Dear Mr. Obama,
I am writing you today with hope. Hope that you will make a difference. I am concerned about the many issues we face as a nation so I thought I would share some of these needs with you. I am aware that change does not come quick and that you alone cannot make change in this world, without the help from us. I will do my individual best to help out and try to put in as much effort as you, well maybe not as much as you, because I know your plate is full, but the little help I can provide for myself, family and community. I have faith in you and your ability to fix these issues. I believe that every step you take and every move you make will surely make a difference in making our America a better place.
I am not asking for everything to change immediately, but what I am asking is for you to mindful of the many concerns we all have. We all have different needs and wants and I know it will be difficult to fulfill them all but knowing that you hear our cries and will make a conscious effort to make change is already enough for me.
But one of my main concerns is the economy. Money makes the world go around and we cannot survive without it. Many people are losing jobs and hours are being cut. It is a struggle for working class families who depend on that income to provide for their families. I do not have a family but it is already a struggle for me to even take care of myself. I know people have become greedy and careless and that is why we are in such a financial deficit. I do not have many concerns only because I know that change will not come quickly. We can only handle so much at once and I do not want to put to much pressure on you than there already is. I will address my concerns one at a time. We can make change slowly but surely and I will make my efforts in helping as well.
I hope that I do not come off as not believing in your abilities, I do, but I also am aware that so many people are expecting so much out of you but don't understand that it isn't just your responsibility but ours as well. Thank you for taking the time out to read my letter. I am greatful to have a president like you, someone who is concerned about our issues on the same level as the majority of us.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Gonzales
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
My Analysis and Personal Response to Obama's Inauguration Address
Jennifer Gonzales
Eng 1A
9-950am
Watching the inauguration was very exciting for me. As I watched millions of people gathered at this historic event, I was in such a state of disbelief, that we now have a president who will address our issues for majority of citizens . Furthermore, a president who not only is a visionary of change but also has action plans to support it . He sees change that even Martin Luther King Jr. knew could be possible.
His address was spoken in a very motivational tone. His words were not only meant to inspire but they also meant business. He acknowledges the fact that the challenges we face are real, but he is willing and determined to meet these many, serious and uneasy issues. He speaks of our historic political ideologies that have strangled our politics for far too long and now it is time to pass on to generations that all are equal, free and deserve the chance to pursue happiness. He realizes that the journey is not for people of leisure or who only seek riches. It is for the people who work hard and sacrifice toward the path of prosperity and freedom. He affirms a great nation, but that is never given, it must be earned. It is we who need to step up to the plate and start on the road to remaking America. He speaks optimistically because he sees a future that will be better. Spoken like a true revolutionary, he sees a world of freedom and justice. A true idealist that is full of action plans. He knows what he wants and how he will go about doing it.
How he plans on dealing with our many issues is a something he brings up repeatedly. He has bold and swift propositions for our economy, health care, environment and for our schools/colleges/universities. He emphasises that there is work to be done and that action needs to take place, not only to create jobs, but to lay a foundation for growth. Many may question if everything he is proposing will actually be tolerated, but he knows that change will come by the men and women with free imagination when joined together with courage, and that is us. We the people are not the only one's that need to put in conscious effort, but so do the people in his office. They have to make responsible decisions when managing the public's money because that is the only way they can restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
He speaks to the people of our nation and to people from all walks of life. He touches and embraces them. He says, "we are a nation of Christians and muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth;"/ "that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play it's role in ushering ina new era of peace." We will be here to lend a hand to the muslim world and other third world countries that are willing to accept it and to the soldiers in Iraq he acknowledges the sacrifices they have endured for our country.
Concluding his speech he reiterates the fact that we have many challenges and that we have a way of dealing with these issues and that is hard work, commitment and honesty.
Many commentors said he used a lot of metaphors and similar lines of past presidents. Another commentor said that at the heart of his speech was an appeal for a "new era of responsibility" in which americans embrace the duties they have to their nation and the world. Many said his speech was written with intelligence, compassion, wordliness and skill. They also said it was not too memorable or nothing new, but it was well written, structured and paced. I did not consist of any new lines we have not heard before. There were memorable passages, but few memorable phrases. I feel many people had mixed emotions about his speech, both negative and positive.
I loved his speech and thought it was very well said. He consistently reiterates that he is aware of our crisis in all aspects of life and that he will do his best as our president to meet those issues, but he is also requsting that we as a people need to do our part as well.
