Katrina Hayes

  ENC 1102

  April 21,2014

  Waiting for Superman Journal # 7  

 

            After watching Waiting for Superman I realized that education is very important for our younger generation. I can relate to the conditons public schools in failing neighborhoods, I grew up in a rough neighborhood and the schools around us were pretty rough as well. However, I had the oppurnity to attend private school from pre-k through second grade, the smaller class room settings were better for me the teachers actually cared about our education, and it was more advanced than public schools. While attending private school everyone looked alike because we were in uniforms.  I learned how to write in cursive in pre-kindergation I don't think public schools teach that at an early age. I attended public school as well, the atmosphere was totally different the students were mostly caught up in fashion and not school work. Some teachers really did not care about the students,there were times where I have actually heard teachers say whether you pass or not I will still get my paycheck, and to this day some teachers still feel that way. After watching the documentary I wonder, will America fix the school system by the time I have kids?

Hayes 1

 

Katrina Hayes

Professor Warren

ENC 1102

April 14, 2014

 

                                                       “Embrace Yourself”

 

            As I sit and reflect on the film Miss Representation, I have come to the conclusion that some things never change. For years women have struggled to have their voices heard and to be treated as equal and have equal rights. The film has many women of different races, shapes and sizes to speak on how they feel about the matter. I can truly say the filmed opened my eyes.
        In the 1960s there was a movement called “feminism” or women’s liberation. Women wanted the same pay as men, and equal right in law. Women wanted have a say about their families and whether or not they wanted to have one. I was not born back then, but I can only imagine the things women went through. Even in today’s society we are struggling; we are striving to fit in, in my opinion the media is the blame. Every time you look at a  magazine or television the women are super skinny and  they are flawless as if they woke up that way. That has corrupted the minds of the younger generation and now they are fighting to fit in amongst their peers and that’s sad. Our ancestors fought for us to be equal and they set the standard for women to be an example to your children and their children but now that is not the case.   
             In the film it was said that from 2000-2010 the depression rate was increased which is a sad thing. Most women are unhappy with their appearance. It was said that, cosmetic surgery tripled 1997-2007. Just be happy with the real you, some women actually lose their lives trying to keep up with others  or to be that perfect women but nobody’s perfect.  A few years ago a lady at my church wanted to be a smaller size she underwent the gastric surgery only to pass away a year later, she did not have a chance to be herself in the “ideal” size she thought was right. She met the man of her dreams he accepted her plus size, but she just wanted to fit in. The media and celebrities make it look so easy to get surgery to enhance your body but, that is not for everybody.  “Not everyone's a good plastic surgery candidate”  (Saether) In recent news a guy sued his wife for having plastic surgery done and he won the case, all because their children were ugly, to me that is senseless. Why did he marry her for looks or love?
         The film featured teenage girls talking about their struggles with the media’s message to be sexy or pretty that really effects our younger generation. I can relate to them because as a teenager I struggled to fit in from wearing makeup, dressing a certain way  all because I thought that’s what I needed to do to fit in. Sometimes you just have to embrace yourself and find what makes you happy, and do what is best for you. When the young girl was talking about her sister being teased at school that touched me because, there are some cruel people in this world, they only bully others because they are insecure about themselves. In the film they also said that 1 out of 4 women are abused in a relationship, I can relate I was in one myself physically and mentally. The way the guy treated me made me feel like I was worthless and I gained weight and became depressed. However, I did eventually get away from him and learned how to love myself and embrace my weight.
        Some music videos also have a big impact on our young girls they think its okay to wear small clothes or no clothes at all to get attention, that’s not the case. In addition, to that some of the lyrics are terrible. They exploit women and young girls think it’s okay to repeat them or act out what they are saying and it’s shameful. : “I think it’s important that across the media we are able to have a diverse portrayal of women of all backgrounds. While there is a [lot to be said] for having a strong mind, if you only see one image of who are you [supposed to be], then it can be quite a problem.” (Larasi)  I don’t understand why they look up to the video girls and think that’s the good life when really it’s not. I understand that some women only do that to get exposure to launch their careers, then they want people to respect them how can we take them serious when they like to exploit themselves. Some reality shows also show the negative side of women, there are some grown women fighting each other and tearing each other down. Some things has to change, then some people consider them role models. Traditional role models of success have been those who exhibit achievement in wealth, fame, status, beauty or by having climbed to the top of some professional ladder. (Tsabar)  In my opinion, they are not the ideal role model for our young girls on the other hand  Oprah Winfrey and Mrs. Michelle Obama are ideal role models to me. They carry themselves with class and poise and you will never hear about them exploiting themselves for the media or to fit in.
      Some women need to learn to embrace the way God made them and set standards for themselves, don’t allow the media to set them for you. Go above and beyond to achieve goals that are set and show the world we are more than just an object . We are women and should be treated as such. A lady.

