Reflection on Freshman Year

A year from now i looked at my future different. Its June 2012 and i am going to be a 10th grader this coming fall, but before i got to this point last year around this time i was an eighth grader at West Oak Lane Charter School. My mind was on how much fun high school was going to be and about things that were not so important. Now i am worrying about the near far future now. I am now starting to wonder about where i want to be in a couple of years in three years i will be a senior and graduating. Although i have no clue what college i want to go to i am staring to narrow down ones that will be acceptable for the career choice that i have in mind right now. My career choice is being an Registered Nurse. While still in high school the most important subjects that i need knowledge in for my career choice is Mathethics and Science. Me openin up my mind and worrying about my future is a good thing. By having this in my mind i am able to set up goals to help me acheive what i want to do. It shows that i am maturing and not worrying about as many childish things. This is a big change in a way, because some people haven't experienced this change yet so it gives some time of advantage and it also can make me help my peers. Now i can be more aware of what i am doin and the choices i make. I am more active in school and care more about my grades and the way i  present myself to my teachers. i went from being an immature eighth grader to a more  mature freshman who's mind is set on what she has to do and how she has to do it the right way.

Baby in Washing Machine

I read an article on http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/345123/20120524/baby-washing-machine-mom-babysitter.htm about how a baby sitters male friend put a toddler in the washer machine, and the washer machine door closed automatically. The toddler was stuck in there for a couple minutes. According to the toddlers mother she didn't even find out until the police showed up at her house asking questions. When she did see the video on the news she said to the baby sitter that looks like you and my son, but the baby sitter denied it. Saskia David the toddler's mother stated that she wants to press charges on the baby sitter. Unlike how it was speculated that she wasn't. Although prosecutors say that they can not file charges because there was no criminal intent, she still wants her to be punished. David said that her son is healthy and everything is okay with him except for a minor scratch on his head that the baby sitter had said was from falling down the steps accidentally which David later found out the real cause of the scratch which was from being in the washer. David stated that the baby sitter told her that her male friend was playing peek a boo with her son and put him in the washer and the door closed. The owner of the laundry mat told authorities that the man was shaken up and upset by what had occurred. I think that it was really irresponsible to put a toddler in the washer machine. What would even make you do that you don't play  peek a boo with a baby in the washer it doesn't even make sense.

Broadcasting a World of Whiteness

In class we read an article about how people were complaining about how HBO's show Girls should be more diverse. Also, how there are not enough television shows that are diverse with their casts. I agree with this because you hardly see a diverse TV show, unless the majority have their own TV network like BET, the Spanish channel, etc. I think that ABC, NBC,CBS, and FOX are all not diverse enough they all have white people in their shows and you rarely or never see a black, Chinese, or other cultures in their shows. Also, I believe that TV producers have a responsibility to put on shows that have diverse casts. Its their responsibly because they should want a lot of viewers and to not just have the cast relate to a certain majority. I have watched things on TV that was racist. What i seen that i thought was racist is that they use stereotype other raices. For example in the show Friends they didn't ever have another raice in theor show other then white. But in the show Girlfriend they had black, white, and white and mixed girls on the show. They should present things on tv about how the world should be not how some people worlds are.

This I believe

In this I believe essay a woman talks about how she believes you should speak now or forever hold your peace. The woman talks about how when she was eight years old her dad died and she started cutting herself she cut her self because she didn’t feel alive unless she could feel pain. She was diagnosed with h manic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder shortly after her dad died  Her mom and brother were distant from her and it made her feel alone. She got addicted to cutting herself. After a while she wanted to stop self-injuring herself. She said that it’s not easy for her to talk about herself injuring and about her family but silence won’t heal her wounds and that because she kept to herself for so long that in nearly killed her. You shouldn’t t fear what other people think of you. I agree with the girl who wrote this essay. I agree with her because if you’re silent about something it only makes things worst and if you speak out about it then you may be able to solve the issue. In her essay she showed the readers that you have to have courage and be brave to not be silent and be brave enough to come up and say how you feel and what’s going on. She shows that she was determined to stop because she knew she was hurting herself and that her father would not want her to do that. She also shows that even though you may try to be heard it may be things in the way that set you back from your goal but no matter what you have to stick it through and be heard

