What am i gonna do????

Through the course of my years in schooling I have encountered many different teachers, methods of teaching, class material and curriculum. There has always been a similarity in all of this, every note and class and teacher was a stepping stone to the next level. The next level might be from 5th to 6th grade, middle to highschool, or a prerequisite to the next class in college. This is the education system I am accustomed to. What is the the next step for me now? It seems to be reading my self for the real world, for years outside of class rooms and text books where hard work pays in cash and not letter grades. So as for my research paper i want to look back on american education systems as a whole. I want to know the what knowledge was essential to the students of the past. I want to compare and contrast today's educated societies to those who came before. Incomes and educations will be corrilated and be determined to be causes of one another in my research.

Language is TOUGH

• 
  Language. What is language? Language if you ask me is something that everybody has, and everybody learns. Some people might learn 2 or 3 different languages but we all use it everyday. Language can be incorporated into work, social life, and everything else that we do during our everyday life.
• Some languages
• -French-Spanish-German-Italian-English

I am going to put stories of people dealing with language, I am going to share my story, and i am going to get statistics about language and how much one language is being used somewhere.I will also talk about some tools of language.

I forgot, so sue me...

For my final paper.. I'm thinking about writing about students. Like, the difficulties of being a kid, and the stress we have. What society and adults put on us. How we're affected. Something along those lines.
As far as actually getting information, I'm thinking about starting with talking to one of the Ed Psych professors, and getting information from the multicultural center.

Something totally random, but I wanted to share:
I got a Creative Zen Vision: M over the weekend. And it's freaking awesome. It has lots of cool features. I just wanted to share my excitement with you.

Ok so...

This College Composition class given to me by Kutztown University is by far my favorite class this semester. I enjoy the lack of actual work that we do and I like that this class is mostly interacting with eachother and talking. I liked the first paper topic, but not the second one. It was quite confusing and I know I just rambled on and on about random stuff. Oh well, we'll see what happens with this research!
So, I've been thinking more about what I am going to write for this "research blog" paper, and I have come to the conclusion that I am sort of stumped. I want to do immigration and the work ethics/values that go along with it, however, I'm not sure where to start.. HELP!

"College" Comp Class

"College" Comp class has been so fun!I say "college" because when we are in class, it doesnt seem like a traditional college class. In fact, it is just the opposite - untraditional. We sit in a circle, speak when not spoken to, and instead of answering the quetions of the professor, we answer questions of each other. Not to mention that we basically pick our own topics for our papers, of which we only had 2 this semester (with 1 pending). I WILL BE SAD WHEN ITS OVER :-(
As far as the researarch of this next paper, i am sort of confused b/c it doesnt really seem like a research paper...when i think of research i think of finding information about something that i am 100% oblivious about. But if this is what i have to do, then i guess i shall start by searching for statistics about work and education...???

Circle it up!

• 
  When I hear English 023 the first thing that comes to my mind is CIRCLE IT UP! The very first day of class we were all shocked (and some what disgusted) to hear that we had to sit in a circle. The first few class periods after that we walked in to the room sat in rows, and prayed that those three little words wouldn't be uttered again... but they were... Now everyone walks into class, sits in the circle, and gets ready to talk....
  
  
  
• My favorite topic of discussion in this class was language. Especially June Jordan's essay on Black English. I guess I felt connected to this essay because I had a similar reaction the first time I tried reading "The Color Purple" . I think language interests me so much because people are able to use so many different forms of it, and can change the form they are using in the blink of an eye.

I hate it when I don't know what to write...

So here's the deal or no deal, which ever you prefer. I feel pretty cluless when it comes to writing this post. I really can't remember what we talked about in class so far this semester. I know of some general ideas

• work
• immigration
• culture
• values
• literacy
• teaching

We read articles on teaching...on Black English....on High School...so maybe one of the things "we" could look at is the range of theories of teaching.

but I can't think os something specific. This is probably also due to the fact that I'm really hungry and tired right now. I think the rain factor killed my mood. But don't worry somehow I will prevail.

What an interesting class its been

Every Modays and Wednesdays I wake up and say to myself... I wonder what we are going to talk about in English today. Starting with culture then going to immigration and somehow ending up talking about Mahoney's 10 year. :) But that huge argument about self-grading was the icing on the cake of a great semester! I've honestly never had a class that had so many group discussions. I think I speak for everyone when I say that it helps us pay attention a lot more when we aren't being lectured the ENTIRE 80 minutes! However, writing a paper on the value of work kind of sucked but other than that, your doing a wonderful job Mahoney!!

Well, I don't quite understand this assignment yet but after reading some of the others I got sort of the idea. College Composition is nothing like what I was expecting coming into Kutztown. I depicted it as being an average english class, even sitting in rows. Here we have group discussions and are in a big circle. It's cool, but alittle out of the norm. Even the amount of writing is less then expected but more then hoped. Although, when I go to comp class, I never have a full idea on what to expect in the class until after it all happens and the confusion slowly drains away. I hope I did this correct and if not...at least I did it at all.

Looking Back

Looking back on class this semester so far, we've discussed a variety of topics. Some of these include: different cultures, different languages, the struggle of writing, what goes on in school, work experiences, the struggle with work, and immigration. I've found all these topics to be interesting, and the papers we have been required to write according to these topics were also. I enjoy the methods we use, as far as class discussions compared to lecturing and note taking. It keeps the class attention and interest going. Good Job, Mahoney.

Probably writing? Cause "I'm" interested in it. Our papers were relevant to everything we discussed. English major...and writing is my favorite part.

• link: traits of effective writing
• different types of writing
• different reasons why one writes
• different authors and writers--look at the different writing styles
  

What comes to mind

When I think about the class and the unique things we did this year, immigration and are past job experiences comes to mind. This made me realize how a past work experience helps determine the career I wanted to pursue in. I had learned through this class is the different cultures and teaching techniques. The unique things in this class is how we share opinions with each other rather than just listening to the professor and taking notes.

The Future

When I think about the class and the things we did this year, what comes to mind is the thought of jobs. When we were talking about work it made me think of all the great things that happened duiring my experiences as a young worker. But now I have to admit that I am addicted to shopping. So going to college and being a marketing major will help me start a career that I will enjoy and love. I am addicted to shopping and I would love to work at Aeropostale corporation in the future. My mother knows that once we step in to the stores that I will not be coming out for a long time.

The Reflection of Class so far

During the past classes for College Composition I've noticed that we discuss a lot of things that happen today or what happened in the past. For example, Black English and the value of work and how it is taken for granted. I have related to both these issues to the point that I actually liked talking about it in class. As we all discussed these issue during the pass classes we all saw that the time passed. I also noticed that I also had my own point of view of things that we did in class.

This Class

This class is certainly very different. Some of the time I forget that we are in an English class when we are talking about immigration ,past jobs,and the value of work but we also talk about english relevant things like literacy. Its an ok class because the people there are pretty down to earth. It also helps that the professor isnt on a high horse , oh and what happened to the first paper we did?

the B L O G.. not to be confused with THE BLOB

Its hard to think that we are now down to the last few weeks of our class. From the begining of this class untill now it has been nothing less than a interesting experience. Our topics that we have spoken about have been rather unique, ect. formatting our own paper. Even the set up of our room stands untraditional with desks set up in a circle. I enjoy most about this class that we discuss amoungest eachother. We are not narrowed to just answering questions from our professor, but can even question eachother. When we talked about immigration we intergrated all of our first hand views and even other views of people outside of the classroom to see an overall look at a topic.

So I've been thinking a lot about reality lately. Its difficult to think about it, being such a abstract concept. I s'pose the most important thing to do when addressing abstract concepts is to define them. So I figure, not in any textbook official sense, that reality is simply anything that is real. Reality is anything that exists. the whole difficulty with reality is that to understand anything we must rely on our individual perceptions. Obviously no one's perceptions are exactly the same, thus reality is relative. subject to change. But is there a true reality.
what happens to reality in time. is the past fiction? (certainly the future is) but how can we rest our reality on memories, when we know how faulty they can be.
so if something is constantly changing, and relative to each person, does it even exist? is reality real?


ok cool. i have some direction now. in reference to reality i want to know what the status of global warming is. i want to know if its a real threat, or a political scam. I want to know if it has a human origin, or if its a natural occurrence. I want to get to the bottom line. My coworker/ 6th grade teacher recently read a well researched book outlining global warming as a scam. In opposition, i heard al gore just put out a movie called "an inconvenient truth" about the reality of global warming. I intend to use that book and movie, as well as conversations with geography professors and internet research to get to the bottom of the debacle.

