i. Read chapter 3
ii. Do a posting where you define and describe your writing process.
iii. Post your response to activity on page 113.
iv. Respond to two other postings – answer the questions (113).
Last day to drop this class is 7/7!!!
No posting week of July 4th.
52 comments:
rl92Jenny Wheeler
My Writing Process
How I start my writing process all depends on the topic I'm assigned to write about. I usually brainstorm all my knowledge on that subjct and write it down. Whatever I don't know, I try to look up or research, which is also good for further knowledge. After I get a basic idea of what I'm going write about, I try to plan how I will arrange this information in a way that makes sense. Then comes the rough draft. For me, I know that the rough draft is never going to be perfect, and it isn't supposed to be. My rough draft usually has so many marks on it you can't read it. The revision of my rough draft is very important. I basiclly rethink my paper during this process. After revising, I let a trusted peer, parent, or teacher edit my paper and give me some input. After I'm sure that my paper has not only reached mine, but my teachers standards, I type up a final copy.
Jenny Wheeler: pg 113
Race has always been a touchy subject, and because of that, has made it hard for people to see past the color of their skin. The controversy between black and white is probably one of the biggest examples I can think of. Kids today joke around and say hey your racist, but they dont realize it goes back much further than that. One of the biggest cataylsts of the "race war" was probably when the white settlers started using blacks as slaves. They lived under harsh conditions and rules that told them that they were underneath whites.
Tensions throughout the years, even though less, are still there, even if people don't want to admit it. This discrimination is everywhere. Schools, the workplace, and public facilities. This most often affects the younger youth which usually divides them.
The divergence between black and white is not the only racial crisis. Races all over the world have had discrepancies.
I doubt that racism will ever end, even though it would be wonderful if it did. The circle of parent passing it on to child and so forth is never ending.
Skylar Haigler
Writing Process
I can't really say I've ever had a writing process. I feel that when we bog down our freedom and creativity with structure it only hurts our ability to convey our message in any way we want. I think English has become too focused on brainstorming and outlines, and has lost its focus on the important thing: the message. I can understand how, in persuasive papers, knowing what you're going to write about in what paragraph is essential, but by limiting ourselves by pre-planning every detail of every paragraph, we may lose touch of the meaning of the paper. But in creative writing and short story writing I ban all thought of pre-planning structure, and let the ideas flow limitlessly as I go. As far as revisions, I'm almost totally against them in their entirety. I feel that if I set out to make a point, I need to stick to it, and keep my original idea concrete throughout it. I refuse to ever let a peer change or revise anything. This is mostly though because I have an ego and I think I'm infallible. Therefore, with that thought process, anything anyone else does to my work will skew the message I had in mind. I’m all for sentence structure, grammar or punctuation revisions, but the overall content of the essay is, to me, sacred and should never be changed. Rough drafts for me are usually non-existent, mostly because I’m too lazy, but partly because of that ego thing. I generally just fix up errors I see in my only draft and turn it in.
Skylar Haigler
Activity pg.113
Race is always going to be a hot issue in the world. I personally think racism and judgment based on ethnicity is never going to stop, as I believe it’s in human nature. Deep down, we’re all animals, and one of our basic urges is to dominate. Whether it be based on the color of the skin, physical appearance or intelligence, humans will always want to consider themselves personally or as a group better than another person or group. Skin color just seems to be an easy target for people to base value on. I don’t believe though, that family history should have anything to do about how we act towards different races today. The first writer seemed to feel some guilt about being related to a family who owned slaves. That should have nothing to do with how he or she should feel about African Americans today. Just because some obscure family member from a hundred years ago owned a slave doesn’t mean you did, and doesn’t mean you are any less of a person. I strongly agree with the second writer in that no matter how hard we try, we will always be shackled by our race.
