Robert Frost said, "We come to college to get over our littlemindedness." Discuss in relation to your own experiences.
I figure now would be a good time to reply to that Robert Frost writing prompt (you know, correctly….), since I’m a little tired of blogging about school assessment.
So, we come here to get over our “littlemindedness”…that one word is really the kicker in this quote. Our littlemindedness? Is he saying we’re ignorant? Oh yeah, he is.
You know, I think he’s actually right. College is A LOT different than high school, or at least it is from my perspective. I’ve met and seen all kinds of people while I’ve been here. I think by “littlemindedness” he means our small view of the world we have before we enter college. I’m not saying college gives us this worldly view, but it definitely is a step up. College is composed of all kinds of different people, even people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. We come here not only to further our education, but immerse ourselves in this type of community. I know that doesn’t sound like one of our objectives when entering college, but it happens. You can’t help it. I’m glad I get to be apart of this, and I do hope to get a over at least some of my littlemindedness.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Writing Prompt Response
“The failure of public schools is not ruining society. The failure of society has ruined the public schools.”Copyright © 2005, 2006, 2007 by The IUP Writing Center.
This is a writing prompt from the 19th, but reading it reading now I’ve seen that it really does relate to my topic of school violence and school assessment in general. I’ve seen this point argued from both ends-especially the first part. People just feel like uneducated children are the cause for a lot of issues. If you think about it, it seems logical. People have to know how to think, work, and follow orders to make it in the real world and function in the work force. So, public schools are the ones to blame, right?
Well, the second part of this statement is what throws supports of the first for a loop. The society blaming the schools for their own failure, is actually the cause itself? It’s hard to bend your mind around it, really. I’ve been so used to hearing how it’s everyone’s fault involved with the schools (like the teachers and school boards) for the state they are in now. So what has society done that has caused the failure? When you think about it, what is a school? A place made up of kids who learn…but isn’t that place technically made up of society? They may just be children, but they belong to the parents who vote and work within society. Society pays for the public schools, as well as makes a lot of decisions surrounding them.
In short, society is what directly affects the public schools. And public schools directly affect society, whether it be in a smaller or larger way, is left up to you.
This is a writing prompt from the 19th, but reading it reading now I’ve seen that it really does relate to my topic of school violence and school assessment in general. I’ve seen this point argued from both ends-especially the first part. People just feel like uneducated children are the cause for a lot of issues. If you think about it, it seems logical. People have to know how to think, work, and follow orders to make it in the real world and function in the work force. So, public schools are the ones to blame, right?
Well, the second part of this statement is what throws supports of the first for a loop. The society blaming the schools for their own failure, is actually the cause itself? It’s hard to bend your mind around it, really. I’ve been so used to hearing how it’s everyone’s fault involved with the schools (like the teachers and school boards) for the state they are in now. So what has society done that has caused the failure? When you think about it, what is a school? A place made up of kids who learn…but isn’t that place technically made up of society? They may just be children, but they belong to the parents who vote and work within society. Society pays for the public schools, as well as makes a lot of decisions surrounding them.
In short, society is what directly affects the public schools. And public schools directly affect society, whether it be in a smaller or larger way, is left up to you.
Timeline Thoughts Again
Another issue I thought of when reading the timeline was where kids are getting these guns. I watched the film Bowling for Columbine for one of my movie reviews and was instantly reminded of while reading this. When I saw the movie, I wasn’t exactly agreeing or disagreeing with Michael Moore (the reason being I didn’t know whether to believe the film or not; the facts seem so blown out of proportion). This whole thing just go backs to the issue of gun control and gun laws in general.
I don’t know if I’ll cover this in my paper. I’m sure I’ll touch upon it, but I don’t want my paper to turn into an entire report about it. My topic is school assessment after all. But, after looking at this timeline, school violence and gun control just seem to go hand in hand.
Even more so than guns, the psychology of it all was confusing me. Just what is it that causes people to do these things? Obviously there’s no one answer, and there can be a million different factors. I’m sure every case is different in some way. I feel like I’m going to go into this too once I start writing the anecdotes and other portions of the paper.
I don’t know if I’ll cover this in my paper. I’m sure I’ll touch upon it, but I don’t want my paper to turn into an entire report about it. My topic is school assessment after all. But, after looking at this timeline, school violence and gun control just seem to go hand in hand.
Even more so than guns, the psychology of it all was confusing me. Just what is it that causes people to do these things? Obviously there’s no one answer, and there can be a million different factors. I’m sure every case is different in some way. I feel like I’m going to go into this too once I start writing the anecdotes and other portions of the paper.
School Shootings Timeline
I decided to change my topic for the paper; little did I know that this topic was going to blow my mind beyond all reason.
I decided to change to school violence; it’s been in the news lately, and I am interested in covering it. Christa posted a timeline on the discussion boards, and I was reading through it before going to type this blog.
The first thought that crossed my mind was, “Are they really this frequent?” There are at least 3 for every year. Not only that, a lot of them are fairly recent. I don’t keep up with news often, I’ll admit, but I generally tend to hear when a school shooting occurs. I’ve heard about the infamous Columbine shooting and the Virginia Tech shooting not too long ago. But the sheer number of shootings on this list blows my mind. I never heard about any of these shootings from 2006, except the one involving the Amish schoolhouse. I always school shootings were a national thing, on news and everything. I’m either out of it or wrong, I don’t know which.
What I found grotesque besides the frequency of these shootings was the details surrounding them. For example, a majority of the shooters I read about were under 20; a lot of them age 14 or 15. It really is one of those times when you shake your head and think “The world is in a sad state…”
I decided to change to school violence; it’s been in the news lately, and I am interested in covering it. Christa posted a timeline on the discussion boards, and I was reading through it before going to type this blog.
The first thought that crossed my mind was, “Are they really this frequent?” There are at least 3 for every year. Not only that, a lot of them are fairly recent. I don’t keep up with news often, I’ll admit, but I generally tend to hear when a school shooting occurs. I’ve heard about the infamous Columbine shooting and the Virginia Tech shooting not too long ago. But the sheer number of shootings on this list blows my mind. I never heard about any of these shootings from 2006, except the one involving the Amish schoolhouse. I always school shootings were a national thing, on news and everything. I’m either out of it or wrong, I don’t know which.
