Journal 8

            Honestly, I liked this class but I didn’t like the purpose. The format was fine; I learned many things about MLA that I didn’t already know. It was an education process, and it also took some time to get used to. I didn’t mind writing about films, but I didn’t like how we had to write on other topics about the films we watched. Even though I didn’t like to do it, I found that it was very interesting. Every time I wrote a new essay, I learned something new about that topic. What I liked most about the class was how the essays we wrote gave us a chance to write about our different beliefs, in any topic. The only thing I would suggest to be changed about the class is the blog comments. Overall, it was a great class and I’m glad I took it. Also, I seemed to get it out the way and won’t have to take it in college. If I do have to take another English class, I can take things from it that I learned from ENC1102.

Education- The Big Cutoff

Alaina Woods

Professor Kelly Warren

ENC1102

22 April 2013

The Big Cut Off

“Gosh, why do we have to carry these books back and forth?” I ask my AP Government teacher Ms. O’Neal. “Because”, she replies “the district apparently can’t afford to buy two copies for you guys.” This explains the growing pain I have in my right shoulder, and the growing irritation I’m getting with Duval County Public Schools. The bad thing about it is that budget cuts in education seem to be everywhere, and pretty much everyone is feeling some type of way about it.

It’s clear that teachers are the most effected by the budget cuts. As well as resources being lowered, so was their salary. Many schools face budget cuts, all over the United States. This results in many teachers being dissatisfied with their jobs. The budget cuts seem to have an impact on the school, and how much teachers can put out to their students. With help from the Obama administration, there a few changes in action. These changes, such as “teacher evaluations that stress the student’s standardized performance, curbs on tenure and Common Core”(Resmovitz: Teacher Survey) were passed years ago. However, it seems as if these changes are just now taking effect. With the number of unsatisfied teachers constantly growing, school leaders actually make an effort to try their views.

Lately, sequestration has been familiar to many people and one it’s main victims is education. Sequestration doesn’t only put fear in teacher’s hearts, it also puts a fear in Secretary of Education’s Arne Duncan’s heart. He feels that “education is the last place to be reducing our investment”(Paner: Budget Cuts), and he’s right. The sequestration makes things harder, and is also a cause of a decrease in after-school programs, day care, and the length in the school year or school day. I remember a question I was asked about sequestration: “Which of the following would you take away-head start, meals on wheels, or section 8 housing?” This question stuck with me, because what person would take away education designed for innocent toddlers? I feel as if the sequestration is unfair, and takes away many useful things, instead of the things that aren’t needed as much.

Lastly, the budget cuts in education may cause teachers to use their own money to purchase school supplies that the school should distribute. There aren’t enough resources to go around, such as textbooks, notebooks, pencils, etc. This eventually results in the teacher having to use their money to provide for their students. Even though this has just been brought to attention, it is not a new issue. I experience it all the time in my school, and it won’t improve any time soon. “Teachers spend $3 Billion out of pocket per year on school supplies.”(Inglee: Shocking Amount) It isn’t fair, nor is it trying to be improved. However, it’s the only solution due to the fact that schools don’t get the money needed to give the great education that students deserve. I often hear my teachers complaining on how they have to use their own salary to buy things that should be given, and I think the school board could actually give assistance, they just choose not to.

Budget cuts are simply a part of life, but some things shouldn’t have to suffer because of it. One of those things is simply education. Yes, it’s free and some things should be paid for, but everybody isn’t able. Nobody should be a victim of it, especially students. Teachers see budget cuts as excuses for them to slack off, and it’s soon taken off on the students and the things they learn. Next, sequestration puts a hurting on the students from an early age, because daycare is taken away. Students also lose a chance to enhance their learning unless their parents will use their own funds. Lastly, the budget cuts have become so bad to the point where teachers have to provide their own. Education is taking a turn for the worst, and the bad [part about it is that the root of it is money and selfishness. When I think about that conversation with Ms. O’Neal, I actually feel bad knowing that it’s beyond her control, and there’s nothing she could possibly do about the harsh consequences of budget cuts in education.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Resmovitz, Joy. “Teacher Survey Shows Record Low Job Satisfaction In 2012” Huffington Post. 21 Feb 2013. 22 April 2013