          

Not everyone's a good plastic surgery candidate - By Linda Saether

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/11/30/hfh.no.plastic.surgery/#cnnSTCText

 

Music videos exploiting black women's bodies

Campaigners argue that representation is damaging young women’s self-esteem

Written by Mary Isokariari with inserts by Ikamara Larasi, 24, of black feminist

Organisation – The Voice http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/music-videos-exploiting-black-womens-bodies

11/11/2013

 

The Danger of Role Models: A New Perspective

Shefali Tsabary Become a fan

Clinical Psychologist & Author, 'The Conscious Parent' and Out of Control - Why Disciplining Your Child Doesn't Work and What Will'

 

Katrina Hayes
Journal #6
April 5,2014

                                After watching the documentary Miss Representation I found myself feeling bothered. I am aware of the likes and dislikes that the media as towards women of color and size. I don’t think a size 2 is the ideal size for today’s women. As I watched the kids expressing how they feel about what others say about them, made me think about myself when I was at their age. I can most definitely relate to them, it’s different now then how it was when I was growing up.  Depression has doubled since 2000 -2010 for women, all because of how the media portray the way a woman should look. The pressure of being pretty enough or skinny enough is ridiculous, in today’s society young girls are pretty much dying to fit in, and it’s sad.  Some young girls and women are even going as far as getting surgical procedures to make the look like someone else. Why not be happy with the way God made you? I know I had my own struggles growing up trying to be like the next girl, but as I got older I learned to embrace the person God made me. I don’t have any kids but I do have a God Daughter and nieces I try to tell them positive things and to let them know to be yourself and embrace that, no matter how someone may try to put you down or tell you how to look remember God made you in his own perfect way and you should be thankful.

 

Katrina Hayes

ENC 1102

Professor Warren

Journal #5

12 March 2014

 

                                                                             DIVE!

 

                The documentary about dumpster diving really opened by eyes about food waste in America.  I never knew the details about how grocery stores throw away food, now I do. I don’t understand how they could throw away so much food when there are so many people starving in America. I understand throwing away spoiled or rotten food but food that is edible that’s crazy to me. Grocery Stores are not the only places that waste food, a lot of restaurants do that as well. After class I went to dinner and I noticed a family of five two adults and three kids and they didn’t eat all of their food all I could do was think of the film. There was so much food leftover that it could feed another family.  It saddened me how people waste food, I remember growing up where you had to eat everything on your plate. You get you eat it. I wanted to say something to them because it really bothered me. As we were leaving the chef came out and said,”Only in America people waste food.” I agreed. Often times we take things for granted and food is one. It may not be big deal to some but, to others food is a something they lack and they don’t have the option to eat when and wherever they want. Every year my friends and I get together and feed the homeless on Christmas Eve, it’s not much but we try to do our part. I wish others would be considerate of others when it comes down to feeding the less fortunate.

