Just to tell you a little about myself, I am a wife, mother of 2 grown children, and a Grandmother of 5. I have lived in the Everett area for the last 40 plus years. I am looking at getting my bachelors in Business from Central Washington University. Before I am able to transfer, I have to take several classes at Everett Community College and one of these classes is this class English 101.
This class has been a real challenge for me; I thought I knew how to put an essay together. However, my first papers did not turn out well at all, even though I thought that I did really well on them. These two papers were on Identity and Community. My problem on these papers was that I did not think on the analysis of it, I wrote with my heart instead. You need to separate the two in order to think about how to write an essay on critical thinking; to analyze it, to synthesize it; to get it to show the reader what, why, how and then the conclusion is to reflect back to what it is about. The pieces that I chose to be in my eportfolio are: my essay on Tradition - Critical Thinking, my essay on Identity - Revision, my discussion board #1 post on tradition - Voice and Audience, and the last piece is my blog on Community - Writer's Choice.
In our first paper we learned about identity. Several of the essays described different identities and how they were all alike. Then I read the essay called “Mask” written by Lucy Grealy. She was ridiculed by her fellow students because she looked different due to a disease she had when she was young. It was not how she looked that changed her identity; it was how she was treated throughout her life. I did not do well on this paper because I forgot to show the analysis of it. There was no context to the paper.
The second paper was on community. This was really exciting to read about, because we found out that not only the location where you live is a community but people can be a community. People can find a community everywhere, such as a church, online, or even a family. Also a college can be a community, because this is where people can gather together as one. The paper I wrote was about the community of the college. In one of the essays we were assigned to read was by David Berreby “It Takes a Tribe.” He wrote “A college campus is full of people inventing a sense of “us” and “them.” (Berreby, 119) Another essay we were to read was by John A Hostetler, “The Amish Charter.” They were a community of people and they also had rules to follow, such as “Colors such as bright red, orange, yellow, and pink not allowed. Clothing in every way modest…” (Hostetle, 143.) Both of these essays described about how a community comes together.
The movie that I chose to watch was about Edward Scissorhand. This movie was a very exciting movie to watch, you were able to see how different he really was and how he wanted to be accepted as a person and not a machine. My time writing did not fair to well. However, I still really enjoyed this movie. this one I did not choose to be part of the other part of my eportfolio, I wanted to let you know what I thought about this movie.
The third paper was on tradition, this one was hard for me to decide what my thesis was going to be, but I had help from my classmate in choosing one. There are several different types of tradition. It was very interesting to do the research for this paper. In the essay that was written by Garrison Keillor, “A Wobegon Holiday Dinner.” This was about a family gathering for Thanksgiving and he did not really want to be there, he was tired of it being hot and crowded. When he got married and had a family of his own, he started his own tradition. “My aunts stood shoulder to shoulder and whacked at things and chopped and slapped dinner together.” “I have to get out of here right now,” my fiancée whispered.” (Keillor, 114) Another essay was written by Sarita James, “Let Me Find My Own Husband.” This essay was about her wanting to be her own person and not wanting to conform to her parents will and their custom of having a husband chosen for her. On this paper, the only thing that I had to remember was to keep my heart out of the paper. I am not sure how I did on it yet, but I think it went fairly well.
Now we are getting to the close to the end of the class and everything that the instructors taught us in this class is about to reveal itself in how well we gained the knowledge in critical thinking. This is where we as an individual are able to show everything how much we have expanded our thinking.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Intro to Revision Piece
The original assignment was to show a result of our readings (primary) and observations (secondary), how can we argue that our findings are the greatest obstacles or challenges to developing a strong sense of self-identity? OR a result of our readings (primary) and observations (secondary), how can you argue that our findings are the greatest contributors to developing a strong sense of self-identity? We were to put in a context the demonstrated our thesis and to bring in an argument of why we thought of it that way. This is one of the papers that I really did not do well on at all. I want to think that I started out right, but I went my own way. This paper was a hard challenge for me to write. What I thought was a thesis was just that, a thought.
Society today unknowingly molds an individual’s identity and the individual may choose to expand on these influences and shape their identity to something different. Everything happens for a reason. This shapes you into the individual person you become. The person, who we become, is influenced by the people around us, our family, our friends, and our co-workers. They all shape us, whether it’s how we look, how we dress, or how we talk. Your identity can change by how you are treated throughout your life.
Society today unknowingly molds an individual’s identity and the individual may choose to expand on these influences and shape their identity to something different. Everything happens for a reason. This shapes you into the individual person you become. The person, who we become, is influenced by the people around us, our family, our friends, and our co-workers. They all shape us, whether it’s how we look, how we dress, or how we talk. Your identity can change by how you are treated throughout your life.
Revision Piece
Bev Nunes
Smith and Wells-Edwards
English 101D OL
2 June 2011
9 April 2011
Different Identities
Identities are a unique collection of a person’s interactions of a mental and physical environment. “All things start inside your soul and work outward. Thoughts are powerful. Words are powerful.” (Latifah 35)
In high school, Lucy was excited to be just another student, but the ridicules found her there. She would eat her lunch in her guidance counselors’ office, just so she would not have to endure the tormentors. What a lonely existence this is. “They pointed openly and laughed, calling out loudly enough for me to hear, “What on earth is that.” “That is the ugliest girl I have ever seen.” (Grealy 69) Not to be able to sit with anyone or talk to anyone. “These boys were older than the ones in grade school, and for the very first time I realized they were passing judgment on my suitability, or lack of it, as a girlfriend.”(Grealy 69) Upon hearing these words throughout her life, changed her identity to something different other than what it started out to be. People, who attack others, seem to think that it’s cool to make fun of people. Physical scars are skin deep; mental scars reside where your identity is formed.
The mental scars are influenced by the society around us; family, friends, co-workers, school, and the ridiculers. They impact how we look, dress, speak and our mental image. “The cafeteria is high school’s proving ground. It’s one of the most unavoidable and important thresholds, the place where you find out if you have friends or if you don’t. The cafeteria is the place where forms of human sacrifice occur, the merciless rituals of cruelty on which the kids thrive.” (White 15) Society’s melting pot is the proving ground that shapes us into who we become.
