A- Writing with a purpose?

I don’t know if anyone else feels this way but I cannot seem to grasp my mind around the concept that authors write with a purpose. It is mind boggling to think that writers carefully choose the words they will use, the way they will construct their sentences, and the meaning and purpose behind it all. The theme and symbols of a piece of literature are not hard for me to grasp, that they were chosen for a reason; it is the diction, syntax, and other surface features that throw me for a loop. As we were reading Poe’s “The Raven” in class today, the rhymes captured me into the piece. I’m not normally a poetry person, but I surprisingly enjoyed this one. After, when we were discussing it, I felt lost as the rest of the class was able to easily pick out Poe’s purpose for choosing words or the placement of the pause. To me, I would have picked those words because they rhymed. Now I know I am not a professional writer and am still growing in my writing; nonetheless, I still feel overwhelmed to think that authors purposefully choose every aspect of their writing. It looks like they just got lucky with the way readers have interpreted their subtle details, and those interpretations have been taught to students and adults nationwide. I am aware I have asked this question once before to Mr. Bruno and did receive an answer; however, I would like to know if anyone else feels this way too.

A: There is no god!

In the article “There is No God” by Penn Jillette, Penn Jillette bluntly states that he believes in no god. He begins to try and reason out why having no god would be the best thing that could happen to this world. He explains that the belief in no god will shape society to be kinder and more generous. Jillette shows how his own belief in no god shows that the same thing he has experience can happen to everyone who fallows his lead.


Personally, I think the idea of god has, in fact, shaped the world to be better than it could be without it. The principles god sets forth are of kindness and generosity, which are the principles Jillette said had diminished because of the existence of god. Followers of god are normally kind and loving and almost always have other people in mind above themselves, yet Jillette tries to rationalize that they do not. There really isn’t any substantial evidence to back up his rational, other than his life experience. Since an outlier can happen his entire statement is pretty much null and void.

Essay from: http://thisibelieve.org/essay/34/

A- None of This Is Fair

In the article, None of This Is Fair by Richard Rodriguez, the author discusses the opportunities he has received because of Affirmative Action, which allows him a greater chance of being excepted into prestigious schools as a Mexican-American minority. A co-worker of Rodriguez voices his opinions on the unfairness of Affirmative Actions and how Rodriguez receives higher opportunities because of his race. I do partially agree that Affirmative Action gives an unfair advantage to people of a minority, but the problem cannot be blamed on the person receiving the advantages. They have no control over the regulations and a person cannot blame them to taking the highest job or school they are offered.

A; Sharing the Tragedy of War

In this artical by Aileen Mory, the responsibilites of a democracy are called into question. Mrs. Mory feels that we should all share burdens together. Her most detailed example involves the war in Iraq. Although Mory doesnt WANT her own sons to be drafted, she thinks that a draft is necessary for all of America to share this kind of burden. She doesnt think that its fair that some families are torn apart by events like war while others, like hers, are influenced in a much lesser way. In fact, Mory says that she doesnt really feel the burden at all.

In my opinion, every American is feeling the effects of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obviously we cant all relate to the pain experienced when a family loses a loved one, but we feel it in a much less painful way. We feel it through gas prices, through the economy, through taxes, and other outlets. I agree with Ms. Mory that a draft system is fair in a democracy, but we cant forget our heroes that VOLUNTEER their lives for their country. Soldiers who serve their country, draft or no draft, should be appreciated. By no means am I asserting that Mrs. Mory does not value these men and women, but I mean to express that they are helping to shoulder the burden for us. Whether we know them personally or not, this is one of the greatest gifts a person can give.

Assertion-Gaurding The Gift Of Freedom

This article by Lucius D. Clay establishes the idea that here in the U.S we need to protect our freedom and contribute it to the other areas of the world. He feels that we have already done a glorious job of that. I however, feel that although many efforts have been put out in extending the hand of freedom, not only in our country but in others as well, our efforts have not been sufficient enough to stop trying.

Clay proposes the idea that the United States has increasingly protected our freedoms and has turned into a helping nation. I believe this is true to some extent. For example, the United States' help to bring democracy to the Middle East. Also, in newspapers locally and nationally people are seen contributing to charities and programs for the less fortunate. A new trend in America is the adoption of less fortunate children from other countries such as China and Africa. By sending money, Americans can help feed and clothes a child in another country. Through these efforts, America is shown as a positive influence in the fight for freedom.

While these efforts seem hearty, America is not always the giving counrty. Clay states that more people and more governments are more willing to work together and that people are more willing to help their neighbor. While some Americans have taken on the responsibility of a good citizen who is willing to work with others, some have become increasingly selfish. The rage of some Americans has reached extreme levels. Not too long ago this was shown with a man opening fire in Fort Hood, Texas. Each day on the news there is a new murder to be investigated because someone for whatever reason was pushed too far. The divorce rate in America has sky rocketed recently. It is not uncommon for a child to have only one parent or a step parent living with them.

While Clay makes an excellent point that Americans have protected their freedom and have shared their freedom with other countries, I do not believe this general statement can be made. Each individual is different in their actions and behavior towards others which effects the outlook of America as a whole.

A: A Grown-Up Barbie

Jane Hamill, like millions of girls around the world, believes in Barbie. Jane calls Barbie cool, independent and smart, and who wouldn’t want to believe in someone like that, I know I do. People argue that Barbie is unrealistic and should not be a toy for young girls, however in my opinion Barbie is much more than her looks. Barbie teaches you to dream big, and that anything is possible. While it might not be realistic to be a Veterinarian one day and an Astronaut the next, Barbie still teaches girls that they can grow up to be whatever they want to be. Barbie helps girls to be creative and use their imagination in ways they other wise couldn’t. Barbie is a role model to young girls everywhere and is something worth believing in. I think that believing in Barbie and imagining everything that she can do, gives you the hope that anything you dream of can come true.

http://thisibelieve.org/essay/21259/

Finding Acceptance in Macaroni and Cheese--A

This I Believe

Lauren--Lafayette Hill, PA

May 5, 2008

In the essay “Finding Acceptance in Macaroni and Cheese”, the author states her belief in the unconditional as being “unbreakable, unquestionable, and wholly satisfying”. She supports her belief by discussing her odd eating habits—she only eats things she loves in mass quantities, and never eats anything she remotely does not like. For example, she has spent years of her life eating only macaroni and cheese. Her diet is unconditionally delicious to her, all of the time, creating a great lack of understanding from her family and close friends. In the author’s essay, she writes of her family’s dislike of her differences, and states that personal guidelines should not be cause for prejudice and hatred—especially within a family.

The author’s view is valid, and her situation displays the fact that her family seems to be prejudiced towards her. Of course, her eating habits really are strange—and they would be strange to anyone who has just begun to know her. The fact that her family has grown up with her, however, and react to her just as a stranger would shows a general human reaction of discomfort when faced with something out of the norm.

Initially when reading the article, the author seems to come across as an individual simply trying to defend her odd eating habits—but the depth of the article allows the reader to realize that the initial reaction is in fact intended by the author, so one may see just how much different tastes and opinions affect reactions towards other people. Through her situation, and her writing, the author proves that flaws and oddities are not human “flaws and oddities”—rather, they are found in our reactions to such characteristics.

None of This Is Fair (A)

None of This Is Fair

You’re right, Rodriguez, It’s not fair. It’s not fair that I try my hardest to get hired for one substantial job but all the opportunities just seem to fall into your lap. You shouldn’t receive the benefits of Affirmative Action, or even qualify for the program. You already have plenty of credentials and experience to get any job of your choice and your ethnicity does not stop you from obtaining that. Affirmative Action is meant to create equal opportunity for minorities or people of different race and culture; however, this program has unconsciously made unfair treatment and inequality for ethnicities that are not minorities. It’s not fair that the schools with Affirmative Action only care about the ethnicity of their teachers so they can get the Mexican- American perspective, in your case. This unfairness stifles the advantages of the other qualified people that do not receive Affirmative Action; therefore, we should make all opportunities equal for everyone.

Signed,
A colleague of Richard Rodriguez

Assertion Journal "None of this is fair"

This is in response to "None of This is Fair" by Richard Rodriguez.
Affirmative action is supposed to make up for disadvantages now and in the past. Affirmative action isn't very fair to anyone. There was a supreme court case this year about a test used for firefighters' promotions being thrown out because not enough minorities qualified. It affirmative action seems to make it look like someone's qualities and abilities are not always going to count like they should. The best thing that can be done is to help those who need it, make themselves qualified. By the way, didn't Martin Luther King Jr. work towards equality, not giving people a crutch? It is not fair to show people that they do not have to work as hard. Using that method is just make the problem worse. (I'm sure most people have realized this... in many sports such as basketball and running, there is A LOT of African Americans because it just happens that those individuals are the ones MOST QUALIFIED.... maybe life should be more like sports.)