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       Katrina Hayes     

                   

                                                            Global   Warming

                "Global Warming isn't a prediction. It is happening."- James Hansen

     

As I sit and reflect on the film "An Inconvenient Truth", I never really knew the importance of global warming. Former Vice-President Al Gore tells the story from his childhood to his career path, he also shares the importance of global warming in today's society. He stated that he has been trying to tell this story for a long time and he feels as if he has failed to get the message across. Some people may ask. What is global warming? It refers to an unequivocal and continuing rise in the average temperature of Earth's climate system. The documentary was very informative, and it opened my eyes to the things going on with our planet called Earth. As the years go by there are many different things happening in society, Mr. Gore made it known back in 2006 when he was featured in the film and presented his opinion about global warming. He reflected on his days at Harvard University where he took a class with Professor Roger Revelle and that is where his interest stuck about the matter. Mr. Gore admitted that he took a "hard blow" when he lost the presidential election back in 2000, he has since made it his duty to educate the American people about environment and the importance of our future pertaining to climate and the global warming issues. "It is not a political issue as much as a moral one." Gore said. This is a serious matter to me, especially when I heard Mr. Gore talk about ice glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland to think that one day the ice may actually melt away is scary. I thought that would never happen but, with the way things are today its possible. Even the polar bears are in danger. They live in the Artic Circle and the ice and freezing temperatures are very important to them. They have to swim a long way to get the climate they need to survive as of 2006. Makes me wonder what's going on today. It’s very important that we pay attention to our environment and know the fact about the glaciers. “If you want to know how climate affects glaciers, such details are crucial," he says. "It's extremely important to have more high-altitude observations across the region." (Kun a climate scientist at the ITP)   In recent years we have to be careful of the water we drink, some think it's safe to drink bottled water but that may not be the case. There have been studies that shows people actually were sick after drinking water. (Berqquist 3/10/214) Wisconsin study says untreated drinking water has more risk of illness. It's confusing to consumers because you think you are drinking something that is good for you but you hear otherwise.  Which is better tap or bottled water? I ask myself that every day. I love to drink water but, sometimes you have to use your best judgment on what you into your body.  Pollution is also causing problems in our environment, some people just don't get the importance of this matter. I know there are several landfills and the trash is there are years and it deteriate back into the earth and that is nasty. Some people who are smokers don't have a clue of how much the air is important we breathe it, and they continue to do it. I was happy when restaurants and different places started the no smoking policies, I was tired of getting dressed up for nice dinner but to leave smelling like smoke. Some people even throw their cigarette buds on the ground afterwards, that's just a disgrace. Some people are considered what I call litter bugs, they throw trash everyone without a care in the world. It sickens me to witness things like that. In the film it was said that, the things we take for granted may not be here for our children, and in my opinion that is true.  By recycling and being more conservative we can make our environment better. I have to admit I was not a big fan on doing those things myself but, after watching the documentary I am more aware.  I will try to do my part. I want my kids to grow up and enjoy their time here on earth with no problems. Are you ready to change the way we live? I am.

 

 

           

              

       Katrina Hayes 

       ENC 1102

       Journal #4
      
      1 March 2014

 

        

 

 

 

        After watching the film An Inconvenient Truth I know the importance of our future here on planet earth and how important the atmosphere is. I never really paid attention to the Global Warming issues; I just live my life without any worries. In 2006, the film featured Former Vice President Al Gore he explained the different things about our climate and environment; the changes that have occurred over the years, it was very educational. He explained the possibility of ice sheet in Greenland and in West Antarctica collapsing I never would have thought that the ice glaciers would ever melt or collapse until now; I always thought they would be around forever.  It never occurred to me that even the polar bears would be affected; they live within the Arctic Circle and need the ice and freezing temperatures to survive. Mr. Gore really put things in perspective about from hurricanes to global warming and the challenges society faces in the future. Some things we take for granted may not be here for our children if don’t change they things we do and take better care of environment. Now I see why so many people recycle and they are environmental friendly I have never been into that sort of thing; however the documentary has me thinking about the future.  Are you ready to change the way we live? I am.

