Not So Foreign Language, Understanding.

Should colleges and universities require students to have completed some study of a foreign language as a graduation requirement? I think they should. I feel this is a wonderful idea, although it is already employed, and should be kept. Taking a foreign language isn't about learning the language as much as it is learning about other cultures and other people. How their society works and what the societal norms are. Don't get me wrong; knowing the language can help you in many ways. It's an extra credential potential employers will look at. It can help you communicate more efficiently with the ever diversifying demographic of the United States. I know some people have the mindset of "This is America, speak... well English!", we all know people like this, and let me be the first one to say, these people probably do not have the benefit of a high school education, so what they say really holds no water. Yes, this is America, and we have all run into situations where we had a language barrier. Instead of getting angry and ethnocentric about it, learn from the situation. Use it as a spring board to get to know the other people of this world, believe it or not, the United States isn't the center of the universe, there are other people out there! Shocking for some I know, but those who have realized this and adjusted to it are more successful because of it. To remain an isolationist in this day in age is not only detrimental to your possibilities of earning an income, but it just makes you sound so uneducated and disrespectful. By requiring college students to finish a course of a foreign language we will begin to churn out people who have respect for the rest of the world. You see, we fear what we do not know. So why not learn? Who wants to fear everything? Why not live a happy life, carefree? It truly isn’t that difficult if you think about it. It's funny that those who are the most fearful are also the most undedicated and unadjusted to the "new world" for lack of a better term. We could solve a lot of our problems by taking the time to learn about our neighbors, familiarize ourselves with their culture as they do ours. Then, maybe, the next time you have a language barrier come up at work or at a restaurant; you won't lash out and say "This is America, why don't they speak our language!" Instead, first, you may know the language which may lead to better deals and perks for showing respect, second if you do not know the language you can at least make an effort to try and understand. That's the moral of the story, try and understand where others are coming from, like I said, the world doesn't revolve around the United States; there are other people out there. So, to tie this all together, yes, I do think the current requirement for graduating students to take a foreign language course is appropriate. I think it challenges you in more ways than just academically and actually does make you a more well rounded and understanding person.

#1 Shoes.

Alright, I am going to give this my best attempt here. I will be giving a positive and a negative response to shoes. This is to answer question number one on page 140. This is a fake analysis by the way.

This would be my positive section.
My shoes are so comfortable. I must have had these shoes for ages now. I’ve had them so long that they are nice and broken in; you don’t even need to tie them if you don’t want to. You just slip them on and you can't even feel a thing it’s like walking on air! They are so stylish too. Heck, today people pay big bucks for holes in their clothing, mine, well they’re free. I think they look quite vintage. It's funny, I actually bought these shoes from Ross, they were only ten dollars, what a steal right?! Anyway, they actually have very good ankle support since they have so many holes for your laces to go through. Since they have all those lace loops and all that ankle support they are idea when I go to my local park to shoot some hoops with my friends. You can’t beat the color either, I’ve actually never seen another pair of shoes like them, they’re colored a totally unique color of purple. People defiantly notice me when I wear these shoes! I think I’ll have these shoes the rest of my life they’re that comfortable!

This would be the negative section to my shoes.
These shoes are awful. I’ve had them so long I can’t even remember where I bought them. I went to put them on the other day and they had no arch support, they were just so floppy, like a wet noodle. Oh and don’t even get me started on lacing them up. I might as well dedicate an hour to lacing my shoes up. They have holes from the bottom to the very top, which gets quite annoying doing it every day. I went to play some basketball the other day with a few friends, when I got there I went to change my shoes. It took me about 10 minutes to put the darn things on. My friends looked at me like it was time to get a new pair of shoes. It’s not like they’re nice shoes anyway, I bought them for ten dollars and they weren’t even on sale. No one sells quality things that cheap. They’re so worn out too. They have holes all over them, if I was to walk in the rain, my feet would be soaked! Don’t even get me started on the Barney purple, it’s horrid. I don’t know what possessed me to buy these things; the deep purple should have warded me off. When I put these things on people just stop and stare at me like I am a crazy person for going out in public like this. These are the worst shoes I have ever had and I can not wait to get another pair!