Hey...

Isn't the Afghanistan article a reader's journal? Mr. B put an R in front of the title. Just wondering...

A - What If We Fail in Afghanistan?

The whole article’s purpose is to explain to the reader exactly what American failure in Afghanistan is and what the most likely outcomes of failure would be. While all the outcomes are based on supposition and assumptions, some are stronger and more valid than others. The first outcome, “The Nineties Afghan Civil War on Steroids”, is a weaker assertion, as its usage of facts is not effective. The writer attempts to make the hard evidence, statistics of ethnic makeup of Afghanistan and how that makeup correlates to the Taliban, prove the possibility of a civil war. The backing, however, relates more to ethnicity in Afghanistan than to the main point the writer makes, so the actual assertion ends up relying solely on assumptions. The following prediction, based on the more definite and likely assumptions of the Taliban attempting to regain power – a goal that would be easier reached with control of the nuclear armed Pakistan – and a highly likely possibility of a lost of faith in an “American-led agenda”, “Momentum for a Taliban Revolution in Pakistan” is considerably more valid. The problem with the “Increased Violence Against India, Increasing the Likelihood of Indo-Pakistani War” is that it appears to have little connection to the issue of American failure in Afghanistan. This disconnect may have to do with the way the issue is presented, and how it is barely connected to the overall idea. The last prediction, “Increased Al Qaeda Ambitions Against Britain and the United States”, strikes success with portraying the increase of Taliban power that will result from American failure. The focus shifts, however, to a comparison of American borders to British borders and how American borders are superior in keeping dangerous Pakistanis out, which distracts and costs the argument some of its power. All in all, every point is notable and worthy for the argument, though some need fine tuning to be more effective. As for whether or not defending the Taliban forwards the idea of social justice, the answer depends on perspective. Yes, it is social justice by allowing all views created within societies to exist, but if looking at what the Taliban stand for and how their views restrict the social justices and rights of certain individuals such as women and those who have different religious and political views, it is hindering social justice.

"Let Teenagers Try Adulthood" 'A'

In “Let Teenagers Try Adulthood,” Leon Botstein suggests that the education system begin at an earlier age than it is currently. He rather’s, in place of kindergarten, to start 4 and 5 year olds in elementary school; thus, causing students to graduate and enter into “adulthood” at an earlier age. His reasoning is based on the fact that young teenagers are already being introduced to information and activities that society assumes for “adulthood;” hence, adult-like activities can no longer be assumed as reserved for adults because young children are exposed to the same activities. The education system and its age implications were based off of the certain generational developments and it maturity levels at the said ages. Currently, in the year 2009, these new and uprising generations are in fact developing and maturing faster than had previous generations before them. The education system should be adjusted to conform to children’s new developmental habits. In the current system, we are hindering students development by forcing it to adhere to older stigmas of age. We should, however, let the students developmental and maturity rate adhere to a new set of standards. Yes, there are many children and teens who disprove this notion that rising generations are more mature. But are these immaturities a result of their own internal development, or a result of an out dated age specified education system? If the system were sped up, and lets say 16 year olds graduated High school and entered in to college, then students would then adapt to these new standards that society has placed on them. This new method of speeding up the education process would successfully adhere to student’s natural developmental rate and they would no longer be hindered by the current misguided specification of at what age children naturally develop habits exemplifying their maturity level.

Assertion: Education

The purpose of education is to give yourself the ability to make your own decisions and to better yourself. In the essay, A Talk to Teachers, James Baldwin expresses his beliefs that education is about asking questions of the universe in order to achieve our own identity. Education is not simply going to school, taking English and science, and taking tests. It is everything in our lives that makes us think or reason. It is anything that teaches us about ourselves and betters our ability to make decisions. The essays in Chapter 4 offer different stories on education, proving that there are many ways to be educated. You can educate yourself, by a comic book, in literature class. You can also learn just from being on the streets, from listening to music, or painting a picture.

The school system is beneficial as a base for learning. It offers many opportunities to learn different subjects and interact with different people. It helps you realize that you enjoy. It broadens your mind and that ways in which you see the world; However, school is just the start. It is what you take from the experiences in school and how you apply them to your life outside of the classroom. The things you learn from your own experiences, through your own thoughts, is what means the most. These situations is what builds your personal identity and betters it throughout your life.

Assertion - If you believe in me

In this essay by Beverly of Atlanta, Georgia she expresses her feelings about mothering, and uses anecdotes about her mothers mothering to her. Beverly's mom was a very strong individual and thats how i believe all mothers should be. They should be there for their sons and daughters, to get them out of trouble when need be or be there when they need a mom the most. Beverly's mom stood up for the her children's lives whether it was keeping her son from gang violence or putting her daughter, Beverly, in a school where she will get a higher education. Her mom came from a family where her birthday was never celebrated so she made up a birthday. She made up a middle name because she grew up without one. She came from a not-so-great- home but raised her children in a perfect home where she kept them on the right track and cared for them in every way. Since she experienced growing up without mothering she raised her kids with more than enough mothering because she didn't want Beverly and her brother to be in trouble because of something she didn't do. With a mother like that, Beverly will be more likely to raise kids with as much if not more mothering than her own mother. Because of the hardship Beverly's mom faced, Beverly will now raise kids with a better understanding.

A: "Affirmative Action"

I believe people should understand what affirmative action is before they can debate on whether or not affirmative action is just or non just. Affirmative action is the set of public policies and initiatives designed to help eliminate past and present discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. I believe that affirmative action is a just cause and is important. In races that have been wronged in this country such as the African Americans, Native Americans, and other nationalities and ethnic groups that have been discriminated against; I believe they should have the affirmative action act to somewhat compensate for past events.

The main issue of Affirmative Action is reverse discrimination; people are being discriminated because they are not in the ethnic groups that are effected by the Affirmative Action law. This however is not true, the Affirmative Action act says that just because you fit into the category of getting help, you still have to meet other qualifications. For example if you are applying for a school at some university, they aren't just going to take an unqualified ethnic person in front of another applicant. They are going to take the most qualified person that is applying; just because you are from a certain race doesn't enable you to push past people, only if you are fully qualified to meet the demands of the task are you pushed ahead.

Reference: http://www.now.org/nnt/08-95/affirmhs.html

Assertion Journal, Public Education

Continuing from the discussion in class on Wednesday about public education, I agree with some of the earlier post. Kristin H. said after elementary school, students should move onto whatever subjects they are mentally capable of handling. I agree with that idea because from experience I have learned that nothing is as torturous as sitting through a ninety minute class, slowly going over material you already know. Students need to keep building up their knowledge through the years. Spending time in a class you are to advanced for hurts a student more then it helps them. If students know the material then why not let them move on to higher classes? Now, schools need to be careful with letting younger students move on to classes with older kids, which could be dangerous and harmful for the younger kids. Moving on to what Brian H. said, I completely agree, education does not come exclusively from school. Nobody can say school does not teach you anything. At the very least it teaches students how to deal with teachers and other students around their age. Through my 12 years with the Stafford school system, I have learned basically everything that was expected of me, and I was able to pass my SOLs with ease. But the information I use daily did not come exclusively from the school. I learned how to forgive people from my church, I learned how to play sports from my neighborhood friends, and I learned how to laugh at myself and how to let loose and enjoy life from my sister. My pets taught me responsibility better then homework did. If I forgot to turn in homework I got points off and moved on, it was no big deal and did not bother me. When I forgot to feed my goldfish I killed it, that made a more lasting impression then losing five points off a worksheet. My family, neighborhood, friends and church taught me so many things, that school can’t or doesn’t have the time to teach. As Brian said education is everywhere. Anyone who is open to new ideas and anything different will have an educated just like anyone who went through the schools.

Assertion Journal "Bellying up to environmentalism"

James E. McWilliams states in his article that vegetarians in today’s society are known as an inconvenient while meat eaters are commonly accepted. I don’t disagree, when you eat out with a vegetarian, they have to order something off the menu without meat, and sometimes they only have one option on the menu. Vegetarians don’t have many options at restaurants or school lunches, but I end up not really thinking about it because I DO eat meat. There’s plenty of options for me- steak sandwiches, turkey and potatoes, taco bar, chicken noodle soup. Vegetarians are usually only offered a PB&J and yogurt or cheese; which could get old I imagine.