Gun Fashion

In the article New Fashion Wrinkle: Stylishly Hiding the Gun from the New York Times about how A new trend helped start clothing companies come up the the idea to make clothing that was stylish that also concealed weapons.  I think that the fashion will continue to grow. I believe it will continue to grow because a lot people have guns, including criminals and criminals don't always want people to know they have guns as the same for others who are carrying it for protection. I understand that the company is trying to make money and this is a good way to make money but i think that they could still profit if only people who are law enforcements could buy these clothes. I feel this way because the clothes could b very useful to them especially when they are undercover. As for citizens who are just carrying weapons i think that these clothes shouldn't be available to them only because some of the people that have guns are criminals and these clothes can make their jobs easier to strike. also have mixed feelings about people being able to carry guns only because criminals are going to have guns anyway and i know that by law abiding citizens having guns they can protect themselves and their family but i still think that guns shouldn't really be allowed to the public. For people who are carrying the gun although they have one the clothing wouldn't stop someone who is trying to pursue them because you can't see the gun so you don't know they have one. I believe that these types of clothing are basically saying go buy a gun so you can buy our clothes and be cool, but guns aren't cool.

Blog #1 (Afghan Girls, Scarred by Acid, Defy Terror, Embracing School

         I class we read an article called Afghan Girls, Scarred by Acid, Defy Terror, Embracing School. This article is about some teenage Girls that live in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Some of the girls that live there including teachers where burned by acid. One girl named Shamsia was burned by acid on her way to school with her sister. The men behind this are thought to have work with the Taliban, but it cant be proven. In Afghanistan the religion is taught where as though women are to stay home, take of the kids and take care of house hold chores. I think this is wrong because i were in their shoes i wouldn't agree with this. Also, they don't want the girls going to school. I think they don't want the girls to go to school because they want to hold them back from making it in life and because they may think that if the women get some power or come out better then them then the women can take over. After Shamsia was burned she returned to school. Her mother told her even if it kills her she is going to school. Shamsia mother is illiterate she can not read or write. I can understand why she wants her daughter  to go school because i would want mine to. I would want my child to make it in life and be able to go further in life and i think that's what her mother wants. After some of the incidents of the acid though a lot of girls stopped coming to school until the principal held a meeting and urged that the parents let their daughters continue coming to school. I think that was smart of the principal by people encouraging the girls like that even through rough times it can help in the long run because they never know where these girls can make it in the long run.

Blog #9

I read an article on http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120409_Dirt-bike_tragedy_an_example_of_bigger_problem.html?page=2&c=y  it was about how a fourteen year old boy named Jermaine Alexander was killed in a so called police pursuit. Jermaine parents say that he was a good kid and that all he really did was ride his dirt bike and play football. Although they knew it was illegal they still let him do it because unlike some kids his age he isn't selling drugs or out shooting people. His mother Sarina Howard-Witherspoon said that a day before her son was killed a cop had bumped the back of his bike. On the day of the accident Jermaine also known as Maine went to a friend house after school to borrow a bike. Afterward his friend and him went by the school to show off the bike. While they where riding his friend spotted an unmarked police car. They both sped off in different directions. His mother also stated that the car chased him and while he was riding across the street a car hit him. The police denies it ever being a chase. Jermaine's mother wants justice for her fourteen year old son because she feels as though this should not have happened, she has even hired a lawyer and everything. Also, in the article it talks about how riding dirt bikes or four wheelers in Philadelphia is illegal. Even though it's illegal cops aren't allowed to chase people who are riding them, therefore it makes it hard for police to catch them because they can just speed off. If the person is caught there bike is taken. Even after their bike is taken they can still get back by showing paper work on the bike, or even buying it at an auction for less then they may have paid for it. Officials are trying to crack down on how they can catch people who are not listening to these rules.

