Carlson Post

Premise
-Gay -Communities
-Lesbian -Priviledge
-Silence -Self- Identity
-Violence -
-Normalization
-School
-Teachers

Arguement
Carlson argues that much like Johnson, there is this akward silence around an individuals sexual preference, whether gay or lesbian, that should be acknowledged rather than ignored. In order to do this, Carlson argues that we need to start to change this in the schools, i'm guessing as far down as junior high schools. We need to set up a new "democartic, multicultural" envirnment that will allow kids to be more aware of this problem, realize that sexual preference should not be looked down upon, and end the silence and violence of gayness in communities across the country, and even the world.

Evidence
"I awnt to suggest taht public schools may play an important role in helping build a new democratic, multicultural community, one in which sexual identity...is recognized..."

"'When i was changing classes I had all the books in my hands looking down and walking up. I'd hear someone mutter 'Faggot' and have my books knocked down."

"It is now estimated taht up to one third of all adolescent suicide vitims are gay, approximately one quarter of all homeless youth in the United States are gay, and dropout and drug abuse rates among gay youth are likewise high..."

I think that there is an overwheleming amount of evidence in this peice that shows how much of a serious problem this is in our community. There are a number of things that stick out to me. Number one is that it shocks me how many people act as though they are "homophobic". I personally think that this is mainly due to how kids view society. I would like to bet that 7-8 people out of ten would have some problem with homesexuality and the majority of these people probably have never met someone who actually is homosexual. The more important thing obviously that sticks out to me is how terrigying it must be to be unsure about one's sexuality. With all the violence and hatred against homosexuals, I would not feel comfortble about being honest about my sexuality either. Because of this, you can see the unbeleviable statistics that deal with drop out rates and suicides. This peice really reminded me of Johnson's peice because they both talk directly about these "touchy" subjects that nobody else wants to talk about.

Rodriguez Post

Premise
-Language
-Barriers
-Alienation
-Safe Zones
-Adaption

Arguement
Rodriguez argues that like Delpit, individuals should not have to feel like they have to submit themselves or feel like they need to adapt to another culture's, not only language, but any type of lifestyle, in order to gain acceptance and to be successfull.

Evidence
"'Is it possible for you and your husband to encourage your children to practice their English when they are home? Of course, my parents complied. What wuld they not do for their children's well-being."

"One Saturday morning, I entered the kitchen where my parents were talking in Spanish. I did not realize that they were talking in SPanish however until, at the moment they saw me, I heard their voices change to speak English."

"The family's quiet was partly due to the fact taht, as we children leanred more and more English, we shared fewer and fewer words with our parents... The child would need to repeat himself. The young voice, frustrated, would end up saying, 'Never mind'".

I think tha all of these examples of evidence can make it clear that if just trying to adapt to a differnt language in the home can tear apart a family. Although language barriers are definatly not easy to overcome, this shows how hard other things may be when trying to adapt to a "higher power culture".

Talking Point #1

1) Context/ Premise
-Race -Wellfare -White Advantage
-Drug Abuse -Starvation -Income
-AIDS -Living Conditions -Ignore
-Poverty -Hospital Support
-Prostitution -Fear
-Discrimination -Death
-Sanitation -Hell

2) Argument
Kozol and Goldberg's arguements are that not only do white middle class Americans, but white Americans in general have a significant advantage in life over many, if not all minorities. Kozol also argues primarily that white people, (generally speaking) look down upon America's inner cities as more or less, dumps. Mainly in this case the South Bronx.

3) Evidence
There are a lot of reliable recources or evidence that are used to support this argument. There are a lot of quoted sources that either the authors simply quoted, or were able to talk face to face with people while conducting their research. In a few cases the New York Times were quoted on a public survey they had taken.
"In 1991, the median household income of the area, according to the New York Times, was $7,600."
"The Truth is that they put a lot of things into our neighborhood that no one wants."
"As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something that puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege, which puts me at an advantage."

4) Other Issues to Consider
What I think are important issues that should be brought up is the fact that both peices are written in a first person context and both talk about each author's hands on experience and research on their similar topics. I think the mainly in Kozol's case, having gone to such lengths to prove what he is writing about, shows a lot about not only hime, but should get everyone's eyes open to realize what really is going on.

I just set this up and have no idea what else to do..