What I found grotesque besides the frequency of these shootings was the details surrounding them. For example, a majority of the shooters I read about were under 20; a lot of them age 14 or 15. It really is one of those times when you shake your head and think “The world is in a sad state…”
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Writing
I was actually going to respond to a writing prompt Wendy put up about Robert Frost, but I misread it and came up with this. It reminds me a lot of what Mr. Everett said:
I have actually felt this coming into this English class. I always thought I was a pretty decent writer. I get the job done, and people tell me I’m good at writing papers. So when starting 1020, I wasn’t really worried about the writing aspect at all. I’m a pretty ramble-y writer, so length usually doesn’t get me down. I make pretty good grades on my papers too, and teachers leave good comments sometimes. But that day that Wendy put people’s sentences on the board, and started tearing them up word-for-word, I felt I really didn’t know the first thing about writing. I just put whatever I think on paper, I don’t get really technical with it. I do pay attention when I should support what I say, put quotes, or start a new paragraph. But breaking down a sentence that much, to the point where you can’t use ‘to be’ verbs really though me for a loop. I thought maybe I wasn’t that good after all. Reading over these magazine articles and really paying attention to how these people right has made me see that I don’t really know that much about writing at all. But I think that I can get better, and I hope to prove it in this big paper.
I have actually felt this coming into this English class. I always thought I was a pretty decent writer. I get the job done, and people tell me I’m good at writing papers. So when starting 1020, I wasn’t really worried about the writing aspect at all. I’m a pretty ramble-y writer, so length usually doesn’t get me down. I make pretty good grades on my papers too, and teachers leave good comments sometimes. But that day that Wendy put people’s sentences on the board, and started tearing them up word-for-word, I felt I really didn’t know the first thing about writing. I just put whatever I think on paper, I don’t get really technical with it. I do pay attention when I should support what I say, put quotes, or start a new paragraph. But breaking down a sentence that much, to the point where you can’t use ‘to be’ verbs really though me for a loop. I thought maybe I wasn’t that good after all. Reading over these magazine articles and really paying attention to how these people right has made me see that I don’t really know that much about writing at all. But I think that I can get better, and I hope to prove it in this big paper.
Friday, February 22, 2008
School Assessment Blues
I’m still researching for the project, and my mind keeps going in several different directions. I have not researched as hard as I should have, but even doing a little bit of researching has left me confused. There are so many subtopics within the big topic to go through…school assessment can be so many things. I have found plenty of statistics on MCS right now, but only very little for the opposition. It seems pretty obvious which side I am going to take, but I want to explore both sides. It will make a more effective argument.
At first I thought that maybe teachers were the problem…then I went to students…then that article about school boards we had to read for class got me thinking…something I read made me question school policies period. I’m not sure if I should just focus on one thing, or attack all of this at once. I’m sure, in actuality, the problem is a mixture of all these. It’s easy to blame the whole problem on one thing like I tried to do, but it just makes the argument too general. The issue is probably a complicated network of all of these things, interwoven and complex. I’ll have to go through all of this and really think about where the real troubles lie.
I hope anyone doing school assessment is having better luck than I am.
At first I thought that maybe teachers were the problem…then I went to students…then that article about school boards we had to read for class got me thinking…something I read made me question school policies period. I’m not sure if I should just focus on one thing, or attack all of this at once. I’m sure, in actuality, the problem is a mixture of all these. It’s easy to blame the whole problem on one thing like I tried to do, but it just makes the argument too general. The issue is probably a complicated network of all of these things, interwoven and complex. I’ll have to go through all of this and really think about where the real troubles lie.
I hope anyone doing school assessment is having better luck than I am.
Uniforms?
Memphis City Schools Anti-Uniform
Once again I am searching for more about School Assessment, and I came across a petition to stop school uniforms. Before clicking the ‘back’ button, I skimmed it a little bit, and a phrase caught me. It says “our schools need serious work, and school uniforms are an attempt at a quick and easy fix that is simply not possible.” …………What? School uniforms……fixing problems?? I always thought that was just a rumor. Actually, I don’t even see students wearing school uniforms anymore, not much anyway.
Back to the topic, the petition says that this is unjust. Now, I’m not typing this to make a big uniform argument, but is this really the problem? I checked to see who has written this, and it just says ‘The Undersigned.’ Clicking that just leads me to the signatures. Who wrote that opening paragraph? Was it really ‘concerned students’ or someone else? Whoever wrote this feels that uniforms are unjust and a big problem. Why are MCS students made to wear uniforms? Is it really to fix all of the problems the schools have or is there some underlying agenda to all this? If the schools’ standards are low, will uniforms make the students appear more proficient or even educated?
Rhetorical questions are all I can come with at this point. Making a petition to stop something like uniforms should be the last thing you need to petition for in MCS.
Once again I am searching for more about School Assessment, and I came across a petition to stop school uniforms. Before clicking the ‘back’ button, I skimmed it a little bit, and a phrase caught me. It says “our schools need serious work, and school uniforms are an attempt at a quick and easy fix that is simply not possible.” …………What? School uniforms……fixing problems?? I always thought that was just a rumor. Actually, I don’t even see students wearing school uniforms anymore, not much anyway.
Back to the topic, the petition says that this is unjust. Now, I’m not typing this to make a big uniform argument, but is this really the problem? I checked to see who has written this, and it just says ‘The Undersigned.’ Clicking that just leads me to the signatures. Who wrote that opening paragraph? Was it really ‘concerned students’ or someone else? Whoever wrote this feels that uniforms are unjust and a big problem. Why are MCS students made to wear uniforms? Is it really to fix all of the problems the schools have or is there some underlying agenda to all this? If the schools’ standards are low, will uniforms make the students appear more proficient or even educated?
Rhetorical questions are all I can come with at this point. Making a petition to stop something like uniforms should be the last thing you need to petition for in MCS.
Teachers, School Boards,or...........?
On Trolls and the Memphis City Schools
I was searching for some Memphis City School propaganda a few days ago when I ran across this. This is one of the few things I have found that actually defends Memphis City Schools rather then presenting a load of statistics, tearing them down. It’s short, not even an authority is stating this, but it made me wonder a little bit.
It brought me back to that discussion we had at the beginning of the year-is it the students or the teachers? According to the Gates of Memphis, the children attending MCS are actually thirsty for knowledge and are capable of much more than they are presented. The article even goes to say: “wonderfully unaware they are supposed to be idiots...” Now, what do you think that means? Does it mean the schools are keeping them at a sub-standard level? Or is the media who keep presenting them as illiterate, severely under educated students?
It’s hard for me to think every kid attending a Memphis City School is thirsty for knowledge. The article probably did not mean that, but it was indicating something close enough. This short article makes me rethink my standpoint a little bit. Well, not so much my standpoint, but rather the opposing side. I have barely taken them into consideration, considering every time I search for this I find nothing but statistics on how poorly our schools are performing. Maybe these students really are doing better than what we are fed to by the media, or maybe they do have a drive for learning that is downtrodden by the low standards of the schools. Now I ask myself the question-Students, teachers, school boards, or school policies themselves? Or maybe all of the above?