Society’s melting pot is a cruel, merciless playground. This is seen in children as they begin making their own decisions. “That same afternoon, our doorbell rang. It was our new next-door neighbor, a friendly girl my age named Julie. She asked me my name and after a moment of hesitation, I introduced myself as Julie. “What a coincidence!” she said. I didn’t mention that I had been Julie for only half an hour.” (Dumas 86) Firoozeh changed her name to be accepted. Society’s melting pot has influenced a young girl to make a decision about her image.
Images that are put forth precede our identity. Why do we place our identity in things that are on the exterior of our lives, such as our appearance, our friends, or what kind of car we drive, but truly not what is in our hearts where our lives really matter? If we were to list the things we are, we might find that very little of our identity is within us while more is connected to us from the exteriors of our lives that dictate our identity. Family history might show who we are. If you are clear minded and not confused, it is easy to be aggressive; having an identity does that for you. Your identity is what you are, and will shape your future.
If you ask your family and friends to describe the person you are, you are going to get many different answers, because they all perceive you differently and they all have a different opinion of who you are.
The persistent identity-self is the source of a person’s unwelcome experiences. It is always the interpretation of an experience that determines whether a person will welcome or resist it, and the interpretation is determined by the identity that filters the impressions of the event. The same experience may be welcomed by a being in one identity and resisted by the same being in a different identity.
The emergence of an identity crisis occurs during the teenage years in which people struggle between feelings of identity versus role confusion. Researcher James Marcia (1966, 1976, 1980) has expanded upon Erikson's initial theory. According to Marcia and his colleagues, the balance between identity and confusion lies in making a commitment to an identity. Marcia also developed an interview method to measure identity as well as four different identity statuses. This method looks at three different areas of functioning: occupational role, beliefs and values and sexuality.
In conclusion, identity is the way individuals shape their own identities to themselves. How different cultures may influence the way one perceives their own identity. Identity comes from experience, out of the different roles that you have tried your choices, and even your genes. It has many components, people, places, things, ideas and personalities. Your identity is who you are and who you are becoming from your individual self. It progresses as you grow and learn. Identity is complicated and it becomes more complicated as we grow into ourselves.
Revision
Identities are a unique collection of a person’s interactions with their environment. These interactions can be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. Some people believe that identity begins with a spiritual interaction. “All things start inside your soul and work outward. Thoughts are powerful. Words are powerful.” (Latifah 35) It also works in reverse. Thoughts and words whether positive or negative, are very powerful in forming ones identity.
In Lucy Grealy’s essay “Mask” it tells us that she was going to start high school. Lucy was excited to be just another student, but the ridicule that she endured while in junior high, also found her there. As she walked down the hallway or even sat in the lunchroom, these words would haunt her. “They pointed openly and laughed, calling out loudly enough for me to hear, “What on earth is that.” She would eat her lunch in her guidance counselors’ office, just so she would not have to endure the tormentors. What a lonely existence her life was shaping out to be. “That is the ugliest girl I have ever seen.” (Grealy 69) They would make fun of her, and she was not able to sit in the lunchroom with anyone or talk to anyone. “These boys were older than the ones in grade school, and for the very first time I realized they were passing judgment on my suitability, or lack of it, as a girlfriend.”(Grealy 69) Upon hearing these words throughout her life changed her identity to something different other than what it started out to be. Physical scars are skin deep; mental scars can form ones identity within ones inter soul.
The identity can be influenced by society that is all around us; family, friends, co-workers, school, and the ridiculers. They impact how we look, dress, speak and even our mental image. “The cafeteria is high school’s proving ground. It’s one of the most unavoidable and important thresholds, the place where you find out if you have friends or if you don’t. The cafeteria is the place where forms of human sacrifice occur, the merciless rituals of cruelty on which the kids thrive.” (White 15) Society’s words, a positive or negative, are the proving ground that shapes ones identity.
Society’s words can be a cruel, merciless playground. This is seen in children as they begin making their own decisions. “That same afternoon, our doorbell rang. It was our new next-door neighbor, a friendly girl my age named Julie. She asked me my name and after a moment of hesitation, I introduced myself as Julie. “What a coincidence!” she said. I didn’t mention that I had been Julie for only half an hour.” (Dumas 86) So that she would fit in Firoozeh changed her name to be considered a normal person that would be accepted in today’s society. Society’s words have influenced a young girl to make a decision about her identity.
Images put forth from a very young age form our identity. We often place our identity in things that are on the exterior of our lives, such as our appearance, our friends, or what kind of car we drive, not what is in our hearts where our lives really matter. If we were to list the things we are, very little of our identity is within us. Much is connected to the exteriors of our lives that form our perception of our identity. Family cultures, schools, work, church and friends are examples of exterior influences on forming identity.
Either positive or negative words and experiences will share in the way an individual shapes their own identity. Different cultures may influence the way one perceives their own identity. Identity comes from experience, the different roles, the choices made, and family culture. It has many components to it: people, places, experiences, ideas and personalities. Identity is who we are and who we are hoping to become.
Work Cite
Queen Latifah. “Who You Callin’ a Bitch.” Remix. Catherine G. Latterell. 2nd ed.
Lucy Grealy. “Mask.” Remix. Catherine G. Latterell. 2nd ed.
Emily White. “High School’s Secret Life.” Remix. Catherine G. Latterell. 2nd ed.
Firoozeh Dumas. “The F Word.” Remix. Catherine G. Latterell. 2nd ed
Smith and Wells-Edwards
English 101D OL
2 June 2011
9 April 2011
Different Identities
Identities are a unique collection of a person’s interactions of a mental and physical environment. “All things start inside your soul and work outward. Thoughts are powerful. Words are powerful.” (Latifah 35)
In high school, Lucy was excited to be just another student, but the ridicules found her there. She would eat her lunch in her guidance counselors’ office, just so she would not have to endure the tormentors. What a lonely existence this is. “They pointed openly and laughed, calling out loudly enough for me to hear, “What on earth is that.” “That is the ugliest girl I have ever seen.” (Grealy 69) Not to be able to sit with anyone or talk to anyone. “These boys were older than the ones in grade school, and for the very first time I realized they were passing judgment on my suitability, or lack of it, as a girlfriend.”(Grealy 69) Upon hearing these words throughout her life, changed her identity to something different other than what it started out to be. People, who attack others, seem to think that it’s cool to make fun of people. Physical scars are skin deep; mental scars reside where your identity is formed.