The Associated Press."Text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address" 2009. Yahoo! Inc. 20 Jan. 2009(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text)
Lister, Richard. "Obama's sobering inaugural speech" 2009. BBC News, Washington. 20 Jan. 2009 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/obama_inauguration/7841153.stm)
The Editors. "The Speech': The Experts' Critique" 2009. The New York Times ROOM for DEBATE. A Running Commentary on the News. 20 Jan. 2009
(http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/the-speech-the-experts-critique/)
Eng 1A
9-950am
Watching the inauguration was very exciting for me. As I watched millions of people gathered at this historic event, I was in such a state of disbelief, that we now have a president who will address our issues for majority of citizens . Furthermore, a president who not only is a visionary of change but also has action plans to support it . He sees change that even Martin Luther King Jr. knew could be possible.
His address was spoken in a very motivational tone. His words were not only meant to inspire but they also meant business. He acknowledges the fact that the challenges we face are real, but he is willing and determined to meet these many, serious and uneasy issues. He speaks of our historic political ideologies that have strangled our politics for far too long and now it is time to pass on to generations that all are equal, free and deserve the chance to pursue happiness. He realizes that the journey is not for people of leisure or who only seek riches. It is for the people who work hard and sacrifice toward the path of prosperity and freedom. He affirms a great nation, but that is never given, it must be earned. It is we who need to step up to the plate and start on the road to remaking America. He speaks optimistically because he sees a future that will be better. Spoken like a true revolutionary, he sees a world of freedom and justice. A true idealist that is full of action plans. He knows what he wants and how he will go about doing it.
How he plans on dealing with our many issues is a something he brings up repeatedly. He has bold and swift propositions for our economy, health care, environment and for our schools/colleges/universities. He emphasises that there is work to be done and that action needs to take place, not only to create jobs, but to lay a foundation for growth. Many may question if everything he is proposing will actually be tolerated, but he knows that change will come by the men and women with free imagination when joined together with courage, and that is us. We the people are not the only one's that need to put in conscious effort, but so do the people in his office. They have to make responsible decisions when managing the public's money because that is the only way they can restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
He speaks to the people of our nation and to people from all walks of life. He touches and embraces them. He says, "we are a nation of Christians and muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth;"/ "that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play it's role in ushering ina new era of peace." We will be here to lend a hand to the muslim world and other third world countries that are willing to accept it and to the soldiers in Iraq he acknowledges the sacrifices they have endured for our country.
Concluding his speech he reiterates the fact that we have many challenges and that we have a way of dealing with these issues and that is hard work, commitment and honesty.
Many commentors said he used a lot of metaphors and similar lines of past presidents. Another commentor said that at the heart of his speech was an appeal for a "new era of responsibility" in which americans embrace the duties they have to their nation and the world. Many said his speech was written with intelligence, compassion, wordliness and skill. They also said it was not too memorable or nothing new, but it was well written, structured and paced. I did not consist of any new lines we have not heard before. There were memorable passages, but few memorable phrases. I feel many people had mixed emotions about his speech, both negative and positive.
I loved his speech and thought it was very well said. He consistently reiterates that he is aware of our crisis in all aspects of life and that he will do his best as our president to meet those issues, but he is also requsting that we as a people need to do our part as well.
The Associated Press."Text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address" 2009. Yahoo! Inc. 20 Jan. 2009(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text)
Lister, Richard. "Obama's sobering inaugural speech" 2009. BBC News, Washington. 20 Jan. 2009 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/obama_inauguration/7841153.stm)
The Editors. "The Speech': The Experts' Critique" 2009. The New York Times ROOM for DEBATE. A Running Commentary on the News. 20 Jan. 2009
(http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/the-speech-the-experts-critique/)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
My Response to a Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Event
Jennifer Gonzales
Eng 1A 9-950
My response to a Martin Luther King Celebration EventMany joined on the day of Martin Luther King's Birthday. Many celebrated his accomplishments, everything he stood for and believed in. This has been an interesting time for us, since it is being celebrated together with our 44th president Barack Obamas inauguration. That alone shows how big of an impact Martin Luther King had on our nation, back then and still today.
There was an event on Sunday, January 18, 2009 called "In the Name of Love." at 7:30pm. It was their 7th annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This particular event stood out to me because they expressed their gratitude and appreciation by using music. It featured many local and national artists and groups. I was also pleased with how they acknowledge with awards, individuals who have made a big impact on the community as well.
