Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Generating a focus for your current essay
To conclude class today, I’d like to take the last 10-15 minutes and continue to generate some ideas for your current essay. First, share with the rest of us the topic or issue you’re most interested in writing about. How would you define this issue or explain it? How does it relate to larger questions of justice? Then, explore your current attitudes about this topic. How would you characterize your stance towards this issue? What do you already think about it? Then, consider your possible readers? Who would you like to address in this essay? How might their stance be different than yours? What story might you tell about this issue to reach them more effectively?
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ReplyDeleteThe topic that I am interested in writing about for this essay is the political polarization in the US. I think that the definition is the angry, and bitter language the both of the most prominent US political parties use when they discuss the other. One part is the gridlock that is occurring in Congress and the general disapproval of the country as a whole about how Congress is doing its job. This topic relates to the larger question about social justice because by not solving these issues there will continue to be bitter feelings with both parties and the county will continue to be run stagnant. My own personal feelings towards this topic is that it greatly frustrates me how little our elected officials do, and how a great amount of what the officials do is simply to spite the other party. I think this is contrary to the spirit of the country, and counterproductive in a time where we need to worry about what is happening in our society. I think that my possible readers is a large class of people, as most people in the country should be worried about how its run. However I think I want to aim for a demographic similar to my age, as the younger age group has a lot of wasted influence when it comes to voting in general. I think that shaping my essay towards youth will give it a better message. The older people that I address to may be more cynical than the youth with the idea that this is how politics has always been, and the argument may be shared by younger people too. I am still not sure about an effective story to tell, but I think bringing images of the past where politics was less polarized will breed pathos with the audience.
ReplyDeleteRight now my most promising idea deals with animal rights. I like this topic because it opens up a completely different subtopic within social justice. Usually, we think about human social justice, which means that other species within the animal kingdom kind of get shrugged off as unimportant. While, I do believe that human social justice is more important, I think that animal social justice can actually teach us something about ourselves. In order to increase our overall ethical awareness it is important to include other species in the discussion. This idea was greatly influenced by the ideas in David Foster Wallace's article about lobsters. Are animals conscious in the same way that humans are? And, even if they aren't, is it still important to maintain a certain ethical standard when dealing with them? I want to expand upon the research the Wallace presented by talking about entire groups of animals, mainly non-human mammals. It is obvious that these animals can feel pain, but is it the same or similar to human pain? If I follow through with this idea, this will be a paper about the line that separates certain ethical binaries and its ambiguity.
ReplyDeleteI am most interested in writing about the treatment of the immigrant community in Colorado, particularly those from Latin America. I have learned that in all facits of life Latin American Immigrants are take advantage of. The stance that many people take is that "they are immigrants they don't matter". It is my belief that people are people and they should be treated fairly and according to their actions (ex if someone commits a dangerous crime they should go to jail). Through my work as a volunteer for the organization Right For All People, I have become a large advocate for immigrant rights. I would imagine people reading my essay to be nonimmigrants who are curious about a cause of controversy in our country, but one that many people have no real experience with, (the type of reader that I was before I started volunteering at Rights For All People. I would want to include information about the people I have met during my time at RAP, because they are in the heart of the battle, and their stories would be really powerful to readers particularly if they are willing to learn.
ReplyDeleteThe basic idea around my issue is about the question of how far have we come in regards to race and prosperity? I want to investigate in particular the extremes of homelessness and the wealthiest people. This ties into justice obviously through the racism question, but also through the area of homelessness and wealth disparity as its own issue. I feel like it is easy to believe that we have come really far, especially with a black president, but I think that through my own experiences I have found that there is still a long way to go. My main audience would be one with the first belief that we have accomplished all that we need to as far as race inequality is concerned. I would probably use at least one and possibly multiple anecdotes about Senior Support Services, which I go to on Fridays, that caters to homeless and struggling seniors. The vast majority of the people in there are minorities and I think that it would help to serve my purpose to portray some of the people who use this place.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was originally going to focus upon the homelessness issues or death penalty issues in Oklahoma, I'm more interested in abortion. I think the issues of the translation private religious norms and morality around sex into public law is a issue that definitely needs to be addressed. For me, living in Tulsa Oklahoma, I am surrounded by friends who attend 'mega-churches.' Although I believe that 'mega-churches' have good intentions, I do believe that their hostility in certain areas, like abortion, is counterproductive. ORU and other institutions in Tulsa commonly refer to abortion as "baby-killing," and genocide. In a way, I think that using the Bible to prevent women from autonomy over their bodies, is sustaining gender inequality and is anti-feminist. Oklahoma is one of a few states that has enacted state laws and policies that prevent access to abortion. This arises from the ultra-conservative atmosphere in Oklahoma. These restrictions include: not allowing Medicaid to cover abortion, and limiting the number of abortions that doctors can perform. Oklahoma is leading the nation in instituting measures to suspend women's civil liberties. While I don't particularly encourage or promote abortion, and I am a Christian, I do not believe that I can impose my beliefs onto others. I'm definitely pro-choice when it comes to abortion. I do not know the circumstances of particular women seeking abortion. They might have been raped, or are not in proper financial standing to birth and raise a child. So, how could I tell them what not to do. I just don't think that is just. Recently, Oklahoma passed a law stating that before undergoing an abortion procedure, the woman must receive an ultrasound, and listen to a detailed description of the fetus. This is cruel and unusual I think. The audience I want to address includes both people who are pro-choice and pro-life. Thus, those who are pro-life will definitely disagree with my viewpoint. I will probably refer to the bombing of an abortion clinic in the 90s in Tulsa. This will just show the counter-productiveness in the hostility regarding this issue.
