Unwelcomed Immigrants

Armando Teran Jr

English 215

10/23/10

Page 246/# 1

           

The article titled “Unwelcome Immigrants “examines the effect of Cuban and Haitian refugees in the labor market in South Florida. According the authors “immigrants arriving in the U.S shores in search of work were described as finding low paid occupations” (Portes & Stepick 2). Cuban and Haitian immigrants primarily took low paying jobs and were able to improve their financial/social status very slowly. Due to their low paying jobs these sub-groups that migrated to America were limited in terms of their mobility. America faced unskilled individuals that depended on low paying jobs to support themselves.

            Overtime Cuban and Haitian immigrants expanded their culture in America. The result ended in the creation of Cuban and Haitian neighborhoods. Cuban and Haitian sub-groups accounted for an additional hundred and forty thousand people in certain parts of America which was a ten percent increase in the immigration status. The two sub-groups were always at a disadvantage in terms of seeking employment due to their limited social and work skills. Many Cuban and Haitian refugees were coming into America illegally according to the immigration naturalization services. The refugees also created conflict in the labor market with other minorities because there were so many individuals seeking low paying jobs.

            The two sub cultures also created their own businesses as a way to provide for themselves. The government also declined certain benefits because of their illegal immigration status. The two ethnic groups took over most of the low paying jobs which resulted in conflict with other minorities seeking employment in the same level. The ethnic groups also increased the population of America which resulted in limited jobs for other Americans. The immigrants were not exactly greeted with a warm welcome when they arrived illegally seeking employment because they sub-groups created a conflict in the labor market.

Unit 3 Peer Group Review

Armando Teran Jr

English 215

10/25/10

Unit 3 Peer Group Review

Amber:

You offered a great explanation on the issue regarding why certain individuals defend the “sexuality and gender stereotyping” in certain music genres like rap and hip-hop. I really heard your voice while I was reading your response. After you quote a selection you should elaborate more on the quote and explain how it’s relevant. Remember to mention the author’s last name when citing a quote. I really enjoyed reading your personal narrative. You were very descriptive in your personal narrative. All of the events that you described in the narrative were in chronological order. I’m glad you made it out alive from that incident. Your personal narrative was interesting and well written.

Amara:

I really liked reading your response. Your response was analytical and you touched on a lot of main ideas. I liked your comments in the second paragraph. You mentioned that sexual lyrics are being viewed as having a positive vibe. For example many lyrics contain explicit words that have a positive connotation to it like: playa, pimp and hustlers. I hear these words repeatedly in rap and hip-hop songs. You really voiced your opinion in the last paragraph stating that rap and hip-hop “does not affirm much of anything.”I liked reading your personal narrative. It was concise and straight forward. It was detailed and interesting. I have gone through a similar situation you described in your narrative (the part of your car not staring). While I was reading the second paragraph I could really picture the situation. Overall you did a good job.

Prompt- 1/Page 418

Armando Teran Jr

English 215

10/21/10

Prompt- 1

           

            According to James Twitchell the term materialism has been misinterpreted over time. Materialism refers to an individual’s possessions. The article states that materialism is a “vital source of meaning and happiness in the modern world” (Twitchell 389). Materialism from my perspective can bring temporary satisfaction but it cannot solve difficult issues. At times individuals have turned to materialism to fill a void in their life but in the end the emptiness is still there. The author claims materialism is valued in today’s modern society. Americans love to spend money and buy items.

           

Women have been stereotyped as being materialistic. The author claims that “consumption habits are gender specific” (Twitchell 390). Men and women desire different items.  The American culture desires materialism. In America individuals have the freedom to purchase any item they can afford or desire. Television, music, friends, advertisement and commercial enterprise influence individuals to purchase items. With easy access to credit cards and bank loans it is easy to become materialistic. 

           

            Materialism has also created debt in American culture. The media and newspaper depict Americans living beyond their means. James Twitchell states that life is not “what you do for a living but what you buy” (Twitchell 396). Twitchell claims that Americans live a lifestyle based on what they own. I think that it is good to own nice items and to spend money if the person can afford to do so. Material items do not define a person it just makes them satisfied for a short period of time. From my perspective if you have the money and want a nice item go and get it because it is worth it.