Many of the groups included Marcus Shelby's Jazz Orchestra, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Destiny Arts Youth Performance Co., Oakland Children's Community Choir and the Oaktown Jazz Workshops. It was pleasing to know that so many local/natives came togehter to celebrate this special day. It also shows that there are numerous orginizations out there that support our children. It gives them hope and something to believe in since they are our future generation.
I am glad to see that so many people are afffected by Martin Luther King. No matter what age, race or gender, we can all come together to share one similarity, and that is our beliefs. Martin luther king believed this would be possible and it is.
Sorry Ms. Sabir but when I try to submit my response it is saying that all of my references HTML cannot be accepted, tag is not allowed. If you want I can show you in another way what my references are. I have about four website references.
Eng 1A 9-950
My response to a Martin Luther King Celebration EventMany joined on the day of Martin Luther King's Birthday. Many celebrated his accomplishments, everything he stood for and believed in. This has been an interesting time for us, since it is being celebrated together with our 44th president Barack Obamas inauguration. That alone shows how big of an impact Martin Luther King had on our nation, back then and still today.
There was an event on Sunday, January 18, 2009 called "In the Name of Love." at 7:30pm. It was their 7th annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This particular event stood out to me because they expressed their gratitude and appreciation by using music. It featured many local and national artists and groups. I was also pleased with how they acknowledge with awards, individuals who have made a big impact on the community as well.
Many of the groups included Marcus Shelby's Jazz Orchestra, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Destiny Arts Youth Performance Co., Oakland Children's Community Choir and the Oaktown Jazz Workshops. It was pleasing to know that so many local/natives came togehter to celebrate this special day. It also shows that there are numerous orginizations out there that support our children. It gives them hope and something to believe in since they are our future generation.
I am glad to see that so many people are afffected by Martin Luther King. No matter what age, race or gender, we can all come together to share one similarity, and that is our beliefs. Martin luther king believed this would be possible and it is.
Sorry Ms. Sabir but when I try to submit my response it is saying that all of my references HTML cannot be accepted, tag is not allowed. If you want I can show you in another way what my references are. I have about four website references.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
My Essay for The Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Jennifer Gonzales
Eng 1A 9-950
I feel Dr. King's thesis in the Letter from a Birmingham Jail is why engaging in a non-violent direct action program is necessary to demand the freedom and justice people deserve but have been denied for so long. Dr. King says, "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." (paragraph 12), There are many pieces of evidence that support his thesis. Dr. King lived in a time where injustice flooded his nation. He became available to affiliates when action was needed. Dr. King said, "so I am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond his own home town," (paragraph 3 ) by demonstrating his non-violent campaign in Birmingham. King knew it was necessary for this to arise because it had been too long and the people should not allow this to continue any longer, he said, "it was unfortunate that the demonstration took place, but felt it was even more unfortunate that the city's white power structure left Negro community with no alternative." (paragraph 5) , /, "We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and god given rights. " He felt it was time to end the injustice.
I believe the type of argument Dr. King speaks upon is based solely on value and policy. It is of policy and value because he strongly believes that we have only 2 types of law: just and unjust. He feels that everyone not only has a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws but also to disobey unjust laws. Just because it is a law that does not mean it is right. An unjust law is a law that is man made and goes against our morals. A just law makes the human personality rise above immoral things. He never wanted anyone to disobey laws because that would only lead to anarchy. Dr. King knows just from unjust, and just is what everyone should follow, but If they did break an unjust law, they had to do it from the heart, knowing and accepting the consequences. He states, "I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over it's injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law." (paragraph 18)
Dr. King has a very diverse style of writing. He has been influenced by many historical people so he repeatedly mentions many well known religious leaders throughout his letter like: Apostle Paul, Socrates, St. Augustine and even Adolf Hitler. He uses these leaders and their actions to explain his point of view. By using these men as examples, he shows the audience that he is not the only one who has believed in something so strongly, that they fought and preached the same way he did. I also noticed he repeatedly uses questions as a style to answer the curious audience, because he is concerned about what others think about his actions. As he expresses empathy so strongly, that shows me that he understands both sides.
The audience is mainly his fellow clergymen but I also believe the entire future of the nation is his audience as well. He wrote the letter so that when the clergymen read it, they can then relay the message and information down to the other disciples, who will then spread that news to the other followers. Because he was in jail that was the only way to communicate with his fellow leaders. He is a very sophisticated man and he knew without any regard to the nation, that by him writing this letter would impact his followers and believers. Although he did not know we would be reading his letter today, I think he wrote it for the sake of mankind. That is why I feel we are the audience too.
