I loved this essay!!! It is so good and so true!
I wish more people, myself included, would get it together enough to stand up and fight without backing down. I would love to write something with this much passion and intensity.
I loved the word choices, and the comparison to other countries. It is not at all suprising to me to learn that other countries are not looking at us for a moral compass. This essay truly shows why.
Friday, December 7, 2007
The Meanings of Words
I could not agree more with Naylor about language being subjective. We use words according to how we want them to be interpreted and how we have interpreted and interacted with them in the past.
I cannot remember the first time I heard the word n****r, but I do recall when I came to the understanding what that meant and how offensive it was. I was in seventh grade, and had my first biracial friend. My father, being the redneck he is, asked my mother if the dad was the "n" word or the mom. My mother told him that he was under no circumstances to ever say that in front of me again, seeing how she did not want me to repeat it. I being the curious kid that I was looked it up in the dictionary and when its definition didn't satisfy me, I asked my 17 year old sister who gladly filled me in. I was appauled that my father could feel that way about another person for no reason except the color of their skin.
It is so interesting that that word is acceptable in African American communities, but so not acceptable for caucasions to say.
I cannot remember the first time I heard the word n****r, but I do recall when I came to the understanding what that meant and how offensive it was. I was in seventh grade, and had my first biracial friend. My father, being the redneck he is, asked my mother if the dad was the "n" word or the mom. My mother told him that he was under no circumstances to ever say that in front of me again, seeing how she did not want me to repeat it. I being the curious kid that I was looked it up in the dictionary and when its definition didn't satisfy me, I asked my 17 year old sister who gladly filled me in. I was appauled that my father could feel that way about another person for no reason except the color of their skin.
It is so interesting that that word is acceptable in African American communities, but so not acceptable for caucasions to say.
Whose Cannon is it Anyway?
I was disappointed because I was hopeful that it would be about THE Cannon, as in the Bible.
Overall I did not like this essay at all. I hated the first sentence. I thought that Gates used too scholarly of language. I also could not figure out who Gates thought his intended audience was.
He threw in poorly placed, and poorly backed up statistics along with red herring stories that diverted from the intentions of the essay. This was just so not my favorite essay.
Overall I did not like this essay at all. I hated the first sentence. I thought that Gates used too scholarly of language. I also could not figure out who Gates thought his intended audience was.
He threw in poorly placed, and poorly backed up statistics along with red herring stories that diverted from the intentions of the essay. This was just so not my favorite essay.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
P.S.
Dr. Henson,
I also wanted to let you know that the rest of my posts are back at the beginning of this plog, and a few of them (maybe 3) occur in comments on other blogs.
The End.
I also wanted to let you know that the rest of my posts are back at the beginning of this plog, and a few of them (maybe 3) occur in comments on other blogs.
The End.
The Men We Carry in Our Minds
This essay is about the whole "the grass is greener on the other side" problem. We all have the stereotypical "man" and "woman" in our minds. It is not our fault--experience creates this. If I have had certain experiences with men, I am going to assume that that is how men are. The same goes with women. It's the same way that many racial stereotypes are perpetuated--through assumptions and misunderstandings.
I think the best thing we can do is realize our own ignorance. I too, do not have a great relationship with my dad, and this has hurt my spiritual life in the past. Treating God as if he is my father doesn't appeal to me. I don't know how to even begin to make that kind of relationship work. But God is the consummate father, and I do not need to judge him by human standards--I just need to let him love me.
Just as I cannot judge God on basis of my father, neither can I judge other men on basis of my father. Same with women and my mother, dogs by my dogs, etc.
I think the best thing we can do is realize our own ignorance. I too, do not have a great relationship with my dad, and this has hurt my spiritual life in the past. Treating God as if he is my father doesn't appeal to me. I don't know how to even begin to make that kind of relationship work. But God is the consummate father, and I do not need to judge him by human standards--I just need to let him love me.
Just as I cannot judge God on basis of my father, neither can I judge other men on basis of my father. Same with women and my mother, dogs by my dogs, etc.
How It Feels To Be Colored Me
I loved this essay. Hurston's attitude is positive and her tone is humorous. She tweaks the language to bring a smile to the reader's face, even in a controversial topic. I almost laughed out loud when she was talking about how she is constantly reminded that she is the granddaughter of slaves, and she responds that: "The operation was successful and the patient is doing very well, thank you."
Hurtston is neither overly aware or unaware of her color. She simply is. Sometimes, her heritage shines through. The throbbing scene she describes of listening to jazz with a white man exemplifies this. But above all, she is human, and that is what matters--she accepts and celebrates her culture, but she is not tied down by it.
