Don't ask, Don't Tell

I agree that service members should not be punished for being gay.  I think about when blacks service men were seperated from white service men.  How ignorant was that?  I remember when women were not allowed to fight side by side a man.  Look at the women now.  The same reason the rules were changed is the same reason the rules should be changed to accept gay service men and women in the military.

Americanization of the World

I dont mind the sameneess of the Amazaon indians wearing Nike training shoes or the South Sahara purchasing Yankees baseball caps.  I believe they are mimicking Americans in admiration.  This is a positive part of globalization.

McDonaldization is the wide-ranging sociocultural processes by which the principle of the fast-food restaurant are coming to dominate the fast-food restaurant are coming to dominate the sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world.

pessimistic hyperglobalizer- dumbing down advertisments, turning children into consumers, unethic pursuit of profit.

Optimistic hyperglobalizers- observes it as a good thing.

Multigenre/multimodal plans

I plan to use three genres:  A quilt type banner, an informational pamplet and a healthy snack.

The quilt/banner is meant to be bold symbolism, thought provoking.
The pamplet will provide information on bad eating habits, health effects of the bad eating habits and a sample of what we should be eating.

I will have cupcakes (12) and a healthy trail mix (12 pks) and document which gets eaten first.

Social Class and Wealth Disparities

Three racial differences in wealth?
-Racialization of state policy-how state policy has impaired the ability of AA to accumulate wealth.
-Economic detour- low level of entrepreneurship
-Sedimentation of racial inequality- all effects keeps blacks in the bottom of society economic hierarchy.
　
Interviewed Kevin, a seventy-five year old retired homeowner.

The theme is that family assets expand choices, horizons, and opportunit8ies for children while lack of assets limit opportunities.

We need policies that directly address the situations of African Amnericans and we need policies that directly promote asset opportunities for those on the accumulation process.

I related most to Kathleen Kelly.   My family was poor when I graduated from high school. My five brothers had all gone on to college through football scholarships, so I did have role models. Returning back to college as an adult, the obstacles I face is the "all night" study sessions. There is never enough time in the day…I could use an extra 4-6hrs. I combat this time issue by being as organized and I can, staying on top of assignments and managing my time the best way possible. Family always come first and that is why the "all night" sessions occur. My incentive to go back to college is simply my degree. I have an opportunity to go back to college because I became a displaced worker when I was laid off from Caterpillar. When I earn my bachelors degree, I will be the first female of my siblings (five boys and three girls) to accomplish this goal. Both my parents have passed on to be with the Lord and I know they are proud. My children and husband are also proud, we work together to make this (my college) work.

From Thursday: Data from Research material found

1.  Focus is on the benefits for Latino, African American and White children and parents taught together i the same community-based weight management intervention.

2.  participants are 40 Latino, African American and White parents  and 40 children who recived a 12-week nutrition, exercise, and coping skills training wieght management intervention.

3.Data was collected by two trained research assistants who wer blinded to the study.  Demographic data were collected from parents for both themselves and their children (height, weigh, BMI, and body fater percentage. Health behavior data were collected from the parents and pedometer data were collected fromoboth children and parents.

4.  The data was used to determine that after the 12 week nutrition, exercise, and coping skills training weight management itnervention the health of the participants improved and it did.

Bryan (Tuesdays Assignment) and Samantha's (Thursdays Assignment) Data Analysis

Bryan's focus was on the African American Vernacular English.
His participant was Irving.
His data was collected through a face-to-face interview.
Bryan used his data as a guideline for his paper.  He took care to quote word for word the questions and answers.  He would repeat the answers Irving gave him to clarify what was meant.


Samanthas focus was on two persons directly involved in the Columbine shootings and their accounts of the shootings.
Her participants was Linda, a younger sister of the survivor (Jenny) from the Columbine massacre and Jenny, an actual survivor.
Samanatha's data was collected through papers the two girls wrote on the incident.
Samantha used her data to tell the story of the shootings through the victim's eyes.  She concluded the paper on what it was like to speak with the two sisters, the emotion and the information she was told.

Social Class Questionnaire

My subject is a male college student named Joseph.  The common theme of Joseph is that he is upper middle-class.  His father works in the insurance business and his mother does not work.  Although Joseph is financially better off than most people, he does not consider himself rich and would not like to be perceived that way.  He values making a good living, respecting law and order, saving money, earning a college degree and earing his own money...no "handouts" He lives in a "very safe and respectable neighborhood" and has good morals.  He describes himself as ambitious. 
At a time when young males are self-centered and all about me, I applaud Joseph for embracing his moral beliefs and I believe he will be an asset to his community as he starts his career and family.

Comparative data anlysis

Bryan:
Focus:  African American language
Participant-Irving
how data collected- face to face iterview, tape recorder, used direct and indirect quotes.
My comment-  I felt Bryan collected his data well, he remained less intimidating because he used normal language and reflected on each comment from Irving by repeating the answer, clarifying Irvings response.

