It’s hard to express myself and even harder when the person you are talking to has no idea what you are talking about. In my generation it is pretty obvious that there are so many slang terms and the older generation is not up to date with this lingo. This is no different than when I speak to my grandmother in Spanish.
When I speak to my grandma, I always have to remember to change my “ghetto” lingo into appropriate Spanish. My grandmother was born in the 1930s so when I say something to her without changing the words she usually looks at me with confusion and goes on to tell me that my generation has gone to –pardon the word- shit. I think she says this because it is different in the Hispanic culture where there is a lot more respect seen by the youth given to their elders than there is in the United States. So when I speak to her in anything other than a formal way she gets uncomfortable. For as much as I tell her that things are different in the United States, she just prefers that I always speak to her in a formal way.
When we do speak, we try to speak of not just how my schooling is going but how the world is deteriorating due to the carelessness of people. Yet I find this somewhat out of place because of my grandmother’s background; she stopped going to school at 13 years old and began helping her parents provide for her 8 younger siblings. She had to learn how to grow up faster than anyone and accept the fact she would not get a proper education. I feel that because of this, my grandma grew up with strict traditional values that would have originally lost their importance over generations. When I speak to her, I try to accommodate to her standards only because I know what she has gone through to get where she is now.
I look up to her and if I were to decide to speak to her in my slang terminology I sort of feel like I am disrespecting her. I have noticed that whenever I am around her I tend to use more intelligent words rather than made up words from the street. Whenever I end my visit with her I notice that I almost always leave with a greater sense of meaning than when I first arrive. I do not try to be some ghetto speaking girl but at the same time I am a firm believer that friends are one of the biggest influences in my life; therefore, I usually tend to start absorbing the lingo that my friends use. I try not to get influenced but I mean let’s face it- I still have teenage tendencies and psychologically speaking I will most definitely get influenced my peers.
The fact is however that despite getting influenced by my peers, I am able to communicate with my grandmother the way she expects without there having to be any room for confusion. I still forget to speak to my grandmother the way she expects whenever I visit her, but it’s not long until she straightens out the bad communication and turning it onto an intelligent conversation.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Foreign Language, Lengua Extranjera, e Lingua Straniera
Let me just start by saying that our country is a melting pot. In this melting pot, there’s no doubt that due to language barriers, we are not able to fully understand one another. If we don’t expose ourselves to other languages how is it that we can communicate with other people who don’t speak English? Nowadays, children are not exposed to English as their first language anymore, but whatever their ancestral language is.
For example, I was born in the 90s and even then, California, especially Los Angeles was a melting pot, so when I first started to speak, my first word was not in English but Spanish. I have three older brothers who were born in Los Angeles, and my parents were born in Mexico. You would think that with three older brothers and parents that had been living in the United States for more than fifteen years, my primal language would be English, but because my parents were still very fond of their mother country, they made it a point to maintain a certain level of culture in our family. If my family did this, then I am sure that there are other families who had this type of mentality as well.
It’s not a bad thing for people to know more than one language. I remember when I was a child one of the biggest rumors was if you were bilingual, you would get paid more at whatever job you would get. Apparently that rumor was true to some extent. So what’s the harm of knowing or at least getting a taste of another language through a foreign language course? Nothing! It’s a benefit to the person learning the language. Despite knowing Spanish, I took three years of it in high school and when I first started college I took a semester of Italian. These were two of the best choices I have made educationally. If students are able to speak or even slightly grasp an understanding of another language, then it will be easier to communicate not just in the local melting pot, but when traveling.
There’s something great when you encounter someone who doesn’t speak your language but are able to communicate efficiently because you took a semester or two of that language in school. If people can understand each other through language then they can understand each other on a deeper level as well. Being bilingual, even trilingual has its advantages and no real disadvantages. If colleges were to make foreign languages a requirement, students are not losing out on anything or even made to do something unthinkable. Colleges should make foreign language a requirement because in our ever growing society, it is evident that there are more and more people who speak a different language before they even start attending grade school. If colleges do not make foreign languages a requirement then it will be harder for students to communicate with other people who are fluent in their ancestral tongue.
