Author: m.you

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03/31/16

Research-Based Arguement

Perhaps it has to be with growing up in the South Bronx, or perhaps it was because my parents could not speak English, but at at times, I’ve felt quite distant from society. It all started when I moved back into the United States at the age of 7. My parents having obtained an education no higher than middle school picked up low-income laboring jobs. They worked arduously at retail stores and at restaurants, and we managed to rent a small apartment in the Bronx. What I’m going to argue is that social mobility is not determined by hard work. My parents are extremely-hard workers but they are still considered as low-income even after endlessly working for decades. In addition, I want to examine segmented assimilation theory. In the neighborhood I grew up in, they were mostly low-income and full of children who did attend schools, but were instead involved with gangs. I want to analyze the socialization of immigrant children and their struggles with assimilating into society with constraints from their peers, their cultures and themselves. What is the role of culture in a child’s education? Are there any benefits of knowing both your native language and English? From this paper, I would like to examine my own childhood, growing up in a different environment.

03/24/16

Literacy Narrative

Being a second generation immigrant, sociologists would argue that we are the most privileged. For third generation, they are not as privileged because they do not retain their culture as much but fully assimilate into society. The second generation assimilates into modern society but at the same time retain their parent’s culture which is more beneficial. From an early age, my mom would always ask me”do you want to work now and then slack later, or slack now and work hard later?” Of course, I would rather work hard now. Not to say that other cultures don’t value education, but in Chinese culture, parents are willing to sacrifice nearly everything to fully supplement their child’s education. Although my parent’s have never attended any academic institutions high than grade school, they sacrificed everything to give their children a good education. At the roots, it could be filial piety that contributed to education. Filial piety makes you devoted and hardworking, and if applied to schoolwork, it will make you successful.

I struggled in elementary school because I had no knowledge of English, and neither did my parents. However they were willing to work more hours  to get me ESL classes. My parents owned a Chinese restaurant. For my classes, I would have to rely on myself to understand the material taught in class. I was placed into a Catholic private school, to be safe from the ghettoes and public schools. But because of the strict rules and ceremonies, I felt as if it hindered my education, and instead educated me to be well-mannered. The neighborhood I grew up in was filled with violence which discouraged me from associating with the others. This might have contributed to my awkwardness, which resulted in my staying at home and studying. My parents taught me to believe that I should strive to be the best, and be extremely competitive. It fueled my drive to attain a high level of education.

03/23/16

“Mother Tongue”

Amy Tan’s argument is that languages have a role in shaping our identities, which we can all attest too. For  She carries out her argument by recounting past instances of strong connections with language. She first started by comparing the view of sociologists and refuting it with her own theories. Instead of developing skills from your peers, you develop your language at home. This is true, even more so for immigrant families who’s native language is not English. The foreign language learned at home is more effective because it is what your are grown up with and accustomed to. The  title “Mother Tongue” perfectly complements her theory of the home language being as the better agent of socialization. The language that first seeps into into your identity is the language of your parents, your first ever language or “mother tongue.”

I would argue that her piece was not written for her mother specifically, but to all that has belittled non-native english speakers. She wants those people to no longer belie non-native english speakers and not feel prejudiced. Tan herself wrote “I believed her English reflected the quality of what she had to say. That is, because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect.” She herself is looking down upon these non-native english speakers, so this piece is written for her as well. Personally, I have done what she cautions against. I had a foreign classmate, and when he spoke it was with limited English, so my perception was that his thoughts were limited and he was unintelligent. My mistake was interpreting his limited English as limited knowledge. But only his English was limited, not his knowledge.

Tan divides English into two categories;simple, broken, and watered down. Each with different levels of English proficiency. I’ve had my own experiences with various Englishes. At home, my parents are so bad at English, it’s pointless to communicate with them without our “mother tongue.” But with my brothers, I would say we speak simple english. More casual and easy to comprehend. At school with academics, I speak in a more formal setting. At the end of the day, they are all different forms of English.

