My Comments

English 002- Contemporary Issues- Multimedia Project

Kimbo’s Blog –Celebration of Not He Is Out, Black or Boriqua?

Safia’s Blog- We  Are The Media

Nickels and Dimes- Howard Univesity Convocation 2010

Xmas List

Avery’s Slightly Adjusted Christmas List

            Back from the Thanksgiving break, we are fully into the holiday season. It’s time to break out the wallets and pocketbooks for Christmas shopping. This list presents alternative items to the traditional requests of young children and adolescents. The alternative items may not seem as desirable but they instill good ideas. Following some of the issues discussed during the semester such as: image/presentation, role models, beauty perception, and violence. Choosing to go with a couple alternatives will not only enrich the Christmas experience, but it is very possibly a less costly options.

Jordan tennis shoes-$200------------------------------------>Ralph Lauren shirt and tie-$70

Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West CDs-$55 ----------------------> Revelations-$55

Traditional Barbie-$18----------------------------->African or Black Label dolls-$12-$19

Paintball gun-$120---------------------------------------------->Basketball and Football-$52

Lottery Ticket DVD-$20------------------------>For Colored Girls Only or Invictus-$20

Totals: $413------------------------------------------------------------------------------------>$212

Letter

November 22, 2010

Dr. Terry B. Grier

Superintendent

Houston ISD

4400 West 18th Street


Houston, Texas 77092-8501

Dear Dr. Grier:

I was a student at HISD schools through my middle years. My experiences were at River Oaks Elementary and then at Pershing Middle School. I went to a private high school but I was able to observe public high schools. Many schools have neither adequate funding nor enough adequate teachers. I do not believe that programs aimed at improving faltering schools have accomplished the desired effect. There are systems in place that allow a struggling school’s administration to be taken over by an outside group. This approach undermines the employees that have put in their time.

There is no cookie-cutter method to running a school. No one knows how to deal with their student body better than the faculty that has dealt with them all along. An outside group will have an uphill to earn the respect of the students. Motivation of the students is the most important thing. Wholesale changes are a quick fix to long-term issues. The old adage about teaching a man to fish rather than giving him a fish applies. Groups with experience in turning around school can work with the administration in place and then leave them with a plan. This would also lessen the number of lost jobs in a down economy.

I greatly appreciate the time you took to read my input. Obviously I do not know the intricacies of the school system, or if my ideas are even possible to implement. Thank you again because a new the Superintendent of such a large school district is very busy.

Sincerely,

Avery Carmichael

Images

 When reading Split Image, the history of black images in mass media was made clearer to me. The media has always been by white people, so their portrayals are arbitrary. This arbitrary assigning of roles continues in today’s media. Movie roles are largely limited to a specific race, defined by the desired effect. With the exception of a few top actors, such as Denzel Washington and Will Smith, black men are most often cast in comedic roles. The present day consumer is also at fault for the constant buffoonery.  Moviemakers of all races cast black men as unemployed womanizers when a taste for whatever alcohol may be in the brown paper bag. We may be think it is an undeserved stereotype, but many of us also find Mike Epps to be hilarious. I believe that we must be able to laugh at ourselves and acknowledge that it is an exaggeration for our enjoyment.

Dates, Janette L. and William Barlow. “Split Image.” Revelations. Ed. Teresa M. Redd,  Carolyn E. Shuttlesworth. Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2010. 191-214. Print. 

Mass Incorrectness

On Wednesday in class we discussed the role of Ebonics in both the African-American, and the dominant culture. I understand that this dialect has words taken from other languages. These languages were crucial in the formation of the African-American culture. I do not believe that Ebonics should be used as an excuse to have poor grammar. The national language is English, not black English, and not white English. Regardless of race or ethnicity, students should be graded on their grasp of the language. I don’t think one race should make a cultural decision to use improper grammar. I do believe that language can be racist; when words convey a certain implication. But I disagree that the structure should have a race tied to it. 

Environmental Ethics

On Wednesday October 20, 2010, we were fortunate enough to have three environmentally conscience guest speakers: Zaccarai Free, Michele L. Roberts, and Angela Ardrar. I was only able to see the second half of Mr. Free’s presentation, and the Q&A session. Mr. Free spoke about the negative effects big businesses can have on both the environment, and those without corporate power. Throughout his presentation he very sarcastically repeated the phrase, “That’s business”.  No one can deny that many large corporations make some decisions that are not ethical, but I do not believe these decision makers are entirely at fault.

            The competition of today’s market, even more so in a down economy, forces companies to choose between cutting corners, and their survival. We live in a capitalistic society and the objective of all businesses is to make a profit. The point that was made about not buying from the large companies is a valid solution, but nearly impossible. Consumers desire to buy the best products, products that are usually produced by large companies. Large companies have little incentive, other than personal beliefs, to be ethical as long as people are consumed with materialism. 

Self-Assessment

            I think my blogs have covered a wide variety of topics, partially because of the given prompts. I enjoyed the current event posts the most because they broadened the spectrum of possible posts. Reading my posts leaves me wanting more in the future. I don’t feel like I discussed my topics in enough depth.  Instead, only giving a brief summary followed by a very brief analysis. The weekly blogging fosters class participation if utilized correctly. I try to use this tool to its full potential. I need to improve on my critical responses to other posts.  My comments on other posts were very short and not very productive to the reader. This class has been my first blogging experience, so I was initially hesitant.

            I have been happy with my participation both in class and the online discussion board. I have not used the Writing Center as much as I could have but my first essay turned out as I wanted it to. I think the lessons on Expository writing serve as concrete definitions of ideas we were aware of. Like most students, I have read process essays, or causal analyses. The lessons transform these abstract ideas into useful strategies for my writing. I make a conscious effort to involve all races in my writing because of the global community. Minorities and well as Caucasians have opinions and add to the overall perspective.  

