Why the M Word Matters to Me

An article in Time Magazine by blogger and author Andrew Sullivan talks about “Why the M Word Matters to Me.” Sullivan grew up in a traditional home Catholic, conservative, and middle class. His life was relatively simple: education, work, family, and aim high in life even though his parents hadn’t gone to college.  He believed that marriage was very important more important than graduation from college, a first day of work, or even his first home. Sullivan never had the idea of what homosexuality was. Growing up he didn’t have the same feelings for girls the way his friends had.  Sullivan’s emotional bonds to other boys were one-sided; each time he felt himself falling in love, they sensed it and pushed it away. The love he had inside him was not the type of love he grew up to know; by his parents and the way of the Catholics. Sullivan believes that everyone should be equal to marriage, regardless of sexual orientation.

            Growing up in a Catholic household like Sullivan did, I can understand the expectations that he has to live up to. I was raised in the Catholic environment; I was baptized, made my first communion, and conformation. The Catholic religion is very strict with their rules. For example, homosexuality is looked down on as being a sin.

            I don’t fully agree with Sullivan about how marriage is more important than graduating from a college, or your first house. I believe those are just as important, but again everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. I do however; agree that everyone should be entitled to equal rights to marriage regardless of sexual orientation.  

            In today society even though others may not like seeing it , but homosexual people are more comfortable than ever about showing their  love for one another in public just as heterosexuals show their affection.

            Lesson to be learn is we often hide who we really are to make other happy but in the end it is the individual who is happy.

Book War

Author Wang Ping Grew up in China during the violent “Cultural Revolution” of the late 1960 when Communist Chairman Mao Zedong closed school, banned books, and imprisoned or killed thousands of citizens. In this article called “Book War” Ping talks about when he was younger he discovered “The Little Mermaid,” his first fairy tale, in 1968. One morning Ping had seen his neighbor which was a few years older, reading a book with the red plastic wrap which indicated it was Mao’s collected work. He had thought to himself another loyal Moaist. Ping stood behind her and peeked over her shoulder to see what she was reading; the book she was reading was not a book of Mao. It was Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy tales, the story of “The little Mermaid.” A book Ping heard of and always wanted to read. She jumped when she had notice I was behind her scared that I would report her, they both stared at each other. Suddenly she started to laugh, knowing her secret was safe with me. From that day on her and I would trade books to read. Ping had loaned her The Arabian Nights. They had started an underground book exchange network; trade and reading books that were sought as “poisonous weed.”

I believe this time of age it was tough in China, due to the Cultural Revolution. Closing schools, books condemned as “poisonous weeds,” and were burnt on the streets; prevented the people of China to obtain an education. But this was a way to have control over China which at that point in time was communist country.

Just like Ping and the girl in this article, they show that when people are forbidden or not allowed to have or do certain things, for example read books considered as “poisonous weeds” if there is something we want to do. It is in a human nature to find a way do what makes us happy regardless if what we want is forbidden. 

Cell Yell : Thanks for (Not) Sharing

An article in the New York Times called “Cell Yell: Thanks for (Not) Sharing”, Eric Taub talks about reasons why cell phones and their users, often intrude on the people around them. Taub mentions a young man across the aisle on the Baltimore-bound flight whipped out his cell phone and began a hurried and boisterous conversation. One gentleman pounded his foot to the rhythm of the conversation, oblivious to the 15 surrounding passengers glaring at this human loud speaker in seat 2b. Cell yell is when a cell phone user speaks in to their phones more loudly than necessary, unwittingly involving surrounding strangers in their personnel business. A phenomenon has given rise to a Web site (www.cellmanners.com) a subculture of cell-yell haters. Taub also, talks about how surrounding people don’t care to hear a conversation that a person is having on their cell phone, due to being personal. A social scientist at the University of Technology in Helsinki and author of a study on cell phone behavior, Dr. Timo Kopomaa says “Cell phones are so small that people don’t trust the technology to work”; that is why Motorola makes phones that flip open, according to a company executive “to give people the illusion that the phone is bigger and the microphone is closer to the mouth.”

