Journal #5: United Shades of America

Issues Presented in Reading and Video
After reading another chapter of Bell's novel and watching the first episode of the United Shades of America, it helped open the audiences eyes to situations people of color face, which many white men never would have even thought about. Both the reading and video address that people of color are more at risk just walking down the street, the reading really touched on the idea that policemen are racist and more likely to use violence right away with a man of color, compared to someone who is white.  Bell mentions "My whole life, and since the dawn of this country, big Black men have been targeted. It's a reality of life in America" (Bell 183). This quote truly shows that Black men, have to take precautions doing everyday activities and not draw attention because many people will easily jump to the worst conclusion just because of the color of their skin. Not only is the idea that people jump to conclusions and dislike those who have different colored skin in the reading, but also in the video. In the episode it shows that this racism is present and is still occurring today. Most people think racism isn't as present today but groups like the KKK still exist and still believe that people of color are inferior and that they should not have the same rights as those who are white. The video showed the beliefs of many clan members and how they wouldn't even be opened to the idea of sharing a playground with people of different races. Both the reading and video opens the eyes of readers and shows the the reality that is occurring today.


Bells Use of Humor
Bell uses humor in his writing a fair amount, and he uses humor to frankly make these horrible stories a little more tolerable because they are so sad for anyone to hear. He still tells the full story but he tries to use in a way comic relief to help the audience regain their emotions. For example Bell states "Finding humor in these situations is what I have learned to do. I can't imagine being able to take all this horrible in without processing it with jokes" (Bell 183).  His use of humor helps him deal and comprehend all the non-sense and frankly horrific sad stories. He uses humor as a coping mechanism, he has to cope because these stories involve people like him. Cultural segregation and racism clearly still exists today. I know many people turn a blind eye to it or think that its so much better than the past and therefore don't believe we need to take further action. But this is the complete wrong mindset, it is just as prevalent today as it was years ago, the only way for us to make it better and free these people from living in fear of walking down the streets is to help. I think a start would be to make sure there are consequences to police who decide to take rash violent action against innocent people. These cops need to stop getting away with it and need to have consequences. As individuals we need to be aware and and create awareness, teach people what is going on around us so we can take action and try to prevent it.

Extension 
Bell uses humor in his writing a fair amount, and he uses humor to frankly make these horrible stories a little more tolerable because they are so sad for anyone to hear. Bell wants to be as honest and tell everyone the full true story. By using humor he doesn't mean to make it seem like a joke. Frankly, he does the opposite. He still gives the real story and in a way increases the importance by mocking it and showing why certain people are so crazy. He also uses humor to help his emotions. If it weren't for humor I'm sure his emotions would turn into anger and he needs to be able to keep himself together in order to get through his ideas.  Also Bell does need to be careful using humor. Because like I mentioned earlier, there is a thin line from enhancing the importance to making the story more of a joke and he needs to clearly identify what point of view he's going for. His use of humor almost makes the audience more interactive. After I read this chapter every time I found him using humor it almost seemed like I was rooting for him, like "Go Kamau", I wanted him to really stick it to these horrible people he continues to describe. It is extremely impressive to hear and watch in the video the situations he has seen and been through and see how he acts. He handles everything in a brave, impressive, composed way. Especially with the horrible things these people are saying he seems to really stay composed and respond the proper way.

Real Life Connection
The article attached explains a story of an older man, Brian Jones and the racism he faces. He experienced some similar things as Bell, some different. He learned similar habits to Bell, when he walks in a store he makes sure to keep hands out of pockets, not carry a bag, make eye contact and speak to people with confidence, these things many white people never even think about. He also had a sad experience in his mainly white high school, where one White boy placed a noose in the locker or another Black boy, and his only consequence was a lame apology. Jones decided to try and silent protest by having all the other Black students wear a black arm band, this resulted in students and even teachers in class encouraging students to laugh at the action. This middle aged man now, still faces things today that are related to his race.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/06/growing-up-black-in-america-racism-education

