The measure of society is how well it treats its weakest element. Skid Row is located in Los Angeles and it is described as the poverty central of the United States. One must ask, why is it that in such a wealthy, thriving, upscale city is there so much poverty? Furthermore, what is being done to correct the problem? Is the government turning a blind eye to its less fortunate minorities? More attention definitely needs to be drawn to this prevalent issue.
The writer/director Sam Slovick is indeed credible (ethos) because he gives direct evidence via video and displays persons roaming the streets in a state of hopelessness and helplessness and quite frankly, anarchy. In the video, Franklin the filmmaker who lives in Skid Row, boldly claims that most everyone on Skid row is black and he points to the tall "pretty" buildings (skyscrapers) and remarks that everyone up there is white, although he sarcastically stated that he did not want to make it a race issue. Franklin appeals to pathos by saying, "crime is the only business....aint no opportunities out here for us". Although he might be making a harsh rationalization, he may not be completely correct by saying there is no hope, because there is always hope. Moreover, the narrator claims that living in such poverty and harsh conditions can indeed scar an individual for life and remain in his heart and mind forever. The writer makes use of logos by stating the logical reasoning behind the fact that these persons are dirt poor and there is obviously no help in sight. The government and other individuals seems to treat Skid Row like a disease and just ignore it. Some cops even go as far as arresting homeless individuals and displacing them, but they usually always end up back in Skid Row. What is one to do in a situation like this? Crime is definitely not the answer!
The measure of society is how well it treats its weakest element. There are over 40,000 homeless persons in Los Angeles. The majority of the homeless persons are black and live in Skid Row. It is clear that the political will is not present, as far as correcting the problem is concerned. The narrator Sam speaks of how the homeless problem was curbed in New York. The solution to the problem is definitely helping people to maintain housing and making it affordable to them. The government must step in and make a difference. They need to exercise their power and do more than just offer welfare. They should offer hope and means of reformation and enlightenment, for the sake of saving the generation.
Jarrod Knowles
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Marriage: Holy Matrimony
The Bible says, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone."
Marriage is indeed the legal union between one man and one woman. That is what I believe. However, in recent times, the clean and pure river called marriage has become extremely contaminated. I say this because of the complexity of the issue at hand. Persons get married for various reasons, such as immigrant status, financial security, constant sexuality, etc. It is rare to see two persons get married for the sole reason that they possess undying love and commitment for one another and this ultimately explains why the divorce rate is so high.
One may ask, what is marriage? What is the meaning of marriage? Some say that two persons who love each other tie the knot and decide to remain life-long partners. Others feel forced or pressured to waltz down the aisle. But really, what is the true purpose of marriage? What do two married people seek to prove and declare? Is marriage just a simple fad or style, or is it true love? Perhaps its just lust or selfishness. Who knows?
In liberal America, homosexual individuals seek to be married and have the same rights as any heterosexual couple. Although I strongly feel that marriage should be between a man and a woman, some attention needs to be directed to the gay community as well. It is said that all people are equal in America. It was declared by great men such as Martin Luther King Jr., former President George W. Bush, and very recently, by Barack Obama. I'm sure that we can all agree that homosexuals are people as well, but they simply differ in sexual preference and orientation. They vote, pay taxes, serve in government capacities, etc. If they are to be called citizens of the "United" States of America, why is it that they cannot have the same rights as any other citizen, whether gay or straight. The truth of the matter is that a double standard exsits and has been around for a very long time. Morally speaking, I feel that homosexuality is wrong. But what about lying, stealing, jealously, envy, pride, selfishness, fornication, adultery, drunkeness, etc? These are things we are all guilty of, but we do these actions all the time and think little or nothing of it. We watch movies with sex and violence in them and just smile and turn a blind eye to the fact that its NOT RIGHT....its not right! We use that same eye to look and shun homosexuals for their unnatural lifestyles, calling it morally wrong and literally sick. This may indeed be true, but why target homosexuals? Why strip away their rights, while we release someone guilty of murder on bail and make excuses for that politician who had an affair? Why?
All people are equal....or are they? If the rights of homosexuals are to be taken away, then so should the rights of any child under 18 to see a Rated R film. We must rid ourselves of this double standard. As long as we continue to lie, steal, fornicate, and get drunk on the weekend, the homosexuals who harm no one, pay their taxes, and contribute to society should have the same rights as a citizen who does other things that are morally and literally wrong, but chooses to be life-long partners with someone opposite their sex.
Jarrod Knowles
Marriage is indeed the legal union between one man and one woman. That is what I believe. However, in recent times, the clean and pure river called marriage has become extremely contaminated. I say this because of the complexity of the issue at hand. Persons get married for various reasons, such as immigrant status, financial security, constant sexuality, etc. It is rare to see two persons get married for the sole reason that they possess undying love and commitment for one another and this ultimately explains why the divorce rate is so high.
One may ask, what is marriage? What is the meaning of marriage? Some say that two persons who love each other tie the knot and decide to remain life-long partners. Others feel forced or pressured to waltz down the aisle. But really, what is the true purpose of marriage? What do two married people seek to prove and declare? Is marriage just a simple fad or style, or is it true love? Perhaps its just lust or selfishness. Who knows?