I was searching for some Memphis City School propaganda a few days ago when I ran across this. This is one of the few things I have found that actually defends Memphis City Schools rather then presenting a load of statistics, tearing them down. It’s short, not even an authority is stating this, but it made me wonder a little bit.
It brought me back to that discussion we had at the beginning of the year-is it the students or the teachers? According to the Gates of Memphis, the children attending MCS are actually thirsty for knowledge and are capable of much more than they are presented. The article even goes to say: “wonderfully unaware they are supposed to be idiots...” Now, what do you think that means? Does it mean the schools are keeping them at a sub-standard level? Or is the media who keep presenting them as illiterate, severely under educated students?
It’s hard for me to think every kid attending a Memphis City School is thirsty for knowledge. The article probably did not mean that, but it was indicating something close enough. This short article makes me rethink my standpoint a little bit. Well, not so much my standpoint, but rather the opposing side. I have barely taken them into consideration, considering every time I search for this I find nothing but statistics on how poorly our schools are performing. Maybe these students really are doing better than what we are fed to by the media, or maybe they do have a drive for learning that is downtrodden by the low standards of the schools. Now I ask myself the question-Students, teachers, school boards, or school policies themselves? Or maybe all of the above?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Guantanamo Bay Propaganda Article
I just got through reading the article we had to read about Guantanamo Bay. I have always heard about Guantanamo Bay, but I actually don’t even know what it is. No, I’m not kidding. Yes, I know, I’m way too apathetic about these issues.
Well, I decided to look up what it is on none other than Wikipedia. I can tell from the article it seems to be a place where they keep supposed terrorists to interrogate them. Well, that’s just what I inferred from the article anyway. According to Wiki, it’s actually a U.S. military detention camp. According to the opening paragraph, the detainees will eventually be released, while 6 of them are will be prosecuted for 9/11. That’s not the kind of information I got from this article.
The article says one man was subjected to cruel treatment while being interrogated in the camp-doused with water and kept in an air-conditioned room to induce hypothermia and menaced by a dog for example. If I had read this maybe a month ago, I would of thought “That’s awful!” or “How can they do that?!” I know that’s exactly what the article writer want us to think. Which means this is definitely propaganda. Now I simply think to myself, “Where is he getting this information?” or “Is telling the whole story or is he even telling the truth?” This article hasn’t given me a side to argue for on this topic, nor has it given me an opinion. This article was way too one-sided, and now I’ve learned to look at the bigger picture. I know this author or the magazine has an agenda to fill. Plus I was already skeptical of the statistics. This is all propaganda and that’s obvious.
I realize it’s going to be way harder to research for the paper, given that I have to shift through all of the propaganda now. It’s going to be hard to find the ‘real’ facts. Maybe I won’t actually find them at all, but just use a ton of propaganda for research instead. I just have to be sure and really recognize it when I see it.
Well, I decided to look up what it is on none other than Wikipedia. I can tell from the article it seems to be a place where they keep supposed terrorists to interrogate them. Well, that’s just what I inferred from the article anyway. According to Wiki, it’s actually a U.S. military detention camp. According to the opening paragraph, the detainees will eventually be released, while 6 of them are will be prosecuted for 9/11. That’s not the kind of information I got from this article.
The article says one man was subjected to cruel treatment while being interrogated in the camp-doused with water and kept in an air-conditioned room to induce hypothermia and menaced by a dog for example. If I had read this maybe a month ago, I would of thought “That’s awful!” or “How can they do that?!” I know that’s exactly what the article writer want us to think. Which means this is definitely propaganda. Now I simply think to myself, “Where is he getting this information?” or “Is telling the whole story or is he even telling the truth?” This article hasn’t given me a side to argue for on this topic, nor has it given me an opinion. This article was way too one-sided, and now I’ve learned to look at the bigger picture. I know this author or the magazine has an agenda to fill. Plus I was already skeptical of the statistics. This is all propaganda and that’s obvious.
I realize it’s going to be way harder to research for the paper, given that I have to shift through all of the propaganda now. It’s going to be hard to find the ‘real’ facts. Maybe I won’t actually find them at all, but just use a ton of propaganda for research instead. I just have to be sure and really recognize it when I see it.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Rebecca Skloot's Reading
I went to this reading last night at the pink palace, and honestly, I really wasn’t thrilled to go. I learned from Percival Everett’s reading that I shouldn’t prejudge these things, but this one was going to be nonfiction and about DNA. Even though we are learning a little bit about it in Biology, I still wasn’t that excited, but figured I should get my credits out of the way.
The talk actually consisted of a very interesting-but true-story where scientists were able to grow cancer cells from this one woman’s malignant tumor-completely without her knowledge or consent. The discussion went from what I thought what going to be a science lesson to a really huge ethical, moral dilemma.
The issue that the topic kept coming back to, or what I thought was the issue, was the notion that scientists see people as test subjects. Well, this was just one part of a large discussion, but I felt this was the core of it all. Not only did a doctor take cells from this woman without her consent, but her family was also lied to and manipulated later by other scientists. These scientists didn’t care what measures they took, as long as they got their research material. It was like people weren’t even human to them, though they are human themselves. This actually touches upon a topic I don’t really like to get into myself, but it does cause you to think.
I kept thinking how I would react in that situation. If I had parts of my body (no matter how small) taken from me without my consent to be researched and analyzed, and sent out all over the world. It’s a scary thought. Personally, I don’t think it’s right at all. I think people do own things like their own cells. I realize that this is for the good of science and definitely our future, considering they were studying cancer. But I don’t think the measures they used to achieve those goals were right at all.
Well I can say this. I definitely can’t go to the doctor without being extremely paranoid now.
The talk actually consisted of a very interesting-but true-story where scientists were able to grow cancer cells from this one woman’s malignant tumor-completely without her knowledge or consent. The discussion went from what I thought what going to be a science lesson to a really huge ethical, moral dilemma.
The issue that the topic kept coming back to, or what I thought was the issue, was the notion that scientists see people as test subjects. Well, this was just one part of a large discussion, but I felt this was the core of it all. Not only did a doctor take cells from this woman without her consent, but her family was also lied to and manipulated later by other scientists. These scientists didn’t care what measures they took, as long as they got their research material. It was like people weren’t even human to them, though they are human themselves. This actually touches upon a topic I don’t really like to get into myself, but it does cause you to think.