The way Dr. King addresses many of the issues he faced back in the day, universally it appeals to what we are going through right now. We have many issues and injustice behavior lurking in our nation, for example: sexual orientation, anti-abortionists, iraq/palestine war, Guantanamo Bay prisoner acts and the Grant homicide. We have won battles and lost some, but as long as we have that flame burning inside of us for freedom, justice and equality then Dr. Martin Luther King's dream will live on forever through us. As a civil rights activist, integrationist and christian brother, Dr. King gave a perfect example of what we stand for as people, as a nation. In his letter he expresses so much empathy towards his people, devotion towards what he believed in, hope and honesty. He emphasizes a dream that he knew could come true and that's what makes it a great piece of literature.
Ali-Dinar, Ali B. Ph.D. (Page Editor) "Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]" 16 April 1963 African Studies Center - University of pennsylvania. http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
Eng 1A 9-950
I feel Dr. King's thesis in the Letter from a Birmingham Jail is why engaging in a non-violent direct action program is necessary to demand the freedom and justice people deserve but have been denied for so long. Dr. King says, "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." (paragraph 12), There are many pieces of evidence that support his thesis. Dr. King lived in a time where injustice flooded his nation. He became available to affiliates when action was needed. Dr. King said, "so I am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond his own home town," (paragraph 3 ) by demonstrating his non-violent campaign in Birmingham. King knew it was necessary for this to arise because it had been too long and the people should not allow this to continue any longer, he said, "it was unfortunate that the demonstration took place, but felt it was even more unfortunate that the city's white power structure left Negro community with no alternative." (paragraph 5) , /, "We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and god given rights. " He felt it was time to end the injustice.
I believe the type of argument Dr. King speaks upon is based solely on value and policy. It is of policy and value because he strongly believes that we have only 2 types of law: just and unjust. He feels that everyone not only has a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws but also to disobey unjust laws. Just because it is a law that does not mean it is right. An unjust law is a law that is man made and goes against our morals. A just law makes the human personality rise above immoral things. He never wanted anyone to disobey laws because that would only lead to anarchy. Dr. King knows just from unjust, and just is what everyone should follow, but If they did break an unjust law, they had to do it from the heart, knowing and accepting the consequences. He states, "I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over it's injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law." (paragraph 18)
Dr. King has a very diverse style of writing. He has been influenced by many historical people so he repeatedly mentions many well known religious leaders throughout his letter like: Apostle Paul, Socrates, St. Augustine and even Adolf Hitler. He uses these leaders and their actions to explain his point of view. By using these men as examples, he shows the audience that he is not the only one who has believed in something so strongly, that they fought and preached the same way he did. I also noticed he repeatedly uses questions as a style to answer the curious audience, because he is concerned about what others think about his actions. As he expresses empathy so strongly, that shows me that he understands both sides.
The audience is mainly his fellow clergymen but I also believe the entire future of the nation is his audience as well. He wrote the letter so that when the clergymen read it, they can then relay the message and information down to the other disciples, who will then spread that news to the other followers. Because he was in jail that was the only way to communicate with his fellow leaders. He is a very sophisticated man and he knew without any regard to the nation, that by him writing this letter would impact his followers and believers. Although he did not know we would be reading his letter today, I think he wrote it for the sake of mankind. That is why I feel we are the audience too.
The way Dr. King addresses many of the issues he faced back in the day, universally it appeals to what we are going through right now. We have many issues and injustice behavior lurking in our nation, for example: sexual orientation, anti-abortionists, iraq/palestine war, Guantanamo Bay prisoner acts and the Grant homicide. We have won battles and lost some, but as long as we have that flame burning inside of us for freedom, justice and equality then Dr. Martin Luther King's dream will live on forever through us. As a civil rights activist, integrationist and christian brother, Dr. King gave a perfect example of what we stand for as people, as a nation. In his letter he expresses so much empathy towards his people, devotion towards what he believed in, hope and honesty. He emphasizes a dream that he knew could come true and that's what makes it a great piece of literature.
Ali-Dinar, Ali B. Ph.D. (Page Editor) "Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]" 16 April 1963 African Studies Center - University of pennsylvania. http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
Group Discussion Comments about Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Jack, June, Bridgette and Jennifer are the members of this group.
