Properties of Being Proper

Language is identity

It controls the way we seen

Where you from controls how people see you

How you speak tell people who you are

Language is the way of speaking and interacting

No language means unsuccessfulness

Language is the main means for communication

And for successfulness.

Our fate is made by how well we can interpret and understand each other.

THz I really don’t know why language is so important but it is.

Ur language and context depends on who ur talking to

People claim that only Standard English

Can be taken seriously

It all depends on the context

Context controls seriousness

If I speak to my niggah

I wont speak serious

But I will be taken seriously

But peep if I talk to my teacher

I talk smart

And I will be taken seriously

Choosing when to switch codes

Is the hardest

Bc if you don’t switch @ the right time

You can be mistaken

And misunderstood

And judged

And hurt for the rest of ur life

There is always going to be a Social Conflict

Even within language.

There is always going to be a language that is suppressed.

Just like race.

Or religion.

The suppression identifies an individual.

The language you speak the most

Or the language u grew up with

 Inevitably creates who u are

Identity has a direct relationship

With language

The language u speak

And understand

Portrays u to the world.

THz language is too complicated

It may be hard to read my poem, but the reality is that it is very easy to understand. In the 21^st century teens and even some adults are becoming accustomed to using slang terms in our daily vocabulary. Whether these words are correct or not, we all understand them. These slang words and acronyms can sometimes be found easier to understand and to use than words that were created in early dictionaries.

Reading around auto- correct means that we completely understand Standard English, but choose to take the easy way out. This means that the majority of people assume Standard  English complicated, and could be “dummed” down at the risk of the readers understanding. Reading around auto- correct is not neglecting the proper way to pronounce or spell a word, it is rather substituting it for another statement. Perhaps an easier one to understand or even identify. This simple substitution creates another world that allows the reader to interpet and understand a passage or statement easier.

The lack of Standard English and the presence of slang terms does not portray an illiterate person but rather someone who understands their audience and knows the value of interpretation. Standard English may at times be tedious and repetitive but it has a value to it. At times slang terms, may not be understood, leaving the reader in the clouds about how to interpret and how to communicate correctly. This at times shows the importance of Standard English, while at other times. Standard English may create the complication within the interpretation of the reader.

Therefore Standard English is not necessarily needed for a reader to interpret and to understand a message. 

Siri Agrees With Me

Daily we see about 10 ads or commercials per day, whether were watching TV or being forced to watch 30 seconds before watching stupid videos on YouTube. We are all exposed to advertisements. While we may think that advertisements are meant for our enjoyment, the true purpose is to sell a product. The companies of these ads are all competing to have the most users and to sell the most products. A particularly strong company is one we all are familiar with Apple. After becoming an iPhone user I see how I fell into the scheme of iPhones incredibly detailed ads.

Android, one of Apples major competitors released their newest phone the Samsung Galaxy S4 in the March of 2013. The phone received a profuse amount of attention, putting the Apple Company to the backburner to the public. Apple responded by publishing this ad on their website along with their comparison of battery life, retina display, and camera of all iPhones. Apple seemed to have been put on defensive mode, when releasing this ad, but it seems their defense strategy was full proof.

Looking plainly at the ad, you can notice the large arrogant phrase in the largest black font “There’s iPhone. And there’s everything else”. The words “There’s iPhone “appear to be the most eminent words on the ad. Centered and focused these words are meant to be noticed first. This gives the effect of paramount significance. Followed by “And there’s everything else.” This creates an effect that everything that isn’t an iPhone is subsequently insignificant, and nothing can compare to an iPhone. In a lighter and smaller font, Apple uses a quirky and insolent tone, to describe why apple users prefer the apple brand.

Next your eyes are trained to look at the not one but four iPhones bellow the text.(as if one wasn’t enough). The use of white iPhones gives us the sense of purity and cleanliness because in society we associate white with perfection. Colorful images placed on each of the four screens white iPhones attract scrutiny from the viewers. Placed on each of the IPhones perfectly un-cracked (but soon to be) screens are apps specifically made for iPhones. Placed specifically based on the fact that our eyes are trained to read left to right the most important iPhone lies on the left. The farthest to the left iPhone has the editing function especially made for iPhones. One of the things Apple pride themselves is the quality of their camera and editing features. The other iPhones display apps such as Tumblr, The App Store, and Catch.  These iPhones laid in perfect symmetry compared to the words shows the amount of diligence and assiduity when creating the ad. The brightness of the ad makes the iPhones seem almost unrealistic, because we all know the iPhone we see everyday look nothing like these.

