Sunday, November 11, 2007
Did I taint it up?
I checked my summarizing work and believe I kept a tone similar to the original author's. I don't really have my own opinion on this subject because I really never thought about it. It would be hard for me to let an opinion that doesn't exist seep through my writing.
Britney Spears: The New Evil of the World
Nisey Williams addresses her concerns with pop culture fashion and its effects in her paper “Why I Hate Britney.” In her paper she explains her feelings about raising a daughter in the face of a sex-pumped society. Her main focus is not just the pop culture, the influential pop stars, and the concern other parents hold; but she also addresses the issue of clothing designs and its connection with the pop culture.
Williams begins with a simple statement:
I am afraid of having children.
One must wonder why. The main reason for her fear, as she states, is that she may have a daughter. With the threat of having her daughter exposed to a society that focuses on sexual appeal due to pop culture, Williams can’t help but have that fear.
Williams’ main focus in this ad homonem approach is Britney Spears. Britney Spears, being one of pop culture’s main figures, plays a great role in the lives of spectators of all ages. It’s not just Britney any parent needs to worry about. Williams continues to explain that there are others to blame as well. Williams addresses them as the “Britney et al.” Williams continues saying “these destructive divas serve young girls with an earful and an eyeful of sex, tempting children to mimic there musical heroes.”
It is explained that Britney Spears claims to have good intentions, but her actions are conflicting with those claims. Williams addresses one pop star, Avril Lavigne, with a bit of reverence. The reason is simple. Avril doesn’t dress scantily to gain fame. Britney doesn’t even realize her influence on her young listeners. Williams quotes Britney’s response to criticism judging her clothing style:
I mean, I’m a girl! Why not?
Williams explains this message is a horrible one for a young girl to learn. Such problems as eating disorders and low self-esteem can occur because of the high pressure for this superficial perfection.
Other problems occur also. Parents are faced with the responsibility of keeping their young ones from falling victim to this pressure. It is becoming harder and harder to keep their daughters from the influence of pop culture. Unfortunately, because of the increased influence, many young girls are becoming sexually active earlier and earlier.
Williams then turns to address the issue of clothing companies. Because of the styles seen on pop culture music videos, teens crave to have the same styles. Clothing companies, working closely with pop culture artists and companies, gladly comply with these ever increasing fads. Williams states that one of her co-workers “had such a difficult time school shopping for her thirteen-year-old daughter that she ended up taking her to Academy.” Academy is a sports store which also features school uniform clothing.
Although Williams does attack the clothing companies as aiding in this sex-crazed clothing fad, she digresses to say it is not her main concern. Her main focus is still on the celebrities responsible for the sexual images being sent out to teens. Williams statement “pop culture seems to be in downward spiral, continually going from bad to worse” clearly states her concern not just for today’s society but for the future society in which she may have to raise her daughter.
Williams begins with a simple statement:
I am afraid of having children.
One must wonder why. The main reason for her fear, as she states, is that she may have a daughter. With the threat of having her daughter exposed to a society that focuses on sexual appeal due to pop culture, Williams can’t help but have that fear.
Williams’ main focus in this ad homonem approach is Britney Spears. Britney Spears, being one of pop culture’s main figures, plays a great role in the lives of spectators of all ages. It’s not just Britney any parent needs to worry about. Williams continues to explain that there are others to blame as well. Williams addresses them as the “Britney et al.” Williams continues saying “these destructive divas serve young girls with an earful and an eyeful of sex, tempting children to mimic there musical heroes.”
It is explained that Britney Spears claims to have good intentions, but her actions are conflicting with those claims. Williams addresses one pop star, Avril Lavigne, with a bit of reverence. The reason is simple. Avril doesn’t dress scantily to gain fame. Britney doesn’t even realize her influence on her young listeners. Williams quotes Britney’s response to criticism judging her clothing style:
I mean, I’m a girl! Why not?
Williams explains this message is a horrible one for a young girl to learn. Such problems as eating disorders and low self-esteem can occur because of the high pressure for this superficial perfection.
Other problems occur also. Parents are faced with the responsibility of keeping their young ones from falling victim to this pressure. It is becoming harder and harder to keep their daughters from the influence of pop culture. Unfortunately, because of the increased influence, many young girls are becoming sexually active earlier and earlier.
Williams then turns to address the issue of clothing companies. Because of the styles seen on pop culture music videos, teens crave to have the same styles. Clothing companies, working closely with pop culture artists and companies, gladly comply with these ever increasing fads. Williams states that one of her co-workers “had such a difficult time school shopping for her thirteen-year-old daughter that she ended up taking her to Academy.” Academy is a sports store which also features school uniform clothing.