That was my attempt. Hope it makes sense and is correct!

Status-Quo

This will be a response to question #3 on Pg. 555.

The current even that I chose to use it actually quite current. I’m sure most of you are aware that President Obama gave a speech to congress last night. In the speech he discussed healthcare. As you know we are in the middle of shaking up the status-quo. Let me first answer the question posed by the text. I believe this fits in with theme of the section because like most of the other pieces, this too is a call to action. This is a chance for average people to stand up and be heard. Like Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" was a call to action by those sitting in silence as the atrocities of the civil rights movement raged on. Like Elie Weisel's speech denouncing indifference. Condemning it as thought it was as if you had personally pulled the trigger. I feel this was the same sentiment as in President Obama's speech last night.

Obama's speech last night was a call to throw out the status-quo and make a change. We all know that there is a problem with our healthcare system, though many Americans turn a blind eye. We have upwards of 47 million people living in the United States. The status-quo says just leave it. Let these people suffer without the ability to get quality medical care. Let them go bankrupt because their medical bills drown them. Let them be denied because of their "pre-existing" condition. What then is healthcare for? The healthy? The status-quo must be changed according to President Obama.

The long term effects of this speech will hopefully be a healthcare system with a public option. We will no longer be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. We will hold healthcare companies responsible for their actions. Out of pocket expenses will go down. Hopefully healthcare will be for everyone, not just for the healthy or the wealthy.

I have personally been a victim of the horrendous "healthcare" system that the United States has. I will give you a synopsis of my story. I had just turned 22 years old; I was going to be dropped from my parent’s coverage. It was time for me to get my own healthcare plan. So I did what most people would do, re apply with the insurer that you had previously. I applied with Kaiser. I went through all their questions. Then came the dreaded "BMI". For those who don't know BMI stands for Body Mass Index. What it basically does lumps everyone in to categories decided by how their weight and height match up. I lift weights, I eat very well, I do not smoke, and only vary rarely have a drink. I was denied stating that I was far too over weight and had a pre existing condition, high blood pressure. I am five foot eight and one-hundred and ninety pounds. I am 8% body fat, but, yet by their standards I am obese. I was denied coverage. So, when it comes to the healthcare debate I am very passionate. I am not indifferent and I will not remain on the sidelines. This will affect everyone, and we should all have a say. Albeit something factual and educated please no town hall outbursts.

Indifference.

First off I would like to say that this letter was very moving. This is the first time that I had read it and I am better for reading it. I felt as if I was standing at some massive rally with thousands of people as I read it. He wrote it with such passion and vision. It is quite an amazing work if you ask me. When Dr. King talks about the "good people" passively watching as atrocities are being committed it reminded me of Benjamin from "Animal Farm". He was a classic example of someone who was "indifferent" to what was happening. Although he could read and was among the smartest of the working class animals, he neglected to assist his peers in their struggles with an oppressive government. This would be the same for what Dr. King calls "white moderates". They sat in silence or said that the timing is wrong, just wait a little longer. They made remarks about how African Americans would get civil rights soon enough, it's inevitable. These are forms of indifference. They had a chance to make a difference but chose to follow the status-quo. In my eyes these people are as bad as those committing the crimes. Would you tell your child to watch as the bully beat up on of his/her classmates? I don't think so. You would tell them to help that person. You would say that by standing there and watching, you may as well be throwing the punches. History does not look kindly upon those who were faced with a challenge to overcome and chose inaction or silence. Dr. King recognized this and played to the hearts and minds of the "white moderate".

As in Elie Weisel's speech, he too discusses indifference at great lengths. Again this was a very moving speech. He basically elaborated on indifference. I found it interesting that he used the United States as an example. He discussed the St. Louis and how its Jewish passengers were turned back to Europe and had their fates sealed. He discussed how American businessmen continued to do business with Germany until 1942. He discusses how the Nazi war machine could not have survived was it not for American oil. These are amazing displays of indifference. Only until the United States interests were in jeopardy did we decide that it was time to take action. What does this say about us? That we were so isolationist during this time that we did not enter a major conflict where millions were dying because it had not affected us yet; this is a prime case of indifference. This history of indifference will continue into the civil rights movement. This is where Dr. King discusses those who see the murder, the haltered, and the racism every day but chose to stand idly by. The American history of indifference continues even today with "illegal immigrants" and the healthcare debate. Hopefully we can look past our own self interest and finally become human.

