Social Action Project

So far I have my interviews set up, however, they have not taken place yet, but will most likely next week. I have my surveys printed out and I am going next week to go door to door in the neighboring areas. From there I am going to make many comparative graphs.

Job Description

The job that I found appealing is a reading specialist position at Hoover Middle School. What I fing appealing is that it is close to my hometown. It's pay is similar to the rest of the state, although I'm not really going into teaching for the money. Over the past three years the school's standardized testing scores have showed a steady climb. My major is the major that they are seeking, and I have the qualities that they are seeking. And like all public schools, they offer a pension plan.

What can I do with this major?

I recently changed my major to middle level education where my main areas of focus are social science and reading, with an English minor. With this major I will be able to teach from grades 1-9. However, there is a more emphasis on grades 5-9 which is the level that I would like to teach. I will be able to work as a history, reading, and English teacher.

Educational Equality

1) There are many things wrong with the quotation said by her boss. The first thing is that every disability can be drastically different. A person that may have previously worked there may not have have had low vision, but not to the point that Sally did. Also, because she was hired by this company, it is their responsibility to make sure that she receives all the help she needs so that she can be successful at her job.

2) In my opinion, I feel that she starts off in a positive tone, but by the end seems defeated. She discusses being on and Equal Opportunity Board, and even there she cannot get her point across. Also, at the end she talks about going back to being blunt and rude to get the help she needs, which to me seems much more defeated than the begining.

3) A main reason that a minority student may be placed in a special education class is because of the language barrier. They may be the brightest student, but obviously, if they cannot use the language properly they will have some trouble, but that is not an excuse for putting them into special education.

4) This has changed how Americans look at disabilities in a positive manor, however, I feel that there is still more to be done. The American Disabilities Act, has in recent times, greatly improved the work force. Many companies are helping to assist their workers with task aids. The IDEA has also greatly improved education for students in schools so that they are getting a more equal education, although it is not completely equal.

Homophobia Responses

The fisrt article was the one that I thought was the most awakening. It is sad that people will hide who they are because they are afraid of not being accepted. Hate crimes against homosexuals is wrong, and it doesn't make sense to me how someone can hold so much hate towords a person just because they are "different". Homosexuals should not have to hide who they are.

I found the second article to be mostly about acceptance. Bell Hooks became a transgendered woman because he was not compfortable in the body that he was in. Although to me that seems almost kind of weird, I would not judge a person for something like that. People need to respect eachother for their differences, because our differences is what makes the world a wonderful place.

I used to feel the same way that Burn did about the openly gay communities that would hold pride parades and be in your face about their sexuality. I just was one of those people who didn't want to know about people's sex lives whether they were gay or straight. I found it sad though when the boy was to afraid to go to the police because he was gay and didn't think that they would take him seriously. Heterosexuals would never have to worry about something like that. So I think it is important for gays to have their own community so that they can recieve support from people that understand them.

The last article I also found to be sad. It is impostant that families stick by eachother's sides even no matter what. It was good that her mother was so accepting, but it was sad that even though her mother was accepting she lost contact with her family. It also opened my eyes to the struggle that she is going through being a lesbien and being a minority.

Shitty First Drafts

I first read this article last year for my english class, and I found it very intersting and helpful. Before I read this article, I always felt that my first draft should be as good as my last draft because I was conciencous about my writing. However it is good to know that it is ok for my first draft to be bad. I know now that it is important to incorperate all of my ideas in the first draft, which Lamott calls the "child's draft". This way you can eliminate it if it is not relevant, but you still have the idea. Then with the second draft, the "up draft" you can fix up whatever was wrong with your first draft, where you can reorganize and eliminate. After writing those first 2 drafts, then it is time for the final draft, where you correct everything that you have been revising and editing in the first two drafts. I think that Lomott offers great insight as to how to make your paper the best possible.

Interview Activity

My participant for the interview activity was Hilary. Currently she is undecided for her major, but she would like to become a criminal justice major. When asked why she wants to become a criminal justice major she responded "I want to become a criminal justice major so that I can help other people". In order to make this possible her two short term goals are to do well in college by getting good grades and graduating. After graduating the area of criminal justice she would like to become a part of is a probation officer so that she can help those people. As for the distant future, she is not quite sure what she wants to be doing, but she knows that the only thing she wants for sure is to have a steady job. Although I got some good information from her I think that I need to add more depth to my questions so that I can get answers with more information, rather than a sentence or two.

Finding Your Own Voice

Defining my voice in writing is getting my point across, and making it known how I feel about a particular issue.  I would say that up until last year I would silence myself in my writing, however my english teacher changed that for me last year.  He told us to truly write how we felt and do not write what you think the teacher wants to hear.  It really helped me to find my voice because I now feel more comfortable voicing my opinion even though it might not always be the most popular answer, or the most politically correct answer.

I really like this quote and I noticed it while reading.  What I think Lamott is saying is that it is important to write something new because that way it is informative and people will want to read it.  Every student is always told how they should write throughout their school career, but it is important to voice your opinion even if somebody tells you that you shouldn't. Your individual voice is what makes your paper unique.

A Lesbian's Struggles Response

To be a visible minority there are a lot of that group. A good example is African American and Hispanics.  They are a minority, but there is still a good amount of them that they can still be with people of their same race.  An invisible minority is a minority that you cannot tell from looking at a person.  Such as a person who is gay, you may not be able to tell, but they are still a "minority".

To stick to your own kind means to hang out with people of your own race and not expanding your horizon.  I think some people stick with their own kind because it is easier.  They already have similarities, so it makes it easier for them to become friends.  Also, you wont feel like an outcast if you are with people of your same ethnicity. 

Her main identity struggle is that she doesn't feel like she belongs because she is the only person of her race in her school.  So she tries to fit in with the rest of the students and in a way she disowns her own heritage to became more assimilated.  But in the end, everyone thought that she should be proud of her culture, so she gives it a chance


I do not tone down any of my identity.  I am a mixture of many races and I think that my entire family has become a part of the "American Culture".  I am proud of who I am and where my family has come from so I don't feel the need to tone down any aspect of my life.

Sexism

I think that a lot of guys perpetuate sexism just by commenting about girls.  Many times if you are with your with your guy friends you'll be like that girl is hot, or that girls is gross, and it's not fair to just judge people like that.  Many times I will talk over women, to make myself heard over them.  Also something I do a lot is judge girls by gender roles.  Like if they are playing video games I'll say oh they're such a guy.  I plan on overcoming these sexist ways by being less judgmental.