Blog Response Due 11/17

The essay I chose to read from the College Composition book was Qing Ji's "Different Attitudes to Using Pencils."  It was very interesting to read that something as trivial as using pencils can symbolize vast cultural differences between the Chinese and the Americans.  In China, the use of pens and their tendency to not use pencils points out that the Chinese live a rule-driven life and tend to unify their beliefs.  In America, however, people use pencils and do not have strict rules on what or what not to use in school.  This shows that America embraces the individual, while China focuses on unity and following the status quo.  As someone who moved to America from China, Qing Ji has a unique perspective on two of the more well-known cultures in the world. Perhaps identifying and accepting the little differences between cultures can help us become more tolerant of foreigners and understand their country's policies.  

Blog Response Due by 11/12/08

The essay compiled by Brent Staples, "Just Walk On By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space," was a very eye-opening passage. It is alarming that after all of the steps the United States has taken to become less stereotypical of others that many people will avoid "suspicious" looking characters on the streets. Many people will unfairly classify a young black man walking on the street as a threat to society and a possible rapist, murderer, or mugger. Staples has personally been involved in many of these situations, and he couldn't possibly any more different than any one of those types of criminals. It is the sad truth that almost every person I know would react in a similar way if they were walking on a dark street with a so-called "suspicious" looking man. We have eliminated the concept of giving the other person the benefit of the doubt, so to speak.

I feel like I personally do not have much ability to alter public space. I don't think I've ever been considered threatening, as I have a slight build and often try to show my ability to be accepting and nice. I cannot think of any specific examples when I have altered the route or changed the feeling of a public space just by walking by or walking into a room. It must be extremely difficult and frustrating for those who are stereotyped as being "suspicious" while walking into a room. Personally, I believe that we can all do a better job of accepting others and greeting each other on the streets. There is no reason that a man that is bigger and more intimidating than me should have a greater ability to alter public space.

I feel like I am generally pretty accepting of every type of person in a public space. I have been in many public places with many different types of people. Unfortunately, there are times when I will identify someone on the rapid or in the mall who I consider "suspicious looking." I always have an internal argument with myself, however, that reinforces my belief that not everyone who looks suspicious is trying to harm me. I rarely alter my routes or avoid looking at people because of what they look like. It is not polite to do so in that situation even though many people take that action. I have been lucky to grow up with many close friends that come from different backgrounds and races, and I feel like that has helped my ability to be more accepting. I will continue to refrain from reacting negatively to others in public places, and I think if everyone did the same the United States and ultimately the world would be a more unified place.

Blog Entry 11/10/08

1. Ranked Preferences: Webpage, Wiki, Photo Essay, Graphic Story, Movie

2. 5 Things I Might Be Able to Write About: Music (a band website?), Movies (A specific movie), A sports team of some kind, a biography on some person, a current issue of some kind. (These are vague but I really have no ideas as of now)

3. 2 Questions: How in-depth should these websites, wikis, etc. be? How are they going to be presented?

Blog Response Due 10/27

In "Past Present," Jimmy Santiago Baca does a phenomenal job blending two forms of writing, narrative and persuasive.  At first you are given the impression that the passage will be strictly narrative, but he implements his opinions into the story and effectively persuades the reader.  The narrative part of the passage is Baca explaining how he returns to the prison that he was held in previously to shoot a film he was creating.  Going back to that dreadful place made Baca remember the horrible aspects of prison life.  While explaining this, he effectively expresses his belief that prisoners are treated unfairly and are not given a shot to live a free life.  He expresses his opinion by saying "that these cons should tear the fucking walls down and allow no one to dehumanize them in this way."  I believe that this implementation of persuasive thoughts produce a very effective essay.  I honestly do not believe that any part of the story has any ineffective attempts to persuade.  His personal experience gives the reader a unique view on prison life and its poor qualities.  He negatively portrays the cells in the prison as "so small that a man cannot bend or stretch without bruising himself against some obstacle."  Overall, Jimmy Santiago Baca put together an easy to read short story that effectively shows the true nature of prison life and the parts of their lives that the general public does not see.

Images of Main Street - Due 10/15

1.  In "Images of Main Street: Disney World and the American Adventure", Virginia and Frank Salamone effectively describe how Disney World is a "sanitized reality."  In this "sanitized reality," adults and children alike are sent into another world where everything seems too good to be true.  Adults become nostalgic of their childhood and children are amazed by the cheeriness and magical nature of Main Street.  Disney effectively implements several features into the park and  Main Street in order to evoke the feelings of a "sanitized reality" into their visitors.  One way they evoke these feelings is by keeping the park clean and by the upbeat personalities of their employees.  When people enter Disney World, they are greeted with happy people and well-constructed buildings.  There are buildings meant to represent a different time period in the past, which are meant to evoke "memories of an America that never was but that many wish would be again."  Visitors to the park are intentionally led to believe that Disney World represents America and all of its values.  They want to believe that it is a reflection of our country.  It is meant to give visitors the feeling that America is basic and wholesome.  Although that is far from the truth, visitors can enjoy the optimistic nature of the park for at least a day or two, giving them a much-needed break from the mundane nature of the real world.  