I am not saying that English is not important; I am far from that; however, it would be beneficial for a college student to learn a language other than their mother tongue. Most college students in other parts of the world are fluent in up to three languages. Why is it that Americans are not usually first in climbing this educational ladder? It is time that we change that and teach our collegiate students that there is more to the world than just completing a foreign language requirement; but, learning to be a part of the world in a bigger manner by understanding through communication.
For example, I was born in the 90s and even then, California, especially Los Angeles was a melting pot, so when I first started to speak, my first word was not in English but Spanish. I have three older brothers who were born in Los Angeles, and my parents were born in Mexico. You would think that with three older brothers and parents that had been living in the United States for more than fifteen years, my primal language would be English, but because my parents were still very fond of their mother country, they made it a point to maintain a certain level of culture in our family. If my family did this, then I am sure that there are other families who had this type of mentality as well.
It’s not a bad thing for people to know more than one language. I remember when I was a child one of the biggest rumors was if you were bilingual, you would get paid more at whatever job you would get. Apparently that rumor was true to some extent. So what’s the harm of knowing or at least getting a taste of another language through a foreign language course? Nothing! It’s a benefit to the person learning the language. Despite knowing Spanish, I took three years of it in high school and when I first started college I took a semester of Italian. These were two of the best choices I have made educationally. If students are able to speak or even slightly grasp an understanding of another language, then it will be easier to communicate not just in the local melting pot, but when traveling.
There’s something great when you encounter someone who doesn’t speak your language but are able to communicate efficiently because you took a semester or two of that language in school. If people can understand each other through language then they can understand each other on a deeper level as well. Being bilingual, even trilingual has its advantages and no real disadvantages. If colleges were to make foreign languages a requirement, students are not losing out on anything or even made to do something unthinkable. Colleges should make foreign language a requirement because in our ever growing society, it is evident that there are more and more people who speak a different language before they even start attending grade school. If colleges do not make foreign languages a requirement then it will be harder for students to communicate with other people who are fluent in their ancestral tongue.
I am not saying that English is not important; I am far from that; however, it would be beneficial for a college student to learn a language other than their mother tongue. Most college students in other parts of the world are fluent in up to three languages. Why is it that Americans are not usually first in climbing this educational ladder? It is time that we change that and teach our collegiate students that there is more to the world than just completing a foreign language requirement; but, learning to be a part of the world in a bigger manner by understanding through communication.
Friday, September 17, 2010
They're just shorts...that happen to have holes.
How can I make this as objective as possible? Well, right now I am wearing jean shorts, a purple tube top, white flats and my hair is up. But, an artist, a tailor and a nudist may just see it differently.
Now mind you, I am not being conceited; rather I am thinking as an artist. I think that an artist’s point of view from what I am wearing would be an inviting canvas. My jean shorts have their own personality – with a hole on the left side and jewel studded buttons. My tube top is not just a cotton top but a very classy blouse that can be used with jean shorts or even dress pants. If an artist saw me walking down the sidewalk with my white flats and my summer outfit, I can surely say that it’s a vision of refreshment. I think that they way my hair is up with a fake hibiscus flower would make anyone want to just go to the beach and get inspired. White flats are just a clean canvas for any possibility and the rest of my outfit complements each other. It’s not that hard to be carefree, and to be wearing a tube top, shorts and flats walking down Hollywood Blvd lets artists know that inspiration does not only have be found in nature and technology, but rather in people and their clothing personalities.
Unlike an artist who may see me as a vision of summer fun, a tailor may see me as a complete mess. From what I am wearing, what can this person work with? My shorts have holes in them, my tube top is a lack of material and my flats are cotton covered. How is it that I even walked out of the house without looking into a mirror and realizing that I need something more complementing to my physique? A tailor expects a woman to walk out with a flowing dress, some sort of heels and neat hair right? I mean, think about it. Tailors rarely work with ‘jeans and a tee shirt’ type of people. Instead it’s all about formal clothing and dresses. My outfit is just too casual for the tailor to think anything nicer than a girl just trying to be in ‘comfy’ clothing.
Now, the nudist on the other hand would think that I am getting closer to comfort; almost non –existent shorts, a piece of cloth covering my chest and midriff area, and a pair of shoes that would resemble walking barefoot. I have holes on my shorts, they rise about six and a half inches from my knee, my shirt is missing sleeves, and my hair is up with a part of nature (my flower) showing my back and collarbone. If anything, the nudist is getting ready to take me to the nudist camp to get initiated. Now of course this is far from what I was expecting when I got dressed this morning, however, the way I present myself is just that- preparing for the nudist colony.
