Month: April 2022

The most significant historical event that happened to have occurred during my lifetime and that, in my opinion, has shaped the future of this country, would be when Barack Obama was elected president. I remember being five years old and hearing about Obama running for president. I was confused as to why it was such a big deal, but I knew I wanted him to win because my mom wanted him to win. This was about more than just the presidential election, it was the moment many black Americans thought things were going to change. This event was significant because, looking back, I am surprised that he won.

This country still perpetuates a lot of anti-black racism and the fact that he won in 2008 is surprising. It is hard for me to imagine so many people voting for him because so many Americans have such internalized racism that they would never even consider him. When he won, I remember my mom cheering. For many black Americans, it was a time to celebrate. A black person was finally president and maybe that would mean changes were coming for black citizens. It may have changed the way some white people saw black people, but it wasn’t the change we wanted to see. In my five year old brain I thought, if the kids at school see that I am black like Obama is black, then maybe they’ll think it’s cool now. Instead, the racism Obama faced while campaigning only continued, the police were still killing black people, and the kids at school didn’t treat me any better. The historical significance of this event is important to me because it showed that racism isn’t a surface issue and it isn’t something that can be changed in an election. It is in the country in every and all aspects it can be. That is why I chose to write about this today. It is one of the most significant historical events that left an imprint on me.

In the two videos we watched, the speakers focus on topics surrounding racism in education. The ted talk about racism in education was overwhelming for me to watch as this was my first time seeing it. The speaker talks about how the students face exclusion due to the racism they face in their place of education. This proves to me how evident the social construct of race is. Race is made up to divide humans and categorize them and to white supremacy, it is an essential social construct. Race in white supremacy determines the treatment that people deserve. Race is a social construct in the same way that gender is. We have created categories to put people in so we can make assumptions about who they are without actually knowing them. Gender does not exist in the same way that race does not. These categories are forced upon us and we begin to define ourselves and our identities by these labels.

The need to address racism in education is linked to the need to provide access to those who would not otherwise be given access. Due to history in this country, many black and brown people live in poverty and that prevents their access to higher education. When higher education is excluded to only white people, those spaces remain primarily white and in my opinion white people cannot solve racism. White people and primarily white institutions cannot change racism, when the people affected by racism are excluded from white spaces. Black and brown people need to be listened and heard for any change to come. It is incredibly simple-minded to believe that white people can fix the social constructs they have placed on minorities.

Worked with Yana Walia & Abhiraj Gill

Activity 1: For a long time, my stepson, Jonathan, was unhappy to have me as part of his family, for he resents that he didn’t have both biological parents at home. I tried to get to know him better, but he would complain that I invaded his privacy. As a newcomer, I understood that our relationship would require effort from both of us. It was not enough that I was friendly. Jonathan also had to want us to be friends, and I was not happy with the two of us being strangers, but I could wait for him to feel more comfortable around me.

Activity 2: Anne Marie collects antique bottles and loves to turn them into works of art. She will buy bottles if she likes them, but she prefers to find them in the ground. She finds bottles everywhere, but she picks them selectively. However, she has the best luck at construction sites on old farmland, where she spends most of her time. Often, bottles appear on the surface after a good rain, but they disappear very soon. She uses special tools for excavating bottles, including a set of brushes. She does not want to break the bottles as she removes them from the ground. After finding a new bottle, Anne Marie will add it to her display case and hang it on the wall as an artistic piece (Mangelsdorf, 2013, p. 411).

 

In Juliana Chang’s speech she starts with a background on her history immigrating to the US. She then goes on to share statistics that prove how common language loss is amongst children of immigrants. She introduces the point that linguistic assimilation is a pressure to most immigrants. Chang’s use of statistical evidence when referencing the enforced linguistic assimilation in the US is very effective in proving the point she is presenting. She also incorporates a sort of narration in order to redirect the audience to a grander perspective and I think that is a great tactic. The use of imagery and notations on the smart board behind her are also very helpful strategies for making her speech memorable. The use of pathos is also evident in this speech when Chang reads her poem about the impact of language loss and all of its coinciding issues.