Samantha's
Focus: Columbine shooting
Particpants:  Linda and Jenny that were students  in the town of the high school.
How data collected:  interviews, face to face, oral history, summarized the stories.
My comment:  Samantha used a story type of interviewing, never used quotes. Didn't anaylis the data.

Where I am with collecting my data

I had to ask the pastor of my church if I could make an announcement to the congregation about my project.
I should be able to make the announcement Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010.  My goal is to get at least five families to participate with the project.  I will take a family picture (visual) and get the permission form completed immediately.

Free Writing Questions

1.  The manager was basically saying that I gave you the job now it was up to the disabled worker to make it work.  The manager was not supporting the worker's needs to be successful in the class.
2.  Sally French's tone was that of someone who was fed up with the conflict of trying to get equal rights and the disappointment of knowing that although she has come a long way, she realizes that she has a long way to come.
3.Shapiro notes that schools take the easy way out and lump/label students special ed instead of accommodating and nurturing their skill level.
4.  ADA and IDEA changed how American look at disability because it made changes to help persons w/ disabilities become functioning and improve their quality of life at work and public.  The Act made it illegal to discriminate against a person w/ a disability.

Homophobia Articles

1.  The consequences of anti-gay prejudice are that some homosexuals hide their sexual orientation and "pass" as a heterosexual because they want to be accepted.  Hate crimes/violence against those people who do come out is another problem.  The fact that heterosexuals go out of their way to not dress or be labeled as gay.

2. Secondary victimization is when a homosexual victim of a hate crime is treated differently because people have learned from the hate crime, that person is gay.

3. Burn found out that by staying silent is safe and breaking the silence is a risk because of the way people may react and treat you.  The author noted that basic rights are not "secured" to all such as housing, employment and health care.

4.Lim-Him made the point that when he was in a gay bar, someone made a racist remark to him and he realized that someone from an oppressed group (gay) could not understand/relate to the oppression they both shared.  Both were gay but the white male who was gay was still being racist, not understanding their shared battle.

Shitty First Drafts

I found the article interesting.  I like the idea of putting everything on paper and then going back two more times to finish it.  So many times all of my ideas get lost because I dismiss them or tear them up.  It is sort of like an artist...we are our own worst critics.  I want to "get it al out" then go back and clean up. 

I did not like the analogy of putting the mice in the jar to clear our minds of distractions.  Later as the author stated, "a writer friend of mine suggests opening the jar and shooting them all in the head".  That was extreme and disturbing. 

The review clarified the article including the definition of revision implying to "resee and reimagine theoriginal material"  and the distinction between editing and revision.

The Questioning Your Draft  I will use the three questions and appreciate the explanation as to why each question is being asked....to track your assumptions, positons and tensions.

All in all I felt the article was helpful and will use the skills when writing my first draft of my research paper.

My "Participants Answer to Life after College"

I interviewed Eric who is a Criminal Justice major.  Eric says he would like to work in police officer work.  He says "it was always my dream to become a K-9 officer" because he loves dogs. Eric says he is aware of all the training and commitment and had done a lot of research on the role of the K-9 officer.  He says he has talked to other K-9 officers about the elite, law enforcement position and duties, training and time.  I asked Eric how much money he plans to make in his career and he told me he just wanted to be able to support his family.  Eric mad it obvious his career choice is more of passion. 

Ten years from now Eric says he will be 29yrs old and have a couple years on the force.

My Feminism Presentation

I found that the articles were very technical.  Bell Hooks argument of us tackling the problem of social oppression before we can define feminism is a good argument.  The reading was very scholarly.  I agree with the argument that all women are equal to women and more importantly are not equal to men, socially, physically, economically.  Hence the need to look at the social oppression that a women endures.  I do believe everyone, male and female can be a feminist.

I was very nervous presenting the information and blame myself (i am a commuter) for not getting together with Hilary to present a unified powerpoint.

Finding your own voice

"voice":  My own voice will set the tone of the paper.  It will consistent throughout the paper. 
How to discover own voice:  Write drafts and each draft should reflect your true feelings about the subject.  Including and beyond the technical information to relay your personal thoughts on the subject matter.

"Write to expose the unexposed":  evoke questions, methodically peel away barriers and taboos and get to the point of the matter.

Asian lesbian's struggles

visible and invisible minority?
Refers to as I am an African American I am a visible minority but if I was a lesbian no one would ever know unless I exhibited myself in a transgender way by dress, demeanor, hair style etc.

stick to your own kind
Associating with your own culture and race

main struggle
Ashamed of her culture and being lesbian

tone down my identity?
No and yes,  I am married to a man who is white.  I continue to talk, walk, eat, dress etc. as an African American woman and the culture I grew into.  I do not announce, hey I am married to a white man and my children are bi-racial.  So No I maintain myself and Yes, I don't announce my BIG SECRET.