English 023

When I think of this class I think of the mess that was the second paper assignment. Then I think back on the self grading dilemma but I did learn some useful revising techniques so far this semester. This being said, I'm happy with how things are going, but then again we didn't start the research paper yet.

We talked a lot about work this semester and since I'm a business major I was most interested in this particular topic. I would like to do my research on finance and how people spend their money or something like that.... I can't wait until Christmas...

Possible Topic

• Technology Is Good for Finance
• Technology In Finance is good in forms of online banking, online ordering, and selection.

K 9 Handling

So my major starting next fall is going to be Criminal Justice. I'm do not have large amounts of mucle and I don't have huge body mass like a lot of cops have nowadays, but I'm certainly not the laziest. I want to be a police officer, but also a K9 Handler. I love dogs, Police K9 Training, and that whole bit. It's hard to get the K9 handling position so I have to work hard, but I think my chances are pretty good. I got bitten over the summer by one, and it was everything I wished for. ---By the way---I was bitten at a training camp.---It wasn't like I was running from the cops or anything. Don't worry about that. I guess you can say I am a dog freak, but oh well.

...THESE ARE THE DAYS...

These Are The Days, The Time is now...There is no past, There is only future...There is only here, There is only now.

-culture
-musical theatre
-society/views
-grading??
-Jordan's Essay on Black English.. {the color purple}
-culture's effect on musical theatre!!??

Throughout the semester we have discussed many topics, one that comes to mind is my brilliant idea of self-grading. I will talk about this later...because we all know we never want to talk about this issue ever. again.

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE

Ok, so the doctor's on Grey's Anatomy don't save all lives, but they do know how to. This tv show is my addiction. Everybody knows not to call or distract me Thursday nights at 9:00. I am a Grey's Anatomy FREAK and I'm not afraid to admit it!

Here I sit, broken hearted...ooops, they painted the bathrooms in LYTLE

Ok, not really broken hearted, but maybe a little preocupied. You see, I am a political junkie. I love election time. I get all excited about things like CSPAN. This year...the political rhetoric of campaign ads is crazy. This makes me think about audience and rhetoric.

immigrants

Immigrants do not have the best reputation in America today. They are most often strereotyped. They have been said to be job stealers and low class. People often talk as if elligal aliens and legal immigrants are the same. On the news most information about immigration has to do with the boarder between U.S and Mexico. The attitude towards most immigrants seems to be a over
all negitive one.

Immigrants

I think that 99% of the thoughts on immigration are usually negative. Immigrants are generally viewed as invasive. I think our country forgets about our promise of "all people are created equal" , "equal opportunity", "land of the free" etc. It's comparative to High School : New people come in. They form cliques to their own kind. They don't let "outsiders" in. They have something against the outsiders for no reason. The situation is similar, in my eyes.

Immigrants

I think that immigration is okay here in the UNited Stated. You have to think of it in being a good way because they want to come here and have a better life. Altough some of them are illegal it shouldn't make such a big of a deal. They want to come over to this country and make a better living for themselves and for thier children.

Immigrants

I think that immigration is okay here in the UNited Stated. You have to think of it in being a good way because they want to come here and have a better life. Altough some of them are illegal it shouldn't make such a big of a deal. They want to come over to this country and make a better living for themselves and for thier children.

Immigrants

I think the immigrants to the United States have been stereotyped in an unfair way. Yes, there are a lot of immigrants here illegally, but there are also immigrants who come here on legal grounds for many reasons, jobs, family, etc. Unfortunatly, an ugly picture has been painted towards all immigrants, because of those people who choose to work the system. The government is now trying to do something about illegal immigration, and the only thing it's doing is making all immigrants legal and illegal look worse in the eyes of the public. This is because the main points displayed in the media are mostly negative, making legal immigrants look just as bad as illegal immigrants.

Immigrantion

Immigrantion has caused problems in the United States. They cause crimes and have a low-wage jobs. This makes the Amercia's get lower-wage jobs because the immigrantion lowers the rate since they would work basicly for nothing. I feel it's not the Immigrantion fault for doing this, because the government doesn't stop them from doing it. Who wouldn't want to live a better life.

Immigrants

Well here's what I think and I'm not sure that a lot of people are going to agree but that's ok. I think that we need immigration, illegal and legal. I feel though that legal immigration should monitored, like how many people are allowed to immigrate here in a year. I know this sounds very conceited and probably insensitive but I don't mean it to be. There more people that come into this country, the more populated we become therefore increasing many other problems related to over population. As for illegal immigration it obviously cannot be monitored but I'm not that sure how I feel about it. It's going to sounds like I’m contradicting myself here and I'm all right with that. Most illegal immigrants do jobs that most Americans wouldn't do for much less pay and in most cases better work is done. I don't necessarily agree with illegal immigration but the issue is definitely not number one on my list to fix if I'm in a political position to do something about it. I think there are bigger issues we should worry about. I don't think I got my point across real well here because it would be much easier to verbal explain my position then try to type it.
N

Immigrants

Personally I know what it's like to be an immigrant in the United States, because I am one. It is very hard to come into the United States, because you have to go through alot of procedures, to be allowed to live here. I think that Americans think very low of immigrants. Immigrants do not just come here to get a better life, they normally come here because of their job. The reason why we were allowed to move in the United States, was because my dad had a job offer, and they knew that no one else in the United States could do that job in order for my dad to get it. I know it's a better life here, but coming from Canada, it isn't that bad. It is more for the money I think.

Immigrants in American Society

Today, in American society the social norm of immigrants is a negative one. Many Americans believe that immigrants bring crime to America, while others believe that they gain from having immigrants work for them. Thereofore this issue is a two sided issue. People beleive that immigrants bring crime, yet those same people will hire an immigrant for there work place because they are willing to work for extremely low wages. So What is right here? Many say that immigrants cause crime, yet those same people are looking for immigrants to work for them. It is kind of an ironic situtaion that America has come to. Throghout all of the immigration talk I have personally not heard any positive information on the issue. Almost everything I heard was negative, stating that immigrants are only hurting American Soceity. Personally, I have no comment on the issue. I don't feel like I know enough about the issue to make a formal opinion about it. All i know is that the overall opinion of America is that immigrants are not welcome here now, and probably for forever.

Immigrants Today

Immigrant today are everywhere everywhere you look their working in the grocery store, convience store, clhothing store, food resturants, and fast food resturants. But the problem that some American have is why did they come here? Well I can answer that one for sure they came here because they know its better living conditions better work conditions and just their knowledge of how we are in America. Immigrants came up from nothing when they started and now they are something ever since they came to the United States. For example I hear people I know say negative things about immigrants today saying,"They make more money then we do",or "Immigrants trying to run everything". I think immigrant can be here in America if they can show they are worth being here by learning our language, learning bout the goverment, and etc.

Immigrants

I think people's opinion of immigrants are distorted because it isn't the immigrants fault that they are coming over here it is the governments. If they are allowed to come to the United States of corse they are going to for the better living conditions. A lot of people don't like immigrants today because they will work for next to nothing 24 hours a day unlike Americans who complain after 8 hours. A lot of people believe today that immigrants are the cause for a lot of the crime. They also believe that they live an unkempt lifestyle.

Work Story

I don't really have a specific work story, just a lot of memorable moments/memorable people and acquired knowledge and skills from working.

I've worked: as a server in an ice cream parlor, an associate in claire's, an associate at hickory farms, a waitress at an Italian restaurant/bar,

I'll never forget: serving 20 banana splits to people from the psych center every week [crazy], the old man who came for ice cream everyday and always made me smile, one hundred little kids running around the store wanting everything and being terrified to get their ears peierced, getting fired along with my room mate after being accused of stealing cheese [CHEESE?!], seeing an epilectic seize right in front of me for the first time, and the old lady who came for lunch everyday and always made me smile too.