I kept thinking how I would react in that situation. If I had parts of my body (no matter how small) taken from me without my consent to be researched and analyzed, and sent out all over the world. It’s a scary thought. Personally, I don’t think it’s right at all. I think people do own things like their own cells. I realize that this is for the good of science and definitely our future, considering they were studying cancer. But I don’t think the measures they used to achieve those goals were right at all.
Well I can say this. I definitely can’t go to the doctor without being extremely paranoid now.
Friday, February 15, 2008
School
Whining about school while blogging seems to be the new pink, so I figure I should try it.
Well, I now know why some people just quit after high school. School gets old, real fast. College is interesting, and I like it WAY better than high school, but there is work. I had my fair share of work in high school too, I know what to expect. I guess last semester was much easier and I didn’t have as much; and now I’m just lazy(er).
Researching for this project all the time gets tedious. And the blogging. Yes, blogging, I still don’t really like you.
These past two weeks I had to do drawings for my art class, and those take a while to do. With all the other homework and the fact that I’m a HUGE procrastinator piled on top of that, I’ve been busy. Japanese is getting harder, and I’ve got to start studying for that more often. I’m horrible at foreign languages, and they just don’t ‘click’ with me. I have to work really hard at them. There’s also the fact that the Japanese have 3 different writing systems -_-. Why can’t they have just one?
Now I’m one word away from 200……there we go, I’m home free. See you guys Tuesday. Alright, this marks my lamest post yet. YES.
Well, I now know why some people just quit after high school. School gets old, real fast. College is interesting, and I like it WAY better than high school, but there is work. I had my fair share of work in high school too, I know what to expect. I guess last semester was much easier and I didn’t have as much; and now I’m just lazy(er).
Researching for this project all the time gets tedious. And the blogging. Yes, blogging, I still don’t really like you.
These past two weeks I had to do drawings for my art class, and those take a while to do. With all the other homework and the fact that I’m a HUGE procrastinator piled on top of that, I’ve been busy. Japanese is getting harder, and I’ve got to start studying for that more often. I’m horrible at foreign languages, and they just don’t ‘click’ with me. I have to work really hard at them. There’s also the fact that the Japanese have 3 different writing systems -_-. Why can’t they have just one?
Now I’m one word away from 200……there we go, I’m home free. See you guys Tuesday. Alright, this marks my lamest post yet. YES.
Brainstorming Thoughts Again
School shootings are happening a lot lately…they seem to be coming more and more. My project is on school assessment, so this interests me. Earlier I thought it was partly the teacher’s fault for the shootings; even the movie I reviewed, To Sir, With Love, kind of supported this. Well, Wendy questioned if it really is the teacher’s job, and if they should take time out of class to discuss it.
To be honest, I really have no idea. Every shooting is different, and who knows what’s going on in the minds’ of those shooters. It may not be the teacher’s fault at all. I’m not saying that they are to blame; they’re not parents after all. But to me, a school should educate kids on issues like that. If teachers AND parents just choose to ignore them, then things like shootings can happen. I’m not saying that teachers should be obsessed with the idea or make a special class for the issue, but teachers should at least be involved with the students. It sounds so obvious, just typing this, but I’m sure there are at least some teachers out there who don’t care at all.
I’m not confident in this post at all. I really have no clue what I’m talking about, and I definitely need to look into this more. As of right now, this is just what I think….and who knows? Maybe it’ll change completely…..
To be honest, I really have no idea. Every shooting is different, and who knows what’s going on in the minds’ of those shooters. It may not be the teacher’s fault at all. I’m not saying that they are to blame; they’re not parents after all. But to me, a school should educate kids on issues like that. If teachers AND parents just choose to ignore them, then things like shootings can happen. I’m not saying that teachers should be obsessed with the idea or make a special class for the issue, but teachers should at least be involved with the students. It sounds so obvious, just typing this, but I’m sure there are at least some teachers out there who don’t care at all.
I’m not confident in this post at all. I really have no clue what I’m talking about, and I definitely need to look into this more. As of right now, this is just what I think….and who knows? Maybe it’ll change completely…..
Bowling For Columbine Review
For my other movie review, I watched Bowling for Columbine. My first time watching a Michael Moore film, so I really didn’t know what to expect.
I didn’t have much of an opinion going into it, and I still don’t have much of one coming out. When I sat down to write the review the next day, a lot of things occurred to me. The side that supported guns in the film was portrayed as stupid pretty much. But the side that didn’t was shown in a much better light. I really didn’t like this honestly. The film seemed way too one-sided. For a more affective argument, he should’ve explored the opposition’s opinion in a more favorable light. He should’ve shown them more evenly, but then it really wouldn’t be propaganda I guess. He definitely wants people to believe what he says, or at least get people thinking and questioning; I guess Moore feels his side is the only one that can do that.
It was obvious he had a huge agenda in the movie. There really wasn’t as much on Columbine as I’d thought there would be. He touched upon (or fully covered) several different issues, some of which were too far out there for me. It seemed like a huge collection of his beliefs.
I wish there would’ve been more on Columbine though, I mean, Columbine was in the title of the movie…
I didn’t have much of an opinion going into it, and I still don’t have much of one coming out. When I sat down to write the review the next day, a lot of things occurred to me. The side that supported guns in the film was portrayed as stupid pretty much. But the side that didn’t was shown in a much better light. I really didn’t like this honestly. The film seemed way too one-sided. For a more affective argument, he should’ve explored the opposition’s opinion in a more favorable light. He should’ve shown them more evenly, but then it really wouldn’t be propaganda I guess. He definitely wants people to believe what he says, or at least get people thinking and questioning; I guess Moore feels his side is the only one that can do that.
It was obvious he had a huge agenda in the movie. There really wasn’t as much on Columbine as I’d thought there would be. He touched upon (or fully covered) several different issues, some of which were too far out there for me. It seemed like a huge collection of his beliefs.
I wish there would’ve been more on Columbine though, I mean, Columbine was in the title of the movie…
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Let’s Not Get Out the Vote Essay Response
I did a blog post like this a little while ago, and the speaker sounds exactly what I was trying to get across in my post. This article triggers the idea I immediately had about voting- what good would I do voting and not knowing anything about it? I’d rather remain apathetic as the article states; it would be far smarter than thinking I’m an American citizen just because I went out and put a mark on a piece of paper or punched a button on a computer.
The speaker stroke me as intelligent, you could tell by his word choice. I can tell this is an old article, so I envisioned him as a middle aged, well dressed man writing this at this desk. I think this man might be just a normal citizen actually; if he was a part of either of the two political parties, than he would be advocating for people to vote-not against it. I can’t really pinpoint any political affiliation to him…He just seemed nonpartisan to me. He wasn’t arguing for the rights or beliefs of either of the parties, but rather the right of voting itself-a right belonging to anyone of both parties.