The mental scars are influenced by the society around us; family, friends, co-workers, school, and the ridiculers. They impact how we look, dress, speak and our mental image. “The cafeteria is high school’s proving ground. It’s one of the most unavoidable and important thresholds, the place where you find out if you have friends or if you don’t. The cafeteria is the place where forms of human sacrifice occur, the merciless rituals of cruelty on which the kids thrive.” (White 15) Society’s melting pot is the proving ground that shapes us into who we become.
Society’s melting pot is a cruel, merciless playground. This is seen in children as they begin making their own decisions. “That same afternoon, our doorbell rang. It was our new next-door neighbor, a friendly girl my age named Julie. She asked me my name and after a moment of hesitation, I introduced myself as Julie. “What a coincidence!” she said. I didn’t mention that I had been Julie for only half an hour.” (Dumas 86) Firoozeh changed her name to be accepted. Society’s melting pot has influenced a young girl to make a decision about her image.
Images that are put forth precede our identity. Why do we place our identity in things that are on the exterior of our lives, such as our appearance, our friends, or what kind of car we drive, but truly not what is in our hearts where our lives really matter? If we were to list the things we are, we might find that very little of our identity is within us while more is connected to us from the exteriors of our lives that dictate our identity. Family history might show who we are. If you are clear minded and not confused, it is easy to be aggressive; having an identity does that for you. Your identity is what you are, and will shape your future.
If you ask your family and friends to describe the person you are, you are going to get many different answers, because they all perceive you differently and they all have a different opinion of who you are.
The persistent identity-self is the source of a person’s unwelcome experiences. It is always the interpretation of an experience that determines whether a person will welcome or resist it, and the interpretation is determined by the identity that filters the impressions of the event. The same experience may be welcomed by a being in one identity and resisted by the same being in a different identity.
The emergence of an identity crisis occurs during the teenage years in which people struggle between feelings of identity versus role confusion. Researcher James Marcia (1966, 1976, 1980) has expanded upon Erikson's initial theory. According to Marcia and his colleagues, the balance between identity and confusion lies in making a commitment to an identity. Marcia also developed an interview method to measure identity as well as four different identity statuses. This method looks at three different areas of functioning: occupational role, beliefs and values and sexuality.
In conclusion, identity is the way individuals shape their own identities to themselves. How different cultures may influence the way one perceives their own identity. Identity comes from experience, out of the different roles that you have tried your choices, and even your genes. It has many components, people, places, things, ideas and personalities. Your identity is who you are and who you are becoming from your individual self. It progresses as you grow and learn. Identity is complicated and it becomes more complicated as we grow into ourselves.
Revision
Identities are a unique collection of a person’s interactions with their environment. These interactions can be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. Some people believe that identity begins with a spiritual interaction. “All things start inside your soul and work outward. Thoughts are powerful. Words are powerful.” (Latifah 35) It also works in reverse. Thoughts and words whether positive or negative, are very powerful in forming ones identity.
In Lucy Grealy’s essay “Mask” it tells us that she was going to start high school. Lucy was excited to be just another student, but the ridicule that she endured while in junior high, also found her there. As she walked down the hallway or even sat in the lunchroom, these words would haunt her. “They pointed openly and laughed, calling out loudly enough for me to hear, “What on earth is that.” She would eat her lunch in her guidance counselors’ office, just so she would not have to endure the tormentors. What a lonely existence her life was shaping out to be. “That is the ugliest girl I have ever seen.” (Grealy 69) They would make fun of her, and she was not able to sit in the lunchroom with anyone or talk to anyone. “These boys were older than the ones in grade school, and for the very first time I realized they were passing judgment on my suitability, or lack of it, as a girlfriend.”(Grealy 69) Upon hearing these words throughout her life changed her identity to something different other than what it started out to be. Physical scars are skin deep; mental scars can form ones identity within ones inter soul.
The identity can be influenced by society that is all around us; family, friends, co-workers, school, and the ridiculers. They impact how we look, dress, speak and even our mental image. “The cafeteria is high school’s proving ground. It’s one of the most unavoidable and important thresholds, the place where you find out if you have friends or if you don’t. The cafeteria is the place where forms of human sacrifice occur, the merciless rituals of cruelty on which the kids thrive.” (White 15) Society’s words, a positive or negative, are the proving ground that shapes ones identity.
Society’s words can be a cruel, merciless playground. This is seen in children as they begin making their own decisions. “That same afternoon, our doorbell rang. It was our new next-door neighbor, a friendly girl my age named Julie. She asked me my name and after a moment of hesitation, I introduced myself as Julie. “What a coincidence!” she said. I didn’t mention that I had been Julie for only half an hour.” (Dumas 86) So that she would fit in Firoozeh changed her name to be considered a normal person that would be accepted in today’s society. Society’s words have influenced a young girl to make a decision about her identity.
Images put forth from a very young age form our identity. We often place our identity in things that are on the exterior of our lives, such as our appearance, our friends, or what kind of car we drive, not what is in our hearts where our lives really matter. If we were to list the things we are, very little of our identity is within us. Much is connected to the exteriors of our lives that form our perception of our identity. Family cultures, schools, work, church and friends are examples of exterior influences on forming identity.
Either positive or negative words and experiences will share in the way an individual shapes their own identity. Different cultures may influence the way one perceives their own identity. Identity comes from experience, the different roles, the choices made, and family culture. It has many components to it: people, places, experiences, ideas and personalities. Identity is who we are and who we are hoping to become.
Work Cite
Queen Latifah. “Who You Callin’ a Bitch.” Remix. Catherine G. Latterell. 2nd ed.
Lucy Grealy. “Mask.” Remix. Catherine G. Latterell. 2nd ed.
