Discussion #9

1.) "Recognizing that central responsibility of a woman to herself, without which we remain always the Other, the defined, the object, the victim; believing that there is a unique quality of validation, affirmation, challenge, support, that one woman can offer another. Believing in the value and significance of women's experience, traditions, perceptions. Thinking of ourselves seriously, not as one of the boys, not as neuters, or androgynes, but as women." That was a very powerful point of Rich's speech that shows how women can take themselves seriously. It is a very important point and something women should carry with them for later generations. Today, I do still think there are some mild forms of sexism when it comes to females. I do think that it is still relevant today, but not as much as in the year 1978.

2.) Back in the 60s and 70s, I do agree that maybe gender, class, and race were all linked together and treated equally. However, today not so much. Race and class is discriminated agaisnt much more than gender is and that is not right. It is, though, very true. The University has made it very possible to treat every individual as an equal. I see no prejudice in UL's campus, whether that is social standings to female or male.

Discussion #8

A.) Fortunately for me, I spoke the same language at home that I did at school. There was no difference for me and I am thankful for that. However, I had a best friend who moved from Mexico when he was young and had to develop English as a second language. It was difficult, but he was brilliant and it came to him quickly. When I asked him what he spoke at home, he said that with his mother, he spoke English. But when his father or other family members called, he would go back to his Spanish speaking roots. However, we did not look down on children that spoke another language at our school. We were amused and we welcomed it and asked him to speak his first language sometimes.

B.) In the career field I have chosen, I may have to speak a small amount of other languages for certain clients. However, I am sure that my first language and the language I speak at home is sufficient for my career.

C.) I honestly do not think a certain language will make you "belong" in the career field chosen. The only reason it would, is if a client only speaks one language that you can not speak.

2A.) For the first part of this question, I will say yes. A family does change as the children grow up. Normally. When you are younger, your family seems closer and more bonded together. As you age, it just seems like everyone got bored with trying to make the family close. Secondly, you do have to sacrifice to be successful in anything. Whether it is athletics, family, or school. You do sacrifice the smallest thing, to the biggest.

2B.) The way I understand the question, I will answer this: I think you can not have intamcy with language academically. Language is supposed to be a home based fulfillment. Academics ruin it.

2C.) In the end, I believe Richard just thought it was more of a burden. I don't think he appreciated losing the sentimental values of his first language.

Discussion #7

     For Robert D. King's article titled "Should English Be The Law?", King's purpose was to inform people about America's history and ask the simple question of: Should English be the law? His attitude throughout the article was very informative and professional. He never seemed as if he was being condescending or negative about any of his thoughts. Robert King is a professor of Asian studies at University of Texas in Austin. He has written many journals already about language uses and he is very trilingual himself. He is reaching out to an audience of the general public. There was no certain people that he was writing for except maybe people who read Atlantic Monthly, where it was first published. The purpose of the audience is to question themselves if English should be the law in America. The attitude of the audience is open-minded, yet skiddish of what this article may entail. The audience, like myself, is probably worried about what the author's tone will be like throughout this piece. The audience could be very closed minded Americans who only think everyone in America should speak English. The text was a very long article, probably typed up online using Microsoft Word and you can read the article by opening up a magazine. I read the article at night in my bedroom with a very quiet and calm community.

Self Respect

1.) Well, Didion uses allusions to literature to help give us a better idea or personal evidence to link her thesis to. However, the audience she is approaching may not know or have read any of the literature she uses for examples. That makes it more alienating than helpful. When we discussed this in class, many said it was hard to get through because of examples she used. They did not understand how it tied in because of the simple fact that they have not read the book. Didion assumed that her audience would all know exactly what books she was referring to. That is not the case.

2.) At one point Didion says "... people with self-respect exhibit a certain toughness, a kind of moral nerve ..." Along with what was stated in the question about committing adultery. I think a lot of people who read this can agree to her statements. This doesn't mean they would commit the actions or portray the persona themselves, but they can agree that it is general knowledge. When Didion does say that people who commit adultery have "courage in their mistakes" and "character", I take that to mean that if they are doing it, they must think it is okay. If not, they should not be doing it.

3.) Well, to have self-respect you must learn it. I believe that is what Didion is saying. That you have the ability down deep inside of you, but must learn to bring it out and use it. That can also apply to writing skills and habit of mind. I think anyone who is a freshman in college has the ability to write correctly. The problem is disciplining yourself to do that. You have to have a certain state of mind that you can do something. Self-respect, I guess, is what I am trying to say. That fits in perfectly. You need to believe that you can write well, and you just need to develop the habit of it.