Blog #8

There has been a lot of talk about the 17 year old who has been gun done by a white man. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/george-zimmerman-father-claims-trayvon-martin-attacked-son-article-1.1052611 The teen who was gunned done his name is Trayvon Martin. Trayvon was visiting his dad, and had went to the store to get ice tea and some Skittles, When he was on his way home he told his girlfriend who he was on the phone with that he was being followed after which he was shot. I think that that's a shame. Some say that Martin was shot because he was black. If this statement is true then the man who is responsible for this needs to die in jail. Killing someone who has done nothing wrong to you at  all is just terrible. Trayvon had reason to die he was still a child basically now he won't even be able to experience life to fullest. His parents have lost a child to violence and they deserve justice. Zimmerman is accused of this crime. George Zimmerman's father defends his son saying that his son wasn't in the wrong and that in fact his son was the won who was the victim and that Trayvon attacked him first. George stated that his son called to report what he thought was a suspect that was in a recent home break ins. And that his son wasn't following him but he was trying to get an address of where Trayvon was. When Trayvon turned around and asked did he have a problem , Zimmerman said no and that was when Trayvon started assaulting him. In order to protect himself Zimmerman pulled out his gun and shot him. I really don't know what happened because i wasn't there therefore i cant really take sides but i know that whatever happened somebody was wrong nobody should not have been killed.

Most Births Outside Marriage

I have read an article in class called "Most Births Outside Marriage" in the article it talks about how most women under 30, most births occur outside marriage. The article states that less women are marring before having children . This is happening because most women get paid more then men so the burden of the fees for the wedding would fall on the women. Also, allot of women feel as though they are not ready for marriage. For example one woman in the article states that if she would've married her baby's dad it would have been like taking care of another child for the simple fact that he was depending on her for money and other things.  I think people are having children before getting married because people's standards for a marriage have changed they set their standards high. Also, sometimes they might get pregnant by accident. Some may not rush to alter because of a failed marriage that their parents had. I think that it isn't a good thing that more and more women are having children without being married. I think this because in church it says you shouldn't have sex without being married therefore you shouldn't have kids without being married. Also, sometimes if you are not married and your parents aren't together then it may affect the child. I think that this trend isn't a healthy trend because people should grow up in a wholesome manner. My parents weren't married when i was born and not together. Although my mom wanted my dad to marry her he didn't want to. I don't think it effects me that much though, sometimes it raises questions about me and why they couldn't be together but overall it didn't really effect me. I did grow up with a dad figure in my life though because when i was in kindergarten my mom got married to my step dad. I don't really know whether i am going to get married in the future yet. I want kids but I'm not sure if I'm going to get married. I hope that i wait to have children until I'm married i am really gonna try hard.

Facebook is Using you

I read an article about Facebook yesterday. It was called Facebook is Using you. In the article it talks about how websites like "Google" are tracking what you do on the internet and its causing people problems. She pushing for laws for people can know what information that the website will know and look for. After i read this article it made me feel kind of concerned. It made me concerned because it made me think twice about what i write and do escpically since it can get into the hands of the wrong perso, or determine rather i can get my dream job and how my life turns out. The things i put on the internet could be used against me and hurt me in the long. Although, now im thinking about what i put on the internet i didnt always worry about it. Before i wasnt worried because for the most part i dont really put anything on the internet other then if i post how i feel on facebook, or something thats on my mind at the time like me being via mad/sad etc. The things that i put on the internet dosent define me as a person so i had nothing to worry about. And because i dont have anything to hide. But after reading this article i was really wrong i can get looked at as a bad person or at risk for things that mfay not even apply to me all because of what i Googled or because what i posted on Facebook or Twitter and i feel as though that is wrong and that these people who own these websites or whoever is spying on people shouldnt be able to do that, thats basically like an invade of privacy. And f they are going to be looking at what you do then they should tell you straight up at the front door and not hide nothing.

