Every action has a reaction

                At first, I wasn’t aware of this issue. Before I known about this, I didn’t watch much news and was very ignorant towards animal abuse. I knew there was animal abuse but I thought it would come from regular people who just had an abusive personality. I never knew and never would have thought that companies would actually do such horrific, vulgar things to innocent animals. Actions like these made me realized that companies can do cruel things even though they’re multimillionaire companies.   

                I completely disagree about keeping animals in captivity for our enjoyment. I personally believe that is not only wrong but inconsiderate. I like that’s inconsiderate because you’re only thinking about yourself and not thinking what the animals are going through just to see you entertained. Watching Blackfish made me realized and reflect everything animals have to do for us and I think that’s wrong because animals shouldn’t do that.

Companies like SeaWorld have so much money to provide at least a nice home from Orcas but they choose to leave Orcas with an unbearable home. SeaWorld even denied the accusations that Blackfish presented to them, saying they were inaccurate and misleading. SeaWorld should make changes and just solve the problem. Orcas live in wide places and shouldn’t even be taken out of their own habitat. It doesn’t surprise me that the Orcas killed someone which is still not right to take someone’s life but they shouldn’t place Orcas in that environment and not except them to act violently. Anyone in captivity, in the darkness makes anyone insane and probably won’t come back the same.  Many people think that Orcas reacted off their instinct and they are “dangerous” animals but they’re not. In their habitant they are proven to be harmless and caused no harm. I believe animals react towards how they’re treated, if you treat them with harsh and unlivable conditions; they will obviously react just how you treated them.

                Orcas Awareness Project is an amazing project. Orcas Awareness Project brings many things towards the awareness of Orcas. It provides an example to people who think that they can’t make a difference because they’re not “famous”. I often hear people say they can’t make a difference with just them but that’s not true at all. Many people who live normal lives make a difference in our society everyday by doing simple things like making a video or writing a blog. Orcas Awareness Project was made by students who want to bring awareness and found an alterative for Orcas that are being held in captivity. It’s so true that we shouldn’t watch Orcas or any animal from a tank or a cage. We should put ourselves in their shoes and reflect our how they feel in that tank or cage. Like the video from Orcas Awareness Project suggests, we should watch the animals in their habitant where they are free and happy. After watching this movie, I don’t support SeaWorld whatsoever. I never been to SeaWorld but I plan to never go there so I can do my part in the Orcas Awareness Project because with projects like these, maybe the next generations can realize that we are all animals.
Resources:
"Blackfish (film)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Nov. 2014. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackfish_(film)>.

Touchstones

Jordan Puicon

November 9, 2014

Professor Draegan

Blog #8 ENG102

Should we assume?

                We identify ourselves and people all the time and we may assume wrong at times.  Every day we are taught to assume certain things. We should do something about that because assuming can be dangerous for all. Assumption can lead us towards violence and people getting hurt. A prime example of assuming is men who wear pink. People for some reason automatically assume wearing pink makes you “gay”. That’s a horrible assumption that people need to stop making because a color shouldn’t identify what type of sex you like. I always was ridiculed and judged for wearing a lighter shade of red which is pink. People always used to judge me for wearing a pink shirt and that made me not want to wear it just because people judged me.

                Another example of assumption can be dangerous because it can hurt people’s feelings .One example is saying anything affiliated with bombs or bombing could get you in trouble. The reason why anything with bombing could get you in trouble is because of past tragedies. Assumption is pretty much believing in something with little or no evidence. . I notice people automatically stereotype and assume people who wear turbans are “Indian”.  Those assumption could possible offend people; I think it’s wrong and immortal. The worst thing about assumption is that it doesn’t respect people individuals because assumptions aren’t accurate. Assumption can ruin relationship with not only with your significant other but with family and friends. I used to assume many things about my family and that just made things worst.

                How we should assume is by almost not assuming at all. We should know someone before we assume because we run the risk of hurting people feelings and even cause violence.  Be as it may, it could be really hard but we should in order to make a better society for all. By doing this we can make a better us by understanding what people say instead of automatically assume. In by listening, we actually can learn and grasp what they say.  I meant one of my friends that are from Iran; he was a foreign exchange student and had little friends at first. I didn’t talk to him at first because I didn’t think I would have common interest but I started to think I shouldn’t assume that I have nothing in common with someone I don’t know. Eventually I started talking to him and he became one of my best friends because he taught me so much. I learned a great amount from Iran and many stereotypes that Americans have made about Iran. For that reason, I feel assumptions can only be for the worst for many. That made me identify who I am and the interest I liked because I talked to him. I gain interest and stuff I liked and had different viewpoints of Iranian that differ from what I used to before in order to get greater possibilities.