Emily White. “High School’s Secret Life.” Remix. Catherine G. Latterell. 2nd ed.
Firoozeh Dumas. “The F Word.” Remix. Catherine G. Latterell. 2nd ed
Intro to Writer's Choice
The original assignment here was to draw from specific readings in Remix, then write an essay on community and their importance in our culture. The piece that I chose was my blog on Community and what my thoughts were about it. I really like writing the blog piece because you really did not have to give much thought to it, you got to say what you want to say without the analysis or the critical thinking part.
I have worked at the college for the last 27 years, and a helper to move the students along their journey so that they can further their education, and I am also a student wanting to gain more knowledge in my own education. I also have a goal to reach, and this is why Everett Community College is a community, we stand together as one.
I have worked at the college for the last 27 years, and a helper to move the students along their journey so that they can further their education, and I am also a student wanting to gain more knowledge in my own education. I also have a goal to reach, and this is why Everett Community College is a community, we stand together as one.
Writer's Choice
What's your Community?
Everett Community College is a Community. Everett Community College is a great place to work for, not only because of it's values, but of what we stand for. We stand for integrity, understanding, intellectual, support, guidance, and education. We are able to make a difference in people's lives that is very rewarding to all of us who work here.
All of us are here to support the students. To guide them to a higher level of education, and to increase their knowledge and growth. It is very refreshing and rewarding to be able to make a difference in each of the student's lives. Being able to see how they have accomplished their goal with us, so when they go onto another and bigger opportunity to grow.
We all have a commitment to our students, to encourage them to keep going forward. Everyone of these examples represents our community support in its broadest sense, because it describes the public services that we are committed to all of our students.
Another way of our commitment to our students is through communication, we try and reach out to each and everyone of the through letters, email, phone calls, facebook, twitter, and Utube. It is our purpose to serve each and every one of them.
I like being part of this community group because, first I was a student myself and I had guidance throughout the time I spent there, then I was a helper in guiding the students to obtain the classes they would need to further their education, then I became a worker and have been a worker, helper, and student for several years now.
I have worked at the college for the last 27 years, and a helper to move the students along their journey so that they can further their education, and I am also a student wanting to gain more knowledge in my own education. I also have a goal to reach, and this is why Everett Community College is a community, we stand together as one.
Everett Community College is a Community. Everett Community College is a great place to work for, not only because of it's values, but of what we stand for. We stand for integrity, understanding, intellectual, support, guidance, and education. We are able to make a difference in people's lives that is very rewarding to all of us who work here.
All of us are here to support the students. To guide them to a higher level of education, and to increase their knowledge and growth. It is very refreshing and rewarding to be able to make a difference in each of the student's lives. Being able to see how they have accomplished their goal with us, so when they go onto another and bigger opportunity to grow.
We all have a commitment to our students, to encourage them to keep going forward. Everyone of these examples represents our community support in its broadest sense, because it describes the public services that we are committed to all of our students.
Another way of our commitment to our students is through communication, we try and reach out to each and everyone of the through letters, email, phone calls, facebook, twitter, and Utube. It is our purpose to serve each and every one of them.
I like being part of this community group because, first I was a student myself and I had guidance throughout the time I spent there, then I was a helper in guiding the students to obtain the classes they would need to further their education, then I became a worker and have been a worker, helper, and student for several years now.
I have worked at the college for the last 27 years, and a helper to move the students along their journey so that they can further their education, and I am also a student wanting to gain more knowledge in my own education. I also have a goal to reach, and this is why Everett Community College is a community, we stand together as one.
Intro to Voice and Audience
On one of our discussion board assignment we were to comment on several classmates postings after reading several essays in our text book “Remix.” The piece that I chose was the postings by several of my classmates in the discussion board #1 on tradition. What my thoughts were about their post. We were to think in a critical and analysis way in asking them why they wrote the post. To get them to think about it, also to get the conversation moving and to broaden our critical thinking about what we thought about tradition. This one I felt that I was able to demonstrate my opinion on it and have them respond back to my questions.
Did your parents tradition guild you throughout your life, or did you feel that it might have limited your? Also, you are so correct in the statement you made about “High Schools around the country are allowing unmarried pregnant teens to attend and even make special accommodations for them to continue after the birth of the baby.” You can see this in documentaries done on television about teens having babies and attending high school. A long time ago, if a teen ended up pregnant, they were sent away to have the baby and then the baby was given away before they came back into their community. Do you think that they shunned her when she came back into her community?
Did your parents tradition guild you throughout your life, or did you feel that it might have limited your? Also, you are so correct in the statement you made about “High Schools around the country are allowing unmarried pregnant teens to attend and even make special accommodations for them to continue after the birth of the baby.” You can see this in documentaries done on television about teens having babies and attending high school. A long time ago, if a teen ended up pregnant, they were sent away to have the baby and then the baby was given away before they came back into their community. Do you think that they shunned her when she came back into her community?
Voice and Audience
In our assignment we were to read several essays in our class text book “Remix”. These essays brought out very different views on tradition and what it is for them and how they handled it. It also brought out my thoughts on tradition and what it means to me.
The three essays that I chose to read and write on are "Wobegon Holiday Dinner", "Let Me Find My Own Husband", and "The Brain in Love".
In "Wobegon Holiday Dinner", the tradition was to go to his Aunt and Uncle's house that was way too small for a large crowd, because they all had to bunch up in areas just to be in the house. Every Thanksgiving they would gather there to have this feast of food, to hear what was told by an Uncle and to see all of the cousins. He only remembered this tradition when his cousin called him to let him know that it has been 25 years since she vomited. It was during one of these gathers that she had done this. He chose to start a different tradition with his wife and step children, which broke his childhood tradition.
In "Let Me Find My Own Husband" she was trying to be her own person and did not want to have her parents pick out her husband by their standards. She felt like she was forced to be nice to the boy that she did not want to conform to her parents instead. It was not until years later that she conformed to her parts wishes, was it because the suitable boy was engaged to 2 different women from India. He finally came to visit and she decided that she wanted to marry him, her parents were excited and told the boy's parents and they agreed to the setup. It was not going to happen because he left for India and stayed there to be married to one of the woman in India. He could not even face Sarita to let her know, he sent her an email.