Work will always involve a lot of experience [old & new]


...to be continued.

I really don't have a work story because I work a very boring job. I work at the smoothie place in the student rec center. We hardly get any business and the hours seem to just go on forever. Sometimes I get so bored that I count the bananas in the baskets to keep myself from falling asleep. The sad thing is that its like that almost everyday. The nice thing about this job is that it is a very free and easy atmosphere. All in all it isn't that bad there and i could do alot worse.

Work Story

I became a life gaurd at 15 making $7.50 an hour, and received a $.25 raise each summer I worked there, so when I left I was making $8.oo an hour. The money was great especially when the weather was good and we could stay open, but when the weather was bad and we closed I didn't get paid. Right now you are probably thinking that I was making good money when all I had to do was go sit in the sun and get a tan. There is
definately more to it then sitting around. As a life guard you are responsible for the lives of the people around you, which is a BIG responsibility. There are also a lot of side jobs you have to do like cleaning the locker rooms, setting up equipment, cleaning the pool etc. Life guarding may seem like a piece of cake, but it really takes a dedicated person to do it. Both nickle and dimed and the cocktail waitress showed that it takes dedication and hard work no matter what job it is your doing.

work story

Well, I started working when I was fourteen years old and don't think there has been a month since that first job that I have gone without work. So therefore I have many work stories, so narrowing it down would be the hardest. I've done it all from retail to waitressing but the one job that will forever have changed my life was the one I had this summer. I was a camp counselor at a co ed overnight sports/activities camp. I lived in a cabin with eleven and twelve year olds and one other counselor my age. The pay was not well at all, but i learned so much, I was given responsibility for groups of children 24 hours a day, I met people all over the world from Australia to South Africa and also was lucky enough to meet my boyfriend who I consider the best person I have ever met in my life. I learned what it was like to live in the great outdoors .. a wooden cabin with a bed that was a cot. I was able to run around like a kid again. I lived off of caffteria food which somtimes was composed of eggs in the morning which wern't always the color yellow, somtimes blue. This same food soppositly started a stomach virus that attacked 80% of camp, it was a guessing game trying to figure out who would be sick next. I lived there for nine weeks, the whole experience deffinatly had its ups and downs but I left feeling I knew so much more and would do it all over again.

Work Story

My work story is pretty plain and everything but I started working at Rite Aid Pharmacy around Febuary of this year. It was a relatively small store but we had a lot of work to do. It taught me a lot, about working with the public and getting a sense of what the retail business was all about. If I could choose to work there again, I would. Not only because I had so much fun there, but because it came easy to me. I quit that job, because I was going to college, and did not want to be rushed around with a job and school work. I learned a lot there and I am grateful for that.

work story

I never had a real job until this past summer. I was an advanced-sales rep for a marketing company. For the most part, it was a good experience. On paper it looks good. I made my own schedule/ hours, so I basically controlled how much money I made. Base pay was $17.50, and you usually didn't even have to use that. Not too bad of a summer job, right? In that sense, it was great. But I had beef with the people I worked for. They were master salesmen and would try to manipulate you into doing whatever they wanted. It was frustrating to say the least. I learned those types of skills to be a salesperson, but when I wasn't working, I became a regular person and didn't use those skills just for the heck of it, trying to manipulate people and tell them what they wanted/ needed. It seemed morally wrong or something to me. My "bosses" weren't very understanding of my health issues, and that was something I needed flexibility with, and that turned into something they held against me. So by the end of summer I was ready to leave and move on with my life.

work story

I have been painting apartments for the last four years. I started out at age 14 painting the closets and things that didn't need to be perfect. I started out at $7.50 an hour, and every year that would go up .50 cents, up until this year. I was placed as a foreman for one of the groups. I enjoyed that since there were a lot of responisble on you. Their were headsache to that too, if I didn't finish the apartment in the time that was given, it would come back on me. I would have to put in extra hours on the weekend or have late nights to get it done by the deadline.

Work Story

Well where to begin, I have been working at Top Star Express (Mobil version of WAWA) for almost a year and a half. Theres plenty of the usual stories about the people that come in for lottery that you absolutly hate and the other people that get coffee and cigarettes and treat you like a human being but this is an intresting story. I work with an older lady named Gloria that is dedicated like no other. The store opens at 530 and she is there at 3 every morning. Anyway lets get to it, there is a regular customer that comes in usually three to four times a week and he had been in a car accident and was forced into a motorized cart. So as long as i had been working there he had always drove this thing in and was very nice until recently where he had began walking again. So one day he "strolls" in and grabs a 12 pack of pepsi and lays it on the counter for Gloria to tend to. As shes ringing him up she notices that he's making odd faces and she begins to smell an odor. When she's telling me this story she says she thought it was just body odor, she referred to it as "how fat people smell". So the transaction is done and hes out the door with his pepsi, until Gloria realizes the smell is still there. So she walks around the counter to find out what this horrible odor is and before she can put it all together the regular lottery lady comes running over asking,"Is that chilli?"

Work Story

I only began to really work last year in the month of November at a retail store named Circuit City. All I can say is that it was a great expierience to start my first job at. I loved it there it did get a little hectic sometimes because of the season but I still had fun in the process. My employer were pretty nice. The only thing that got me is that they only trained me for about a few days and I began on the cash register ; which to me was hard at first. I had to learn how to do things on the cash register that involved checks, cash, gift cards and bank cards. The hardest part was doing the checks but after a while I got it. Also another thing I had to break out of in this form of work was to speak loudly and clearly to each customer and to greet them when they came to the register. They also had us to ask each customer that had a item(s) that had warranties to ask if they wanted out companies warranties as well. Upon that we were able to gain points for our company. I stop working there at the end of December and if I had the choose I would work there again.

Work Story

I really don't have one specific workstory. Rather, I have many small instances that described the craziness of a busy restaurant named Cosgrove's Clubhouse. I started working at Cosgrove's when I was about fifteen years old, I also thought that it would be a good idea getting a job this early in life. I started out as a busboy, and later moved onto being a waiter. I learned more in those 4-5 years than I felt i learned in my whole life. I saw so many things, some good and some bad. I witnessed at a very young age the drug deals that happened behind Cosgroves, I witnessed a "friend" steal money out of other waiter's tip jars, and I have had to deal with many unhappy, and sometimes terribly mean customers. I never knew that this stuff ever existed in a restaurant setting. Now it wasnt all bad, but a lot of times it was. To this day im not sure the experiences I learned, good or bad, have made me a better person in any way, but I learned at a very young age what some people don't learn till later in life.

work story

I really don't have a work story because I have a very boring job. I work at the smoothie place in the student rec center. We hardly get any business and the hours seem to just go on forever. Sometimes I get so bored that I count the bananas in the baskets to keep myself from falling asleep. The sad thing is that its like that almost every day. The nice thing about this job is that it has a very free and easy atmosphere. All in all it isn't that bad and I could probably do alot worse.