Although Williams does attack the clothing companies as aiding in this sex-crazed clothing fad, she digresses to say it is not her main concern. Her main focus is still on the celebrities responsible for the sexual images being sent out to teens. Williams statement “pop culture seems to be in downward spiral, continually going from bad to worse” clearly states her concern not just for today’s society but for the future society in which she may have to raise her daughter.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Articles
Hoff, David J., and Alyson Klein. "Bush, Others Want Law to Go Beyond the Basics." Education Week 27 (2007): 18-21. Acadamic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Helmke Library, Fort Wayne. 5 Nov. 2007.
The article focuses on the reauthorization of the U.S. No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the effort that President George W. Bush is making to get the bill passed. In October 2007 Bush spoke about NCLB that has lead some to believe that he and other legislators are planning changes to the bill. These changes are believed to be related to improving math and reading skills to above grade level ability.
Jacobson, Linda. "Congress Weighs Bills on Early Childhood Education." Education Week 27 (2007): 23-25. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Helmke Library, Fort Wayne. 5 Nov. 2007.
The article focuses on the reauthorization of the U.S. No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and legislation effecting early childhood education that would officially place the later under the law. U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has written a proposed Ready to Learn Act that would give funding for states to pay for pre-Kindergarten programs. Senator Bob Casey has also written a proposal for the Prepare All Kids Act and Representative Mazie K. Hirono also has proposed legislation.
Hoff, David J. "Spelling Takes Issue with NCLB Draft Bill." Education Week 27 (2007): 21-22. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Helmke Library, Fort Wayne. 5 Nov. 2007.
The article discusses the reauthorization of the U.S. No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) with which Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Representative George Miller have a disagreement. Spellings is concerned that there are too many loopholes in the proposed bills' educational accountability proposals. Miller's proposal is that other indicators besides standardized test scores would be used to measure adequate yearly progress (AYP).
The article focuses on the reauthorization of the U.S. No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the effort that President George W. Bush is making to get the bill passed. In October 2007 Bush spoke about NCLB that has lead some to believe that he and other legislators are planning changes to the bill. These changes are believed to be related to improving math and reading skills to above grade level ability.
Jacobson, Linda. "Congress Weighs Bills on Early Childhood Education." Education Week 27 (2007): 23-25. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Helmke Library, Fort Wayne. 5 Nov. 2007.
The article focuses on the reauthorization of the U.S. No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and legislation effecting early childhood education that would officially place the later under the law. U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has written a proposed Ready to Learn Act that would give funding for states to pay for pre-Kindergarten programs. Senator Bob Casey has also written a proposal for the Prepare All Kids Act and Representative Mazie K. Hirono also has proposed legislation.
Hoff, David J. "Spelling Takes Issue with NCLB Draft Bill." Education Week 27 (2007): 21-22. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Helmke Library, Fort Wayne. 5 Nov. 2007.
The article discusses the reauthorization of the U.S. No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) with which Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Representative George Miller have a disagreement. Spellings is concerned that there are too many loopholes in the proposed bills' educational accountability proposals. Miller's proposal is that other indicators besides standardized test scores would be used to measure adequate yearly progress (AYP).
Pictures and Graphs: NCLB
http://www.hispanicmpr.com/images/hmprphotos2007/hmprellgraph.jpg
http://aftmichigan.org/images/ayp3.jpghttp://images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com/150_0000003734_0000021498.jpg
http://aftmichigan.org/images/ayp3.jpghttp://images-cdn01.associatedcontent.com/150_0000003734_0000021498.jpg
The graph will help add hard evidence of the differences in education among the races. The requirements of the states shows an example of the NCLB requirements. The NCLB Logo is the nationally accepted logo for the NCLB program.
No Ark Noah
Unfortunately the link to the slate site was down but I will answer the related questions as best to my ability.
1. I believe the links Noah had provided are used to further support his argument and provide evidence. They add more information and therefore increases understanding. I might consider using links in an argument on the web mostly because it would give the reader the chance to do their own research on the subject.
2. I believe Noah’s use of quoting from the original works help him argue his case persuasively. It reveals to the reader that he understands what his subject is and he knows what it is he’s arguing.
1. I believe the links Noah had provided are used to further support his argument and provide evidence. They add more information and therefore increases understanding. I might consider using links in an argument on the web mostly because it would give the reader the chance to do their own research on the subject.
2. I believe Noah’s use of quoting from the original works help him argue his case persuasively. It reveals to the reader that he understands what his subject is and he knows what it is he’s arguing.
Consider, not Censor
I agree with Dershowitz. Although a “hate speech” is a considerably bad thing, it should not be censored. Dershowitz’s solution is that the speeches of that nature should be criticized and answered. My views actually have stayed the same on this subject. I believe this is the right and just way to handle such speeches.
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