Journal #4

Bell considers himself an outsider throughout his writing because he constantly finds situations where he does not fulfill the stereotypical decision of a man with the same race. Bell talks about the ideas that if as a Black man, if he does not listen to rap or hip-hop music then he is an outsider. He tells a story of him on a plane and he is asked what type of music he is listening to by another man of his race on the plane. When he tells him, Bell already knows what the response will be, because he is not listening to rap or hip-hop the man most likely won't have an interest. Bell continues to write that "being a Black person who does not listen to hip-hop as his music of choice by definition makes you an outside" (Bell 62). This quote shows how so many people jump to conclusions due to others race or religion, etc. This is no way to go through life assuming others personality or character or hobbies just due to their race. Bell also throughout the chapter comments on the television shows he watches. He mentions "I knew I loved the Good Times, but I also knew I loved The Brady Bunch. I never thought to pick" (Bell 57). This statement is an innocent pure thought that should arrive in every child's head early in life. He should not and does not have to pick. Going through school and growing up he unfortunately realized that in school and throughout life, people assume and judge others due to their race. Therefore, he felt it was underlying pressure, like there was this non spoken rule that he had to choose a certain show due to his race. Not everyone has to conform to the social "expectations" or social norm that others his age and race follow. It is very unfortunate the racism that appears in our everyday lives, back then but also today. We need to stop making assumptions due to others race, and treat everyone with equality.

Journal #3

Your name defines who you are because it's essentially your title. When you hear it you respond, everyone has a common way to get your attention and that is by using your name.  I personally think, your name does not define who you are, your personality defines who you are. One issue which was heavily discussed in the reading was how people would jump to conclusions and not hang out with the author due to her non traditional name. Many people make cultural assumptions and are prejudice when they do not respond or react the same to someone because they have a non traditional American name. I would not change my name but the reason behind that is luckily I never had to go through what the author of the article and what her family went through. I do agree with the author and believe that her story's about interactions with others and their bullying due to her name are true. It is a sad truth but it is reality today. I believe we need to start teaching people in our world to start listening and learning, in order to help prevent discrimination and stereotyping today.

• sad truth to names, people judge based on names
• It is very obvious people usually assume others race and ethnicity due to name
• Names can have a large effect on children 
• People who wanted to change their names they were all of a different race, we saw no caucasian people who wanted to change their name, no white person has maybe even thought about changing their name
• Interesting how studies show that parents in unfortunate low level circumstances/living conditions have higher chance of naming their child a unique name

"I'm From"

I'm from an area where laughter and smiles reach the faces of all.
A place where old and young reunite and most of my family is involved.

I'm from where phones are left behind and we get up the minute the sun shines.
Where we throw on bathing suits and race for the early innocent water.

I'm from where nature is admired and you can find a relaxing place on the boat when you get tired.
We get to listen to the crashing waves and see people kayaking, swimming and paddle boarding in different ways.

I'm from a cabin amongst tall trees where the sun streams through the leaves.
Where we get to read on the dock and no one looks at the clock.

I'm from where active water sports are a must, but the crazy face planting falls you never really trust.
Where everyone laughs at the fails of friends trying something new, but its okay because we all help and them get through.

I'm from loud family dinners and grilling, to watching funny movies and chilling.
Then after, we go for late night boat trips to ice cream, watching the yellowish-orange sunset is like a daydream.

I'm from the smell of a camp fire and s'mores at night,
and then laying on the dock to see the quiet water reflect the moon and star light.

I'm from Deep Creek Lake,
my favorite vacation place.

Journal #2

Meaningful Place

My family and I pull down a gravel driveway, as the car shakes we are all eager to get out and stretch our legs. After a long 4-hour car ride we have arrived, the door shoots opened and my little sister races to the trunk to get her oversized suitcase and go inside. But it is not just her who is excited, it’s obvious we all move with a little pep in our step because we cannot wait to get settled in, get our bathing suits on and head down to the lake. My family’s lake house in Maryland, is my happy place. Everyone seems to have that one place in mind, where they go there and feel safe, that place for me is Deep Creek Lake. I love this place for more reasons than I can express in this short blog, but first and foremost, I love how happy it makes everyone. At Deep Creek I find myself surrounded by friends or family who all seem to just forget about any stress or worry in their life and come to have a good time. 

I love starting the day off by waking up bright and early at 7 am. I walk down to the boat in a soft sweatshirt and hear the slight breeze shake the leaves of the surrounding trees. I get onto the boat and see the smog slowly rise above the water. The silky water has an innocent look to it in the morning, where it looks calm and natural where no boats have yet touched it, no one has continued to pollute it with fuel, it’s comforting. I get to hear the fierce yet calming rev of the boat’s engine. Following I see my mom jump into the chilled morning water. Then I watch as my family and I participate in many different water sports and enjoy the day forgetting about any worries we have. 

