Friendswood Questions Part 1

Friendswood Log Questions

1. Willa Lambert is a writer of the Lit Mag at Friendswood High.  Her parents are very religious and get upset when she jokes about the Devil.  Willa's little sister, Jana was wearing a red headband with horns on it.  Willa laughed out loud, "Finally dressed the part" (pg. 23)  Willa's father immediately shouted'"I don't like that fooling around with Satan, myself" (pg. 23).  She doesn't realize what she can and can't joke about. One of the interesting things about Willa is her visions.  However, she may not always be keeping track of her visions.  During class, she saw an elderly woman outside the classroom by a tree and wanted Willa's attention.  She couldn't pay attention to the woman, because she was in the middle of a lesson.. Steinke mentions how "If she didn't focus on the visions, it was almost like they weren't there" (pg. 57).  Based on this event, it's like Willa is the only one that can control seeing her visions.

3. Hal is the father of star football player Cully.  Hal is a real estate agent who takes his career seriously. from reading these past 60 pages, Hal has a passion for the real estate agency.  However, he seems to go under a lot of stress.  There are sometimes when he can be a little short with Darlene. Darlene is sometimes afraid to talk to Hal, because he can be aggressive, especially when he drinks.  The person that Hal really cares about is his son Cully.  They share a special bond and part of it could be from Cully's stardom in football.  Hal wasn't as amazing as his son, but going to his games is probably the best part of his day.  As a father, "Hal felt closest to his son when he sat in the stands, watching a game" (pg. 15).  Hal tries to be on his best behavior when he is around Cully and doesn't want his son to see his bad side.

4. Lee is the main character in Friendswood.  The significant tragedy that occurred in her life is the death of her daughter, Jess.  She died of a blood disease back 1993.  In the novel, Lee is looking back at memories of Jess in the year of 2007.  She became devastated after Jess passed away.  Lee misses her everyday and wasn't sure what she wanted to do.  Lee went to high school with Willa's mother years ago, and they used to be very close.  After Jess' death, it's almost like she decided to disconnect from her.  Lee is Hal's neighbor, and she is looked as a depressed woman to him.  He noticed how she rarely left her house.  Many people looked at Lee as a depressed woman and broke away from Friendswood.

5. Chemical dumping in Friendswood is a major part of this novel.  A lot of the chemical dumping happens over in Banes Field.  It's an area that's almost isolated from Friendswood.  Many people in Friendswood are eliminating chemicals by throwing them away in Banes Field.   On top of that, there is an oil refinery in Friendswood and releases a lot of dangerous toxins.  However, they don't understand the negatives of wasting chemicals.  It's causing a lot of damage to the soil and starts to spreading into the rivers/lakes.  Many people rely on EPA to clean up the chemicals and think the problems will be solved.  It's like EPA is more laid back on Friendswood's situation and doesn't make an effort to fix what's been broken.

6. Today in the US, there are some places that are struggling with environmental calamities.  For example, in Flint, Michigan, the water is being contaminated with lead.  The lead causes water to be extremely unsafe for people to drink from and other uses.  This started to happen after the town was attempting to save money.   EPA has delayed an emergency order for the past seven months.  The purpose of emergency orders is to protect the residents.  In Flint, they didn't create any type of sense of urgency and people were getting more upset.  residents are stating how EPA should be held accountable for failing to maintain their duties.

7.  EPA is characterized as Friendswood's cleaners.  People just throw away chemicals casually into the soil and water over in Banes Field.  EPA's job is to protect the environment and human health as well as enforce regulations.  However, they aren't great with cleaning the area.  Hal brought up a point to Avery by asking, "Didn't I hear something about the EPA clearing it again - for what, five years? Ten?" (pg. 47)  Rosemont, the old neighborhood next to Friendswood, went into the ground due to toxins from oil refinery spreading everywhere.  Hal brought up to Avery, "I don't think there was a single good reason for all those people to lose their houses.  Was there cancer? Yes.  But you know something?  Did you notice how people used to just die of it?  They didn't count it up the way they do now" (pg. 49)  From Hal's defense, it's almost as if EPA doesn't care so much about the town's environment.