With the knowledge that iPhone published this ad on its website after Android released its newest phone the Galaxy S4, shows the competition aspect  for advertisements. Although Apple was very blatant with very their flagrant ad, it shows Apples superiority over competing phones. It is not as simple as other phones, but it is simpler to use. The technology is so advance that nothing can compare and this is proved with the statistical data released the same time as the ad. An evitable fact is that ads are meant to sell product and it is obvious this what Apple is doing. Apple may have taken an arrogant approach but the fact of the matter is that people buy into statistics. Apple showed their superiority over other companies by releasing this ad, putting iPhones into the hands of thousands of new users. Including me.

Dont Choke While You Bite on A Piece of Society

In mainstream society, we see about 10 ads or commercials per day, whether were watching TV or being forced to watch 30 seconds before watching stupid videos on YouTube. We are all exposed to advertisements. While we may think that advertisements are meant for our enjoyment, the true purpose is to sell a product. Regardless if hamsters are dancing out of a car, or a random guy is having the worst day simply because he didn’t pay his cablevision bill, ads all want money. Subliminally all ads send a message to society, all these messages create “norms” and majority of people inevitably follow some of these norms. While some of these norms may seem simple like “girls want to smell fruity so buy VS” others like this advertisement create a norm that is not so normal or easily accepted.

 In the above advertisement, a blonde haired, blue eyed, Caucasian woman opens her mouth with wide eyes for the incoming “ BK Super Seven Incher”. With first glance there is a great amount of inappropriateness, why will a sandwich “Blow her mind away”. It won’t, but there is an amazing play on words. Without a doubt there is an unreasonable amount of provocative-ness in this ad, even without all the fine print, that include “ fit your desire for something long, juicy and flame grilled…”. A mother might make her 10 year old son close his eyes at the sight of this but why? Admittedly, women are often the main ones portrayed in commercials, usually in a sexual manner. Over the years women’s bodies have become over-sexualized so much that schools have banned spaghetti strap shirts and “pom pom” shorts. Women rather than becoming the strong figures of society we would like to be seen as today, are seen as sexual objects. Objects that are meant for pleasure and maybe even worthy a 7-inch sandwich.

This advertisement not only plays on the roles of a woman but on the norms of a man. This plays into the common phrase that “size does matter”. Considering the woman in the ad is so enticed by the “7 incher” coming her way, this places a social norm on men that if you’re not seven inches, you’re doing something wrong.

Another way to analyze this is using the argument that sex and food can become one to females. Rather than having a sexual relationship why not take a bite out of a 7-incher than will last so much longer in your stomach to digest.

In an ad that would only take one second to catch your attention there are so many messages hidden subliminally. Without taking that second glance, there are so many things you can miss other than the 6.25$ 7 inch burger that will blow your mind away.

Caillou Character Analysis

As a child we all watched TV. Whether it was in the form of a VCR, DVD, or an actual satellite television we all experienced it. Half of our parents shoved us in front of a tv when we bothered them, or when we refused to go to sleep. Whether or not this was a good decision made by our parents we will never know. The writers and producers of American television try to create a utopian society which they display for millions of children to see. They use our social norms and cultural values to create characters that subliminally  project what they want to see in the world.

 In a children's cartoon named Caillou, Caillou is a 4 year old boy who is very imaginative, and creative. He tends to imagine situations and solve his own problems with the help of his father. He is the poster child for four year olds. Rarely does Caillou get in trouble although he does troublesome things. 

Caillou has the 3 family members and one cat. His mother, father, and a little sister.

The mother is the typical household mother. She is a middle age Caucasian woman that she cleans and cooks and takes care of the children. She doesn't have a job nor does she often leave house unless the children accompany her. She tends to stand in the background while the father usually helps Caillou with his problems. She reinforces Calliou’s emotions, and tends to offer emotional advice rather than strategic advice to help solve problems. 

The father is the typical strong household man. While the mother cleans and cooks the father works and exercises inside the house. He is considered Caillous hero because he offers strategic advice to all of his problems.

Cailluos younger sister is named Rosie. She is about 2 or 3. She is just beginning to speak but is able to understand all of her surroundings. She is sometimes a menace to Caillou but in the end they are one big happy family. She doesn't fit in with Caillou and his friends because she is younger so she tends to be with the mother for majority of the time. 

Another minor character is Gilbert the cat. It seems that most typical families have one animal living in the household.

Other characters include his three friends who are of different races. There is an Caucasian teacher who teaches Caillous kindergarten class. 

Feeding into the mainstream ideas that a perfect family has two children typically one boy and one girl and a happy couple as the parents. The show Caillou perfectly demonstrates the utopian society that most Americans believe in. The Caucasian parents are happily married with no financial difficulties. The son typically is imaginative and caring of his little sister. While the little sister helps the mother clean and stays out of the way.  The father is the role model of the family and supports the financial needs of the household. There are only about 5 characters that are monorities.  Most of the Caucasian characters appear in each and every episode while the minorities tend to appear once every 3 episodes and play an extremely minor role. 