Danny Holland
My Writing Process
The first step of my writing process is brainstorming. This is where I identify what is going to be written about, as well as come up with the main points and details. Next I set up the paper. I figure out how many paragraphs or sections there should be, and create a solid thesis statement. After that I write up a rough draft so I can see what my ideas will look like on a formal sheet of paper. After writing the rough draft I edit it by adding extra details that were missing, checking for grammatical errors, and asking other peers or adults for constructive criticism. I revise the paper one or two times until it fully comprehends what it is suppose to be about. Finally, I put everything together into a final copy.
Danny Holland: pg 113
Race, as I see it, causes guilt toward the majority as well as division in our nation. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed about a day in which "children of slaves and children of slave owners could live in harmony," but when African Americans constantly blame whites for "oppressing and enslaving their people", Caucasians feel guilty even though these situations were beyond their control. In other words, even though nobody in this age was around during the time when blacks were forced into slavery, blacks today act as if whites today were the reason for their ancestors' suffering.
DNA samples should not determine whether or not you are considered a good person, because you cannot blame someone else for their ancestor's past. Many whites feel guilty for their ancestors' deeds and feel that they need to treat blacks with above average respect. As a country, we will never be able to improve race unless whites are able to forgive their ancestors and start afresh, and blacks realize that whites living today had nothing to do with the enslavement of their ancestors.
These topics fuel race and causes unpleasant racial outbreaks. When we reach the state of ultimate forgiveness of our ancestors' mistakes, we will be able to know that history does not make us who we are, but WE have the power to choose who we are. Then race will not divide and cause guilt within our nation.
Mr. Holt,
I need you to invite me to the blog again, because you sent the invite to retycoon135@comcast.net instead of rctycoon135@comcast.net. I'm sorry I had to ask you on the blog, but you didn't seem to be answering your email. It would really help me post responses to the exercises on the blog quicker. Thanks.
-Danny
Jenny,
I agree with your response to the activity on page 113. I could see where you gave credit to both articles, especially how you said that racial discrimination is still a problem and is still seen today. Your voice in the speech was very informative and the aim seemed to say that unless we do something about this problem now, the racial discrimination will be handed down to the next generation and it will continue as an ongoing problem. One thing that you have to realize is that race, even though it is dividing and discriminating, will never be fully eliminated. I believe that it is our human nature to want to be with who we look most like, and that we, as one human race, need to try to overcome that as much as we can, and like you said,"look beyond the color of someone's skin."
This is a terrific introduction to this topic. It was very informative and interesting to read. Good job!
-Danny Holland
Samantha Corker
My writing process
The way I usually start a paper is by making a list of possible way I can take my assignment. For example if I had to write a paper on Fast Food I could talk about the negative about what’s in the food or talk about how good it taste after soccer. Next, I condense my list down until I’m left with one topic. Then, I begin writing a rough draft, which I later edit. After my editing is done, I write a second rough draft. My second rough draft is were I really think about how my paper sounds rather than if I used correct grammar. Once I have completely sure that I am done with this paper and I find that it is perfect, it is time to type and turn in my final copy to my awaiting teacher.
Samantha Corker
My Writing process
The way I usually start a paper is by making a list of possible way I can take my assignment. For example, if I had to write a paper on Fast Food, I could talk about the negative information about what’s in the food or talk I could talk about the positive information like, how good it taste after soccer. Next, I condense my list down until I’m left with one topic. Then, I begin writing a rough draft, this is essential because it’s the first time I put all of my thoughts together. After I finish I edit what I’ve written, I take a break and then begin writing my second rough draft. Once that’s done I edit again and then I am finally ready to begin typing my final copy. After I’m done typing and feel confident that my paper is perfect, I am ready to turn it in to my awaiting teacher.
fatalisblandi:
I get your non-comformist, creative flow, holistic being vibe. Really, I do. When I was a junior in high school I had the same philosophy. Then I read more, grew more, experienced more.
John Coltrane (look him up if you don't know him) has a famous quote about studying music "You got to learn all that shit [basics, chords, old boring music], before you can forget it."
So to say you have no writing process is a little hard to believe (or scary). To say you don't like structure is scary, too.
wut wud da wurl dew wid no rools or stuff. how wud anbody nizo wud you meen?