                                                                                               

Katrina Hayes   

Professor Warren

February 23, 2014

ENC 1102

                                                                       “A Digital World”

“Soon the digital divide will not be between the haves and the haves not. It will be between the know-hows and the non-know hows.”- Howard Rheingold

                As I reflect on the film A Digital Nation, I realize more and more every day that the digital world is quickly taking over many peoples’ lives. While some people may be in denial about digital world taking over, I have witnessed otherwise; I have family and friends who are caught up in the hype. There are pros and cons about the digital experience; some abuse it while other just use it. 

             In today’s society the digital world has an effect on people of all ages. It’s so bad that people are actually losing their jobs and families over it. “Concerning family problems caused by Internet addiction, family relationships are seriously disrupted by Internet addicts due to the decrease in time spending with family, reluctance of performing family duties such as doing household chores, and increase of conflicts with family in the negotiation for time spent on the Internet. “( Shek D., Sun R., Yu L.: Internet Addiction)  I have to admit I did get caught up in the fiasco; I had to get it under control quick. Often times I would find myself always on the phone. Either I was texting, on Facebook and more recently, Instagram. I would spend hours on phone not paying attention at work or school. I remember growing up we did not have all the devices we have access to now such as IPad, IPod, Laptops and IPhone. This generation is so spoiled and don’t even realize it. 

            Children today have everything at their fingertips, all we had growing up were each other and playing outside.  I have a friend whose daughter is only seven years old and he has a cellphone not just any phone but an IPhone. I was shocked when I saw her with that device, I could not believe she actually purchased that expensive kind of phone. I have noticed that more preteen children have cellphones
today, I understand the reason why some parents purchase them but are they using them with good intentions.  I did not get my first cellphone until I was nineteen years  old . My parents were old school
and they were not familiar with the upcoming digital era.  Concern about kids' use of technology is
nothing new; concern over my own child's use of technology is. (Rebecca Jackson CEO of Good
Parent, Inc., psychometrist, author of The Learning Habit (Aug. 2014).  

           While watching the documentary, I saw how some people were addicted to online games.  One lady stated that she quit her job because she wanted to play her game instead of work and that’s sad.  Video games are a common problem to this generation both online and actual video game boxes. I did not receive my first Nintendo system until my senior year of high school, while all my peers had video games I had the great outdoors, my bicycle and my toys. Unlike some parents today my parents made sure I had the experience of being a normal kid and trying to keep me grounded on the important things that life had to offer. I took piano lessons, learned how to play the clarinet where I was the section leader in the band, and playing outside instead of being in house playing video games was the life to me. I had to do those things while living under my parents’ roof and I am grateful for the disciple growing up. It was said during the documentary that, ”Constantly playing video games shrink your brain to think.”  Children should "feel the grass under their feet" rather than play addictive computer games which can  
harm their mental development, a scientist said. (The Telegraph By Nick Collins, Science
Correspondent) I have a teenage nephew who is constantly on his phone or laptop playing video games almost every day for several hours it’s like he is in a zone while playing it. I would call him for hours and he does not answer it’s like his mind is gone. I would ask him to do something and it’s like I never said anything at all. When I saw the fifteen year old kid who dropped from the top part of his class to the bottom within a year, that reminded me of my nephew and I knew it was time to reach out to him about his habit. I knew he was struggling with school because there have been times where my brother had to take his phone and laptop away for a while. He claims he has stopped playing the games as much and he is more focused on his studies. Only time will tell.

        Some will admit that devices have made us lazy. This may be true because it’s more convenient. There are so many apps now, you can even fill out job applications online. There is even Skype, video chat and face time there is no need to talk face to face, just connect to the internet and chat; it’s all at our finger tips. Within fifty years technology has changed and I honestly believe within the next fifty years it will change again. Being a part of the Digital World is not all bad, there is some good in as well. Some people have reconnected with love ones, found love ones and found true love social media sites. Some may think otherwise you just have to be mindful of what you are doing when it comes to the Digital World. One this for sure is the New Age Technology is about to completely take over and I am most definitely ready for the ride.