Yet when I look into the mirror, I see someone who is happy and ready to have fun with friends. The clothing I am wearing is comfortable and I am able to be active. Yet, despite what I think of myself it is apparent everyone who looks at me will judge me for what I am wearing, if one person sees me as a walking canvas, a mess or a possible nudist companion, I am okay with that because as long as I am happy with whom I am on the inside, that is all that matters.
Now mind you, I am not being conceited; rather I am thinking as an artist. I think that an artist’s point of view from what I am wearing would be an inviting canvas. My jean shorts have their own personality – with a hole on the left side and jewel studded buttons. My tube top is not just a cotton top but a very classy blouse that can be used with jean shorts or even dress pants. If an artist saw me walking down the sidewalk with my white flats and my summer outfit, I can surely say that it’s a vision of refreshment. I think that they way my hair is up with a fake hibiscus flower would make anyone want to just go to the beach and get inspired. White flats are just a clean canvas for any possibility and the rest of my outfit complements each other. It’s not that hard to be carefree, and to be wearing a tube top, shorts and flats walking down Hollywood Blvd lets artists know that inspiration does not only have be found in nature and technology, but rather in people and their clothing personalities.
Unlike an artist who may see me as a vision of summer fun, a tailor may see me as a complete mess. From what I am wearing, what can this person work with? My shorts have holes in them, my tube top is a lack of material and my flats are cotton covered. How is it that I even walked out of the house without looking into a mirror and realizing that I need something more complementing to my physique? A tailor expects a woman to walk out with a flowing dress, some sort of heels and neat hair right? I mean, think about it. Tailors rarely work with ‘jeans and a tee shirt’ type of people. Instead it’s all about formal clothing and dresses. My outfit is just too casual for the tailor to think anything nicer than a girl just trying to be in ‘comfy’ clothing.
Now, the nudist on the other hand would think that I am getting closer to comfort; almost non –existent shorts, a piece of cloth covering my chest and midriff area, and a pair of shoes that would resemble walking barefoot. I have holes on my shorts, they rise about six and a half inches from my knee, my shirt is missing sleeves, and my hair is up with a part of nature (my flower) showing my back and collarbone. If anything, the nudist is getting ready to take me to the nudist camp to get initiated. Now of course this is far from what I was expecting when I got dressed this morning, however, the way I present myself is just that- preparing for the nudist colony.
Yet when I look into the mirror, I see someone who is happy and ready to have fun with friends. The clothing I am wearing is comfortable and I am able to be active. Yet, despite what I think of myself it is apparent everyone who looks at me will judge me for what I am wearing, if one person sees me as a walking canvas, a mess or a possible nudist companion, I am okay with that because as long as I am happy with whom I am on the inside, that is all that matters.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Hope
Yes, I’ve mentioned before that I am not a political buff, yet I think everyone knows that Obama’s campaign was one for the books. However, this isn’t about politics or the campaign; rather, it’s about a poster and the man. I think it’s fair to say that everyone, if not most people in America, has seen the iconic red, white, and blue tinged Hope poster with Barack Obama’s face. Not only is it great art, but this poster, in my opinion is one that challenged the status quo and did much more.
It was about time that someone other than a white, 35 year-old, American native was running for president of the United States. However, I do think that the 2008 primary election was a coincidence where the status quo was challenged; there was a black man, a Hispanic, and a woman all running for the same office. But it was Obama who rose above the rest and continued to challenge the status quo.
I believe that the Obama Hope poster represents a great example of the status quo challenge. The artist who created it, Shepard Fairey, probably had a different meaning for the piece of work; however from my standpoint, it goes to show that a black man can run for president. A black man can be patriotic. A black man can lead a nation. A black man can succeed. A black man can. It’s as simple as that. I think the poster shows that although Obama was a minority he can just be seen as a man. The colors of the poster don’t show a white man or a black man, but a man willing to lead a nation as president.