I always have trouble stating what the audience of an article or speech might be, and this time it’s not any different. To me, he just seems like he’s aiming at anyone who votes. He spoke of those who vote intelligently, stupidly, and those who just don’t. That’s everyone who calls or doesn’t call themselves voters. His audience might be for those who don’t vote precisely. He was arguing for the right to not vote, a right I’m sure non-voters hold high. Those who don’t vote are probably being pressured by those who do, and this article was most likely written in accordance.
I remember, back when I watched MTV a few years ago, they always had commercials telling teens and young adults to get out and vote, and ‘make your voice be heard.’ They didn’t say anything like getting out and reviewing the candidates or learning more about political issues, but just getting out and voting period. Probably because a lot teens and young adults don’t care to review the candidates or learn more about political issues. MTV was just campaigning for kids to get out and vote-no matter who or what they voted for and how much they knew beforehand. These commercials were entirely different than the article. Instead of aiming for everyone regardless of age group, the commercials aimed solely at teens and young adults. Its message was much more simple-get out and vote, we don’t care how or what for.
The source essay, in the end, was just simply arguing for the right to not vote. Voting apathy is far more effective and reliable than voting because of stupidity. This argument works very well for me, as a non-voter. I don't vote simply because of apathy, and I’d much prefer it that way. Casting a retarded vote for someone I don’t even know about is about the worst thing I could do. This article proves it, not only thorough plain statements, but also through things like math. It appeals to me because I agree with it so much, and it taught me a lot of things I didn’t know-like the votes cancelling each other out. A part of me does feel a tiny bit guilty for not voting-it’s my ‘duty’ after all. But I just can’t stand to go out and do something where I have no idea what I’m doing. Voting is important, and I’m not going to waste the opportunity. Teens that like and are interested in politics can go and vote. But teens like me who couldn’t care less should not. We wouldn’t be doing anything worthwhile and wouldn’t be benefiting anyone, except maybe the party not in power as the article states.
It doesn’t surprise me at all that this article was written in 1955-I could tell just by reading it. But I know its message applies even now, and especially back then as well. The issues might change, but the factors surrounding them do not. Corruption and Voting Rights-it’s been around and will always be around.
This article only states a single fact: Times change, people do not. People were apathetic then, before, and now. People stealing and lying in campaigns has been around and will continue to be around. The issues or parties or anything like that doesn’t even matter. People and their thought processes have been the same forever. And people’s thought processes is what directly affects things like voting and political parties. So if people don’t change, then those won’t change either.
The speaker stroke me as intelligent, you could tell by his word choice. I can tell this is an old article, so I envisioned him as a middle aged, well dressed man writing this at this desk. I think this man might be just a normal citizen actually; if he was a part of either of the two political parties, than he would be advocating for people to vote-not against it. I can’t really pinpoint any political affiliation to him…He just seemed nonpartisan to me. He wasn’t arguing for the rights or beliefs of either of the parties, but rather the right of voting itself-a right belonging to anyone of both parties.
I always have trouble stating what the audience of an article or speech might be, and this time it’s not any different. To me, he just seems like he’s aiming at anyone who votes. He spoke of those who vote intelligently, stupidly, and those who just don’t. That’s everyone who calls or doesn’t call themselves voters. His audience might be for those who don’t vote precisely. He was arguing for the right to not vote, a right I’m sure non-voters hold high. Those who don’t vote are probably being pressured by those who do, and this article was most likely written in accordance.
I remember, back when I watched MTV a few years ago, they always had commercials telling teens and young adults to get out and vote, and ‘make your voice be heard.’ They didn’t say anything like getting out and reviewing the candidates or learning more about political issues, but just getting out and voting period. Probably because a lot teens and young adults don’t care to review the candidates or learn more about political issues. MTV was just campaigning for kids to get out and vote-no matter who or what they voted for and how much they knew beforehand. These commercials were entirely different than the article. Instead of aiming for everyone regardless of age group, the commercials aimed solely at teens and young adults. Its message was much more simple-get out and vote, we don’t care how or what for.
The source essay, in the end, was just simply arguing for the right to not vote. Voting apathy is far more effective and reliable than voting because of stupidity. This argument works very well for me, as a non-voter. I don't vote simply because of apathy, and I’d much prefer it that way. Casting a retarded vote for someone I don’t even know about is about the worst thing I could do. This article proves it, not only thorough plain statements, but also through things like math. It appeals to me because I agree with it so much, and it taught me a lot of things I didn’t know-like the votes cancelling each other out. A part of me does feel a tiny bit guilty for not voting-it’s my ‘duty’ after all. But I just can’t stand to go out and do something where I have no idea what I’m doing. Voting is important, and I’m not going to waste the opportunity. Teens that like and are interested in politics can go and vote. But teens like me who couldn’t care less should not. We wouldn’t be doing anything worthwhile and wouldn’t be benefiting anyone, except maybe the party not in power as the article states.
It doesn’t surprise me at all that this article was written in 1955-I could tell just by reading it. But I know its message applies even now, and especially back then as well. The issues might change, but the factors surrounding them do not. Corruption and Voting Rights-it’s been around and will always be around.
This article only states a single fact: Times change, people do not. People were apathetic then, before, and now. People stealing and lying in campaigns has been around and will continue to be around. The issues or parties or anything like that doesn’t even matter. People and their thought processes have been the same forever. And people’s thought processes is what directly affects things like voting and political parties. So if people don’t change, then those won’t change either.
Monday, February 11, 2008
To Sir, With Love
I just watched To Sir, With Love yesterday. It was a good movie, but I thought the formula for the movie was a little ‘been there, done that’ in terms of movie themes. Of course, it is from the ‘60s, so I wasn’t too surprised.
The British slang kept throwing me off a bit, because obviously I didn’t know what they were saying. I also don’t know if I liked Mr. Thackeray’s character very much (he was the teacher). He just seemed so…bland at parts. But I guess he was supposed to be that way. Overall, I liked the movie though.
I got a little stuck writing the review. I really didn’t know what I wanted to say when I started. Right at the end though, I got a stroke of inspiration from thinking about it a little more. It was hard to see since the movie covered so many issues, but I tried to relate it to school assessment.
One of the themes of the movie was supposed to be racial issues, but I really didn’t see that much. I saw more of social issues and things like that. Being a movie from the ‘60s, I thought that it would be entirely about racial issues, but it wasn’t. At times I thought that this couldn’t really happen and that it was too perfect of an ending, but I bet I’d be surprised. This movie helped me see that teachers matter a lot more than I thought.
