Blog #11: Fish Out of Water

You'd think that being in a holy place would put you at ease. Well it doesn't, atleast not for me. For me it just reignites distant memories.

I sat in the back on the wooden bench, watching as people made their way in. Families entered with children in hand. The occasional straggler made way through the doors as well.

Everyone dressed accordingly. They wore nice attire, but weren't overzealous with it. I was dressed in jeans and a shirt that no longer seemed appropriate.

People chatted comfortably as if they were long-time friends or neighbors. When the minister made his presence on stage, everyone quieted and focused solely on the speaker and hanging to his every word of truth. Some children sat impatiently, staring at the floor and dangling their legs. Others focused with the same intense concentration and intrigue as their parents.

He read the sermon, and people nodded in agreement with the occassional spoken "amen". They were convinced that these words were in fact truth. Despite the fact that he spoke conviction and the people were accepting of his message, I was dumbfounded. I had no comprehension of what he was trying to say, so I sat quietly in the back waiting for it to end.

Church and religion are difficult for me to accept provided a number of reasons. First, it reminds me of my grandparents who passed away. It reminds me of the grandfather who passed away the day before returning to school from winter break in elementary school. It forces me into memories of the sick grandmother who wasn't able to attend my graduation or attending church with her, praying to God that he would take away her sickness. Most of all it reminds me that these prayers were not answered.

For a long time I blamed God and I eventually lost my faith. It has become exceedingly difficult to accept religion, let alone to believe it. I no longer see religion and functionable in my life. Even if I wish to hear the message, it no longer makes sense to me.

It makes me uncomfortable to see people so reassured by the words of God, even when they're prayers go unanswered. I don't understand how people can invest so much faith into something they can't see, hear or touch.

I also don't understand the need for people to dress or behave in a certain way in a church simply because it is a place of God. Why do they feel the need to appear a certain way in the presence of others in one particular place if their God sees them at all times?

For these reasons, church and religion make no sense to me. Nor do I see myself seeking comfort in their establishments.

Word #10

1. Word: Frivolous (adjective)
2. Definition: of little weight or importance; having no sound basis (as in fact or law)
3. Quote: A friend used during a conversation.
4. Sentence: Her argument was frivolous and did little to compell the audience.

Blog #10- Japanese Internment Memorial

These images are just two frames that were integrated into the memorial monument seen during class. The depict the lives experienced by the Japanese that were forced into internment camps during and after the transition. Many were forced to leave behind their valued belongings, only to be placed into a tightly confined area that was tightly guarded.
I personally found it hard to connect with this particular form of art (sculpture), and would have been more influenced by photography or film. However, I was able to perceive a piece that respected the experiences of many Japanese-Americans during WWII.
Unfortunately, Japanese-Americans experienced events highly similar to the Jewish and other cultures that were ostracized by Hitler and the German Nazis. They were targeted simply on a basis of their ethnicity, regardless if they had no involvement with the Japanese and the attack of Pearl Harbor.
Pieces such as this help reflect upon the emotional, political and ethical turbulence prompted by bigotry and rash decisions. People have historically made ill-advised decisions that were a result of their social ignorance. Yet, despite past occurrences, they [as a society], have continued to repeat past mistakes.
It's as if there is an act now, think later mind frame. It is because of this that society has not only repeatedly made the same mistakes, but will continue to make them as well.
Take into consideration the terrorist attacks that occurred nearly a decade ago. Immediately following the attack, many individuals of Middle Eastern decent were scrutinized by American citizens. Anyone that visually resembled the terrorists could potentially be interrogated. There was also a noticeable increase in the number of hatecrimes targeted towards Middle Eastern Americans. Nearly a decade later, there still tends to be a stigma associated with them.
Society's tendency to react out of fear continues to have a detrimental effect on its efforts to improve tollerance. Hence, it becomes increasingly important that society learn from past mistakes in order to prevent further chaos.

Copy Edit the World #3

In the top image, a "d" should be added at the end of "an".

In the top left corner, the use of the word goad does not make sense.

In the third image, there is an unnecessary set of quotation marks. There should not be any quotes before the sentence beginning with "In".

In the fourth image, the sentence is double punctuated. There is an unnecessary placement of a period before the comma.

Word #9

1. Word: Imprudent (adjective)
2. Definition: Not prudent; lacking discretion; incautious; rash
3. Quote: "Being somewhat imprudent I said, 'This place stinks.'" -Richard Keady during an American Studies 159 lecture
4. Sentence: The young girls was imprudent, and asked questions that made many adults feel uncomfortable.

Blog #9-In My Humble Opinion

Following Decision, Jubilation Erupts on Campus by Peter Hironaka, The Spartan Daily; November 5, 2008

Two years ago, an article was published following the election of Barack Obama as our nation's president. This indeed a moment that represents a paradign shift of our nation's open-mindedness. However, this article is a depicts our society's ignorance.

The article discusses the response of many black students at San Jose State University proceeding this election. A group of these individuals were observed gathering around the Tommie Smith and John Carlos statue on campus, chanting and praising this historic event.

Students were quoted saying "no disrespect to other races, but this is for all the black people who went through everything", or how they "were happy for relatives who endured racism."

Quite frankly, from the moment I began reading this article I was pissed. I was irritated at the fact that everything circulates around race. At the moment, why couldn't student's just be appreciative of the fact that a more worthy candidate was elected? Why did it automatically have to become yet another race issue?

It irritates me that we continue to feed into the racial/ethnic bullshit. This election was not about the black community, nor was it about racism. This election was about acknowledging the individual that will lead our country for the next few years.

The labeling of such events as a victory for one particular race is only further resulting in society's current racial separateness.

Word #8

1. Word: Pretentious (adjective)
2. Definition:Characterized by an assumption of dignity or importance.
3. Quote: Heard during a Family Guy episode.
4. Sentence: The manager was pretentious and often spoke condescendingly to his employees.

Blog #8- Drinkng Coffee Elsewhere

In Drinking Coffee Elsewhere,author ZZ Packer provides a number of short stories. I read Our Lady of Peace, which portrays a woman attempting to change not only her own circumstances, but of her students in a Baltimore public school as well.

Packer makes the effort to accurately portray each scenerio. For instance: "She could see Bonza's eyes scanning the school steps: no students. He threw his cigarette to the concrete, snuffed it out with his shoe, then grabbed her, kissing her with fully sloppy thrusts of tongue, his mustache scrubbing her face with its bristles. Lynnea pushed him away and gasped for air, trying to wipe away the saliva ringing her mouth, only to find both hands locked solidly in Bonza's" (page 68). In sections such as this, Packer uses punctuation to emphasise and paint a scenerio. While she uses a wider vocabulary than most, her writing is still basic thus making it an easier read.

Packer also integrates sarcasm and humor into her writing. For instance, "...girls dragged large fake designer handbags behind them like migrant workers told to flee the land" (page 70).

Packer also uses dialoge similar to that of Zora Neal Hurston, and punctuates words and emphasizes them in a way that the particular culture would speak. Such as that on page 71:
"You don't have to learn nothing. We the ones--"
"Anything," Lynnea corrected.
"What?"
"Go on." Lynnea sneaked another glance at the clock.
"Maybe we can learn it, but not by you just yapping at us. Nobody wanna hear nobody else talk for no hour. It just get boring..."

Overall, Drinking Coffee Elsewhere is a short and easy read that uses a variety of sentence length, punctuation, and comprehensive depictions.