I agree with Taub cell phone users are not considerate to people around them. Reasons being most people without realizing talk very loud on their phone; this creates unwanted attention from the people around them.  As Dr Kopomaa states that people have the illusion that, due to the size of a cell phone being small, people feel they need to speak loud while having a conversation.

Taub brings up a good point that most people don’t care to hear a personal phone call that someone is having. Many people might forget that there in public and get carried away in a conversation. They often don’t realize there are other people around them at that moment. While the people that sound them hear the details that are talked about in another’s conversation, feel that the manners of the cell phone user are inconsiderate.

Some good advice when you receive a phone call on your cell phone, take the time to look at your surroundings and try to be considerate to those around you. You never know who really might be listening.

When Greed Gives Way to Giving

Miami Herald columnist Ana Veciana-Suarez writes an article called”When Greed Gives Way to Giving”. In this article Veciana-Suarez talks about 67-year-old man named Bob Thompson, in Belleville Minnesota, that started his business in his basement with $3,500, and supported by his school teacher wife, who sold his road building company for $422 million. Unlike most millionaire’s that are stereo-typed as greedy, Thompson decided to share his wealth. Thompson divided $128 million among his 550 workers; he also included some retirees and widows in his plan. Thompson made sure that none of his workers would lose their jobs in the buyout. Veciana-Suarez makes the point that not all people in the same position that Thompson is in would do such a good hearted thing like he did.  Veciana-Suarez says that most employees in a situation where the employer sells his/her company the workers end up losing their jobs, being demoted, seeking transfers, or taking early retirement.

 I agree with Veciana-Suarez that most employers, that sell their company or a business they, only think of their selves. Not many think of the former employee’s outcome, from such a huge decision that was made. Some employers are greedy and do not care about anybody else but their selves; they prefer to show off what they are worth. Some employers do care just like Thompson, for example an owner of a company, might donate to charities like St. Jude’s Children Hospital which specialize research cures and saves children lives from many genres of cancer. If I had owned a company and decided to sell it, I would make every attempt possible and even go as far to have a written agreement with, the person whom is buying the company from me to make sure, they take good interest in handling the present employee’s well being. I would also donate to charities like St. Jude’s Children Hospital and to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Why those to mostly, because I have a child that I pray every day will not get cancer and my grandmother who had breast cancer. 

In conclusion, when a person becomes wealth from working hard from the bottom, they appreciate money far more then someone that inherits it or wins it from luck. There not selfish, cold hearted, or greedy with money, they learn the value of not just money but of the life of others around them.

A Risk-Free Life

Pulitzer prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts; in this essay “A Risk-Free Life,” discuss how far people, will go and take control of nature and of chance. Pitts asks the question if parents could “tinker” with the genes of their unborn children to protect them from a disease, select their gender, and even physical traits would you do it.  Pitts mentions a woman (her name was not released) who went to a geneticist to have her eggs screened for the gene that causes Alzheimer’s.  The developing of Alzheimer’s disease in this women’s family (one of about a dozen in the world carrying a genetic flaw) starts tragically at a young age. Her sister showed symptoms at the age of 38, and her brother at the age of 35. Experts say this woman who is 30 years old and could develop this “mind-destroying affliction” by the age of 40. She desperately wanted a child, The Journal of the American Medical Association, reported that she and her husband have one, and another one is on the way. By the time this woman’s daughter turns 10 her mother will not recognize her. But due to her eggs which were screened her daughter has a 50-50 chance of suffering a similar fate.  Pitts says,” I can’t tell you that I wouldn’t have done the same thing the women did,” “At the same time, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being troubled by some of the moral and ethical doors that are swinging open here.”

Being a parent, I agree with Pitts that, I would have my child screened for a disease and the opportunity to “tinker” with my child’s life (to protect them from disease) would be something I would consider doing. Some people will disagree based mostly on their religion that is against Gods belief to tamper with a person’s life. But even with religion it’s in are human nature when are child is in danger we as humans look for away to help protect them, by any means necessary.

With the route of technology in today’s world it’s tough to determine what we as a human race is capable of discover or making. This topic to “tinker” change a child’s genes is also similar to the idea of cloning. Cloning began in 1958 when F.C. Steward cloned carrot plants from mature single cells placed in a nutrient culture containing hormones. Not cloning physically but the idea has been around for years. Just like the ability to change the genes of your unborn child, some people will disagree based mostly on their religion that is against Gods belief to tamper with a person’s life. 