Danny,
I strongly agree with your response to the activity on page 113. I do agree with you that race will never be fully eliminated.
Overall, your paper was well put together and you supported your opinion well! I enjoyed reading your response and learning something new in the process. Good job!
Brittany Murphy
My Writing Process
**Sorry about the excessive length of this. I've tried shortening this as much as possible while still maintaining my point**
For the past few days I've been trying to figure out a way to define my writing process, and I've been having some trouble with this because the "process" I go through is different than the process that is hammered into our minds as students.
In school they teach the structured system of Brainstorming, Research, Rough Draft, Editing and Revision, and Final Copy. I really don't have a problem with any of these aspects of the process. The only time I would get frusterated with this system is when teachers would hand out those Graphic Organizers, tell us we have to follow their pre-organized steps of thinking, and then proceed to tell us that the Graphic Organizer was a part of our grade, so by not following the little flow chart, it would show in our final grade. This doesn't happen in high school as much as it did in elementary and middle school, but every once in a while a teacher will present me with a bubble chart and a little part of me dies on the inside.
The reason I despise these methods of brainstorming so much is really simple: I cannot focus on one thing at a time to save my life.
If you've noticed, in all (or almost all) of my posts on this so far, I've broken my responses into smaller sections and have used headings and bolding and such. I honestly only do that because it benefits me by catching my attention when I'm reviewing my writing and keeping my focus on the assignment.
The entire concept of structured ideas and thoughts is so foreign to me that I just can't start a new project in such a way. (Reading back on this, it kind of sounds reckless and even sort of dangerous in a way. But all I really mean is my mind wanders constantly and I'm always thinking about at least 4 things at one time.)
**I had to explain all of this so that when I explained my writing process it didn't sound totally ridiculous.**
So what kind of process do I go through when I'm writing? I really have two different systems: One for when I have an organized school assignment to complete and one for when I'm writing on my own time, for my own reasons.
So let's say I get an assignment in school where I have to write an essay. What I usually do is get onto my computer and just start writing. I plan what I'm going to say as I go and I fix any grammar or spelling errors immediately. It always takes me a while to get going, but once I finally become focused, I won't stop until the end. Then I will read it over once through and fix anything I really feel needs to be fixed. And with that I'm done with my final copy.
Now that I'm in high school teachers don't usually ask for the brainstorming and rough draft to be turned in. But in previous grades when they were mandatory, I would always do the same as I do now and complete my final copy first. Then I would take my final copy, handwrite it out, and purposely make spelling errors or write my sentences a little different than they were in my final copy. Then for the "Editing" process, I would go back through my "Rough Draft" with a pen and make it look like I had made changes that mirrored my final copy. Finally, for the "Brainstorming" stage, I would reluctantly draw some bubbles and throw in some information from my paper.
I have done this on every assignment since I realized the traditional Brainstorming methods don't work for me. I thought "If I can't complete the first step, I can't go in order. So why don't I just reverse the order of the process?"
Now, when I'm writing on my own terms, I think the writing process I use resembles the traditional writing process a little more. To brainstorm ideas, I grab some blank sheets of paper, a pack of colors, and my ipod, and then sit in my chair I have in my closet and just let everything that is inside of my head out onto the papers. Once I've done this for a while I'll stop and look at all of the ideas on my papers and I'll start to peice different pictures, words, lyrics, and experiences together. Then I just grab one of the many notebooks I have lying on my closet floor and start writing.
I really don't like showing off my own stories that I write to people that I know, so I never bother to go further into the stages of editing, revision, and final copy.
So basically, if you don't really feel like reading my long drawn out explanation of my personal writing process, here is a more condensed version: I will never give in to the school's version of brainstorming (graphic organizers) and my writing process is completely backwards from the ideal system. =]
Jenny, do you want race to be fully eliminated? If so, which one?