Directed FreeWrite Page 386

Armando Teran Jr

English 215

10/20/10

Directed Free Write

            The individuals that defend the sexuality and gender stereotyping of hip-hop and other forms of music are the individuals that benefit the most from it. The owners of major record labels, magazines, models, artists and other individuals are willing to express their perspective on this issue and defend the sexuality and stereotyping that come with the territory. Many hip-hop albums come with the statement “explicit lyrics” meaning there is foul language or content in the music. The music videos are provocative and illicit but many people like to watch them.

            The music industry brings in a big profit financially. The music business is known for the exploitation of artists and for financial gain. Certain music genres like rap and hip-hop have to live up to certain images. For example rappers convey an image of violence, troubled pasts and criminal tendencies through their lyrics and other rappers display their wealth, and expensive items through music videos. Women are often exploited in the music videos and in lyrics.

            I rarely listen to rap and hip-hop because of the explicit lyrics and content. I do not think that there is a lot for women to gain from the exposure of certain music genres unless they are the artist. Women are portrayed in a negative way. I do not agree with critics when they stated women actually benefit from certain exposure from certain must genres like rap and hip-hop. I watched a documentary on women and hip-hop. The documentary concluded that women are exploited in a negative manner and they also provided evidence to support their claim.

Directed Free Write/Page 363

Armando Teran Jr

English 215

10/18/10

Directed Free Write/Page 363

            I was contemplating purchasing another car for some time now. My current vehicle at the time was just not cutting it for me and the repairs were becoming too costly. After searching for several different weeks I finally decided to purchase a vehicle from the car lot just five minutes away from my house. I purchased a 2005 dodge neon. The car was intended for me to use for the remainder of my college years. The car was blue and had four doors. The car was not very expensive, and I got a good insurance rate. I also had to purchase new plates which added to the costs.

            I was feeling real good driving to school and work. I had the car for just over one week. The weekend finally came and I was getting bored. I finished my homework. It was around seven o’clock at night, and I decided to rent a movie at blockbuster. On the way back home I was making a left turn into my neighborhood when all of a sudden a black truck crashed into my car. I did not have any time to react; the airbag deployed. I was in complete shock. My car was ruined by the crash; it was beyond repair. The police and ambulance came to the scene. I managed to call my family, and they wanted me to ride with the ambulance to make sure nothing was wrong with me.

            I escaped the car accident with just a bruise on my arm caused by the airbag. I owed several thousand dollars to the hospital and the ambulance. Luckily I was insured and my insurance paid for the bills. The next day I downloaded the police report and filed an insurance claim with the other drivers insurance because it was his fault. For the next week I was driving a rental and using my dad’s truck. I won my insurance claim and received a check in the mail. I got reimbursed for my rental and towing fees. I bought a better car that I have right now. I’m glad everything worked out for me in the end.

           

Week 8 Blog Reviews

Week 8 Blog Reviews

Justin:

I really liked the ideas that composed in your essay. Your response was well thought out and organized. I agree with your statement that America runs primarily on Christian values. However I have realized that many individuals struggle with moral values for a number of different reasons. I also liked your idea pertaining to the issue of men spreading their genes which may result in bad affects to society. I would suggest that you provide evidence to support your ideas in the second paragraph because it seemed to be based on speculation and assumptions.  I also liked your idea regarding to the issue of love at first sight. Your analytical response to the directed free write assignment was good. You touched on all the main points and asserted your opinion very well. You did a good job relating the research being presented in the article to social issues regarding gay rights.

Jackie:

I cannot relate to your experience because I have never truly loved a woman before. I like how you relate the text to your own personal experience. I thought only women had chemicals in their body called oxytocin? In what way does science play a role in terms of having a physical connection? You touched on the main ideas of the article which is always a good idea. I agree with your comments that love is not dictated by scientific chemicals. Love comes from emotion and chemistry. I liked how you started off with a question in your second response. You also answer your question that you posed very well.  I’m not entirely sure what you meant in your second paragraph you might want to clarify. I personally feel strongly that homosexuality is not that answer to any problem.