Emma Gonzalez’s speech starts with her illustrating the reality of the traumatic situation she endured. She uses concrete imagery to create a picture for the audience which is effective in conveying the horrific seriousness of the cause. Pathos is dominant in this speech due to the emotional intensity of the issue and the relevance at the time, as the shooting had occurred not long before she gave this powerful speech. Gonzalez takes a necessary moment of silence to gather herself and allow herself to feel what she is feeling. It is then revealed that Gonzalez has taken a six minute and twenty second long moment of silence; that is the exact time of the active shooting. Gonzalez used this as a strategy to convey the intensity of the issue at hand. This speech is incredibly effective at appealing to the audience’s emotions and creating a memorable voice against gun violence.

Letizia Aquilino, Moriah Gilmore, Chinaza Hughes

1. White rhinos are famous for their big horns; they are among the endangered species.
2. The teacher didn’t know if she should laugh or cry, but she knew it was quite hilarious.
3. Three things matter in life: perseverance, commitment, and aptitude for learning.
4. A dog trotted over to the computer in Sara’s office, typed out a perfect letter, and printed it! 
5. The manager was stunned, but she told the dog: “The sign says you have to be good with the computer. Just because you’re good at typing doesn’t mean that you are good with it”.
6. A man walked into a pet shop and ordered three things: a centipede, kitten, parrot. 
7. Sama was the best person for the job, because she had an excellent service record in one key area; community health training.

Sama was the best person for the job because she had an excellent service record in one key area: community health training.

1. Amy served with 4 stars in the army, therefore, she was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Amy served with 4 stars in the army; therefore, she was awarded the Medal of Honor.

April 13, 2022

 

Group members: Letizia Aquilino, Chinaza Hughes, Parker Qualls

 

Exercise 1: 

Combine each sentence pair into a single sentence using either a coordinating conjunction or a conjunctive adverb. Then copy the combined sentence onto your own sheet of paper.

1. Pets are not allowed in Mr. Taylor’s building. He owns several cats and a parrot. 

Pets are not allowed in Mr. Taylor’s building; however, he owns several cats and a parrot. 

2. New legislation prevents drivers from sending or reading text messages while driving. Many people continue to use their phones illegally. 

New legislation prevents drivers from sending or reading text messages while driving; however, many people continue to use their phones illegally.

3. The coroner concluded that the young man had taken a lethal concoction of drugs. By the time his relatives found him, nothing could be done. 

The coroner concluded that the young man had taken a lethal concoction of drugs; consequently, by the time his relatives found him, nothing could be done. 

4. Amphibians are vertebrates that live on land and in the water. Flatworms are invertebrates that live only in water.

Amphibians are vertebrates that live on land and in the water, and flatworms are invertebrates that live only in water.

5. Ashley carefully fed and watered her tomato plants all summer. The tomatoes grew juicy and ripe. 

Ashley carefully fed and watered her tomato plants all summer; thus, the tomatoes grew juicy and ripe. 

6. When he lost his car key, Simon attempted to open the door with a wire hanger, a credit card, and a paper clip. He called the manufacturer for advice. 

When he lost his car key, Simon attempted to open the door with a wire hanger, a credit card, and a paperclip; furthermore, he called the manufacturer for advice.

 

Exercise 2:

Combine each sentence pair into a single sentence using subordinating conjunction and then copy the combined sentence onto your own sheet of paper.

1. Jake is going to Mexico. There are beautiful beaches in Mexico.

Jake is going to Mexico where there are beautiful beaches.

2. A snowstorm disrupted traffic all over the east coast. There will be long delivery delays this week.

There will be long delivery delays this week because a snowstorm disrupted traffic all over the east coast.

3. My neighbor had his television volume turned up too high. I banged on his door and asked him to keep the noise down. 

I banged on my neighbors door and asked him to keep the noise down because he had his television volume turned up too high. 

4. Jessica prepared the potato salad and the sautéed vegetables  Ashley marinated the chicken.

Jessica prepared the potato salad and the sautéed vegetables while Ashley marinated the chicken.

5. Romeo poisons himself. Juliet awakes to find Romeo dead and stabs herself with a dagger.

After Romeo poisons himself, Juliet awakes to find Romeo dead and stabs herself with a dagger.

Anti-racist approaches to education:

In the video the Harvard Professor talks about how inclusivity is often used synonymously to diversity and that if universities make their diversity quota, they can pat themselves on the back for being inclusive. That is one point that connects to the ideas I noted from Tatum’s book. I am tired of people pretending to be inclusive, yet rarely accepting ALL of who they are “including”. To me that means accepting all intersectional identities, which is another point I noted from the video.