03/15/16

Acts of Revision

My takeaway was that revisions and writing is greatly affected by your mindset. We unconsciously revise our words before they are spoken, our text messages before they are sent. But it’s suddenly so difficult to apply it to academic texts. I can argue that writing is instead affected by your skills, or partly. It’s not easy to write demanding papers, but I do believe that it’s more about the writer’s mindset, something I did not realize until after reading this text. Deither greatly emphasizes on how your attitude towards revisions is crucial for editing.

Deither also provides various reasons of why revisions are helpful. His first reason was the most insightful. The writer should be writing for himself and to improve himself, not for others. Revisions allows you to revisit ideas you had previously entertained, Personally, to make my writing more enjoyable I picked a topic that resonated within me, which was a video game. If you enjoy a game, then you should enjoy writing about the game. Focusing on this positive feeling will make the writing appear less like a chore and more as an activity I would enjoy doing. I find it difficult to revise my own writing unless there is feedback from others. I would not say that it’s because I’m biased towards my own paper. But because I feel like I have expressed my ideas in a professional and formal manner, and these are not always the most effective methods of conveying ideas.

 

03/3/16

Responding to Other’s Writing

Having students comment on other papers has many advantages, not just for the writer, but for the reader as well. One advantage is that it helps the reader to develop their ability to give constructive feedback. They can see different approaches from other writers and receive feedback from than just a teacher. There’s just one small problem that I have with comments from others. It’s that their comments can be irrelevant, which Straub slightly touched upon. Sometime other writers can be doubtful of receiving comments and feedbacks from their fellow peers. One reason can be that they fear the comments are not as constructive compared to a teacher’s comments. Or that they are doubtful of other writer’s ability to critique.

One of my favorite points from Straub was when he writes “Temper your criticisms.” You should never be too harsh and destructive to other people’s writing. Comments such as “How dumb” and “How stupid” is not a part of making constructive comments. But on the flip side, being too kind and nice is also not a part of making constructive feedbacks. They feel pressure from their friends, not wanting to damage relationships. But a good friend should always attempt to make as many comments as possible. A lot of comments does not necessarily mean that a paper is bad. It means that there is potential to become a masterpiece. Straub’s book does not emphasize on why responding to other’s writing is beneficial, but provides various methods on how to effectively respond to others. I’ve taken away that temperance when critiquing is important. I’ve learned to not be to self-conscience and express your opinions whole-heartedly. It will come across as more genuine and be beneficial to both writer and reader.

02/29/16

Shitty First Drafts

When I was doing college essays, I received numerous e-mails from various schools concerning writer’s block, and they offered very similar tips. “The first essay you write doesn’t have to be the final version you submit, so don’t worry about making it perfect at first.  Often, you’ll find that the process of writing is a great way of developing and clarifying your thoughts.” Lamott agrees with this tip because she stated that the leads for her first drafts are always too wordy. All of her thoughts for potential leads have flowed out, so it would indeed be lengthy. Freewriting  First drafts are a great way to brainstorm and develop ideas. I want to add that firs drafts do not always have to be in word form. If  it helps you express your thoughts more clearly, charts can be an effective way to jot down ideas. Personally, I rarely ever wrote first drafts, and I realized that I would quickly run out of ideas. If I had written a first draft, free writing would have allowed more general ideas and general thoughts. At times likes these, writers can become vulnerable to writing phrases that are no relevant to what they are writing about. It is of utmost importance to brainstorm and synthesize ideas before finalizing.

In a sense, a first draft actually relieves some of the stress from writing an extremely good paper. Instead of pouring all your efforts to creating a perfect final draft, having a first draft makes it easier. There is no need to write perfect concise sentences, or find the perfect wording to convey your message. You don’t need to muster every ounce of concentration all at once. Instead of writing a super-thoughtful essay from the get go, writing drafts breaks it down into simpler steps.

02/25/16

Rhetorical Analysis Project Pitch

Topic: I plan to analyze a MOBA called League of Legends. Many of my friends play this game for hours on end. It would be interesting to analyze what makes the game so addictive. The game places a huge-emphasis on team play, but there is often hate speech and negative messages from other players. When the game was first established, team play received barely any attention. As the game evolved, it has changed into a MOBA where teamwork is crucial for victory.