I remember when the 2008 election came rolling around and everyone had mixed feelings about Barack Obama running for such an esteemed position. I for one supported him because it was not the same type of person running for the position, but someone who was a minority. I believe that the Hope poster can compare to the selected readings in the textbook because many are about, I guess you can say “sticking it to the man” in a respectful manner. Also, with the speeches included from the text, I would say that the speech givers are asking the next generation for help to make the world a better place and I think that the Hope poster does that too. I mean what better word than “hope” for a slogan to encourage people. The fact that Obama had the courage to break the norm and run for president goes to show that anyone can be capable of doing anything.
Although the campaign is over, I still see many with the poster on their cars, shirts, windows, and binders. I don’t think it’s just about Obama anymore, but the fact that a black man gave a nation hope in a time of crises. The Hope poster even hangs by my desk to be honest. I don’t put it up to look up to a politician but I look up to the man in the poster because that man overcame the obstacles, he silenced the haters, encourages the younger generations and challenged the status quo, all through the power of a picture.
***Photo provided by http://www.obeygiant.com/***
Saturday, September 4, 2010
What, me illiterate?
Wow, to think of myself as an illiterate, I think that is very hard. I have always loved words and the stories they create. But if I was illiterate I think the hardest thing obstacle would be school and the confidence I had in myself. But I think one of the reasons why I think this prompt is tough is because how would I have become illiterate in the first place?
Well here it goes, I am illiterate probably because my parents did not care for my well-being, I refused to learn, or I was a mute, and the list could go on. Okay, the point here is that I am illiterate. The hardest part would be going to school- that is, if I wanted to go due to my illiteracy. Learning to do anything in school would be tough. I would not be able to check out a book because I would not even know the Dewey decimal system; well not really, it’s because I cannot read! Another thing that would be hard would be writing a paper. Oh man, those long hours in front of a computer, brainstorming, and trying to beat a deadline. It’s definitely tough writing a paper; okay, I’m just kidding, I can’t even write! What is going on here? I can’t read and I can’t write- well at least I can talk.
But wait, the longest word I know is elastic; my vocabulary has been stunted due to my illiteracy. Wow, I just realized that the rest of my life is going to go further downhill if I never learn to read or write. Well this new revelation is not doing anything good to my confidence.
Knowing that I can’t read or write; I will definitely keep my opinions to myself if all those around are asking complex questions and the others responding with well-thought out answers. I don’t think I have anything great to offer if I can’t even hold a conversation longer than a normal literate person can. Granted illiterate people know how to communicate, but come on, don’t you think it’s embarrassing for me when someone asks me “what was the latest book you read?” and I respond with, “I don’t read.” By receiving pity glances I worry that maybe I should have learned how to read and write as a child.
No one should be denied the ability to learn- especially that of reading and writing. A student who can’t read is already bad enough, and to have one that can’t write to save their life, now that is ultimately life scarring. To know that while you struggle to learn everyone else advances makes life all that much harder than it already is. As life progresses, everyone will encounter life-altering scenarios, epiphanies and inevitably death; but, lack of an education should not be part of life’s cruel penalties to a person. If anything, being able to read and write is a right and a gift in which everyone should be able to relish.
Well here it goes, I am illiterate probably because my parents did not care for my well-being, I refused to learn, or I was a mute, and the list could go on. Okay, the point here is that I am illiterate. The hardest part would be going to school- that is, if I wanted to go due to my illiteracy. Learning to do anything in school would be tough. I would not be able to check out a book because I would not even know the Dewey decimal system; well not really, it’s because I cannot read! Another thing that would be hard would be writing a paper. Oh man, those long hours in front of a computer, brainstorming, and trying to beat a deadline. It’s definitely tough writing a paper; okay, I’m just kidding, I can’t even write! What is going on here? I can’t read and I can’t write- well at least I can talk.
But wait, the longest word I know is elastic; my vocabulary has been stunted due to my illiteracy. Wow, I just realized that the rest of my life is going to go further downhill if I never learn to read or write. Well this new revelation is not doing anything good to my confidence.
Knowing that I can’t read or write; I will definitely keep my opinions to myself if all those around are asking complex questions and the others responding with well-thought out answers. I don’t think I have anything great to offer if I can’t even hold a conversation longer than a normal literate person can. Granted illiterate people know how to communicate, but come on, don’t you think it’s embarrassing for me when someone asks me “what was the latest book you read?” and I respond with, “I don’t read.” By receiving pity glances I worry that maybe I should have learned how to read and write as a child.