In liberal America, homosexual individuals seek to be married and have the same rights as any heterosexual couple. Although I strongly feel that marriage should be between a man and a woman, some attention needs to be directed to the gay community as well. It is said that all people are equal in America. It was declared by great men such as Martin Luther King Jr., former President George W. Bush, and very recently, by Barack Obama. I'm sure that we can all agree that homosexuals are people as well, but they simply differ in sexual preference and orientation. They vote, pay taxes, serve in government capacities, etc. If they are to be called citizens of the "United" States of America, why is it that they cannot have the same rights as any other citizen, whether gay or straight. The truth of the matter is that a double standard exsits and has been around for a very long time. Morally speaking, I feel that homosexuality is wrong. But what about lying, stealing, jealously, envy, pride, selfishness, fornication, adultery, drunkeness, etc? These are things we are all guilty of, but we do these actions all the time and think little or nothing of it. We watch movies with sex and violence in them and just smile and turn a blind eye to the fact that its NOT RIGHT....its not right! We use that same eye to look and shun homosexuals for their unnatural lifestyles, calling it morally wrong and literally sick. This may indeed be true, but why target homosexuals? Why strip away their rights, while we release someone guilty of murder on bail and make excuses for that politician who had an affair? Why?
All people are equal....or are they? If the rights of homosexuals are to be taken away, then so should the rights of any child under 18 to see a Rated R film. We must rid ourselves of this double standard. As long as we continue to lie, steal, fornicate, and get drunk on the weekend, the homosexuals who harm no one, pay their taxes, and contribute to society should have the same rights as a citizen who does other things that are morally and literally wrong, but chooses to be life-long partners with someone opposite their sex.
Jarrod Knowles
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Education is Key
Education has been, and will always be the key to one's success. Knowledge is power; hence, the more you know, the more you are capable of achieving. This explains why the majority of the world puts so much emphasis on schooling and learning. Parents work long hours so that they are able to send their kids to school to learn things and develop skills that may very well lead to their success and well-being in the future. In today's society, one would indeed be at a disadvantage without a good education.
Because of the vast importance and significance of education, it is made available to the general public for little or no cost, via government funding. Everyone has a right to learn and develop his/her talents. Citizens and residents pay taxes and a lot of this money is used to help fund public education in countries such as United States. I'm sure we are all very aware that governments may at times be corrupt and make decisions in their own best interest, driven by selfishness. The government is supposed to be of the people, by the people, for the people. In other words, any government is supposed to put its country and citizens first, but this is not always the case. The fact that governments are corrupt is evident in countries such as Haiti and Nicaragua, where the citizens suffer because of the government's selfishness.
Here in America, education is taken seriously. However, in recent times, standards have fallen and persons have grown increasingly lazy. The "No Child Left Behind" act implemented by George Bush, the former president, seeks to ensure that every child achieves a certain standard of excellence. It is a decent program, but it has its many flaws. I believe that George Bush had good intentions when he established the program, but perhaps more thought and planning should have been put into it. The "No Child Left Behind" policy seems like a way to make it "fair" for all and to prevent and discourage children from failing in school. It gives children a false impression, that they are doing well, when they really are not. The public schools lower standards according to the demographics and make succeeding easier than it really should be. Although students may be reaching the national standard, when they compete internationally, they sometimes fall short.
The "No Child Left Behind" policy seems to be prevalent in only the public schools. In a video on the Inspired Musings blog by Natasha Olivera, a teacher in the public school system was fed up with the education system and voiced her opinion by listing all the flaws of the policy. One of the major flaws she listed included the fact that schools whose students do not achieve the national standard receive less funding than schools who do make the grade. It obviously makes sense for students who are failing to receive more help to get them to the point where they should be, hence, no one left behind.
Education is the key to anyone's success, simply because what you know determines where you go. The public education system has its flaws and these need to be addressed as soon as possible. It is important for students to receive the best education possible, with no strings attached and no setbacks.
Jarrod Knowles
Because of the vast importance and significance of education, it is made available to the general public for little or no cost, via government funding. Everyone has a right to learn and develop his/her talents. Citizens and residents pay taxes and a lot of this money is used to help fund public education in countries such as United States. I'm sure we are all very aware that governments may at times be corrupt and make decisions in their own best interest, driven by selfishness. The government is supposed to be of the people, by the people, for the people. In other words, any government is supposed to put its country and citizens first, but this is not always the case. The fact that governments are corrupt is evident in countries such as Haiti and Nicaragua, where the citizens suffer because of the government's selfishness.
Here in America, education is taken seriously. However, in recent times, standards have fallen and persons have grown increasingly lazy. The "No Child Left Behind" act implemented by George Bush, the former president, seeks to ensure that every child achieves a certain standard of excellence. It is a decent program, but it has its many flaws. I believe that George Bush had good intentions when he established the program, but perhaps more thought and planning should have been put into it. The "No Child Left Behind" policy seems like a way to make it "fair" for all and to prevent and discourage children from failing in school. It gives children a false impression, that they are doing well, when they really are not. The public schools lower standards according to the demographics and make succeeding easier than it really should be. Although students may be reaching the national standard, when they compete internationally, they sometimes fall short.
The "No Child Left Behind" policy seems to be prevalent in only the public schools. In a video on the Inspired Musings blog by Natasha Olivera, a teacher in the public school system was fed up with the education system and voiced her opinion by listing all the flaws of the policy. One of the major flaws she listed included the fact that schools whose students do not achieve the national standard receive less funding than schools who do make the grade. It obviously makes sense for students who are failing to receive more help to get them to the point where they should be, hence, no one left behind.
Education is the key to anyone's success, simply because what you know determines where you go. The public education system has its flaws and these need to be addressed as soon as possible. It is important for students to receive the best education possible, with no strings attached and no setbacks.
Jarrod Knowles
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