Rebutal

If you forgot, I purpose that child actors need to consider themselves as a role model because of the influence they provide to the adolescents.

While reading my opponents opening statement, I realized that she does not have a statistics or sources that back-up her statement. Are these all lies? Assumptions? This shows that she did not have any proof that a child actor should not be required to be a role models- assuming it would strip away the actors of their freedom. Do not you already think their freedom is already tooken away when they became actors? 

Near the end of her opening statement, Carly states:

Miley Cyrus may soon enough look back and realize that she was out-of-control back then and was a bad influenced to many, or she could continue the way she is and possibly get involved in worse things.

This gives the perception that Carly understands the bad influence Miley Cyrus is providing the adolescents. What doe not make sense to me is that Carly is purposing child actors should have to be role models, but states above that Miley Cyrus will one-day realize her out-of-control self and conclude she actually was a bad influence. This portrays that her statement is a logical fallacies. She agreed with my statement, but still wanted to imply that she still should be free. It was very confusing. Why would you want too counter your evidence?

Carly also states her opinions as facts with proof, which make her argument weak and unpersuasive. When she states:

Miley Cyrus has released photos when she behaved inappropriately in the way she dressed and her behavior. 

As her opponent, this quote is very essential. But, because she did not give me an exact source for the people who say this, I cannot research. Also, she counter argues her statement. You say she can do whatever she wants, but, yet, you tell your audience that she dresses inappropriately. How does this support your argument?

As a result, Carly's statement has given me the proof and logic that child actors should not be role models  to our young generation. Especially, because she did not provide ANY examples, evidence, and sources for me, as her opponent, to look at. 

A Farm With Rebellious Animals

Power provides an opportunity for a person to be whatever they want most naturally. It is the removal of force on behavior that corrupts the people who attain it. In Animal Farm, by George Orwell, there is a group of animals that have power but they do not use it to gain any benefits for themselves, but in that case, also, the power definitely authorized in, then, whether they use it or not. The ability to influence the behavior is the most essential way to demand it.  Napoleon’s way of speaking is more effective in communicating with the "lower" animals than Major's way of speaking because fear is more affective than positive encouragement.

An assertive characteristic influences others effectively. Napoleon, a pig:

"Is a larger, rather fierce-looking Berkshire bear, the only Berkshire on the farm, not much of talker, but with a reputation for getting his own way," (35)

This implies that appearances and reputations build an influential character to the animals on the farm. The reputation demonstrates, because he is not much of a talker, he has other ways "for getting his own ways" which may be disheartening. And because everyone knows has standings, the animals become frightened and silently listens to Napoleon’s commands for his satisfaction. The feeds the demanding characteristic influences an audience successfully. Another example that proves the anticipation to be considerable is when Napoleon states, 

"'Never mind the milk comrades?' cried Napoleon placing himself in front of the buckets. That will be attended to harvest. 'The harvest is more important',"(44).

This suggests that because Napoleons language is absolute, the animals are not able to reply or gain any rights. This identifies his effective communicating skills with the "lower"animals are cogent for getting the job done. Tone and language are essential values to gain power. 

Although people may assume positive encouragement is an effective ay to influence an audience, it is not. For instance, Major is a pig that cares about other animals and completely understands the difficulty in the community. Major says:

"And remember also that in fighting against man, we must come resemble him," (27)

This indicates that the flow and clam tone Major shows that he believes the animals can work together and build a stronger farm. This encourages the generalization that the "lower" animals, because of Majors psychological support, assume he will be there through thick and thin. And because Major passes away, the thoughts of making the farm an animal only territory are not communicated anymore. This feeds the stereotype that thought-provoking communication will only build-up the strength psychotically, but not physically. Another example supporting these interpretations of Majors limited effectiveness is when he states:

"The soul of England is fertile, its climate is good, it is capable of affording food in abundance to an enormously greater number of animals that do no inhabit it," (28).

This demonstrates that Major knows his community can become stronger and profitable because of the resources available to them. But, Major does not actually give a plan for the "lower" animals to follow. He just gives inspirational strength. This emphasizes that the intensified communication is competent.

Napoleons communication towards the “lower” ammonals was threatening, which made the animals respect his demands and do the job. Authority gains the rights to influence and necessitate the official policy that cab serve well. All in all, power provides the opportunity for a person (or a pig) to be whatever they are most naturally. 

