journal 21

“If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”

---Dolly Parton

I strongly agree with Dolly Patton's quote "“If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain" because of its meaning. Many of us have come across situations where they seem to take such a toll on us and almost as if the world hated us. Although such problems and stresses are put on us throughout our life, we fight against these to reach a goal. Without struggling, nothing would be a reward; everything would be handed to us and wed feel nothing. If we want the pretty and greatest, we must endure some hardships to reach what we strive for.

Everyone has goals they would like to achieve whether being short or long term. The reason why they are called goals is since they are not at hands reach and are seeked after. Putting up with a struggle or two will be challenging but a must when in attempt to get something better. For example, majority of people who attended school would most likely say it was a drag and very tedious. They endure this for years and years, each becoming a bit more difficult, and if pushed all the way through, would have the satisfying reward of knowledge and schooling that can be used to give them a great push for the rest of their life. One must deal with the ugly and dreadful to reach beauty and happiness.

journal 20

 “I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

                         ---Nelson Mandela

Courage is something most strive to achieve when coming face to face with certain situations. It can be defined as 'strenght in the face of pain or grief'. Nelson Mandelas statement means more than courage meaning to be brave, but of going past ones fears. I agree with this because being courageous isn't about just not being scared or too small to over come something, but its more about the fact that they were able to deal with the process itself. Its one thing to stand tall and say you're fearless and it is another to actually show how fearless and courageous one is during the actual process.

Mandela makes a good point when he says "The brave man is not one who does not feel afraid, but who conquers that fear." What he is saying is that there is more than just representing what the word 'courage' means. One must go deeper and explore in order to fully understand and become such.

journal 19

“Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them.”

---Assata Shakur

Assata Shakur states "nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them." She implies that no one has ever gotten their freedom by solely getting on the 'good side' of the one who is mistreating them. Shakurs diction makes one believe that such is almost even unfathomable. Although I believe that this is quite true, I would have to take a stance and oppose this due to the fact that there are some exceptions and people who have in fact done such.

It might be rare or not happen in large groups, but it is possible and has a high probability that it has happened. For instance, in school one might stop being mistreated by a peer or their bully, not only with confrontation, but as well as simple, kind gestures to slowly alternate the bullies view and make them stop abusing them. Words and language can be a great way to persuade and change how one thinks.

journal 18

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.”

---Albert Camus

I would have to agree with Camus statement that can be interpreted as one having to express themselves and protest some things in order to 'survive' this world. We cannot live a life living as slaves and sheep following orders and ideals that are expected and thrown at us. One of the options we have to combat this is to express our beliefs along with rebel against things we do not agree with.

A reason as to why I agree with this quote is based on history. In the past, majority of the population lived as slaves or unequal to those who seem to be in charge. Due to the injustices that have occurred whether being towards sexes, race, culture, and so on, countless groups have rioted and rebelled against such rules placed by society in attempt to see change.

journal 17

 Language is a very important key in communication. This communication built upon language has then the power to express various ideas and stances on a subject. A grand conflict t that has occurred the past couple decades would be women's equality. Many express themselves and their beliefs via protests by voicing out their opinions and very strong beliefs. Language is used on posters and sayings such as "we can do it" and others to demonstrate empowerment and contradict the societal norms already placed. The use of their powerful protests strategies challenges the status quo in the sense that it combats against what was placed by those around. 

journal 16

 Stephen Arnold claims that society has changed its values and how it used to be. Now in modern day, society seems to go against everything it was once, for example religion is no longer as enforced and even made fun of at times. Id have to agree with the notion that society has changed its outlook and actions towards many different aspects. I too agree with Arnold's position on stating that the government been almost an enabler of personal values. Back then, the world seemed to be quite simpler than how it tends to be now. Once being a place based on kind people and a friendlier environment, it has now turned to a place full of dangerous people on every street along with people being terrified of now walking alone. Many changes have occurred through history that affects the way society is run. Although compared to a century ago as the flow and personality of society has been dwindling, some times not all changes are bad things. Perhaps all these changes that happen and change societal ideals are actually beneficial and can lead to a better place to live in in the future.  