Resources:

Herald, Daily. "Assumptions Are Dangerous."Assumptions Are Dangerous. 13 Oct. 1978. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <http://www.lib.sk.ca/DH-Assumptions-Are-Dangerous>. 

MIDWAY a Message from the Grye

How much do we really sacrifice from our convenience?

                Courage can mean many things, but I feel like the author wants us to believe in something. Ask us if we have the courage to do what’s best for our planet. We as a people usually think the most convenient way for ourselves; we should be aware how much it does really take for our convenience. Before watching “Midway a Message from Grye” I didn’t think that much about our planet and where all that plastic goes. Now watching that video it made me aware what really happens to everything we dispose and now I put things in perspective. Now I see how much plastic we really use, it’s as if someone gave me secret glasses that made me aware of all the plastic that gets dispose. He represents courage by helping us stop trashing Midway Island by spreading the word and stop using plastic or any other way. I think the author main objective was to make people aware for what’s happening to Midway Island and to the world.

                We might develop courage in various ways. It could as little of just being aware of how much plastic we use or maybe stop double bagging our groceries. Many people found innovative ways to transform by making video parodies of popular songs we listen too. One prime example is the video you showed us, the video was catchy but also made very good points on how much plastic we use. They represented courage making people aware of how convenience can literally kill.

I developed courage by making more people aware of what’s happening to our planet. I already shown at least eight people the video and explained the “great garbage patch”, so people will be aware how bad plastic bags are. I feel even though I’m one person, I can make an impact in this situation when I spread awareness and to provide a example by stop using plastic. One way I stop using plastic, is by asking no straws when I order drinks.  Another way is only buy fruits and vegetables not package with plastic and I think most people don’t do this already but it’s good information. Only buy bread from bakeries that’s wrapped in paper could also help because of how much plastic they use to wrap all the bread. One thing I didn’t realize until reading an article is to stop using air fresheners. Air fresheners’ uses plastic but also can be a great risk for your family from all the chemicals .The final way I contribute to helping people stop using plastic bags is to suggest them to use reusable bags at my work. I’m a bagger at Fry’s food store and every time I clocked in at work I see hundreds of customers. Once my eyes had been opened to how much plastic we use, I suggested reusable bags for customers and told them the dangers of plastic. One example I used was the “great garbage patch” and I’m glad to say many people are now starting to use reusable bags.

Resources:

Jordan, Chris. "MIDWAY a Message from the Gyre : A Short Film by Chris Jordan." Vimeo. 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.

Hasselberger, Lynn. "22 Facts About Plastic Pollution (And 10 Things We Can Do About It) » EcoWatch." EcoWatch. 7 Apr. 2014. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.

One step towards the right direction

Jordan Puicon

October 26, 2014

Blog # 6

Professor Draegan

One step towards the right direction

            I’m glad to say that I think the changes are for the better. Changes are always happening throughout history. It is up to us to make changes for the better or for the worse. I noticed more people are standing up for the homosexual community. I noticed this more in social media then anything else like in YouTube videos. Many gay YouTubers have been respected and been inspiration to others because they voice whatever comes to mind and I think that’s awesome.

 The support from people is increasing each year and more people are accepting the idea of homosexuality. Choosing a different sex is a choice and something that people shouldn’t be ridiculed for. Now we see less homophobic people each generation that move us forwards towards the brighter future.

            I’m glad that same sex marriages are taking place in certain states. Not all of them unfortunately but it’s a start. Being gay isn’t something people should fear and more people are realizing that. I’m still appalled that they’re people in this world that would still judge people for their personal taste in same sex. For example, the preacher who said all homosexuals will go to hell/ that is a statement that should be kept for them because that really hurt someone’s feelings. People don’t realize or don’t care that verbal abuse can be just as bad as physical abuse.

This is my own personal opinion on” Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination”. While this is written in the bible, wasn’t the bible written by man not god? The bible was translated by God but who is to say everyone he translated is 100% what god has said? I think we should use the bible as a reference in our lives like thou shall not steal or something in that nature. The bible has helped me through hard times with all its wonderful information but I don’t live my life by every single word in the bible. I think we shouldn’t reference everything from the bible because something may seem wrong. Why would God inflict pain towards two people who love each other? If you believe everything that’s in the bible, that’s completely fine but don’t force your views towards others. Why would you make your views superior versus other people?