If anyone is doing school assessment, you should give To Sir, With Love a try.
The British slang kept throwing me off a bit, because obviously I didn’t know what they were saying. I also don’t know if I liked Mr. Thackeray’s character very much (he was the teacher). He just seemed so…bland at parts. But I guess he was supposed to be that way. Overall, I liked the movie though.
I got a little stuck writing the review. I really didn’t know what I wanted to say when I started. Right at the end though, I got a stroke of inspiration from thinking about it a little more. It was hard to see since the movie covered so many issues, but I tried to relate it to school assessment.
One of the themes of the movie was supposed to be racial issues, but I really didn’t see that much. I saw more of social issues and things like that. Being a movie from the ‘60s, I thought that it would be entirely about racial issues, but it wasn’t. At times I thought that this couldn’t really happen and that it was too perfect of an ending, but I bet I’d be surprised. This movie helped me see that teachers matter a lot more than I thought.
If anyone is doing school assessment, you should give To Sir, With Love a try.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Admitting You Don't Know Anything
On Monday I couldn’t decide what the quote “Writing is admitting you don’t know anything” meant. To me, writers always seem like they knew more than your average person (if they wrote really good stuff). Nonfiction and fiction writers always seemed to be very insightful, fiction writers especially. So when Mr. Everett said that line, it left me very confused.
When we went to the interview on Tuesday in class, he pretty much answered it for me: Once you start writing, you realize how little you know.
After hearing that, I wondered why that didn’t come to me before as the meaning, but I guess it all depends on how you approach it.
Once you begin looking into what you want to write about, I suppose you realize things are much deeper than you thought. Researching one thing leads to another, you find connections and get even more questions in your mind. You realize how small things can be, and how truly big the world is.
I’ve learned that getting into this project. I knew at the start I didn’t know anything about public schools or their policies. Trying to research and go even deeper into the topic, I realize how small my mindset was when entering. Coming out of it, maybe I’ll be able to say “I really don’t know anything about school assessment”. ;)
When we went to the interview on Tuesday in class, he pretty much answered it for me: Once you start writing, you realize how little you know.
After hearing that, I wondered why that didn’t come to me before as the meaning, but I guess it all depends on how you approach it.
Once you begin looking into what you want to write about, I suppose you realize things are much deeper than you thought. Researching one thing leads to another, you find connections and get even more questions in your mind. You realize how small things can be, and how truly big the world is.
I’ve learned that getting into this project. I knew at the start I didn’t know anything about public schools or their policies. Trying to research and go even deeper into the topic, I realize how small my mindset was when entering. Coming out of it, maybe I’ll be able to say “I really don’t know anything about school assessment”. ;)
Too much Work, Not Enough Drive
I just Wendy’s blog post about “Too Much Work.” I have seen some people blogging about how much school sucks, and I have to agree. No, it really does.
I completely understand what Wendy was talking about, ‘if you work hard, it’ll be worth it’ thing. Or at least I hope so. I don’t have the best work ethic to be sure, but I do get my work done.
College still doesn’t match up to my Junior year of high school, but I’m sure I’ll be eating those words in a few semesters here.
As far as ‘burden’ goes….well, you do give a lot of work Wendy, I’m not gonna lie ^^’. Last semester I just had to write a few 3-4 page papers and do some reading in the book…so I’m not used to all of this work in an English class XD <--(this is a laughing face…). Your not majorly unfair or anything, I’m just lazy and I hate homework :\.
I just can’t seem to get these blog posts done, and end up doing them all (or most) Friday night. I’m still not 100% into this blogging, so it’s kind of troubling. I’m seriously going to try to do them more often. ‘Try’ being the key word there…
Yes, I’m getting back to work Wendy.
I completely understand what Wendy was talking about, ‘if you work hard, it’ll be worth it’ thing. Or at least I hope so. I don’t have the best work ethic to be sure, but I do get my work done.
College still doesn’t match up to my Junior year of high school, but I’m sure I’ll be eating those words in a few semesters here.
As far as ‘burden’ goes….well, you do give a lot of work Wendy, I’m not gonna lie ^^’. Last semester I just had to write a few 3-4 page papers and do some reading in the book…so I’m not used to all of this work in an English class XD <--(this is a laughing face…). Your not majorly unfair or anything, I’m just lazy and I hate homework :\.
I just can’t seem to get these blog posts done, and end up doing them all (or most) Friday night. I’m still not 100% into this blogging, so it’s kind of troubling. I’m seriously going to try to do them more often. ‘Try’ being the key word there…
Yes, I’m getting back to work Wendy.
School Assessment Research Again
Searching for propaganda the other day, I found some interesting articles on my topic. Funny how I couldn’t find them before when I was doing the actual research for the paper -_-.
I found a MCS research, evaluation, and assessment site, with results on the TCAP and ACT tests. I checked the TCAP first, and the site provided me with a list of schools and their results.
For example, A.B. Hill school only scored 47% proficient in 2003, and has only increased to 51% since 2006. The next school on the list, Alcy, scored an 80% in 2003, but has dropped to 75% in 2006. I thought our schools were looking bad based off these first two results, but looking further down the list, we really aren’t doing so bad.
For example, Bruce went from a 46% to an 80%. Carnes went from a 37% to a 73%. Fairley Al. went from a 39% to an 80%. These are some pretty drastic changes in only 3 years. Maybe our schools are more on top of it than everyone thinks.
While it does look like most of the schools are doing increasingly better, there are still quite a few who are barely improving at all. This gives me some good information for both sides of the issue.
It was said in class Tuesday that a good argument brings up both sides of the spectrum, and this is definitely true. I will definitely use this for the ‘our schools are doing better than you think’ side.
Source: http://memphisdemo2.extranet.urbanplanet.com/sites/974cdc6f-b867-4129-8e23-506faae79343/uploads/Tbl_2_Grade_5__2003-04_to_2005-06__2-20-07_.pdf
I found a MCS research, evaluation, and assessment site, with results on the TCAP and ACT tests. I checked the TCAP first, and the site provided me with a list of schools and their results.
For example, A.B. Hill school only scored 47% proficient in 2003, and has only increased to 51% since 2006. The next school on the list, Alcy, scored an 80% in 2003, but has dropped to 75% in 2006. I thought our schools were looking bad based off these first two results, but looking further down the list, we really aren’t doing so bad.
For example, Bruce went from a 46% to an 80%. Carnes went from a 37% to a 73%. Fairley Al. went from a 39% to an 80%. These are some pretty drastic changes in only 3 years. Maybe our schools are more on top of it than everyone thinks.