journal 15

 The poem, We Wear the Mask written by Paul Dunbar suggests that people hide behind this mask to hide how they are and feel on the inside. It states how although we may be hiding tears, brokenness, and so fourth, even with all that going on it is important to put on a mask to suppress those things. While we may all be experiencing such troubles and hard times, when out in society " let them only see us, while we wear the mask. My mask that I put on majority of the time suggests that I am friendly, cheerful, and very easy going. I may seem so to many of those around me but I am actually alone, scared, and very overwhelmed. with so many things going on in my current life right now, on the inside i feel pretty broken and just a mess. While I'm sure if I told people so they'd say they too feel that way at times, I feel like its important to hide those thoughts and feelings as I don't want to bring them down. This mask I put on was created by society in the way of it demonstrating what an average happy person should look like along with myself since I want to help people not feel how I do at times. By coming off as very easy going and cheerful, I am able to hopefully seem appealing and make others happy. At the end of the day, everyone has a mask they put over to cover up how they are on the inside, but it is not something to be ashamed of, everyone is secretly going through rough times they do not wish to let others see.    

journal 14

 The author claims that journalism has turned politics into some sort of blood sport along with an exercise in serial lying. I, for the most part,would have to agree with the author since different news companies are always trying to compete for the audiences attention by trying gather the most information along with trying to influence them to think such a way. From watching Fox and other news channels, one can see that there is competition between them to see who has the most attention. By lying, they can easily twist someones words around and give out false information to make a story seem interesting and attract more attention from their audience. The more viewers the companies get, the more fame and money they receive which I would believe to be their overall goal compared to just releasing news stories.   

journal 13

 Ted Turner, founder of CNN, states that "the media is too concentrated. Too few people own too much. There’s really five companies that control 90 percent of what we read, see, and hear. It’s not healthy." What he means by this is that a grand majority of social media that we are opened to comes from really big companies. I would agree with this statement that this is not healthy because it narrows down what we are exposed to and cannot see other sources and ideas. Like the Fox video, these big companies can have a view and agenda of what they agree and disagree with which then leads them to only expressing what they wish to show to the public. By doing so, we may not see other opinions and perspectives smaller companies and other people have.

journal 12

  The Trojan Values Assembly is done in order to inform the students of the rules and policies to follow. In particular, the dress codes are highly in forced, especially to the girls. While females are shown several examples of what is considered inappropriate clothing and reprimanded several times, the boys are just casually told not to wear hats backwards. This shows how the females should be careful of how they are presented to not be looking provocative instead of telling the boys to not drool over a girl showing her shoulder because shes wearing a tank top on a 90 degree summer day. 

journal 11

 The definition of a word may be very crucial to a dispute or context. A shared definition is needed in order to give both parties a similar idea of what is being talked about. Some words have their own connotation to them even if they are not designed to mean such. For example the words 'maleness' and 'femaleness' are similar to the 'masculine' and 'feminine' ideals society has placed on them. When one searches up 'maleness' on Google, the results are "relating to a man". This then leads to the suggestion of "what makes you a man". Although no real definition is given to these words, we would normally tie them with past ideals and traits of 'how men are and should be' or 'what makes females females and not female'.   

journal 10

 Bradburys Farenheit 451 takes a radical stance on the function of books in a society because of the events that occur in the book. Books are seen as forbidden in the novel and technology is blooming in ways that it almost takes over and brainwashes a person. Id agree with him in the sense that technology is taking over people and communication slowly. The communication that comes from hard cover books is mostly untampered with and are the authors pure thoughts showing up. In technological mediums such as news, social media, and so on, a persons thoughts and beliefs could be changed and messed with and does not send the right message.  