Hurtston is neither overly aware or unaware of her color. She simply is. Sometimes, her heritage shines through. The throbbing scene she describes of listening to jazz with a white man exemplifies this. But above all, she is human, and that is what matters--she accepts and celebrates her culture, but she is not tied down by it.
The Meanings of a Word
I thought that Naylor handled an ugly topic tastefully and intelligently. I cannot decide when and where the word "nigger" is appropriate in the Black community. As a Caucasian, this word is taboo in my vocabulary--too many racists (both white and other racists) have used this term to demean and degrade blacks.
But Naylor makes a great point--if the black community takes that ugly word and makes it their own, then the word loses its power. There is no need to ignore that the word exists. It does, and it is disgusting. But if a positive spin can be put on a negative word, then it ought to be.
But Naylor makes a great point--if the black community takes that ugly word and makes it their own, then the word loses its power. There is no need to ignore that the word exists. It does, and it is disgusting. But if a positive spin can be put on a negative word, then it ought to be.
What Really Ails America
I thought this essay was great. Maybe it's just partially because it stings my pride, but I hate the view of America that the world has. And it's our fault. American media exemplifies all of the negative American stereotypes--that we are greedy, lazy, selfish and amoral. And the sad truth is that the we are beginning to mirror our media, and vice-versa.
I could talk about a lot of the positive aspects of this essay, but I thought that the conclusion was the strongest. His sentence length variety is perfect--he follows up one long sentence with three brief ones: "Do not surrender. Get mad. Get in the fight."
I loved that. It actually made me want to do something. I think that's the mark of good writing.
I could talk about a lot of the positive aspects of this essay, but I thought that the conclusion was the strongest. His sentence length variety is perfect--he follows up one long sentence with three brief ones: "Do not surrender. Get mad. Get in the fight."
I loved that. It actually made me want to do something. I think that's the mark of good writing.
The Mystery of Zen
I agree with previous posts about this essay--I just didn't get it. I like that he emphasized the pursuit of knowledge and the exploration of other religions (for knowledge, not to denounce our own beliefs), but Zen is a topic I cannot understand.
He references the book "Zen in the Art of Archery." I was in a coffee shop once, and picked this book up. I must have been really bored, because I read through quite a bit of it. The concept was interesting, but not only do I not understand Zen, but I also feel like everything about it is a stretch. The author of "Zen in the Art of Archery" was truly trying to come to a universal understanding of the world and God through archery.
Again, the idea of thought and of meditation that Zen exemplifies appeals to me. Other than that, I just don't get it.
He references the book "Zen in the Art of Archery." I was in a coffee shop once, and picked this book up. I must have been really bored, because I read through quite a bit of it. The concept was interesting, but not only do I not understand Zen, but I also feel like everything about it is a stretch. The author of "Zen in the Art of Archery" was truly trying to come to a universal understanding of the world and God through archery.
Again, the idea of thought and of meditation that Zen exemplifies appeals to me. Other than that, I just don't get it.
Sex, Lies, and Advertising
I agree wholeheartedly with the points that Steinem makes in this article. While I didn't want to read it in its entirety (it was long!), I think that the length was one of the strong points: Steinem is sure to make her point over and over, and she supports it. If not, I'm afraid it may have just sounded like an un-intelligent essay that was whining, "Seeeeriously, women are smart! I promise! Just ... I promise!"
I'm glad she went on.
I believe that we CAN "do better than this," and I hate that magazines that target women perpetuate so many negative stereotypes--both about women physically and mentally. Sure, I may be interested in reading summer smoothie recipes, but make a magazine that challenges my intellect and serves a purpose.
Anyway, that's why I don't read women's magazines. Thanks to Steinem for challenging the industry.
I'm glad she went on.
I believe that we CAN "do better than this," and I hate that magazines that target women perpetuate so many negative stereotypes--both about women physically and mentally. Sure, I may be interested in reading summer smoothie recipes, but make a magazine that challenges my intellect and serves a purpose.
Anyway, that's why I don't read women's magazines. Thanks to Steinem for challenging the industry.
Why We Crave Horror Movies
I agree with King for the most part. I may not have his bent for horror (nor his skill in scaring), but I think he is on target when he says that we all have a smidgen of insanity in us. I don't think he means to imply that we all share the mentalities of serial killers and rapists--rather, I think he means to say that when we experiences moments of rage, anger, or even a bit of craziness, we have spent a second in the mind of a serial killer. The difference, of course, is that there is a difference between complete insanity (and acting upon it), and moments of anger, etc.
