Topic #1: Adoption
Question: Does adoption lead to lifelong displacement for the child or the parents or both?
Topic #2: NYC Public School Schools
Question: Does the zip code one lives in effect the quality of education received? Are life chances limited in minority neighborhoods?
Topic #3: Homelessness
Question: What is the major cause of homelessness? How do the homeless feel about their place in society? How does society feel about homeless?
In the movie, Bring it On All or Nothing, Britney is displaced by moving into a new neighborhood and attending high school there. Britney was from a wealthy predominantly white neighborhood. She is not used to the argot in this high school. She was extremely popular and respected in her old high school as cheer captain and when she arrived at her new high school she was displaced. It was a totally different environment from her, she was not accepted and was referred to as “White Girl” and she stood out like a sore thumb. Britney was not used to the variety of races; most important races of color. She did not know how to interact with her new classmates. She was displaced from her old privileged white high school. In addition, she didn’t have any of her cheer friends to support her like she did in her old high school. It was a drastic change for Britney in her environment, academics, and social groups. She was not accepted from most of her classmates and her classmates thought she was bougie since she looked like a stereotypical white girl that obviously did not belong; as her classmates phrased it “she’s lost”. She did not feel like she belonged and neither was she immediately accepted into the high school.
When entering into the CUNY system around a year ago I was completely oblivious of how CUNY worked. I was so nervous when I actually received the later that scheduled the date for me to take the CUNY Assessment. From my high school, my teachers always said that doing well on that exam is very important even though, it does not directly affect my GPA in college. However, many of my teachers explained to me that the CUNY assessment was very important because it determined my college classes and doing good on the exam could save me time and money. It really made me nervous can one test, on one day can predetermine the foundation of my college career.
The day I had to take the test I was so replaced. Baruch was huge. I did not know where I was going the minute I got off the 6 train. By the time I found the right Baruch building I did not know how I was supposed to get in or where I go for this exam. Everything seemed impossible at the moment. Baruch seemed like a far reach and it did not even seem like an environment where I would be able to spend my college experience. After around 10 minutes of looking for the right floor and room I started the exam on the computer and once I started I said to myself sarcastically “Here’s to college!” Although, I did fairly good not the CUNY Assessment the anticipation and pressure on the exam when it predetermines if I’ll waste my time and money taking remedial courses. The exam just did not seem fair or just to determine my college career since I worked so hard during my high school year to build myself to show to colleges through my GPA.
When I saw this article it really reminded me not too long ago when I was worried about the CUNY Assessment. I believe the efforts for change will benefit other prospective CUNY students to have a better shot at staying in college and enjoying their time even from the time they start freshmen year till senior year. I believe building and pushing oneself can be beneficial and be an authentic college experience. Taking remedial classes can feel so pointless since all the handwork put in is not accounted for. I believe for the ultimate college experience independent studying, hard work, sleepless nights, and challenging ourselves is all part of the college experience that can be translated into adulthood and real life. This article was comforting to know that although, I was once displaced in my pre-Baruch days it may be better for future CUNY students with this consideration for change in the CUNY system.
For the Art-A-Thon event, I went to “How to Read a Sonnet” with Professor Laura Kolb. The event fit my schedule perfectly so I decided to go to this one to fulfill my assignment. I didn’t have any expectations of learning anything new and I’d be really bored. However, the event was the total opposite. It was a very insightful and enjoyable. From the event, I learned the true meaning and how beautiful Shakespeare’s sonnet was. The fourteen lines were explained so in depth and clear that it made reading the words off the paper so understandable. I really enjoyed the event and gave me a different view of poetry. I used to hate poetry but it never, made sense to me, I never understood what the intentions of every line in a sonnet. It was amazing to know how clever simply fourteen lines could be and were. I was truly amazed by learning how to read, interpret and understand the sonnet. I had a great experience at this event because it really changed my mind and view on really poems. I enjoyed this great learning experience because it was very helpful to know the technical things about a sonnet and finally udnerstand and enjoy a sonnet. After going to this event, I am more interested in reading other sonnets to see if I can interpret and try to understand the sonnet on my own.
Growing up as an ABC, American Born Chinese, my relationship with my mother has been very similar to Amy Tan’s. Throughout Amy Tan’s essay she incorporates a lot of different experiences with her mom that reveals her mother’s English and the effect her mother’s English had on the way she was treated. Similarly, I was and am in the same boat as Amy Tan but, with my mother she does not speak English at all, not even “broken” English. At a very young, as far as I can remember, my mother’s language barrier led to others treating her differently in American restaurants, stores or just on the street. I’ve witnessed for many years the treatment is different from when my mother has a concern and needs help versus me, her daughter that speaks English has the same concern and needs help the attitude from majority of the public differs. The employees make assumptions about my mother who does not speak English as less, less than people who do. Less respect, less tolerance, less compassion and just less. As if knowing English makes one superior and more well educated. The example Amy Tan gave about her mother not taken seriously, given good service and ignored at department stores, banks and restaurants are prime examples I’ve witnessed as an adolescent and coming to the realization of the problem. It’s evident because once I translate the questions or concerns my mother had the response differs meanwhile it’s exactly what my mother was trying to express but, two different responses from the people. It’s made clear in many situations that the language barrier is a disadvantage in how people interactions are altered and the perception of that person changes. Although, Amy Tan at first was ashamed of her mother’s limited english I’ve never been ashamed of the fact my mother did not even speak English. For me, it is clear that even with the language barrier my mother has been able to overcome this barrier and survive in this country for decades therefore, it is evident to me that English is not and does not make on superior, smarter or better than anyone else. It’s just a language and fitting in is not what is most important. Intelligence does not come from language. My mother not speaking English has actually taught me all my life that people will be disadvantaged and treated unfairly but, it does not mean there’s no hope or good that’ll come out of it.