Author: d.dayan1

04/14/16

Proposal

I am aspiring to research the grimy details of my relatives story. As not all of my family has followed the same route, some have found life more difficult. This story of his is one of many intricacies as being a part of two minority groups. “Where are you from?”, to my first cousin, is nearly synonymous with “How are you?” There is so much to uncover.

 

I grew up in a home governed by a Laissez-faire approach to education. It laid out two potential pathways for the way I would view education. The first path could have negative ramifications, where I would see higher education as an unnecessary use of time. The other had a positive impact, where I would seek out higher education as a way of becoming a more well-rounded member of society. My parents decided to raise their children that way because, as the children of immigrants, they didn’t see education as vital. Their parents never valued education and didn’t even finish secondary school. My parents saw the way they turned out and decided that education is not a prerequisite for success. For the first twelve years of my life, I journeyed down the first path—never reading, never studying, never learning. As I grew up and wanted to become a more independent member of society, I diverted to the second path—working hard, setting goals, and placing school atop my list of priorities. That change resulted from a deeper look into my ancestral roots and the educational stereotypes that I fall under. As a Jewish with Hispanic and Syrian descent, I fit two opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to education stereotypes. The Jewish reputation for a religion consisting of relatively high amounts of lawyers, doctors, accountants, and businessmen constitute an idea that Jews are generally well educated. The Hispanic reputation for a group of immigrants that are likely to become labor workers has led to the idea that for us, education isn’t important. It wasn’t until attending high school that I became exposed to these to contradictory stereotypes and it motivated me to prove everyone wrong. I used my family of immigrants as motivation to seek out higher education because, as a minority, I want to represent my heritage in a way that goes beyond the boundaries that others have set upon Hispanics. The discriminatory viewpoints set upon Hispanics in the world of education has discouraged us a whole to acquiesce to societal standards.

03/26/16

Literacy Narrative

In my family, education is an expectation. I believe this strong value of education emanates from my father’s side of the family. Both of his parents started higher education, although my grandmother never finished. Both my father, and grandfather went to the most prestigious business oriented university in the country. We also highly value private education, as public schools in this area just do not come close, although my father went to public school in New Jersey. The person who really deserves the credit for this trend, however, is my great grandfather, as he was the immigrant who became successful enough to send my grandfather to the best schools, and from there we can only live up to it, because that is what he would have wanted. But there is more, since the private schooling I received was more than just math English and science, rather it was religious education also, and I doubt that it would be nearly as complete if I had received that education after public school.

Honestly, I wish there was more juice to the story. Luckily we have this value, because honestly the public schools here are not something to be proud of. I know this first hand because last year I was forced to go to one to get a high school degree from there, and I can tell you I learned nearly nothing besides for Calculus.

One interesting story that I do have is when my grandfather applied to Princeton University, he was rejected on the grounds of a Jewish quota, which in turn is why he went to UPenn. As you can see, I really did not have a choice to go to college, but I never felt I did not want to go.

03/26/16

Mother Tongue

Amy Tang argues in “Mother Tongue” that there are different variations of English used, and one not deemed perfect can limit society’s perception of that individual. Tang introduces us to her life story, growing up with her Chinese immigrant mother, and almost having to translate for her when speaking to others, as the level of respect they gave her mother was low. It wasn’t that she didn’t know English, quite on the contrary Tang tells us, however, the words just didn’t flow into perfect sentences, and therefore people considered her dumb. Tang relives a scenario in which her mother had gone to the hospital after a CAT scam revealed a benign brain tumor, and rightfully wanted an explanation of the results. The problem was, the hospital felt less of a need to fully take care of her and told her the results were lost and to come back another time. However, when Amy contacted them, they apologized profusely and assured they would fix this wrong. To others in society, the level of English one speaks is also a measure of their intelligence. Tang writes this piece with her mother in mind as her audience, because the stories were all about her, and she says it would be fitting. Though she normally converses with her mother in “broken” English, she knows her mother understands her, so her perfect English is not a problem. In fact, Tang says she wrote her book with input from all the Englishes she knew as a child.