Blog #4

A recent article called "Aretha Franklin Responds to Media Speculation on Missing Whitney Houston's Funeral: 'Stop the BS'" is about how Aretha Franklin responded to the rumors about why she didn't attend her god daughter Whitney Houston's funeral. She stated that she wasn't able to give her respect or perform at the funeral because of leg spasms and locked leg muscles. She said that if she wanted to then she would've attended. Sources where giving people the wrong information about why she didn't attend. Sources where saying that the reason why she didn't go to the funeral because Aretha and Cissy weren't getting along and that she wasn't invited. I think that people should mind their own bussiness and just leave the whole family alone about everything. They should just let the family morn in peace. And its nobody's business if she didn't attend the writing. No one really is going at Bobby Kristina's neck for leaving in the middle of the funeral. Aretha Franklin is an elderly woman and she has health problems you can't just throw things in her face about why she didn't go, if her body didn't let her then he body didn't let her let her be. Also, even though that was her god daughter she was very upset and shaken about the death of Whitney therefore they should know that Aretha cares.

I'm a criminal and so are you

This article is about how people who are felons are discriminated against because they got caught breaking the law. Michelle Alexander believes that this isn't fair. I agree with her. She says that if you are a felony in this country then they can deny you of some of your rights. They can deny you of your right to vote, automatically, employment,housing, education, public benefits, and food stamps. I Michelle also says that just because you weren't caught breaking the law doesn't mean that your not a criminal you still are. I agree with her about how its not right to take away criminals rights but only to a certain extent i think that if you were accused of killing, robbing, assault or any violent crimes then you maybe you should get some of your rights tooken away but if you where convicted of a crime like smoking weed, or something than small then they should still have their rights because people can change especially if they got convicted in an early age for something. If the person really wants to change and they cant better their education or get a better job or something what are they supposed to do. They will probably most likely continue with the things that got them in trouble in the first place, but only because they don't have anything positive that they can do. Like for instance if a man gets convicted for something and he gets out. He will want to provide for his family but her may not be able to because the law says that he has been restricted o his rights that is really not fair and it should not be so. If everyone was to have their rights tooken because they have done a crime then the U.S would not get anywhere because somebody, once,twice, or even more has broken the law and people will continue doing it. So I agree with Michelle in the point that she was trying to make.

Photoshopped or not

I have read an article called Photoshopped or not. It was taking about how Doctors named Dr. Farid and Eric Kee, a Ph.D are proposing a software tool for measuring how much fashion and beauty photos have been altered. In the article they stated that their work is intended as a technological step to help address concerns about the common use of highly idealized and digitally edited images in advertising and fashion magazines. Some of the photos that are photoshopped give people the wrong idea on how the average body image should look like, And it can contribute to eating disorders and anxiety about body types, especially among young ladies. By them measuring how much the photos have been altered they can tell people the percent of the the altering.  The doctors believe that they should be labeled if they where altered. I agree with the doctors. I agree with them because a lot of girls today want to be like the people they see on TV. But, the person that they see may not be what it looks to be, they person may have been altered to look more attractive. The reality is everyone has flaws and everyone isn't perfect especially in body image. People should be aware if what they are seeing is true or not so they don't get the wrong idea on things.

"iPad"

I read an article called "In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad" by Charles Duhigg and David Barboza. Its about the workers that work in factories in China helping manufacturing iPads. In the article the authors use background information and sources/quotes from people who work in the factory, or their families. "Just two weeks before the explosion, an advocacy group in Hong Kong publishes a report warning of unsafe conditions at the Chengdu plant. I think that this is an interesting topic. I think this is an interesting topic because its making people aware of whats happening behind closed doors. It can open the eyes of many people who buy from apple and not even know the hard labor and underpayment that the people who help manufacture their products undergo, most people might not even agree with it and would even stop buying from the company. After reading this article it changed my way of thinking it changed my way of thinking because i never knew the things that some people went through and i didn't know that the amount of people who lost their life where only because of making something that is enjoyed worldwide. Their procedures are bad. And they're not taking any pro cautions to change anything. Like the fact the most of the factories that are burned down are from the fact that they don't have good ventilation which that problem could be solved and its not even that expensive. The fires where caused by aluminium dust. I can relate this article to blood diamonds. I can relate this to blood diamonds. i can relate this to blood diamonds because most people didn't know people where getting killed over diamonds and how people put their life in danger for them.