No one should be denied the ability to learn- especially that of reading and writing. A student who can’t read is already bad enough, and to have one that can’t write to save their life, now that is ultimately life scarring. To know that while you struggle to learn everyone else advances makes life all that much harder than it already is. As life progresses, everyone will encounter life-altering scenarios, epiphanies and inevitably death; but, lack of an education should not be part of life’s cruel penalties to a person. If anything, being able to read and write is a right and a gift in which everyone should be able to relish.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thinking Critically
What does critical thinking mean to me? This is the question I am to answer. However, with that question I am also asking myself “how can I answer that?” Well, according to Merriam-Webster, the word critical in correlation with the phrase critical thinking means, “exercising or involving careful judgment or judicious evaluation.” I guess it can’t get any clearer than that. But I’m still not answering the question; what does it mean to me? When I think about this I can only say that critical thinking is the ability to understand what you are reading while you are reading: making inferences about the text, questioning what you are reading and challenging the points that are being presented. Maybe I am way off with this but, then again it is my opinion and so far it’s treated me well.
I taking reading serious but when it’s assigned to me I tend to take it a little lighter. I still believe the reading is important but I guess I have a problem with authority. When I do read though I keep an open mind and tend to judge the text. This could be a bad thing because I can be reading something that is true but I always have my doubts. I don’t have greatest critical thinking skills, but I know they are there somewhere; it just takes me a while to get them going. I prefer to read for leisure first then really analyze the text. For example, when I first read the Harry Potter books I didn’t really catch on the Dumbledore was gay but after really reading between the lines I caught the innuendos. Yes, I know some of you may say, “You only know that because J.K. Rowling announced it.” But truthfully, I already knew. It’s not hard to comprehend after you really immerse yourself into the text and take note of the implications.
Not only do I try to apply my critical thinking to Harry Potter books, but I try my best to critically think in all aspects of my life. No, it’s not very cliché to say this because it’s very true in my situation. I think that this class will really help to hone in on my critical thinking skills. Everyone has the ability to think critically it’s just that some are better at it than others, and that’s how I feel right now: that my critical thinking skills are at an all time low. I believe that this class will help me to understand complex thoughts more effortlessly and have a clear understanding of what it means to analyze things intelligently.
Maybe at the end of the semester this English class will teach me to view the world with an open mind and more questions to consider. The world is filled with all kinds of questionable theories, people and animals. I’m confident that finishing this class will allow me to considerably think about and see the world in a more mature way as well as question what should be questioned. I know I won’t be the next Immanuel Kant, but maybe after writing some thorough research papers and learning to be a better critical thinker in this class I will be able to become some level of a philosopher.
I taking reading serious but when it’s assigned to me I tend to take it a little lighter. I still believe the reading is important but I guess I have a problem with authority. When I do read though I keep an open mind and tend to judge the text. This could be a bad thing because I can be reading something that is true but I always have my doubts. I don’t have greatest critical thinking skills, but I know they are there somewhere; it just takes me a while to get them going. I prefer to read for leisure first then really analyze the text. For example, when I first read the Harry Potter books I didn’t really catch on the Dumbledore was gay but after really reading between the lines I caught the innuendos. Yes, I know some of you may say, “You only know that because J.K. Rowling announced it.” But truthfully, I already knew. It’s not hard to comprehend after you really immerse yourself into the text and take note of the implications.
Not only do I try to apply my critical thinking to Harry Potter books, but I try my best to critically think in all aspects of my life. No, it’s not very cliché to say this because it’s very true in my situation. I think that this class will really help to hone in on my critical thinking skills. Everyone has the ability to think critically it’s just that some are better at it than others, and that’s how I feel right now: that my critical thinking skills are at an all time low. I believe that this class will help me to understand complex thoughts more effortlessly and have a clear understanding of what it means to analyze things intelligently.
Maybe at the end of the semester this English class will teach me to view the world with an open mind and more questions to consider. The world is filled with all kinds of questionable theories, people and animals. I’m confident that finishing this class will allow me to considerably think about and see the world in a more mature way as well as question what should be questioned. I know I won’t be the next Immanuel Kant, but maybe after writing some thorough research papers and learning to be a better critical thinker in this class I will be able to become some level of a philosopher.
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