TOW #24- Nonfiction: "Guns are designed to kill. So why do we express shock when they do?"

Our global guns problem

School shootings. Accidental deaths. Mass killings. Guns in America have recently led to a number of national controversies arguably tearing our nation apart. On one hand we have a large number of Americans who argue that these weapons are necessary for our own safety and according to the constitution everyone with the proper intent has the rights to one. All the while, that side is backed by the brick wall force that is the NRA advocating for the right to bear arms. On the other hand we have a mass amount of Americans, broken families, concerned citizens, people in fear of their lives and the lives of their loved ones in our country where death by gun has occurred so often lately it is almost expected. These people are fighting to raise gun control and at the very least ensure they don't get into the wrong hands. However, preventing deaths from a weapon specifically designed to kill is extremely hard to do, and it poses the question; if guns are designed to kill, why do we express shock when they do? Peter Manseau, author of several books, including "Melancholy Accidents: Three Centuries of Stray Bullets and Bad Luck" and editorial writer of the New York Times addressed this very question in this weeks TOW. Manseau's use of vivid imagery and amplitude of disastrous accident stories help express a common pattern in the stray bullets of bad luck which continue to take the lives of many Americans. He successfully proves that while each death is a tragedy, we should not be surprised when these weapons of destruction, destroy. Manseau begins his piece with two very descriptive antidotes about a woman in California who accidentally shot herself while moving a gun from her husbands closet and a mother who lost her two year old daughter after she accidentally got a hold of the family's means of "protection" and accidentally took her own life. Manseau also mentions that these two incidents had not only happened in the last three months, but they also happened withing 24 hours of each other. His use of description helps the reader place themselves in the shoes of the people involved. When he describes "the sound of a gunshot in a Sacramento home" that "led a mother to discover her 2-year-old daughter bleeding on the floor", it puts the reader at the scene and brands them with the devastating image a single gunshot can induce. The number of cases that Manseau mentions is terrifying, revealing and dauntingly unsurprising. He also continuously talks about each one in a very nonchalant manor, making them seem repetitive and normal. Whether he is discussing "a man who 'somehow' caught the bullet intended for a bulls eye at a shooting range" or "a butcher in Philadelphia who accidental got his brains shot out of his own head by a shop hand gun" he does in a way that makes each death appear frightening a chillingly normal. In doing this, Manseau points out a major flaw in our country which often looks to guns a symbol of "liberty and autonomy, self-determination and control". While each death effects every person in a different way, many Americans have grown numb to the thought of death, even the cruel misfortune of an accidental death by our own means of "protection".

TOW #23- Argument: Cleveland Indians Offensive Logo

American baseball. One of our country's biggest providers of joy. Also, one of our country's biggest providers of conflict. Most recently an argument over the acceptability of the Clevland Indians baseball team's logo has come to the surface. Derived from a 1930's strip laden, this teams logo features "Chief Wahoo" a red skinned, grinning, Native American chalked full of racial stereotypes. This image has brought a lot of controversy as many find it downright offensive, while the Indians have taken steps toward reformation and less frequent use of the image, it is due time they remove it completely as it is still used in their souvenirs and uniforms conveying a lack of empathy toward those effected. Despite the teams recent use of a "C" on their caps as a replacement for the previous logo, they still present it on the arms of their jerseys. This shows people that this logo is still a large part of their team image and culture. Not only does this provide a bad reputation for the Indians, it also makes it look as if they are desensitized to the racial stereotypes portrayed. This same image is represented on numerous memorabilia, anything from watches to bumper stickers, each representing the team and each portraying the sensitive imagery. Perhaps worst of all is the reaction of the owners who claim they do not see anything wrong in the logo and they feel free to represent this part of the team history. Despite the fact that the teams history could just as easily be respesented in a museum rather than on the field and in front of the world.