 

02/23/16

Rhetorical Analysis/Baldwin

In Baldwins’ letter, he urgently cautions his nephew that there is no basis for the whites to accept him, but that he must accept the white people. This, I believe is Baldwin’s focal argument, although I struggle with the understanding. But the wording of his phrase and use of “accept” brought me to the idea of alienation, which I learned in sociology. Alienation is being isolated from an entity. When you look at the time period this was written, and the location(ghettoes), you immediately register that prejudice and discrimination against blacks was the norm. Baldwin’s tone is not rather aggressive, but he is forceful with his words. He is not attacking the whites but blaming them. He blames them, accusing them that they are at the root of alienation of blacks. There are various types of alienation but they all ultimately lead to estranged emotions and low self-esteem. Baldwin lists these as a grievance the whites have inflicted.

You can note that this letter was originally intended for his nephew, because of the intimate words associated such as “love” and “baby”. There are also multiple familial references which outsiders would not be able to comprehend. However Baldwin writes in an emotional-spurring way as if to convince his nephew to take action. His credibility is established by mentioning his living in the ghettoes, a firsthand experience. In addition, the letter comes across as a heartfelt piece written genuinely out of care for the nephew. The words are sincere and honest and profound. The restriction would be one for the audience. Especially for his nephew, who has grown up living in the ghettos, expecting to settle with being inferior. Baldwin can effectively his desires for James, but it will be the difficult task of James to triumph against society.

02/18/16

Letter to my Nephew

One of America’s greatest crime is its long history of discrimination and racism while it poses as the “land of the free”. African Americans were brought up in ghettos and faced discrimination solely because of their race. They were raised believing that they were “worthless human being”. Just like Uncle James stated “this is the crime of which I accuse my country and my countrymen and for which neither I nor time nor history will ever forgive them, that they have destroyed and are destroying hundreds of thousands of lives…”(8). The urgency of the letter was affluential to the point I felt as if the letter was being addressed to me, the reader. The pathos was definitely a strong point of  this letter.

The small problem I had was that Uncle James was too considerate when he said “most of mankind is not all of mankind”. Take a moment to understand what America has done to your people, to your culture and to your future. Racism would not have been such a controversial issue today if not for what happened in the past. This letter was written to offer sagely advice. Shortly before the advice, there was a list of grievances against society, which shed light on the psychological effects of being born black. They were taught that they were worthless, that they would settle happily on being mediocre, and that they could not aspire to excellence. Uncle James then urges his nephew to turn a deaf ear to his countrymen and trust only his experiences. But most importantly Uncle James cautions against conforming to the whites. From what I perceived, whites have not experienced discrimination and danger. So when any changes come about, they will react with fright and terror. Growing up in the harsh ghettos allows you to function in other environments. In ghettos, there are low chances of upward social mobility. There are no connections as opposed to other ethnic groups such as enclaves. When African Americans accept whites, it will be a time when whites are no longer prejudiced, when they recognize that they are at the same level as African Americans.

02/16/16

1984 SuperBowl Ad

There were stark similarities between the SuperBowl Ad and the book 1984. It clearly appears to be a dystopian society where a few are in control (the man talking on the screen). Then the one who stands against the authority is chased down by law enforcement. This immediately reminded me of the Thought Police in 1984. They persecuted whomever stood against the ideologies of the Inner Party. The audience watching the screen appeared to be in a trance, almost dreamlike state. They all wore the same clothes, were bald, and were alien and futuristic. This is also the case for the general population in 1984. Their ideas and beliefs are all regulated by the Inner Party. When the sledgehammer is thrown into the screen, the audience reacts with what is seemingly shock and horror. This was the emotional appeal, or the pathos. The female with the sledgehammer is chased by men with masks who seem intent to bring her down.

