Blog 9

I think that the word "girl" can be offensive if used in a way that would make someone feel like an outsider. I hate it when my guys friends would say "What do you know, you're just a girl." What does that mean? That sentence comes across very offensive, whereas another sentence, "You are a very pretty girl" uses the same word but is completely different. I think the same thing goes for the N word. I agree with Asim that when it comes to scholarly work, or art, that word could be used, but I dont think that it has a place in todays society.
I think that it is so interesting that some simple words can change meaning over time and be turned into a hurtful word. My grandmother told me that I looked very gay the other day. At first I was confused as to why she would say that to me. Then I realized when she was younger they used that word all the time to describe someone looking happy or excited. I just got back from Las Vegas and it is amazing how even though most Americans speak English, words here mean something so different someplace else.

Blog #9

Goodness, I know that my blog is pretty late. But in response to the reading I believe that the use of the word girl is depedant on the situation someone might be in and where they are. It also might have to do with where you are at and what type of people you are with. I think that if it is used in a positive sense that it is just fine.

I as a girl. ( yes I am calling myself a girl because I am one) am fine with being called this because I have been called one all my life. My friends call me "girly", "girl" and the occasional "girly girl". Now this does not bother me most of the time. But when it comes to being called a girly girl because I am not much like a tom boy like some of the friends, being called, "Ewww... shes being girly again!" that is when it gets to me. That is why I believe that it is important to be in the right settings to call someone girl.

check out 'semantic antics' on KUER this morning...

I was busy with my usual glorious Saturday morning routine, sweeping up dust balls from under the couch, when this guest on NPR caught my attention. He is Sol Steinmetz, author of Semantic Antics: How and Why Words Change Meaning. Check out the site:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89195654
for the full story. (I'm not sure why these links aren't posting correctly, sorry!)
Interestingly, he discusses the evolution of 'girl' right off the bat!

Also, check out this interesting story about a linguist's work with the last known woman fluent in the Mutsun language, a now extinct dialect. Now her oral history is being transformed into an "ethno-historical cantata"!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88781704

BLOG #9

The term girl: this is what I think. If you don't have a lot of gray hair and a lot of wrinkles in your face I will probably use the term girl, if you are in your teens or under 25s even in your 30s I will probably use the term girl. If you are over 40 married and with kids I will use the term "lady". For me girl means looking young. When I read the line "he sat next to a woman in the plane" I picture and old lady in my head, I don't know why. I rarely use the term "woman" because to me is disrespectful most of the time, and I would think the female is married and sometimes that she is sexually experienced. Almost every time I hear somebody say the word woman is to say something negative. The time I use the line "come here woman" I got the a really bad-dirty look, but when used the term "come here girl" no dirty look. If I was a doctor most of the time I would say, " talk to the lady up front" depending on the age. For me woman is ok for when discussing history or science. To me the term “guy” can be used for any age. Sometimes woman to me also means lack of fun or boring. If I heard the phrase on the radio “two women” have been suspended" that would sound kind of weird.I also think that the door sign in the bathroom door should read "ladies room". One more thing Females "girl" is a nice term, it keeps you feeling young.

A little too extreme for me

I think that the discussion of whether or not it's acceptable to call a female a "girl" is absolutely absurd!  At 28 years old, I could not care less whether I'm called a girl, a woman, or a lady.  There have been so many advances in women's rights, and sure, there's always room for improvement... but debating this issue is really the last thing I ever thought I'd read about in a college class.  I don't think that being called a girl is a subtle dig at the fact that I'm any less worthy of respect than a man (or shall I say boy?).  

I may just not be enough of a feminist, which I'm okay with since I don't consider myself a feminist at all.  I may have looser rules on language than others; when I'm talking to a small group (even at work) I'll say "Hey kids," but it's not to get away from the word "guys."  To me, when someone says "hey guys," it's not any different than saying "hey everyone."  

Who knows, maybe I'm selling myself short on this one... I prefer to think that I'm picking better battles than this, though.

Feminism

One of the things that scares me the most about people is how easy it is to offend them-- how everything can be taken out of context and taken very personally. Extremest feminism can be a form of pregudice in and of itself simply by saying this is how men are-- they're all this way-- and because of that, they're pigs and we're better than they are.
My friend is a hard-core feminist... and likes to go on rampages if you set her off. One time she began preaching to me on the trax train. She was venting very loudly, and you could see how uncomfortable everybody else was on the train-- especially the men who were upset by the things she was saying about them. I'll bet next to none of them there felt about women the way that she said that they did, and I bet it upset them a lot.
A similar thing happened to my sister in seminary. A girl went on a heated rampage there too, embarassing all of the guys there-- until one finally lept to his feet and said, "I respect you!"... fortunately that shut her up quick. She couldn't deny that he wasn't the sexist pig she was saying that men were.
There is still certainly pregudice against women today-- and there is nothing wrong with diligently seeking equality... but seeking superiority-- as is hinted with extreme feminism-- is taking it a little off the deep end. That's why a lot of women cringe when they hear the word 'feminism'.
I know that things were pretty bad once, especially in the South-- but things are different today. Not 100% better, but quite different.