Convocation

Friday September 24, 2020 was the 143^rd opening convocations at Howard Univesity. The keynote speaker was Ben S. Carson M.D. Not only is Dr. Carson a prominent figure in African-American medicine; he is a prominent figure in American medicine.  Dr. Carson spoke about finding his strengths and pursuing them despite his obstacles. He knew that he wanted to practice medicine from the time he was a boy, and he stayed focused on his goal. He is now the head of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins hospital. His determination to achieve his goals has allowed him to reach the pinnacle of his field. Dr. Carson said that he did not believe in the idea of political correctness. In this day and age, at least one group of people is always offended. Keeping everyone happy can be a big distraction from the task at hand. I learned that I must pursue my goals, even though some toes may get stepped on along the way. 

Good Things Still Happen

            Today, September 24, the New York ran a remarkable story about a prison guard at Rikers Island that won the lottery. Garina Fearon actually bought the wrong ticket. She intended to play Powerball, but instead palyed the Mega Millions game. Fearon, who has experiences many hardships throughout appears to be very deserving of such great fortune. Homeless as a child, she overcame this only to file for bankruptcy as an adult. She endures daily abuse from the male inmates and supports her two children on her own. This feel-good story is a glimpse of the potential our cold world has to be uplifting; a turn of events that would make Robin Hood himself proud. The only plans she has made with her payout is to buy her sick mother a home in Jamaica. The old cliché, what goes around comes around, is yet again proven to be true. 

Ikimulisa Livingston Reuven Blau, Leonard Greene. “Rikers Guard Wins $54 Million Dollar Lottery”. New York Times. New York Times, 24 September 2010. Web. 24 September 2010.

 

Definition

Roberto Santiago discusses his struggles growing up as a multiracial kid in Harlem. His story of not completely fitting in with any one group is similar to that of President Obama, and to many Americans. I would technically be considered multiracial, although I have not compartmentalized my ancestry as well as Joyce from Dreams From My Father (Obama 99). I know the feelings Mr. Santiago mentions; the feelings of bouncing around from group to group. Growing up in predominantly white environments I became the exception to my friends’ perceptions of black- but never the rule. I didn’t fulfill the expectations of a black kid, and therefore I was just an anomaly. The author wonders him being black isn’t enough when he says, “Acting black. Looking black. Being a real black. This debate among us is almost a parody. The fact is that I am black, so why do I need to prove it?” (Santiago 184). I cannot allow others to define what my race requires of me. This is the point Mr. Santiago is trying to make; he is black because he is black, just as much as he is Puerto Rican. We all must define our own lives.

Works Cited

Obama, Barack. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. New York, New York: Three Rivers Press, 2004. Print.

“Black and Latino” by Roberto Santiago, from Revelations

Current Event

I didn’t choose to write about the burning of the Quaran that has been in the news, or anything directly related to race. I chose to look at how some large companies operate, making us more efficient in progressing. On Wednesday, September 8, 2010, the oil company BP released the results of its internal investigation into the April explosion. BP took very little of the blame, and instead targeted partners Transocean and Halliburton. Transocean conducted its own investigation placing blame back on BP. This passing responsibility only slows the process of moving forward. These giant corporations expend more energy on covering themselves from legal technicalities than solving the problems the explosion caused. This tactic of passing blame is the opposite of how President Obama says we should move forward 2in his “A More Perfect Union Speech”. As a society we must stop dumping our problems into the laps of others. I see many minorities blaming whites for their current situation. President Obama also called us to move on from the past. It is far easier to make excuses when plans go awry than to take responsibility for wrongs we have had part in causing. I am sure that the explosion was not completely that fault of any one company, but this finger-pointing game leaves all parties involved worse off. It is time for all companies to work together for a speedy end to this saga.  People of all races must follow suit and work together to improve conditions cross-culturally. In the beginning of his speech President Obama says, “The document they produced was eventually signed but ultimately unfinished.” He goes on to say that any final resolution was left further generations. We must begin a new legacy that consequent generations can continue and improve upon.

Works Cited

Obama, Barack. “A More Perfect Union.” National Constitution Center, Philadelphia. 18 March

          2008. Speech.

United for Change

As African-Americans we must do our part to help race relations in our country, and not perpetuate the issue with excuses. President Obama calls for us to do our part in moving on from an unjust past in his “A More Perfect Union” speech. He urges us to address incidents of racism with action, not words. He does this by saying says, “By investing in our schools and our communities…by providing this generation with ladders of opportunity that were unavailable for previous generations”. We must move towards an era in which black students walk onto college campuses ready to earn their degree in four years. We must provide healthcare to those in needs, regardless of their skin color. President Obama also emphasizes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In order to continue in the direction of equality for all people, we all come together in our efforts for change. The single Hispanic mother has many of the same needs as the white family living in a rented trailer. We all have more in common than most realize. Every culture has its own problems, but we can come together to fight universal issues like subpar housing, or healthcare. Those that have fought before us have left a map for us to follow in our fight for change. President Obama acknowledges those of Reverend Wright’s generation, saying, “What's remarkable is not how many failed in the face of discrimination, but rather how many men and women overcame the odds”. There are no police teams with attack dogs and fire hoses or segregated water fountains, but this union is not yet perfect. African-Americans must focus on our promising future, rather than our dark past. Just as our President felt the time was right for him to run for the highest office in the county, it is the right time for us to fight for change. The time is now.  

Works Cited

Obama, Barack. “A More Perfect Union.” National Constitution Center, Philadelphia. 18 March 

          2008. Speech.