 

Inglee, Jenny. “The Shocking Amount America’s Teachers Spend On School Supplies (Infographic)” Take Part. 12 Sep 2012. 22 April 2013

Parker, Suzi. “Budget Cuts in Education Are Looming- So What Does That Mean for Kids?” Take Part. 22 Feb 2013. 22 April 2013

Media Effects

Alaina Woods

Professor Kelly Warren

ENC1102

9 April 2013

As a high school teen, I must agree that the media may have negative effects, and nobody is immune to it. Whether it’s the image that one is given from the media, or the image that one takes; the media often has negative effects and doesn’t seem to get any better. The media especially has a negative effect on teens: mostly on violence, body image, and sexuality.

Though all issues are equally important in the effects of media, violence is one that is constantly brought up. It’s very entertaining to many people, and may have an influence on them; whether positive or negative. Violence is usually viewed in television, video games, and books. This enables a wide variety of access to these things, and in turn gives people a clear view of violence. There have also been experiments ran to see just how much of an effect violence can have on minors. One popular experiment is the “Bobo Doll Experiment”, created by Albert Bandura. This experiment involves children watching a video clip of the Bobo Doll being punched repeatedly. After the video is viewed, the child will be left in the room alone with the doll. The majority of the children would “replicate the behavior” (Johnson, “What Effect Does the Media Have on Teen Violence”) they see in the video, which is beating the doll. This proves that viewing violence can sometimes increase the amount of violence. Teens and children only repeat what they see. Since access to media that includes violence is so common, it seems as if violence only increases with time.

The next issue that effects teens within the media is body image. Many models, actors, and actresses seen on television seem to be perfect, and this influences teens to change their bodies so they can look perfect as well. Teens want to be accepted, and because celebrities are accepted because of their looks that’s who they follow. This often results in “destructive eating habits” (Kelly, “Negative Effects”) for girls, and boys try very hard to get lean to resemble celebrities. It looks as if the media influences teens to lose an excessive amount of weight; however there seems to be more obese teens due to the amount of media available. Teens spend an “average of five hours” (Kelly, “Negative Effects”) on different sources of media such as computers, television, and cell phones. This causes a huge amount of laziness so teens usually just resort to unhealthy snacks during this time period. Body image is very important to teens, and is also important to the health of teens and the media has a huge influence on it.

Lastly, the media has a drastic effect on teens and their sexuality. The media depicts sex as “acceptable and normal” (Kelly, “Negative Effects”) so of course teens soon feel tempted to try it. Also, the internet seems to be a reliable source for teens to search for information that involves “sexuality and sexual health” (Kelly, Negative Effects). Unfortunately, most of these sites are discreetly encouraging sex, by making it seem normal. The media seems to have a negative effect on a teen’s outlook on sex. The things seen on TV seem to encourage teens to have sex, and never encourages the right kind of sex. “Less than 1% of teen media focuses on sexual health, contraception, and consequences.”(Warren, “The Media & Teen Sexuality”) The frequent exposure to sexual social media is 2.2 times more likely to encourage a teen to have sex than a teen who hasn’t been exposed to this form of media. Media does not seem to have a positive effect on teen sexuality.

The media is a very dangerous thing, especially when it comes to teens. Speaking from experience, I’ve seen how the media can change one’s views on looks, violence, and sexuality. The numbers in violence seem to increase every day, and the things seen on television or the internet influence it in a large way. Body image is another thing that has such a huge effect on teens in the media. By seeing celebrities and their flawless bodies, teens have the urge to go to drastic measures to have their bodies look the same way. As well as influencing teens to change their bodies to look better, the media will also cause a teen to gain weight, and become obese. One of the last effects that the media has on teens is influencing sex or exaggerating sexuality. The internet and TV displays sex to teens, but not in the most beneficial ways. The effects of media go a long way, and range from all different types of dangers.