For example, while watching the video in the daily writing, I noticed that the preacher was ranting about what he believed in but as soon as people stepped in a non-violet way, he responded by saying this is “something peculiar is happening here” . I believe he did it for the attention because he didn’t’ know how to respond when the students sung to him. Overall, I don’t mind anyone voicing their opinion because that makes us unite and collaborate ideas. One thing I don’t like when people belittle other people ideas and we should stop doing this because I don’t think any God would want that.

Resources:

Mosbergen, Dominique. "Anti-Gay Preacher's Message Of Hate Drowned Out By Students' Hymn About Love." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/18/students-protest-preacher-song-jmu_n_5843586.html>.

"Leviticus 18:22 "'Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.." Leviticus 18:22 "'Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://biblehub.com/leviticus/18-22.htm>.

Cognitive biases

How can cognitive biases affect society?

I believe our brain has the capacity of doing so much. People have proven that the brain can do countless things that could benefit the world. According to the article, the brain goes beyond any computer that is currently available because it can process things a lot faster but our brain has limitations that restrict us from doing so many things. A simple calculator could thousands of math problems while we struggle with a few.  Our memories also fade away very easily if we don’t keep track of them, so how does cognitive biases affect our daily lives?

I understand a mixture of In-group bias and confirmation bias very well. I rarely bias towards other people opinions or what group they were around but I realized especially in Republicans states that people look down at other views that aren’t similar towards theirs. I understand it can be very difficult to look at someone views in their shoes instead of yours but people tend to feel like their opinion is superior then yours. I meet many people that would like to express their views and thoughts but don’t let you express your views. I found myself having trouble in school because my taste and style was different from the majority of people. Just because I didn’t dress a certain way or didn’t like a certain type of music, people didn’t want to take the time to know me. I started to realize people stereotyped you by what you wore or by who you hanged out with. This happened frequently with many people I knew, I started to think in order to be “cool” I need to wear a certain brand that many people wore and needed to listen to certain artist that were popular at the time. The pressure escalated in high school and I thought it was more of a necessity to “fit in”.

 Another example would be just because I didn’t do any drugs or drink, many people would judge me and instead of respecting my decision, they would peer pressure me in doing it. I found this occurring to many people in our society; many people start doing drugs not by themselves but by peer influences. Many people argue that peer influences have a big affect in the youth drug use. These could be resolved if people respected our people views and didn’t peer pressure people in things they didn’t want to do.

I think these biases could be very hurtful towards adolescences because it makes them feel inferior if they didn’t do certain things and if they’re not “cool” then people tend to not the take to know you for who you really are. We should expand our group by inviting people in then making the group we have stronger. Many of my friends are people that I didn’t agree with at first but as I started to know them I realized how much a good friend they really are. If we all listened instead of speak then the world would be a better place for all.  

Resource:

Dvorsky, George . "The 12 cognitive biases that prevent you from being rational." io9. N.p., 9 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2014. <http://io9.com/5974468/the-most-common-cognitive-biases-that-prevent-you-from-being-rational>.

Daily writing #12

Who is really trying to help us?

               

United States is known for people to teach a certain way especially in Republican based states like Arizona. When educators try to encounter another method for the benefit of students, people will judge. Mexican American Studies (MAS) was a class that I read about it and was a class that I would be excited to take because it’s different from the classes I usually take. For John Huppenthal (the superintendent of the schools in Arizona) to take away the class because he feels like it’s a class to resent Caucasian people seems very absurd to me. The class was to teach students to provide a voice and to teach them about independency. John Huppenthal blames the teachers because of the resentment from students but I think the students are finally sticking what they believe in and what is wrong with that?  Students can finally be aware what the government is actually doing like banning a class. I think Huppenthal wants us to be blinded from the truth and keeps us ignorant so we can’t justify and criticize the actions of the government.

           

He also claims that the class presents ethic conflict and discrimination in U.S in a biased way. If he claims the class to bias then why won’t he ban other classes that are biased? For example, World history books have been known to be very biased towards the Islamic people.  Many textbooks show lack of important information about Islamic terrorist especially on 9/11 which could change someone’s opinion completely. I also noticed the articles I read about the government thoughts about certain books being “biased” because they favor other countries are actually not biased. In fact, the articles I read about the government’s opinion are very misleading and are very one-sided. They angle the conversations so you can see their views but don’t show the opposing side. The history books itself can be very evasive; it also doesn’t help the history books are made by all Caucasian males.