Danny (and the rest--I'm just picking on you for some reason), you said that DNA should not determine whether or not you are a good person, and I think you're missing the point a bit. When African Americans ask for reparations for slavery from the government of today, they are saying that, because of slavery (and the 100 years of government-supported racism that ensued after emancipation) their race has been set back for many generations. The statistics support this claim: African American testing scores, graduation rates, self-worth indeces, pregnancy rates, poverty levels, drug/alcohol abuse... it goes on and on... they are all above the national norm. Did an "obscure relative" from 400 years ago being enslaved cause this? I think it's pretty hard to argue that the repercussions of slavery and our failed reconstruction(s) after the civil war have had a huge impact on this. Do modern African Americans use this as a scapegoat, a chip on their shoulder (via the "race card"), maybe.
Look up some of the most recent polling results ( http://www.newsweek.com/id/138456 ) about race in America concerning Barack Obama's candidacy. It's pretty shocking what they reveal about race in America.
Stephanie Floyd
My Writing Process
When I write, I go through a brainstorming process. However, I rarely put my scattered ideas down on paper. I prefer to just dive into whatever the chosen topic is and develop my thoughts as I go. After my first draft is written I’ll revise it and write it over. This includes taking out and adding sentences and moving words around in order to create the tone I want for whatever paper I’m writing. As I revise I’m constantly on the look for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and, as a result of Mr. Sellers’ class: tense shifts (although I still haven’t mastered catching them yet). By the time I’m done revising and editing I’ll have my final copy. I often re read my papers numerous times just to make sure I haven’t spelled something incorrectly or put a word where it shouldn’t be: I’m a bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to spelling.
I will say that without computers I would probably be a lot lazier when it comes to writing papers. Just in this assignment alone I’ve probably changed things at least 37 times- the first paragraph looks completely different than the handwritten copy I have in front of me. The tweaks I made throughout the paper probably wouldn't have even been made if I didn't have the backspace button at the tip of my fingers. Thank goodness for technology, right?
Rhen Brooks
Writing Process
I have a basic writing concept that helps me outline my paper as I go along with it. I never really set a writing process in stone as you say though. When I write I like to be creative with new ideas, and scartch old ideas out, and revise a lot. My writing strays away from a process more than just combining the structure of a paper, with basic ideas and layers of an essay. I like to use random ways to express what I have to say, it helps catch the readers attention. Or gives a teacher a break from reading the very well structured essays. In different assignments I can use a set process. But when I'm writing I like to use a more creative aproach to hook my readers. But when writing, I will revise, write more than one rough draft, and then type a final copy. Once I type a final copy, I will get a family member or peer to check for errors. If there is none I will check for errors myself, again. Once I feel that I've created a peice of art and not just work, I will turn it in to my teacher.
Skylar,
I strongly agree with you on your writing process. Mainly because we share a lot of the same ideas. We both focus on the message of the paper, and not the set structure. Good job!
Rhen Brooks
Stephanie Floyd: PG 113
To think a race is better than another one judging only by the color of one's skin is ridiculous and unjustified. But however ridiculous or unjustified it may be, today we can’t get away from it. Even though slavery, a result of the extreme effects of racism, was abolished well over a century ago, it still reins in our schools and work environments. However, I think racism now has more to do with the stereotypes that come along with different races and not just an unsubstantiated dislike. In order for everyone to come together and accept one another, you would have to drop all the labels people have for each other. I think our best bet at trying to diminish racism would be to learn more about the people of different races, which is what the first writer wanted to do with a museum. Also, everyone would have to let the past be in the past- just because the great great great aunt of your father’s mother’s twice removed cousin had a slave, it doesn’t mean you should feel accountable for his or her actions and you shouldn’t be held accountable for it either. But although the prospects of a world without racism would be wonderful, I think it is very unlikely and I don’t think everyone would latch on to such an idea.
Brittany,
This is in response to your writing process.
First of all, you're right- that was a really long explanation. But I wanted to say that I, too, was guilty of writing out my final draft and marking it with red to look as though i had edited it in my middle school years.
And here I thought I was the only person to do that!
Also, I agree with the "no graphic organizer!" cry. They never much helped me either.
