TOW #24- Gender Equality

In the past week we've been discussing gender equality within our symposiums, and as the conversations got more heated it allowed many to realize that the issue can not be taken lightly. In the essay Women's Brains by Stephen Jay Gould, from his 1980 book, The Panda’s Thumb, he demonstrates how views can and should change about women. Stephen Jay Gould’s assesses the surroundings of female inferiority over time. Gould uses personal excerpts from scientists in the field that also proved females being biologically inferior, where they directly quote and provide facts and statistics as evidence. It is evident that Gould uses satire towards the scientists research declaring at one time that one of the scientist was “irrefutable”. It is undeniable that Gould views differ from theirs as they trick their readers into falsehood. Later on in the essay, rather than deflecting what others have been saying he refutes it through an attack on their practices and data that "proved" females were less intelligent due to their smaller brains. He finishes his essay by stating that “They [women] must be weighed in the context of a general theory that supported contemporary social distinctions as biologically ordained”. He voices a consequence that makes his readers realize that the data theses scientist offer cannot be the sole things people rely on to determine where women stand, but rather the importance of change that needs to be taken place.

TOW #23 The Freedom Writer Diary by Erin Gruwell and The Freedom Writers

When you think of Long Beach, California the things that come to mind are probably sandy beaches with big waves, and cute little restaurants right? However, some might have different views. First published in 1999, the recently released The Freedom Writers Diary was the doing of one high school teacher Erin Gruwell and her efforts to inspire her students to over come the hardships standing between them and living successful lives. This novel wasn't only meant to inspire others but unleash the power that writing holds. With powerful and truthful entries from the students own diaries, The Freedom Writers is an uplifting example of how hard work, dedication, and courage changed the lives of Erin Gruwell's students. Constantly throughout this novel the 150 anonymous students use various rhetorical devices to achieve their purpose of empowering others. For instance, "life for me aint been no crystal stair" says a student in his diary. Through the use of imagery, which is very often, the hundred and more writer allow to show their audience their perspective and life experiences. Ultimately, I have gained so much while reading this book. I was able to read stories fill with profanity, drugs, alcohol, etc. that although was terrifying and awful to read at time gave me a better understand of what the world holds and how others have completely different views that I do.

TOW #22- How We Define Love

"Love" is probably one of the most overused words in the English language. For instance, we use the word "love" to describe our favorite items, while at the same time we use it to describe our family members. Ironically, we teach our children not to use the word "hate" being that is such a strong and meaningful word, but we never express that they shouldn't overuse to word "love" as well. Since we are constantly using the word "love" it has caused it to lose all of it's meaning. Daily Toreador recently wrote "'Love' more than just an overused word", an article that persuades their readers to start using the word in the right time and place, not the wrong. The evident audience is not a single person, but the majority of people considering most people use the word on a daily basis. Author Jaira Keys is able to display the major effect of the overused word causing it quickly lose its value. Most do not understand what the simple four letter word means and the power that it holds. Key inquires "Is this word in fact just a word? Or is this word a symbol for something bigger" and adds "I have centered my whole life around this word". Frankly, Key successfully demonstrates the essential change that needs to be taken place in society with the word love. Ultimately, Love is what it is and will always be. Love cant be bought, or made, and especially changed. "I love you" are valuable words that should be used sparingly not lightly.

TOW #21-Is Prom Worth It?

     Prom, a night where most girls spend hours getting dressed together while the boys impatiently wait to get into the limousine. Michael Conchar, New York Times author, writes the humourous article "Is Prom Worth It?" exposing the faults within the evening. Despite prom being known as "an American rite of passage" (Conchar para. 1) and a time to create memories, it causes a substantial amount of expenses and social anxiety for students leading to unnecessary stress. 
     This evening filled with teenage angst cost approximately "$1,139 per family" notes Ann Carrans, another New York Times author referenced in the article. The thousand dollars that is spent annually has raised 5% percent over the last year. Since teenagers most likely aren't working full time they struggle with these expenses leaving their parents to "pay almost two-thirds of the cost" leaving their child to cover the rest.  The quick escalating price of prom is so high after students buy the prom ticket, the prom dress, alterations, shoes, corsages, dinner, transportation, tux rentals, etc not only causes stress for the student but as well as the parent. So that being said is this four to five hour event really worth the cost?
     Along with the large expenses comes the anxiety and frustration of promposals. The new world of prom asking has hit a new level of insane. Students crazy promposals range from scavenger hunts to going on an extravagant dinner to pop the question, "will you go to prom with me?". Due to the worrying about who to with, how to ask, what car to take, will s/he say yes, and of course what to wear causes many teens to become overwhelm with the process where it jeopardizes the fun aspects of the prom-spending time with your closest friends. The fear of asking someone, or even worse not going with someone adds to daily stress that teens have.
   The event of prom is given too much credit for being fun, when really it is causing stress of both teens and parents. Prom costs are out of control and excessive along with the unexplainable and ridiculous fear of possibly going alone and feeling the need to go with a date. It understandable why high school junior and senior dream of attending this "unforgettable" night with all the glitz and glamor but the prom can be easily become less expensive and not given the extra hype.

