SHOTIME Blog #2: Global Perspective and Service

Originally, I applied to Penn State as a biology major. Anyone who knows me knows that was not my brightest idea, seeing as I hate working in labs and at the mention of the word chemistry my whole body starts to break out in hives. Please see the bottom of this blog for a poem about my loathing. This seemingly endless hatred I grew towards my science classes pushed me more and more to explore new fields and majors( yes this rant does have a point). Hence, I signed up for a Distinguished Honors Faculty Program trip with Dr.Stoller to D.C. concerning lobbyists. I loved it much, that I attended a second DHFP trip in the fall concentrated on national security and global aid. 

As a security and risk analysis major, I thought I had a pretty good gist of the whole “national security” thing but the truth is I didn’t. Sure I knew about cyber security, national surveillance, and securing our nation’s borders, but it had never occurred that national security wasn’t just about attacking “bad guys” like the Nazis or the Russians. My image of national security can basically be summed up in this one picture:

However, after visiting several non-profits and USAID I realized that the scope of America’s security system was much larger than I had originally imagined. It turns out that in order to ensure our success as a nation, we help other country’s to grow and prosper. The most important term I learned from this trip is found in USAID: international development.

The US, and many independent companies, provide aid in agricultural, economical, educational, health, and political areas as well as generally improving the lives of citizens around the globe. While visiting a Schreyer grad working at the Department of State, I realized how important the U.S’s involvement in politics of developing, as well developed nations can allow the US to prevent war, gain allies, and make the world a better place to live in. These benefits are also seen from disaster relief as well as acts of the peace corps.

All in all, I was surprised to see how much international involvement the country preforms in the name of “security”. It excites me to be working in a global field, and I’m glad that I was able to see the depth my major will be going into. Through seeing how actual Schreyer grads promote protecting American lives through enhancing the lives of global citizens, I was inspired to focus on a more global level with my studies. I’m now aspiring to get a Master’s in international development (something I had never even heard of until this DHFP trip) and perhaps even join the Peace Corps or work for a non-profit in the name of our wonderful nation’s security.

SHOtime Blog #1: Favorite Honors Course

My favorite honors course was actually my honors option. Being a Security and Risk Analysis major, there aren’t a lot of honors courses available in my field, so in order to reach the appropriate amount of honors credits I honors optioned the course SRA 111. Going into it, I wan’t really sure what an honors option was, but after discussing it with my professor we decided on writing a paper that would replace the grade of my semester long group project, while still completing the group project. It was really great being able to work with my professor on a one-on -one level, and the paper provided a chance for me to see how the subjects we were learning about it class were applied to a real-life situation of national importance.

My professor helped me learn how to organize the biggest research paper I’ve written yet (I’m really proud of all 28 pages of it), as well as how to tie in the information to the course. It gave me a new insight into immigration and border control, as well as the strategies that people use on a personal, enterprise, and national level to maintain security. As I wrote about in my e-portfolio, I described the project as: “This report was originally written in order to honors option the course SRA 111. It examines how the history of border control, as well as Obama’s new proposal, is related to the different sides of the security cube that SRA 111 is based on. The project brings together aspects of the course and applies it to a real-life situation of national importance. The security cube was analyzed by using specific examples of control tools,and seeing how the different levels and types of security can be used to strengthen border control and immigration laws. The thesis of the paper is: The College of IST’s course SRA 111 presents a visual representation for the nation’s current and future policies concerning border control, and the purpose of this document is to describe the United States’ future, past, and present immigration initiatives.
Now, I hope to make this a living document, which I will continue to update on the Updates on Immigration page on this site. This will keep me, as well as those following me on Somos Americanos, up-to-date on issues concerning immigration and border control. It is also the best example of my professional writing so far. This paper integrates research from valid sources into a comprehensive overview of immigration and border patrol policies in the United States and how they relate to the course SRA 111. ”

The project is available here: http://adelinarichards.weebly.com/immigration-report.html

All in all, it was great to sort of construct my own honors course, with an even greater level of teacher interaction that is found in nearly every honor course. It was an invaluable experience, and I plan to honors option more courses in the future.

“Will You Still Love Me When I Am No Longer Young and Beautiful?”

 

 

Screen Shot 2013-04-24 at 1.20.37 PM

Considering this will be my last official “lost generation passion post for the course ENG 138T, I HAVE to address the new Gatsby movie. World-wide, twitter, tumblr, and Facebook are ramping up for what is beginning to be called, “The Summer of Gatsby”.

Vogue photo shoots, clothing lines, and men shoes have been styled after this up-and-coming masterpiece. The Great Gatsby is flying off the shelves, and people are devouring the little information that has been leaked on the project.