Cracking Teenagers Online Codes

I just read an article about a woman talking about teens and how they use the Internet. I agree with a lot of things she stated in the article and i believe that parents should read this article. She talked about how the Internet isn't as bad as adults think that it is. It can be a way for teens to vent when they cant talk to anyone. She believes that teens are on the Internet more anyway because parents don't let them have as much freedom as they should get. She says that everything that they do on the Internet they would most likely do in person. She talks about how adults thinks the Internet via facebook, twitter, etc. is unsafe because of predators but based on statistics it is more likely for a teen to get pried upon by someone they know personally then someone they met online. She said that kids should get more freedom to explore and experience things online that might actually help them. Also, in some situations teens may not be able to talk to any adults that they know so by them getting online they can find a consular that can maybe give them good advice and help them with their problems. She said that just like adults teens want privacy's also even online. Boyd said that "teenagers are using the Internet in a more productive and creative and less harmful than people think." She said that teenagers today are the same that they were before nothing really changes except for technology.

64 year old man beaten badly

I just read an articl about a 64 year old man that was beaten badly by six teens that go to Olney High School. Only two of the six teens are getting charged with something though. The man was simply minding his own bussiness and walking to the bus stop to go pick up his wife when these boys beat basically half to death and for no reason they did it because they thought that it would be fun. I think that is a shame and they deserve to go to jail but not just two of them. What makes it right to jump an old man. Especially when he didn't even say a word to them. It's a shame and it was irrelevant and t shouldn't even have occurred. the man that they attacked was a war vet. I think that if it was the other way around and someone beat their dad or something of that sort they would be outraged. It's not right at all. And people wonder why there are laws and other things that say we cant go out after certain times and stuff. It wouldn't be as much restrictions if teenagers knew how to act. And it messes it up for teens that are doing the right thing because now they cant go enjoy themselves and do whatever they wanted because people just don't know how to act like regular kids. The man has to lay in a bed in a hospital with a two broken orbitals, a fractured skull and a fractured jaw. His son who is a veteran like his father couldn't even look at his dad. That's really sad. And one of the boys who helped beat him is 15 years old that's the same age as me. His parents must be really ashamed and disappointed in him. I think that he shouldn't be the only one who is getting charged with this assault i believe that they all should since they all took part in it.

Teaching kids how to break up nicely

In the " Teaching kids how to break up Nicley". Benoit Denizet- Lewis talks about how teens break up in the unhealthy ways. She asks teens about their experiences. Lewis held a meeting. During the meeting the teens where aloud to use their cell phones freely. Lewis had quotes from teens also. a seventeen year old named Robert said " racing to update your staus after a break up is healthy behavior" While sixteen year old Lazangie disagreed with Robert. Also, a fifteen year old girl stated that she learned that her girlfriend of two years had dumped her only when she had changed her relationship status to single. I think that this is an interesting topic to talk abut because you can get alot of feedback on this topic, and alot of teens would know at least one situation where as though it was a relationship that ended unhealthy. Before i read this article i didn't think of breaking up via facebok or text message of being unhealthy. Now that i have this article i think that its unhealthy. I think hat this is an important article because this can solve a lot of issues with teen break ups. Also, it can make it more personal. I think that people shouldn't break up via facebook or text message. I believe that that should brake up in person. so that whatever problems they have they can just talk it out in person. I think that this problem could be solved by teens breaking up in person but i think that most teens wont want to brake ups in person because they don't have enough confidence.

Playtime for pre schoolers essential

I just read an article called playtime is essential for pre schools. The article was bout how young children should get more active and be able to go outside more in school. It talked about how allot children 2 through 19 are obese. In the article it says that most day cares and pre schools say that they don't worry about playtime because the parents are more concerned about the learning and academics then they are the activities. Researchers said that but by the kids getting time outside it also increases their brain development it does so by the child using skills that they use in the classroom in real solutions. I agree with the researchers i think that its a good idea for children for to get more active and have playtime. According to the article parents should be more interested in rather their kids are active in school. The articles said that children spend more time in the classroom then outside. Also, that playgrounds have to be up to date on the on their equipment, and that the equipment that they do have isn't as fun because kids aren't allowed to use them in the way they want because its not safe.