Rhen Brooks: PG 113
I think that race will always be a problem to certain people. In the world, everybody wants to be the best, everybody wants to be top dog. I really don't think that concept in the human mind will ever change. People are vicious and they do whatever they can do to be on top. I just don't feel that the past should have any effect on how we react towards different races today.
I feel that if people hld on to the past the problem of racism will never stop. And I also feel that in order for the nation or better yet the world to get along we need to do so. Until that time when everybody stops living in the past there will still be friction between different races.
Danny,
I agree with you on the activity on page 113. I agree with many of your points that racism will never be eliminated, but I also agree stongly that race will not matter if we decide to be who we want to be , and not let physical appearance or past get in the way. Well done!
Rhen Brooks
In response to your PG 113 assignment:
Skylar,
I agree with you that racism and judgement will never stop, but, "Deep down, we're all animals, and one of our basic urges is to dominate."? That's pretty intense.
You have a very exhuberant writing style- intended to shock and awe, maybe?
I also agree with you that family ancestors shouldn't play any part in how you would act to a different race today.
In response to the PG 113 assignment:
Jenny,
You're right, kids these days do shout out racial slurs and say things like "hey, you're racist" without really knowing what they're talking about. I think because of how unaware people are it's hard for them to really understand how the things they say affects others around them. Because of this ignorance I agree with you 100% that racism will never end.
Mr. Holt
I don't want to see a race be fully eliminated. I was talking about the whole love-hate relationship between the races. I would prefer us get along as one unit rather than be seperated just because of the color of our skin.
Jenny Wheeler
Rhen,
I agree with your response to the activity on page 113. I don't fully agree with this all about being wanting to be on top. But overall, I understand the jist of your response and enjoyed reading it! Good job!
Greg Baugher
Writing Process
This is a description of my writing process. I don't stick to it all the time, but I try to use it when I can.
I usually start by thinking of what I want to write about, or if the topic is given, what I want to include. I usually jot those things down on a piece of paper.
Next, I try to think how long my paper is going to be, and fill that space with my ideas.
Then, I write the paper. After that, I'll go back through and fix mistakes about what I wrote. That includes things like moving ideas and adding details.
After that, I go back through again and fix mistakes about how I wrote it, such as verb tense and grammar.
Then, I'll take all those corrections and make a final paper. I turn that in and I'm done.
Rhen, (via comment about Danny). Don't you think you're oversimplifying things? "...race will not matter if we decide to be who we want to be , and not let physical appearance or past get in the way." I understand you tempered this by saying we'll always have racism, but do you really think racism is solely based on physical appearance? Racism, in my opinion, is about one thing: power. The places where racism plays a strong role are places where the conflict for power and resources are heightened because of their rarity. Look at any of the conflicts in Africa. Those tribes (to us) look very similar, culturally are very similar, but are chopping off one another's hands and raping their women. This is about power.
Power and racism go hand in hand. Who were the ones throwing stones and calling names at MLK on his marches? Poor white trash. Do you know why? For the same reason that the tribes are clashing in Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of Latin America: They want to consolodate as much of the little bit of power as they can. In order to do that, you need a scapegoat and someone who is lower than you. What's worse, being the weakest or the second weakest. The second weakest even gets to pick on the weakest.
In that sense, the solution to racism is to get these countries to make gains economically, then, socially things like race and religion will be less important. The reason why us Americans can say things like "race will not matter if we decide to be who we want to be , and not let physical appearance or past get in the way" is because we are all so rich that why would we care about differences? If you were fighting to put dinner on the table, and someone who you thought or were told was inferior to you had dinner on the table already, you'd be pretty pissed off too.
Prosperity and money changes everything. America is very lucky.