Journal 6-Miss Representation

To me, the film “Miss Representation” hit all the points that people don’t seem to see in the media. It’s true that there’s some sort of bias towards women in the media, and it isn’t fair at all. Women are viewed in a negative way in just about everything they do, whether it’s a positive action or a negative action. To society, women can’t seem to win anything. This film was built solely on opinion and testimony and gave an excellent viewpoint on how women are viewed in the media. I was very engaged in this film, and was shocked at the way some of the women are looked at on television. It’s actually sad that women are sat on such a high pedestal, just to be looked down on as failures. It’s also a known fact that you don’t have to be on television just to be judged, and any female is judged every day. It’s as if women have to go to drastic measures just to be perfect, and it still doesn’t seem to be enough for our “critics”. When we’re dressed professionally, we’re not showing enough skin, but when we show just an ankle, we’re showing too much skin. It seems to be a no-win situation for women, but it’s time that someone stands up. “Miss Representation” was a great view to me, and showed me that women do care how they’re looked at want to do something about it. As women, all we have is each other so we have to be there for one another.

Hunger Issues

Alaina Woods

Hunger Issues

ENC 1102

March 19, 2013           

 

“A country like America has twice as much food on its shop shelves and in its restaurants than is actually required to feed the American people.”- Tristram Stuart: The Global Food Waste Scandal

            When thinking about the amount of food wasted in America, it’s actually possible to become scared. What’s scarier than that is reflecting upon the many people that could be fed with the food that America wastes as a country. World hunger is a major issue, whether it’s political, economic, or social. It’s actually sad that America contributes to World Hunger with the large amount of food wasted.

            Even though World Hunger is included in all issues, it’s especially major in politics. This is not the major cause of hunger, but it is a huge cause of it. Experts state that countries are “destined to be hungry”, for reasons such as civil war, bad politics, or corruption. There are also allegations that nations aren’t able to afford food, due to the prices which they are sold at. It’s true that America has plenty of food, and manufactures plenty on a regular basis, but it’s not a reasonable price for the targeted countries. Even though it seems as if money is the issue, it doesn’t have anything to do with the economy, but mostly politics. Even though people are hungry because their poor, politics could address poverty and change the current state of world hunger.

            We all know that nothing in life is free, nevertheless the food we eat to nourish our bodies. That’s where the economy comes in when it comes to world hunger. There’s no doubt that America’s economic system is not one to brag about, and the economy is a major blame of world hunger. However, the money Americans spend could feed a whole village, and more. Impoverished countries “ravaged by economic policies” are at risk for food deprivation. Global warming also has a major effect on the economy, and contributes to world hunger as well. In addition, weather conditions cause the prices of certain food items to skyrockets. Oil prices have increased as well, and that puts a sore on a third-world country’s economy. That’s the major reason why there is such a decrease in the food available, which causes an increase in world hunger.

            The last major contribution to world hunger is the damaging effect of social structures. Not only does this have an effect on third world countries, it often affects industrialized countries, such as the US. The mixture of failed policies and biased social structure will result in food insecurity of countless numbers of people. World hunger is usually based upon social class, and more than often the poor are included in the statistics of world hunger. The outrageous statistics of world hunger could only be decreased by more people who control their own economic destiny, and don’t have the government choose it for them. Another major contribution to the social cause of world hunger would be small amounts of people actually willing to give to those who are hungry and not sure where their next meal will come from. It’s extremely possible to partner with charities to support the cause. If one was to partner with Gleaners Food Bank, 100,000 families worldwide would be brought of hunger. (Fighting World Hunger)

            World hunger has rapidly increased, and will continue to increase as time goes on. There are many different causes of world hunger, and there are also roots to these causes. As mentioned before, politics has a major impact on world hunger. Politics don’t strive to improve world hunger, and address poverty. Also, economics contribute to world hunger because the economy rises and don’t use the money they have to support those in poverty. Lastly, social issues increase the statistics on world hunger. World hunger is defined by social class, which basically consists of economic status. Biased social structure results in food insecurity, and the numbers continue to rise. America wastes allot of food and money, and don’t seem to realize the change that could be made if we all stood together to make a change, and feed others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Kenny, Zoe. “The Economic Causes of World Hunger”.  Share The World’s Resources. October 24, 2007. Web. March 17, 2013