Child Actors

American children are glued to the television and internet. What they see, what people wear, and how they look determines what the children like about them. Even if the child actors are shown to be inappropriate and do not seem like role models, the youth of America want to follow their foot-steps because of how they look, and how they are scene on shows marketed for the young audiences.Child actors need to consider themselves as a role model because of the influence they provide to the adolescents.

For example, the actress, Miley Cyrus, from the Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana, is about a young girl who has "the best of both worlds". She is a famous Actor/Singer, and the other half of her life shes able to be to have normal teenage-life. This show is disarming sweet which is what the young girls love. They talk about love, boys, school, and shops.This is what makes the young youth attracted to this show. Is Hanna Montana the Right Role Model for our future youth?

Moreover, Miley Cyrus, has another side, she makes many music videos. For instance, Miley Cyrus's music video, "Can't Be Tamed" demostates Miley wearing a black Leotard and long black laces rising from her black stilettos. This conveys the idea that Miley Cyrus does not understand that she is a major role model to the adolescents today. The provocative clothing portray that she is a grown women who can wear clothing similar to adults. The adolescents who depict her as a role model implies that she does not portray herself as one.

To fix this problem, and to improve the role models for the sake of our adolescents, the Disney Corporation and other channels that are marketed to the young audiences (Nickelodean, CartoonNetwork, etc) should create some type of documentation that states: Child actors need to consider themselves as role models to the age groups they influence. So, they need to be aware that the young children who idolize then are watching their every move and when they make a major/unaware move, then they need to learn from their mistakes, or make an apology statements This will create more influential and inspiration child actors, which will improve the lives of our next generation.

Animal Farm

This has been the longest 4-day school week ever.

In English class, we are reading a book called, Animal Farm, by George Orwell. It is an interesting book.  I never knew, at the age of fifteen, that I would be reading a book where animals talk. It’s actually very compelling and rebellious. I love it.

Writing prompt: In your opinion, does political power corrupt the people who attain it? Also, how do you think George Orwell would answer this question? Use quotes from the first two chapters to support your answer.

While reading the first two chapters of Animal Farm, I have concluded that power provides a opportunity for a person to be whatever they are most naturally. It is the removal of restraints on behavior that corrupts the people who attain it. This is because a loss of power has the capacity to corrupt as well, and for the people who are powerless, they make the decision to first, regain their power by changing; secondly, regain power by taking it from others, and lastly, by making others feel powerless. For example, when the animals attacked the humans. This implies the idea that the animals felt untreated and ungrateful, and because of this, the animals tried to regain power by taking it away from the humans and making them feel powerless. This encourages the generalizations that people will try to regain their power anyway possible. When someone or a group of people controls others, they feel jealous and inferior. This is because although they are the same, the attitude and personality of ones trait establishes a superior and inferior side of the human population, which creates anger and disputes.

Orwell will answer this question similar to my hypothesis because in the book demonstrates the rebellious and the animals you assume they are better then the others (pig). 

"Man is the only real enemy we have" (29). 

This suggests that because the animals are rebellious, they first set their who their enemies are and who are not (the animals on the farm), then they work out a plan to prevent to humans to appear, and reduce the amount of disputes within the animal farm community. This will create a solid and strong battle. This also perpetuates the idea that when trying to implement power in your daily-life, you have to set confinements.

After the lecture, there was a voting election:

"The vote was taken at once, at it was agreed by overwhelming majority that rats were comrades" (31)

This gives the perception that when one group of people does not agree to the majority, they are hated, and over-turned by.  And because of this, they establish stereotypes and defiance within the community.

De-to-the- Bate

During this long week, in English class, we read debates about "If it matter's where you go to college" and "Will you have a better life if you graduate from an elite college or university" i.e. Harvard University.

This topic was very interesting and exciting because, of course, we go to ASTI, and all we think about is college. The majority of the students here came to this school to become a strong enough competitor during their high-school career, and to do as much as we can to accomplish this dream. 

I think the college you go to do matter based on what you want to do in life and if the college has the classes you feel will assist you towards your dream. But, attending a so-called "elite" college just provides you with a stellar reputation. For example, if I say I am a Harvard alumnus, people will automatically assume I am brilliant and very prestigious. On the other hand, if my friends say, I go to the College of Alameda, people would portray her as a negligent person compared to me. And this provides pressure towards high-school students. They want people to know that they will attend a prestigious high-school, and sometimes like the feeling to stay that their better than the other.

While reading the 7-way debate there were a few debaters whose claim were not supported effectively, which made it unconvincing or less persuasive. 