The speaker mentions how universities are still selective with which minorities will attend their school and usually, that means minorities who have previously attended private institutions. He calls that group of students “the privileged poor” because of their intersecting identities. They are poor, usually in regard to their economic status, while also remaining privileged due to access. This relates to the title of the video “access ain’t inclusion”. That statement refers to how access to higher education is still incredibly selective and discriminatory against minorities, especially of  lower class, so universities (and many other institutions) are perceived to be inclusive while completely neglecting the truth of the matter: access to higher education is given to minorities who would have already had that access. The speaker said universities are taking “new diversity from old sources” and I could not agree more. University diversity quotas completely neglect inclusivity.

Worked with: Yana Walia, Abhiraj Gill

This meme was found on Google and it comments on how black people’s arguments about racism and violence are often undermined by white people trying to turn the tables back on to black people. It uses humor to undermine the seriousness of the issue and how it affects the stereotypes and society’ s perception of the issue as black people are countered with this argument to undermine their experiences with racism. It also successfully shifts the focus of the argument from the main issue of racism to black on black crime hence manipulating the narrative of racism. This meme is effectively thought provoking and it uses a popular argument presented to black people to address how invalidating that statement is. The meme itself is fairly simplistic so that may affect its strength as an argument, but still, the argument is clear.

Is this plagiarism or not?

Excerpt from page 23 of an article in 2011 by William Ellis entitled “Culture in Transition.”

World problems such as poverty, pollution, war, and hunger are inherent in the current system of world order based on nation-states and economic competition. They can be solved if people know and understand one another on a global, grass-roots basis.  By developing people-to-people linkages irrespective of national borders, we can start to ameliorate global tensions and inequalities.

Student versions

Is this plagiarism or not?  Y or N

 

__Y___William Ellis asserts that world problems such as poverty, pollution, war, and hunger are inherent in the current system of world order based on nation-states and economic competition (p. 23).

Direct quote missing

__Y___Global tensions and inequalities can be solved if people begin to help one another on a grass-roots basis, moving beyond the current world order of economic competition 

(Ellis, p. 23).

Improper citation

___N__Ellis (2011) argues that global problems are often a result of exploitation inherent in economic competition.  He contends that “grass roots….people-to people linkages  irrespective of national borders” can do much to ease global tensions (p. 23). 

Correct

__Y___Economic competition is at the basis of many of the world’s problems (Ellis 23). Only by seeing ourselves as a single family without the separation of national boundaries can world tensions begin to be eased.  The year and page number are missing 

__Y___Ellis (2011) argues that world problems are caused by overpopulation and that the only possible solution is an enforced tax on families who have more than one child (p. 23).

Made up information

Original Text: Alaska’s wetlands provide many benefits including: food and habitat for wildlife, fish and shellfish species, natural products for human use and subsistence, shoreline erosion and sediment control, flood protection, and opportunities for recreation and esthetic appreciation.

Hall, Jonathan V., W. E. Frayer, and Bill O. Wilen.

Status of Alaska Wetlands.

4 Nov. 1997.

Web. 12 Mar. 2011.

Student Version:

Alaskan wetlands offer advantages such as erosion and flood control, homes and food for wildlife, and natural beauty and products for humans’ benefit.

 

2.Original Text:

 

Assertive individuals tend to feel more in control of their lives, derive more satisfactions from their relationships and achieve their goals more often. They also will obtain more respect from, and inspire confidence in, those with whom they interact since they tend to be viewed as strong characters who will not be easily swayed.

 

Hargie, O., Saunders, C., & Dickson, D. (2000).

Social Skills in Interpersonal Communication.

London: Routledge, p. 271.

 

Student Version:Because they are not readily influenced, assertive people gain respect from others, and they experience success in guiding their own lives, nurturing good relationships, and achieving their goals

 (Hargie, Saunders, & Dickson, 2000, p. 271).

 

3.Original Text:

A new to recycle bald tires has been developed by researchers at the University of Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station. Instead of hanging them on trees as swings, they’re using them as mulch around the base.

 

“Tires Return as Mulch.” Popular Mechanics 94.2 (2000): 22. LEXIX-NEXIS. Web. 31 July 2011.

 

Student Version:

A Popular Mechanics article notes that University of Georgia researchers have found a new use for worn tires: instead of having them on trees as swings, they’re using them as mulch (“Tires Return”).