Works Cited

Steinke, Rene. Friendswood. Waterville, ME: Thorndike Press, 2015. Print.

"Watchdog: EPA delayed emergency order for 7 months in Flint water crisis." (2016): n. pag. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.

Essay #3 Questions

10 Questions for Essay #3

1. How is college preparing me for adulthood?
2. What are some benefits I have in college that I didn't have in high school?
3. What are the advantages of being apart of the softball team at Fairleigh Dickinson?
4. Why is softball a huge part of my life?
5. When did I decided to continue playing softball into my college career?
6. What would college be like for me if I wasn't playing softball?
7. Why did I choose Fairleigh Dickinson for my college education?
8. How long did it take for me to adjust to campus life?
9. How do I feel having more responsibilities than I did in high school (stressed, calm, etc)?
10. Why does college have a huge impact on me as a student-athlete?

Essay #3 Choice Topics

Topics for Essay #3

1. Life in College - For this topic, I would like to write about how life in college is so different to my years in high school.  What are benefits that I have in college that I didn't have in high school?  How is college preparing me for adulthood?  
2. Softball - A huge part of my life.  I've been playing for many years and it has changed me.  Before playing softball, I didn't enjoy other sports, because it wasn't right for me.  When I picked up a glove and bat, I fell in love with the sport and I'm still playing at the collegiate level.
3. Presidential Election 2016 - Many people were shocked by the results of this year's election.  I was surprised myself, because I thought this election was very close.  There are many things that Donald Trump will accomplish for the United States.
4. Major: Hospitality and Tourism - I am a Hospitality major here at Fairleigh Dickinson.  For my whole life, I've been around people who work in this industry.  My father has been working in hospitality for almost twenty-three years and I've always found this field interesting.  As a young girl, I have attended business parties, corporate events, etc. 
5. Writing - When I was growing up, writing used to be one of my weaker spots.  I could never sit down in class and write an essay in one period.  I would have bad anxiety, because I believed writing was too challenging and couldn't write a great story.  With extra help from teachers and tutors over the years, I felt more confident with writing and I would no longer give up. 
6. Family Legacies - Sports and hospitality has been a huge part of my life.  When I was high school, I knew right away I wanted to continue playing softball and major in hospitality.  My mom played basketball and softball in high school and college and my dad has been working in the industry for years.  I had many experiences in hospitality and I've been playing softball for years.
7. Rights for LGBT Community - A lot of people argue about if individuals in the LGBT community should have equal rights.  I think people who identify as gay, lesbian, etc. should have the same rights as others.
8. Social Media - Social media has drastically changed over many years.  Why is it a huge influence on today's generation?  I feel many people can become obsessed and take it too seriously.  There are a lot of people who don't take about the things they post online.  
9. Dealing with Bullies - When I was in elementary school, a lot of kids in my class would constantly pick on me.  I never understood why. Was it because of my learning disability or the way I looked?  It wasn't easy for me to deal with bullying.  I wasn't strong and I always felt like hiding rolled up in a corner.  I knew I had to start standing up for myself.
10. My Hero - There is one person in my family who I've always looked up to when I needed something: my older brother.  The advantages of having an older brother is I can ask him for advice and he will take me anywhere I would want to go.  I love my brother and I know he will be there for me whenever I need him. 

Education as Identity quotes (Essay #2)

Education as Identity

Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work (Jean Anyon)

Quote # 1:

"That fifth-graders of different economic backgrounds are already being prepared to occupy particular rungs on the social ladder."

The above quote from Anyon's article is supporting the statement that young students are already being prepared (taught in school) for specific jobs.  In lower class schools, the curriculum was geared to following directions and rules, similar tasks needed for supporting jobs.  Higher class schools were taught skills to help prepare them for more professional higher level jobs. 

Quote # 2:

"Work is creative activity carried out independently.  The students are continually asked to express and apply ideas and concepts.  Work involves individual thought and expressiveness, expansion and illustration of ideas."

The above quote is relevant to the higher class schools where teachers want the students to become more of problem solvers and critical thinkers.  The students are expected to do much more than just follow steps to get an answer.  Their work is analyzed and discussed.