McWilliams argues further that meat eaters should be the ones that should apologize for ordering inconveniently. He says they cause more than just animals being killed- its animal abuse. Cows are forced to make 15 times the amount of milk they are supposed to, chickens are cooped in close-packed, fenced walls, and calves are taken away from their mothers (who suffer without their babies). But its not just that, the livestock industry’s mass production affects the environment as well. Gasoline is guzzled up in production, and so much feed is used for the large masses of animals in the industry that that same amount could be used to feed China and India. By choosing to be vegetarian, McWilliams believes he is making a political stance against all the harm to the planet the livestock industry is causing. I think that although it is great he’s standing up for what he believes in; there are ways to support the cause without completely boycotting meat. Protein and fat are needed for our bodies to function and meat gives these to us. Although this may work for some people, maybe supporting small family farms and their meat or smaller businesses rather than large corporations would help the cause. He is right; corporations need to change their policies, and taking a stance is the right way to do it. Although I support him, I’d rather make other efforts to change my participation in funding those companies and keep my body healthy and strong with protein.

These industries raising chickens for meat coop them up in chicken concentration camps or life-long prison terms.

Assertion Journal: ESL

After our discussion this past Tuesday on ESL, I began to reminisce on my experience with this program that I am extremely grateful for. After moving to the United States from Venezuela in the 3rd grade, I was enrolled (through my elementary school) in the ESL program for a whole school year. Each day I would go to homeroom and sit quietly as kids around me chatted fluently in English, something I quickly felt jealous of. The ESL bus would arrive soon after and whisk us “foreigners” away to another school for our day of learning. Interestingly enough, I don't recall ever doing any solid learning, just cross-word puzzles, word searches, and countless picture books that seemed to belong to toddlers. The majority of the learning I ever did came from interacting with the students and teachers around me. This isn't to say that ESL was useless, I did learn my share nouns, pronouns, parts of a sentence, and other grammar skills that come easily to any native American. But it was the conversations with kids my own age that really taught me how to speak and write the way I do today. It is because of this that my Spanish accent is not even noticeable when I talk, and only occasionally do I stumble with my words (usually when I get exited, and is usually followed by a “Sorry! English is my second language!”). By the end of my 3rd grade year I had successfully completed ESL and become one of the most active readers in my classroom, often checking out ten or more books from the library each week. It is thanks to this program that I developed an interest in school and was placed in the challenging classes that I continue to be in today. In my experience, ESL wasn't about passing the course or the SOL, but instead about the ideas and opportunities that got me to where I am today.

Assertion Journal

Assertion Journal

After our Public Education debate I wanted to focus on a subject that was brought up, different grade levels. I remember someone arguing that students don’t move up based on their age, they move up based on the fact that they “mastered the content.” How can we tell if students have mastered the content? Yes, we have SOL tests and other things of that nature, but it’s been said that those are just to measure if students know the basic content of each subject. I personally don’t think a test that was made to pass shows the student has “mastered” anything. I think that after a student completes elementary school, they should be able to move up to whatever grade level, in whatever subject, they can mentally handle. We already do that with math. Some of the kids in our own class have jumped to higher levels of math. Why limit the ability to jump ahead a few grades to one subject? I would hope that we could make a test that isn’t multiple choice, that evaluates the knowledge a student has. If it’s not multiple choice students won’t have a high chance in guessing the right answer. Just like in high school, if the student doesn’t think they can handle a class, or a grade level, they can switch out to a different one. Instead of assuming the students master the content, lets actually test them and see.

A- None of This is Fair

None of This is Fair is an essay written by Richard Rodriguez. In this essay, Rodriguez discusses his experiences with Affirmative Action.

Rodriguez describes how, being a Hispanic American, he received more opportunities than other white students. He tells how he once took advantage of his color but one of his teachers told him how he still must work as hard as everyone else. Rodriguez later discussed Affirmative Action with a fellow student whom was white. This student compared Affirmative Action to be his own modern version of the discrimination his parents, whom are Jewish, received when they were his age. This clearly affected Rodriguez as he declined to take the job spot at Yale University he was offered. Rodriguez agrees that Affirmative Action is not fair to other actual minorities, like the poor. I agree very much with this assertion. Affirmative Action is supposedly enacted to give minorities a chance. It des not focus on actual people who need that chance though, such as the poor. If Affirmative Action is supposed to help disadvantaged students, why are these wondrous opportunities offered to students who work hard and still need help? I believe a bright poor student should receive more help than an average Hispanic or Black student who grew up in middle-class or even upper-class homes. Simply because a student has skin of color does not always mean they need this extra help. Disadvantaged students do, no matter what their skin color is.

I commend Richard Rodriguez for his stance on Affirmative Action especially since he is a beneficiary of it. It shows his view that all people should be treated as equal and that help should be provided to those whom it is really needed. I very much agree with Rodriguez and his essay None of This is Fair.

Essay from The Norton Sampler pages 81-86

Assertion- Education

When we had the open discussion about education on Wednesday, I found myself thinking very in depth on the topic. My assertion was, “I believe that we are educated so in order to become productive members of society.” After I made that comment, many people proceeded to ask about high school drop outs and people that did not partake in the privilege of a public education. I reacted to these comments by saying, “I did not necessarily say that education is school.”
Look at many wealthy Americans today and you will find that many of them were not formally educated in school. Many musicians, actors, wealthy businessmen, and entrepreneurs do not have their high school diplomas. For example Jim Carrey, Ray Charles and even Albert Einstein were not formally educated in a school. These examples clearly show that to be educated you do not have to attend school.
As a nation, the first thing that comes to mind when we hear education is school. Has anyone ever thought of anything that is not taught in school to be defined as education? For example, morale values, religion, and often times perspectives on issues are not taught in school. We are educated at the home, just as much as we are in school.
Education is everywhere, not just in the school place. At home, in nature, in church, simply in the everyday world there is education. I believe that we are educated to become productive members of society; however you don’t have to attend school to achieve that. Everyone has the opportunity to be educated, just not in the same ways. Simply take part in every day activities and you will become educated.

Assertion- Public Schools

When we were talking about public schools today in class I was wondering, is this at all similar to public healthcare debate going on right now? I mean the government wants health insurance available to all Americans like they do education, and you are not just limited to the public option you can receive health insurance from private companies as much as you can receive education from from private schools. There is also the debate that the healthcare bill will turn the United States into a communist dictatorship but we have had public schools for years. Public schools is an institution paid by tax payers and is available for everyone. In fact it is illegal to not go to school (if your under sixteen). So does that mean we have always been a little communist this whole time without us knowing it?

R - The War in Afghanistan

Read this essay on The New Yorker's Website.

Respond to the four major reasons the author asserts we must win in Afghanistan. Are the reasons valid? Are they worthy? Does the defense of Afghanis from the Taliban help forward the idea of social justice?

Happy Thinking,

Mr. B

Assertion

Assertion—The Choice to do it Over Again

Daniel Flanagen was a high school dropout and was working at a dead-end-job and he could not read anymore. At the time he never though of trying to go back to school and get a better job until he had his first son. This gave him a lot more responsibility and made him realize that he needs to do something. He started to learn to read again with his son reading his little kid books it took him 2 years. After he learned to read again it took him another year and a half to get his GED. He then became a full-time college student. He said that he now believes in do-over and that it is a person’s choice whether to start over and try better. I agree that everyone has the chance to try something again and that it is completely that choice of the person to do it. I do not think that it is an easy thing to do and it would probably take then a lot of hard work and time to get their life on track and to start living a successful life. If a person wants to start over and try to have a better life I say go for it and don’t ever give up just keep try and you will eventually succeed.

http://thisibelieve.org/essay/40929/

Assertion

Assertion—A little outrage can take you a long way

In this essay Cecila Munoz says that one day one of her friends made her really made and the anger that was caused from this carried her a long way to where she is today. She was really angry with her friend because she said that if the US went to war with a country in Latin America that she and her family should be put in a camp like the Japanese were in World War 2. Cecila Muniz says that this anger carried her all the way to working with immigrants and in the civil rights movement. I agree that anger can carry you a long way and help you get to a place that you want to get to, if your anger is used in the right way. If you decided to use your anger violently then I believe that would be a bad way of trying to achieve justice. I think that being angry that someone said something like that or that people would actually do something like that should drive you forward to fix it and help change peoples mind that you are now Americans and that this is your home.

A Priceless Lesson On Humility--A

Sharon Titus

Felipe Morales—This I Believe 2008

In his essay “A Priceless Lesson On Humility”, Felipe Morales writes of his experience with a blind woman he met on the streets of D.C. who walked up to him asking for his help. Immediately, the author gave her all the change he had without speaking to her—until she smiled and said “I don’t want your money, I just need help finding the post office”. Morales’s story is one of humility, as he embarrassedly helped the lady to the nearest post office. In the face of the author’s misconception, he was forced to remember his own past-that he was once an immigrant who experienced many open acts of prejudice as he worked his way up in the world, from dishwasher to network engineer. Morales believes in humility, and the necessity of always keeping ones eyes and heart open.

