public spaces

After reading about public spaces and different occurrences in public spaces, I realized how alike everything is yet there is the differences which make some areas more popular. This has made me think about the various aspects of space in general. For instance, size and setup is huge for a public space. The way a place is shaped can make it seem larger, smaller, comfortable, or awkward. Along with this, the option of comfortable seating seems to attract more people. It’s nice for things to feel open and not crowded too.
The people that tend to stay in a place have a huge effect on whether others feel comfortable or enjoy the area. I believe that people are what make an atmosphere. If some are smoking there, then most likely only other smokers will appeal to this specific area. If the area seems to have majority people playing sports of some sort then athletes would probably appeal most to this area. If it is an area for eating, then it most likely will consist of variety of people since everyone eats. However depending on the type of food offered it could attract different cultures.
In public spaces, there are many different perspectives on etiquette. The most common complaint is about cell phone usage. When should people answer a phone call? How should they do it? What is the most polite way of going about it? Some people think talking on your cell phone in a restaurant, bathroom, store, or anywhere close to others is just plain rude. Some only consider it to be rude in certain situations. Others just don’t care. For the most part even though people think it’s rude, it doesn’t stop them from doing, which causes more issues in the public space. People should be more considerate, and they should think before they act!

Racism and White Privilege

In conclusion to reading both of the assigned articles, Defining Racism and White Privilege, I feel more conscience of the fact of racism. I understand the articles really well, and I think they prove a valid point. They both acknowledge the fact that white people do not even realize that some of their thoughts are racists because of how naturally segregated our society is. As Americans, we tend to flock to those we are most comfortable with, which in most cases are those of the same race. This is true because of the judgement and assumptions that are passed down from generation to generation. Labels are placed on certain people and follow them and other people similar to them.
It is ridiculous how ignorant of racism our society is today. I agree with Tatum in the aspect that with all of the news and other controversies, how could someone not be aware of racism? But I also know how oblivious Americans can be about recognizing issues of this sort. It’s like some prefer to pretend it’s not there do they do not have to deal with it; when others take it to the complete opposite extreme. I have always been one to know that racism exists, but I have never realized how much it really impacts my life. I feel like Peggy McIntosh makes a good point when discussing the “white privilege”. She mentions how, as white people, we are just born into a particular environment and have certain things handed to us and taught to us about others that give us a specific perspective on life and who to trust. We learn these actions and thoughts naturally from our parents and other influential figures in our lives. These outlooks definitely made me think and gave me a new perspective of racism.

Unreal Expectations

After reading pages 211-230 in the Reading Culture text, I must say that I agree with everything it states. This reading mainly focuses on the effects advertising makes on the world today and discusses how it creates unreal expectations mostly for women and somewhat for men, too. Nothing from this essay surprised me because I know that it has been an issue for my whole life. I personally hate the way magazines and advertising uses the skinny unrealistic girls or women for their photos. It makes the rest of the world feel bad about themselves and creates low self-esteem for women of all ages.
I personally have experienced a close friend who fell for all the ridiculous crap media tries to feed us. My close friend got caught up in her looks and impressing others by how she looks on the outside. She felt she needed to be skinnier to be pretty or to get attention from guys when in reality she was already one of the skinniest most in shape girls in school. But because of all the ads and pictures in magazines, she saw herself as ugly and not wanted by guys. In attempt to make herself better, she started eating less and working out more which led to an eating disorder called anorexia. Even though this wasn’t only caused by media’s messages, they still played a huge role in it. I will forever hold a grudge on advertising and magazines for encouraging women to torture themselves in numerous ways. My friend is only one of millions to do so. So I really take this topic to heart, and I thought it was interesting reading further into the intentions and specific details ads focus on. I really wish they would focus on all the details and encourage other things other than unhealthy lifestyles.

What High School Is

I read the opening chapter from Horace's Compromise, a book that Theodore Sizer wrote as a study of American high schools. I thought it was a pretty long piece of writing for what it was saying. Sizer could have easily gotten his point across in a much simpler and shorter essay. The main thesis of this essay was “Most Americans have an uncomplicated vision of what secondary education should be.” He stated this in the 20th paragraph of his writing after he gave a full description of an eleventh-grader’s typical day at school. The fact that he went through a day in Mark’s life allowed any reader to make connection with the numerous aspects of high school from a student’s and teacher’s perspective.
For the most part, I do agree with Sizer’s thesis because generally the typical American doesn’t think much about High school. It’s just part of life and something they’re required to participate in. Usually we see it as a warm-up for the future. It helps us start good habits for when we’re in college or in the real-world with a job, but it doesn’t matter that much. As we go through high school, we worry more about what’s going on around us and what others think of us rather than focusing on school, mainly because we can.
Even though this is the majority of people’s points of view, I feel like High school is a huge part of growing up and becoming who you are, not only in your classes and studies, but also in your relationships with others. Teamwork and social skills are some major factors you learn in high school that you will use for the rest of your life. So I really think that we, as Americans, put less emphasis on secondary education than we should since it really does affect the rest of our lives, no matter what we choose to do or be.