Porus Olpadwala. “Social Causes of Hunger” Economic and Political Weekly. Volume 28. July 3-10, 1991. March 17, 2013

“Charting A Path From Hungry To Healthy For Millions of People Worldwide”. March 17, 2013

Anup Shah. “Causes of Hunger Are Related To Poverty.” Global Issues. October 3, 2010. March 17, 2013

 

 

American Dream

Alaina Woods

ENC 1102

Social Media

March 5, 2013 

Our Own American Dream

To begin with, the American Dream speaks for itself. It’s something that all Americans dream about, and people from different cultures as well. Specifically, a dream is more than often a great experience, and something someone wants to come true. The term American Dream justifies how Americans should live, and how beautiful their lives should be. According to James Adams’ book “The Epic of America” it was stated that “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone”(214). Many people followed this quote up, in politics, civil rights, and even in everyday life.

            To begin with, the American Dream played a big part in civil rights and activists’ belief on it. There was a black quest for the American Dream around 1963, when the famous Dr. Martin Luther King was fighting for our rights. In his “Letter from A Birmingham Jail” he expressed how African Americans should be exposed to the American Dream as well as others. He stated that when (Freedom Riders) sat down at those lunch counters “they were standing up for what was best in the American Dream and for the most sacred values in our Judeo-Christian heritage.” An imprisoned King was responding to a statement by eight Atlanta clergymen, and he was fed up with the way African-Americans were treated. It’s granted that blacks deserve to experience the American Dream, and King was a firm believer in equality.

            I believe that the American Dream played a huge part in the Civil Rights. When the American Dream was brought about in 1931, it was referring to all Americans. Whether their color is black, white, or anything else this declaration referred to us all as equals. I think around the time Civil Rights movement came about, African-Americans were just fed up with the unfair way they were treated, and they never got to see the American Dream. Colored people don’t have equal opportunity, and there have been “dramatic shifts in social welfare”(Leadership Conference) which cause African Americans to “realize civil rights”(Leadership Conference). This is not deemed as the American Dream, and Human Rights have to been brought to the courts to enable blacks to live the American Dream as well.

            As mentioned before, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. He fought for equality across the nation, and was very brave in everything he accomplished. Dr. King understood everyone’s beliefs, and dreams. He was a big believer in dreams, and is well known from his “I Have a Dream” speech. To Dr. King, the American Dream was a “dream yet unfulfilled”. He had hope that one day we would all live the American Dream. It’s true that in the past African-Americans were treated poorly, and not how the American Dream should have been. Even in the present, African-Americans are not given the American Dream. Granted, the American Dream is not just given to you. It’s something that is reached for, something that one sets goals for. Dr. King emphasized how important it was to follow all dreams, and that your dreams are meant to come true. The civil rights movement was a historic time period, and it ties in with the American Dream very tightly.

             The American Dream sounds so beautiful, but it is not a beautiful journey to get there. In most dreams, life seems to be better, and things seem easier. That’s how the American Dream should be, and that’s what people strive for. During the Civil Rights movement that’s what leaders, such as Dr. King strived for. When you struggle for things, such as rights and freedom, you try hard to get to a better place in reality. Many people have a dream they want to come true, and when you want something bad you fight for it. Many people look forward to their dream, and try hard to get it. The American Dream is something all Americans look forward to, and even people of different cultures. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, the significance of the American Dream was stressed and that’s why I look up to it in such a major way.

Works Cited

Adams, James. The Epic of America. 1931. Print

Saunders, Lee. “Martin Luther King Jr., the labor movement and the American dream” The Grio. January 16, 2012. March 4, 2013

Leadership Conference, “American Dream? American Reality! A Report on Race, Ethnicity, and the Law in the United States” The Leadership Conference. January 2009. March 4, 2013

Journal 3-Digital Nation

The film digital nation was very interesting to me, and made me look at social emdia in a whole new life. As a teen, I'm totally into using technology for any and every thing; but I never knew it could be so interesting.