Of course, Apple’s main intent for showing this ad was to attract customers. The intended audience is everyone who wishes to utilize technology. Although it was shown as an advertisement during the SuperBowl, that was just a platform and opportunity to introduce. The SuperBowl is televised nationally and Apple wanted to introduce their product on a national scale and ultimately sell publicity. Apple wanted to show that Macintosh was different from the rest. It wanted to show that Macintosh was revolutionary. The exigency was the introduction of a new type of computer, a personalized computer. The logos is the similarities between the ad and the book 1984. Apple is stating “it will not be 1984”. It will not be a time of where one institution is almighty.

02/11/16

What is Rhetoric?

I find that persuasion is most effective when you understand your audience. The author placed emphasis on rhetorical analysis and explained how it is used to recognize the appeals of others. The strongest rhetorician is “adaptive and flexible”. Understanding the four appeals of rhetoric allows us to methodically understand situations. If we understand situations it becomes more easier to persuade. And when you persuade others, it is because you want to accomplish things. Some may feel rhetoric is manipulation and deceit. In a way, rhetoric is just like a lie. People lie because they want something. People give rhetoric because they also desire something. The bottom line is that “rhetoric” are a means to an end.

02/11/16

Backpacks vs. Briefcases

I find rhetoric just like metaphors to be pervasive throughout our everyday activities and thoughts. We are constantly examining our surroundings and forming opinions on them. The phrase that stood out to me was “when this same teacher hands you an advertisement, photograph or article and asks you to write a rhetorical analysis of it, you might have been baffled or felt a little overwhelmed.” I never actually thought about it this way before but it’s perfectly true. We become slightly overwhelmed when our teachers assign us papers and readings on rhetorical analysis. We find the assignments to be boring, and at times difficult. But we fail to recognize that we convey rhetorical messages everyday. We also fail to see the benefits rhetorical analysis holds in store for us. Being able to analyze rhetoric allows us to be in “situations—from boardrooms to your children’s classrooms or churches to city council meetings where you need to understand the heart of the arguments being presented.” Understanding of rhetoric allows us to do that.

02/10/16

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

Although I don’t agree with all of AO Scott’s positions, I do agree with his primary argument, that everybody’s potentially a critic. Some would argue that in order to be a critic, you have to be intellectual. Sure being intelligent and having facts gives you more ground when you critique. But just because someone may be less intelligent and lack the facts does not take away her right to critique. To critique is to have an opinion and everyone is entitled to this right. There are some companies (film production in particular) do not like to be critiqued, because they fear it will mess with their profits. I think critical reviews are essential to society, as it keeps different aspects in check. Film productions would not make a cheap movie because they fear critics. Restaurants try to maintain clean sanitation so critics won’t expose them. Politicians abstain from spreading propaganda in fear of journalists writing stories. Critique serves not to just inform consumers but to keep aspects of society in check.

I realize that the public can be swayed through reviews, but this is not always the case. Reviews are simply the opinions of others and everyone has varying ideas. The bottom line is that movie reviews are not always the same as your reviews. It’s the mission of art to free our minds, and the task of criticism to figure out what to do with that freedom. I absolutely agree with when AO Scott said “That everyone is a critic means that we are each capable of thinking against our own prejudices, …We need to put our remarkable minds to use and to pay our own experience the honor of taking it seriously.” Critiquing others does not only support other bi giving feedback, it also supports ourselves. It allows us to think critically and create further intellectual thoughts. Critique is a great way to stimulate and challenge our minds.

 

02/9/16

Why Do You Want to Put Me Back in the Closet?

“Coming out of the closet” has often been a metaphor for when one reveals his homosexuality. “Being in the closet implies hiding from the outside world, and the act of coming out of it implies the will to stop hiding.” When the Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage last year, many people “came out of the closet” including celebrities such as Ellen Page and Matt Bomer. Even Apple CEO Tim Cook. It is unclear exactly when gay people started using the closet metaphor, but “it may have been used initially because many men who remained ‘covert’ thought of their homosexuality as a sort of ‘skeleton in the closet.'”

