Ebonics in Language

I acutally wrote a research paper on this for another class and found that Ebonics was actually declared a language. In some areas, standard english just isn't as common and the teachers in a school disctict in California had to adjust to the fact that they're students were doing so poorly because they're first language was Ebonics. As far as translators, that seems a little sketchy to me. I mean most people think of it as slang and I do also. I don't think that Ebonics is so complex that we need translators for it though. I'm not black but my husband is and I grew up in a black community. Learning standard english was never an issue for myself or any of my friends. They chose to speak in Ebonics depending on their environment. I think what I don't like most about the idea of "Black English" is that one assumes Ebonics is a lower standard of english, when really it's more of a community thing. People from the south say "ya'll" all the time, I know I do and we don't have our own language for terms like that. It's just something that's common in our area and doesn't mean that southerners are any less intelligent. The same goes for Ebonics and its use by African Americans.

Raised by Nannies?

Nannies are a lot more important in some households than they used to be.  One of the main advantages of having a nanny is that your child has the opportunity to learn a second language which is so important now a days.   I was a nanny for 2 years and the family I worked for had children who were all fluent in spanish. Even their 5 year old didn't have any problem speaking to me in spanish. I think that in the long run, having a nanny that speaks a second language will definately benefit a child. With the competative job economy, speaking a second language is definately a plus to employers. I speak some spanish to my daughter and she learns a lot from some of the TV shows she watches like Dora. It surprises me how much young children are like sponges. They can absorb any language at early ages. Having a bilingual nanny has it's advantages and I think the benefits outweigh the consequences.

Marriage in Hollywood

I guess one thing I don't understand is how men can cheat on these extremely successful Hollywood actresses.  I mean who cheats on Halle Berry?? I think some of these men think they're entitled to successful women.  Granted some of these men are actors themselves; that shouldn't prompt them to run around and do whatever they want.  Frustrates me.....

Child Stars

I saw Miley Cyrus recently in the news smoking a bong.  What's going on with these teenagers? Granted that I think she's legal now (maybe).  The success and stress of being a super star gets to these kids I think.  There's no outlet for them and they're forced to deal with the issues that most kids their age don't have to deal with.  I think there should be an age limit on how young you can be to work in show business.  It's hard to punish your child when they make 100 times more than you do.

What's the True Meaning of Christmas?

WIth days like Black Friday and other shopping specials, I think we're losing touch with what the actual reason for the season is.  I hear so may people talking about what the want and how much money they spent when Christmas is supposed to be a religious holiday.  I wonder at what point America forgot about that and it became about fruit cakes.  Just remember to count your blessing and be thankful for what you have.  Happy Holidays!!

Dealing w/Stress During Finals

This last week has been one of the most trying for me in a long time.  I take 15 hrs at school and work around 45 hrs a week.  I'm sure there are other students like me who deal with trying to finish school and other issues.  One of the things that really helped me was making sure I got enough sleep.  I studied like a mad person this past week but had to make sure that I had enough sleep.  I'm like a zombie without it!  Also, don't overdue the all nighters.  I pulled a few all nighters but had to make sure that I had someone to watch my daughter so I could sleep the next day.  Now that it's over I feel so much better as I'm sure most of you do.  Good luck with next semester everyone!!

The Interpretation of Marriage and the Influence of the Media

The sanctity of marriage has always been an issue among popular conversation.  The opinion of marriage varies with age, religion, and even political views.  It’s no doubt changing in a progressive world.  Media has had a large impact on the views of marriage whether it’s a happy one, a divorced family, a gay marriage, or pretty much any type of marriage or relationship you can think of.  Some people argue that gays are making a mockery of marriage; when in actuality; most gays that marry were previously in loving and long term relationships.

            Think of all the marriages we see on television between heterosexual couples.  Majority of them won’t make it past a few years if that.  How can a society idealize and condone quick Hollywood marriages, but refuse to recognize or accept marriages that will last?  Failed heterosexual marriages are grossly over publicized while we never hear much about gay marriages in Hollywood.  There’s no entertainment or money to be made while publicizing a happy marriage which is why failing heterosexual marriages are so popular.  Most gay marriages in Hollywood have lasted and are rarely publicized because there is no juicy gossip there.  Gay actors and actresses face the same career challenges as straight actors and actresses yet their marriages seem to be having a much more noticeable success rate.  In an article titles “The Sanctity of Marriage is Already Ruined,” the author compares celebrity marriages to swapping husband and wives like handbags.  Traditional families have changed from mom and dad to mom’s house or dad’s house.  There is no longer a large presence of “traditional family.”

