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.