Blog Post 5

Upon reevaluating my personal blog, I discovered the basis of my writing revolves around the theme of equity. Not equality, equity. Equality is the art of ensuring sameness amongst all individuals through fairness and justice; however, to achieve equality all individuals must have a homogenous understanding of fairness. Moreover, equity assures that individuals, regardless of their history or dynamic make-up, have access to the same opportunities. More often than not, individuals get so involved with their own trials and tribulations that they forget to recognize those of others. For instance, students at UF constantly complain about the loans they have taken out to afford the school's high tuition rates; synonymously, there are men and women world-wide starving because they cannot afford more than one meal per day. As citizens of the United States we are blessed to be able to call ourselves free: free from slavery, free from oppression, free to voice our opinions. The discourses on my blog serve as my personal platform for a societal reform. The main objective of my mystory is to evoke a sense of responsibility within my audience; as individuals of society, we have the responsibility to insure that all beings of the world are treated with the same amount of respect.  We must be proactive in our thoughts; we must be the change we want to see in the world. Equity for ALL.

Matthew 7:12

The Golden Rule

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Check-In 3

Truthfully, when Mikayla announced our course material was going to revolve around the aesthetics of hip-hop culture I squirmed inside. My writing experience prior to entering ENC 1101 was comprised of analyzing literary works from the Medieval Period to the Seventeenth Century. I was unsure how well my writing I was going to progress this semester because Hip-Hop is, for the most part, an unfamiliar realm of music to me. Assignments based on current issues were very difficult for me to write about because I was so accustomed to writing about literature created 200 years prior. Initially, I struggled with class assignments. However, the diversification of the theme has allowed me to gain the quintessential knowledge I will need to adapt to unfamiliar topics in future classes. 

Community Blog Post

 While at home in Naples, Florida during Thanksgiving Break, the local D.A.S(Domestic Animal Services) arrived at my house to gather more information regarding the "vicious" dog fight reported by neighbor.The previous day, my dog bit our next door neighbor's dog while the two were outside. My neighbor told the authorities that she watched my dog run over into her yard and bite her dog's back. After the authorities surveyed our home, they questioned my family and I about the history of our pit bull and her usual behaviors. 

However, the neighbor diagonal from us recollects an entirely different story. He told the authorities that he watched the whole scene unravel. According to him, the neighbor who called was in fact not outside when the situation happened. She let her dog outside to go to the bathroom and as she ran outside she spotted our pit bull. Cassie(neighbor's dog) darted towards our dog aggressively and ready to fight. Lola(my dog), hide behind my father's legs. It was not until she felt threatened by the other dog did she react by bitting her back. 

Although the act of violence was pure self defense, DAS treated our dog as the pursuer and not the victim because she is a pit bull. Due to many reported accounts of dog fighting and accidents that pit bull have caused in the past, the bred receives a negative connotation.  However, the manner in which a pit bull acts is solely dependent on the owner and the training the dog received. It truly is a hassle to own her in our neighborhood because of the large amounts of elderly citizens. I cannot take my pit bull for a walk without receiving glares from by standers who believe she will attack them at any time. It's disheartening to know that discrimination is not constricted to the human race but also extends to those who cannot speech up against their prosecutors. 

Challenge Post #2

To: Mikayla Beaudrie
From: Alexis Gray
Date: November 16, 2014
Re: Challenge Post #2: Flight to Canada

Dear Mikayla,

      After long consideration, I have decided to switch my topic of interest for my challenge posts from SW 34th Street's "Graffiti Wall" in Gainesville to the short poem "Flight to Canada". I made this decision based on my person strengths as a writer; the analyzation of poetry comes more naturally to me. As a result, I am evaluating Ishmael Reed's poem for content, style, and the linkage between the piece of prose and hip-hop.

     A basic summary of the poem:
 Quickskill, former slave of Master Swille, writes about his escape from the plantation and the master's cruel inhumane treatment. The accepting nature of a black slave by  the citizens of Canada is juxtaposed with the oppression of African American's in the US, especially in the Southern states. Stanza four to nine describe Quickskill's last return to the plantation while the Master was away at a slave auction in Charleston. Although he already assumes one of the other slaves told the Master because it is not fair one escapes the thresholds of slavery. He continues to describe how he took money from his safe;initially, the reader may consider Quickskill as a thief but if you examine the poem more closely, he is taking his compensation for working as a slave on the plantation.

      I will be able to make a more in-depth analyzation in future check-in post about the challenge post. I gave a brief summary to let you know that my topic of choice has changed and I am more comfortable writing about the poem "Flight to Canada" by Ishmael Reed.