This lake house has been around my entire life, before it was my families it was my grandparents. I cannot remember a summer without a visit here. Deep Creek has helped me realize that life is short, and you have to live in the present. Moments at my lake house make it all worth it, there have been times where I was stressed out about school or family and took a trip to Deep Creek and realized in the grand scheme of things, I need to live in the moment and not stress out too much. In my short fun weekends I have at deep creek, I create memories that last a lifetime. This place has allowed me to realize life isn’t always an easy slope. You face hard challenges all the time, but I have to keep in mind that I should continue to look at the big picture. In the times where I am stressed out I have to remember my family and friends. The people that make the memories at Deep Creek so great, these people are always there for me. Deep Creek has made me who I am today because it helped me realize how important family and friends are, and now when I get stressed I try to look at the big picture and live more in the moment. 

Writing Exercise

Where we come from is extremely important and plays a large role in developing our character. Growing up around your family, you learn many different traits and begin to develop opinions, usually similar to your parents but sometimes different, both are good. Everything we experience helps shape who we are as an individual. Our financial situation, the size of our family, the relationships between our family members and friends, the environment surrounding you. Everything adds to your complex character. Personally, I come from a supportive large Italian family. This teaches me so many valuable things. Starting with communicating and not being afraid to jump out of your comfort zone to start a conversation with someone new and different. In my family we usually host a Thanksgiving of 50 people, each year there is someone new, we all are inviting and love to welcome them in and say hello and start a conversation. My family and I are very opened with each other which helps when anything stressful or concerning jumps into life. My immediate family looks out for me, as I do for them. I can talk to my siblings about anything and to me that is really important and has helped me become more empathetic. 

Journal #1

Introduction

My name is Laura Fazzini, I come from a large Italian family. I have three siblings, an older sister and brother, and one younger sister. I love to play soccer and I play for the Shippensburg Women's Soccer team. I like to be active and spontaneous with my friends. I enjoy relaxing on the beach and wake boarding/waterskiing in the summer. In the winter I love to ski.  I am majoring in the business field and am excited for the upcoming year!

Writing Experiences

 My writing experience is not too interesting, it starts and ends in school. I find myself only writing papers in class, not outside of class. My personal experience with writing is I think it has potential to be fun and be a great way to express myself, but in high school I was too focused on filling out an outline and the writing felt forced and it did not seem to flow. I enjoy writing when it is about a topic that interests me.  One of my weaknesses would be where and how to start a paper. The beginning is difficult for me, I never know how to start. That said, once I do begin then my pencil seems to go and not stop.  In high school, I did very well in English class and I got good grades on papers.  Another weakness is I tend to change tenses when writing. I will maybe start in past but halfway through switch to present tense. In this upcoming class I hope I can become a more confident writer and I hope that I will enjoy writing more.

New Goals

Three goals I would like to set and improve on would be summarizing, being able to learn more about the background information of an article, and staying focused and connecting with the article.  I want to become better at summarizing because I tend to struggle picking out the most important information. Also I want to work on taking the time to learn more about the subject or topic I will be reading and learn more about the background knowledge. If I get into the habit or researching the topic before reading it so I can further my understanding. Finally, I want to try and work on staying focused.  Often I lose focus and don't understand the reading. I really want to pay close attention and if I do happen to lose focus, then I need to work on going back and re-reading, this will help me learn more.  To achieve these goals, I would like to read more and practice.  In the end these will help me become a stronger and more confident reader.  To create the right conditions I have to put myself in a good place, I need to attend class and continue reading/practicing these skills. 


Critical Thinking Example 

My critical thinking example was a picture of propaganda in commercials today.  Many adds or commercials try to sway opinions and make fake realities. My image explained how Starbucks coffee makes you the best person you can be. Many adds use a similar technique where they make you believe that if you buy their product you will feel a certain way, like in the Starbucks add they made you believe that if you drink their coffee you have a higher chance of feeling more confident.  But in reality, this is never the case.  Therefore, it shows that as critical thinkers we need to dig deeper, analyze, and form our own opinions to find out the truth in many adds, commercials, etc. today.