TOW #22- Visual- V-J Day Kiss

This week I decided to analyze a picture taken on V-J Day in 1945. The picture depicts a couple during a strong embrace in the middle of time square. The man, dressed as a sailor, is embracing a woman, dressed as a nurse, and kissing her in the street. This image is one of the most infamous in history as it shows the celebration of many following President Truman's announcement of the end of the war with Japan. The use of positive facial expressions, representation of a passionate kiss, and the contrast between black and white all formulate a good feeling for the viewer who can tell that this was a wonderful time for our nation. The man dressed as a sailor in the image is also wearing black almost completely. By showing this, the image shows the evidence of a dark time, the terrible war with Japan, however, when met by the woman, dressed totally in white, the view sees that

is a positive environment in which the war has ended and better things can now be embraced. The image also centers around a focused emotional kiss between the man in the woman who have probably been apart for very long due to the war. The image makes these two seem familiar, and the passion of the kiss appeals to the viewers pathos, making this a heartwarming moment. Despite the fact that a war had occurred, this pivitol kiss shows the possibility for pomposity once again in a scattered nation. Finally, the images representation of other civilians makes the viewer even happier and proves this was a great time for our country. Each person in the back is shown smiling approvingly and clapping as they watch the couple kiss. However, the image is clearing showing the approval of more than just a kiss, it represents the approval of an end to harsh times and war. Everyone is excited to see that the good moments in America and starting to return.

TOW #21- Nonfiction: All About That Bass

Meghan Trainor is only one of many young and rising female vocalists who have crafted a catchy song taking the charts by storm. However, Trainor, unlike others, tries to focus her attention and melodies on feminism, urging women away from the status quo. However, in one of her most popular songs, "All About That Base", Trainor fails in her attempt to empower women and encourage feminism as she glorifies female anatomy and the desires of men toward degrading features. While some defining lyrics such as "It's pretty clear, I ain't no size two" provide a refreshing jingle for women who do not consider size a defining feature, counteracting lyrics such as "I'm bringing booty back, go head and tell them skinny bitches that" cause a great deal of concern. These words try to take away the pressure for women to become skinny and hold love for themselves no matter what shape or size, but they also end up shaming skinnier women and repeating the viscous cycle of body shaming. Trainor now makes the "it look" one in which women have large butts and those who are skinny are merely self conscious snobs, an unfair statement. On top of this, traitors feminism fails when she uses this pride in ones body to glorify the benefit of attracting men through it. When she says things like "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night", she makes women out to be boho get more than objects for the desire of men. It creates a sad visual for what women must aspire to be to men and objectifies them more than it helps. While the intention for an empowered female civilization is clear, artist Meghan Trainor actually makes a mugs uglier picture for women and their role in society. By making women seem like nothing more than objects to please men and by glorifying a larger body and shaming smaller ones, she does not succeed in her purpose

TOW #20- IRB Half of Helter Skelter

Many books which focus around murder mystery earn a badge which deem them "gripping" or "suspenseful", "Helter Skelter", by Vincent Bugliosi, is no exception. Throughout the first half of the story, Bugliosi guides the reader through different aspects of the Manson murders case. He explains the background of Charle's Manson, a maniac with a herd of followers to serve his every, radical whim, including murder. As a prosecutor against Manson, Bugliosi does a great job providing accurate and articulate facts which support his overall image of an unstable nation in the 1960's who

were often hypnotized by this man who's passion for destruction can only be compared to that of Hannibal Lecter himself. Bugliosi explains how many believed Manson had the power of mind control as he could successfully convince people to do his dirty work and make them feel like it was all their idea. However, Bugliosi also manages to lay out an credible theory of this mystifying quality which defeats the immortal reputation that Manson acquired. This theory shows how Manson gained followers by praying on the lonely, "self-seekers", who needed something to believe in. The chilling anecdotes within the story create a eerie, yet seductive story which drags all readers in.

TOW #19- Nonfiction: "I Have A Dream"

When most people dream, they picture themselves in a situation where all of their wildest desires and fears come to life. However, every now and then, someone holds a dream so great and so powerful, that it has the potential to change the world. There is no moment more memorable in Civil Rights history than that which occurred on August 28th, 1963. Upon the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, African-American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered him "I have a dream" speech to over 250,00 people attending the March on Washington for jobs and freedom. Throughout the speech, King uses a number of rhetorical devices including repetition, allusions and civil metaphors in order to captivate the audience and inspire them to continue to fight for equality and justice. Martin Luther King Jr. uses numerous repetitive phrases in an effort to unify and rumble the audience. First is his "100 years later" repetition in which he says that phrase and follows it will multiple examples of "negro" hardships that existed 100 years prior and were still around throughout the mid 20th