            Religious factions and other prop 8 promoters contradict their very own beliefs.  Marriage is between a man and a woman, not two men or two women they claim.  They would prefer to accept an unhappy or failed heterosexual marriage before they would accept a successful gay marriage. 

            Media in every medium has tamed the sanctity of marriage.  Part of the reason for the increase in failed marriages is attributed to what we as a society are willing to promote and accept.  Much like in “Dreamworlds,” media is a virus to marriage on more than just the Hollywood level.  The media changes how one views marriage and also the effort they are willing to put into it.  This translates from the “Dreamworld” into the real world.  Men and women are now openly seeking relationships outside of marriage.  (Dreamworld) Websites like www.ashleymadison.com are easily available to access and are creating a gate of temptation similar to what celebrities might experience in life due to their social status.  (Oprah)  We are strangely more accepting of celebrity mistakes than those of people we know or our own husbands and wives.  Why do Americans focus on what could be a successful marriage negatively?  Why do we not go after those who are the creators of paths that will end marriages?  Marriage is about love, the parties in a marriage shouldn’t matter.  After all, how can gays destroy marriage when it’s clearly a joke to majority of those in the limelight that we idealize and strive to be like?  Conservatives are apparently afraid of gay marriage not because it could hurt its meaning, but because gays might just show us what the ideal marriage should look like.

Television shows and magazines only show either the happy beginning of a relationship or the tragic ending of it.  They fail to show the work and issues that lead the end of a marriage.  Magazines are constantly contradicting themselves.  They pull you in as a reader giving you a five page layout about a new beautiful celebrity couple, then they pull it right out from under because of who is spotted with who and where.  It’s been a while since Ellen was on the cover of a magazine fighting with her wife.  There’s no story there for readers which is why the vision of a happy gay marriage is never brought out for the public to see. 

The reasons for banning gay marriage are getting slimmer and slimmer.  It’s apparent that a new excuse comes to light every other week.  In an interview with Bill O’Reilly, he was asked what is it exactly that the conservatives want regarding gay marriage and why are they getting so involved in religious matters.  O’Reilly answered completely contradicting himself that conservatives want to stay out of religious decisions but yet they want tradition.  Since tradition is an every changing entity, there’s really no way for him to declare marriage between a marriage and a woman tradition.  Traditionally one thousand years ago, kings and rulers were allowed more than one wife.  That’s not the case today at least in America because traditions change.  Everything changes over time and conservatives are running out of reasons why marriage laws shouldn’t. 

Marriage is between whatever God you pray to, your partner, and your family.  It’s not a base for world discussion.   There are somewhere around 18,000 couples who were legally married in California before the rights of gay marriage were revoked.  There’s no way to void those marriages so why would anyone try to stop something that’s clearly already well on its way to establishment?  Gay marriage has its foot in the door and there’s no shutting it now.  If anything, all the uses of media are helping the development and public opinion of gay marriage.  When you watch commercials on voting for different propositions involving gay marriage or if you were to go to a site where protesting was taking place; you would see the types of people who are actually extremely opposed.  They’re not the same happy and smiley people you see in the commercials.  Most of them are also involved in the hating of other races and even religious groups.  They jump on the hate bandwagon that suits them best.  So this means that the type of people portrayed as loving families between a man and a woman are not necessarily the type of people you see fighting for the denial of a right that has nothing to do with them.  People that organize these commercials are trying to present the cleanest cut, religious involved message that they can to sway the opinion of individuals while failing to show the real story of those who are full of hate and resistance for their fellow man.  A previous representative of California in the Miss USA pageant voiced her opinion on her opposition of gay marriage.  It was strange that she would choose to represent a state that was very famously known for its liberal and accepting views on marriage. (The Caucus)  She was slammed as the campaigned to protect marriage and many were outraged at her very open statement.  The media of course ate it up and created once again, a large spectacle of marriage.  By focusing on what marriage shouldn’t be, they lose sight of what marriage should be.  It’s easy to point the finger at others but what one fails to realize is that when you point one finger at someone, all the others are pointing back at you.

Marriage is a private issue that should be recognized because of the love it declares and not because of the media or argument it will bring.  Media is making a mockery and perversion of marriage by placing constant negative views on it.  If the divorce rate is fifty percent between heterosexual couples, maybe there’s a secret that gays have that would enlighten us.  The influence of the media further propels hatred and the lack of understanding when it comes to gay marriage.  As we have discussed in many lectures, we are what we see and our influences come in a variety of media.  Our identity comes from what we piece together based on the actions of others.  The sooner we realize that just because something is one way doesn’t mean it can’t change the better.  Two hundred years ago it was normal to own people; not much longer before that it was okay to cut off the hand of a thief.  Things change, times change, the world around everything must also change with it.