In conclusions this day of age, the human race is always thinking, and developing new ways to help prolong are life, from creams to look younger and pills to help us feel younger. We as humans are not like the so called “Vampires” that have the ability to live forever without fear of death from diseases. We as humans are not meant to live forever!

Here are some websites which further discuss and talk about Genetics Research and Cloning. http://www.newsmedical.net/health/Genetics-Research-and-Technology.aspx                                             

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/cloning-debate

           

Good Grammar Gets the Girl

A senior at Michigan State University in 2005, Elissa Englund wrote a humorous article for her college newspaper called “Good Grammar Gets the Girl”. Englund had joined an online dating site just within a few weeks she had an interesting range of people contact her. Craig (not his real name) 28 years old finished college and is employed full-time, seems like a well put together guy that contacted Englund until she read his message. In his message he wrote “Hi! I love to have fun weather it at work or hang out with friends,” “I’m an optimistic because like is to short too be a pessimistic.” Englund stated that Craig seems a little “to dumb” to date.  Englund says that if you can’t spell, use grammar or express yourself through writing, you’re going to be in trouble with the ladies. She then refers to a TV show that aired in the 1990’s called save by the bell. The Two main characters, in this show, Zack which was a ladies’ man, and Screech a nerdy kid that says wrong things to women, both display the do and don’ts to get a woman’s attention . Zack always knew what to say to women for example “It’s sexy when a girl is successful and intelligent”, However, Screech would say “I like when it’s raining because I can see through your shirt.”

            I agree with Englund spelling, grammar, and a way to express yourself through writing is important. Joining a dating web site is often a good way for a person that is either busy or shy can meet someone there compatible with too date. When browsing through the web site you will come across a picture of either a beautiful girl or hot guy that will get your attention first. The next step is you read what their looking for and their interest. This step is important based on how the person presents their selves through written are a key factor to further contact them. Dating web sites don’t offer a spell check to make sure that what a person is written will be spelled correctly. Just like written a letter to a friend or even an employer you want to make sure you don’t sound like a 3^rd grader. That is why it’s important to reread what you wrote and make sure the words your written are spelled correctly, used the right way, and makes sense. I found that this is a weak point in my communication skills that I need to improve. My communication skills are good verbal rather than written, therefore I find it hard to convert my thoughts to paper. Something simple as an introduction of yourself on a dating web site will either help or hurt a first impression to someone that you’re interested in. Outside of online dating a woman likes when a man approaches her with confidence, so take that and apply your confidence that you show in person and transfer it to written when on an online dating website. This will improve a person’s chance to be more appealing when someone takes interest on, taken the next step and meet in person. While growing up I watched the TV show “Save by the Bell” most young boys my age always looked up to Zack and wanted to be just like him, but just like Zack you should show the confidence on written just as in person face-to-face. 

In conclusion if you decide to try an online dating site keep these things in mind double check what you are written, make sure your spelling is correct and makes sense. Your goal is not to be a Screech but to be the Zack that always gets the girl.

Only Daughter

Sandra Cisneros is the author of The House on Mango Street and many other books. Cisneros writes an article called "Only Daughter" one of her many experience of being a bi-cultural, bilingual, and a female. In this article she talks about how she comes from a big family of six other siblings but all boys and her being the only girl. As Cisneros was growing up she spent a lot of time alone but now looks back and thought it was good for a would be writer. Her father misunderstood that her idea of going to college was not for an education but to find a husband. Cisneros wanted her father to understand how she really felt what her goal really was; it was not to find a husband but to educate and better herself. All the hard work she did by written books was to win the approval of her father; even though she knew he couldn't read English. After ten years of written the financial rewards started to trickle in. One of her stories was translated into Spanish and published which was a good opportunity for her father to final read what she was written about.  After her father had read the story and said “Where can we get more copies of this for the relatives" that was the happiest part of her life. Her father had finally won his approval!