When I think of broken English in my history, I think of the time when my family used to have a maid when we were little kids. Trying to speak Spanish with her was very hard, but half of that elementary use of Spanish came out as English anyways. So it really eventually became a mixture of a mutually understandable language. Looking back, I can’t help but laugh.

03/15/16

Revising Attitudes

“It’s all about your attitude.” I am sure someone famous said that once. Truly, though, a person’s attitude is key to success in all he wants t0 accomplish. If one wants to win a tennis match, he must be upbeat and tell himself he can do it. The same goes for one trying to lose some weight. Attitude is everything.

Brock Deither, in his chapter “Revising Attitudes,” suggests that we more than just change one’s attitude towards revising. Although time and again he stretches the importance of understanding how much attitude plays towards revision, Deither really emphasizes that it is not enough. That if we are to show the importance of revision, and change people’s perspective of revision and subsequently attitude, we have to enable their revision abilities. By teaching the “how to” as well, we can instill the significance of revision even deeper into the writer. This holds true because it is not enough to just recognize importance, but rather the writers have to experience the importance as well to feel revision’s effects for themselves. Therefore, this is why attitude is important, because without the right outlook on revision, without being able to recognize importance, writers will almost never be able to even begin to experiment with revision. Most novice writers have a book of excuses when it comes time to revise, and only when we can show understanding of how to revise, will we be able to win over the writer. However, it all begins with attitude.

03/3/16

Responding to Others’ Writing

In “Responding- Really Responding- to Other Student’s Writing,” by Richard Straub, the author aimed to exemplify what a great peer revision should be like. At certain times, peer responses can feel like chores, something you have no real interest in but you were assigned to do. Not always do we see the face behind the words, and that almost always leads to a lackluster and lukewarm edit with brief uninspiring comments. However, the author introduces to us an alternative, a method of giving a good critique without sounding like a teacher or coming off as harsh. Rather, Mr. Struab suggests a calmer way of giving our personal opinion to a paper, by relaying back to the writer what we understand from his words, and then offering either praise or advice. Wondering out loud with the writer can make all the difference in sounding like a judge versus a friend. The writer will only truly accept this critique if they feel comfortable with the diction, so if the only words relayed are of criticism and no praise, your advice is likely to be taken halfheartedly, if at all.

Another aspect that the author really touched well upon was concision. We are always told “short and sweet.” However, when it comes to giving personal understanding, explanation and detail are vital. How is the writer supposed to know what made you think to suggest the writing “needs better structure?” Short and sweet must be sacrificed for length and detail in these responses, as understanding is key to getting your point across.

Lastly, a critical device the author touches on is being able to identify revisions based on the stage of the draft. For example, when the writer needs to have more focus on the direction of the paper in his rough draft, do not start crossing t’s and dotting i’s. Understanding when to make certain suggestions along the timeline of a draft is imperative to gaining the writer’s trust as a peer. Just like diction is important to make sure your advice is even read, so to placement.

I really have not looked at peer response this way before, and Mr. Straub introduces great points to us and revisionists to absorb before sentencing a paper to a boring, oblique response.

03/1/16

Shitty First Drafts

Who would have thought writers dread writing as well? Many times, writing is a daunting task, requiring a writer to organize his thoughts and then place them into neat paragraphs and even more detailed sentences. I can see where some might become suicidal in the process. Anne Lamott, a professional writer, in “Shitty First Drafts,” magnifies this message, that writing is a process, even for the extremely talented. Anne describes the true feeling many can resonate with, that feeling of loneliness, of hopelessness, and of despair, when confronting Microsoft Word and that dreaded ‘I’ blinking pointer.

Yet, the only way to jump over that wall is to just write, write and write. It does not matter what comes out on the paper, that can be dealt with later, because “there may be something great” in there. As backwards as it may seem, great writers, the author explains, for the majority start out there writing with somewhat complete garbage, and dig through it later to find that diamond ring they accidentally disposed of. That is the beauty of writing, converting a mess of words and thoughts, and rearranging them later on to create a composition bordering the greatness of the Constitution. Writing a piece of art, Ms. Lamott says, is only revealed after the fact for most great writers. Even better, though, is that professional writers for the most part reluctantly write, feeling almost compelled to. On the flip side, the author quotes a colleague as saying that they do have a choice, “you can either type or kill yourself.”