I strongly agree with Morales, because he speaks with a lifetime of experience behind him, and writes about what truly defines humility: seeing oneself through the eyes of others and not being ashamed, but remaining quiet, and hearing prejudice, but not giving or believing it. Without humility, there would be so much prejudice that the world would be rent wit worldwide, and personal conflicts (well, at least more than there are now). Morales provides a reminder that without humility, there is nothing and nobody to be proud of.

Creating Our Own Happiness--A

Sharon Titus

Wayne Coyne--This I Believe 2007

In his essay “Creating Our Own Happiness”, Wayne Coyne writes of his belief that happiness is not a situation to be longed for or a convergence of luckiness; rather, it is something a person can become through the power of their mind and the circumstances in which they’re actually living. According to Coyne, everyone has the power to make moments of happiness occur on their own.

I disagree with Coyne’s statement, for multiple reasons. Firstly, Coyne’s belief states that a person cannot find happiness through dreaming of a “happier” future. I think that without goals and motivations, there is no reason for happiness to exist along the way, unless life throws someone a surprise, resulting in an enjoyable outcome. Without dreams for happiness in the future, happiness will not appear in the present. Secondly, Coyne’s statement appears to assert that we can force happiness. This is irrational because when we force happiness, it is not true happiness—rather, it’s our minds requiring that we feel a certain way to react to a certain circumstance. Happiness is unexpected, and because of this we cannot hope to ever “make” ourselves happy.

A Kind and Generous Heart--A

Sharon Titus

Christine Little—This I Believe 2008

In her essay “A Kind and Generous Heart”, Christine Little writes of her 13-year-old son’s battle with a swollen heart. Her son’s friends and family were praying for a heart to become available; the author was shaken, because she knew that in order for her son to live, someone else would have to die. When a heart did become available for him, she was so thankful, and began to believe in the act of selfless giving. Her son lived another two years, and created many more memories before his second heart failed him; for that, Little is forever thankful, and she was touched because her son gave his eyes for medical purposes so that someone who couldn’t see would be able to see again.

I do support the author’s belief that selfless giving exists. If everyone on the planet insisted they receive something in return for doing something good for someone else, there would be much less happiness and kindness in the world. Despite the evidence of selfless giving, however, I do not think that the giving of a heart to Little’s son, and the giving of her son’s eyes to someone who needed them, was an example of selfless giving. In order for an act to be selfless, the person giving away should either not be affected at all, or should suffer for their gift. The person who gave the author’s son a heart was not affected, surely, but gave their heart long after their need for it was gone—surely an unselfish act, but one that required no pain or platonic attitude on their part. If that person had been alive, they would never have given their heart away—as is true with they eyes of the author’s son. If he had given his eyes away before he died—it would have been terrible, yes—but that would have been “selfless giving”.

Returning to What's Natural--A

Sharon Titus

Amelia Baxter-Stoltzfus--This I Believe 2008

In her essay “Returning to What’s Natural”, Amelia Baxter-Stoltzfus uses semi-permanent hair dye as a metaphor for change. She talks about how semi-permanent hair dye “lets you be whoever you want without letting go of how you got there, and lets you embrace internal contradictions that make up… a complete human being.” Essentially, the author is speaking for change, stating that she thinks it is a good thing, as long as one allows past experience to continue shaping themselves long after it has occurred. The author writes about how changes are exciting, exhilarating—yet the things that most deeply make up a human being are revealed even after change. The author believes that feeling safe isn’t about setting limits on the outside, but rather it’s about hanging on to what’s inside of you, even when your surroundings change, because what’s inside of a person is always there—just like your natural hair color under a false tint.

Baxter has a good point when she speaks of change creating more depth, experience, and insight in a person. However, I think that the person on the inside is forced to change, just a little bit, with one’s surroundings and relationships. (To get metaphorical: even if hair dye is semi-permanent, the natural hair underneath always grows in darker than it did initially.) While one’s family and hometown may never change, the person going through the changes is forced to become different, because different life occurrences force a person to see things with a different, more experienced light, and change a person’s life story and experiences. The things that make us who we are exist because of what we have experienced over time—not as who we were the day we were born.

The Power of Hello--A

Sharon Titus

Howard White: This I Believe 2008

In his essay “The Power of Hello”, Howard White writes of something his mother told him when he was ten years old, as he ignored a man he knew he would see often in the future. His mother had turned around and told him never to walk by somebody without saying something, because “even a dog can wag its tail when it passes you on the street”. Ever since that moment, White has come to believe that every person deserves to feel someone acknowledge their presence, and that the power of saying a simple hello creates ripples that go way beyond an individual’s view of the pond.

His statement is certainly true. When a person is not ever acknowledged, a feeling of worthlessness soon covers them, and creates huge waves of self-doubt, and probably pain as well. How many suicides would be prevented, if every man and woman made a conscious effort to speak to the people involved in their lives, from the mundane, to the most important? Speaking to the people around you, says White, creates a pathway into their world, and lets them into yours. Such “pathways” promote personal connections and feelings, which create happiness—because the necessity for connections and feelings is a basic human desire, right up there with food and shelter.

Sharing the Tragedy of War--A

Sharon Titus

Aileen Mory—This I Believe 2008

In her essay “Sharing the Tragedy of War”, Aileen Mory writes about her belief that democracy is a “shared responsibility.” The author uses the Iraq war as an example, stating that pain, really is what is missing from her perspective on democracy in terms of the war. The author states that if there are men overseas fighting for her freedom, her life should be changed too. As a result of her belief, Mory believes that the draft should be reinstituted—not because she wants her children or husband drafted, but because the American people should be “fully engaged” in conflict when it happens. Also, the fear of losing people near to oneself will affect everyone, making decisions to go to war much more difficult and thought-out. Essentially, the author thinks that everyone should be involved in a tragedy, if the people make a collective choice leading them down that path.

I disagree with the author on both points of her argument—firstly, because American decisions and choices have never, in all of history, been a “collective decision” of the whole. If “collective decisions” were a part of the American lifestyle, nothing would ever get done, because too many conflicts and opinions would contradict each other. There is simply no way everyone can be affected equally, or at all, when it comes to external conflict.

While reinstatement of the draft would provide a personal aspect promoting more careful decisions regarding conflict, the conflicts themselves would become more and more violent/major. If an entire nation is drafted at all times, America appears on the defensive, and poses a bigger threat to all those outside her borders. If a minor conflict is brought to attention and troops are sent over, the trheat of America will provoke a much harsher reaction with the other’s knowledge that millions could be sent over at any time. While Mory’s viewpoint on democracy is very, very democratic, her argument and reasons are not solid enough to ever result in a change.

There Is No Blame, There Is Only Love--A

Sharon Titus

Ann Karasinski—This I Believe 2007

In her essay “There is no Blame, There Is Only Love,” Ann Karasinski writes about her daughter (Katie), who is addicted to heroin, and her reaction as a mother. She speaks of the need for blame at first—how addiction is associated with a “bad environment, bad parenting”, and says that there always has to be something or someone to blame. The author dealt with a huge range of emotions in the light of her daughter’s addiction: despair, anger, worry, and shock being some, and as she suffered, she came to believe that there was no blame, only love. This belief is optimistic, yet realistic at the same time. The fact that the author did all she could to help her daughter, to understand, and the way that she blamed herself more than anyone else reveals a deep, powerful emotion that goes beyond any terrible situation or occurrence thrown into their relationship. This is love.

The desire for hope is perhaps one of the most passionate, subconscious feelings of human nature. In her essay, Karasinski “longed for hope…[but] the only thing that still connected [her] to [her] daughter was love”. The author experienced one of the worst things a mother can go through when it comes to her children, yet her essay is not a bitter one. Instead, she talks of how she and Katie meet for breakfast on Friday mornings; how she “doesn’t try to heal her, [she] just love[s] her.” The authors struggle changed her life, but her writing clearly displays the fact that she has learned, coped, and moved on with her experiences—and perhaps her love for her daughter is even more powerful now than ever before.

Assertion- Creating Our Own Happiness

Wayne Coyne offers us a different view on life in his piece, Creating Our Own Happiness. We often times will think "If I only had this gadget or toy, then I would be happy." Maybe we're taking the wrong view of happiness. True happiness does not come from things or knick-knacks, it comes from within each of us. You can find happiness in any situation. Never in life has there ever been a situation when something happy did not come of it. You may argue that death is not happy, or being laid off is not a joyous occasion, but what of the release of pain for those who have died? What about the man who was laid off, only to find his dream job a few months later? If you look hard enough on your life you will realize that every hard situation has a bright side too.

Assertion- The People Who Love You When No One Else Will

Cecile Gilmer offers a truly heartwarming version of what family is. Family is the one place you can come to and feel loved and welcomed no matter what you may have done, or how you look. Family is your most valuable treasure in life. We often take for granted the ones that we have, thinking "I wish I had a family like so-and-so." Many times we don't see what is right in front of us until we are in danger of losing it. Often times we don't think about the people who don't have a family at all. We may think we wish to be on our own, with no rules and regulations, but there are people out there who wish for a family at all. We should all think about what family means to us, and when we get home, take the time to hug those people who have been there for you since the beginning.