            I agree with Cisneros about how hard it was growing up with all brothers not from personal experiences; but a few female friends in a similar situation of being the only girl. Some of my friends did spend some time alone others kept right up to speed with their brothers by doing the same things they had done growing up. Some examples were playing sports, fishing, and dirt bike riding; doing things that are more common for boys to do experiences while growing up. Some were girlie girls as to playing with Barbie dolls having tea parties experiencing things that girls commonly go through while growing up. In the Latin culture if there is a girl in the family the fathers tend to have more concerns for her. The father wants the best for her either married to an outstanding guy that will love and support her in every way she deserves. In the times when I was growing up the fathers had the mindset of a women is supposed to stay home and take care of the family while the man of the house works and supports them. Times have changed now there are some women that are supporting their family work wise and the man is taken care of house hold chores and kids.

            The other experience I could relate to is about how her father couldn't read English. My father didn't graduate from high school and while growing up his English was not good. I would refer to it as "Broken English" or "Spanglish" which is a mixture of Spanish and English said together in one sentence.  His reading level for English was not good; he did know the real basics but that was all. Growing up my father worked very hard to make sure we had a roof over are head, food on the table and clothes on are back. My father worked so hard that I hardly seen him and didn't have the chance to learn my native language of Spanish. While growing up he worked a lot and had no time to really show his concern or interest of how I was growing up. I join the wrestling team and in the six years I wrestled he never watched one of my matches; until my senior year he took time from work and watched my match. That was one of the many days in my where I was proud to be able to show my father what I was capable of achieving.

 In conclusion sometimes it is hard to get the attention of someone that means a lot to you; but when there is a way to influences ones view and make an impact that could change the assumption of the way things should be and realize how they really are could change the views of that person for the rest of their life.

A Brother's Murder

           Brent Staples grew up in a rough, industrial city to become a successful journalist. In this story called "A Brother's Murder" Staples talks about his younger brother Blake who is just twenty-two years old had been murdered. One day in February 1984 Staples received a phone call about the murder of his brother Blake.  Blake was killed by a young man that was only twenty-four years old wearing a ski mask; he was shot close range with a .44 Magnum. The young man and Blake were once inseparable friends when senseless rivalries begin, it was believed to be over a girlfriend that escalated from Posturing, to threats, to violence, then murder. Staples and Blake were ten years apart they were both raised in Chester, Pennsylvania, an angry, heavily black, heavily poor, industrial city southwest of Philadelphia in the 1960's.  Staples knew he had to get out of that city and wanted to bring his brother with him so he would go down the wrong path and eventually get killed.

            While growing up in Woonsocket there where tough times to deal with during my High School years from 1996 till 1999. Most kids would have to watch there back all the time. The rivalry between the Hispanics (Bloods) and Asians (Crips) was a big issue in high school. Usually before school started in the morning or after school ended at 245pm is when most of the trouble would happen. I was associated with both groups as a neutral person and never took sides. I had friends in the Bloods and Crips both would ask if I heard the other say anything my answer though they didn't like it was " You want to know find out yourselves". Luckily the worst that happened is just one or two kids would get jumped (a small group against one or two) no one even got killed or hospitalized that I knew of. Similar to Staples I had friends that never grew up to realize they need to get out while they can before something worst happens. Today I would going through Woonsocket I could spot one or two kids that I know hanging out at the corner selling drugs. They would also see me but respectful give a nod or peace sign which would mean Hi. Others would either move to another area within the United States and was killed or still in Rhode Island but in the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC).

             Here I am thirty-one years old and joined the military after High School and to this day never had a fist fight.  When I was younger even though I knew a lot of the troubled kids there was never a time I need to fight. In some areas around the United States there are still gang’s worst then the gangs that were around while I was in High School. There is a show Gangland which shows different genres of gangs in the US. The show talks about the life of gang members some street gangs and some bike gang’s far worst that involve in the killing of others. But violence is not often from just gang members but all so from ordinary everyday people. Disputes over a variety of things from someone stepping on another person’s shoes to people at the wrong place and wrong time are also victims.  Often some of the younger kids join a gang or get into trouble either from a troubled up rising to scenarios like the previous blog about "Dear Dads: Save Your Sons". Much possibility could influence the troubles that some believes to be the right thing or the only thing they know how/what to do.

