The illustration's point is that our society has turned Christmas into cheap gimmicks and sales pitches. No one--- not even stories that teach the "true" meaning of Christmas--- is safe from the hustle and bustle of the economic profit and cheesy lines. I agree with this because it seems that the media makes millions of dollars off of toys from films that give examples of the "true" meaning of Christmas. This type of marketing is contradictory to what these movies claim to teach about the "spirit of giving".
The visual tools in this article are very effective because it presents the reader with the stereo-typical view of Americans today's society; the large shopper filled with "Christmas cheer" and enchanted by the number of items. The surrounding shelves filled with items on sale show how materialistic our society has become, and the Visa card is the like the key to the gates of paradise for the bright and bushy-eyed customer.
The shopper's overall appearance can be compared to a "Who"(a what?) from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The depiction characterizes Americans as obsessed with buying the true meaning of Christmas. The shopper is not necessarily male or female, is dressed in bright "holiday" clothing and has the empty expression of a dumb oaf. This image is necessary for showing that Americans are the same when it comes to Christmas.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Taylor's death a grim reminder for us all.
1.) In this article, Whitlock confronts the tradgedy of NFL player Sean Taylor' death. Whitock says the cause of death can be attributed to Taylor's sketchy past involving black violence. Whitock refers to those responsible for this violence as the "Black KKK," and explains that they are just as bad as the older generation's KKK. The most lethal thing about this group is that it is defended by some black journalists and most of the media, so the rest of the world has to either ignore the issue or go along with it, lest they be labeled racist. The fact is, Whitlock explains, that the statistics don't lie. Our culture ignoring or accepting the violence in our system will only make things worse. The Black KKK has maintained the "soulja boy" theme, which supports the same crippling mentality of the original KKK; it's about keeping black men "uneducated, outside the mainstream and six feet deep."
2.) Whitock's main point is that if blacks ever want to overcome the statistics of death in their own race, they need to first overcome the cultural views placed on them by the Black KKK. These views are destructive because they discourage education and other opportunities that could potentially lead to success.
3.) I agree with Whitoc's article. Sadly, our society has given the "Black KKK" immunity by endorsing its standards through violent Hip Hop music. It's ridiculous that in today's society, if you are a sucessful black man who has embraced education, the "Black KKK" says you are less of a man because of it.
4.) Whitock uses parellelism when he writes, "The Black KKK claimed another victim, a high-profile professional football player with a checkered past this time." This is significant because Whitock shows that Taylor was not just an innocent victim of white racism, as the black media would have us believe.
2.) Whitock's main point is that if blacks ever want to overcome the statistics of death in their own race, they need to first overcome the cultural views placed on them by the Black KKK. These views are destructive because they discourage education and other opportunities that could potentially lead to success.
3.) I agree with Whitoc's article. Sadly, our society has given the "Black KKK" immunity by endorsing its standards through violent Hip Hop music. It's ridiculous that in today's society, if you are a sucessful black man who has embraced education, the "Black KKK" says you are less of a man because of it.
4.) Whitock uses parellelism when he writes, "The Black KKK claimed another victim, a high-profile professional football player with a checkered past this time." This is significant because Whitock shows that Taylor was not just an innocent victim of white racism, as the black media would have us believe.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Leave Some Room for Jesus
1) Betsy Hart's article discusses the contoversial issue of what is really going on at high school dances. Is it dancing or foreplay? Some eyewitness accounts from chaperones, and even DJs have revealed a disturbing answer. Many Parents are becoming increasingly distressed that their children may be participating in the so called "freak dance", and other sexually arousing dances, which can become dangerous to students, especially to girls. Schools all over the country are beginning to crack down on innapropriate dancing, but surprisingly enough, other parents have taken a stand against this crackdown. They argue that this would only be ruining the fun of the dance, and provacotive dancing should not be banned. Hart and many other parents find this idea idiotic...
2) Hart's main point in this article is that parents need to 1) take a stand against povacotive "dancing", and 2) take responsibility for their kids if they can't take responsibility for themselves.