Work Story

I thought that it would be good to go out and get a job at the age of 14. The only reason why I wanted to make this step was because I wanted to have my own money and be independent. I started working at hershey park at age 14, at a restuarant, working there for 4 years during the summer. I began as a food clerk, working at $6.00 an hour. I cooked and served food, cleaned, and help make the guests happy. After the first year and the start of the second I moved up in the ranking as an assistant team leader. Being an assistant team leader I was in trainging to be a supervisor. My pay raised too. Now that it was my fourth year working I am now supervisor for my restaurant making $8.50 an hour. I think that is pretty good money for my age and being only seasonal. Every year I go back my pay gets higher and higher. I've tried other jobs during the school year working at Finish Line, Target, and Giants but I realised that no one pays as good as hershey park. Its a fun experience because you are working with all you friends and you are in charge. The Hershery Park Happy Experience

A Work Story

A work story. Well this is pretty tricky. I've been working since I was fourteen and can't think of a single good story, especially one that relates to the reading. (sorry this is so stream of consciousness-y)
Well I mentioned in class how I liked the Cocktail Waitress because I could relate to the social structure thing that Spradley and Mann were describing. When I was 16 I got my first REAL (not under the table) job. Cooking (more like assembling) at Phut. I started at $5.65.
So my first day at work, and I'm on dishes. There's an entire hierarchy you have no clue about. Start at dishes, if you're cool you can help on "make" if you're good at "make" you get bumped to the front of the "make table", and if you're really good, and fast, they put you on "cut."
Not that it matters if you're good or not. Not that it matters what you do at all. In fact I realized within an hour of working there that the entire staff, managers and all, were stoners. And I've since noticed that this trend was not limited just to my store, or even just to Pizza Hut, but applies to every pizza shop.
where am I going with this? Oh yea, I was trying to set the stage for a close-nit crew. So we have all these underpaid, under-motivated, pimply adolescents just teeming with angst, frustrated with life and making pizzas. We became the best of friends. In fact we had a Frat, called the BC (Brotherhood of the Crust.) which met multiple times every evening to plan all sorts of community oriented activities and events. (that's sarcastic)
So perhaps we weren't the quintessence of diligence, but we did look out for each other, get in dough fights, talk trash, play games, tease, tickle, laugh, spray each other with the sink nozzle, wrap people in cling wrap, tie up, x lax, party, prank call, and work together. We had an inside crew. And it didn't matter if you got fired, or quit, you were still part of the crew.
there were about 30 of us that came and went in the two years I worked there. That was two years ago, and we still all hang out, we're still all friends. We were united in an immortal era. The Pizza Era.

Nickel -and- Dimed & The Cocktail Waitress

I enjoyed and understood both of these stories simultaneously...

Before I came to school, 3 of my friends and I lived in an apt. for a year. And... it sucked.

My girlfriend and I were both waitresses, while our boyfriends were working out of town each week. As a waitress in a restaruant/bar, I was aware of the set up of it and the people that came in. Everything/Everyone was ultimately labled, and certain connections were made between them.Also, when bills were due each month, and you had to go grocery shopping every week, plus gas, etc --> it all added up! By the end of each paycheck, we had $0 to our name to have fun with. We were living paycheck to paycheck just to be able to live.

Sooo... that's when I made the decision to come BACK to school.
I realized, it is not easy to make a living on a low-wage income...

So both of these stories held true in my opinion.

Nickels and Dimes / Cocktail Waitress

I actually for the first time enjoyed reading both stories because its actually something you understand because its talked about all the time. I like the way Einrech went and experienced how to live on minimum wage. It doesn't make sense how people get paid so much little when doing these jobs instead of at least getting paid so that they can afford to live healthy and not struggle pay check to pay check. How can you possibly get by in america when everything is so expensive?? Going to the next story I liked the way both Spradly and Mann explained the life of a cocktail waitress. It relates to the first story because being a cocktail waitress is a minimum wage job and the examples that she gave of the other help to explain in depth. I liked the way it pointed out the social structure of the bar and also th networking of the people whom she serves.

Nickel-and Dimed/The cocktail Waitress

I enjoyed reading both of these stories. I feel that "Nickel-and-Dimed" story really tells how it is. I liked how the author experiences it all instead of just thinking what it would be like. With a low-wage job in today's world, it is hard to surive with the needs that are essentail. The standards on living in American is so high, and will prolly continue to rise. In "The Cocktail Waitress" I feel they make a good point on how you repond to people differently, by knowing what they're about. Once your around people for a period of time, you don't look at them as just people, but family. I could relate to this, since i had the same job for 4 years.

Nickel and Dimed vs. The Cocktail Waitress

I also liked both of these essays. I like how in the essay Nickel and Dimed, she puts herself in the position as the low-wage worker rather than trying to explain it without living it. It shows how hard it is to live like that and what your life would actually be like if that was how you had to live. I liked The Cocktail Waitress because I've been working as a waitress for three years now at the same restaurant so I could relate to what the story was about. I like how they talk about ways to talk and get to know the customers, and gaining better tips along the way.

Nickel and Dimed/The Cocktail Waitress

I'll start off by saying I liked both of these essays. I liked "Nickel and Dimed" the most because I like how the author put herself into the low-wage workforce and had the experience rather than reporting on it like she knew everything. Because I am a business major these stories appealed to me more than the others we read this year. The way the economy is going with outsourcing and globalization, I believe we are heading in a direction where the rich will become richer and the poor poorer and Ehrenreich pointed this out nicely. "The Cocktail Waitress" described what it is like starting off as a waitress in a bar where the regular customers are very "close" to the workers. It described that it is important for the waitress to pin-point what social class the customers are from, so she can talk to them and then get better tips. It was an interesting story but I enjoyed "Nickel and Dimed" more because the author put you in the situation.

Paper Requirements Report Back

1. 2-6 pages typed. generally correct grammar or spelling--except dialogue or examples. get your point across with some kind of flow. should use proper english when telling a story, but not in dialogue. should be informal--can use I and YOU. you should title it. it can be non-fiction or fiction.

2. should use quote and examples from the text. 5 paragraph essay. 2-6 pages, double-spaced. casual writing. favorite paragraph class--could use that as an example. you should use your opinion rather than just facts.

3. want to give ourselves our own grade. we should choose our own grade and will tell you why we deserve the grade. 2 page minimum and 5 page maximum. if you choose to write your own story that is connected to one of the stories in the book, then you need to be specific about which story you are writing about. correct grammar unless you are using dialogue. [need other people to read in class to judge...group? others?]

4. approximately 3 pages to get your point across. personal, but you should use a works cited page if citing examples from the text. use your own experiences in the text. informal.

5. include your own opinion and life experiences. good conclusing. catches readers' attention. powerful thesis statement. stay on topic. support your thesis. no less than 2 pages.

6. 2 or more pages. opinionated. be informal can use I. stay on topic, don't drift on to another topic. .

Both

Both essays had much meaning behind them. The way in which the they were written may have made readers skip over the importance of Tame a Wild Tongue. In "tame" there are many parts of the text in which the author rattles of whole sentences in spanish and sometimes a paragraph. This makes reading the paper hard and the audience might not know what she is talking about. But that is the point. This language barrier is how she lives everyday of her life and by throwing in a language most of us can not understand is shows us the difficulty. The second essay about highschool is more to the point about being well rounded. The way in which it was written allows most readers to comprehend easily and that may make us gravitate towards the conclusion that this was a more well written essay.

i liked the highschool article more probably because i was just stuck in that life. i loved highschool because i learned alot about myself and life in general. to read about others highschool day and to relate it to issues me and others have experienced was crazy.the wild tongue article was not that interesting to me. i just didnt understand the point the writing was trying to get across.

June and Delpit

Both June and Delpit both talk about education and the differences between a white student and a black student. June speaks of two forms of English, the first being standard English and the second as Black English. Black English is what Junes students speak in class bout can not understand when reading out the book "The color purple". What June says about these two languages is that even though they sound so different both can express the same ideas with the same effectiveness but only if people are willing to accept both are languages. June and the student come to this acceptance but they realize most of the world will not. The true story they write together of a fallen peer goes unheard as the society around them will not tolerate this Black Language.
As for Delpit she focuses more on the learning differences between black children and white. It is not the just language they speak but the culture they are raised in. White teacher's believe black children have no fluency when they speak. This is not true the speak in different ways says Delpit. White children have the skills for "correct speech" so fluency is what is stressed. White families teach this at home in everyday life. The black culture is fluent if you are to listen to it says Delpit but most do not. Black children need to be taught the skills of literacy because that is what they miss at home. White teachers create the standard for teaching but do not see how smart these black children are. The difference is cultures creates a need for differences in teaching.

Both Essays

Reading the first essay about high school i could relate to it because it basically reffered to a teenagers typical highschool life. The essay basically mentioned of how the highschool life prepares you for the real world. It helps to round you as a person testing to see if you can handle and prepare yourself for the obstacles ahead. The wild tongue i couldn't really understand because she kept going back and forth from english to spanish and that really ticked me off. But I felt that the message that she was trying to get across was that she felt as though noone respected her and her cultural language.

Both the Essays

In my opinion both the essays were both non-informal at all because it didn't serve a purpose to anything I would actually read about. Like the High school essays I mean what was that all about it didn't really spark any vibes on a average day of school. On some part I may say did seem like he was just bored himself so it bored me even more. But the spanish essay was getting on my nerves with all the spanish she was speaking so it made me skip over the words even more. The only good thing I got out of the spanish essay really was all she had to go through with the different setting and languages she had to speak to certain people.