Cristine De Los Santos
My Writing Process
Brainstorming my ideas has always been the first step of my writing process. This helps me not only organize my ideas but to also see what information I might have to look up that would have to do with what I am writing about. After I finish brainstorming I start with the rough draft, after writing my ideas and the rough draft I will edit the rough draft to make sure that nothing is missing and that there are no errors that have to do with grammar or puncuations. When that is finished I give it to two different people to revise it and to give me their opinions on the paper. Then I would write the final draft
Cristine De Los Santos
Activity on pg 113
Race, in my opinion is always going to be a problem in this world. Even though racism has changed from how it was back then, there would always be a person that will think that they are better than others because of skin color, religion or culture. There will always be a group of people that see themselves better than others because they're different.
I think that the main cause for racism is domination and control. By atacking a person both verbaly and physically because of their race or skin color makes the attacker feel better about themselves and would make them feel in control. One that is racist feels good about themselves by making others feel bad and that person does not see that they are in fact being worse than the person that they are descriminating.
My personal opinion about racism is that it is completly ridiculous. Just because one is different fom others because of skin color religion or culture, doesn't give them the right to descriminate others. It doesn't make one better than another. Nobody chose to be born different than others and it is completly unfair to make fun of someone because they are different. We all have feelings and no one would like to be made fun of because of how they are.
Stephanie,
I completly agree with your response on page 113. I also think that people should let go of the past and to drop all tags.
Rhen,
I agree with you on that the past should not effect how we react to different races today. And that the world should let go of the past.
Brittany Murphy
Response to Activity on page 113
When the topic of race comes up, the idea that automatically forms itself into one's mind is the black vs. white issue. Infact, if you asked students in school about racism, a good portion would probably only know about America's history of black discrimination. Racism isn't just a problem in America though, it's an issue all over the world.
I don't think racism will ever be fully eliminated. Humans are too power-hungry for that. I think the idea that racism can be a thing of the past is just like the idea of world peace. Both are great goals and nice ideas, however, neither one is very realistic because of the nature and natural instincts humans have. That doesn't mean though that people shouldn't quit striving for the elimination of racism or for world peace though. Afterall, there has been progress made, and credit should be given where credit is due.
Mr.Holt,
Well you made me laugh a bit hard at your response to my postings, and you are right: a little structure goes a long way, but I feel over-planning is the downfall of a good paper. Sentence structure, grammar and punctuation are my strongest points in English, and I've been called a bit of a (not to offend) grammar nazi on more than one occasion. And I do strongly agree with Mr. Coltrane on that point. I've had brainstorming so beat into my head for years that I take a stand with Mr. Sellers, it's really unnecessary. It works for me though, and it's not to say it works for everyone by any means. Actually, it's probably the anti-thesis any normal, good writer should use, but I'm a bit insane =] I've seen it work for me, so I can't complain. I have to give kudos to Mr. Miller, my debate teacher last year, he definitely TRIED to learn me some structure. I can't count how many points he'd take off of my debate papers for not doing to outline I'd been assigned, but (you can ask him on this, it will feed my ego ;] ) he always ended up defeated in that, even though I didn't indulge him in his outlines, I'd still have outstanding papers. Well maybe you can help me with the errors of my ways next year. And maybe I can teach you that a lack of structure isn't as scary as it seems?
Stephanie,
haha. I thought I was the only one who did that too, I'm kind of releived I'm not. :]
And again, I'm really sorry that post was so insanely long. Trust me, it was A LOT LONGER....
When I get on a roll I can get carried away sometimes.
Also, I wanted to comment on your response to the activity on page 113. I definately agree with you when you said that racism today is more based on stereotypes than anything else. I think alot of social problems today are based on stereotypes, racism only being one of them. Wonderful job! =)
-Brittany
Danny,
I strongly agree with your response to pg.113. At the risk of sounding racist, I definitely agree that black people today in America shouldn't be asking for reparations and blaming the white people for slavery. I hate to bring up the jew card, but the jews were enslaved, and while we remember, we don't blame or hate. I think this is what should be done, black people should know where their roots are, and they should always remember that they were once shackled, but they shouldn't have anger toward anyone for it. And another argument I've always had is that neither us nor they were actually there. Mr. Holt, I agree with you too there, again bringing up the jew card, the Holocaust can easily be described as an atrocity, as was the black slavery in America, but we don't hold that against the Germans. I personally love German language and culture, and I don't see Germans now as the cause of the holocaust. Blacks today really are using the race card as a way to not do anything about their situation. Of course, this does not stand for every African American in the country, but the statistics stand, I can't argue with them. And I also agree with you Mr. Holt about the scapegoat aspect of your post, we've seen it hundreds of times throughout history. I know this is the third time I've brough up the jew card, but after 7 years of sunday school, what can I do? Jews were scapegoats for WWI, the Black Death, the Crusades, and countless other large events in history, just as now the black people are using their enslavement as a scapegoat to their problems.