In "The Brain in Love" "While lust makes our eyes wander, they say, it's the drive for romance that allows us to focus on one particular person, through we often can't explain why." (Carey, 400) Being in love makes you feel giddy and like you cannot think straight. You can only think about that person, when you can see them again. "These were young people who were practically willing to die for their lover. You would expect that the images would reflect many strong emotions all at once." (Carey, 401) When people are in love, it's like their brain is mush. It's not only young people that feel this way, it also happens to older couples.
Tradition is a key to your past and your ancestors. It is okay to change traditions when it needs to be changed. Sometimes your family moves on and they start their own tradition. I feel that no person should be shunned for what they believe in.
This comment was directed to Susan,
This is a really good post and you have some really good example of your own life. Did your parents tradition guild you throughout your life, or did you feel that it might have limited you? Also, you are so correct in the statement you made about "High Schools around the country are allowing unmarried pregnant teens to attend and even making special accommodations for them to continue after the birth of the baby " You can see this in documentaries done on television about teens having babies and attending high school. A long time ago, if a teen ended up pregnant, they were sent away to have the baby and then the baby was given away before they came back into their community. Do you think that they shunned her when she came back into her community?
This comment was directed to Nicholas
Nicholas, I disagree with your statement "since most commonly it is your family forcing you into it." I don't think that families force a tradition on you but what I do think is that they guild and influences you into it. Why do you think that they are forcing traditions on you?
This comment was directed to Brett,
I like your comments on each of these questions however, one thing I do need to ask you is about your comment on question #3 "-Being shunned from your cultures community for not going by its traditions would be stupid. Everyone has their own life and should live it their own way as long as it doesn't harm or hinder someone elses quest for happiness. Now days with how much humans have migrated many cultures and traditions are being blended. With as many different cultures and traditions there are, if you were to shun those who think different than you, then you will probably have a fairly boring and lonely life." My question is this: If you lived in a different country, where their culture is guided by a certain tradition, do you not believe that you would be shunned? Some countries even have maimed people for not following the tradition. Take Sarita in "Let Me Choose My Own Husband", if she lived in India, she would have already had a fixed marriage made for her when she was born, she would have no say in the matter. However, she lives here in the United States, she has the right to chose who she wants to marry. Sometimes traditions is a guiding influence which could be limiting in their ability to do what they want to do.
This comment was directed to Anyes,
You have some very good points. I do like what you said about "Tradition is what keeps the family rituals, and legacy alive…because without tradition, we would not know about our ancestors. There are times in knowing out past, it keeps us alive. I also understand about the storytelling, however, there are times that life gets in the way and that part of a tradition may suffer and go away. Thanks for sharing this with us.
This comment was directed to Kitrina,
I agree with your statement about Sarita. However, she wanted to marry him, and told him that she wanted to marry him, after she heard that he was engaged to 2 women in India, which is what her parents wanted in the first place. It was not until after that she found out that he stayed in India to marry one of the women he went there to meet for the first time. In the statement you stated on shunned about it being a waste of time, it might be a waste of time and stupid, but it still happens to this day. Do you think that everyone is accepted in today society?
This comment was directed to Eugene,
This is a very nice post. I do like the last part of your post where you state, "The fact is that if a person stands back from all the activity going on in our life's and thinks beyond the obvious and what seems to be truth, the bigger picture can be seen and things that matter in life might get changed after evaluation of what is important and what is not." What if that person who came to America from a different country had a very strong belief in his/her custom (tradition)? Are they to change that for their children? Don't get me wrong, because I do believe in moving on with a tradition and truly, in this country we are so diverse that maybe we cannot see their way of thinking. Maybe it is something that is so imbedded in them, they cannot think otherwise.
The three essays that I chose to read and write on are "Wobegon Holiday Dinner", "Let Me Find My Own Husband", and "The Brain in Love".
In "Wobegon Holiday Dinner", the tradition was to go to his Aunt and Uncle's house that was way too small for a large crowd, because they all had to bunch up in areas just to be in the house. Every Thanksgiving they would gather there to have this feast of food, to hear what was told by an Uncle and to see all of the cousins. He only remembered this tradition when his cousin called him to let him know that it has been 25 years since she vomited. It was during one of these gathers that she had done this. He chose to start a different tradition with his wife and step children, which broke his childhood tradition.
In "Let Me Find My Own Husband" she was trying to be her own person and did not want to have her parents pick out her husband by their standards. She felt like she was forced to be nice to the boy that she did not want to conform to her parents instead. It was not until years later that she conformed to her parts wishes, was it because the suitable boy was engaged to 2 different women from India. He finally came to visit and she decided that she wanted to marry him, her parents were excited and told the boy's parents and they agreed to the setup. It was not going to happen because he left for India and stayed there to be married to one of the woman in India. He could not even face Sarita to let her know, he sent her an email.
In "The Brain in Love" "While lust makes our eyes wander, they say, it's the drive for romance that allows us to focus on one particular person, through we often can't explain why." (Carey, 400) Being in love makes you feel giddy and like you cannot think straight. You can only think about that person, when you can see them again. "These were young people who were practically willing to die for their lover. You would expect that the images would reflect many strong emotions all at once." (Carey, 401) When people are in love, it's like their brain is mush. It's not only young people that feel this way, it also happens to older couples.
Tradition is a key to your past and your ancestors. It is okay to change traditions when it needs to be changed. Sometimes your family moves on and they start their own tradition. I feel that no person should be shunned for what they believe in.
This comment was directed to Susan,
This is a really good post and you have some really good example of your own life. Did your parents tradition guild you throughout your life, or did you feel that it might have limited you? Also, you are so correct in the statement you made about "High Schools around the country are allowing unmarried pregnant teens to attend and even making special accommodations for them to continue after the birth of the baby " You can see this in documentaries done on television about teens having babies and attending high school. A long time ago, if a teen ended up pregnant, they were sent away to have the baby and then the baby was given away before they came back into their community. Do you think that they shunned her when she came back into her community?