Writing is intimidating, and it begins with “boring beginnings” and “lots of quotes.” It can feel like your fingers are moving automatically, and it can feel suicidal, but these feelings are the storm, and if a writer can weather the storm they will experience the clear skies. The experience is not the best, it is actually terrifying, but the end result is extremely worth it.

02/25/16

13 Hours

The film “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” is more likely prodded at for its action aspects and not its setting. The actions, or rather inaction, in Benghazi, has been criticized and speculated on in the highest levels of government. A well known black spot in recent American history, Benghazi, and Libya as a whole, represents failure at every stage. From the local clerics to the national government of the new nation formed in the ashes of Muammar Gaddafi, the United States Department of State failed to invoke vigor in the desire for democracy, and was wrong for assuming it could accomplish so. Now, in the wake of this disaster, the movie aims to enlighten the American people and use imagery to represent so many ideas that words alone cannot describe.

The film, touching on the emotions of the audience, carries a deep message within, without ever mentioning it once. The ineptitude of our government is pronounced, and the movie got it across by depicting scenes we are familiar with, and reasoning with us through conflict between characters. There is so much opportunity for exploration, the truth is not always pretty.

02/24/16

Letter to My Nephew

In “Letter to My Nephew,” author James Baldwin most certainly demonstrates his agenda and his audience. The era in which this piece was written was a dire time for most African-Americans, as the white male reluctantly allowed the black man into society. In fact, James Baldwin could not have portrayed it any better, as the black man molded into society was as much of an “upheaval to the universe” for the white man as “the stars aflame.” The letter was, in reality, a demonstration to the readers that black men, as much as white, were as personable as can be, and have families and nephews. This writing was intended to show that African-Americans can love, care and look out for other people as well, if not better than, anyone else. However, James Baldwin really strikes his note when he suggests that not only should his nephew not retaliate the behavior towards his white counterparts, but that the youth should love and embrace them. He realizes the notion that love is the only way to mend relationships between one another. But the courage it must have taken to write that to his young nephew, who most likely at that time was suffering in a segregated life and looked down upon, is an even greater feat. If there were not tears on his paper as he wrote I would be surprised, as throughout all the suffering he endured, James Baldwin still weathers the situation incredibly and better than anyone can expect.

The real tragedy, Baldwin writes, is that the whites are “trapped in a history they do not understand,” that they cannot comprehend being an equal. It is truly ironic since our Constitution clearly states that “all men are created equal.” So to say that that African-Americans are not equal is to say they are not men, not human beings. That is how ridiculous the “history” the whites were stuck in was, so much so to contradict basic biology. Heavy hearts is all that can be expected from people suffering in these situations, and the fact that Baldwin endured the storm and kept his head high to be a great influence on his young nephew, and embrace love does wonders for him as a person. We need more people like James Baldwin in this world.

02/23/16

“1984”

In Apple’s Super Bowl commercial, “1984,” a situation is depicted in which a rebellious young woman is seen running away from police intending to destroy a longstanding truth, that the people are under the control and guidance of this big screen with a man talking to them. The exigence is the fact that at that time, IBM was the leading computer giant, and only large corporations were able to afford computers. The audience in this piece is the entire audience of the Super Bowl, the most watched football game in America, so the appeal is to an everyday person. One constraint Apple might face is that it is relying on the popularity of a book under the same name “1984” to relate to the audience, since the context of the commercial is the big screen with every person being fully attentive to it and practically under its control.

The purpose of this argument was to show the audience that upsetting the common belief that people cannot personally own computers. Here was this young woman, wearing an Apple shirt, changing the norm in the context of the commercial, in relation to IBMs strong hold on the computer business. The commercial was successful and sparked many sales in the days ahead.

Apple makes an appeal to pathos by invoking the scene from the famed book as people are familiar with the scenario. They appealed to ethos by introducing this new product which shows people that they might be true in what they say, because they are a credible computer company.

