Blog Archives

Are We Disrupting Natural Order?

9/22/2018

This adorable little boy got his hair cut by another classmate with scissors. In the second image, his barber gave him a free haircut to restore life's balance.

This story jumped out at me because his parents were livid, which is understandable. But did this incidence warrant them threatening to sue the school, the district changing its safety policies and the little boy being removed from the school and consequently, all his friends?

Were the parents justified in their behavior or did they overreact? This story made me wonder, has the world become so desensitized that childhood capers have now become matters of safety or the prelude to psychotic deviance? After all, two of my best childhood friendships were the result of one cutting my hair in 1st grade, and the other, me being too intentionally rough with the kickball at recess in the 3rd grade. Had my parents removed me from that school, it would have sent me spiraling into depression.

When I was growing up, this kind of behavior was laughed off and forgotten about before the end of the week could settle in. Parents trusted us kids to work things out, and all perpetrators involved settle our differences over "cool cups," street skating and stick ball.

As a society, were we wrong back then? Today, you cannot look at a person too long without their being an issue or grounds for a lawsuit.

My two friends and I are still friends today. Had those two incidents not occurred, would we still have become friends? I believe that everything happens exactly how it's supposed to. Do you? What happens when belief systems of societies and individuals come into conflict?

INSTRUCTIONS: Click on the image above to view the video and read the article. Then, read the commentary above and comment on the following: "Explain whether or not the parents in this "incident" overreacted and why you feel the way you do."

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.

3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
Be sure to--

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school or your parents with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.

DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.

Due: Fri., Sept. 28, 2018 11:59 p.m. CST

Life AND 192 Years?!

9/17/2018

This guy. ^^ Him. Right up there. Antonio Maurice Gee. He's 21-years old. He's in prison for brutal assault. Although he did not murder anyone, he assaulted people and was sentenced to life...plus 192 years.

When you read something like that, what are your initial thoughts? "Although he did not murder anyone, he was sentenced to life in prison PLUS 192 years." Think about that a bit. There are people who murder multiple people and get out of prison after about five to ten years. Without a murder conviction, do you immediately think the punishment fits the crime?

Now allow me to explain what he did.

Gee's indictment says that he committed armed robbery, burglary, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated stalking, false imprisonment, and cruelty to children, all while under a restraining order. That's reeling enough. But even more reeling is who he inflicted his wrath upon.

In December, 2016, Gee broke into the home where his ex-girlfriend lived with their two children, a one-year old daughter and a five-month old son, and his ex's grandmother, and wreaked havoc.

Gee hit the grandmother with his fists so badly that she needed facial reconstructive surgery. He also stabbed her in the face. While his ex-girlfriend shielded their daughter to prevent Gee from stabbing the child, he cut his ex, knocked out her teeth and Tased her in the face. Then, the most horrific assault of them all: he Tased both of his children before he stole the women's phones, car keys and credit cards.

After his conviction, some still say the punishment does not fit the crime, and that this conviction "sets a dangerous precedence in all other cases." If Gee's punishment is this harsh and he did not kill anyone, "Why not sentence all other non-capitol offenses in this manner?" What do you think his punishment should be?

Read the commentary above, then, thinking about Gee's vicious attacks, comment on the following: "How do beliefs, ethics, or values influence different people’s behavior?"

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.

3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
Be sure to--

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

Home Shoot Home

9/13/2018

A white police officer killed a young, black man. Again.

This one, however, is the most bizarre. This one has more questions than answers, puzzle pieces than clarity.

On September 6, on the edge of downtown Dallas, at an apartment complex, a white, female officer entered a young man's apartment and killed him in his own home. He was not a criminal. He was not resisting arrest, selling cigarettes, holding a toy gun, driving while not signaling or reaching for his identification as instructed. He was simply living. That's all anyone knows at this point.

Although the Texas Rangers are investigating, there are still many unanswered questions. But one thing is clear, black people are sick and tired of mourning and burying black boys, especially because of white police officers. I hope the "legal system" gets it right this time.

Although I have noted it many times before, I am compelled to repeat it again: There is something sinister about a certain group of people feeling like they have the absolute right to walk inside a church, a movie theater, a concert..or right inside a home..and kill black people. And like Jean Botham wanted to know, "Why did you do that?" Because all heaven knows black people don't know why.

Do you?

Read the commentary above, then comment on the following: "What impact does power or the lack of power have on certain groups?"

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.

3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
Be sure to--

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

Protest is Patriotic

9/6/2018

In 2016, Colin Kaepernick was in the media for kneeling on the sidelines during the presentation of the US national anthem in protest of police brutality. Skewed by the media and our own president as disrespecting the flag and those who fought for our country, Colin's gesture made many people around the world despise him.

Including the NFL.

But Kaepernick kept protesting. Silently. Adamantly. Fervently. And suddenly, many more celebrated him for being courageous enough to stand up for what he believes in.

Including Nike.

In celebration of their 30th anniversary, "Just Do It" campaign, they are celebrating "Kaep" with an ad campaign that has rocked the entire nation. (You can see it in the image above.)

But with troubles still abound, Kaepernick decided to file a grievance against the NFL for collusion. Not one team would hire him. But even though no such trial has begun, Kaepernick has secured the bag! Although the means by which he did it cost him his football career, a better career was underway for him: creating a foundation that raises awareness on higher education, self-empowerment, and instruction to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios. And moreso, he'll have Nike's support, and covertly, the NFL's.

Here's how:

Kaepernick has a deal with Nike worth millions, and it includes an apparel line. And until 2028, Nike secured a deal with the NFL as their official team apparel designer for the entire organization. That means *when* Kaepernick comes out of this mess with the NFL, the $126M he's already worth, will increase. And every time someone supports NFL through Nike, they'll be supporting Kaep too! #securethebag #theyjustdidit #kaepjustdidit #imwithkaep

Read the commentary above, then comment on the following: "What are the causes and consequences of prejudice and injustice, and how does an individual's response to them reveal his/her character?"

1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.

2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.

3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
Be sure to--

Be clear about your position
Provide specific support for your argument
Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative

Mixed Ink

Mixed Ink is our class blog, the window into our souls. It was designed to improve students' writing, critical thinking and communication skills by giving them a platform to provide meaningful content based on their interpretation of what they see.

Although the students receive a grade based on a rubric for completing this assignment, they are not graded on complexity of thought. This is a place where students of all levels can freely, confidently and creatively express themselves and their opinions in a nonjudgmental platform. They are required to respond to and critique each other, but degradation, slander, lewdness, etc., will not be tolerated.

Bridge Builders

All subjects are vital to learning, but English is the bridge of communication. So let's build the arch, one word at a time...

Grading Rubric

Learning Objectives

Communicate effectively
Be aware of current events
Write concisely
Boost critical thinking skills
Be accountable
Follow directions
Have a voice about what goes on in the world around you