ReplyDeleteOne issue I am considering writing about is the issue of gay marriage. I would define this issue as one of intolerance. Those who oppose the idea of gay marriage tend to do so because of their opposition and intolerance to homosexuality. It relates to the idea of social justice because a certain group of people is being denied certain privileges that the rest of us have.
ReplyDeleteMy current stance on this issue is that of acceptance. I have absolutely no opposition to the idea of homosexual couples being allowed to get married. This obviously isn't the opinion that all people have on this issue, otherwise it wouldn't be an issue at all. In my paper, I would like to possibly address those who are strongly opposed to the idea. I may not be able to do this very effectively though since this is an issue on which people tend to have very strong opinions and are unwilling to attempt to change those opinions. The only way I would be able to influence such people would be to humanize homosexuals in my paper.
The topic that I am most interested in writing on is the controversial SOPA. I find it very engaging that the majority of the citizens of the United States will allow the government ot infringe on some freedoms willingly, or at the very least without making a move to question, much less stop the breach in liberty. However, when the government infringes on the most independent institution on the world, the internet, there is instant outrage. I also want to attempt to write on the government’s viewpoint because for most students, all they know is that it might close down Wikipedia, or there is fear of becoming China in internet censoring. I want to explore how it would actually change our everyday lives and what justice and injustices does it propose. I don’t know what I think about it on an objective level because the information that I have been able to track down to this point has been biased reactions of outrage. However, I know that there must be something out there that will explain it as the government see’s it. I think I would like to address the ignorant masses of college students upset by the possibility of losing their homework go-to. After my research, I want to be able to address them on an informed level showing what would change and why it would change. If I agree with the masses about SOPA and its injustice, then I would like to use my ethos to produce methods of resentment other than spreading biased Facebook posts and further complicating and adding to any falseness. In looking at this, I would want to analyze Wikileaks and both the benefit to the citizens at having access to the information, as well as, the government’s purpose in censoring in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI am planning on writing my essay on the role of social media in society and how it can relate to social change. I want to draw on the Egyptian uprising that was largely a grassroots movement by egyptian citizens and youth communicating events through social media. I'd also like to contrast this with the occupy wall street movement in terms of which method of change, a sit in versus strategic protests, is more effective.
ReplyDeleteI believe that social media holds an unbelievable value in our culture. It provides businesses a way to better market products, and the value is being put in a dollar form as Facebook goes public this spring. It has combined the access of information with the access to specific audiences in a way that has not been achieved yet before in human history. However, social media also has the power to narrow one's perspective on issues of the world by constantly being barraged by the opinions of others about current events, that may serve to affect the readers own held beliefs. But, it can also be used to create an awareness of an issue to an audience of one's "friends" who may be more inclined to listen and thus continue to spread the word to their own ulterior groups.
I aim to convince those who think that it is just a fad using statistical information and other persuading evidence that cannot be ignored.
Right now I’m thinking about writing on the topic of gentrification in Portland, Oregon. Specifically, I’m considering discussing the role that race plays in gentrification because in Portland it’s usually minorities (Hispanics and African-Americans) who make up the bulk of the population living in these areas. I would define this issue by saying that the leaders and people in charge of money flow and development don’t actually know what is good for the impoverished they’re attempting to help and don’t understand how to help them, and so in their attempts to help people, they end up hurting them more than helping. Also, there’s a disconnect between the interests of the city and the interests of the citizens living in the city. Personally, I believe that those who are responsible for urban development and the allotment of funds have good intentions-they actually believe that what they’re going to do will help these people. I also think that people need to be educated about what’s going on in their own city, not just bigger problems that affect a more broad audience. Additionally, the people living in poorer areas need to be given a larger voice, so that people can hear their stories and understand what is going on in a different way. If I were to write on this topic, I would be writing an audience who lives in or around Portland. They would mostly be middle to upper class, since they’re the most uneducated on the topic and also have the most power to enact change. Their stance could be different than mine because they could come from a different background and been taught that “progress” can only happen in one way, the traditional way of upgrading neighborhoods and increasing the quality of life.
ReplyDeleteThe issue that I am interested in researching a writing about is campaign finance reform and the overbearing presence of PACs in elections today. I am interested in looking into ways that would make the campaign trail a much more level playing field. This year, just as many years in the past, the road to the White House will be paved in gold. Whoever has the most cash to pony up ans spend trashing the other candidate will probably win. In my mind that isn't right. People who often are much worthier candidates don't even make it to the living room tables of American families because they don't have the money to compete with the corporate sponsorships of the bigger names. This can be an issue that is divided along party lines, but the fact of the matter is that every politician is doing it. Its whoever can squeeze the most cash out of PACs that will be on the ballot. I would like to address the candidates themselves who are affiliated with the huge super PACs and see if they feel what they are doing is right?