02/23/16

What is Rhetoric?

Rhetoric, whether it be speech or writing, has always been a tool used methodically, at least I had thought. Aristotle could not disagree more, as an important aspect of his ideologies rested on the idea of topos, literally the place the argument takes place. This idea stresses utilizing the situation one is in to reach into the correct rhetorical appeal so as to persuade the audience. Contrary to a my previous belief, that rhetoric must be a planned statement that appeals to everyone. However, audiences change, and sometimes to make the same argument one has to devise a new way of delivering it. The rhetorical triangle is constantly spinning, and wherever the dart lands on that triangle, whatever the audiences appeal may be, a great persuader will change his appeal and find the best method of delivery.

02/11/16

Backpacks vs. Briefcases – Context Means Everything

“You’ve probably been in a situation where you arrived way under- dressed for an occasion.” The context of any rhetorical situation is always the first place to start. In “Backpacks vs. Briefcases,” by Laura Bolin Carroll, the author set out to define how rhetorical analysis can be accomplished in simple terms.  Firstly, analysis cannot begin unless we realize where the discourse occurs, she says. We don’t realize, but whenever we make observations, we classify them in our minds based on any significant information, such as appearances, and we draw conclusions on people almost instantly. In relative terms, she writes, this is rhetorical analysis. We make quick observations based on context, and using these interpret the information. This I all too similar to text based examples, and I applaud Ms. Carroll for her basic explanation of the term.

02/11/16

Eierbody’s a Critic. And That’s How It Should Be.

The argument laid out by A.O. Scott is moral in its message. The author is writing directly counter to his current occupation, practically laying out the framework of his occupation as a critic and what the job entails. However, his reasons are noble, and he proclaims that all humans are here to criticize. For what would our human minds be if we were not to challenge the knowledge we know and the information around us. The author continues in saying that criticism does not have to be confined to a certain group or guild and demonstrates the consequences of doing so. For example, as a critic in the film community, the author witnesses the bias of the Oscars awards first hand. When people have no cause but to just prop up their friends, they tend to do less thinking on their opinion and more calculating on whether the public will catch up to the master plan. Now we are not talking conspiracy theories here, rather plain and simple ignorance to others; paying no attention to anyone other then a friend. It seems that year after year, despite numerous deserving films, the movies and actors that always seem to win are white and repeating nominees. I am not one for affirmative action, but I do believe in equality, and fairness is not happening at the Oscars. Therefore, these critics opinions mean little to the public now, as their votes they cast are almost predictable.

 

It takes a principled person to dangle his position in public and ridicule it. So far as to even encourage others to do what he set out to do in the beginning, criticize. Because A.O. Scott realizes that people will no longer stand for what is being told to them, and he realizes the greatness each individual is capable of. To be human is to find problems, to evaluate, to analyze, to challenge, and to offer alternatives. All these strike the creativity of the human mind, the main initiative A.O. Scott set out to preserve when he struck his first note on his keyboard for this article.

02/9/16

Viacom CEO Defends His Leadership

At Viacom Inc., an international media conglomerate, profits have been falling sharply, raising fresh concerns from investors over leadership roles. Recently, CEO Phillipe Dauman has needed to “Defend His Leadership,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Lakoff and Johnson would smirk if they read this news title. What a prime example of the metaphorical concept “Argument Is War.”

When a business is struggling, and performing below expectations, arguments will arise at the top. Freshly stoked concerns from major investors will need to be relieved, or taken head on. Therefore, Mr. Dauman had to defend his position at the top of the company, realizing those concerns, and assuring others he is the right man for the job.

The significance of using this title explains how the human mind categorizes all occurrences into different realms, such as argument, and then verbally explains it as war. A war where one needs to defend some position that is likely highly valuable, as in the case of CEO. The news reporter might have been thinking for a provoking title to draw attention to his article, but he did not realize why he thought of argument in that light, and the diction we therefore use due to that way of thought.