Wild tongue/High School

I really liked the High School essay one because not only did it interest me in reading about that students day, it also made me want to read more. In High School there is alot of stupid stuff that we used to do, but some of it was really important. Why would teacher makes us do that if it wasnt for our benifit? The wild tongue essay, I did not really like. Not only because of all the spanish in there but because it was hard to follow and understand. Even though I can relate to it and doing the same things sometimes, it was hard for me to follow all the ideas in it.

Brainstorming ideas for paper #1

1. paper about the main topic--the clash of languages or cultures in some way...and how about how it should be very like opinionated--everythng we have read has been the opinion of the author or their story. We should be able to use I...connect all these stories about language and culture together.

2. take one of the essays and make it your own...tell your own stories...choose one of the ideas and make it your own...say how you connect to it.

3. likes it that i like just said...the main topic--clash of languages the struggle for what you think is right.

4. identifying yourself as someone...different personalities/backgrounds...standing for what you think is right...

5. two topics: a. discrimination in the past and the world today. b. traditional roles of education and their effectiveness in the classroom.

6. what form and what different styles are most effective...how important the reader response is for the audience you are writing for.

wild tongue/what highschool is

To be totally honest I didn't care for either of the essays. If I had to pick one that I liked better it would be What High School Is. Anzaldua's essay jumped from one language to another, which made it very hard to follow. She was trying to get across a point about the way different languages are viewed. I don't feel that it was worth while explaining that with some words they get rid of certain letters to make it sound different. If I didn't have some knowledge of spanish it wouldn't have made any difference to me about what they changed because I wouldn't know how to pronounce the words in the first place. Over all Anzaldua's essay didn't interest or make a lot of sence to me. What High School Is was a little bit more interesting, but it was also easier to read and follow which was nice. The highschool day was similar to mine but not exactly the same. I agree with the points that were made at the end of this essay. I just don't understand why we had to have such a detailed view of Mark's day to get to those points.

Wild Tongue/High School

Both of these essays I didn't care too much about. I felt that in the High School essay I thought it had a lot of information that was pointless. Although I felt the author was correct on the seven things they only teach you in high school. The high school day that was decribed in this essay was similar to the day that I had experienced in high school. The "Wild Tongue" confused me by them throwing in spanish words or phases, which I had know idea what they were talking about. I felt I missed a lot of this essay by them comfusing me with the spanish words. That is pretty amazing to be able to speack seven different languages. I felt that these essays weren't as detailed and interesting as the last few we read.

high school/ spanish

Yeah, reading through Marks day of High school brought back alot of memories because I was so easily related to almost everything that happened. For instance, I even had 11th grade english in room 304 (i thought that was kind of odd). But i guess what that dude was trying to say was that high school is more then just learning how to read write and do math and more of building yourself to get ready for everything in the real world. Getting a job, going to college, all that kind of stuff. it was alright

Now the Spanish thing was ok... i didnt get through it all but it reminded me alot of black english but in spanish. Instead of using Black or English they used Chicano and Spanish. But yeah i had a difficult time reading that, because i cant read spanish except like hola and stuff but not any of the things they said. They probably had and made a good point or moral or whatever though.

Tongue/High School

I liked the Anzaldua essay because I can relate to her. I am half spanish and i know what she is talking about when she speaks of the differences in the way different hispanics speak. I also liked the old spanish sayings because I hear them around where I live. I did not like the Sizer essay because it was somewhat drawn out and boring, though i can relate with Mark because it sounds like a day in my highschool.

High school/Wild toungue

Ok where should I begin. I started to read Wild Toungue and I didn't really care for it. I know that sounds a little harsh but how can I understand the point when half of the story is in Spanish. I took two semesters of high school spanish, and thats it! I guess I did understand what she wanted to say but switching back from English to Spanish got too confusing to follow.

As for the High School essay, it was a little hard to pick up on the message. It was just basically your average day at a high school. I noticed that most of the begining of the article was about someone's day at school, so I skipped around to the better parts. Once I got there, I came to find myself agreeing with what was being said. I like how the author says "School is to be like a job; you start in the morning and end in the afternoon, five days a week." I think that this statement is very true. Kids have to go to school like adults would have to go to work, everyday, every week until its done.

High school/Wild toungue

Ok where should I begin. I started to read Wild Toungue and I didn't really care for it. I know that sounds a little harsh but how can I understand the point when half of the story is in Spanish. I took two semesters of high school spanish, and thats it! I guess I did understand what she wanted to say but switching back from English to Spanish got too confusing to follow.

As for the High School essay, it was a little hard to pick up on the message. It was just basically your average day at a high school. I noticed that most of the begining of the article was about someone's day at school, so I skipped around to the better parts. Once I got there, I came to find myself agreeing with what was being said. I like how the author says "School is to be like a job; you start in the morning and end in the afternoon, five days a week." I think that this statement is very true. Kids have to go to school like adults would have to go to work, everyday, every week until its done.

I am posting my reading on Delpit's writing. Even though I wasn't completely taken away by the writing I did find it quite easy to read. It was nice to see the perspective of teaching in the classroom from a teacher's view. Through our grade school, highschool lives we get the impression teachers just teach us what we need to know we don't ever think about how they actually feel about teaching themselves. This writting shows a teacher actually debating the different types of the education process 2nd handed. Even though I know this writting mentions race as one of her main concerns I tryed to not look at the two teaching styles as a white and black issue,just two different teaching methods. I think it had more to do with the locations of the places where she was and how the environments had impact on the teaching styles and how the students corresponded with them. Even though I didn't feel I could completely relate to her I did like the reading over all.

Late, I konw

Both of the Black English essays were ok. However I did enjoy Jordan's article more. She used examples that gets you captured in her message. I thought it was really funny how her students who actually speak the way the book "The Color Purple" was written and they couldn't understand it. Her story at the end of her article really bothered me, how they wouldn't print the letter just because of how it was written. It just goes to show how racist people can be still. I guess in a way they proved a point. But if I was in that situation, I would be pretty pissed.

Ah... High School

I will have to say I actually somewhat enjoyed both article, to some extent. I like Sizer's article more only because I could totally relate to a day in the life of Mark. His day was almost exactly the same as mine was in high school. Because this was so easy to relate to it made me much more interested in the writing. I'll have to admit though towards the end I didn't become bored with it. This is where Anzaldua's article was much more interesting. The way she wrote the article made it much easier and more fun to read. I have only a little background in Spanish but I ejoyed reading the Spanish that was in the article. It added character to the writting.

Wild Tongue/High School

I started reading the "Wild Tongue" essay first and didn't finish it because I couldn't relate,nor did I care about the seven dialects of Spanish. Everytime he was trying to explain a point he did it using Spanish. I didn't like how he jumped around and I didn't care to learn Spanish words. I began reading the second essay, and was guided through an average school day much like a day in my high school. After the description of the school day was over, I was waiting to here the main point and be ready to say," wow good point," but this never came. It was just boring to read. I did agree with how the author descibed high school. I liked the basis for the seven things they try to teach you in high school. I thought that was right on.

What High School Is/How To Tame A Wild Tongue

To be honest, I really did not care for either of these essays. I was confused for most of it. I understood the basic meaning the author was trying to convey to their audience, but I didn't really follow the way the authors chose to write their essays. For example, in "...Wild Toungue" Anzaldua switches back and forth from Spanish to English. Having taken three years of Spanish I somewhat understood what was being said, but it was still difficult to understand why she chose to do this. Also, she chose to talk about so many differnt forms of Spanish it was hard to follow what language she was talking about. One minute she was talking about Chicano Spanish, and the next she was talking about using TexMex with her siblings. I found this to be extremely confusing. Overall, I didn't hate the essay, but had a hard time reading it . It definately was not one of my favorites.

The next essay, "What High School is" i found to be somewhat interesting. Although, I wasn't completely sure why this essay was chosen only because we all lived this. We each have our own version of what "our high school was" good or bad, we all have our own story. Personally that's why I think we were assigned to read this essay- to read about anothers high school story. In this case we learned the story of Mark. Overall, I didnt mind this essay as much as I did the essay on the "wild toungue."