While it does look like most of the schools are doing increasingly better, there are still quite a few who are barely improving at all. This gives me some good information for both sides of the issue.
It was said in class Tuesday that a good argument brings up both sides of the spectrum, and this is definitely true. I will definitely use this for the ‘our schools are doing better than you think’ side.
Source: http://memphisdemo2.extranet.urbanplanet.com/sites/974cdc6f-b867-4129-8e23-506faae79343/uploads/Tbl_2_Grade_5__2003-04_to_2005-06__2-20-07_.pdf
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Propaganda Searching
Well I’m searching for some propaganda and I came across this Memphis City School Teachers website that had the slogan: Be the difference in our city schools. Apply now.” That doesn’t seem like much, I’m not even 100 percent sure it’s propaganda, but it stroke as a little odd. A picture on the main page also said: “How will you change Memphis? Teach.” It seems like propaganda for teachers. To me, these quotes say that Memphis City School Teachers really do change and empower students to be better people. Now, I’m not saying they don’t, I’ve never been taught by a City School teacher, but this goes against what I have heard about Memphis City School teachers.
In class a couple of weeks ago one student in our class talked about how his Spanish teacher didn’t really teach and he wasn’t able to learn any Spanish (I’m not entirely sure that’s all correct, but I think that’s what he said). I have always heard of public school teachers being like this. Not really teaching the kids or challenging them. Of course, it’s probably just a stereotype.
As I got more to thinking about it, I was just going to discard that ‘propaganda’ about the teachers. But then I remembered the school shooting that happened a couple of days ago. If the Memphis City School teachers are really doing their job, then why are we having things like school shootings and violence? Maybe it was mostly home or parental issues, but the teachers count too. Shouldn’t teachers be doing the job of helping teach kids about violence?
If anyone has their own ideas or experiences about City School teachers feel free to leave a comment (I need it). Are they really as bad as I hear?
In class a couple of weeks ago one student in our class talked about how his Spanish teacher didn’t really teach and he wasn’t able to learn any Spanish (I’m not entirely sure that’s all correct, but I think that’s what he said). I have always heard of public school teachers being like this. Not really teaching the kids or challenging them. Of course, it’s probably just a stereotype.
As I got more to thinking about it, I was just going to discard that ‘propaganda’ about the teachers. But then I remembered the school shooting that happened a couple of days ago. If the Memphis City School teachers are really doing their job, then why are we having things like school shootings and violence? Maybe it was mostly home or parental issues, but the teachers count too. Shouldn’t teachers be doing the job of helping teach kids about violence?
If anyone has their own ideas or experiences about City School teachers feel free to leave a comment (I need it). Are they really as bad as I hear?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Percival Everette's Book Reading
Well I just got back from the book reading by Percival Everett a few hours ago. Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I’d thought it would be. I mean when you say the words ‘book reading’ together, it usually doesn’t entitle anything fun. But it was interesting.
What I liked about it was, number one, he wrote fiction, and number two, the novel he read parts of was non-linear and total brainstorming. It was interesting to hear how someone else freely thinks and writes instead of being subjected to a boring account of some historical event (not that history is bad, but it can be made really boring). It was definitely different.
For example, he dropped the f-bomb repeatedly in one of his segments. The most memorable quote was the opening: “I come from a nation of stupid fucks.” Now that’s a keeper.
I liked the readings, but the part I liked best was actually the Q & A at the end. I’ve never heard an author answer questions like that, so getting insight as to how their mind works or what they think was cool. I got a lot of good quotes from that like, they way a writer writes is the way he understands the world. Or to write you need to stop thinking and play. Or writing is a way admitting you don’t know anything (or something like that. I didn’t get it word for word). Just listening to those words really causes me to think. I mean, to write you need to stop thinking and play? Or writing is admitting you don’t know anything? That’s pretty deep.
I think what he was trying to say was to just let your heart or your feelings do the writing. Experiment or ‘play’ with words and ideas and don’t get too caught up with ‘Does it make sense?’ or ‘Is that correct?’. Your fiction story would probably be a lot better.
As for the other quote, “Writing is admitting you don’t know anything”, I haven’t come up with a good translation for that one! I’ll think about it more, and if it’s another free blog week I’ll expand on it.
See you guys in class tomorrow!
What I liked about it was, number one, he wrote fiction, and number two, the novel he read parts of was non-linear and total brainstorming. It was interesting to hear how someone else freely thinks and writes instead of being subjected to a boring account of some historical event (not that history is bad, but it can be made really boring). It was definitely different.
For example, he dropped the f-bomb repeatedly in one of his segments. The most memorable quote was the opening: “I come from a nation of stupid fucks.” Now that’s a keeper.
I liked the readings, but the part I liked best was actually the Q & A at the end. I’ve never heard an author answer questions like that, so getting insight as to how their mind works or what they think was cool. I got a lot of good quotes from that like, they way a writer writes is the way he understands the world. Or to write you need to stop thinking and play. Or writing is a way admitting you don’t know anything (or something like that. I didn’t get it word for word). Just listening to those words really causes me to think. I mean, to write you need to stop thinking and play? Or writing is admitting you don’t know anything? That’s pretty deep.
I think what he was trying to say was to just let your heart or your feelings do the writing. Experiment or ‘play’ with words and ideas and don’t get too caught up with ‘Does it make sense?’ or ‘Is that correct?’. Your fiction story would probably be a lot better.
As for the other quote, “Writing is admitting you don’t know anything”, I haven’t come up with a good translation for that one! I’ll think about it more, and if it’s another free blog week I’ll expand on it.
See you guys in class tomorrow!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Memphis Blogs
Okay, it’s Friday night and I’m officially out of things to say. I know all of our blog posts were supposed to be about Memphis blogs this week, so I guess I’ll just talk about Memphis blogs in general.
Before that though, it seems like no one from our class is posting this week. I don’t blame you. I just did 4 blog posts today and it is tiring. I had a ton of work and that 3 page paper we had to do this week. Someday I will learn how to prioritize my life. Someday. But Wendy, can we shorten up on the number of weekly blogs……please? I know I’m fighting a losing battle here…
Back to Memphis blogs, I’ve already stated in comments that they are a little boring. They really do help my report, but it was hard to blog about them this week. I guess not much is going on this week. Well, most of them were about politics, and politics is not my thing. I managed to find a few interesting posts though, or at least interesting enough to blog about. I found a bunch of stuff on the presidential race, but couldn’t talk about that. I don’t keep up with it.