STILL SEPARATE, STILL UNEQUAL:  America's Educational Apartheid (Jonathan Kozol)

Quote # 3:

"You're ghetto, so we send you to the factory, so sew." (53)

The above quote from Kozol shows the mentality of some students from the lower class schools.  One student tells another student to accept the fact that they live in the ghetto, so naturally, she would be expected to go work in a sewing factory and not look for more beyond that.

Quote # 4:

"At some of the well-known private prep schools in New York city area, tuition and associated costs are more than $ 20,000 a year." (47)

The above quote discusses the fact that even some of the wealthy families in NYC, who have high level public high schools, still send their children to private schools.   They have enough money to do as they wish.

Students and Their Language

Students and Their Right to Language

The subject of people and their rights has been an issue for years, especially with students.  There are students who feel they're being judged for the language they speak.  Everyone may not understand them, but a student's language makes them comfortable.  I believe students should be entitled to have their own language.  This issue relates to Gloria Anzaldua's essay, "How to Tame a Wild Tongue".  She explains her main point by showing the audience that her language makes her identity unique.  

There are a lot of stories in social media today how athletes are expressing themselves.  I think athletes and students can freely express themselves.  Gloria Anzaldua stated,"I am free to write bilingually and to switch codes without having always to translate, while I still have to speak English or Spanish when I would rather speak Spanglish," (Anzaldua 251).   I think anyone can have their own language if it makes that person comfortable.  However, there should be a limit to how far students are expressing their emotions.

I believe students shouldn't have their own language when they cross the line.  I don't think students should express themselves by calling out other people.  For example, in the song, "F*** tha Police" these men are clearly explaining to the audience how horrible the police are. I think the members of N.W.A went too far on expressing their feelings towards the police.  The police are there to help people, and they only mentioned negative descriptions.  I strongly believe what the N.W.A said should have never been said.  I can only imagine how many officers were offended by this song, because of the deadly threats that were pointed to them.

RENNS can affect a student's voice and identity in many ways.  The term RENNS is a mnemonic for the following: reasons, examples, names, numbers, and sensory detail.  I think students can be affected by RENNS, because they could say something offensive and can't take it back.  Like I mentioned earlier, the N.W.A song isn't something that any human being can take back.  Once you say something, you've already said it and it's out there for other people to hear.  I believe students, athletes, and people are free to express their language, as long as it doesn't change how people view their personality and identity.

Free Write of Identity

Megan Zaccario

English 1100

September 9, 2016

Professor Young

What is Identity?

            There are so many meanings to the word Identity.  What can it be?  People think it can be somebody’s language, race, occupation, gender, etc. What does identity mean to me?  I believe identity is a person’s culture.  Culture classifies people from the type of background they were born into and values they follow.  Gloria Anzaldua mentions how culture refers to a body of people and their history.  “As a culture, we call ourselves Spanish when referring to ourselves as a linguistic group and when copping out.  It is then we forget our predominant Indian genes” (Anzaldua 253).  Culture plays an important role when you begin to know an adult or child’s identity.

            Culture is a very big topic when it comes to a person’s status.  When I meeting somebody for the first time, I don’t assume what their culture is.  I ask them questions about their background or their family.  You can’t always assume an adult or child’s jut by their looks or behavior.  Some people may not understand a language like Spanish or Pachuco, but those languages are part of one’s culture.  Children and teenagers can speak two languages: one at home with their family and the other at school with friends or coworkers.  “My ‘home’ tongues are the languages I speak with my sister and brothers, with my friends.  They are the last five listed, with 6 and 7 being closest to my heart.  From school, the media, and job situations, I’ve picked up Standard and working-class English” (Anzaldua 246).  I believe many people feel they must always use their first language from their culture.  A woman like Gloria Anzaldua believes having a secret language may not be easy to comprehend.  “Pachuco is a language of rebellion, both against Standard Spanish and Standard English.  It is a secret language.  Adults of the culture and outsiders cannot understand it.  It is made up of slang words from both English and Spanish” (Anzaldua 248). 

When people are born into a culture, there can be many values and rules.  In some cultures, women aren’t allowed to have a voice.  Gloria Anzaldua will not allow that to happen in her culture.  “I will have my serpent’s tongue - my woman’s voice, my sexual voice.  I will overcome the tradition of silence” (Anzaldua 249).  I feel women should be entitled to stand up and speak for themselves.  I feel certain cultures aren’t fair, because some people aren’t allowed to express who they really are.  Women should be entitled to stand up and speak for themselves.  