What High School Is/How To Tame A Wild Tongue

To be honest, I really did not care for either of these essays. I was confused for most of it. I understood the basic meaning the author was trying to convey to their audience, but I didn't really follow the way the authors chose to write their essays. For example, in "...Wild Toungue" Anzaldua switches back and forth from Spanish to English. Having taken three years of Spanish I somewhat understood what was being said, but it was still difficult to understand why she chose to do this. Also, she chose to talk about so many differnt forms of Spanish it was hard to follow what language she was talking about. One minute she was talking about Chicano Spanish, and the next she was talking about using TexMex with her siblings. I found this to be extremely confusing. Overall, I didn't hate the essay, but had a hard time reading it . It definately was not one of my favorites.

The next essay, "What High School is" i found to be somewhat interesting. Although, I wasn't completely sure why this essay was chosen only because we all lived this. We each have our own version of what "our high school was" good or bad, we all have our own story. Personally that's why I think we were assigned to read this essay- to read about anothers high school story. In this case we learned the story of Mark. Overall, I didnt mind this essay as much as I did the essay on the "wild toungue."

I loved the high school essay. It was a critical view of the education system by an educator. We've all heard teachers gripe about class time, funding, and NCLB, but Sizer seems to cover a huge unmentioned critical problem with education. Its impersonal. It doesn't allow growth. Subjects don't coincide, students are never prompted to think, or meditate on issues, and there's so much useless bullshit thrown at you in a day. This contradicts a previous reading we did about fluency and skills, but makes an excellent point and bring to mind serious issues. As a future teacher I feel stuck at a cross roads. Do I say, "fuck the system" and teach alternatively...personally knowing my students, making sure deep lessons and values are learned? Or, do I provide them with the skills they need to get into college and get a job. Do I assign enriching projects that touch on philosophy and values, or do I throw at them the same sort of tests they've been seeing and will continue to see throughout their lives? Progressive or practical. I think every educator would prefer true educating to the traditional force feeding of cut down simplified fact. Sadly there's no infrastructure for progressive education. While alternative schools do exist, the post secondary setup of things disables students from utilizing any sort of unique information. The problem of tradition over invention lies not quarantined in our schools, but encompasses all of society.
I digress. I think my response is taking my own direction, and not really a reflection of the assignment.
Sizer made excellent points and observations. I like how he retold an occurrence that most of us are familiar with, in such an enlightening way. He didn't "tell" us that teachers don't have time, he "showed" us the multitude of daily interruption. He showed us impersonal classrooms, lack of interest, character and values. Sizer's style of using examples really drove home his point.

What High School Is/ How To Tame A Wild Tongue

I wasn't too pleased with this essay. I didn't understand from the beginning what the essay was going to be about, and when it finally got to the factual part, I felt that the entire beginning was unnecessary. While it could have made the article more interesting, it didn't. I didn't like this essay because it was boring and told me things that I already knew. I know what high school is about, and although I agreed with everything said, it still didn't teach me anything I hadn't already known.

I also did not like this essay. Truthfully I did not finish it because I didn't care to learn about all the different forms of Spanish language. It was confusing because it was mostly English, but the author would throw in spanish sentences and I had no clue what they meant.

Neither of these essays were a good pick, sorry :)

The June Jordan essay

I like this essay the best out of everyone we have read in class so far. I l ike how June Jordan put into perspective how Black English and standard English are the same, but yet they are different. When one speaks in Black English, one that speaks standard English would be able to understand what they are saying and what the meaning is. I like how June shows how Black English is used in schools, when one is around their friends and at home, but once the news or media gets a hold of it, it is not acceptable anymore. They feel as though it is not the correct way to speak. For example, when the class decides to right their article in Black English, the way that Willie Jordan's brother spoke, the newspaper would not publish it unless it was written in standard English. I really enjoyed this essay!

Thoughts on the Essays Delpit

My favorite line in Delpit's essay was White teachers: "Let me help you find your voice. I promise not to criticize one note as you search for your own song." Black teachers: "I've heard your song loud and clear. Now, I want to teach you to harmonize with the rest of the world." I like the metaphorical way she portrayed the difference in the educators' teaching tactics. Here, we see the encouragement/discouragement directed to the students. Actually, both essays seemed to incorporate metaphorical passages, which I find a unique way to display what is being said. Evidently, there were a lot of issues arrising about literacy, whites and blacks, their knowledge and their abilities.

Delpits Essay

When I was reading Delpits essay I didn't quite understand what she was getting at when talking about teaching the students as an open-classroom. As I was reading along I started to notice that she was comparing how white and black kids learned in a city school. I discovered that her comparison were leading to how teachers can change the classroom to make it more comfortable for the students to learn and to make sure that they learn at the same pace. I like the way Delpit than took the opinions of her friends and than told how she felt through her point of view. It seem as though in the end her open-classroom idea didn't work because no one wanted to try in progress this idea to make it work in the classroom.

so here's my post

Well I'm going to be honest here, both articles were great but I don't think I got the deep message in either. I understood Jordan's more though because of the examples she used and how she wrote it. I really liked how she put it in "dictionary" like form. It was something that was familar to me which made it much easier to understand. I also liked the story she gave us at the end of the article. It was kind of like putting a face to a name... if that makes sense. If not I guess I'll be explaining myself. :-)

while i was readin the June Jordan essay i laughed the whole time because i understood and agreed with what she was saying. yes racism and discrimination does exist, and i speak on that with personal experience. of all the stories we read for the class, i liked this one most. she had pointed out that white students may excel in school while as black students lag. maybe because most wgite students come from morestable families and homes?

black english

When I first started to read the stories, I couldn't quite get June Jordan was getting across with the metaphor. After awhile, I started to understand it. She really pulled me in that way. Instead of not caring, I was rather intrigued. The story really hits me. It really points out the true signs of racism in today's world. She tells about how the media, police department and others show that discrimination does exist. It's sad but true. I think that everyone should read this paper, because it shows the harsh realities of the somewhat cruel world we live in.

black english

When I first started to read the stories, I couldn't quite get June Jordan was getting across with the metaphor. After awhile, I started to understand it. She really pulled me in that way. Instead of not caring, I was rather intrigued. The story really hits me. It really points out the true signs of racism in today's world. She tells about how the media, police department and others show that discrimination does exist. It's sad but true. I think that everyone should read this paper, because it shows the harsh realities of the somewhat cruel world we live in.

Black English

When I first started reading Jordan's essay I wasn't sure how I would like it. I didn't know what she was trying to say or where she was coming from, but once we "entered" the class room I caught on quickly. The biggest connection that pulled me into this essay was The Color Purple (I read it for my jr. project in highschool). Jordan was shocked when her class couldn't respond at first and then said they couldn't understand it when they were talking in the same dialect that the book was written. This experience made the class want to learn how to write and read black english and it made me realize that we talk differently from the way we read and write. I really liked how through out the essay Jordan shows us the great strides they make with their black english and their set backs (Murder of Willie's brother; deciding to write in black english). Jordan concludes her essay by sharing Willie's essay about his brother's murder. This to me was a very strong conclusion to her essay, and it made me sit back and really think about what she wrote and how true it still is today.

Sympathetic reading: Delpit

When I began reading Delpit essay on different teaching styles for white and black student I seen the way she began going about how black student and how white students learn. The way she point out different details of how she began going about the situation of teaching of the styles she tried. For example the "traditional style" that most teacher go about to get their students to learn.She said that the black student were progressing but they were still lagging behind compared to the white student. I believe from my point of view that it has to do with the different backgrounds that student come from that can be the cause of the learning curve.Delpit also argued about the point of skills and fluency that can create and issue of different students that maybe taking the "SAT" or any standardized test for a fact.

Black English

After reading both essay's I was very moved but them both. The one that June Jordan wrote really touched me because up to this point yes I realized that their was "Black English" but I never really thought about it. After reading the essay, I became more aware with how there is two different ways to speak english. It amazed me how in Jordan's essay the children read "The color Purple" and then came to class the next day and couldn't understand it when it was their own language that they were speaking, they just weren't putting two and two together I guess. It also really touched me that still to this point what Jordan wrote about is still going on in some places which breaks my heart. Both essays are very similar. They talk about the culture of "Black English" and how it affected someone's life and that its still going on today.