Yes, I’ve reached 200 words, so I’m out.
See you Tuesday.
Before that though, it seems like no one from our class is posting this week. I don’t blame you. I just did 4 blog posts today and it is tiring. I had a ton of work and that 3 page paper we had to do this week. Someday I will learn how to prioritize my life. Someday. But Wendy, can we shorten up on the number of weekly blogs……please? I know I’m fighting a losing battle here…
Back to Memphis blogs, I’ve already stated in comments that they are a little boring. They really do help my report, but it was hard to blog about them this week. I guess not much is going on this week. Well, most of them were about politics, and politics is not my thing. I managed to find a few interesting posts though, or at least interesting enough to blog about. I found a bunch of stuff on the presidential race, but couldn’t talk about that. I don’t keep up with it.
Yes, I’ve reached 200 words, so I’m out.
See you Tuesday.
Watchdog Post
“THE POLITICIANS WANT TO TAKE AWAY YOUR VOTE. THEY WANT TO APPOINT YOUR SHERIFF, YOUR TAX ASSESSOR, YOUR TRUSTEE AND OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. THEIR PLAN IS CONSOLIDATION AND THIS IS THE FIRST STEP.”
Well, still trying to find Memphis blogs to blog about and I ran across this one. What caught me was the line: “to retain the right to choose your own Sheriff, Tax Assessor, Trustee, Register and County Clerk. Letting the Mayor appoint these important jobs gives any Mayor too much power over your lives and pocketbook.”. I just thought to myself, ‘shouldn’t people get to vote for that kind of stuff anyway?’ I know I’d be displeased being a tax-paying Memphian (and I will be as soon as I actually move out >_<).
I’m all for freedom, so letting the Mayor control me like that would make me a little ticked off. Especially controlling my nonexistent pocketbook.
I think people should sign this petition-‘it’s for a good cause.’ 100,000 signatures is a lot, I hope they make it. More voting could be a good thing, at least it gives people the thought of knowing they can control something. Of course voting does leave the chance of someone uncapable being elected. But I’d rather take that risk personally.
Well, still trying to find Memphis blogs to blog about and I ran across this one. What caught me was the line: “to retain the right to choose your own Sheriff, Tax Assessor, Trustee, Register and County Clerk. Letting the Mayor appoint these important jobs gives any Mayor too much power over your lives and pocketbook.”. I just thought to myself, ‘shouldn’t people get to vote for that kind of stuff anyway?’ I know I’d be displeased being a tax-paying Memphian (and I will be as soon as I actually move out >_<).
I’m all for freedom, so letting the Mayor control me like that would make me a little ticked off. Especially controlling my nonexistent pocketbook.
I think people should sign this petition-‘it’s for a good cause.’ 100,000 signatures is a lot, I hope they make it. More voting could be a good thing, at least it gives people the thought of knowing they can control something. Of course voting does leave the chance of someone uncapable being elected. But I’d rather take that risk personally.
TN Schools Rank 16
“good news i think”
This post at a Field Guide to Urban City Memphis stated that Tennessee ranked 16th in the nation for public education. That’s a pretty good piece of info for my paper. It does go against everything I looked up though XD.
In one of my earlier posts I had stated that I had heard Tennessee fell pretty low in a nation-wide school ranking (we’re talking bottom five here). This was…around 3 years ago I think. Three years is a lot of time to improve, but I’m also hearing and reading that the schools are getting worse. They did just get rid of the Gateway test, so maybe standards are being raised. Either that or all of the other schools in the country are seriously slacking.
Looking at the image thumbnail, Tennessee scored a C+. That’s average, but it could be a bit better. I’m not so much a perfectionist that I’d keep trying to get an A+ or something, but it’s definitely a start.
This is just Tennessee though. What about Memphis schools ranking? I’m sure I can find something once I look it up. I need to find what Memphis schools rank in a state-wide or even nation-wide review. That would definitely help me write more for my report.
This post at a Field Guide to Urban City Memphis stated that Tennessee ranked 16th in the nation for public education. That’s a pretty good piece of info for my paper. It does go against everything I looked up though XD.
In one of my earlier posts I had stated that I had heard Tennessee fell pretty low in a nation-wide school ranking (we’re talking bottom five here). This was…around 3 years ago I think. Three years is a lot of time to improve, but I’m also hearing and reading that the schools are getting worse. They did just get rid of the Gateway test, so maybe standards are being raised. Either that or all of the other schools in the country are seriously slacking.
Looking at the image thumbnail, Tennessee scored a C+. That’s average, but it could be a bit better. I’m not so much a perfectionist that I’d keep trying to get an A+ or something, but it’s definitely a start.
This is just Tennessee though. What about Memphis schools ranking? I’m sure I can find something once I look it up. I need to find what Memphis schools rank in a state-wide or even nation-wide review. That would definitely help me write more for my report.
Voting Post
“decisions, decisions...”
I just read this post over at a Field Guide to Urban Memphis. I completely agree about the voting issue. I’m already 19 years old, but haven’t even registered to vote. And I’ll be honest-it’s a lack of caring. Politics just doesn’t interest me at all. I’m sure I’ll change a little when I really get out there in the working world, but for now I’d rather remain blissfully ignorant (in terms of what’s going on in politics).
Back to the post, I like the part about not voting because of apathy rather than ignorance. What good would I do voting and not knowing what the hell I’m doing? I could very well help someone get into office I wouldn’t even like or agree with. I guess people just do it to say “I’m a citizen. I vote.” or so that they don’t feel useless maybe. Voting is very important, don’t get me wrong, but I’m all for people knowing what and who they’re voting for. The only way to do that is for people to really look at and review the candidates. You’ve got to know what they’re standing for and what they believe. And try not to get it of a cheesy campaign poster.
I just read this post over at a Field Guide to Urban Memphis. I completely agree about the voting issue. I’m already 19 years old, but haven’t even registered to vote. And I’ll be honest-it’s a lack of caring. Politics just doesn’t interest me at all. I’m sure I’ll change a little when I really get out there in the working world, but for now I’d rather remain blissfully ignorant (in terms of what’s going on in politics).
Back to the post, I like the part about not voting because of apathy rather than ignorance. What good would I do voting and not knowing what the hell I’m doing? I could very well help someone get into office I wouldn’t even like or agree with. I guess people just do it to say “I’m a citizen. I vote.” or so that they don’t feel useless maybe. Voting is very important, don’t get me wrong, but I’m all for people knowing what and who they’re voting for. The only way to do that is for people to really look at and review the candidates. You’ve got to know what they’re standing for and what they believe. And try not to get it of a cheesy campaign poster.
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