Although it may seem that Caillou is a typical children's show for 2-6 year olds. There is a subliminal message created that in America a typical family should be Caucasian with four people and an animal. There should be no financial problems and each person in the household has there own place. 

Sent from my iPhone

Catholic Church Visual Argument

This is a photograph of a Catholic Church in Roanoke Virginia. The photographer was probably affiliated with the church. The creators’ attitude toward the image is extremely positive. This can be shown through the lighting, and the cleanliness of the church. The media is used to communicate words and images because it creates a utopia church where every seat has a bible and the lights are fully lit, and the floors are perfectly polished. The positivity image given off by the photograph of the entire church gives off the message that the church has a calming environment, and is a place that should be respected and praised.  The visual text assumes that its readers and viewers will most likely be religious and preferably Catholic. Considering Jesus on the cross is the centerpiece of the entire photograph, the creator assumes that the viewer has a religious stand point that positively associated with Jesus. The media is used to communicate words and images by creating positive environment therefore creating the idea that the church is a positive place. The presence of cleanliness, order, and bright lighting all work together to positively reinforce the viewer that this specific church is  a great environment to worship and go to church in. Since there are no words in this photograph there can be no interpretation of the text. The overall impression that the visual text creates in me is that if I were Catholic this would be the ideal church to go to. The single room is spacious, and it seems as if they really value God, and Jesus since Jesus on the cross is the center of the photograph. The cultural value that this visual text evokes is harmony, and stress free. This visual reinforces the argument that anyone Catholic or any religious person should attend or support their church. The visual text is composed in a very  fashionable manor. The centerpiece of the photo is Jesus on the Cross, the blue arches attract your eyes and make you travel down them to see the cross. The next thing that attracts your eyes are the lights above all of the seats. This allows the reader to see that the audience is the second most important thing in a Catholic church. This visual argument makes me want to visit a Catholic church although I am not Catholic.

Interdependency Controls Fate

Interdependency Controls Fate

Yesterday I got a paper cut. It stung, it burned but worst of all it bled. I’m not really afraid of blood, but as the blood seeped out of my flesh colored pinky, I began to think. Right now, I’m healing myself. I have the power to heal myself, my blood, has its own powers. I’m part superhero! But never mind that. I thought about my blood, and all of the things it consisted of. I’m no scientist, but I know the basics. With my tens of thousands different red blood cells, with my tens of thousands platelets and best of all my tens of thousands white blood cells, I was able to heal myself. To a normal person it was all considered blood. No one ever takes into consideration how special one single cell is, people rather think of “blood” as the liquid that you can donate. No one finds the eminence ability of a single blood cell. 

Each cell like an individual are interdependent, creating a society that evolves together, and changes based on its surroundings. We are all parts of a society no matter how we want to think of it.

Society as a whole works together to fit the status quo. If society isn’t fulfilling its destiny  the society dies off and a new one is created. This has happened repeatedly in the Chinese Dynasties.  They followed each other. Evolving, changing into a better version of its past self.        

            Every society depends on its environment, a society’s environment controls what each society needs, therefore controlling what each individual does. Think about it like this; one society is a liver cell, another strong muscle cell. The muscle cell obviously needs more energy therefore it would need a bigger powerhouse or a bigger mitochondria. In this way, society controls the individual. 

An individual’s needs are not important, what is truly important is what the society asks of the individual. Every individual is subconsciously controlled by society. Saleem, being controlled by the need to fit into Evie Burns club, forced himself to learn how to ride a bike. We as individuals are all learning how to ride bikes and forcing ourselves to feed into the needs of society.

Feeding into the needs of society can either make or break you. For some individuals fitting in seems natural. While for individuals such as the narrator of The Reluctant Fundamentalist never fit in no matter the setting. 

Becoming a part of a whole isn’t as good as it seems. Being controlled by society does not help the individual. Being a part of a society, forces the individual to lose their identity. Societies need for interdependence has forced us to forget the importance of individuality.  One day we will be known for the era of technology, and the society that lost its way. Similar to ones battle with sickle cell disease, our society will be known as the generation who lost to a presence of defect. Like the defect of the red blood cell, our societies defect will be the lack of individuality, and the presence interdependency. Our tombstone will be marked with the cause of death: interdependency. 

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Works Cited:

Rushdie, Salman. Midnight's Children:. New York: Knopf, 1981. Print.

Hamid, Mohsin. The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Orlando: Harcourt, 2007. Print.

"Human Anatomy: Blood - Cells, Plasma, Circulation, and More." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. <http://www.webmd.com/heart/anatomy-picture-of-blood>.