century. This monotonous phrase forces the viewer to understand the obstacles that many African-Americans must face everyday and make them seem like a never ending series of trauma. It shows them that there is still a long ways to go, but the problem is present and needs to be addressed. Next is his famous allusion to Abraham Lincoln beginning his speech with, "five score years ago". Then going on to discuss Abe Lincoln himself and his goals in signing the Emancipation Proclamation. He uses this refererence to "a great American" like Licoln to show that this is a cause that men have been fighting for for ages, great men who have done spectacular things and he wants the audience to see that this cause is no different. Finally, King's use of metephors gives the viewer a better reference to the struggle. He compares the justice system to a bank which he "refuses to believe is bankrupt" and in which he, and all of his supporters have come to "cash their own checks for justice". This is not only an inspiring statement, it is an extremely liberating statement which makes all viewers feel like they have a cause and justified means. Dr. King's monumental speech not only changes the lives of African Americans in his time, but he also changed the lives of so many others to this day. The astronomical effects his speech had on civil rights, education, politics, and so much more in this world today overwhelmingly proved that "dreams" truly can become reality.

TOW #18-Nonfiction: Editorial Shutting off the flow of slave labor goods to the U.S.

When we look at our iPhones, our Nike sneakers, the very pencils in our hands, we never put much thought into where they are coming from. While the United States prides ourselves in our power of liberty and independence, we often forget to acknowledge our chilling ability to turn our cheeks to the faults of our nation. One tremendous fault is that, though we have ended slavery, we still a acknowledge its existence in other nations. We have banned the import of goods made from slave labor for over 86 years, but there are exceptions which essentially conclude that these products are banned, unless we really want them. This subject, and the recent plans of Barack Obama to close all exceptions to the banning, are covered in a riveting editorial written by the world famous editorial board for the Los Angles times. Throughout this text, the board uses daunting statistics and reactions from other nations in an effort to show how this change will negatively effect America. While slave labor has caused a great deal of distress and horrific result, the US has depended on it for so long that it now is responsible for around "14 million jobs worldwide" and "51 billion in profits." By including this, the board is allowing the reader to see the effects for this change and impose pathos for the reader as they know how this effects them as well. On top of the statistics, the board uses information from the reaction of other nations to prove once again how this will negatively effect us. The board mentions that the lack of slave labor with make products more expensive for consumers in America. This information helps the reader further understand how a change that seems totally positive can have negative effects for our nation.

TOW #17- Argument: Napoleon Visual

What is the first word that comes to mind when you hear the name Napoleon Bonaparte? Most would answer that question promptly with a single, chilling, adjective, "short". So how did this man with a pea sized physical reputation appear in such a powerful painting representing the French Revolution? Between 1796 and 1797, France faced a great disunity within its country known as the French Revolution. This involved the lower classes, neglected for ages, turning against their king and eventually taking over the country. In this picture, illustrated by Jacques-Louis Davis, Napoleon is supposed to appear powerful and courageous through confident expressions, fearless posing and the appearance of strong animals. Davis successfully takes the image of a man and turns him into a God strategically placing him at the forefront of action. Napoleon is shown staring down the viewer with a bravery in his eyes and not even the slightest bit of intimidation on his face. This expression appeals to pathos as people view Napoleon as a strong man and therefore, a more powerful leader. His body this also shown strong and tall with one hand firmly grasping a horse and the other point toward the sky. Even with what is clearly showing a battle going on in the background, due to Davis' depiction, Napoleon still appears unshaken by the chaos and more confident than ever, making French citizens more confident in his abilities as well. Finally, there is the representation of Napoleon, trust steed, depicted with just as much might as he. Showing Bonaparte riding this horse on its back legs into battle make s him look heroic, experienced, and reliable. In essence, what Davis has done is taken a man whom many deemed weak and small and condemned any rumor or differing belief toward his overall ability.

IRB Intro #3: Helter Skelter- The True Story Of The Manson Murders

I've always been interested in murder. Well that's not totally true, my real interest peaks at the idea of the criminal mind. I love Law and Order, and I have even gone as far as watching actual trials for serial killers online for entertainment. Most interesting is picking apart a person and trying to answer the question that often the victims, police and even a handful of psychologist can't, why? For this reason, I chose Helter Skelter, by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry for my new IRB. This book covers Bugliosi's firsthand account of the Manson cases as a former prosecutor on Charles Manson's trial. Helter Skelter remains the number one best selling true crime book written for its vivid depiction of the true story behinding the chilling Manson family. In 1974, when this book was released, it flew off of store shelves as people were eager to get an inside look at the mastermind behind the series of brutal murders uncovered at the time. Bugliosi accurately describes the truth and detail behind the murders and the murderers in a way that Americans have not soon forgotten.