This comment was directed to Nicholas
Nicholas, I disagree with your statement "since most commonly it is your family forcing you into it." I don't think that families force a tradition on you but what I do think is that they guild and influences you into it. Why do you think that they are forcing traditions on you?
This comment was directed to Brett,
I like your comments on each of these questions however, one thing I do need to ask you is about your comment on question #3 "-Being shunned from your cultures community for not going by its traditions would be stupid. Everyone has their own life and should live it their own way as long as it doesn't harm or hinder someone elses quest for happiness. Now days with how much humans have migrated many cultures and traditions are being blended. With as many different cultures and traditions there are, if you were to shun those who think different than you, then you will probably have a fairly boring and lonely life." My question is this: If you lived in a different country, where their culture is guided by a certain tradition, do you not believe that you would be shunned? Some countries even have maimed people for not following the tradition. Take Sarita in "Let Me Choose My Own Husband", if she lived in India, she would have already had a fixed marriage made for her when she was born, she would have no say in the matter. However, she lives here in the United States, she has the right to chose who she wants to marry. Sometimes traditions is a guiding influence which could be limiting in their ability to do what they want to do.
This comment was directed to Anyes,
You have some very good points. I do like what you said about "Tradition is what keeps the family rituals, and legacy alive…because without tradition, we would not know about our ancestors. There are times in knowing out past, it keeps us alive. I also understand about the storytelling, however, there are times that life gets in the way and that part of a tradition may suffer and go away. Thanks for sharing this with us.
This comment was directed to Kitrina,
I agree with your statement about Sarita. However, she wanted to marry him, and told him that she wanted to marry him, after she heard that he was engaged to 2 women in India, which is what her parents wanted in the first place. It was not until after that she found out that he stayed in India to marry one of the women he went there to meet for the first time. In the statement you stated on shunned about it being a waste of time, it might be a waste of time and stupid, but it still happens to this day. Do you think that everyone is accepted in today society?
This comment was directed to Eugene,
This is a very nice post. I do like the last part of your post where you state, "The fact is that if a person stands back from all the activity going on in our life's and thinks beyond the obvious and what seems to be truth, the bigger picture can be seen and things that matter in life might get changed after evaluation of what is important and what is not." What if that person who came to America from a different country had a very strong belief in his/her custom (tradition)? Are they to change that for their children? Don't get me wrong, because I do believe in moving on with a tradition and truly, in this country we are so diverse that maybe we cannot see their way of thinking. Maybe it is something that is so imbedded in them, they cannot think otherwise.
Intro to Critical Thinking Piece
I think finally I understand what the instructors were trying to teach us about the difference between analysis and our own opinion. Analysis is being able to write a piece of essay, take it apart and put it back together so that we can get to the main point. The piece I chose on critical thinking was called “Family Tradition” which I thought was my strongest essay for this class. However, the instructor indicated that it was an improvement over the other two essays I wrote, it still needed some improvement. The instructor also indicated that my thesis did not get at the issue and with that, I do agree with her. It did not point out the changing of the tradition. You can put your time and energy into the essay but if you do not argue your point for the readers, you can miss bringing out what you are trying to get across to them. If we were to read this essay we might ask what has disappeared from the tradition and what has taken its place.
The tradition of sitting around the dinner table for a meal is conveniently being substituted by the fast food industry. Families can sit anywhere they like during mealtimes; in the car, in front of the television or the computer, on a park bench watching a child’s sports game or whatever after school activity there might be.
The tradition of sitting around the dinner table for a meal is conveniently being substituted by the fast food industry. Families can sit anywhere they like during mealtimes; in the car, in front of the television or the computer, on a park bench watching a child’s sports game or whatever after school activity there might be.
Critical Thinking
Beverly Nunes
Instructors Smith and Wells-Edwards
English& 101D OL
20 May 2011
Family Tradition
When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, the family sat around the dinner table just to have a conversation with mom and dad, brothers and sisters. We talked about what we did during the day, such as school happenings, who we saw at the playground or friends in the neighborhood, it did not matter what the topic was, we were able to catch up on it. Problems and maybe even some secrets were shared between all of us. My dad would sit at the head of the table, and sometimes because there were six of us, my mom would sit opposite my dad to make sure that one of us did not act out or do something that we knew was wrong; either one of them could reach out to discipline us. They were also the ones to keep the peace between my brothers and sisters. Sitting around the dinner table is no more; fast food has taken its place.
With technology in preparing fast food, it seems no one sits around the dinner table anymore, due to the convenience of picking up dinner already prepared. Families can sit anywhere they like during mealtimes; in the car, in front of the television or the computer, on a park bench watching a child’s sports game or whatever after school activity there might be. It’s convenient, quick and easy to come by. Larger towns and cities have restaurants that have to go options, and delivery service in addition to traditional fast food locations. Even the smallest towns have a fast food restaurant.
Presently fewer and fewer families eat their evening meal together at the dinner table. “A new survey has revealed that one in ten families never sit down to an evening meal together. And worryingly, of the few who do manage to sit down together, one in five families then spend less than one minute at the table. Almost 10% of people admitted they don’t eat a meal with their partner and children on a weeknight, with another one in ten saying it only happens once a week. The study of 3000 adults also revealed two thirds of kids yearn for a return to the traditional family dinner time.” Also in this study, “almost one in twenty people even said the family members all eat their meal in a different part of the house.” “Those who do manage to sit at the table together don’t always have the quality time together thanks to mobile phones, Television, and computer games.” (Times of India) This research shows that families no longer taking the time to sit down together for an evening meal.
When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s; the woman’s role use to be a stay at home mom. However, with the economy today, she has to assist in economically supporting the family. With women joining the workforce, they don’t have time to make a big meal for their family to sit down at the dinner table. Some women view fast food as a treat, eliminating the chore of cooking. (E A Johnson) Getting any kind of fast food is convenient and easy to obtain for the family dinner meal. Convenient and quick is not necessarily the best way to support family connections.
There is a natural tendency to drift apart as children look for and find their own identity and to adventure out on their own, Sitting around the dinner table provides more than a meal, it’s a time to reconnect with each other. It gives families a time to open up the communication link. The dinner table offers the opportunity to bring adults, teens, and younger children together to share their individual experiences or issues of the day. It is a place where life issues are brought up and talked through and possibly even resolved.