In the article, Timothy Kierstead criticized Marco Rubio for his anti-same sex marriage policies. Kierstead pointedly asked “Why do you want to put me back in the closet?” to which Rubio replied “No, I just believe marriage is between one man and one woman.” What he Rubio is implying is that he will not recognize same-sex couples. He will deny them rights and benefits that are entitled to a married couple. Rubio continued: “I think that’s what the law should be. And if you don’t agree you should have the law changed by a legislature.” The law encourages people to come out of the closet. Marcio Rubio wants to put them back.

http://theweek.com/articles/464753/where-did-phrase-come-closet-come-from

02/9/16

The Sperm and the Egg

The article broke down the disparity between men and women down to the fundamentals of sperm and egg. It goes into depth of how sperm and egg are socially constructed supporting stereotypes, which is her primary argument. In most textbooks and writings, the sperm is often described as the active one which seeks to “penetrate” into the egg. While the egg is seen as passive, as “damsel in distress”. I find that these sort of texts can influence the minds of young children but not the minds of adults. In this way, gender is a social construction and learned at a very young age. Women are taught to be passive and men to be aggressive. I find it quite appalling the lengths people go in order to make negative connotations about women. Is discrimination at work enough? No, apparently some still feed the need to portray women in more negative light.

Let’s not always assume that the sperm is all-powerful. When the sperm fertilizes with an egg, the egg is the one to “protect the resulting embryo”. In addition, sperm would be lost without the egg. The egg emits chemotactic signals which attracts the sperm. Without the chemical signals, then the sperm would be lost. It is not always the case that the egg relies on the sperm, but that the sperm relies on the egg. When the egg acts as the aggressor, it is viewed through negative metaphors. “the egg ends up as the female aggressor who “captures and tethers” the sperm with her sticky zona, rather like a spider lying in wait in her web” (498). Why is the sperm not viewed as being an obscene creature raring to attack? Just like Martin said the concept of egg and sperm serve to support stereotypes today. I would praise Martin for clearing the sexism found at the cellular level, between the egg and sperm.

02/3/16

Metaphors We Live By

I have always believed that metaphors are used for effective communication. After reading this extremely persuasive piece, I still feel the same way, even more so. There’s a central reason for why the use of metaphors are so pervasive in our everyday life. And it’s not just because our “ordinary conceptual system is fundamentally metaphorical in nature”(3). It’s so that people can communicate with each other effectively. Metaphors do not always have to be in written form. they can be translated from words to actions, actions to words. Personally, I have seen this many times. Being an immigrant of, I have seen my parents enter supermarkets and communicate with the workers using gestures. Most of the times, the workers understood even though there was no oral communication. My parents communicated with the workers through use of “gestures”. They are metaphors in a sense that my parents say “I want to purchase that” by simply pointing. When people cry, they are saying “I am sad.” When people point, they are saying “I want that.” Of course, there are many different interpretations, but those are a few ways in which metaphors are translated from action into words. It highlights that metaphors allows people to communicate effectively.

In addition, I find that this piece sets a rather pacifying tone. This is prevalent when the authors say “It is important that we don’t just talk about argument in terms of war”(4). Like I previously mentioned, metaphors are primarily used for people to communicate with each other effectively. If we do not talk about arguments in terms of war, it sets a more friendly mood, and leads to cooperation and negotiations. What I did not clearly understand was when the author mentioned that “time isn’t really money”(13). Time is abstract. Was the author’s intention to show that metaphors can mask concepts and the role of conduit metaphor? Most likely, it was just an example to show how metaphorically structuring should be partial, and not total.

02/1/16

Ming Y

I’ve always wanted to pursue law. I think it’s mainly due to my being involved in my school’s Model UN Club, and since I took an internship at a law firm. But since I’m at Baruch, it might be best pursue business? or finance? Actually, there’s no major or minor in particular that is desired for those who wish to go to law school. But majoring in business will be the most efficient since Baruch is known for its business programs. I’ve always enjoyed political comedy, so I spend time watching The Late Show and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Politics and memes mesh really together.hided from biden

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