            I believe we should all try a play apart on someone’s life either close or distant to us and show that there is a way out. Also to know there is a positive solution and to avoid the troubles that we may be surrounded by. Help give a chance to some one that is in need of a chance.

Dear Dads: Save Your Sons

Psychologist Christopher N. Bacon in this essay "Dear Dads: Save Your Sons" talks about the  Statics from the National Fatherhood Initiative that states an estimated 24.7 million children (36.3 percent) do not live with their biological father. About 40 percent of children have not seen their father during the past year.  I fall in to the statics of the biological father's not living full time with their child; but had a male figure in my life prior to having a child. The times when I'm around my child I make the most of it. This article Bacon talks about a mother in her mid-30's that has a 15 year old son. The mother describes to Bacon the actions of her son which are alcohol, gang membership, failing grades, and violence. Since his father left four years ago she has been having trouble and lost control over him. Bacon asked the mother if there were any men in his life she had replied “no”. This example brings to mind that Bacon's research of the effects and influences by fathers not being around causes there child to act up.

            I agree with Bacon's theory of how fathers play an important factor on a child's life. Children do need a male figure in their life; both younger and older. It is tough for single mother to raise a child alone. Younger and older boys still need some type of male figure in their life either be a woman's brother, father, Uncle, or a male friend. In a case were a woman has none of these sources available there are programs. Some programs called Big Brother, Boy Scouts, and sport coaches to name a few. These programs could he bring some closure and have a positive influence on the child's life. A father that is absents in child's life bothers me a lot. Some fathers have more than one child with more than one woman. Dad's that tend to no be around have no responsibility to what they contribute and bring into this world. Not to make an excuse for the absent of dad 's but sometimes things don't work out for the best between a father and mother; this causes a split to  happen which can also play a part of a child's lashing out. The reason is simple the child may feel that it's his/her fault that the parents are not together. Back it up a little bit to were things don't work out and the father leaves; now he might have to work a lot and very hard to pay child support at the same time try and support themselves that leaves less time to be around for their child or even see them at that matter. Other Dads are either scared or don’t want the responsibility for another life. There are men out there that never had a male role model in their life so they tend to keep the trend going; some may not had a male role model in their life but has the goal to change that so there child does have a male role model in their life to look up to.

            

           In conclusion the impotence of not just a father but a male role model doe’s play's a big part and influence on a child's life. I do not rule out that women are not capable of raising a child; but the male does have that persona which is looked upon as strong willing.

The Flipside of The Internet

Jessica Bennett is a writer for Newsweek; Bennett wants to explore in this era of "viral videos" a dark side of the internet phenomenon. Bennett writes this essay called "The Flip Side of the Internet Fame". The essay talks about the downside of the Internet your name out there so everyone would know who you are and what you’re about. But some people they do not think about the pros and cons prior to posting on the World Wide Web.
       This essay first talk about a Canadian teenager named Ghyslain Raza that decided to record and reenact a scene from the movie "Star Wars". Raze never meant for this to get into the public view;
another student had found this video and digitized it and posted the video on the World Wide Web. This video caught everyone’s eye and made Raza famous but he did not feel the fame instead he felt public humiliation.
      A student from Lewis &Clarke University in Portland Ore was publicly accused on "Facebook" (a social network site) for sexually assaulting another student. But he was never arrested or charged; also only one side of the story was made public. I found this to be common but wondered if his version was misinterpreted and twisted to make him more of a bad guy. This was due to the one side of the allegations there could have been more important factors that were left out due to her claim as a victim.
       Many other stories like these two or worsts of public humiliation have been around since Ancient Romans. Thieves would be branded on their forehead the word "fur" which was Latin for thief for stealing and runaways received "fug" for fugitive. Today with the Internet when someone is caught in the act of doing something wrong it is easy to find and see many types of acts when you type a keyword and just one click of a button. I believe that the Internet has a good and bad side. The good side would be due to the younger crowd’s use of the internet the recent presidential election helped Influence there vote. The bad side of the Word Wide Web would be used for payback or to hurt someone by embarrassing and humiliating them for the world to see.
      The lesson to be learned would be to be cautious and think of the pros and cons of your personal and public actions. For the Technology used today could help or hurt a person and play a very important impact on there life as well as others.