2.  There are plenty of other examples of "sanitized realities" in the United States.  Obviously, some are not as effective as Disney World.  But many other theme parks do a pretty effective job of giving visitors an escape from the real world for a short period of time.  An example of such a place would be the many Six Flags amusement parks around the country.  Most of these theme parks have the theme of super heros and famous comic book characters.  Young children enter these parks and are amazed by the power of the roller-coasters, most of which are named after a different super hero.  Adults and children go on rides such as Batman, The Hulk, Superman, and others.  Adults often are nostalgic about the characters, many of whom were the subjects of comic books in their early childhoods.  Visitors to the park have an escape for a period of time where they can feel as if a world exists where there are superheroes to protect the streets and keep everyone safe.  Obviously, this is not true.  But Six Flags does a great job advertising their popular heroes in order to attract innocent children and nostalgic parents alike into their "sanitized reality."  

Rhetorical Analysis of JFK's 1961 Inaugural Speech

In early 1961, the United States of America was in the middle of dealing with racial tensions and inequalities on the home-front, as well as the fight against Communism and the Cold War internationally. The American people were concerned with the state of their country and the seemingly never-ending possibilities of yet another devastating war. However, they were optimistic about the young president they had elected a few months earlier to lead their country. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was sworn into office on January 20, 1961 at the age of 43. His inaugural address to the American citizens on that day gave the people a sense of comfort and confidence in their young leader that was desperately needed at the time.

John F. Kennedy begins his inaugural speech by using antithesis to emphasize the importance of his victory in the presidential race. Kennedy describes his victory as “symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning -- signifying renewal, as well as change.” He then appeals to the pathos of his audience by using several effective choices of diction. By describing the responsibilities passed on to the new generation of Americans, Kennedy invokes nationalistic feelings in the listening citizens. He points to the resiliency of the United States and the need for the people to continue to support the ideals of freedom that have made the country so successful. The people were challenged to “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” Kennedy successfully appeals to the pathos of the audience in order to establish his views to be elaborated in the rest of his speech.

In the next portion of his address, John F. Kennedy discusses his international views. He strategically uses anaphora to break his ideas into segments. After saying that the United States under his presidency will pledge to achieve several different things, he explains what the pledges are in segments beginning with “to.” It effectively separates his ideas and lets his audience know he is beginning to speak of a different pledge than the one before. Kennedy pledges that the United States will unify with other countries even if their viewpoints are much different than those of our great country. In Kennedy’s mind, we must retain our old allies because “divided, there is little we can do.” He also pledges to help those countries that are less fortunate than the United States not for power or political reasons, but because it is morally right. He then finishes off his anaphoric pledges by promising relief to bordering countries, renewing the United States’ support of the United Nations, and by requesting peaceful relations with other countries in the world. Kennedy’s dedicated and confident tone throughout this portion of the address gives the audience a reassuring sense of belief in their new leader.

The next section of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech has some similarities to the preceding portion. Once again, Kennedy uses anaphora to emphasize his points. However, rather than focusing on his international views regarding helping other countries in need, Kennedy focuses on the importance of preventing another violent war. He begins this portion of the speech by cleverly inserting a trope to explain what the United States’ policy should be about negotiation with other countries: “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” He then proceeds to address the prevention of war by beginning all of his ideas and viewpoints with the phrase “let both sides.” During this section, Kennedy uses logos effectively to explain why it is logical to avoid war. Kennedy urges “both sides” to help each other through problems rather than letting the problems divide the countries, to focus on the positive effects that science can have on society rather than its harmful effects, and to unite in order to create a world “where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved.” These pleas for a peaceful world were exactly what the American people needed to hear at a time when war was the last thing anyone wanted for the United States.

Link: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkinaugural.htm

Blog Topic Due by 9/3

1. I believe that Jamaica Kincaid's passage, "On Seeing England for the First Time," used thick description very effectively. There were countless mental images that came about when Kincaid described England, both before and after she saw the country. The way she described England before she visited the country was almost mythological. Her descriptions gave us vivid images of what England is supposed to be like. She seemed to adore the country more than anything in the world: "And the weather was so remarkable because the rain fell gently always, only occassionally in deep gusts, and it colored the air various shades of gray, each an appealing shade for a dress to be worn when a portrait was being painted."

However, the thick description Kincaid used to describe England took a turn for the worse after she visited. She painted mental images of rude, ugly people, disgusting food, awful weather, and a country that lost its sense of pride in her mind. An example of this gloomy description: "In me, the space between the idea of it and its reality had become filled with hatred, and so when at last I saw it I wanted to take it into my hands and tear it into little pieces and then crumble it up as if it were clay, child's clay." It is interesting how at the start of the story the reader believes that it is going to be all about how amazing England is, but Kincaid definetly showed us what she really believes.


2. "The Church Uptown" by Ian McGuinness, in my opinion, does an outstanding job of giving the reader an idea of what St. Mary's place in Miami history is. I really enjoyed how McGuinness used metaphors and similes to describe the church : "St. Mary's looks like an ancient novel wedged into the contemporary bookshelf that is High Street." His views are sometimes humorous, but give the reader a sense of respect as to how St. Mary's has endured so much. I also think McGuinness used an effective technique when he described how High Street seems as a place that promotes progression and possibly sinfulness, and its irony that a long-standing church would be located there. Even as young people progress and possibly diminish the values of the Catholic church, "[St. Mary's] lights are always on and her doors are always open."