3) I definately agree with Hart's article because I find that any parent who knowingly allows their child to sexually "strut their stuff" (for the sake of fun???) is not fit for the role of an adult. For real, when have parents ever been there to let us do whatever we want and have fun??? If that was true, most of us kids would be "rollin' dubees in a van down by the river" (SNL reference lol). Parents, for our sakes, do your duty!
I also agree with this article on three different levels; as a Christian, as a student, and as a female. As a Christian, I want to behave in a way that is God-pleasing (leave room for Jesus), and being a temptation to my brothers in Christ is not who I want to be. As a student, I believe that the only place I should learn about sex is on the power point slides in Ms. Gooch's classroom, not on the dance floor. As a female, I feel much more comfortable knowing that I can enjoy myself in safety, because our school does enforce the "face to face, leave some space" policy. The idea of dancing with my friends in a safe, God-pleasing way sounds a lot more fun than doing the "freak dance"(honestly, where do they come up with these names???) with some guy.
4) Hart used many rhetorical questions in this article, but one particularly strong example was, "If the '$400 dress girl' had been sexually assaulted in the parking lot after the festivities because the dance wasn't a "dud," would her mom be happy, or suing the school?" I thought this example was extremely effective because it shows the consequences of the so called "fun" and the answer is obvious. It makes the reader pick sides, whether they are for or against this kind of "dancing", and what could happen if it not banned.
2) Hart's main point in this article is that parents need to 1) take a stand against povacotive "dancing", and 2) take responsibility for their kids if they can't take responsibility for themselves.
3) I definately agree with Hart's article because I find that any parent who knowingly allows their child to sexually "strut their stuff" (for the sake of fun???) is not fit for the role of an adult. For real, when have parents ever been there to let us do whatever we want and have fun??? If that was true, most of us kids would be "rollin' dubees in a van down by the river" (SNL reference lol). Parents, for our sakes, do your duty!
I also agree with this article on three different levels; as a Christian, as a student, and as a female. As a Christian, I want to behave in a way that is God-pleasing (leave room for Jesus), and being a temptation to my brothers in Christ is not who I want to be. As a student, I believe that the only place I should learn about sex is on the power point slides in Ms. Gooch's classroom, not on the dance floor. As a female, I feel much more comfortable knowing that I can enjoy myself in safety, because our school does enforce the "face to face, leave some space" policy. The idea of dancing with my friends in a safe, God-pleasing way sounds a lot more fun than doing the "freak dance"(honestly, where do they come up with these names???) with some guy.
4) Hart used many rhetorical questions in this article, but one particularly strong example was, "If the '$400 dress girl' had been sexually assaulted in the parking lot after the festivities because the dance wasn't a "dud," would her mom be happy, or suing the school?" I thought this example was extremely effective because it shows the consequences of the so called "fun" and the answer is obvious. It makes the reader pick sides, whether they are for or against this kind of "dancing", and what could happen if it not banned.
Friday, November 16, 2007
11/16 Blog: Imus
Rikleen believes that Don Imus should be welcomed back to the radio with open arms, and I agree that Imus has served out his exile and should be given another chance, but I don’t agree with her general welcoming tone towards Imus’ return. When a criminal is released from jail, we acknowledge that he has served his time and respect that, but do we welcome him back into society with open arms, or do we treat him with caution? Rikleen acknowledges what Imus said was completely wrong, but she seems to justify his actions by giving examples of what all the other inappropriate remarks talk shows have made. I would agree that the hypocrisy in the media is unbelievable, but it is by no means justification for Imus. Pointing fingers at others is not going to solve any problems, and it doesn’t justify your wrongdoings.
Rikleen uses some good examples of the corruption in the media, but her most effective example was about Coach Isaiah Thomas’ degrading, racial remarks about women. This example is similar to Imus’ situation, and it brings the article right back to the main focus of the article. This is effective writing because the reader should never be able to forget the main point.
Rikleen uses some good examples of the corruption in the media, but her most effective example was about Coach Isaiah Thomas’ degrading, racial remarks about women. This example is similar to Imus’ situation, and it brings the article right back to the main focus of the article. This is effective writing because the reader should never be able to forget the main point.
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