ReplyDeleteLast week I saw the documentary Saving Superman. Its about the achievement gap in America between various levels: whites vs. blacks students, American vs. European students, private school vs. public school students and inner city vs. suburban students. I enjoyed the film so much I would also like to write about the achievement gap being that according to the film Denver has one of the largest achievement gaps in the nation. However, unlike the movie I do not want to analyze the various levels but I would like to pin point one for instance, public vs. private schools, and then really do some heavy research in that field. The achievement gap is the idea that a certain group test lower on standardize test than another group. This is really important because if this is America and we generally collective believe in equality of opportunity than why are some students testing lower and are falling behind than others? That’s the question I want to address. Being that early on in elementary school I struggled a lot I take this issue seriously. With my background I want to challenge whether its funding that causes children to fall behind or resources within the school.
ReplyDeleteI am really not sure what issue I want to focus on for my essay. After reading last nights articles, I think the issue of garment industries mistreating their workers is interesting since I may contribute to the problem by purchasing clothes from these stores. I think the unfair conditions and underpayment, occurring in and outside the United States is a huge problem. Of course hearing about the ways in which employers mistreat their workers is unsettling, but watching Made in L.A. and reading Paul Lobe’s article, both which include personal stories of the workers, make me realize how inhumane the companies are towards their workers. No one should be treated like that, and hearing those women’s stories affected me so much I don’t want to shop in those clothing stores anymore. If I write on this topic, I think my audience would be educated, middle and upper class and aim for a range between young to older adults. Specifically, it would address the kinds of people who shop at stores like Gap, Forever 21, Nike, and other companies that unjustly treat their workers so they become aware of what they are supporting when they buy their clothes. I think my audience would feel guilty upon hearing about the conditions these companies force on their workers if they shop at those stores, and hopefully make them stop shopping there. I want to acknowledge that if someone were to be moved by my article and may want to stop shopping at certain stores but feel like their impact won’t make a difference because so many people shop there, that change begins with the individual and we can all do little things to help create a more just world.
ReplyDeleteFor my paper I intend to look at the LGBT movement and the struggles that it faces today as well as their comparisons in history. In order to narrow this topic down I intend to go back to my roots and look at the close relationship between the LGBT rights movement and the LDS church's heavy involvement in the passing of Proposition 8. Being from Utah I spent a large amount of my schooling studying the history and politics of the state. Because of the close relationship of the states founders and the Mormon expedition west as well as my own personal investigations I already have a fairly decent understanding of the history. I think it will provide a very interesting commentary on the subject to put the rights desires of the Mormon church, side by side with the rights desires of LGBT individuals.
ReplyDeleteThe primary audience of this piece will be the members of the LDS Church who are not yet convinced on the matter of LGBT rights or those that have alienated themselves from the church.
At this point in my brainstorming I am thinking about writing my piece on Racial profiling in the U.S. Since 9/11 this issue has become a hotbed of controversy. Unwarranted random and unnecessary searches occuring to people of middle eastern descent is a complete social injustice.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do want to address the issue of 9/11 and racial profiling in transportation security, I want to also focus strongly on racial profiling in a more domestic setting, such as racial profiling by cops. There are many aspects to racial profiling, and I think that the other ways in which it occurs should not be ignored or forgotten behind the much more obvious and media-hyped events that occur at airports. By synthesizing information on historical instances of racial profiling and how these prejudice belief systems have been instilled in our culture i hope to address the longstanding issue of racial profiling in our society.
For this paper I would like to focus on public education inequality in Denver. I though that I would take two contrasting public high schools, Cherry Creek High School and Abraham Lincoln High School, and write about what type of experience an education like this fosters for the student. As Cherry Creek High School is known for top testing scores, winning sports teams, and rich extracurricular activities is raises a certain mentality within the attending students. On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln High School is known for gang activity, lower test scores, and high drop out rates. I want to explore why this is, and the long term impact of this discrepancy. I think my current audience for this essay is local individuals that have a connection to the schools in Colorado. This could be students, teachers, parents, or others. I think, however, it could be interesting to address just the students because their stance could be a combination of school pride mixed with frustration at the situation. I think telling individual student stories could also be very powerful.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in examining the relationship between socio-economic status and access to nutritious food. The term “food desert” refers to an area where residents are poor, lack transportation, and there are no supermarkets nearby to supply fairly priced, healthy food. People are left to purchase food from convenience stores and other small markets, where food is both more expensive and unhealthy. With poor diets, residents of food deserts face a higher likelihood of developing health problems, such as diabetes and obesity. I want to examine what factors create and maintain food deserts, perhaps using the neighborhood of Sun Valley in Denver as an example.
ReplyDeleteFood is one of life’s necessities, despite the fact that many people take it for granted. Unequal access to food within society is a large injustice.
I think I might take more of an informative approach to this essay, attempting to inform the general public of the injustice of food deserts. However, my main audience would be people of middle to high socio economic status who are perhaps unaware of the issue.