Overall I think Huppenthal shouldn’t ban a class because he feels intimidated by students speaking out. He should at least let them vote or ask them why they want the class because if he takes actions in his own hands, students may feel powerless because they didn’t get there opinion in it. That’s why I think many people are frustrated by this because they decide what doesn’t happen in school and what does happen in schools and that’s  why Republicans that have shown to be very biased and favoring Christianity which is completely wrong. American should be not favor anything because we are all different and we should embrace that. We shouldn’t accept people who they are and don’t judge people because they have different view then us. I experienced people criticize what I had to say because they feel like their views are better than mine and I think that’s also wrong. I found this random quote on Facebook that guided me to become a better person, “Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness; you will get your own happiness.”

Resources:

"Proposed Texas Textbooks Are Full of Progressive Bias, Says Curriculum Accuracy Expert." Breitbart News Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/09/15/Proposed-Texas-Textbooks-Are-Full-of-Progressive-Bias-Says-Curriculum-Accuracy-Expert>.

"Arizona Official Considers Targeting Mexican American Studies in University."Fox News Latino. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2012/03/28/arizona-official-considers-targeting-mexican-american-studies-in-university/>.

"Does High School Textbook Have Islamic Bias?." Todd Starnes. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/does-high-school-textbook-have-islamic-bias.html>.

"Arizona Official Considers Targeting Mexican American Studies University"

Is American really the land of the free?

In any sense, we shouldn’t ban the youth from any books unless it has tragic instances or purely shows hate towards the government or anyone else. The books that are supposedly implying to overrun our government are being banned for that reason but these books have inspired people to provide a voice for what you believe in. Voices that help you stand for your opinions and to defend yourself from the racist ignorant people in this world. The government also banned over eighty books all at the same time and some classes were removed because the books were vital for the course.                

                The curriculum was Mexican American Studies (MAS) at Tucson Unified school District, for this act to happen so close from where we live, scares me. MAS was used to provide critical thinking and focused on Mexican-American history and literature.  Many supporters admired the program because it provided higher graduation rates and state- commissioned audit that advocated for expansion of the program. All these benefits coming from a single program, why would our government that suppose to keep us protected, ban this course? They stated that the teachers were “encouraging students to dislike white people” , which the teachers denied.     

 I believe the government doesn’t want the Mexican Americans to start pursing their own ideas because it can be against what the government is doing. I necessarily don’t think that’s a bad idea because we all have our own opinions and the government’s approach definitely isn’t the way to do it. Like you said before, it can be challenging at times to teach us an assignment that can’t integrate your opinion. I feel MAS shouldn’t be banned because the government thinks the teachers are teaching them to resent white people, if you look at other classes they show resentment towards a certain ethnic group. According to another article I read, Margaret Duran wanted the students to know Republicans don’t hate Latinos but the students were irritable because they couldn’t voice their opinion and left the assembly. Attorney General Tom Horne questioned MAS which teachers taught students about free speech, but why couldn’t they voice their opinions? That would make the speech very one-sided and biased if the students that Margaret trying convince cant response to what she’s saying.

Occupied American represents that theory and shows if you say what you stand for and then people will respect what you have to say. Occupying American is one of the main voices for the Chicano Americans that live in the U.S. The book shows the Chicano history in their perspective that shows many things that the history books missed. The reason why I like this books and was appalled when I saw it banned because it shows a different viewpoint that I never thought of when learning this in my history course. I realized how biased our history books really are and learned not to judge everything single thing my teacher says. I used to think history books were 100% fact and didn’t have no opinions but books like these are essential for the youth because it opens a part of your mind that will help you later on in life.

Resources:

Planas, Roque. "Arizona's Law Banning Mexican-American Studies Curriculum Is Constitutional, Judge Rules." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 11 Mar. 2013. Web. 6 Oct. 2014.

"Ethnic Studies Myths." Tucson Weekly. Web. 6 Oct. 2014.

Daily Writing #10

Paycheck Fairness Act

                Paycheck Fairness Act is very similar to the Equal Act of 1963 and the Fair labor Standards Act as a way for females and males to be paid equally. Paycheck Fairness Act can be very helpful and may make it fair for everyone who works. Senate Republicans have denied the bill multiple times but never said why.  The bill was moved forward on September 15, 2014 and been processed to be finally made official. Over the years, the wage gap has decreased significantly, especially in unionized workers. The wage gap between unionized female workers with male workers is approximately 9.4 cents. If the female worker and the male worker both work full time, the female work will make more than 90% of what men do. Hopefully in the near future, there will not be wage gap between anyone.