TOW #16: IRB "The Seven Good Years"- Second Half

          For this week's TOW, I will revisit and analyze the second half of Etgar Keret's notorious memoir, The Seven Good Years. Keret has a reputation of  delivering powerful messages while also managing to make his readers laugh, this book was no exception. His collection of essays covering birth, death, and every surreal experience in between successfully sheds light on both the tragedies in Israel, and the beauty of life itself. The interesting thing about this book is that the plot is far from evident. When reading, it seems like nothing more than a series of events, most very humorous, but seemingly lacking direction and meaning. What I came to find is that the beauty in this book is that it really does not need a plot as each story ends up telling you more and more about Keret, his loved ones, and the world around us that so few of us are ever actually exposed to. Keret's message is to value the good times even in the face of disaster such as terrorism or death. This is something which he successfully displays to the reader through his use of satire and blatant remarks in the face of despair.

          Keret is most known for his humor, whether it is through his popular podcast channel, his books or his personality, he always finds a way to express the person he is. This is something which he never lacks, even when he is in the midst of disaster. Though the majority of his story covers the uplifting or happy times in his life, most of the events occurred during a brutal war in Tel Aviv where Keret was exposed to gruesome things while trying to protect his family and raise his son. Keret makes this an enjoyable series of stories by allowing the reader to see how he looks at things. Keret spends one small chapter describing why he no longer writes book dedications which leads to his own creation of a seminar called, " fictitious book dedications". He explains that he would write things such as, "To Danny, who saved my life on the Litani. If you hadn't tied that tourniquet, there'd be no me and no book." These are untrue statements, but they represent Keret's humor and personality. This is balanced well with his blunt perspective at disaster. Toward the end, Keret starts talking about how good of a dad he has and immediately following he says, "Last week, I went to the hospital with him for a fairly routine test, and the doctors told us that he was going to die. Throughout the book Keret speaks of the great experiences he has with him father and then out of nowhere he says he is going to die. Keret does not dwell on death, which is an even better representative of what Keret's life is like. He is constantly surrounded by chaos, so much to the extent that the idea of death, even of his father, is numbed to him. This is something I appreciated as a reader because it made this story really about the "Good" even with all of the bad. It's inspirational, revealing and it really puts life as I know it into perspective.

TOW #15- Nonfiction- Bush's Speech To Congress After 9/11

On September 11, 2011, two planes, hijacked by members of the Islam terrorist group al-Qaeda, flew into the Twin Towers in Manhattan, New York. A third plane was flown into the pentagon and a fourth crashed into an open field in Pennsylvania. Thousands were killed in these attacks and even more lives were shattered across the nation, leaving the country wondering what would happen next. Nine days later, President George W. Bush delivered a powerful speech on the moral resolve necessary to overcome the disaster and defeat the terrorist enemy. Throughout his speech, Bush used a medley of rhetorical devices to empower the American people to fight back against al-Qaeda and resist defeat. Bush is powerful in the way he offers the normal way emergencies are interpreted in America versus the way the attacks were actually accepted. Toward the beginning, he announces that the state of the Union is usually delivered by the president in his chamber to the people, however, he

turns this around by giving examples of how the people are actually the ones delivering the state of the union in their own actions. Bush states that it is through "the endurances of rescuers...the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, and the saying of prayers" that America had shown that the current state of the Union was nothing but "strong". In doing so, he empowers the nation, and helps them see that their strength, united, is greater than any damage done by the enemy. The president also successful in his use of demonizing diction. In reference to al-Qaeda, he uses words like "the enemy", "enemies of freedom", "murderers". This helps Americans identify the issue and the source of their distress, further unifying them against one, rotten, source. Bush is avid in insisting that the United States is far from defeated, and as far as fighting terrorists goes, far from stopping with al-Qaeda. He uses hyperboles and extreme logical fallacies in order to draw vivid lines in the sands to show that terrorists that the fight is far from over and their goals of weakening the US have completely failed. Bush even proclaims to the US citizens, "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." He is forcing people to join the fight and choose a side in this battle, making it clear that the US is ready to come back stronger than ever,