02/9/16

The Egg and the Sperm

 

Societal effects are so far outreaching; they can even distort our image of facts. In “The Egg and the Sperm,” by Emily Martin, the argument goes that the reproductive cycle of a woman is portrayed in a dark ages light; incapable, passive and wasteful. In all respects, I find her argument to be valid. When humans first developed these capabilities of researching science, and more specifically the human body, the people partaking in this research were almost exclusively men. During that era, men were the bread makers and women were the child bearers. That is just how it was, and so it had a tremendous effect on really all aspects of life, and especially played a bias in researching the female human body. When it came to the reproductive cycle of the female, the male researchers attempted to explain their findings in the only channel they knew how to and believed to be true. However, I do not think the author found this to be an issue as much now as the views of females in our society have rapidly changed. Rather, Emily Martin was more concerned with how the textbooks that are in use now, and especially those with recent updates, have not reflected these changes in our society into their language.

 

If I were a woman in this day and age, I would probably be furious as well, as some of the diction used continues to not even accurately reflect data we know to be true. For example, numerous textbooks refer to the female egg as passive, having to wait for the male sperm to bring it meaning, and create an embryo. The sperm is all trumped up as this savior, while in reality we know it can barely move and is actually caught by the egg. Not only that, the author found cases where the sperm was laid out to be aggressive, and that they penetrate the outer shell and dig deep to the nucleus, where it is really the nucleus swooping up the sperm.

 

Swift advancements have been made recently towards eliminating sexism from our world. Change will only come if we have more naysayers like Ms. Emily Martin in our society, who raise flags in instances that need resolution and clarity. Slow and steady wins the race.

02/4/16

Metaphors We Live By

Metaphors are often instantaneous, subconscious thoughts that spark in our minds on point. In “Metaphors We Live By”, by Lakoff and Johnson, the authors shine a light on the concept of metaphors, and bring to mind many realities that are usually thoughtless in language. A metaphor, simply, is a figure of speech in which one word, not predominantly expressed in that fashion, is used in place of another to suggest a comparison between the two, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Common metaphors found in everyday life might be ‘it’s raining buckets’ or ‘you’re a late bloomer.’ However, metaphors are also entrenched in our culture. We use metaphors automatically to better understand structural concepts of life. Concepts such as arguing are metaphorically structured in our minds; we think of arguing in a very similar way we think of war, and therefore we arrive at the linguistic “Argument is War.” We even view time as a metaphor, Lankoff and Johnson prove, as we regard time in terms of giving, spending and saving. However, this system does not always run smoothly, as there are many occasions where comparing time to money, or argument to war, would not seem fit, the authors rightfully claim. Thus, metaphorical concepts are tricky, sometimes they fit like a master key, other times they can seem like someone brought a baseball to a hockey game.

 

Like other concepts, language to us in the industrialized Western world is viewed as one big metaphorical concept. I’ll try to get that point across another way. Language also has that subtle message attached, like it is the messenger. At least that is how it is viewed in our brains. Overall, I completely agree with the authors in their claim that metaphorical concepts can fit in the majority of our concepts that we hold, yet not in all instances, and I agree that some times we need alternative context to fully understand the message.

02/2/16

Dennis Dayan

I am a freshman here at Baruch, but I’ve lived in New York City for the majority of my life. I moved to Denver, CO for a couple of years a while back, so I consider myself a proficient skier now. My passion is sports, ask me anything. I have a small white puppy who pretty much eats up half of my time at home… and all of our leftovers. Sometimes I will drive somewhere far just for the fun of it.

My life, however casual it may seem, is pretty hectic, like every other New Yorker’s. I am either in school, doing work, working a part-time job, or walking my dog. He’s two, so he has lots of energy to exert. On slow days I may act as my family’s chauffeur; picking up and dropping off my two younger siblings or grabbing some groceries to make dinner. I, like many other fast paced locals, am also a coffee addict, and I would even stretch to call myself a connoisseur. Cold-brew coffee is my go to, and a small local shop is literally down the block from me, and entices me to dole out an exorbitant amount daily for their specialty.

Cars, Sports, Tennis and Coffee. We’ve pretty much covered it.

https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/dennisdayan/

 

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