                        Sincerely,
                               Alexis Gray

Striving to reduce veteran homelessness within local communities

1. Produce a documentary that shows the extent of veteran homelessness within my local community. The video would demonstrate a veteran's living arrangements, their overall mental health, and daily activities. The documentary would consist of interviews from former soldiers living in Gainesville and would concentrate on how war affects the body and mind. The main goal of publication would be to raise awareness within the community and produce a call for action.

2. Raise awareness amongst my peers  by creating a non-profit club through UF's clubs and activities board. The club would advocate for the improvement of US veterans within Alachau County. Also, the group's efforts would be highly concentrated on eliminated veteran homelessness within the community.  Members would table weekly in Turlington, urging students to contribute in the club's efforts.

3.Having a food drive for Gainesville's local homeless veteran service provider either monthly or semesterly. The canned food raised during the drive would then be donated to the veteran organization to help aid in diminishing veteran hunger. 

4. Contact local and state officials with a compilation of documentaries from each county in Florida suffering from veteran homelessness. The multi-media film would be distributed to both state governors and senators with the hope a bill would be enacted for the improvement of veteran treatment.

5. Volunteer to be a hospital driver for veterans. Hospital volunteering involves working directly with veterans by driving and escorting them to and fro the hospital. Additionally, volunteers provide companionship. Although being a driver does not directly effect the status of veteran homelessness, it provides veterans with a service that would nor otherwise be feasible. The constant monitoring of a veteran's health can help decrease the effects of mental health issues by providing proper care: psychological therapy and medicine.

6. Proposing a research project to decipher why veterans believe that homelessness is the only option for them after years of poverty.

7. Conduct a study that analyzes the work of the VA. From the study determine whether or not the methods of care are efficiently working for veterans.

8. Conduct a clothes drive. All the proceeds will go to local homeless veterans. The clothes will be distributed via local VA banks. The clothes will be given to veterans who are actively seeking employment opportunities.

9. Have a hiring day for all veterans in Alachua County. The position openings will be for local businesses within Gainesville. Prompting job offers within the veteran community can prevent homelessness by providing them with a steady income.

10. Monetary donations. Simply raising funds to donate to the local homeless veteran service provider to use properly for programs that will help veterans out of poverty and back into the working field.

Veteran Homelessness: a national epidemic

A veteran of war (in the United States) is a citizen of the US who actively served the military during times of war; to be eligible for military benefits and compensation after one's service, a solider must be discharged from their branch for any reason but dishonorable discharge. By the time US soldiers return home to the states, their minds have been intoxicated by the horrific tragedies of war. For this reason, many experience post-tramatic stress disorder and/or have a substance abuse problem,usually alcoholism. The military knowledge and skills a soldier obtains during training is imperative to serving their country during times of war; however, most of that information is not easily transferrable to a civilian job. A combination of mental-illness and job insecurity leads many veterans of war unable to provide funds for proper necessities such as a safe place to live, food, and clean clothes. As a result, homelessness begins to take effect; "The United States Code....[defines]...homeless...[as]...an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence". Men and women of the US military are constantly sacrificing their lives in order to ensure the longevity of the freedoms inscribed in the US Constitution. Conclusively, it is our duty as citizens to protect and defend the lives of our veterans.

                                                       

p.s. Mikayla I'm not sure how I should write about this topic because I myself can make an impact within my own community but I cannot eliminate veteran homelessness. Any ideas?

Analyzation of RHAP Research Report

Problem:
The problem being proposed within RHAP research report is the epidemic of HIV/AIDS amongst the modern day youth of the American society.The number of adolescents affected by the two diseases are highly prominent within communities of low socioeconomic standard. 

Solution:
Researchers of the Academic Medical College use hip-hop/rap music as a medium to teach adolescent students about HIV/AID awareness and prevention. Researchers believe that by using hip-hop music students will be able to familiarize themselves with the topic of discussion more easily. 

Unknown terms:
Sexual script theory: 
   social and cognitive process that guides social and sexual interactions and processing by which meaning is given to sexuality.

lymphokines:
    susbset of cytokines that are produced by a type of immune cell         known as a lymphocyte 

PCP(phencyclidine):
     an anesthetic drug intended as an animal tranquilizer but is widely misused as a recreational dissociative drug that causes hallucinations.

Proposal Essay Topics

Proposal Essay topics:

1) How to stop homelessness within the veteran community.
2) Spaying and neutering through trap and release program reduces the number of stray cats
3) Pitbull's are not born vicious
4) Netflix ruins the surprise effect of a film
5) The University of Florida's parking system is inefficient
6) Finland's education system is the best in the world
7) Drinking age should be lowered for military personal.
8) Avoiding the "Freshman 15" by eating healthy, staying active, and reducing stress levels
9) Marijuana be legalized for medical purposes
10) Effectiveness of US standardized testing

11.3 Homework

Was unable to complete due to Monday's absence.