Assertion- Failure is a good thing?

Jon Carroll, in his essay Failure is a Good Thing, states that failures turn out to be successes in the long run. If you were to fail in everything you do, logically, you would not be thinking, "oh, I will learn from this moment later on in my life." you may be thinking that trying is worthwhile. Eventually you will become comfortable in your failures and never strive to do any better. Successes give you the confidence to keep striving. A failure every once in a while is humbling, keeping you working for better. Some failures keep you humble, but failing all the time just keeps you down. When you are finally successful, that truly is when you learn from your failures.

Unleashing the Power of Creativity and Intelligence

Creativity and intelligence drive our world. What would our world be without a little creativity and intelligence? Whatever it would be, it would be boring and drab. It is simply astonishing how far these things have taken us in the past decade, let alone the past century. People like Bill Gates have embraced these qualities and channeled them into things like technology, for example. Bill Gates and his company Microsoft were able to take refrigerator-sized computers capable of little more than simple calculations and turned it into something capable of so much more. If it were not for these technological advances I would not be writing this Assertion Journal right now. Computers are not the only fruits of creativity and intelligence, but virtually everything that we take for granted. These things include everything from cellular phones to ipods and cars to airplanes. People with these qualities really have taken technology farther in the past ten years then ever.

Community in Action (A)

A community really is stronger than the individual. Studs Terkel experienced this first hand in his essay "Community in Action." The American people of the 30's and 40's were able to get through the Great Depression because of their ability to come together and help each other. We do not only see good examples of the community working togeher for a common cause in the Great Depression, but also in supporting the war effort at home during times of crisis and economic recessions. When we really think about it, we have all experienced being a part of a community in action, whether it be helping out at a food drive or helping a friend move. The community is always stronger than the individual.

A- JFK Inauguration Speech

John F. Kennedy's inauguration speech sent a message not only to the American people, but to the entire world, a message of responisbility. When I read his speech at first I thought of how great his ideas of responsibility were; and how his goals ,not only for America but the World, were extensive and broad-minded. These goals however, I thought as I read on, would be next to impossible to accomplish without some form of sacrifice from the American people; and we all know how uptight the American people can be about making sacrifices for the greater good. My mind journeyed through the state of America at the time, and the amount of strife and pressures at the time made me realize that there was almost no way we could have accomplished all that Kennedy had wanted to accomplish. Even in today's world I doubt that we could finish all his dreams for this country, there is just as much oppression and ignorance in the country today as there was thirty years ago. In the eand it all comes down to how much we are willing to sacrifice, if at all, and if we cannot then we might as well nuke ourselves right now.

Get a Knife, Get a Dog, but Get Rid of Guns (A)

In “Get a Knife, Get a Dog, but Get Rid of Guns”, Molly Ivins made good points on why guns should be banned in America. However, I strongly disagree with her. Our Founding Fathers, based on their experiences with the British, purposely made the Second Amendment so that we can protect ourselves if tyranny forms again. Guns not only protect us from possible tyranny, but also from murderers and burglars. We have the right to protect ourselves and our families, and that is what the Founding Fathers wanted. Molly Ivins said that guns only kill; however, it gives us security from dangerous people. Banning guns will lead to more violence in America. Our culture is so used to guns, that banning them will shift our country. The outcome will became the same as the when the 18^th Amendment was ratified, which prohibited alcohol. The outcome included the forming of the black market and mafias, and riots. If our country bans guns, people will riot and they will find a way to smuggle in guns. When the people smuggle in guns, what will happen to the ones who do not have guns? Molly Ivins said that “any fool can pick up a gun and kill with it”, but we would all use it if our lives depended on it. The Founding Fathers made the Second Amendment for a reason, so that we have to right to protect ourselves. Banning guns interferes with it, and will shift our country and its democracy.

Assertion: i want a wife

This feminist literary selection is famous for its humorous language and effective style. The irony comes from the everyday truths that a wife undergoes, and Judy Brady has a wit and sense of humor that lists the life of a wife, and persuades any reader why a wife would be beneficial to anyone. I agree with her. After reading this, I questioned my potential mother-hood, and whether or not, I will get married and enter a form of dare I say, slavery. The duties and disgusting tasks are endless and almost allow the woman for no life outside of working and cleaning and cooking for a table-full. In this mock-sarcastic light, a wife’s role seems to have no admiralty in it at all. But, I do want to point out another part of a mother’s role. The part where she raises her children and they grow up well, and successive, and come back to visit and talk. Hearing the stories of life, and knowing internally, you were the very person equipping your kid with the “stuff” to make it out there, is all worth it. Knowing you gave them power and stability; the instinct to accomplish things and to work hard honestly. That is a different sense of value that being a wife and mother brings. It brings self-fulfillment and the slight smile that shows on her face when she knows she finally did something in her slaving away and raising her kid, that it wasn’t for nothing.

Assertion: Elie Wiesel

The author so humbly tells the audience that he witnesses, firsthand, the Holocaust. He does not include the obvious though. He leaves out the harsh, embarrassing, revolting, and mind-boggling details of the experiences that people most often hear associated with the event. He simply writes to inform, in which he shares his belief that survivors must tell their story in order to prevent, and protect humanity. I agree with his belief also. I think his point on leaving out bias information, and the angered memories, are important, especially so that person can grow. The stories of the Holocaust, in particular, are full of wrenching, heart-breaking, acts of violence. Someone reading them may discover feelings of hatred and deep need for revenge. Wiesel’s point is opposite that, more to tell the stories to inform people, so that others will never be out through that same thing again. His story, he believes, is meant to unite people, so that humans grow as people together, looking out for each other and caring about one another. That shows true character for anyone who has experienced hardship and it quite commendable. Without level-headed, stories and records of events like the Holocaust, and Wiesel’s account of it, today’s world would be without their knowledge and old wisdom. In that case, history would probably repeat itself. That is what the author is writing about, in order to prevent that re-occurrence.

Assertion: A middle class wife

This piece gives us a look inside a middle-class wife and mother’s life in 1917. Alice Austin White sardonically, almost tells us why she has a deep hate towards her relatives. She lists out her duties, and responsibilities, and the things that she does and what the ‘in-laws’ say about them. She does not regret having children, she loves them, and adores them. In this time, universities were not accepting of female professors; something she would have been interested in. She talks about her income, and family, and wish of a house-helper that would care for the children and their illnesses, but not take over her job as mom and wife to her husband. I agree that women had a lot to do, and motherly duties are of work. Cooking, cleaning, staying home with the kids everyday, is physically and mentally exhausting, according to the author, and the mom today. I think her hatred for the relatives that look on her pathetically and sarcastically, is well deserved. If I were in her position, I would as well. Being a mother or a father is hard work, and an outside party who is looking on them with a judgmental eye, should just go have some children and then see what they’re going through.

Assertion: Terry Ahwal, Finding Strength to fight our fears

The author states, “I believe in fighting fear.” It’s a bold statement, I think. Easier said then done most certainly in the author’s anecdote. Fear, for me, is more an emotion than a feeling. I think some people let fear become physical, especially if I were hiding under a truck from men that could possibly kill me. I do believe in fighting fear. I believe that fear has to internally be fought, in the mental state, so that it does not evolve into a physical limit. The author also mentions that, “Once again, we allow differences to separate us because of fear.” I absolutely 100% agree with her on that. There is something about humans, and I don’t know if it has to do with the way we were created, or how our country came about, or the time period we’re living in, but something does separate us all. Fear causes people to doubt the good-heartedness in others, especially in racial terms. I can not explain the reasoning, but on some level, I think everyone responds to fear in other ethnicities of people. I forget that Black people, or Indian people, might see me as something threatening. I forget to put myself in their position, and for them to put themselves in mine. Maybe if we all just look a little further than ourselves and our presumptuous natures, then fear wouldn’t turn into anything more than a small occurrence in our heads’.

The America I Believe In (A)

America is a country full of dreams and opportunities, and Colin Powell explained this well in his essay, “The America I Believe In”. Powell talks about how his parents arrived at shores of America as immigrants. Powell’s parents took hold of the opportunities America could give them. Since then, they started a family and enriched their children with the love and dreams America gave them. This is one of the reasons why America is looked up to by other countries because it is so open to other people and cultures. Our country’s openness makes America the way it is.