One of the debate's that were compelling and though-provoking was called: Number's Favor Top Schools, by Richard D. Kalenburg. His work gave the perception that it does not matter if you go to the a highly selective college because, statistics show that 

In fact, a student is more likely to graduate from a selective institution than a less selective one, controlling for initial ability.

Also, from the Anthony Carnevale and Jeff Strohl’s Century Foundation study found that 

Among students scoring between 1200 and 1300 on the SAT, 96 percent graduate from the most selective colleges, compared with 78 percent at the least selective. 

These statistics made me feel less stressful about attending "elite” colleges and not fretting much about it. This is why this argument was convincing and stimulating.

On the other hand, The Specialization Trade-Off, by James Shulam, was dull and unimpressive. This is because he talked about sports, and which sports and "elite" colleges would accept such person. Another reason why this was unappealing was because I do not play a sport and he does not signify that you have to be smart and diligent in school to attend such college. That is all. 

Fam-bam

While reading many blogs from my peer's, I encountered a thought-provoking post published by, Jessica Chen:

Part of my mom’s family was from Lima, Peru where they could only speak Spanish and Chinese. It was tough to have family members that could speak Spanish because all my cousins would talk to each other in Spanish. I know... I know I took Spanish class in sixth grade for a half year, however; I still don’t understand a word they were saying, they speak too fast. Sometimes I feel like they were talking about me because they would say my Chinese name during their conversation. It was irritating to hear them talk in Spanish.

Jessica's relation with her family members is closely related to a few of my family's experience. Considering that I am first generation born in the United States, I have a different interpretation about life, school, activities, and entertainments. And while we have conversations with one another, I can see that difference between us. 

Family members come from different places; they may know more that you culturally, traditionally, and religiously, especially if it is one of your younger cousins, this may make you feel depressed or remorseful about yourself. I totally do.  For example, when my cousins, Layla, five years old, and Hanna, eleven years old from Saudi Arabia came to visit my family, they know how to speak Tigrinya (the Eritrean language) AND Arabic. I felt humiliated and guilty. This is because my little cousins, who are still in elementary school, know how to read, write, and speak in three languages, which includes English, and I can barely understand Tigrinya and Arabic. Shame, shame, shame. That is all I can say...

And during the three-weeks they visited for, my brother, sister, and I had to start reading the Holy Quarn (the Islamic Bible) and we were amateurs compared to those experts, and I felt disturbed. This is because they were assisting us. It was like a baby nurturing their mother. It's just wrong. That was a pretty good analogy, by the way...

All in all, family is family. You may have your ups and downs, but the love will remove the acrimony. People cannot change others because of their dissimilarities; you just have to work around it. 

Winter Break

Although this was along, three-week break, I feel like a started back from where I ended. (I do not \ have that "relaxed, and now time to work feeling", it's like oh, school...)

Anyways...

Winter break was boring for the first week. Starting on Friday (the last day of school before break), I read Crank and Glass, by Ellen Hopkins. These books are very well structured and written. I recommend the Crank series to everyone in the whole world. It is so good-- I cannot stress it enough. I literally could not stop reading it. Although I had to use the bathroom a few times, I just held it in because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Every page became more tempting to know the next.

During my second week, I went shopping with my mom, siblings, family, and friends (not all at the same time, though. That would be insane. I bought lots of cloths and shoes. I, also, cleaned-up my house like everyday, it was crazy. I do not know why my mom forced my sister and I to clean everyday, it was child labor (although I did not really clean-up everyday, I just said I did, because it looked hygienic, flawless, and sanitary. What more can get? So, ha-ha, mom)

Also, during those two-weeks, the EMCNC (Eritrean Muslim Community of Northern California) Youth forced the social branch (my cousin, Ridwan and I) to plan a gathering where the ages of fourteen thru twenty-five come together and bond. So, the first "hang-out" was set at Denny's in Emeryville. We all ate (obviously) and caught-up with everyone’s life, it was really nice. The next event was located at the San Francisco Ice-Skating rink, and we took the Bart there. It was hectic, nobody knew how to take the Bart, but eventually we asked people and got it all sorted out. Considering that it was raining hella hard, we had to walk to the ice-skating rink, and we did not know where it was, we all were socked. It was ridiculous. Thank God one of the guys has a GPS.

And on the last week of break, I did not do anything because many people were already backing in school, so there was not anyone to hangout with, which sucked.