Power of Language

I believe that language is a crucial part of freedom of anyone who has lived and not been free. Language is a building block of Democracy. To many around the world a democracy is synonymous with freedom. In the United States we have a democracy and we also posses many freedoms that others do not have. Another key to democracy is literacy, and to become literate one must be fluent in their language. Without language and literacy we are doomed like the poor Animals in "Animal Farm". They lacked what was needed most, literacy. They were like puppets on a string, able to be pulled any which way the wind blew them because they had no way to know they were being used. Why do despot governments burn books and fear the scholars. Not because they have bullets or tanks. Not because they command a large air force or nuclear bombs. They posses something much stronger, the ability to communicate an ideal through language.

When I read the topic of the question I immediately thought of Gandhi and the British Empire. Gandhi did not posses an army of large numbers. Quite the contrary, Gandhi used his words and his actions to help India gain its independence. This is a perfect example of how language as a form of diplomacy can save lives and get accomplished what needed to be without firing a bullet. On the other hand, we look at the build up to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The language used by our former president Bush had the opposite effect. It enflamed our enemy, uniting them against a common enemy, America. I believe this is a perfect example of how language can also be detrimental to peace efforts. A few words out of context or said in anger can leave a lasting impression on a group of people and forever change their opinion.

We must take heed in these lessons of the past. Language is a powerful tool for freedom, but it can also be the chains that bind us if not used properly. Many of us have lived through situations where we had wished we used our language in a different way. Maybe our tone was a little too demanding; maybe we said nothing at all when all that was needed were a few kind words. We must respect language for it has been a driving force for much good in the world, but it has also been the reason for much of the divide in our country. We have an opportunity for our voice to reach every person on this planet, let us make sure we are thinking before we speak, because it may be a few ill fated words that will become our manacles for the key will be lost in translation.

#5

The power of writing. My initial thought when I heard the topic of this blog entry was the quote "The pen is mightier than the sword". So, I think I’ll write a little story about how this became true in my life. When I was younger, around the age of 15 or so, I wasn't very big. I was probably a solid 125 pounds and a compact five foot five. Not very big for your average high school freshman. Aside from the fact that I was on the smaller side of the students in my class, I didn't look intimidating. I had braces, didn't wear very cool clothing, just an all around dork I guess you could say. You can probably see where this is going. Just like in an after school special, yes, I too was picked on ferociously by not just upper classmen but students in my own grade as well. They would call me names; push me around, just the normal high school bully routine. This just wasn't going to work. I had just started school, life was already hell and I hadn't been there for more than a few months. I knew I couldn't compete with these bigger guys on a physical level; they were just too overpowering, and often congregated in large groups! I chose to use the only advantage I had, my speaking ability.

I started talking to my aggressors. I would ask them questions about why they would torture me, what I had done to them to make them act like they were towards me. Surprisingly, they would just lose their steam, eventually, after a long enough stall with my questions, it seems as if they had lost their interest in picking on me and walked away. From this point on I became more of a nuisance and a drag to beat up than an enjoyment for these kids. They would hate hearing my lectures and questions so much that I would be left alone for the most part. This is when I knew that the pen really is mightier than the sword. I was able to diffuse many situations, some not even directed at me by using language. I was able to calm friends when they became angry at one another. I was able to make two parties see the others point of view without having to raise a fist. With my use of language to calm hostile situations I have to this day never been in a physical altercation. I have been able to talk my way out of countless situations, where another person who is less skilled in speaking would have given in and thrown a punch.

Through this exploration in the giant benefits of language I have also found a profession that I love. One of my dreams is to become a journalist. I believe that through language and a common dialogue we can solve many of the problems that we face today. I believe that much of the hatred in this world comes from a lack of understanding, a lack of a common language. The way I see it, if I was able to escape high school without ever having to have thrown a punch, we can surely have a far less aggressive stance towards other people.