A person’s identity can be defined in many descriptions.  Culture can be described as one’s language, rules, and/or values.  All cultures may be different, but they all share one thing: they tell you a story about a man, woman, and child.  

 

How to Tame a Wild Tongue Reading Response

Megan Zaccario

English 1100

September 4, 2016

Professor Young

“How to Tame a Wild Tongue” Reading Response

In the opening scene of “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”, Gloria is at the dentist getting her roots cleaned.  The dentist tells Gloria, ‘We’re going to have to do something about your tongue.  I’ve never seen anything as strong or as stubborn.’  This scene in the dentist’s chair shows how Gloria has a free tongue.  It is hard for someone like her to be a typical Mexican girl who can’t be allowed to have a voice.

Anzaldua uses her writing to have the readers understand why Spanglish is just as important as the Spanish language.  Gloria’s writing did make sense to me, because I felt I was learning a new language.  There were many of the Spanglish words that I thought were similar to English language.  Anzaldua’s purpose of using Spanglish is to show the readers that there is a secret language.  She will not continue listening to people who talk negatively about her language or her wild tongue.

Academic English is described as standard and Chicano Spanish is nonstandard.  English and Spanish are two different languages.  A person’s identity can be referenced to this, because people argue that language is a trait that can describe a person.  

Academic English is one of the most important languages for people to know and understand.  It may not easy for people who are beginning to speak the language, but it is critical to understand.  Academic Englishs’ identity is important, because it helps you with other subjects in school such as history, math, and science that will help you succeed in school.  Not only will English help you in school, it will also make you successful for life.

English language comes in different types of dialects in the country.  It varies from Western American, Texan English, Southeastern New England, Midland American, and so many more.  All these dialects may sound diverse, but they are all under the same language of English.

I do not use a secret identity or language to communicate to my friends.  I am comfortable to tell my peers about myself and not feel embarrassed of anything.  When you are happy with just being you, why pretend to be somebody you’re not?  I can talk with my friends and teammates just because of who I am.  

When I am having a conservation with my friends, parents, and professors, I speak in standard English.  I feel this form of English is more comfortable for me.  I understand that the nonstandard version is still correct, but I would find it strange or difficult to communicate through use of non standard English.

The term “I am my language” can mean anything to a person.  I believe this term is referring to how people have a voice.  Nobody should be kept silent.  Everybody must be entitled to their own voice for themselves and not have others speak for them.  Gloria Anzaldua was standing up for herself and not let others push her.  “When I still have to speak English or Spanish when I would rather speak Spanglish, and as long as I have to accommodate the English speakers rather than having them accommodate me, my tongue will be illegitimate” (Anzaldua 251).  This statement connects to a person’s identity, because its is what makes that person unique.

The introduction and conclusion are the two biggest paragraphs in “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”.  Gloria gives the audience a pre-introduction on how people treat by the way she speaks and acts.  The conclusion is all about how people of different races and tongues can come together.  Nobody can bring people down by trying to change the language they speak or how they must look.  Both paragraphs tie into the major point Gloria Anzaldua was trying to get the audience to understand.  

Language I speak can be apart of my own identity.  English allows other people to know the language I can speak and even my nationality.  The biggest part about English included in my identity is I was born into it.

Identity is very important to me, because it is what makes me happy as a human being.  My identity describes my education, physical features, behavior, and much more.  It is critical to have an identity, because it carries with you for the rest of your life.  I think Gloria Anzaldua believes having an identity is important, but doesn’t need to be identified.  “We call ourselves Mexican-American to signify we are neither Mexican nor American” (Anzaldua 253).  She also explains how people of other races are patient, knew the ways of survival, and never gave up.  “Stubborn, persevering, impenetrable as stone, yet possessing a malleability that renders us unbreakable, we, the mestizas and mestizos, will remain” (Anzaldua 254).  If a person didn’t have one, how would he/she know who they truly are? They would be lost.  Having your own identity is an advantage for people to discover who they really are.