What King is writing about--though he doesn't know it--is our inclination to sin. The Bible tells us that when we have hatred in our heart, we have committed murder. I think King is hinting towards a similar idea--he just doesn't know it's Biblical.
Personally, I think King is a great horror writer. When it comes to horror movies, etc., I can't handle them. I'm a big, big wimp, and I think my bent towards insanity (at least in watching it) is rather small. Good news for me!
What King is writing about--though he doesn't know it--is our inclination to sin. The Bible tells us that when we have hatred in our heart, we have committed murder. I think King is hinting towards a similar idea--he just doesn't know it's Biblical.
Personally, I think King is a great horror writer. When it comes to horror movies, etc., I can't handle them. I'm a big, big wimp, and I think my bent towards insanity (at least in watching it) is rather small. Good news for me!
Salvation
This essay (if I may be so extreme) broke my heart. I love Langston Hughes, first of all. I think he has such a mastery of the English language that he can be simple and powerful at the same time. His description of the desire to hear and feel Jesus in his soul (like he was told he was), but failing, describes the let-down of many children (and adults).
I myself never had that life-rocking conversion experience that I heard so many people talk about, and it made me wonder about everyone who said that they felt free and light when they "accepted" Jesus. I wondered if they were lying, I wondered if they were kidding themselves, I wondered if I had just done it wrong.
It's taken quite a few struggles of faith to realize that what I felt when I was saved is not what matters, and whether others were lying when they said that they felt like they were light and free doesn't matter either. What matters is the reality of Christ, not the reality of the conversion experience.
What saddens me is the way that Hughes ends his essay--he leads me to believe that this disillusion of his childhood has carried on to his adulthood. Perhaps it was the heartbreak of childhood, or perhaps it was the hypocrisy he saw. Either way, when he says, "I didn't believe there was a Jesus any more, since he didn't come to help me," I can't help but believe that he wonders that today.
I myself never had that life-rocking conversion experience that I heard so many people talk about, and it made me wonder about everyone who said that they felt free and light when they "accepted" Jesus. I wondered if they were lying, I wondered if they were kidding themselves, I wondered if I had just done it wrong.
It's taken quite a few struggles of faith to realize that what I felt when I was saved is not what matters, and whether others were lying when they said that they felt like they were light and free doesn't matter either. What matters is the reality of Christ, not the reality of the conversion experience.
What saddens me is the way that Hughes ends his essay--he leads me to believe that this disillusion of his childhood has carried on to his adulthood. Perhaps it was the heartbreak of childhood, or perhaps it was the hypocrisy he saw. Either way, when he says, "I didn't believe there was a Jesus any more, since he didn't come to help me," I can't help but believe that he wonders that today.
The Value of Philosophy
I was not stunned by Russell's essay, but I did appreciate it. Meg, I know this will sound wimpy because you're a philosophy all-star, but I've taken my Gen. Ed. Philosophy course this semester and I absolutely love it. Prior to this class, I appreciate those who cared about philosophy, but didn't really see the value. I don't know what it was--maybe Ken Schenck is just a great professor--but the study of philosophy is now intriguing to me. I think that, at best, philosophy is an optimistic realization that we can know very few things for sure--but that we should seek to discover truth.
Russell commended this search for knowledge in his essay. Philosophy, he claims, is about knowledge and its search. Philosophy is more about questions than answers, and while that may seem disconcerting sometimes, I think that it is what our minds are made to do: question.
Russell commended this search for knowledge in his essay. Philosophy, he claims, is about knowledge and its search. Philosophy is more about questions than answers, and while that may seem disconcerting sometimes, I think that it is what our minds are made to do: question.
The Rival Conceptions of God
C.S. Lewis is brillian, let me just begin with that. The points he made in this essay really helped clarify some questions I've had about my faith--and helped me form new questions of my own. I liked that he pointed out that in order for Christianity to be true, not all other religions have to be completely untrue. Certainly, they may not lead to heaven, but many tenets of religions agree, and there are certain aspects and behaviors from other religions that we could adopt.
Another point I liked was how he addressed the question of "if God is good, why has the world gone wrong?" He replies that we cannot even have a concept in our mind of morality, rightness, and justice if a supreme being did not create us with a bent towards perfection.
Thanks, C.S. Lewis. You're a genius.
Another point I liked was how he addressed the question of "if God is good, why has the world gone wrong?" He replies that we cannot even have a concept in our mind of morality, rightness, and justice if a supreme being did not create us with a bent towards perfection.
Thanks, C.S. Lewis. You're a genius.
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