racism or people being racist and we often let it slide. If more of us speak up, those who say racist things or act racist will realize that it isn't okay and more people are going to speak out.
Listen: If I possibly hurt someone's feelings or offended someone, I want to know what I said or did to make them feel so. I want to be told so I can understand why that individual feels the way they do and how to go about fixing it in a way were I can still have my opinions but not openly offend others.
Talk: As the author said, racism will not simply just go away at will. We as citizens must all work towards the goal together. However, I know that there are several people who feel very strong about their beliefs and are unwilling to change them. I am not asking for them to give that up, but simply adjust their ways so more people can benefit from them.
Back to the past: It's a rule known throughout history, if we do not learn from our past, we are likely to repeat it. It has shown multiple times from slavery, to concentration camps, to racism. We must face our past, learn from it, and adjust to better our future for all.
Finding our heroes and sheroes: Even though I am an conservative and I would have preferred the Republican party to be at head, I idolize Obama. He is not only a great person, but he has strength that a lot of presidents before him lacked. He is a black president which is a fact no one can hide from, however he still had the courage to run and perform his duties as president. I can guess that there were other African Americans who wanted to run for president, who were qualified, but found it fearful due to the racism that exists in this country. Also my mom and dad our my personal heroes, they never let their views get in  the way of friendship and family. Yet, they never back down from them, they won't deny them based on who they meet or talk to.

intro addition

 In school, teachers and administrators have a responsiblitly to make sure their students are not only safe physically, but that emotionally they FEEL safe. With that said, students should be able to come to school without feeling as if they are going to be hurt in any way, physically or mentally.  With bullying, however, that feeling of security is unfortunately stripped away from many students. School becomes warzone, where one always have a cold sweat on the back of their neck, rather than a safe haven away from home.  

Emerging Schloars - Child Trafficking in Cambodia

I was extremely disturbed by this paper, however Laura's goal was to raise awareness about this issue.  By providing the information and statistics that she did, she definitely got my attention. It disgusts me that not only is the government is in on it, but their are people out there sick enough to have sex with a child. She had many strengths, her passion in the topic showed throughout the paper. I also like how she mentioned OPTIONS.  Her weaknesses would have to be that it was kind of all over the place. If this is supposed to be a research paper, she didn't really follow the typical guidelines. However, the paper was effective in terms of emotion. I really enjoyed reading it and becoming acquainted with the obvious problem in Cambodia. It motivated me to want to help.

Reflections on Breaking the Code Activity

After reading this research paper and completing the activity, I feel more confident and comfortable writing my own paper. I believe that the paper I read was very organized and straight forward, and that gives me some idea on how to approach each section in my paper. Every section was clearly labeled so I as the reader knew exactly what was going on at each moment in the paper. Even though this is a research paper, there was some opinion placed into the writing without being too biased, so I feel more passionate about writing my own since I can add some of my own personal feelings into the matter.

CR Exercise 3.4 In Class

Simon Frith explains the distinctions between serious and popular music. Many musicologists argue that society made popular music, it is a fad of the people in society. Serious music is on the other hand a work of art, since it goes beyond the forces of society. However, sociologists are at "odds" on this statement. In order to compare society and music, they must take into consideration the "type of music" they are evaluating.

topic presentation guideline

My topic is bullying and gender association in America today.

What is the difference between male bullying and female bullying in grades K-12 in America's generation today?

-  What are the causes for the differences between the two genders? 

- What are the different effects that bullying can cause to girls in our generation?

- What are the different effects that bullying can cause to boys in our generation

- Does the media have an impact on why kids bully in grades K-12?

- What are the differences of bullying and the effects it has today compared to past generations?

- Does location have an effect on the way an individual bullies? (City areas compared to suburban areas compared/ richer cities compared to poorer cities)

I’m really interested in what may be the causes for the differences in bullying between the genders. Also, I’m interested if the effects bullying can cause due to the difference in gender.

By investigating this topic, I can hopefully get a feel for the causes of bullying and be able to recognize when the bullying actually starts, not when the one being bullied actually comes forward by it. By becoming acquainted with the actions that lead up to bullying and the effects that follow when one is victimized, we can eventually nip the problem in the bud before it causes detrimental effects to those that are being bullied. With growing media coverage for kids who attempt suicide or start school shootings due to being bullied, I think it’s clear that this is becoming a larger nationwide problem. Since, majority of us will have a family potentially in the future, this is something we need to be aware of.

In many of my sources, there was evidence that led the researcher to believe that there is a correlation between gender and bullying; that there is a difference between male bullying and female bullying. Males tend to be more open and aggressive about it, while girls are more secretive and manipulative in their ways of bullying. The outcomes are usually the same, in which the victim starts to have a decrease in their self-esteem, which has many psychological effects. Also, bullying has been starting younger and younger in this generation.

3 sources for topic

http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/371549_731203525_713766162.pdf

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V7N-3TT0444-6&_user=564876&_coverDate=07%2F31%2F1998&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1453610740&_rerunOrigin=scholar.google&_acct=C000028718&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=564876&md5=3d916ad45f50afcc45b9e4d80dfba657&searchtype=a

CQ Researcher from YHS database, article "bullying"



more specific information about each article is in my notebook

Free writing for SAP topic

What is the difference between male bullying and female bullying in grades K-12 in America's generation today?

-  What are the causes for the differences between the two genders? 

- What are the different effects that bullying can cause to girls in our generation?

- What are the different effects that bullying can cause to boys in our generation

- Does the media have an impact on why kids bully in grades  K-12?

- What are the differences of bullying and the effects it has today compared to past generations?

- Does location have an effect on the way an individual bullies? (City areas compared to suburban areas compared/ Richer cities compared to poorer cities)