TOW #14- Nonfiction- Bill Cosby Scandal Going to Court

This week I decided to write about an editorial surrounding yet another scandal in our country spreading faster than wildfire; the Bill Cosby sex scandal. In case the Cosby name is not already etched in your brain like the rest of the world, he is a world renowned African American actor, and stand up comedian who has broken down countless gender and race barriers throughout the nation. Most known for his 20th century sitcom The Cosby Show, Bill Cosby quickly became a popular and powerful man on and off the screen. However, just about a year ago, several allegations from numerous women emerged pinning Cosby as a dangerous, sadistic, man, responsible for each of their own often drug induced rape and sexual assaults. A piece in the Los Angles times , written by a contact reporter, Carla Hall responds to recent news that the Cosby case will now move from the court of public opinion to the court of justice. Hall's account of the case and it's evidence both contribute toward proving her opinion that whether Cosby is guilty or not, it is time to leave this to our justice system, rather than public opinion. Hall describes what Cosby has already been forced to surrender, she mentions "1 million in bail", "his passport" and numerous "organizations taking away honors and awards he was once given". In doing this, she almost makes Cosby seem like the victim in what has become a war of words and hear say between himself and dozens of women coming forth with their stories. Hall also describes the alleged actions of Cosby, but backs each account with her own feeling of uncertainty with the "lack of sufficient evidence". She makes the reader think before persecuting against Cosby in a case where nothing is totally set in stone, further emphasizing the importance of taking this to court.

TOW #13- Visual: The Farce Awakens

This week I decided to analyze a political cartoon which honors two of the most interesting current events today, the infamous, Donald Trump and the even more infamous, Star Wars. Created by cartoonist, Dave Granlund, who has been featured in world renowned newspaper companies, the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek, this cartoon pokes fun at the recent campaign, highlighting the consistent false statements made by Donald Trump. The recent release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens has sparked quite an uproar as, contrary to the prequels, it was actually good. George Lucas disappointed mass amounts of Americans with the second trilogy of Star Wars which did not even remotely compare to his first. However, the newest in the series took people everywhere back to their childhood and transported them into a magical world of space, mystical planets and classic battles between good and evil. Granlund is attempting to convey a message to viewers showing the evil and often false nature of Donald Trump and his actions. This cartoon places Trump in the suit of Darth Vader, the leader of the "dark side" in the star wars series. Granlund does this in an effort to tag Trump as an evil being, although very powerful, ultimately wicked at heart. On top of that, Granlund clearly puts a belt around the Vader costume to even further identify this being as Trump as it is labeled "GOP" signifying that he is a republican. This cartoon even holds a satirical flare as Granlund changes the title from "The Force Awakens" to "The Farce Awakens", reminding viewers of the untrue, mockery of Trump and what he says. In adding these details to his cartoon, Dave Granlund creates a funny and powerful cartoon, using the recent release of a popular movie to poke fun at Donald Trump and his illegitimate means of campaigning for presidency.

TOW #12: IRB "The Seven Good Years"

When reading a book which features the tragedies of terrorism in Israel, one can anticipate a dreadful theme, stocked with loss, fear and overall woe. In a country where terrorist attacks become as frequent and expected as Sunday night football games, it's hard to imagine any "good " to write about. However, Etgar Keret manages to craft a masterpiece of humorous, uplifting and mostly undeniably interesting memoirs which bring light to those catastrophic events. In his critically acclaimed book, "The Seven Good Years", he focuses around the time between the birth of his child and the death of his father, the part of his life that was happiest, but this is far from a memoir about Keret. This book strings together numerous unforgettable stories which allow the reader to see the root of violence, pain and love which continue to last even in the eye of a savage war in the Middle East.