In My Wife's Opinion

As I was pondering this issue I thought to myself, "I don't have any authority on the subject of how the female population should feel when addressed by certain terms, or what term is best when refering to one of said females." (I have to say, this is only one of the many topics pertaining to the female gender that I claim no understanding.) So I talked it over with my wife and was surprised to realize how much a title can mean. Apparently it can mean more than just that to which it is refering. I also has connotations that can offend, commpliment, imply or describe the subject. My wife told me the story of the first time she was refered to as a "woman" by a stranger, and how old it made her feel. She felt like she should still be a "girl". I was surprised, although she didn't seem to be, that a title of respect and curtesy could be taken as practically an insult. I can only assume that it goes both ways; a woman might feel disrespected if refered to as a girl in a professional setting.It goes to show, just like we've been studying all semester, that words carry power and language is more than just words. I read a previous blog wherein a student said that this issue is basically irrelevent and a waste of time, I beg to differ. The debate of "woman" v. "girl" and how females feel about the use of these words is just a smaller version of the "N"-word debate. Granted these words don't have near the history of violence or offense, but it nontheless is an illustration of how words evoke emotion whether positive or negative and we should all be aware of the things we say even when we don't say them.

Girlie?

Unfortunately, it all comes down to context on whether girl or woman is proper to be used. I can see parents or adults moving from calling a girl, girl to woman as being a confidence and attitude booster. This can hold true for a boy as well, the use of man or boy can be either demeaning or building depending on the context. The one thing I thought was interesting in the article was the talk about calling things girlie if they relate to girls or women. I don't think we can start calling things womanly it just doesn't sound right. Maybe, this is because of the laziness of the English language, or our constant use of the easier terms. I haven't been able to think of any times that I have been apart of using girl instead of woman. I just remember that the use of girlie was an insult, it used to be big in some movies, Arnold Schwarzenegger said it in some of his films. It is almost as if our society has created a picture of what a man or woman should be and anything that goes against that image is demeaning or insulting. Which is wierd because some women use it amongst them selves as a term of endearment, you, go girl! Girl Power! Valley Girl!

Blog #9

One of the amazing things about language, is that it carries power; Power to communicate, discriminate, grant access, and deny it. Although we study language and have gotten some clues as to how it works and made some guesses about where its power comes from, we still don't know jack!

I would argue that what we have learned in this course is that there are no formulas, or magic magnifying glasses which will completely unlock the nuances of language. The tools we have been taught encourage us to look at the speaker and their context in order to understand the message. The power of language is embedded not only in the history and dictionary definition of words, but also in the attitude, opinions and background of the speaker.

How this applies to the gender issues (especially the 'girl' wars) is thus: There is no solution! We can't draw out the rules to what particular words mean, or how they ought and ought not to be used. Words will be used differently by each person who uses them. And they will make their choices of use based on their own experiences, their communicative situation, and so forth.

All that's left for us to do is take this knowledge and make communicative choices responsibly. We can do this by getting to know the people with whom we are communicating, their attitudes and opinions, and making sure that in using language we are being respectful to the other person acknowledging the fact that they are different and have their own unique background.

Blog #9

I love this class and have really loved the subjects/units that we have discussed over the semester. However, I feel that the "Gender" unit that we are covering is not near as interesting as all the other units we have covered. To me, this is a matter that is so minute and trivial it's not even worth the time to study it. I feel that there are so many other problems to worry about in this chaotic world that if a female becomes upset when she is referred to a "girl" when she perceives herself as a "woman" that she has other problems to deal with. I am almost 24 years old. Many would say that I have arrived at an age where I would be referred to as a "man." If someone called me a boy or referred to me as a boy it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I can guarantee you that if I were 50 years old and someone called me a "boy" it wouldn't phase me a bit!

I also want to echo the claim made in a post that I read which states that woman are spending insane amounts of money on trying to maintain a youthful appearance, but when they are referred to as a "girl" instead of a "woman" they make a big fuss. That just goes to show that we live in a time where can't stand it if there's nothing to complain about. Therefore, we feel the need to have to create stupid complaints that don't even make any sense at all!

boy, man...