Discussion #2

What are some of your ways of acting and thinking that perpetuate sexism?(Adopting the Principle of Pro-feminism)
I refuse to allow my 15yr old daughter to wear men's clothes all of the time.  She is a bigger girl and someties a mans pant may fit better for her frame or a man's T-shirt will fit better also.  I encourage her to wear more feminine clothing.  I encourage boy/girl relationships.

How do you plan on overcoming those?
I plan to be more cautious when I speak with her concerning the clothing issue.
I still believe that dressing transgender is opening herself up for ridicule in the high schools.

Moving Beyond White Guilt

Get info: How? Open yourself to learning more about people of other cultures. Travel.
Do Something: What? Go to another church and expose self to different religion, befriend someone that does not look like you.
Listen to any and everyone who is not like you. Be willing to really listen and try to appreciate the difference.
Talk to someone who is positive and open to change.  Someone who is encouraging.
Back to the past: How?
Finding our heroes and sheroes: My heros have been underdogs, people that have overcome situations and prospered.  People that I can learn from.  Positive people that give back. My sheros happen to be my heros. 

American Dream

The authors dream waw
what type of personal and soci-culturaal revelation has he gon through?

Reflect on "Real freed will be ours when people around us-and when we ourselfves- accept that we, too are real ?Americans, adn that we shouldn't have to change to meet anyone else's standards.

NOT COMPLETE YET

Paraphrase This Original Passage

Students should not overuse direct quotations because a final manuscript should only include 10% of quotations.  Therefore, the students "should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source matterials while taking notes". (James, p46-47).

P77 Child Trafficking in Cambodia

I thought the paper was very disturbing.  I vaguely remember Lisa Ling doing a story on child trafficking.  The subject really upsets me.  I know that in the United States we have similar situation occurs when young girls allow their boyfriends and sugar daddies to trade sex with their kids (boys and girls) for drugs and money. 

I felt the paper was informational.  The shock value was key in the presentation of the subject matter.  

She did mention OPTIONS as a program to stop this horrible offense.

Research Writing Assignment

I plan to use the same questions that I was answering on my research paper.  The questions made it possible to retrieve pertent information from the research paper.  I found this exercise helpful because it gave me a basis to work from.

Research Paper

Just wanted to let you know that I realize that I have been moving in the wrong direction for the topic of my research paper.  Will be in class tomorrow with a revised topic sentence.

Research Paper Links

I found a few books and articles for my research paper:

Statistics Anxiety: The Nontraditional Student


Journal article by James A. Bell; Education, Vol. 124, 2003
 
and
 
Experiencing the barriers: non-traditional students entering higher education


Author: Marion Bowl
 
and
 
Title: The Non-Traditional Student.


Authors: Ely, Eileen E.

Finding the focusing question

Ex.1.5 p50
One question that would be the most interesting.
What factors affect the success rate of nontraditional students returning back to school?
1.  What is a nontraditional student?

2.  Is the nontraditional student attending school full time or part time.

3.  Is the nontraditional student commuting.
a. how far
b. what mode of transportation

4.  Does the nontradtional student have a family
a.  is the family supportive or non-supportive
b.  how many family members are attending school
c.  what other forms of support is being utilized by the nontraditional student

5.  How is the schooling being paid for

Interest Inventory

Places:   Museums, big cities, beaches
Trends:  modern
Things:  good cars
Technologies: Ipod, iphone
People: President Obama
Controversies: food
History: Abraham Lincoln
Jobs: law enforcemtn
Habits:  Movies
Hobbies:  remodeling

Eng 145/ August 26, 2010

Reading and writing is very important in my life.  I am part of an usher ministry with my church and hold the position of usher secretary.  Because we meet once a month, I have created a newsletter that documents the minutes wich provides the meeting information for those that did not attend. 

The most difficult part about academic writing is that sometimes I do not know what the instructor wants.  I had an essay type test in history and the instructor was not clear as to what the "theme" was that we were writing.  I would like to improve everything about my writing.

I read biographies, autobiographies, self help books.  When I read biogrpahies and autobio., I learn how to be inventive and try to make day to day information pertinent and exciting.  I learn how to pick out information that may have an impact on other areas and ideas.

The connection between reading and writing for me is the building of vocabulary.  Discovering the use of setting the story up and giving detail so that the reading can learn.

I am no sure what I would like to research about in this course. I am motivated by real life success stories.  Underdogs fascinate me.

I know of a woman that became a primary school principal after never setting foot in a highs chool.  She got pregnant early and never went to high school, she earned her GED and went on to earn her Bachelor and Master degree.  Her story inspires me.

About Jennifer Welch-Farrell

Hi, my name is Jennifer.  I am a non-traditional student.  My major is Criminal Justice.  I plan to graduate in the Spring of 2011.  I commute back and forth from. Peoria, IL.  I look forward to attending this class. 

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