The memories that I have about sitting down at the dinner table are of having a good conversation with laugher and joy. “I think the best part about any of these traditions is that it brings the family together. You are all in one place together and having good times creating memories that will last a life time.” (C J Tillotson) These kinds of memories are shared by many. However, the tradition of sitting around the dinner table for a meal is conveniently substituted by fast food dining.
“This dinner ritual is about more than providing your body with required sustenance. It gives families a time to reconnect with the people closest to them and opens the doors of communication.” (Importance of Family Dinners) The Times of India research also states “…. four out of ten children have even asked their mum or dad to have more evening meals as a family. “ While interaction during meal times strengthens and bonds the family, the new technology of fast food is contributing to its decline.
Works Cited
Times of India. “Families that don’t dine together.” 10 May, 2011
Johnson, E.A. Blog comment. 29 Aug. 1992
Tillotson, C J. Blog comment. 10 May, 2011
Oppapers.com/essays. “Importance-Family-Dinners.” 20 May, 2011
03 June 2011
Family Tradition
When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, the family sat around the dinner table just to have a conversation with mom and dad, brothers and sisters. We talked about what we did during the day, such as school happenings, who we saw at the playground or friends in the neighborhood, it did not matter what the topic was, we were able to catch up on it. Problems and maybe even some secrets were shared between all of us. My dad would sit at the head of the table, and sometimes because there were six of us, my mom would sit opposite my dad to make sure that one of us did not act out or do something that we knew was wrong; either one of them could reach out to discipline us. They were also the ones to keep the peace between my brothers and sisters. Families sitting around the dinner table are no more; fast food has taken its place.
With technology in preparing fast food, it seems no one sits around the dinner table anymore, due to the convenience of picking up dinner already prepared. Families can sit anywhere they like during mealtimes; in the car, in front of the television or the computer, on a park bench watching a child’s sports game or whatever after school activity there might be. It’s convenient, quick and easy to come by. Larger towns and cities have restaurants that have to go options, and delivery service in addition to traditional fast food locations. Even the smallest towns have a fast food restaurant.
Presently fewer and fewer families eat their evening meal together at the dinner table. “A new survey has revealed that one in ten families never sit down to an evening meal together. And worryingly, of the few who do manage to sit down together, one in five families then spend less than one minute at the table. Almost 10% of people admitted they don’t eat a meal with their partner and children on a weeknight, with another one in ten saying it only happens once a week. The study of 3000 adults also revealed two thirds of kids yearn for a return to the traditional family dinner time.” Also in this study, “almost one in twenty people even said the family members all eat their meal in a different part of the house.” “Those who do manage to sit at the table together don’t always have the quality time together thanks to mobile phones, Television, and computer games.” (Times of India) This research shows that families no longer taking the time to sit down together for an evening meal.
Family traditions were changing due to the facts that mom’s were having to help pay the bills and to have food on the table. When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s; the woman’s role use to be a stay at home mom. However, with the economy today, she has to assist in economically supporting the family. With women joining the workforce, they don’t have time to make a big meal for their family to sit down at the dinner table. Some women view fast food as a treat, eliminating the chore of cooking. (E A Johnson) Getting any kind of fast food is convenient and easy to obtain for the family dinner meal. Convenient and quick is not necessarily the best way to support family connections.
Sitting around the dinner table provides more than a meal; it’s a time to reconnect with each other. It gives families a time to open up the communication link. The dinner table offers the opportunity to bring adults, teens, and younger children together to share their individual experiences or issues of the day. It is a place where life issues are brought up and talked through and possibly even resolved.
The family memories that I have about sitting down at the dinner table is about having a good conversation with my Mom and Dad along with my brothers and sisters; sharing the laugher and joy. “I think the best part about any of these traditions is that it brings the family together. One of the blogs I read from my classmate stated “You are all in one place together and having good times creating memories that will last a life time.” (C J Tillotson) These kinds of memories are shared by many.
I believe that families today are not finding the time to just sit down at the dinner table to enjoy each other and to find out what everyone did that day or week. “This dinner ritual is about more than providing your body with required sustenance. It gives families a time to reconnect with the people closest to them and opens the doors of communication.” (Importance of Family Dinners) The Times of India research also states “…. four out of ten children have even asked their mum or dad to have more evening meals as a family. “ While interaction during meal times strengthens and bonds the family together, the new technology of fast food is contributing to its decline. People are going in several different ways because of work, sports, or schooling, so they are not taking the time to sit down with their family to reconnect.
Works Cited
Times of India. “Families that don’t dine together.” 10 May, 2011
Johnson, E.A. Blog comment. 29 Aug. 1992
Tillotson, C J. Blog comment. 10 May, 2011
Oppapers.com/essays. “Importance-Family-Dinners.” 20 May, 2011/88355?topic
Instructors Smith and Wells-Edwards
English& 101D OL
20 May 2011
Family Tradition
When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, the family sat around the dinner table just to have a conversation with mom and dad, brothers and sisters. We talked about what we did during the day, such as school happenings, who we saw at the playground or friends in the neighborhood, it did not matter what the topic was, we were able to catch up on it. Problems and maybe even some secrets were shared between all of us. My dad would sit at the head of the table, and sometimes because there were six of us, my mom would sit opposite my dad to make sure that one of us did not act out or do something that we knew was wrong; either one of them could reach out to discipline us. They were also the ones to keep the peace between my brothers and sisters. Sitting around the dinner table is no more; fast food has taken its place.
With technology in preparing fast food, it seems no one sits around the dinner table anymore, due to the convenience of picking up dinner already prepared. Families can sit anywhere they like during mealtimes; in the car, in front of the television or the computer, on a park bench watching a child’s sports game or whatever after school activity there might be. It’s convenient, quick and easy to come by. Larger towns and cities have restaurants that have to go options, and delivery service in addition to traditional fast food locations. Even the smallest towns have a fast food restaurant.