                Paycheck Fairness Act is aimed for that same issue, to prevent any wage gap and will also ban salary secrecy. This would help because employers won’t be prohibited to discuss their wage so female workers can compared how much they make to a male worker. Fifty percent of private sector workers have been prohibited to discuss wages nationwide.  Paycheck Fairness Act also does something that people been trying to abolish for many years. For woman and men to be paid equally if their skills, responsibilities and working conditions are the same.  For those who do pay men or woman more than the other will be penalized.  This law was used for people to feel the need to pay everyone equally because it can be very time consuming and cost a great amount of money. Republicans disagree on this law and state that women are already protected and the statistics are over exaggerated.

                Republicans disagree on the Paycheck Fairness Act because they say it’s very misleading.  According to the article, they believe the Democrats are distrustful and “betting that Americans aren’t smart enough to know better”.  They say it’s already illegal to discriminate towards gender or race by the Equal Act of 1963. This bill has good intentions but will make things worse and all workers will be affected.  They state, Democrats would counter that response by saying “women still make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes”. Republicans explain that statistic is very deceitful because they compare all jobs for woman and men. Comparing a male engineer to a female social worker, it makes senses that the male engineer would be paid more.  Republicans also justify that Democrats have no issues they feel to discuss so they have to resort using evasive tactics. They refuse to pass any 40 jobs fill that Republicans Senate has sent them that would help the economy. They also state that ObamaCare is unpopular and the cancellation can hurt women. Obamacare has also lost access to their personal doctors of their choice. Overall, the Republicans feel that Democrats are taking advantage of the scenario to make money for them and the trial lawyers. Democrats are trying to mislead the people as they always do.

Resources

Bryce Covert “Republicans Unanimously Block Equal Pay Bill” ThinkProgess.org September 15, 2014. Web. September 28, 2014

“Misleading Paycheck Fairness Act” Gop.com April 5, 2014. Web. September 28, 2014

"Speak your truth"

             "Speak your truth"

     

 Out of all the touch stones, this one really stood out of all the rest. I agree with this touchstone because it respects people’s opinions. Speaking your truth means speak what you thinks is right in your heart. I found many examples in my life where I found just speaking what I have to say made a difference. I didn't really speak my opinion as much because I felt that my opinion wasn't worthy enough to say. Considering that I'm the youngest out of my three siblings, discussions between my ourselves was very important in my family but I never input my opinion because I didn't think my opinion my mattered. Once I got older, I realized that no matter whom you are and what your opinion really is, it's still very important because it's your opinion.

Speak your truth also means to not only voice your opinion but to respect other people’s opinion. Many people don’t voice their opinions because I think they fear that they will be ridiculed and judged for what they say. I witness people do judge and ridicule people because their opinions are different from theirs. I think that is wrong and disrespectful on many levels because you’re belittling them and that probably makes them feel inferior. Voicing opinions can also help you because maybe they thought of something that you never thought of. We can learn so much from if everyone said what they really feel. I can also understand that sometimes it is very hard to let other people speak when you have so much to say. Without even knowing, you’re just voicing your own opinion and giving them a chance to give theirs.

Just imagine what we all can accomplish if we all said how we feel in a certain situation. For example, reading an article to find a source for my blog, I came across a point someone made. He explained how his friend Greg went to a grocery store and found this mother yelling at her children in a brutal way. His friend came and stood up to the mother and said instead of yelling, maybe give them kindness and love. The mother responded in a rude matter but after she left, he didn't feel bad but relieved. Like anyone, he wouldn't voice his opinion and would of blamed himself and felt ashamed that he didn't say anything. After he spoke up, he felt at peace for saying what he had to say. Reading that article made me realized more than ever that it does help at times to say what you feel to others even in some situations, you wouldn't dare too. Expressing yourself to anyone shouldn't also be a debate and they’re some circumstances when expressing what you need to say. Speaking your truth can also have a down side because you shouldn't say everything that comes to mind. You should speak with a respectful manner and don’t voice your opinion if you’re going to hurt someone feelings because that’s never right.

Resources:

Mike Robbins. “Speak your truth”. Oprah.com. 2009. September 21, 2014 http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Speak-Your-Truth_2