Black English

After reading these two stories I never thought that there was such a thing as Black English. Everytime I heard what is known as Black English, I thought it was incorrect English. I found that it was incredibly difficult to understand. I feel that us Americas are always trying to change others to the way we are, and what we do. In the one story the cops killed a black man for no reason. I feel that us Americas are still racism, but us Americas have came a long way with it this issue.

Black English

I think I am going to side with June Jordan on this one, I felt like he/she/it had a great idea with the Black English and the other class. I liked this one because it shows that english isnt really proper to say its a language. I'd say we speak American now, and Black English is just another accent of the American language. Sympathy grew in me when Willie stopped showing up to class, his brother dying and then nobody being able to do anything about it. I didn't really understand what that had to do with Black English except that Willie was all about that class. I thought of what the police did was worng and racist but i still didnt see what a police man killing a black guy had to do with Black English. But it was a good story/essay thing.

Black English

June Jordan's article on Black English was truly inspiring. To be truthful, I never really thought of "Black English" being correct. Not that I thought it was incorrect, I just never really viewed it as the same as how I speak. But after reading this article I defintely found that I have an appreciation for black english, which I never thought I did. As a musical theatre minor, i found it extremely interesting that Jordan used "The Color Purple" as the book to critique. The Musical takes Alice Walker's words and puts them into song. While listening to the song, I can understand what is being sung and the message that is trying to be conveyed, but when I tried to read the lyrics or in this case the excerpts from the book, i found it incredibly difficult to understand. This essay, not only helped me realize that others have a hard time accepting black english, but that I have a hard time as well. I also loved how Jordan incorporated the story of Willie in her article- giving the article two different sides. One side being completly geared towards the learning and teaching of black english, while the other gave concrete example of how the black race is still being treated unfairly in today's soceity. I always thought it really wasn't a problem anymore. I was wrong.

Black English

June Jordan's essay was truly amazing. She wrote about things that I had never thought to be true. I realize there are many forms of English that thirty three countries use today, but I had never truly realized that there was something called "Black English." When I had heard Black English before, I always thought it to be incorrect. After reading this essay I now understand the complexities of this language. I also liked how Jordan incorporated Willie Jordan and his life story. The essay was not just about language and how it differs, but about the way life really was, and still is.
As for the second essay, by Lisa Delpit, I felt that it opened up a lot of controversy on the teaching of black and white students. It explained throughout how white and black children had such different ways of learning, and that although both races seem to learn, white children seem to speed by and understand things more. Towards the end of the essay it began to explain why - black children were never taught the skills of writing, because people never understood that it wasn't just the literacy they needed to learn. White children, taught whether in school or at home, learned the skills of writing and how to put a sentence together at a very early age. Black children, however, were only ever taught the literacy, and barely ever taught at home. I agree with this essay in saying that the program has a lot to work on so that the teachings can be fair.

Black English

After reading the essays on black english I have a different outlook on how "English" is being taught today. Before reading this, everytime I heard someone speaking, what is known as Black English, I considered it to be wrong. I now have more respect for what is considered Black English. I disagree with how America is constantly trying to change everything to only consisting of one thing, in this case White English. For example, it is mentioned that in India there are over thirty different languages and dialects being spoken. As for June Jordan's essay, I thought it was very emotional. I have heard of cases of black people being targeted by the police, but this one was obviously taken too far. I felt before that America has come along way with racism, but clearly hasn't come far enough.

Black English

I just finished reading June Jordan's essay, and I feel completely moved. Moved emotionally, and intellectually; and I'm very glad to have read such a masterpiece of literature.
Initially I was offended, and thought the notion of a white English and a black English was ridiculous. Ebonics is a dialect. Teaching it formally would be like teaching how to speak English with an Indian accent, or perhaps with a lisp. Furthermore I was angry to hear standard English referred to as white English, and that it was oppressively being taught to everyone...including the 10+% of black Americans.
But after reading on, and really cogitating the issue, I've realized that there's so much truth to what Jordan tells us. Black English has been spoken for about 300yrs. It has definite rules, very formally explained by Jordan, and is an essential characteristic for a huge chunk of our population's culture.
I love how she states "we exist." (at least I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere, can't seem to find it now.) That statement says so much. I realize that in the US a black citizen must shed his culture in exchange for the ability to achieve in the business world. One does not have the option of typing a resume in black English. Jordan makes her point, and has convinced me that one should have such an option. One should exist, and be proud of his heritage.
She goes on to talk about the terrible tragedy of Reggie Jordan, which pounds in the final nail, about racism in America.
The essay was confrontational, moving, personal, and extremely enriching. I especially love the variety of styles and powerful voice she utilizes. I cannot stress enough what an excellent piece this was.

ok, so i guess ill start by saying that my name is Brittany. I attended Chichester High School( no its not a typo - i dont mean Chester High). I havent done this blog thing yet, so im just getting my feet wet...

Hi, my name is Ashley and this is my first time posting because it took me a minute to get familiarized with this program. I was born and raised in West Philly so coming to Kutztown was a huge transition. Despite everything that's going on back home, I personally think it's not the best place to raise a child, but seeing people so close to you with nothing motivates you to be better.
I agree with both Lu's and Rose's outlook. Lu was motivated to do good by her family but struggled in society because of language disputes(as if learning the English language isn't hard enough). Her family did alot to make sure she was literate and was able to survive in the "real world". Rose catered more to those like him. He helped people without jobs and also those with little or no income because they were usually illiterate because of their background not because of their willingness to learn. Rose is passionate about giving the opportunity of a good education to his students because he wasn't given the opportunity as a child. Both Rose and Lu have different backgrounds and experiences that make them great teachers in their own way. I believe the best teachers are the ones who went through stuggles and pulled through rather than the people who have had everything handed to them on a silver platter. The more "pull downs" the more wisdom.

Raymond Williams

My thought on the ideas that Raymond had was that culture is in every shape and form. In the beginning I wanted to know why he started his reading like this then as I went on I seen why. Raymond just creates meaning in his writing that make me read between the lines almost.

Lu and Rose's essays

While reading Lu and Rose essays I established similarities and differences that discusses issues of literacy. The similarities that I saw between readings was that they both were taught to be instructed or to instruct other of reading and writing. The differences that I saw was the educational background. My thoughts of the authors helped me really to relate to the education process of literacy and the real essential of the educational background.

Introduce Myself

Hi!! My name is Pyrnie Calloway and I'm from Harrisburg, Pa. I am sorry I missed out on the assignment because of technical reason but I am writing my blog now so I guess it is alright. I have attended Sci-Tech High and I am here at Ku as a biology major. I love to sing, write songs on my spare time, shop, work out, and just hang out with friends and family to have fun. But that me.

Lu and Rose

There is one main focus between these two authors and that is, being literate is a necessity in life. Lu speaks of her own personal struggles. She tries so hard to balance the English of her house with the Chinese of the outside world. Both the world outside frowns upon the western tongue and the home puts englsih above the Chinese. To use the one language in the wrong setting looked down upon but Lu is so fluent in both they have blended together in her mind. I it necessary for Chinese to spoken outside for success and just is the same for English inside the house and in her parents eyes for success. Rose's story in from the outside looking into the struggles of other people. He wants these people to read knowing that with out this skill they will not be as successful. Both Rose and Lu completely believe in the power literacy gives people and that with this power so many more doors can be opened for people in thier lives.

hi,
I read Rose's and Lu's and I had to agree with them both in that literacy is an issue in America and even moreso throughout the world, in places like China. I would have to say that they basically had the same idea, except that Lu was telling of what she saw and Rose was telling of the people he had helped. Lu seemed to blame literacy on the government and at the time it was a rightous idea. I would have to say that that it how she situated with her struggle. Rose says that people with low income jobs or no jobs at all or people that dont put forth effort in their society are usually illiterate, so then he helps them. All in all i agree with them

Culture is Ordinary

What good everybody, my name is Aaron kerns and I am a second year student here at kutztown. My hobbies include listening to music hang with good people and enjoy my free time in any way possible, basket ball, painting, partying. In response to our first reading I would have to agree with most of what Williams was saying here. Williams presented a valid point throughout this informal piece of literature. Culture is the ordinary to anyone who is in and lives it day by day. By taking your self out of the your own that is when you see the differences. When Williams takes the bus to the mountain top he can see two different cultures. Before him he can view the city with factories and smoke billowing into the sky. Just by turning halfway around he compares the city to the agricultural society in the other direction. Culture is always changing Williams writes I can not deny that. Some traditions will remain but the new members of society will always test and explore new ideas. To sum up culture is the ordinary to you when in your own, but to look in to another culture you that it is in everything the people do.