            Carly Patterson

2004 Olympic All-Around Champion

Former member of the USA Gymnastics team

    At the age of three, I began my initiation into the realm of gymnastics through weekly toddler classes that taught stability and flexibility. As the years began to progress and my muscles began to develop, my interest within the sport grew immensely. By eight I was no longer a part of the once-a-week lessons but rather an athlete whose practice schedule consisted of six days of training. With the crowning of Carly Patterson at the 2004 Summer Olympics, I was inspired to become the next "Carly Patterson". My dream of becoming the next olympic gold medalists seemed tangible because just as Patterson, I was an American gymnast. However, after hurting my neck during a tumbling pass, I was left traumatized and my ultimate dream began to seem less plausible. Although I did not become a world-class athlete, every time I see a picture of Carly Patterson or hear her name, I remember my childhood dream with content; the remembrance of my adolescent dream is extremely important during the current stage of my life because it reminds me 
of the innocence of childhood. As an adolescent, life seemed limitless and possibilities, endless; personally, Carly Patterson is a continual reminder to aspire to become ANYTHING my mind can fathom. 

Challenge Check-In Post #1

For my challenge post, I will be conducting an analyzation of a single piece of art work from SW 34th Street's "Graffiti Wall" in Gainesville, Florida. I plan to pick a design from the wall that not only resonates with me, but also one that symbolizes an aspect of hip-hop culture. More often than not, peoples believe that hip-hop is concentrated only within large urban settings such as NYC, Chicago, and Los Angeles. However, hip-hop is NOT constricted to a set audience group or location but rather is accepted as a universal language amongst adolescents of a multitude of cultures. I chose the street art prompt because I believe it is important to acknowledge the affects of hip-hop on an audience group not commonly associated as living within a hip-hop city.

Evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility

            Although the welfare and responsibility to ensure safe working conditions is required within Western corporate social responsibility (CSR), some may argue that it is not entirely the companies fault but rather the consumers. Consumers continuously demand for the best quality at the lowest price; therefore, large corporations such as Walmart and Gap more often than not hire third-world country employees who will work for minimum wage-$37 a month(Bangladesh). High consumer demand hinders the means in which large corporations produce their goods because companies must allocate their funds to accommodate the consumers demand. Therefore, companies must produce cheaply to keep retail prices low. However, employee worker rights of fair wages, safe working conditions, and humane treatment should not be guided by the economic market; providing safe working conditions should be instilled through a corporation's social and ethical conduct, which is clearly stated within the guidelines of the CSR. 

Bangladesh garment factory collapse: 2013

Evaluation Writing:

1) In your own words, explain what evaluative writing is. 

Evaluation writing examines an object(e.g product, place, service) based on both, the object's pro's and con's, in an unbiased active voice. Therefore,by the end of the evaluative essay, a reader should be able to decipher which object, based on the concrete evidence presented in the argument, has a better overall quality. 

2) Why is establishing criteria important for an evaluative essay?

Establishing criteria within an evaluative essay is crucial because the writer is demonstrating what the reader should expect from an object(e.g. product, place, service). Without establishing criteria, the essay may seem opinionated and biased. Also, criteria demonstrated within the argument helps the reader understand in what manner the writer is evaluating the object. 

3)At the end of the short essay (#2), there is a list of 5 questions. Choose one of the five questions and answer it on your blog

#2: What does Rosen mean by referring to music as "an outlet"?

Music in an outlet not only for the youth but also for adults as well. The music realm allows individuals to relate their emotions to their favorite artist and escape the reality of society. Listening to music for adolescents is imperative in their development because they can familiarize their feelings with others when they believe they cannot talk to their elders(e.g. parents, teachers).

Defining hip-hop: Expressive form of art, black culture, and rap

 Hip-hop is an extension of black culture and heritage and was cultivated in the late 1960's in New York City in the form of rapping lyricism and turntablism. Hip-hop culture cannot be defined by a single term nor can it be compacted into one definition for hip-hop is comprised of a variety of components seen within modern culture and must be observed holistically. Hip-hop, like any form of musical art, depicts the myriad of emotions an artist feels and expresses his/her beliefs through both visual and sound aid. I believe the graffiti wall located on SW 34th Street on the University of Florida's campus is highly representative of the true essence of hip-hop because it shares the same commonalities of the walls seen in the suburbs of NYC where hip-hop emerged.