My mother was a teenager when she came to America from Puerto Rico. She was scared, just like her mom and sisters. However, America influenced her and her family’s lives. My grandmother soon found hard work and dedication in this country, and she passed these qualities to her daughter, who passed it on to me and my siblings. Without coming to America, I know my grandmother and my mother would not have been given the same opportunities in Puerto Rico. My mother taught me a lot about values and motivation, and America is the reason why. With America’s many opportunities, we are motivated to achieve more.

Sometimes we take for granted the freedom and privileges America provides. We often do not think about it. Because of America’s openness and diversity, we can basically accomplish anything. While reading Powell’s essay, this quote affected me the most: “An America that is still the beacon of light to the darkest corner of the world.” To other countries, America is a home full of dreams and optimism. America is a land of immigrants, which is why our country is so diverse. We accept others, no matter what. Like Colin Powell and others, I am proud to be an American because I am grateful to live in such a democratic country that gives so much to us and the rest of the world.

Assertion: Keillor, letters

Letters are a small tunnel into the future and into the minds’ of the people who wrote them. They are gifts and not expected. They are conversation and a sincere way to get in touch with loved ones. At least Garrison Keillor thinks so. I agree with his process on writing a letter. He tells the reader to write as if that person is with you. I like his point that a letter does not have to be formal, “…It’s not a term paper,” and that it can be more conversational. With the invention of internet and cell phones, no one uses pen and paper anymore like they once did. I even use text messaging more than I pick up my phone to verbally talk to someone. Things aren’t so old-fashioned anymore; they are new, advanced, and all about cutting things out that take time. Letters are a very sincere and genuine thing to receive. It really says that a person is thinking about you enough to take out a sheet of paper, rather than send an e-card or text message. Especially with times changing nowadays, my children can not get inside my childhood memories by opening up my phone because by then, maybe even cell phones will be outdated, I don’t know. But, letters are a tangible source of imagination. I hope I can keep that in mind myself, come the next time I wish to let my friends know I am doing well and I hope they are, too.

Racism in College 101 (A)

When I first read Nikki Giovanni’s “Campus Racism 101”, I thought it was only discussing about the ignorance and racism black students go through in a predominantly white college. After reading it a couple times more, I realize that the topic of racism has a small part in Nikki Giovanni’s essay. Nikki Giovanni’s “Campus Racism 101” was basically on how to deal with ignorance while being an individual. She explains that black students, or any other students, should not pay attention to ignorance and just go to class to do their work. I agree with Nikki Giovanni because there is racism in the world, but racism should not stop you from doing what you want to do. This all leads to the topic of individualism. As an individual, you are responsible for going to class and doing assignments on time in college. If you do encounter ignorance, you should not get bothered by it. This is why Nikki Giovanni provided answers to give when people ask stupid, ignorant questions. She simply said that you are an individual, that you cannot “take the racial world on your shoulders” (Giovanni pg. 114). While attending college, you are there to get your work done and learn from it. I agree with Giovanni when she said, “Your job is not to educate white people; it is to obtain an education” (Giovanni pg. 114). It is your chance to deal with yourself as an individual in college. You are attending college to obtain an education, just don’t let racism and ignorance get in your way.

So-Called Gentleman (A)

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/11/10/tf.chivalrous.moves.creepy/index.html

8 So-Called ‘Chivalrous’ Moves That Creep Us Out is a humorous article on CNN that sheds light on Kate Torgovnick, The Frisky’s opinion of how a man should treat a lady. Most of the signs listed of gentleman behavior used to be considered sweet and gallant, but now they appear outdated and a little awkward. Some of these once in-style gestures show that women are helpless and need their man to perform the most simple of tasks such as pulling out my chair, or putting on my jacket. It is not necessary to do everything for me in that I am not able to speak for myself and be independent. Things like ordering my meal for me or asking my dad for my hand in marriage are unacceptable. It conveys that I have no say or control over what goes on in this relationship and what happens in my life. Other so-called ‘chivalrous’ moves take the fun out of a relationship, like letting me win at a game. What is the point of doing that? To make me feel special and show that I am incapable of winning at a trivial game of scrabble or monopoly without your help? It is almost an insult. It is alright to have a little friendly competition with your boyfriend because it keeps the youth and the friendship alive in your relationship. These gestures create inequality between a man and a woman; if the man pays for dinner and the tip then I will not have anything to contribute to the date or meal. One person will be doing all the work when it should actually be a 50/50 compromise. I do not recommend any man performing these outdated once gentlemanly acts for their loved one.


Torgovnick, Kate, The Frisky. 8 so-called 'chivalrous' moves that creep us out. CNN Living. 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2009

The American Scholar (A)

The first time I read Ralp Waldo Emerson’s “The American Scholar”, I was confused on what he was talking about. After reading and analyzing it a couple times more, I figured out Emerson’s main point. His main point is that we are required to create new ideas and discoveries as individual thinkers. A true thinker has to have self-trust and the courage to make sacrifices so that his or her opinions are heard. Throughout his piece, Emerson dwells on how important individualism is. The main points Emerson make in his piece is on how influential the past is and the action a scholar takes.

Towards the middle of “The American Scholar”, Emerson explains on how dangerous books can be towards a thinker. He says that books tempt a scholar from creating original ideas. “Books are written on it by thinkers, not by Man Thinking” (Emerson pg. 697). I strongly disagree with him because a thinker gets inspired by reading books. Reading books can let a thinker explore new ideas that he never knew, and he can discover more information on it. Emerson’s ideal of an American Scholar is the ability to create and imagine, but books can give inspiration to scholars so they can imagine more. Emerson’s other main point in this essay is how important it is for a scholar to take action. Unlike his other main point, I agree with this one. You can have all the knowledge, but if you are not motivated to use it, you will achieve nothing. “Inaction is cowardice, but there can be no scholar without the heroic mind” (Emerson pg. 699). This simply means that a scholar has to take chances and learn more from experiences. This is true because you do not learn anything without taking risks and not being afraid to express what you know. Finally, I support Emerson’s idea of individualism. We all have to have this so we can contribute and add new ideas to universal ideas.

A:The 50% Theory of Life

Steve Porter says that he believes in the 50-percent theory. Your life is good half the time and bad the other half. The 50-percent theory as Porter says balance out to a normal life. I do agree with Steve Porter, that in your life you have good times and you have bad times, but the 50-percent theory I do not agree with. Always having your good and bad moments balance out to a normal life is in my opinion is a rather bleak outlook on life. A moment in your life is only good or bad because you make it that way. When people focus more on the positives in their life and less on the negatives balancing out with them I believe they will have a more satisfying life. I believe with a positive and optimistic outlook on life you will have better than normal times for over 50 percent of your life.

Truth (A)

Do you believe there is such a thing as truth? Yes, it is out there somewhere. I’m not sure where to find it or how to find it, but it is out there. Errol Morris in There Is Such a Thing as Truth believes you have to investigate it and ask questions to find it. Some people may ignore the truth and choose to stay in the dark. As people say, ignorance is bliss or the truth hurts; if you deny the truth or hide from it because of fear; you are taking the easy way out and not achieving the full advantage of honesty. Don’t take the simplest solution and stay uninformed, question the truth and understand it because denying yourself of the truth is denying yourself of knowledge and power. The truth will set you free; it will liberate you from all doubt or uncertainty in the world. With that much power in one idea it will be difficult to find and use correctly. During the sheer exploration or quest for the honest truth you may find many questions answered or unanswered; that is simply more reason to continue searching for the unforgiving, everlasting truth.

Assertion- Assertion Journals

I would like to write an Assertion journal on writing Assertion journals. The journals have helped me express my views on many issues that bother me. I love having my fingers flow across the keys like a seagull gliding on waves. Everything comes naturally and the feeling is very mellow. I understand now why people us writing as a therapeutic technique.
Writing can be a good way to relieve stress both physically and mentally. I feel a sort of relaxation that I rarely feel. All of a sudden nothing is bothering me, nothing matters and everything is free and open with the world. I may sound odd for writing this however I am sure that many people have experienced this feeling. It is a great feeling, a feeling that I hope to experience more often now.

My Grades Determine My Future (A)

I agree with Matt totally. The grading scales in schools keep kids worried too much about the grades they get, rather than having them let the learning sink in or become who they want to be because of some other reason. When kids get bad grades on papers it knocks them down, and eventually after many bad papers they just can't get back up which can ruin their career because of today's societies standards. In high school, I believe the problem starts with the unenthusiastic teachers we see so often in the classrooms. The ones that give no extra help and don't care how many kids fail. They need to be changed first. They have had the biggest impact on me. But these teachers don't end your career then and there. Job recruiters and college interviewers deny kids left and right because of the bad grades in high school. Interviewers and recruiters of jobs and colleges should look more of who the kids are not what they made of high school. Kids in high school should be allowed to soar to new heights, to find what career they are passionate about rather being tapped in the cage called the grading scale.