-Skylar Haigler
Stephanie,
In response to your response to my post (that made me laugh a bit), I'm blushing, really! I really do try for the shock-and-awe style of writing, thanks for complimenting. I think. Well you made my day either way!
-Skylar
Skylar,
So I was pretty positive I had left a comment about your response to the activity on page 113, but it doesn't seem to be showing so I'll try again. This by the way also goes for a couple other people's responses, I just originally had commented on Skylar's.
I agree 100% when you talked in your response about how white people today should not feel any guilt towards black people today just because of the slavery in the past.
Good Job!
-Brittany.
Cecilia Bulzomi
My Writing Process
My writing process is pretty simple. To start I will look up the topic and gather the information that i don't already know then I sit down and write my rough draft. If I brain storm it usually just messes me up or I don't use it. After I've written my rough i check it over and find my obvious mistakes and fix them. Then i will ask someone else to look at it to see what they think. After I ask someone for their opinion I will make the changes that they suggested and check it once more. Then I print out the final copy.
Cecilia Bulzomi
Page 113
Race is not something that is often openly discussed. You have to tred very carefully to be sure you don't offend anyone. I honsetly don't see the big deal in the issue anymore, at least in our country. We are all now looked at as equals. The United States has been trying to repay those who we treated cruely. There are many oppertunities for every race to get their fair share of rights.
Even with all of the changes in this country people still have to be cautious when the topic of race is brought up. Just because there are some people who think they are above others because of the color of their skin many people have to suffer.
I think that all differences should be put aside and everyone should live together without having to worry about what others think of them. But since we do not live in a perfect world that will mot likely never be accomplished. That is the goal of most societies and we have heard that it is a dream most people wish for.
Cecilia Bulzomi
Skylar,
As always your writting was very interesting to read. I don't know how fair you are being to the author of the article because they have a right to feel ashamed of their ancestors for doings things they temselves would not have. Other than that it was a very well written peice.
Cecilia Bulzomi
Jenny,
You are really a great writer and you cover all the topics. I know I always miss one so I count that as a really good thing to be able to do. Your ending is great and I agree with it, but we all know it will never happen.
Gregory Baugher
Page 113
Race has been the cause of many problems since the day the first Africans were shackled and brought across the Atlantic.
Racial discrimination was wrong, and still is, but you think in today's day and age we learn to forgive and move past it? I'm not saying we should forget about what happened, but I am saying maybe it's time to leave that part of history to what it is, history. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream of a day where "sons of former slaves and sons of former slave owners could sit down together at the table of brotherhood." That is a day when people decide to put the past behind them and move on.
However, I blieve we are far from that day. You can look all around and find examples of racism and hate, decades after Dr. King made his famed speech. If we, as a nation, are to ever see his dream become a reality, some drastic changes are needed.
First, the idea that one race is superior to another needs to stop. That was a theory used to justify the enslavement of a people, and has long outlived its purpose.
Second, we need to accept that every race is different, and there is no right or wrong when it comes to culture. Just because it is different from yours doesn't make it wrong or ignorant.
Third, everyone needs to look upon other people as an equal, no matter their skin color.
That I believe is the most important, and hardest, thing to accomplish. If whites can look upon blacks and see equals instead of an inferior race, and if blacks can look at whites and see brothers instead of racists then we can move closer to a house where everyone coexists. A house where descendants of former slaves and slave owners can sit together at the same table, one of equality and tolerance. The table of brotherhood which Dr. King had envisioned.
