Aria

Aria

Richard Rodriquez

I personally never faced the struggle Richard faced as a child in or outside of school. My family and I only speak English. I took French for three years in high school and it was the most frustrating experience ever. Trying to understand and speak another language is very difficult and at times frustrating especially when your not getting it, so I could only imagine how he was feeling being forced to learn English. I know its easier for a child to learn another language then a teenager/adult so its great that he was learning it young but the way it made him feel was not so great. When I read the article I couldn't help but feel bad for him. Everyone in the household was learning more and more English and when his parents were talking in Spanish and he walked in, they started talking in English. I felt bad that his house didn't even feel like home. Home was his escape place, where he could talk In just Spanish and feel comfortable. It all pushed him away and I cant blame him.

I have mixed thoughts when it comes to this subject. I feel like everyone living in America should know enough English to get by and have a short conversation with someone. I feel like it would be more beneficial and easier for everyone if everyone spoke English. Same for another country. If I moved to DR, I cant expect people to just adjust to me not speaking Spanish and they all have to learn English for me. At some point, I'm going to have to learn Spanish fluently or at least enough to get by. After reading this article I have a better understanding of how someone who only speaks Spanish may feel trying to learn English because that's the main language. I also don't feel like someone who does not speak English should be forced to learn English just because they live in America.

Link to the reading:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0MW5DdnZyVnpGSHc/view

All Lives Matter & McIntosh

"All Lives Matter"

"The phrase "black lives matter" also has an implicit "too" at the end: it's saying that black lives should also matter. But responding to this by saying "all lives matter" is willfully going back to ignoring the problem. It's a way of dismissing the statement by falsely suggesting that it means "only black lives matter," when that is obviously not the case. And so saying "all lives matter" as a direct response to "black lives matter" is essentially saying that we should just go back to ignoring the problem."

-This quote explains that black lives matter just as much as everyone else's life. It's not saying that just black lives matter. But saying "All lives matter" in response to the phrase "Black lives matter" is ignoring the real problem at hand. All lives matter but blacks are the ones losing their life for no reason at all not others. Blacks get treated very different and unfair for just the color of their skin and it's not right. The point is that black lives matter also!


                                                            

"Mclntosh"

"The Male Privilege Checklist"

#39 "If I have children with a wife or girlfriend, and it turns out that one of us needs to make career sacrifices to raise the kids, chances are we'll both assume the career sacrificed should be hers"

- I completely disagree with this and I hate this way of thinking. I don't think its right to assume that the women would have to sacrifice her career over the men. If having the women stay home with kids is what's best for the kids and she wants to do that then fine, but if not then there should be other options. It doesn't always have to be the women who stay home and raises the kids, the man can too. The man is just as capable as the women are to stay home and raise the kids. The women are just as capable as the man is to have a career and support the family. Also, the parents can always work opposite shifts so they can both raise the children together.

                                                  

#8 "I am taught not to fear walking alone after dark in average public spaces"

- Unfortunately, women do not have the luxury to be able to walk alone after dark without some guy trying to hit on her. As a woman, I'm very scared of walking alone after dark because I never know what could happen. There are some guys who will harass females while their walking at night, even if she's with friends, some just don't care. There are so many dangerous things happening in the world now, women don't feel safe walking alone at night.  Its bad enough guys are whistling at you and making inappropriate comments, never mind getting kidnapped or something worse happening. Most men are stronger then females and can defend their self if ever approached or attacked. A woman who is not as strong may not be able to fight off a guy especially if its a big guy. Also, men are less likely to be attacked while walking alone that's why they don't have to worry as much while walking alone after dark.

                                                     

Link to reading:
https://splinternews.com/the-next-time-someone-says-all-lives-matter-show-them-1793849332

http://www.feministezine.com/feminist/modern/WhitePrivilege-MalePrivilege.html                                 

Kristof

U.S.A., Land of Limitations?

By: Nicholas Kristof

August 8th, 2015

"Talent is universal, but opportunity is not"
-The quote means that there is plenty of people with talent everywhere but there is not enough opportunities for them. There's so many talented people in the world who work so hard and should be on top but because of lack of opportunity they stay where they've always been, at the bottom. This quote is relevant because his friend was extremely talented but never had any opportunities to show that he didn't have a successful life like he should've.

"Remember that disadvantage is less about income than environment"
-I feel as though having a high income or even having an income where you could just get by is important because everyone needs money. You need money to survive Having money to provide yourself with shelter, food, etc is very important. But I feel like someone's environment is everything. People who have money and a crappy environment where their parents are not involved in their life or not around usually grow up struggling in many ways because of lack of support by family. I personally rather have barely any money and a great home environment  where I'm surrounded with family who loves me and does the best with what they have for me.

"The chance of a person who was born into a family in the bottom 10 percent of the income distribution rising to the top 10 percent as an adult is about the same as the chance that a dad who is 5 feet 6 inches tall having a son who grows up to be over 6 feet 1 inch tall,"Krueger observed in a speech. “It happens, but not often.”
-This quote is basically saying that if your born in a low income family its less likely that you'll reach  the top 10 percent as an adult. I disagree, I feel like yes, it may be challenging with less income to rise to the top but if your dedicated, motivated, challenge yourself and work hard anyone can make it. It will be even harder without opportunity but you have to create your own. Its relevant to the text because Kristof talks about different social classes.

Point to share:
"Rich kids make a lot of bad choices" Professor Reardon notes. "They just don't come with the same sort of consequences"
-This quote is saying there are many children born in a rich family that get into trouble but don't have to deal with the same consequences someone poor would have to deal with. Kids that are born into a rich family can make bad choices and get into trouble and their parents are more likely to buy them out of trouble or know someone higher up who can get them out of trouble vs someone who is born into a poor family who has to most likely deal with consequences of their action because they have no other choice. This quote is relevant because its talking about land of opportunity.

Link to reading:
-https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/opinion/sunday/nicholas-kristof-usa-land-of-limitations.html?_r=0

The picture above is of my aunt, mom, my aunts son and daughter who i call my niece and nephew and I. They are my world. I am closest to them and they make me the happiest girl in the world.

 This picture is of my other aunt, my close friend and I. This was taken the day after my birthday. My aunt took  me to NYC for my 21st! My aunt is an inspiration. She pushes me and inspires me to do great in life. She's very wise and I learn a lot from her! My friend is amazing! I never have to question her loyalty, she's always there for me and I will forever be grateful for our friendship!

This picture is of my mom and aunt. I chose this picture because my mom is my world and I'm so thankful to have a mom who is as caring and awesome as she is! And my aunt is my bestfriend! I can go to her about anything and everything and she's always there.

My niece and nephew. My world in one picture. I have been like a second mom to the both of them since they were born. Whenever I'm having a bad day I can look at pictures/videos of them and everything is so much better! I love them to pieces.

Lastly, above are my brothers and sisters. They're all pretty cool...sometimes lol.