Assertion Journal 8

I believe in my parents, more than they know. When they found out my brother would be born with severe disabilities, they weren't bitter. They made the best of our situation and gave my siblings and I the most normal life we could have. Although I try to avoid saying much about it, I realize having a sibling with special needs has completely changed our lives. After reading, I Am Capable of More Than I Think I Am, I realized it made me think of my family. I believe we were given my brother for a reason, to bring us together and teach us lessons of responsibility, kindness, and strength. I believe my family is stronger because of this situation that has been given to us. I wouldn't change our lives or my brother if I was given the choice. My brother has unknowingly taught me life lessons I would have otherwise never known.

Assertion- Todd Crandell: Race for Recovery

A video that I recently watched called “Race for Recovery: The Todd Crandell Story” emotionally effected me right after watching it. After the first time watching it I watched it at least three more times. Todd Crandell’s story inspired me to do something with what I have, and do not take it for granted. The video shows Todd Crandell, now an adult with four children and a wife, struggling through the toughest period of his life.
As a young child, Crandell’s mother committed suicide after a long battle with drug addiction. He explains in the video that he did not understand why he was the way he was, and that he felt he was partially to blame for her death. In order to cope with the pain felt by the absence of his mother, Crandell found the escape of alcohol at age 13. Later on, when he was sixteen years old, he found cocaine.
After battling through years of cocaine addiction and alcoholism, Crandell was told by his father to go to rehab or leave the house. The video explains that Todd Crandell told his father, “I’ll go to rehab, but I’m not going until I am done doing this cocaine, and if you think of taking this cocaine from me I’ll kill you.” One day, Crandell decided that he was done with drugs and alcohol.
Clean for near 17 years now, Crandell has founded an organization called Racing for Recovery. The group stresses fitness and family values to help recovering addicts cope with the difficulties of quitting drugs. They schedule races and hold meetings in Ohio. The organization is continually growing, and helping more and more recovering addicts every day.
I would love to possess half of the determination and perseverance that Crandall possesses. His story is so inspirational. I would love to be able to help people at the level that he is helping people at someday. The story makes me grateful for what I have and inspires me to help people every way that I can.
(here is a link to the video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=437qguDfY24

Assertion- The True Measure of America's Freedom

Assertion-The True Measure of America’s Freedom
The True Measure of America’s Freedom: Sudhir Venkatesh

In this article the author, Sudhir Venkatesh, tells a story about a night that he attended a New York Yankees baseball game. Venkatesh decided that he was going to protest the war in Iraq in a small way, by not standing when the song “God Bless America” was sang at the game. After the song was over, people criticized him, threatened him, and gave him dirty looks. Is it our right to protest something that we feel strongly about?
The 1st amendment of the Constitution clearly states that everyone has the right to protest peacefully. What Venkatesh did was peaceful. He did not harm anyone nor did he insult anyone, he just expressed his views. In no way did he misuse his 1st amendment right. Although Venkatesh had the right to do that, people did not feel that he did.
Those that insulted Venkatesh and threatened him did not look at the other side of the story. One man was offended because his uncle died in the war, and felt that he was dishonoring his uncle. Clearly, Venkatesh did not intend to insult anyone or their families, he just expressed his right and showed his views. All of the people who looked poorly upon him did not take into consideration that it is his right as an American to protest in that manner.

Assertion- This I Believe

This I Believe
Larry - Bowling Green, Ohio

Larry’s story shows why sports are an escape for so many people. In college Larry began to run in order to lose weight, he enjoyed it so much that he has been running ever since. He explains in the essay that, “I started running to propel the process (of weight loss), and discovered that I loved it. It became a daily practice, in a life formerly devoid of ritual.” Tragically, Larry was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and can no longer run.
In my short lifetime I have played almost every sport you can think of. Anything like baseball, basketball, football, tennis, hockey, and I even ran track in middle school. From a young age, if the weather was nice, I would always be outside playing some sport in my back yard. Playing sports competitively has become such a monumental part of my life that I have forgotten why I first began playing them; an escape.
Whenever I am stressed or angry, sports provide a natural medicine. All of a sudden when I lace up my shoe, kick that ball, or throw a pass all of my worries disappear. My first reaction after I grow angry or stressed is to go on a run. Much like Larry, running provides the strongest medicine.
Whenever I run everything that is worrying me is all of a sudden wiped away. The only thing on my mind is that next step. Gliding by everything and enjoying the lush scenery; breathing in the crisp air, inhaling with enough force for the air to touch the bottom of my lungs. The air, the sports, the escape cleanse me.

Assertion- Political Cartoons

I would like to address an issue that I debated in one of my classes. We debated the drawing and publishing of political cartoons. It was a rather interesting topic to debate about. Many classmates joined in and some people interjected some rather interesting thoughts.
Some people said that it is wrong to draw and publish political cartoons about our government. I argued that it is not wrong, if it is done properly and for certain reasons. If a cartoonist draws a political cartoon poking fun at a politician or a decision that they made then I believe that is perfectly acceptable. Sometimes however, political “cartoons” can get out of hand. It is not acceptable to insult a politician or disgrace them.
Having an African American as president, not to mention the first ever African American President in our country’s history, insulting cartoons are more likely to be released than ever before. I was not necessarily a fan of George W. Bush as our President, however when I saw a political cartoon insulting him it almost insulted me in a way. No matter what, our President is our leader and even if we lend them our vote or not, we should support them and come together as a nation.
Political cartoons are often funny and make many people laugh. Although they are funny, some cartoons are meant to insult our politicians. No one should be insulted by a cartoon. It is completely different to insult someone and to make a joke about them, jokes are acceptable. After officials are elected, the only thing a political cartoon disgracing the official will do is get you in trouble. Having fun is fine, but let’s not insult them.

Assertion- Pointing to the Sky

Pointing to the Sky
Lijue - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Many times in sports when athletes score points or make a great play they point to the sky. An NFL player throwing a touchdown in crunch time, or an NBA player making a game winning shot, these are instances were athletes point to the sky. Pointing to the sky is obviously making a reference to God is not always right in my eyes. Is it okay to celebrate like this?
Some athletes are devoted to their faiths and believe strongly in every aspect of their religion. For these athletes I believe it is acceptable to point to the sky in celebration. They believe in God and are active members of his faith so I do not see a problem with them celebrating in this manner. While for some it is acceptable, for others it is not.
We have all seen the kinds of athletes that are obsessed with money and are constantly getting into trouble. A prime example could be Adam “Pacman” Jones. It is pretty clear that they are not active in their faith. To see people like Jones celebrating while pointing to the sky is a little disheartening. They are thanking God, even though they do not worship him like that in their everyday lives.
Personally, I believe that if you do not actively worship God by going to church or even just setting an example that follows the faith of God, then you have no reason to point to the sky in celebration. If you would like to thank God then live a life that is not so corrupt or irresponsible. To shy away from the sore subject of poorly behaved athletes there are many athletes that are great examples of people that I believe have reason and rights to point to the sky, however not all athletes are like that.

Assertion-Pick up Ball is Community

Pick-Up Ball Is Community
Jack - Austin, Texas

I agree very much with Jack in saying that pick up basketball is “the ultimate meritocracy.” It is a simple game that almost anyone can play, no matter were they live. The game of basketball teaches values of teamwork, cooperation and communication. Working together to get one basket, following the game plan, talking on the court to inform your team mates of things that they may not see.
Children need these values in the real world, and learning them early on while having fun is great. Along with the aspect of learning these values, friendship is built. Some of my good friends were built through playing basketball at the courts near my house. Every day in the summer we would go and challenge whoever showed up, even if they were significantly older than us. Together we all began to trust one another and learn about each other.
Pick-up sports in general are about a lot more than just sports beneath the surface. Values like friendship, trust, teamwork, cooperation, and respect can all be learned in a couple of games at the court. The activity can become a great hobby later on in life and continue to teach you new values.

Assertion Journal- Atheism

Since I've been attending church for as long as I can remember, it is hard for me to understand how a person could say there is no God. In my life I've experienced numerous moments where I knew there had to be a higher power that was giving me the strength to proceed. In this article by "George" he discusses how his son was in a car accident that could of killed him, but to him it wasn't God who had assisted him in his time of need, but all the people who had been involved in the saving of his life, including the EMT and doctors. If it had been someone close to me in the accident, I could have never gone through the experience and believed God had nothing to do with the survival of my loved one. There are times when I pray for something to happen and I believe God brings it to me. Its times like these when I can't understand how people believe there is no higher power. Some things you can leave to be answered by science, but others, you have to leave up to God.

