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. 

TOW #17- Standarized Testing

Is standardizing tests causing too much stress nowadays?

As someone who gets anxious when taking standardized tests, I think this cartoon is not only funny but correctly mocks today's education system, as it reveals the major effect of standardized testing on young child to adults in society. Along with finding this cartoon, I looked into the advantages and disadvantages of standardized test in the article Why It's time to Get Rid of Standardized Test by Time Magazine where they believe that "one thing all this research has shown us is that the issue lies with how we use these tests, not with the kids who take them." I feel like both the article and the visual really depict the truth about the importance of standardized testing-that individuals independence could been seen as restrained because of the single method. Through this picture the viewers are able to see the obvious amount of symbolism. The young man being interviewed evidently represents the population of overwhelmed students in an educational environment, while the man at the desk represents the world outside of education. Through this the viewers see the lack of connection and how standardized testing isnt necessarily beneficial considering that outside of elementary, middle, or high school it isnt used. The cartoonist of this piece, Mike Keek, demonstrates how the testing method that students are taught set an unrealistic setting of what the "real" world is like. Ultimately, the emphasis on the importance of standard testing should be lowered as it is causes an unnecessary a,amount of stress on the young mind.

IRB Introduction- The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell and Freedom Writers

Well, I have heard great things about the movie The Freedom Writers, and after watching it I though it was an outstanding movie, giving me an unfamiliar perspective of different races lives. Although it is a good movie, some parts are partially fabricated to give it some more depth and appeal to audiences, with that being said I thought I mine as well see if there is actually a book, and there is! So, for my independent reading I'm deciding to read The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens used Writing to Change themselves and the World Around Them. 

TOW #16- Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

  
    Many might think from a glance that this book is anything but funny. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers written by Mary Roach is an uproariously humorous book that is able to take a serious situation and add a light-hearted twang to it. She is far from reserved, as she is quite blunt. Within her last chapters she incorporates chapters on cannibalism, dumplings stuffed with human remains, and methods of disposal that are filled with tons of fascinating facts. Similar to her first couple of chapters she lists the benefits on human cadavers, and their role in society. Many make assumptions, along with generalizations, about using a deceased body as it is "unnatural" and "disrespectful". Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers has completely changed my perspective on human cadavers, and allowed me to no longer believe in these generalizations. Throughout the novel she incorporated many rhetorical devices including rhetorical questions, metaphors, and personification to make the stories come to life for the reader. She is able to connect and relate with her readers and create images rather than loading them with boring facts and knowledge. She states, "the brain being the seat of the soul, the chief commander of life and death,"(Roach 186), through this we see her very poetic and imaginative mindset that she places in each chapter. Overall, Mary Roach's novel is an outstanding book that not only demonstrates the possibilities with a cadaver, but also makes you laugh.

Tow #15- Apotheosis of Martin Luther King by Elizabeth Hardwick

      In honor of it being Martin Luther King Jr. Day I decided to read Elizabeth Hardwick's The Apotheosis of Martin Luther King. Hardwick, a critic, essayist, fiction writer and co-founder of The New York Review of Books, composes a beautiful article of MLK's death on April 4th, 1968. She demonstrates her substantial knowledge through small anecdotes. Hardwick notes that because his unfortunate assassination, the civil rights movement faced a great disturbance as many of the people lost a great leader, as well as supporter. Throughout this piece we are able to see the amount of affection she has towards, even through her morose tone, and the justifiable actions done by him during his fight towards equal rights. Similar to Hardwick's tone, her mood is very depressive towards her audience, evidently activist of the time, and supporters, . At the time the excerpt was written in Memphis, Atlanta (1968) the town is "decaying" (Hardwick 319) and "streets are completely empty of traffic and persons" due to the loss of Martin Luther King Jr. being a devastation for many southern towns. Although his death was a catastrophe to many people Hardwick is able to efficiently and successfully create a piece that mirrors the amazing achievements and aspects of his life. He empowered so many lives, and demanded change. Ultimately she demonstrates the accurate meaning behind MLK's death. Hardwick uses a generous amount of imagery allowing the readers to get a picture of what was going on, along with the reactions of many. Her application of imagery also put emphasis on the hardship she was facing along with the rest of the country. To finish the except she poses a valid question, "What did they mean beyond a wish for the genuine act, a consoling communion with the garbagy streets?"then proceeds to answer it by saying the steps that need to be taken in order to achieve equal rights and that hope should not be lost.  

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - MLK

TOW #14- Pink or Blue Toys for Girls and Boys by Kerri MacDonald

As I was researching for my argument essay I came across an article written by Kerri MacDonald, a New York Times author, called "Pink or Blue Toys for Girls" that explores the Pink and Blue Project created by JeongMee Yoon, an photographer. In Yoon's images she crowds them with...well, all blue or pink toys, clothing, decorations that is SO bright it hurts your eyes. She demonstrates how they’re delightful, yet frightening and ultimately exposes something about both consumerism and gender norms in modern society. Kerri MacDonald starts off by noting that, "one of childhood’s quintessential questions. The answer requires a deep, youthful kind of self-reflection. What is your favorite color?" We hear this question all the time whether someone proposes the common unoriginal question to seeing it on your school papers on the first day of school. JeongMee Yoon tackles the issue with the influence of popular advertising upon children, and the effect it has on a child forcing them into "traditional" gender roles. In this article Kerri MacDonald uses a powerful where she is able to demonstrate the sheer volume in Ms. Yoon's photos.