Presently fewer and fewer families eat their evening meal together at the dinner table. “A new survey has revealed that one in ten families never sit down to an evening meal together. And worryingly, of the few who do manage to sit down together, one in five families then spend less than one minute at the table. Almost 10% of people admitted they don’t eat a meal with their partner and children on a weeknight, with another one in ten saying it only happens once a week. The study of 3000 adults also revealed two thirds of kids yearn for a return to the traditional family dinner time.” Also in this study, “almost one in twenty people even said the family members all eat their meal in a different part of the house.” “Those who do manage to sit at the table together don’t always have the quality time together thanks to mobile phones, Television, and computer games.” (Times of India) This research shows that families no longer taking the time to sit down together for an evening meal.
When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s; the woman’s role use to be a stay at home mom. However, with the economy today, she has to assist in economically supporting the family. With women joining the workforce, they don’t have time to make a big meal for their family to sit down at the dinner table. Some women view fast food as a treat, eliminating the chore of cooking. (E A Johnson) Getting any kind of fast food is convenient and easy to obtain for the family dinner meal. Convenient and quick is not necessarily the best way to support family connections.
There is a natural tendency to drift apart as children look for and find their own identity and to adventure out on their own, Sitting around the dinner table provides more than a meal, it’s a time to reconnect with each other. It gives families a time to open up the communication link. The dinner table offers the opportunity to bring adults, teens, and younger children together to share their individual experiences or issues of the day. It is a place where life issues are brought up and talked through and possibly even resolved.
The memories that I have about sitting down at the dinner table are of having a good conversation with laugher and joy. “I think the best part about any of these traditions is that it brings the family together. You are all in one place together and having good times creating memories that will last a life time.” (C J Tillotson) These kinds of memories are shared by many. However, the tradition of sitting around the dinner table for a meal is conveniently substituted by fast food dining.
“This dinner ritual is about more than providing your body with required sustenance. It gives families a time to reconnect with the people closest to them and opens the doors of communication.” (Importance of Family Dinners) The Times of India research also states “…. four out of ten children have even asked their mum or dad to have more evening meals as a family. “ While interaction during meal times strengthens and bonds the family, the new technology of fast food is contributing to its decline.
Works Cited
Times of India. “Families that don’t dine together.” 10 May, 2011
Johnson, E.A. Blog comment. 29 Aug. 1992
Tillotson, C J. Blog comment. 10 May, 2011
Oppapers.com/essays. “Importance-Family-Dinners.” 20 May, 2011
03 June 2011
Family Tradition
When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, the family sat around the dinner table just to have a conversation with mom and dad, brothers and sisters. We talked about what we did during the day, such as school happenings, who we saw at the playground or friends in the neighborhood, it did not matter what the topic was, we were able to catch up on it. Problems and maybe even some secrets were shared between all of us. My dad would sit at the head of the table, and sometimes because there were six of us, my mom would sit opposite my dad to make sure that one of us did not act out or do something that we knew was wrong; either one of them could reach out to discipline us. They were also the ones to keep the peace between my brothers and sisters. Families sitting around the dinner table are no more; fast food has taken its place.
With technology in preparing fast food, it seems no one sits around the dinner table anymore, due to the convenience of picking up dinner already prepared. Families can sit anywhere they like during mealtimes; in the car, in front of the television or the computer, on a park bench watching a child’s sports game or whatever after school activity there might be. It’s convenient, quick and easy to come by. Larger towns and cities have restaurants that have to go options, and delivery service in addition to traditional fast food locations. Even the smallest towns have a fast food restaurant.
Presently fewer and fewer families eat their evening meal together at the dinner table. “A new survey has revealed that one in ten families never sit down to an evening meal together. And worryingly, of the few who do manage to sit down together, one in five families then spend less than one minute at the table. Almost 10% of people admitted they don’t eat a meal with their partner and children on a weeknight, with another one in ten saying it only happens once a week. The study of 3000 adults also revealed two thirds of kids yearn for a return to the traditional family dinner time.” Also in this study, “almost one in twenty people even said the family members all eat their meal in a different part of the house.” “Those who do manage to sit at the table together don’t always have the quality time together thanks to mobile phones, Television, and computer games.” (Times of India) This research shows that families no longer taking the time to sit down together for an evening meal.
Family traditions were changing due to the facts that mom’s were having to help pay the bills and to have food on the table. When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s; the woman’s role use to be a stay at home mom. However, with the economy today, she has to assist in economically supporting the family. With women joining the workforce, they don’t have time to make a big meal for their family to sit down at the dinner table. Some women view fast food as a treat, eliminating the chore of cooking. (E A Johnson) Getting any kind of fast food is convenient and easy to obtain for the family dinner meal. Convenient and quick is not necessarily the best way to support family connections.
Sitting around the dinner table provides more than a meal; it’s a time to reconnect with each other. It gives families a time to open up the communication link. The dinner table offers the opportunity to bring adults, teens, and younger children together to share their individual experiences or issues of the day. It is a place where life issues are brought up and talked through and possibly even resolved.
The family memories that I have about sitting down at the dinner table is about having a good conversation with my Mom and Dad along with my brothers and sisters; sharing the laugher and joy. “I think the best part about any of these traditions is that it brings the family together. One of the blogs I read from my classmate stated “You are all in one place together and having good times creating memories that will last a life time.” (C J Tillotson) These kinds of memories are shared by many.
I believe that families today are not finding the time to just sit down at the dinner table to enjoy each other and to find out what everyone did that day or week. “This dinner ritual is about more than providing your body with required sustenance. It gives families a time to reconnect with the people closest to them and opens the doors of communication.” (Importance of Family Dinners) The Times of India research also states “…. four out of ten children have even asked their mum or dad to have more evening meals as a family. “ While interaction during meal times strengthens and bonds the family together, the new technology of fast food is contributing to its decline. People are going in several different ways because of work, sports, or schooling, so they are not taking the time to sit down with their family to reconnect.
Works Cited
Times of India. “Families that don’t dine together.” 10 May, 2011
Johnson, E.A. Blog comment. 29 Aug. 1992
Tillotson, C J. Blog comment. 10 May, 2011
Oppapers.com/essays. “Importance-Family-Dinners.” 20 May, 2011/88355?topic
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