journal 8

 Lois Quaid brings up a very interesting topic. She discusses how cell phones may be seen as everyday safety devices that are carried everywhere although they do not help as much as we believe them to. Quaid believes that "because more people are bothered by cell phones that are helped, these gadgets should not be permitted in certain public places or designated natural areas." Although I am very conflicted by this statement, my overall thought is leaning more towards the disagree side for the next several reasons. 
 As for someone who is quite fond of their cell phone, I argue that there should not be a ban against them in some suggested areas since they are quite essential for safety reasons. The main safety feature of a cell phone would hands down be the fact that one can make emergency calls to their friends, family, and most importantly 911 if the situation is that extreme. Along with this feature, most cellphones come with several useful applications as well. If one goes out out camping and forgets some gear, a phone may provide a compass, map, and other helpful apps. 
 However, I do oppose somewhat with my previous stance since telephones can intervene between social events. Many get distracted by social media on the phone that they then do not socialize with the earth and the ones around them.     

journal 7

  Stein argues that there should only be a number of students to enter each field of study in order to not overflow and have everyone who joins to be guaranteed a spot in. I for the most part would disagree with Steins thinking is since I believe everyone should get the knowledge of whatever subject matter they chose. Unfortunately, I do agree with why this might be good to do since it wouldn't get peoples hopes up when they find out that they studied this subject and there are no job openings. 
 I disagree with this claim since I believe that if a student wants to pursue a certain career, they should not be shut down just due to numbers. If a student is very passionate about learning how to be a biologist for example, this would limit the students possibility of pursuing such dream and goal. Taking the class at least provides them with knowledge of the course and profession along with them finding out if that's truly what they like. Another reason why Id disagree would be that the numbers of availability in a profession are always subject to change and if this is done, may lead to a shortage of people having the skill and knowledge of how to do so. 
 I do however agree as to why this idea may not be as bad. Although it limits the number of possibilities, it wont get the students hope up as much. This way, the students studying to be in such career after have a spot to fill when they may. 
 In the end, I would have to oppose Steins ideology of such a system. Each student has the right to get the education and knowledge on whatever matter they please to learn it on.     

journal 6

 I believe the idea of manufacture consent is mostly seen as negative since society tends to focus on the negative aspects someone or something offers. Because manufacture consent gives ideals, we mostly view them as negative ones such as gender steryotype. As positive ones also exist, I believe they are not as strong or powerful as the ones viewed as negative. Since the negative ideals capture the audiences attention more, positive manufacture consent does not have as equal value on society.  

journal 5

 I would have to agree with Margaret Mead's argument that deals with us praising the ones above but envying similar to us. I believe this to be true since when people are more successful, we give them praise and tend to recognize them for their effort. As opposed to the ones similar to us, when given such reward we view them as a threat since were jealous. This thinking most likely comes from the notion that if they achieved so and we are the same level 'why wasn't that me instead'.   

journal 4

 Jozul explains how celebrities and famous people lie about using such object and product to just get paid. I believe boycotting such act and way of pesuasion should not occur since the actors advertising said product are just doing what they do for a living. I would like to believe that many people are not easily persuaded just due to the fact someone famous is said to use an item. If theres something to blame in this situation, it should be ourselves for falling for such thing.   

journal 3

 3. Alliances effect the news with their perspectives although they must show it objectively and neutral.
 5. A reporters freedom of speech is shut down if they dont agree with the side they are told to report of. Many cant explore the truth if a medium is biased. 
 7. When a source says "some people", this means this is someones hidden opinion. This may not be as creditable since that statement is not strong enough to convince someone since there is no face to match the statement to. 
 9. Fox coverage of Richard Clarkes resignation from the Bush administration is tweaked since the reporter twisted the guests words. 
 11. This suggests that Fox news coverage is played with and changes how the person presents themselves to be against Foxs agenda.        

journal 2

  Advertisements are seen and placed in just about any situation anywhere. Some tv shows for example may display a certain item infront of have it alot which is how they advertise for it. Although most would consider advertisements to just be objects, ideas may also be put out to persuade the audience of something. For example, many kid/teen shows may demonstrate the kids acting or wearing something that catches their eye. If a child is exposed to rebelious kids on television, the kid might try to copy that ideal since it was seen as 'cool'.