What makes Keret such a sophisticated and enjoyable author is his ability to tell stories which truly captivate the reader. Any man trying to survive and raise a family in the middle of a war, inevitably faces disturbing loss and invariable sadness, but Etgar Keret transforms that pain into some of the most insightful and satisfying stories ever told. One way he achieves his purpose is through his ability to focus on what seems like miniscule details and transform them into mind altering entities for the reader. Of course one can expect that Keret would, for a book bonded by terrorism, emphasize on just that, but instead he focuses very little on attacks and violence, pulling the reader closer to the things that people often overlook. At one point in the text, Keret does focus on an experience with a bombing in Tel Aviv, where he, his wife, and his son, Lev, where forced to dive onto the pavement, and take cover anticipating the backlash. He only spent about two pages describing this seemingly horrific experience, going on to describe something as supposedly insignificant as Angry Birds explaining, "Under the adorable surface of the funny animals and their sweet voices, Angry Birds is actually a game in which you are prepared to sacrifice your life just so you can destroy the houses of unarmed enemies and vaporize their wives and children inside" for about five pages. This ability to point out deeper concepts and speculation to the reader creates several full and generous tales. Keret's use of satire also creates a more colorful and passionate piece. In this half of the book Keret at one point describes the birth of his son, Lev, particularly the wait for assistance in the hospital after a recent terrorist attack which highly occupied the aids. With gurneys flying by carrying individuals missing limbs and nurses rushing to their side, Keret and his wife simply wait, almost feeling outshined by this attack, claiming "even the baby feels this whole getting-born this isn't that urgent anymore." When describing something like the birth of someones first child, this is usually supposed to be a moment of great excitement and importance, but the way Keret describes it makes the reader enjoy and empathise for his recurring, coincidental, misfortunes. His description of the baby's emotions also have the same effect. The humor used in a calamity like this makes the topic of terrorism a little less heavy and further establishes the existing light in an environment of great darkness. Etgar Keret is a master storyteller with an unbelievable collection of experiences to share. He speaks to anyone interested in captivating tales of sadness and joy, bravery and fear, gain and loss, successfully producing an inspiring memoir of hope at the center of disaster.

TOW #11- Nonfiction: Bill Clinton's August 17 speech to the American public: Monica Lewinsky

         In 1998 a sex scandal known as the Lewinsky scandal emerged when a sexual relationship was revealed between the president of the United States, Bill Clinton, and a white house employee, Monica Lewinsky. This world wide controversy led to a chain of perjury and eventually an impeachment of the president during his second term. Bill Clinton gave a public speech admitting to his affair to the nation on August 6, 1998. Throughout this speech, Clinton's use of personal anaphora and apologetic diction all contribute toward creating the sincere and humble speech he aimed to deliver as a president who has recently lost the trust of his followers and in grave danger of being impeached.

          Clinton wants to regain the trust of Americans and help them understand that he acknowledges the fault in what he has done. Upon acknowledging the events that took place and what he would like moving forward, Clinton speaks in first person beginning almost every sentence with "I did", "I know", "I can" and so on. By starting with "I", he makes his speech seem more personal when speaking to citizens everywhere. He is also trying to get off of the pedestal he is put on as a president and transform himself into a simple person who has made a mistake. He wants to make the public feel closer to him and feel like they can relate and sympathize for him. This is further achieved through an anaphoric use of the term "you". These terms are extremely effective when Clinton initiates, "I am speaking to you", making the viewer feel a connection to him as a person and not as a president. The president also used a massive amount of apologetic diction in order to show his audience the remorse he feels for his "scandalous" behavior and perjury. Clinton explains to the nation that his affair, "...constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on..." his "...part for which..." he is "...solely and completely responsible." Not only does he admit to what he has done, but he takes complete responsibility for it and damages it caused. In a nation where most people most likely see his as a selfish and greedy man at the moment, he is taking the first step toward attempting to receive their empathy, admission. He refrains from explaining his personal feelings toward Lewinsky or his personal life being exposed, he simply takes responsibility which has a much more positive effect.
          Bill Clinton successfully delivers a speech to the public admitting his faults in having a sexual affair with Monica Lewinsky. Although the nation viewed him as an untrustworthy president, he manages to humble himself and appear apologetic for the what he has done through his use of remorseful diction and personal anaphora. 