I find this topic somewhat confusing. I see how saying "men and girls" is derogatory, but what about guys and girls? Is it ok because it brings everybody down to the same level, infantilizing women as well as men? I actually see it more of an amiable address, more so than "men and women".

I think formality has a lot to do with this. It doesn't sound quite right to address somebody as "woman", whereas saying "hey man" sounds fine. It seems like the term "woman" has become more formal than "man." This is possibly a result of the feminist movement. However, it doesn't sound right to say "hello man" because that's making man too formal, which is probably where "sir" and "ma'am/madam" come in (however, I don't think I've ever even said "madam" before)

What about guy vs. girl? "Hey girl" sounds ok, but "hey guy" sounds a little strange. Also, "hello girl" sounds demeaning unless you're actually addressing a little girl, whereas "hey girl" seems fit for women of all ages (when used in the right context). However, I suppose that the opposite of girl isn't guy, but boy, which seems to be a rung lower than guy. If that's the case, would gal be a rung higher than girl? And what about the terms son and daughter? "Listen, son" sounds ok between unrelated people if the person speaking is old enough, but you don't hear old ladies say "listen, daughter." Anyway, that's why I find this topic somewhat confusing.

I believe I have become more gender neutral over the years, preferring to use "everybody/everyone", "people", and "buddy" to address people, or using their name, or just saying "hey" (although I'll sometimes refer to my mom as "lady"...is that offensive?). I prefer these terms because they seem to be the most accurate and encompassing.

BLOG #9: Gender

The article Return of Girl by Darryl McGrath was very interesting to read. I personally think that calling females "girls" or "women" depends on the age of each individual and the situation in which this addressing is used. Calling a 50-year-old woman "a girl" may sound ridiculously and therefore can be easily understood as gender discrimination. Most of older women want to be respected; calling them “girls” totally lower their standards. On the other hand, from my mom's experience, she looks so happy when my dad calls her "a girl" in a romantic way, for instance "Come on my girl, let's go eat!" It recalls her remembrances of when she was a young girl who was freshly in love with my father.
From my point of view, as a young female, I don't really care if people call me a girl or a woman. "What's up, girl!” is a very usual salutation I use among my friends and in this situation nobody gets offended. Also, my dad still calls me “you are my little girl” and I think it is a warm expression of our relationship. I cannot imagine him telling me “you are my little woman.” Being called "a woman" might make me feel a little older but respected as an adult.
People, men especially, usually do not think that this simple expression can be understood in a negative way. They don’t see the power of word woman vs. girl.
I think men should be calling females “women” in a professional environment to show the respect and “girls” in a personal environment as long as it is understood in a nice way; it depends how relationships are set up among families.

Gender

As I was reading the "girl" article I could not help but to wonder about the irony that the debate creates. On the one hand certain people are demanding that society not use the term "girl" because it implies youth and possibly immaturity. Yet at the same time women are spending literally millions of dollars on surgery and various products to make themselves feel and look younger. I realize that immaturity and looking younger are not the same thing but this concept of youth is one thing that many companies use to appeal to women as they attempt to lure them into buying their product. I think the examples that were referred to in the article from the J. Crew clothing company are a good example of this. On the one hand it would seem that women want to be perceived as younger yet some are hung up on this term that they claim does just that.
As we look at this concept in a broader perspective what are the implications or lack there of when using the male equivalents? For men does it not matter if you use terms like "boys" or "guys" because men are less worried about saving their youth? It would seem that perhaps the women that are having the issue are the ones that feel they have a score to settle. For instance although gradually things are changing in the world of medicine it is still a predominately masculine profession. If you look at the surgeons the numbers are even more lopsided. It has been my experience that some of the female surgeons are so accustomed to having to defend their abilities in this male dominated world that they tend have a defensive attitude from the start. They tend to have a need to establish their authority and often times come across as "(insert your chosen expletives here)." Are the women who are having a problem with the term "girls" part of this same cycle? Have they fought so hard to be what they are that they feel like they have to defend their hard won identity no matter how irrational the argument? In my experience it seems that the younger generations are having less of a hard time with the terms then middle-aged women. I guess all we can do is hold on until those ladies get old enough that the term can once again be seen as a compliment.

Woman vs. Girl

I personally have no probs with the use of the word "girl". When I hear it most it is used for endearment, a hello gesture as such. I do though understand that in some ways it can be defensive if some fella said in an angry tone "Now look here, girl..." or something. But I feel since the whole discrimination movement on the proper way to speak to a woman the old ways of using girl has died down a bit.