TOW #20- Importance of Art Education?

United States schools rely heavily on common subjects such as reading and math, but what about art classes? Sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz remarks that "Art does not solve problems, but makes us aware of their existence,". Many people have misconceptions of art classes, thinking that they are compiled of useless art skills, as it's "impractical" to pursue a career in art, and is a waste of time.  That being said many educational environments advocate for art classes and programs because they promote essential developmental skills along with self-expression.
 The role of art has dramatically increased, as researchers established that there are many benefits in taking art classes. New York Times article "Art Makes You Smart"  notes that art classes, whether it be music or ceramics assists developmental growth building strength in motor skills, language development, decision making, and overall visual learning. For instance, many of the motions used in art, like building a sculpture or drawing, is vital to child growth as it focuses on building fine motor skill. Art classes also advocate for creativity and self-expression by allowing children to make decision on their own and do what they want. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art a few year ago explored the relationship between art and students and demonstrated that because of art the students has "demonstrated stronger critical thinking skills, displayed higher levels of social tolerance, exhibited greater historical empathy and developed a taste for art museum and cultural institutions" and ultimately exposed students to diversity of ideas that challenge them with the different views on concepts.
Clearly, expanding art programs in school is crucial as there is a substantial amount of benefits and is an important aspect of any school curriculum.

TOW #19- Argument: Against Headphones

If you are reading on this computer, or even cellphone it is incredibly likely you are probably either wearing headphones, or at least have a pair near you. The New York Times Magazine within the past few years released an article called "Against Headphones" where they explore headphones as a benefit or danger in popular culture today, as the luxury of them has been misused. While sound systems have become unbelievably popular over the years, ear-buds have caused a danger in young minds causing hearing loss and unawareness for the surrounding world, ultimately hurting teens more than helping.
Throughout the article a major appeal to statistics is presented demonstrated that "a leading cause of hearing impairments used to be excessive noise exposure in the work place, but today many young people are losing their hearing at alarming rates due to excessive noise exposure from portable stereo headphones", causing approximately "one in five teenagers in American" to not have difficulty hearing rustles or whispers. The fact that the number of teenagers has no hearing has jumped from slight to severe is very concerning. Although headphones create a private auditory experience, they simultaneously cause teens to be antisocial, making them unaware of the event taking place around them. Rather than turning and talking to individuals in public places people have tuned into what they want to hear where the miss socializing.
    The solution to the excessive use of headphones can be resolved through reduced exposure, making it less likely to cause a permanent bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. It is true that headphones are extremely useful, but only in the right way- its important to use headphones less and sometimes listen to music or audio out loud for a change.

TOW #18- The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell

At the age of twenty-three Erin Gruwell, a new teacher at Wilson High School in Long Beach, is able to teach a room of so called "unteachable, at-risk students" through nontraditional methods such as journalism. The Freedom Writer's Diary, a #1 New York Times Bestseller, demonstrates how someone can make a difference in there life and those around you, no matter what conditions. Many of these troubled teen already participate in gangs, substance abuse, and illegal actions and on top of which  are been labeled as "failures" by their teachers, peers, and even their parents, further preventing them from success and a life of misery. That being said, Erin Gruwell was determined, even though she couldnt identify with her student being that she was a white women staying in a safe suburban residence and was her first time teaching. So far, The Freedom Writer's Diary has given the readers a better understanding of different perspectives of the students of mixed races who are struggling with similar issue, and shows the true empowerment of the young minds as they go through their first couple years of high school. Even though the pages are written and of course the teacher they are able to incorporate many literary devices such as references and vivid imagery. Several times so far, Erin Gruwell has made references from M.L.K Jr., Anne Frank's Diary, and Romeo and Juliet, where she displays the struggles that others have faced that shows someone knows what they are going through. For instance, Erin Gurwell wishes that "... little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers." where she alludes to Martin Luther King Jr. to show the students she is not just there to be a babysitter, but someone who is trying to get the students to be successful.