TOW #10- Nonfiction:Girls in California Are Latest to Seek to Become Boy Scouts

America today has taken huge leaps and bounds toward becoming more liberal. In a nation where the Supreme court has recently redefined marriage by accepting same-sex couples and has commenced a shift toward unisex bathrooms to accommodate for transgender individuals, it is clear that gender barriers and traditional roles are finally starting to fall. One of the most recent debates over this subject occurred in Saint Rosa, California with a small group of girls, a large dose of courage and a demand to be accepted into the exclusive, male, club, the Boy Scouts. Julie Turkewitz, journalist at the world famous newspaper company, the New York Times, explores this pressing argument highlighting one group of many girls who would simply prefer to spend their time tying knots and camping, than selling cookies as a Girl Scout. Speaking to anyone interested in the fierce debate toward the survival of gender roles in this country, she uses the direct opinions toward concerned parents and legal proof of obstruction to represent the struggles these girls are facing in a journey toward acceptance in this timeless club. While Turkewitz does not represent her own opinion on the topic, she does provide that of a few parents who worry that admitting girls into the Boy Scouts of America is a mistake. One mother of Boy Scouts members claims that the addition of coed camping and concerns her the most. She states "Would I want a girl sleeping in my son's tent? No." While many may have ideas to solve these concerns, the truth is, many share similar concerns and confusion about why these girls can't just focus on changing the Girl Scouts into what they would prefer, rather than becoming a boy scout. By including direct quotes from parents showing their concerns, Turkewitz proves that this is not simply a matter of a group of men keeping girls away from their aspirations, but rather, a legitimate conflict which parents, including mothers are worried about as well. On top of having to fight the power of concerned parents everywhere, these girls demanding acceptance also face legal hurdles. Turkewitz includes a small excerpt of a federal law which "prohibits discrimination by sex", but "carves out an exception for Boy Scouts, allowing them to exclude members based on gender." The Boy Scouts have built a powerful legacy making them one of the nations most prominent values-based organizations, with that, comes advantages and rules which are applied to advance their membership and success. This group of girls is facing such a huge problem that they must not on knock down the barriers placed by common society, but also by the federal law itself. There is no telling whether girls will be able to join the Boy Scouts in the future, but what is certain is the overwhelming hardships females face today when facing as powerful an organization as the Boy Scouts of America.

IRB Intro #2: The Seven Good Years- Etgar Keret

For my next independent reading book, I've chosen the critically acclaimed memoir, 'The Seven Good Years' by the hilarious Etgar Keret. This book was recommended to me by my older sister as she has enjoyed the authors' podcast series. Keret is one of the best known writers in Israel primarily for his brilliant and colorful storytelling, filmwriting and novels. In this text, Keret writes about what he refers to as "the good years", or the years between the birth of his son and the death of his father. His son was born in the middle on a deadly war and a series of terrorists attacks in Tel Aviv. Around the same time his father becomes very ill. In the midst of all of the death and destruction, Keret is still able to tale an inspiring and witty story of a father raising his son, fighting to keep "the good years" alive living in a country driven by disastrous war.

TOW #9: Visual- Pepsi Advertisement

            The infamous Pepsi versus Coke rivalry has existed since the beginning of soda time. Pepsi is a soft drink produced and manufactured by the world renowned, extremely successful company, PepsiCo.  While Pepsi was first created and developed in 1893, it has made huge leaps and bounds since then. In fact, in Pepsi’s road to the top, the beverage has made a number of powerful enemies, specifically the legendary company, Coca-Cola, another leading manufacturer in soda. Though this battle over which beverage reigns superior started ages ago, this ad is an excellent reminder that Pepsi has in no way given in on their claims that Coca Cola is really no competition when it comes to “the joy of Pepsi”.

In one of their famous “Straws” ad, Pepsi attempts to prove to customers that their cola beverage is more desirable than that of other companies. This message is clearly shown through the use of personification, bold logo representation and the presence of their competitions cola can.

 Pepsi wants the consumer to focus on the straws in this advertisement, something fairly easy to do as the straw close to entering the soda that is not Pepsi’s depicts a frightened face and hands

struck out as if it is trying to keep itself from entering the drink. In contrast, the Pepsi can just to that soda’s right is shown with a normal straw, peacefully placed in the beverage. This use of personification is very valuable to the ad as it helps the viewer connect to the image. As a person having to choose between one soda and a Pepsi, one can now see that Pepsi wants them to believe that they are the obvious choice. It draws the viewer toward Pepsi, and away from other colas to avoid the same freight the image suggests one will endure from another soda. Pepsi next uses their logo to draw the consumer in. While they leave the other can without any advertisement at all, it makes it seem bleak and bland, especially compared to the details and astounding colors represented by Pepsi. The simple use of their logo is eye candy to the consumer and makes it appear much more appealing. Finally, Pepsi wants to specifically hone the viewer in on how much they triumph over their immediate enemies. The can with the straw eager to stay away from the drink inside matches the same profile as that of a Coca-Cola can. It is shown with the same colors and pattern as Coca-Cola, only missing a logo. This is to help Pepsi specifically show the viewer that their product is better than Coca-Cola, without blatantly saying it. Now, the customer can see the two most common products, see which is represented with a greater appeal, and translate that choice into a real life selection for cola.

Pepsi’s use of straw representation with human-like qualities, excellent logos and representation of their “enemy” all contribute to their clear and successful advertisement. Their attempt to prove they are the superior soda is successful and attractive to soda consumers everywhere.