The trailers that have been released show a modernized version of the book. The vision the trailers create is colorful, bright, and every bit as extravagant and exciting as the contents inside the book. The traditional dress and speech patterns that create a realistic representation of the roaring twenties, but the new soundtrack is composed of music all released in 2013 (Some not officially until the movie comes out in May).

Many are criticizing the modern feel the music gives the film, however still others stand behind the directors choice. Many of the songs have a twenties “feel”, such as will.i.am’s “Ban Gang” and the awesome saxophone in Fergie’s “A little Party Never Killed Nobody”. The dancing beat(and well… yeah some dubstep) only adds to the party scenes, making them seem more realistic and upbeat. It seems an almost ignorant thought, but if you’re so upset about the movie being modernized, there are several excellent renditions from earlier eras.

All in all, the new movie with its upbeat music, bright colors, and collection of unbelievably talented (and attractive..) actors can only be a success. Even if you didn’t like the book, I urge you to see a movie that might benefit from a little bit of hollywood influence.

 

The Leaked Soundtrack

Get Excited!

Get Excited!

 

 

#seriouslythough

#seriouslythough

This girl came in to my job today looking for some clothes for her sorority’s Great Gatsby themed party.  Of course, being me, I was fascinated by the idea and asked her more about it. She explained how her sorority was having a week long themed “AMERICA” and then continued to comment, “I mean.. I guess Gatsby was like American or something?”

Despite her blatant ignorance on the matter, she brings up a good point. Assuming she thought that Gatsby was the writer of the novel (aka Scott Fitzgerald), it is valid to wonder how “American” he and his colleagues of the time were and what exactly makes us American. Although men like Fitzgerald and Hemingway are considered some of America’s best writers(I, like many young teenagers, first read them both in an American Literature course), most of their greatest works were inspired by an entirely different country: France. Many had flown to Europe to join in WWI, and still more flocked to the streets of Paris once peace was reached to seek the inspiration that was promised by the genius work that had come out of the city previously.

Was their strong fascination with Paris a reason for them not to be considered American? Did Hemingway’s service in the Italian army strip him of his loyalties the the U.S., finally resulting in his frequenting Cuba many years later.

Gatsby speaks as an example of America’s finest hour, the roaring twenties. It held strong American principles such as bigger is always better, and a constant level of wanting to return to a greater past. While Gatsby’s level of intensity that accompanied his affections could be seen in Europe, this extravagant wastefulness is something only an American could devise.

Hence, although his location may have begged to differ, Gatsby is inded ” like.. American”. he is just about as American, just about as HUMAN as it gets.

 

Advocacy

On dictionary.com, advocacy is defined as:the act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending; active espousal, and I couldn’t agree more. Advocacy doesn’t have to mean going to Africa to save starving children or making a documentary concerning a popular issue, sometimes it’s as simple as standing for something you believe in. I believe that advocacy can be big or small, but whatever impacts it has should be positive towards their goal. Advocacy is getting out there, sharing you support and knowledge with others, and setting out to make a change, big or small, that will impact someone’s life.

Tip of the Iceberg

One of the things that first attracted me to the writings of the Lost Generation was the simplicity that was the driving force behind their writing style. Nothing was flowery, overdone, or unnecessary like styles used in the romantic era. This was based off of something called the iceberg technique, created by Hemingway.

Also referred to as  minimalism, this technique only shows about 10-20% of the story through the actual writing, the rest must be created by the reader. The joy of reading comes from being able to create your own world, and minimalism allows you to do this in the most effective and enchanting way possible. Somehow, although we are given the bare frame work, we see a magnificent piece of architecture.

“My goal is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simpliest way”- Hemingway

The simplicity and realism presented in Hemingway’s writing are what make it truly great writing. It lets us feel exactly how we believe the characters should feel, and where we could see flaws in others writing, we fill in the gap with our own imagination. Simple writing gets the point across cleanly and purely, almost carrying more emotion with less words.

This could be a seven page story, or even a novel, but Hemingway summed up the main concept in FIVE WORDS. Yet it is the ultimate example of quality over quantity. Who was the baby? Who were the parents? How did they feel? How did the baby die? All this seems unimportant, the main point is given: a child is dead, perhaps stillborn.

Hemingway once said, “If a writer knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one ninth of it being above water”

 

All in all, a good writer will listen to Hemingway’s advice. The reader should be integrated into the creation of the story, and the writer should be able to omit unnecessary “fluff” to enable the reader to create their own journey.

“This is not my first language. I don’t understand English very goodly.”-Gloria

Alright guys, it had to happen. I’ve gone through most of the main stereotypes present in American culture, but as I’m sure you’ve noticed I’ve avoided the one that hits closest to home: the Hispanic sterotypes.

Luckily, you get the inside scoop froma real- live Hispanic(wait.. they have those in StateCollege?!). But most Hispanic stereotypes can be exemplified by one character: Gloria from modern family.