  Hip-hop and graffiti evolved simultaneously in the heart of New York City around the late 1960's and was initially created by adolescents in the form of "tags"-a signature comprised of their nickname and their street number. Throughout town, "tags" were showing up on subways, sides of buildings, and street corners more quickly than one could keep count. The growing phenomenon had a monumental impact on the dispersal of hip-hop and its culture because graffiti is the linkage between the emotional appeals of hip-hop and rap followers in the form visual expression. The graffiti wall on SW 34th street encompasses my defining aspects of hip-hop for it is an expressive form of art, has its origins in the black suburbs of New York City, and is representative of hip-hop/rap culture.

Analyzation of Kayne West's "Runaway" short film-scene "Devil in a New Dress"

Purpose of scene: 

• to illustrate the bird/woman's transformation from a scared "being" into an educated individual in society
• demonstrates her success with assimilating to her new environment

Rhetoric Appeal:

• Appeals to an individual's emotions-pathos

Visual Analysis:

• Use of white is symbolic of the transformation of the woman's persona--white is commonly associated with purity; because she has been transformed she has gained a new perspective on life
• Her new perspective can be linked to purity because she she is a changed individual mentally
• All of the waiters/waitresses are of Caucasian decent which is symbolic in portraying Kayne's "Fantasy" because throughout history the "white man" has always been regarded as the dominate figure over African Americans; however, the roles have been reversed for this scene and the Caucasian nation is serving the African American dinner party
• symbolic of the defeat on slavery 
  

A governmental facade....if only the world knew

Upon existing the plane, my fellow classmates and I were instructed to halt by my teacher who was frantically trying to reorganize and redistribute our passports before we reached customs of the Managua Airport. As we waited in the hot and stuffy terminal, the only concerning thought I had was how I was going to communicate with my worrisome mother and boyfriend for the next seven days.As we walked outside the airport doors, we were greeted by our taxi-a van not equipped with air-conditioning for eight- and a lingering smell of cow manure. After the men constructed a seven foot tower out of our luggage, they firmly secured it with a sheet of black tarp, and gave us a thumbs-up to go. 

Winding up and around the mountainous terrain for two and a half hours was upsetting for the stomach but fuel for the soul; the rolling hills, green scenery, and natural beauty of the countryside was a phenomenon to the naked eye. As we approached the confinements of Esteli,Nicaragua's beautiful terrain was juxtaposed by the poverty of the men and women who roamed the streets. The mission of our trip was to spend the next seven days working hand-in-hand with the Catholic sisters of Centro Sor Maria Romero to fix the multitude of physical damages the school endured within the past year, assist in cooking and serving the locals lunch, and most importantly providing a "beacon [of hope] on the road to better things" for the children of the village. 

On the third day, the head missionary took our group on an expedition throughout the town; we walked through countless homes made of cement walls and dirt for floors, through homes where a plastic bucket a quarter of a mile away constitutes as the family toilet, and through homes without a trace of rice. The physical poverty of the town was astonishing but the feelings I mustered walking through the homes could not compare to the heart-wrenching stories that belong to each resident; the story of a boy who worked fourteen hour shifts at the local cigar factory for six months in order to buy a mattress as thin as one found in a college dormitory and the nine year old girl who is sexually assaulted by her uncle for a piece of candy were dumbfounding to the ears of a naive Floridian. The emotions were overwhelming and left me speechless. Deeply disturbed by the vivid scenes of poverty and neglect, I began to question what I witnessed. How do these atrocities persist? Why isn't THIS considered a global crisis? 

Children walk up to 8 miles a day in hopes that Sor Romero will have enough rice to fuel their stomach till they make the journey again the following day. Although homelessness and abandoned children stretched from one end of Nicaragua to the other, government officials declare that poverty does not exist within their country making it impossible for publication that encourages reformation of the country or the adoption of children by outside sources. The citizens of Esteli have been afflicted by oppression from the Nicaraguan government for decades, making their daily lives a struggle to stay alive. 

The majority of visitors are vacationers who rarely travel farther than the outskirts of Managua's beaches; if only the world knew what was going on in the less densely populated areas of the country then maybe there would be a call to change, a call to end all suffering.We are truly blessed to be able to call ourselves citizens of the United States of America, the "melting pot" of the world, home to all kinds of people regardless of their race, religion or creed; the American society exemplifies the Biblical teaching of "all individuals are created equal in the eyes of God" for America does not grant certain individuals superiority over another but is rather open to individuals worldwide who are in pursuit of success. 

Citations:
Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. NY, NY: W.W. Norton and Company,Inc., 1988