Lu and Rose

Both Lu and Rose's essays consisted of life experiences. Although, there are some differences that caught my eye. As I read Lu's essay I came to find that she seemed so much more passionate about literature. Growing up, her parents hired a live-in tutor to help them become a bilingual family. She also had to learn a new language for school; Standard Chinese. I think that Lu's interest and concern for literacy is very appropriate, especially in her case. I don't think I could make it through a day of her life. Having to change languages between groups would be complete and utter frustration. Always having to please people just to get by. However, I did not get that same feeling when I read Rose's article. Rose explains the difference between an educated writer and a non-educated writer. It seems all he does is criticize. When I read his article, it felt as though there was no compassion. Just simply facts.

It is easy to say that I found Lu's essay more interesting than Rose's essay. When the writer tries to connect with the reader, its obviously going to be more interesting. I did not feel as good of a connection with Rose as I did with Lu.

Lu and Rose's Writing

In Lu's writing I felt that I was able to connect to her story. Although I have not been in her situation the way in which she writes shows her emotion and passion for what she is writing about. With Rose's writing I didn't connect as well to his story. His stories are of other peoples experiences and not of his own, therefore he doesn't write with the same emotion and passion that Lu writes with. Rose focuses more on the facts where as Lu describes her experiences, I feel, giving the reader a better understanding of the situation. However, both writers do explain how important it is to be literate in society.

Lu and Rose

In Lu and Rose's essays they both discussed life experiences. Lu discussed how she learned and adapted to two different languages. Lu discusses her life experiences more than Rose does. Lu was brought up in a family who strongly believed in reading and writing, but in a place where the people did not want the English language spoken. Lu's family gave her extra help and she had an after school tutor. Lu's family was very involved in her education, while Rose's family could not afford extra help. Rose was only educated while at school.

Rose and Lu both used their own life experiences to teach their classes. I think that Lu is very passionate about literacy and reading and writing because she was brought up that way. Her family made sure that she had all the help and tutoring she needed. I think that Rose has such a passion for literacy because he, unlike Lu, was not brought up with the knowledge and understanding in school. I think that he wants people to have the education and opportunities that he was not exposed to while growing up.

Lu and Rose response

Reading Lu's essay I was able to connect with her emotions of pleasing everyone. She is very passionate about her understanding of language and her ability to write. At first she is very pleased that she is able to communicate in a way that her classmates can't, but then she becomes insecure and hides her ablitities. Although she has to battle what her parents want and what her school wants, she never gives up her writing. She uses her experiences to help teach others how to write. She wants students to struggle with their writing and to hear the different ideas in their heads not just conform to what the "right" way is.

Rose on the other hand doesn't offer as good of a connect with his writing, yes, he tells about certain people but not enough to really put yourself in their shoes. He says that the people who are there know the basics of reading and writing, but not the basics learned in a school setting. While these people are able to 'survive' on what they know they want and feel the need to learn more to better improve themselves. Rose tells of their struggles to do that.

The people in Rose's essay were able to find the help they needed to work toward the solution to their problem. While in Lu's essay she tells us that she was unable to have help because of the conflicting views between her home and school.

Lu and Rose writing

After reading Lu and Rose's writings, Lu speaks more about her life experience than Rose. Lu was brought up between two languages, from a family that thought reading and writing was real important. She would get after school tutoring and extra help. When Rose came from a family that couldn't affort to get her extra help and only got help when she was in school. They both were nervous to talk infront of a group for two different reasons. Rose would get anxious and her proformance would be disrupted. Lu couldn't speak infront of a group because she was scared that her classmates and teacher would hear a different lanuage and they would single her out. Both writings tell how it is so important to be able to read and write.

Response to Lu and Rose

After reading both Lu and Rose's writing, I compared them as we did yesterday in class. I think that Lu could be compared to Raymond Williams because she told a story about herself growing up and the issues she faced. On the other hand, Mike Rose spoke about a situation where he had come in touch with the issue of literacy. Lu was obviously more passionate about her writing because she grew up in a time when speaking the English language was unacceptable, where as Rose was more about stating the facts and definitely less passionate. Lu was also more passionate because it affected her immediate family a lot more then it affected Rose. They are both similar in a way that they both explain how important it is to be literate in today's society.

Response To Lu and Rose

Reading Lu and Rose's essays, I noticed that they both discussed literacy issues through their own perspective by taking facts from their own lives. There was one similarity that I came across while reading both essays. Rose reflects on his life by telling about his life and how he teaches people who are illiterate how to read and comprhend while at the same time Lu is reflecting on her life and how she was taught to perfect her literacy skills.

The difference is that Lu has a different background than the girls who Rose taught. Lu shared how she struggle with her literacy becuase of always being pressured by her mother to stay on her schooling. I believe that Lu might've performed nervously because she ahd to adapt to her learning enviornmentbut at the same time she succeeded because her mother cared. On the other hand Rose taught people who had a bad social life. The girls had no one who cared for them when they were younger like Rose had so they didn't take their education. Although both writers had their similarities and differences, it seems as though thier aspects were the same because of them taking education seriously.

Response to Lu & Rose

From what I gathered, both writers illustrated the significance of literacy through either their own personal struggle (Lu) or by witnessing others' struggles (Rose). Both writings basically stated how imperative language has become in everyday life and displayed an evolution of language.

Lu's writing gave a personal perspective on the hardships with language growing up and the way it affected her. Even though she had knowledge (of not only one, but two languages), it did not make it any easier on her to live every day life in society. The people in her society favored one or the other, and she was caught in the middle. This put her in conflict growing up, yet she managed to deal with both by segregating them.

Rose, on the otherhand, wrote about the hardships of others that he knew rather than of himself. He watched them with their inability to comprehend the basics of language, which were school related. Yet, he saw in them, that they did have an understanding to the basics of life. So, they on the other hand, had only the knowledge of one, not two, and still they consequently struggled. Rose helped them. (Unlike Lu, who had to help herself.)

Both groups ran into problems, because what they knew and group up with and associated with everyday life, turned out to be wrong somewhere else.

Response to Lu and Rose Readings

My response to these articles are very similiar to that of others in our class. I felt that Lu's writing had so much more passion and concern for literacy while Rose simply states his ideas in a way the audience wouldnt quite understand what it may be like to be illiterate. While reading Lu's article i couldn't help but place myself in her place, switching between two languages and fighting the inner struggle of pleasing someone or something even when you don't really agree with them. "I began to put on and take off my working class language in the same way I put on and took off my school clothes to avoid being criticized for wearing Bourgeois clothes." This in fact is the very essence of what Lu is trying to relate to her audience. Lu was switching languages just as much and as nonchalantly as switching her clothes. For Rose, he is more about the facts or illiteracy and what it was like to be in his situation, but for Lu, it was something more than just facts. Lu's writing contained feeling and described her past, while Rose concentrates on facts. Although these articles are very different in writing structure and feeling, the end conclusion is much the same. Literacy depends on one's culture, and the way a person is brought up in their social soceity and personal life.

Lu & Rose readings

I found Lu to be more passionate about literacy, whereas Rose is more like stating things the way they are in an uninteresting way. There's similarities in the fact that they're both talking about literacy and talking about different uses for words, and the struggles people run into using them, but the writings are uncomparably different. For Lu, it was more personal; her struggles with being caught between two cultures and their expectations of her. Rose is talking about other people, and "criticizing" their work. I didn't find Rose's reading as interesting as Lu's.