As we discussed our questions we agreed that the thesis of the letter was why direct action is the only way to battle unjust laws. We found many supporting pieces of evidence in the letter backing up his beliefs. Bridgette and I also discussed how we thought the audience was not only for the clergymen but for the entire nation. Bridgette spoke about why she thought the audience was for the white moderates because Dr. King says how he "hoped the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and that when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structures dams that block the flow of justice ." Honestly we didn't have much time to finish discussing all of the questions. Concluding our discussion, we spoke about writing the essay on this letter and exchanging e-mail addresses.
As we discussed our questions we agreed that the thesis of the letter was why direct action is the only way to battle unjust laws. We found many supporting pieces of evidence in the letter backing up his beliefs. Bridgette and I also discussed how we thought the audience was not only for the clergymen but for the entire nation. Bridgette spoke about why she thought the audience was for the white moderates because Dr. King says how he "hoped the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and that when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structures dams that block the flow of justice ." Honestly we didn't have much time to finish discussing all of the questions. Concluding our discussion, we spoke about writing the essay on this letter and exchanging e-mail addresses.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Response to Rebecca Evans' Blog
In response to your comment, I would like to say that I am glad you have realized that going to a community college is not as pathetic as you thought. I to, felt alittle ashamed to attend a community college, but in a different sense. Plenty of my family members are people whom you expressed as "students who were handed their college opportunity on a silver platter with all the fixings: money, room and board, perfect classes, and a family who seemed to have endless amounts of money in the bank." I don't have that opportunity. So compared to my other family members, I felt embarassed and I did feel less of a person.
I was raised in a lower class family who couldn't afford to put me through college, let alone food on the table and clothes on my back. Growing up without the resources I needed really affected my life. I couldn't focus because I was so upset at the fact that I didn't have what all my peers had-privileges. I made a lot of wrong choices in my life and my priorities weren't straight. I slowly became to realize that what I was getting myself into wasn't the path I wanted. My trials and tribulations opened my eyes and mind.
I began to realize that I could do better and become the person I knew I could be. But I thought to myself where do I start? community colleges of course!! They are made for people like us- the underprivileged. They are open doors of opportunity for people like me who couldn't get into a UC let alone afford it. My perspective has changed tremendously. And again, I am pleased to say, I am glad your perspective had changed as well.
-Jennifer Gonzales Eng 1A Ms. Sabir 9-950
I was raised in a lower class family who couldn't afford to put me through college, let alone food on the table and clothes on my back. Growing up without the resources I needed really affected my life. I couldn't focus because I was so upset at the fact that I didn't have what all my peers had-privileges. I made a lot of wrong choices in my life and my priorities weren't straight. I slowly became to realize that what I was getting myself into wasn't the path I wanted. My trials and tribulations opened my eyes and mind.
I began to realize that I could do better and become the person I knew I could be. But I thought to myself where do I start? community colleges of course!! They are made for people like us- the underprivileged. They are open doors of opportunity for people like me who couldn't get into a UC let alone afford it. My perspective has changed tremendously. And again, I am pleased to say, I am glad your perspective had changed as well.
-Jennifer Gonzales Eng 1A Ms. Sabir 9-950
My Response to Ms. Sabir "Dear Students" Letter
First off, I would like to acknowledge all of your accomplishments. You give me the aspiration to become a better person, not only for myself, but for my family, community and for the better being of the future.I will do my best to absorb everything that you will throw at me. Like you, I too want to leave this course with a mind full, knowing that I have learned something, gained new skills and am on the road to becoming that better person.
I do agree when you say this might not be intuitive. I do understand things take time and that I will have to be taught many things. But I also understand that I will need to be committed, focused and I will put in as much hard work as you are. I do believe that I have potential, but I need a professor like you to bring it out of me. Hopefully we can both figure out what teaching/learning techniques work best for us (students) and you (professor) in order to have a sucessful, smooth and happy semester.
R.I.P to Oscar Grant III and Adolph Grimes III. May they recieve the justice they deserve.
That is my reality.
-Jennifer Gonzales English 1A M-TH 9-950am
I do agree when you say this might not be intuitive. I do understand things take time and that I will have to be taught many things. But I also understand that I will need to be committed, focused and I will put in as much hard work as you are. I do believe that I have potential, but I need a professor like you to bring it out of me. Hopefully we can both figure out what teaching/learning techniques work best for us (students) and you (professor) in order to have a sucessful, smooth and happy semester.
R.I.P to Oscar Grant III and Adolph Grimes III. May they recieve the justice they deserve.
That is my reality.
-Jennifer Gonzales English 1A M-TH 9-950am
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