Assertion: I Believe In Laughter

http://thisibelieve.org/essay/12851/

Sometimes you just have to laugh at the stupidities you do. The author of this article accepts that she is a complete klutz and recalls on a particular moment in the 8th grade when she finally learned to stop being embarrassed of herself, and simply laughs and knows that her friends and family are laughing with her and not at her. This kind of acceptance probably helped her achieve a greater level of confidence and self-esteem. She now knows that its okay to take a stumble now and then, and not to take anything to seriously. I enjoy the casualness of this piece and overall agree with her belief of laughter.
Like this very cliche quote states, "Don't take life too seriously, no one gets out alive".

Assertion- Kids denied access to Hogwarts, BY THEIR PARENTS

I recently read an article about how parents are upset about children reading books from the Harry Potter series. Immediately I was outraged. The story of Harry Potter is so creative and imaginative. It allows us to clearly envision a magical world. The objection is that parents believe that by allowing their children to read these books they are subjecting the kids to witchcraft. Certainly, everyone has their obsessions in life, especially children.
As a child, I had many obsessions, such as my obsession with the television show Rugrats. Although I was obsessed with the show for a period of time, I eventually stopped watching the show and moved on. Parents forget that children have phases. While kids are only going through these phases, parents are in a sense acknowledging that there is real magic out in the world if they feel that they are subjecting their children to witchcraft with the reading of Harry Potter.
Everyone knows that magic of Harry Potter’s sort is not real. There are no such things as magical schools and spells. Although we have magic in our world today, it is unparallel to the magic that is contained in a Harry Potter book. If children read the books and decide that they would like to become magicians in our world is there a problem with that?
Personally, I believe that by not allowing children to read these books parents are depriving their children of exciting, yet completely harmless books. My sisters and I all read the books. They struck an interest of reading in me that I had never seen before. LET THE CHILDREN READ.

Assertion- My Grades Determine My Future

I strongly, strongly, disagree with this essay. I personally believe that a grading scale are the bars that hold together the prison of our high school minds. The grading scale only makes people not work as hard or instead of shooting for the stars shooting for the glass ceiling. Sure grades determine your future because it is the standard our demented society lives on like size -1 super models or 6'5" men, but when you actually reach your future then what. What system is there then you do not get an 'A' for designing a bridge or 'C+' for writing a TPS report. This essay says that grades prevents laziness. I believe that grades cause laziness. What if instead of working for an 'A' or 'B' we work for being our best and getting rewarded like we do in the real world. Thats why people do not call school the real world because the nit-picky standards upheld in public schools does not apply out there. If you sell a house next to a power plant and under power lines you receive a bonus. If you write a groundbreaking paper in high school you receive an 'A+' and a metaphorical bonus. So why should we work harder just to get into a good college. Why cant we just work harder so that we may become, better students, better pupils, better friends, and most importantly of all better people.

Assertion - Hawaiian Independence

When most people are asked about Hawaii, they picture a serene group of islands where the surf and beaches are a place where relaxation can take place with great comfort. They picture a place that is just a perfect place to be when times are hard and relaxation is greatly sought.

Would you think of bloodshed or revolution? Would you think of a suffering culture rich in heritage and a conquered nation that has been deprived of all rights execpt the right to die? No, this is not what most people imagine and its the picturing of Hawaii that most people imagine could be but further from the truth. Hawaii and its people who live there, have been in constant revolution for its independence since 1843, when American and other European powers decided to make the Islands a place where they could take as their own and use for their advantages only and not think about the damage that it could do. For over 250 years, Hawaiians has lived with a dictatorship that had sought only to benefit themselves at the expense of the Hawaiians and their great culture. As a person who has grown up with the Hawaiians and has seen, as well as experienced, the damage that the foreigners, or ha'ole as the Hawaiians called them, had done. Hawaii used to be a prominate and great kingdom that had only been a united kingdom for not even a century before the Ha'ole arrive, and yet the Hawaiian Kingdom had fallen to the Ha'ole in less then a decade. The Ha'ole, with weapons far beyond that of the Hawaiians, overpowered and tried to crush the native peoples for their resources and valuables that they desired. The Hawaiians were successful in stopping the Ha'ole from gaining much of the land that they owned for the time being, but eventually all of their land was brutally stolen for and by the Ha'ole. Only in the late 1890's did Hawaii really take action with the United States, the ruling opposer that had claimed the Islands from the other European nations, and demand its land back. Queen Lilioukalani tried to talk to Congress about letting the Islands stay independent from the US' grasp of power and influence. The answer she expected was a peaceful negotiation that would at least give the Kingdom a portion of its land to rule, but that became a dream from then on out because the United States rejected their compromise. To make matters even worse, the United States Annexed the Islands into the Union and had official ruling over the Islands, even with the resources that the Hawaiians had, they could not do anything but revolt slowly for their numbers and technologies were greatly out-numbered by the United States 5:4800. With the little that the Hawaiians could do, they could boycott the United States and act upon civil disobedience, but that is as far as they can go with the resources they had.

Today, even, the Hawaiians still fight for their independence with the United States and demand that they be given back all land taken from them and become their own kingdom once more. Without ever giving up hope, the Hawaiians believe that one day soon, they will secede from the wretched United States and become the once glorious Kingdom of Hawaii. With the recent uprisings that have taken place, the bill s-147, has been brought up in Congress as a compromise to secede Hawaii from the Union and have independence. This has been a major accomplishment for Hawaiians in their fight to gain independence, and have stated time and time again that Hawaii, as a great Kingdom as it was, will become independent again.

Essay based off prior knowledge and from http://www.countercurrents.org/hawai-marsh081205.htm

Assertion- The Beatles Live On

In this essay, Macklin Levine, a twelve-year-old girl, talks about the death of her father but the hope she keeps in life. Although she lost him, she has the memories of the Beatles songs she would listen to with her father. The Beatles give her hope to forgive, live, and make mistakes. She had a lot of pathos in the essay, you felt inspired by such a small girls hope for life. I think using that knowledge, if her father knew he was going to die and wanted to give her more advice, he’d say something like this-

 

Hey baby girl,

By the time you read this I won’t be with you anymore. I will have gone to a better place though, so don’t waste your tears crying for me! For now, I just want you to focus on the amazing life ahead of you. Listen to the Beatles like we always do on family vacations or short little trips, listen to them with your heart. Then act them out into your life. That day when we lost your dog, Phoebe, and I went looking for her was hard for you. I remember. But don’t forget she came back, and you saw her again, because we kept hope. One day, we’ll see each other again. For now, use your talents and experiences in your life and your writing skills to teach other people about your optimistic views of life. Show them what you’ve shown me everyday.

Love,

Mr. Levine

The opposite of a Dodge Durango ad (A)

If your a guy then please think about this for me. If a big truck was in a ad with flowers and the truck was painted pink, would you buy it? Now, if the same truck was in a ad but it was painted black, with black rims, with a bunch of smoking' hot babes on the side and dirt all over it, would you buy it? Yea the second choice sounds more like you right? Well I think thats how all commercials that pertain to men should be. There are many successful ads, such as the Dodge Durango, Toyota Tacoma, Axe shampoo, Old Spice deodorant, Taco Bell Blackjack taco and others like Jack links beef jerky. Each one of those has something to do with four things, cars, babes, eating food and having fun in life. But if you decided to talk about shoes in an ad then almost every guy would change the channel looking for the four things that fascinate him. Everyone knows what every guy wants in life so anyone who can advertise directly and efficiently to men, like Dodge, I applaud them.

Assertion- True Friendship

I think that true friendship can last forever. This is not like on facebook or myspace where you have hundreds of friends. True friends the ones that can last forever are few and far between. You can meet true friends at school, on a playground, in dire situations, or very sad ones. Now believing that true friendship last forever what is a True Friend? I believe a true friend is someone who will help you up even when there down. Will be there during the bad and the very bad. Who you treat as your family when they have your own. This is the irony in social networking sites and the internet. Sure you have thousands of friends, but do you really have any at all?

In Giving I Connect with Others (A)

Dear Loura,

Thank you for sharing with me Isabel Allende’s “In Giving I Connect with Others”. From her “This I Believe” essay, I truly realize that giving love is very important when going through struggles. I felt Allende’s pain when she talked about her daughter dying from an illness at the age of twenty-eight. We cannot understand what Allende went through, but we can learn from her experiences. After going through her daughter‘s death, Allende realized that “you only have what you give”. Allende explained that you just have to give more love than you receive. I believe that she is correct because giving love makes you happier. Allende said that giving more helped her a lot when grieving over her daughter’s death. Even when other people do not want it, giving others help you feel better. Allende is a strong person for what she went through. I believe that Allende became stronger by giving to others, and I think we can all do the same. I agree with Allende because we cannot just receive love and caring. We have to give love and care, not for others, but for ourselves. This teaches us that when we go through struggles, it cannot stop us from giving. After her daughter’s death, Isabel Allende still gave compassion towards her family, friends, and her dog. And we should all do the same for our family and friends.

　

Thanks you for the essay,

Johnathan Rivera