Sofia Vergara represents all that is Latin: she has the accent, the curves, and more sex appeal than should be humanly possible. In the hit new shwo Modern Family, she plays a young columbian woman married to a rich, much older man.

Stereotype One : Hispanics can’t speak English

 image

Just FYI, that is NOT true. What is true is that most Hispanics in America are bilingual by the age of seven. There are some people who just migrated to the US who haven’t learned English yet, but tust me they’re trying. I’d just like to share that once a woman came up to me and was like: ” So you were like… born speaking Spanish right?” When I retorted ‘No, were you born speaking German?” She looked at me like I had three heads.

Stereotype Two: Hispanics are violent criminals

Reality: Illegal Immigrants are just as likely to be criminals are nonimmigrants: aka just because some countries are going through turmoil doesn’t mean we’re going to climb into your bed and slit your throat.

Stereotype: Hispanics are loud

Ok, this one is true.

Stereotype: Hispanics are Sexcrazed

 

Now-a-days, Hispanics are portrayed as sex idols, this can be dated back to Rudolph Valentino: the first Latin “sex object”. Sure, a lot of Hispanics have great bodies, it’s in the genes, but that does not mean that they want to use them! Many Hispanics are actually extremely catholic and wait until marriage. Regardless, there will always be women like Sofia Vegara who gained popularity based off of her sex appeal, but Hispanics as a whole should not be put into a category of “I want to have sex with you”.

Stereotype: Hispanics are suuuuper fertile

As far as I know, this one is also true. Inspired by the growing number of Hispanic pregnancies across America, Hispanics are viewed as extreme baby makers. In my family alone, three babies were concieved with the use of two forms of birth control. I only have one Aunt.

Stereotype: Hispanics are emotioal

This stereotype stems from the popular Spanish novellas, and like American Soap Operas, they are NOT an accurate representation of Hispanic culture! Yes, Hispanic women are emotional, but it doesn’t mean we’re running around crying all the time because our ex husband’s evil twin slept wih both of my sisters.

Stereotype: We are all Mexican

No. Just no. Also: we are not all illegal, WOWZA!

Americans tend to see a lot of Mexicans, because it is the country closest to the US border, however Mexicans don’t even make up half of the Hispanic presence in the United States. Also, only about 1 million Hispanics come over illegally each year. This may sound alot, but this is only a fraction of the total Hispanic population in the United States.

 

In total, Hispanics aren’t exactly what you think we are. Although some major stereotypes are based off of truth, Hispanics are breaking stereotypes such as these everyday.As long as illegal immigration remains a serrious issue of national security, Hispanics will be put in the spotlight, hence creating copious amonts of untrue stereotypes. If i can leave you with two things, just remember this:

1. Not all Hispanics are Mexican!

and

2. No, I don’t want to sleep with you just because I’m Hispanic kthnxbai

 

 

Outlin’ AAAALLLLLLL NIGGGGHHHHTTT LOOOOOONNNGGGGG

I. Introduction:Social Views

II. People’s Beliefs

III.Taxpayers money wasted on border security

IV. Immigrants Create Jobs

V. Stealing American Jobs? More Like Keeping Them Here.

VI.Undocumented Workers Don’t Cause Unemployment

VII.Illegal Immigrants Pay Taxes

VIII. What Happens to the Money they Send Overseas?

IX.What Should We Do?/Conclusion

-including pictures?

 

 

“Who am I?”: Audience

While the essay would immediately address those who are strongly against immigration, the ideal audience member would be Average Joe, an impressionable 18 year old. All average knows about immigration is that it’s bad  because people say so. He is basically completely uninformed about the topic, and forms his opinions from what others have told him. He believes that undocumented workers steal American jobs, are hurting the economy, and gosh darnit don’t pay taxes! They steal money and all smuggles drugs into the country because they’re a bunch of terrorists! He wants a fence built across the entire expanse of the border, and thinks that would actually make a difference. He wants Hispanics are all immigrants, and wants them to “Learn some damn English!”. I suppose he’s a mild Christian who curses a lot. He grew up going to a protestant church down south, most likely a random state that still seems to get undocumented persons like Kentucky. Every morning his ma makes him pancakes and eggs(yeah like the Cracker Barrel’s Momma’s pancake breakfast). However, despite his southern roots, he is a caring person who cherishes family. He believes himself smart and educated, so when he hears facts and statistics, his opinions begin to change.

Advocate!

 

I am planning on advocating immigration across the Mexico-American Border by exemplifying how immigrants are actually beneficial to the United States as a whole. The audience I would be addressing is Americans who are strongly against Immigration, even to the point of hating all undocumented persons and or Hispanics in general. I would discuss how immigrants help the US economy by creating jobs and sustaining long lasting programs, as well as how our current border control is detrimental to the US economy, especially with 11 million people living in the US illegally.