Strange Comparisons

Armando Teran Jr

10/6/10

English 215

Discussion #1-Pg 339

            This was a very strange article because the author Jeffrey Kluger argues that homosexuality is natural, and he makes a comparison between humans and animals to convey his point. He claims that many animals engage in homosexual activity and it is very common. The writer also states that many different species engage in homosexual activity. Basically the author is arguing that because many different species such as animals are involved in homosexual activity it is natural that humans to behave in the same manner. This article struck me as strange because the topic of discussion is different.

            The author uses the concept of nature in the article to emphasize that homosexual activity is common in different species such as animals and humans. There are individuals that argue against this theory. An observer named Bagemihl states he is misinterpreting his information. Bagemihl claims that Jeffrey should not observe animal sexual behavior to determine if human homosexual activity is “normal or ethical” (Kluger 399).  I agree with Bagemihl, I find this comparison to be outrages and strange.

            I am assuming that the author of the article is a gay right activist. In my personal opinion the idea of homosexuality is wrong. To be honest I really do not like discussing this particular issue but I decided to be open minded. I did not like that author’s attempt to justify homosexuality. Homosexuality defies moral ethics in my personal belief. I am going to have to lean towards the viewpoint of Bagemihl and state that the author should not justify homosexual behavior simply because animals do it.

           

Directed Free write 1

Armando Teran Jr

10/5/10

English 215

Directed Free Write 1

            If individuals view love and relationships from a perspective of chemistry and biology there would be drastic changes. A majority of people view love and relationship with emotion and not from a scientific standpoint. It would be difficult to view love and relationship from a scientific standpoint because it would eliminate all the fun involved with those two issues. I have never viewed love and relationship from a chemistry and biology perspective.

Shannon Brownlee states that “the capacity for loving emotions is also written into our biochemistry” (Brownlee 295). Basically chemicals in the human body generate human love. The author points out that the chemical oxytocin enhances romantic love in women. Brownlee explains that the more oxytocin a woman has in her body she is likely to be more sensitive. To summarize my point emotion can come from biochemistry in the human body which means all humans are capable of having love emotions. Women have a chemical in their body called oxytocin which causes them to be sensitive. This is interesting because many women seem to have a sensitive side to them.

From a scientific standpoint women are more sensitive than men and all humans are capable of displaying emotional love. I also found out by reading the article that the vagus nerve is the organ that gives information to different parts of the human body. The vagus is responsible for connecting emotional information from the brain to the heart in the human body. According to a doctor named Stephen Porges without the vagus it would be impossible to love.

Weeek 7 blog reviews

Week 7 Blog Reviews

Justin:

9/28/10

I thought it was a good idea to assist your brother with his personal problems. I am assuming that your mother did not like the advice that you gave to your younger brother because you mentioned it invoked her to anger. This reminds me of the article I was required to read. The article discussed the issue of how men and women interpret communication differently. I agree with you that women like to discuss how they truly feel and men have the tendency not to display any emotion. I usually attempt to keep my true emotions to myself. I think it is better that way. Your last sentence was great. I will use that as advice.

9/30/10

I agree with you when you stated that heterosexual marriage should be abolished. Marriage has really changed over time. For example there is a decrease in the traditional marriage where a wife stays at home and tends to the house and kids while the husband works. In this current society many women are becoming independent and the divorce rate has sky rocketed. I’m sorry to hear about your situation. I am glad to know that you are doing well now.

Jackie:

9/28/10

I liked your first paragraph. You were open to stating your owing perspective pertaining to the issue of communication with the opposite sex. I enjoy talking to women especially if they are pretty. What I have realized over the past recent years it depends on the location and woman that will dictate good communication. Over the years I have developed great conversations with women at school and work. I would not feel comfortable with my girlfriend sleeping on a bed with another man. This would displease me dearly. I agree that sometimes men and women interpret information differently.

10/30/10

I noticed that your response to the assigned question was very lengthy which indicated that you had a lot to say. You had an interesting response pertaining to monogamy. I think from a moral/Christian perspective that men and women were created to have a monogamous relationship. I liked how your response was concise and very straightforward. You are a great writer.