Stephanie,
You made some very good points in your activity on race. I agree with you that one of the best ways would be to stop being ignorant towards other cultures. I also agree that the past is in the past, and should be left there. I can sense you really see racial discrimination as wrong and unecessary, and I think you conveyed that very effectively in your activity.
Stephanie,
I completely agree with your response from page 113. You're right. People shouldn't be so attached to eliminating race because the likelyhood of it happening is bordering impossible. I did, however, notice how you referred to both orignal articles by mentioning the idea of a museum to educate about a specific race as well as following your bloodline to see whether or not you should be considered guilty of enslaving people. overall, great job.
Everyone,
I would like to point out that we all agree racial prejudice is wrong, but it seems we all also agree that a nation without racial discrimination is impossible.
I want us to ask ourselves why this is impossible, why we can't achieve this. We are the future leaders of our school, our colleges, and our nation. If we can't find the passion and motivation to try and change things, how can we expect others to believe in that cause?
fatalis, I'm not a structure person, either. I just think that for high school students, it of the upmost importance to learn the structures of an essay, because when you go to college (and in this class) you will have to write essays without the time, structure, or support offered in these classes. You'll have to just know it. For example, in this class, we're going to have to write 3 essays in 120 minutes. That's three essays on topics no one knows yet, one using five sources, 40 minutes each. There's just not time to brainstorm, bubble-map, and outline. Just like in college when an 8 page paper is due every week. You need to know it so you can forget it.
Cortney Berry - writing process
I would define my writing process as somewhat structured. I feel that in order to write a good paper, or essay, I have to first examine the facts of the subject that I am writing about. I do this by going online and researching the subject, also, I will go through books that I have at home. Next, I print out quite a bit of information on my subject, and then read it carefully for content, making sure that I thoroughly understand the topic (if you do not have a thorough knowledge of the topic, you are at risk of sounding like an idiot, and there is nothing worse than that when writing a paper). While I am researching the topic, I start putting together an informal rough draft in my head. When I type the paper, I start with a stong opening sentence that explains my position on the topic. I then fill in the next few paragraphs with the reasons that I support or disagree with a subject, and use my examples or opinions. I finish the paper with a conclusion that restates my postion. I read it over several times, run the spell check, and make any revisions that are needed. I guess that is pretty structured.
Cortney Berry - Racism Exercise
Elasped time has not made racism an easier injustice to bear. Look at the footage of Hurricane Katrina. What color are the people standing on the rooftops? Ask yourself why they were there. Honestly, would white America have been there?
When I think of racism as I know it, it makes me feel sick to know that high education (comparitively, to other countries)and exposure to other cultures has not done enough to change it. In my view, one of the leading causes of racism is the inability of different cultures to understand each other. The fear of what is not known often translates into predjudice. In America today, racism is seen to be the product of slavery. This is not always the case. In Ancient Rome, slavery was the norm, but racism was not. Ask a racist why they are a racist. They truly do not know.
White America was not on the rooftops of New Orleans, because it was in D.C.. Looking on.
Cortney Berry
Response to Skylar
(in response to Danny)
I do not believe that you have a thorough knowledge of the topic.
Being Jewish does not allow the right to refer to all people of this faith as Jews, or to play the "Jew card", because racism is racism even if it is coming from the minority.
Cortney Berry
Response to Samantha Corker
Samantha,
I can understand the writing process that you describe as being an effective way to communicate a paper. Outlining the paper first can be an extremely useful tool. Good job.
Cortney
Courtney,
How am I not allowed to call myself a jew? How is that racist? And why am I not allowed to use examples of history that my people have gone through? Since when does using a non-derogatory term for "people of the jewish faith" make me racist? how is calling someone of the jewish faith a jew any different than calling a person of the christian faith a christian? Not to sound confrontational, but I think you're very confused on what's prejudiced and what's not. And what's more, are you saying I "don't have a thorough knowledge on the subject" of my own religion- one that I've been actively studying for over 7 years?
-Skylar Haigler
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