"Parts of the Cell." Parts of the Cell. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. <http://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/cell-parts>

Rhetorical Analysis Outline

Imane Forbes Rhetorical Analysis Outline

of Kavitza Krishnan’s Speech

Purpose : To Inform the public on the governments faults, and to persude and motivate people to take action to help and change the rape culture in India.

Audience: Government Officials running and controlling India, Men from 16-60, Women who aren’t informed about the things happening.

Context:  Standing outside of a woman government official that made a claim on a rape that recently happened on a bus.

Section 1: Introduction and Placing Blame

Purpose: Introduce the lack of responsibility on the government’s behalf. Introducing her reasoning for Dikshit’s resignation.

Appeals: Logos( deduction) Pathos(

Technique: Uses Dikshit’s statement to Deduct with explanation “If it can pick up passengers” “if a bus containing iron rods and rapists””it is no one else’s responsibility – it is yours.”

Effectiveness:  Very Effective. Her use of deduction places the blame on the government therefore showing the public the government’s ignorance and faults.

Section 2: Other Statements Made By Government Officials

Purpose: Demonstrate that the Indian Government has other officials that are ignorant and “support” rape.

Effectiveness: Very effective because it shows India curroption within the government.

A.     Sheila Dikshit. (CM)

Appeals:  Logos: “we are here to tell her women have every right to be adventurous”

“We will be reckless.” …etc…

Techniques:

·         Diction: Repetition “we will” – creates emphasis on serious tone

Emphasis on the freedom of women.

·         Sentence variety- Most sentences are short and to the point. Last sentence is long and reprimands government.  

B.      Neeraj Kumar (Newly Appointed as a Police Commissioner) – next 2 para.

Appeals:  Ethos- Builds ethos by using evidence. “conviction rate has gone from…” “There is a huge gap in the police’s investigation…”

 Logos- supports quote from Kumar by using evidence “ This is an authentic statistic…”

Techniques:

·         Punctuation & Argument: “”explain to you”—“beta, don’t file a complaint.”” = creates moment of realization. Shows even the public doesn’t want rape cases in the government not only government officials.

·         Begging a Question: “Who is responsible for this?” = gives room for the govt. to take blame

·         Rhetorical Question: “Why would you prevent this from happening?” = questions the actions of the govt.

Section 3:  Challenging Authority, Creating & Supporting Feminism

Purpose:  Introduces her opinion & “retaliation” against the opinion of the government officials. Introduces ideas of anti- feminism within India. Speaks on behalf of the “women of India”.

Appeals: Logos: Women’s rights and freedom. Ethos: builds her character and opinion

Techniques:

Begging a Question: “Is this a crime for women?” uses a question to challenge the government’s beliefs of womens rights.

Diction: “we” – Unifies and ties her with all of the women in India.

“Women know what safety refers to.” = allows the reader to understand ALL women go through.        

“We have hear our parents use it”= allows reader to see it is a part of society. Taught the idea of safety (restriction) from young.

Repetition: “You behave yourself” “You get back into the house” = creates emphasis on anti- feminism

Hyperbole: “that women only leave their homes for work………they are compelled to go out.”

Sentence Variation: “A whole range of patriarchal laws…….We reject this notion…” = creates emphasis on the idea that society is wrong.

Effectiveness: Very effective because it shows the reader her seriousness of the topic while stressing the importance of the need for change within the society.

Section 4:  Government Actions

Purpose: Introduces the Governments Actions. Introduces her ideas and opinions on the actions.

Appeals :

Pathos: - Strong Diction readers

Logos: Uses evidence from the government.

Techniques:

Diction: “Rape survivors are complete, strong, fighting women…..” & “She is not a corpse. We salute her will….” =  calls on feminism and support within readers

“In your entire procedure…..”= shows fault in government

“No one is protecting her ‘bekhauf azaadi’” = uses word in her language to show significance. (The fact that there is a word for it)

Evidence:  “If an object is inserted into a woman’s genitals…..”  “

Parallelism : “ an iron rod into….. the reason that she is battling for her life today.” = shows relationship between fault in govt. & actual occurrence.

Rhetorical Question: “Why are we here?”

Begging a Question: “What about the brother who cuts his sisters head off……”= question creates a realization within society.

Hyperbole : “What about the brother who cuts his sisters head off……”= overstatement creates emphasis on a serious matter

Section 5 : Conclusion

Purpose: To conclude & Addresses another problem within the government

Appeals: Pathos: STRONG Diction

Techniques:

Diction: “There is a culture that justifies rape…”   “If we are to change any of this…”

“Our rage will not be washed away with.."

"It is shameful that the government..... are now poised to attack those fighting for the rights of women.

Hyperbole: Our rage will not be washed away with water cannons…. = stresses an importance and strength of their rage.