TOW #8 - IRB: "A.D. New Orleans After the Deluge" (pt. 2)

What if your entire world was wiped away in less than a day? Precious memories, loved ones, irreplaceable knick knacks, photos and cherished antiques that all piece together who you are. What if all of that was simply washed cleared from existence like a minuscule computer file moved to the trash bin. These are only a few questions Josh Neufeld answers toward the end of his chilling graphic nonfiction, A.D. New Orleans After the Deluge.

The lives of millions were touched as a result of the devastating storm, hurricane Katrina. However, Neufeld eloquently hones in on the lives of a handful of diverse people and groups who reported to him their actual experiences before, during, and after the havoc. While the first half of the book focused on the preceding events of the storm, the second half centers around the storm itself and the shocking aftermath. The ability of the reader to connect to the traumatizing experiences of the characters is most clearly due to Neufeld’s use of distressing diction and accurate facial expressions to match the severity and suffering in the situation at hand.

One of the most catastrophic things about hurricane Katrina was the aftermath and the toll it took on Americans still trapped in New Orleans. For many, it was a long time before rescue ever came, during that waiting period, people were trapped in a disease, death and crime ridden city. Josh Neufeld is able to accurately depict this tragic situation through both visualization and text. When one of the main characters, Denise, is shown at the extremely crowded New Orleans convention center after the storm, the reader is able to connect to her pain and suffering. In a flood of stressed, underfed, seemingly abandoned people, Denise screams out, “They bring us here with no power. No sanitation, no food, no medicine – and they can’t even give us water? It’s like some kinda sick joke!” It is here that Neufeld shows Denise embodying the minds and bodies of so many others is distress after hurricane Katrina. He represents her face is a jagged mix of horror and anger, astonished at how any government, any country, especially America, could leave its citizens stranded in such a way. Sweat is shown beating down her brow, Her mouth is wide open to yell, eyes narrow, nose scrunched, and hands raised in the air as if she if speaking boldly directly to her government. Neufeld does an excellent job, not just by reporting the actually events, but also by letting the reader put themselves in the characters shoes. He adds so much emotion to the story through this that the reader can’t help but feel a certain degree of the pain and loathing that Denise does herself.

Josh Neufeld’s ability to connect the reader to the lives of people who actually experienced hurricane Katrina makes this novel an absolute hit with a clearly achieved purpose of representing the accounts of others during this event. His reoccurring use of distress highlighting anguish and visual representation of the same emotions accurately represent the horrendous events and make for a story readers are forced to relate to in some way.

TOW #7- Non-Fiction: The Law School Debt Crisis

Maxwell Holyoke-Hirsch

In this day in age, money revolves around the world and the world revolves around money. As high schoolers flood into college searching for a prominent career opportunity, many are disappointed to find that the jobs they put so much time into pursuing, in an attempt to either help the world or fill their pockets, are actually putting them deep into debt. Among these careers, the one draining students of their time and money the most is law. In a recent editorial issued by The New York Times, an American daily newspaper with the second highest circulation overall in the United States, the company's editorial board looked into universities and the true cost of students pursuing law. The board speaks predominantly to anyone interested in the pursuit of law in an attempt to unveil the major flaw in U.S. university preparation of students for careers in law through the use of statistics and demonizing diction to prove this ongoing problem striking America. The board is able to successfully achieve their purpose by sticking to the facts. The editorial explains that though students apply for loans covering their full tuition, this application is made with the confidence that the school they are applying to will give them the tools they need to pass their LSAT and go onto a career in law. The problem is that most of these students end up not passing these tests and as of "..2012, the average law graduates debt was $140,000". Students are now unable to pay off their loans, unable to pass the bar exam and most "..students are leaving law school with a degree they can’t use..." These statistics help guide the reader into understanding the rut many students studying to be lawyers face, it helps the message become clear, concise and easily a major problem. As the editorial describes these universities draining student of thousands, they create a menacing villain for what are American universities involved in this. The board claims this application to college and failure receive career in the end is a scam run by the universities, even claiming that many schools "...have been vacuuming up hordes of young people, charging them outrageously high tuition and, after many of the students fail to become lawyers, sticking taxpayers with the tab for their loan defaults." Describing the colleges in this way evokes a certain degree of caution, fear and anger in the reader as it makes them feel like these schools are essentially tricking students into over paying for nothing. This editorial was successful in its attempt to show the reader the horrors behind the current law school system and how to help end it. It not only helps rally the readers concerned, but it also states the horrifying truth existing right beneath American noses costing them a fortune.