Blog #9

I think it's much ado about nothing. From the readings, a sociologist asserts "'Girl' is an infantilizing term for women". It isn't that objective, as the Times spokeswoman notes that girl is a purely subjective style choice.

Unless the sociologist was being redundant, the connotation that the sociologist implies is "it's degrading". That is an opinion because I could say girl and mean it in a positive or endearing sense. And that is how also alot of men use it, where Jackson Katz is bothered by the "use of the word by men" - something she has little idea of overall. But her opinion is influenced by positional faculty of being an author and expert on the prevention of gender-based violence. What bearing does that have in reality overall? For example, when a male friend says to another male friend, "Did you see those hot girls?". That's a good thing!

Hey Girl

After reading the few pages about the girl vs. woman controversy it made me think about it in my own personal way. I personally am not offended by the term girl. I don't know if it is because I am still fairly young, and am used to being referred to as a girl or maybe just because I was not around in the time when woman were making the change from girl to woman. But as for me, I am not offended or think in any way that it is demeaning or insulting to be called a girl because that is what I am!

Also, in my own family I have noticed that when my step-dad calls my mom girl, like "Hey girl, whats up?" she HATES it. I have heard her numerous times tell him she does not want to hear him say that to her. Since then, he has learned not to call her that. But recently he said that to me, and my mom hated that he said that to me too. I was of course not offended but she still didn't like the idea of that phrase. It might be that she is in that age group where they think it is offensive, but I just don't understand what it is so bad....

Woman or Girl

If calling a woman a girl is demeaning don't you get the same effect if you call a man a boy. If an older successful man was called a boy, he too would be offended. I personally wouldn't mind being called a girl even if I was 40 years old. It would probably even make me feel younger. The lines for calling someone a boy, girl, guys, even the N word have gotten way too vague. When is it right to say, or not right. Who can say that word and who can't. Woman call their friends girls all the time and I'm sure that some men even call each other boys. Every word can be taken a different way when used in many different contexts. My friends like to joke about the "woman of the house". Saying a womans job is to clean and cook. They will sometimes jokingly say to me "Hey woman go make me a sandwich." So in that context woman is more offensive. If they said "hey girl..." it probably wouldn't hold the same weight.

Return or re-run?

I find myself siding with Katz on this one, that we may be doing little more than commenting on "...how things have not changed". Let's see, how does that quote go... "the more things change the more they stay the same"? An unforunate but fitting commentary on feminism, methinks. So what has changed? Over the years, the antagonist has. During Susan B. Anthony's day, it was government and politics that wore the black hat in the showdown for suffrage. Then (skipping forward a decade or few) it was the "man" we fought to claim a place in the working world. Yes, we proved we could do more than wear short skirts, sharpen pencils and make coffee. Later, it was Jean Kilbourne and her team of crusaders, fighting against media's demeaning depictions of women. (Editor's note: If you don't know who Jean Kilbourne is, she's worth discovering. She's a "reformed" fashion model turned activist. Try finding the DVD 'Killing Us Softly'.) Now in 2008, the antagonist we fight is the hideous beast Vocabulary. What hasn't changed? That we're still fighting. We, like every other minority group and human being impacted by the use and power of language, are always... fighting... something. Granted, we've "come a long way, baby" (I sure hope it was a woman who first spoke those legendary words), but will the fight ever be over? Can it be won? I may speak for some percentage of grrrls when I declare to the world, "Call me Girl or call me Woman, but don't you dare call me the wrong one." Until we can collectively figure out which term's right and which one's wrong in which context on which day and in which of the four seasons written by which author implying which nuance, well... we'd best just keep fighting.

The Return of Girl

It's all about context! Girl is not a bad or demeaning word unless you use it in a way or within a context that belittles someone. My girlfriends and I use it with one another all the time and it's not a big deal because we're all "girls" and we're not making anyone feel bad by using it! However, I would be offended if a guy at work referred to me as "girl" because it's not really his place. I think in public or professional places men should never use the word girl to refer to a woman because in that context it's inappropriate. For that matter, neither should women, unless they're good friends with the woman and know it wouldn't bother her. It's basically a matter of common sense and respect, unless you absolutely know that a woman doesn't mind being called girl, don't say it, and if you are in doubt, don't say it!

#9 "Girl or women"

I find that after reading the pages assigned to us i think i would feel that it change my view on how people might see the term "girl" being used. i have my opinion that i really don’t care if people say "girl" i think it is better then the boss always coming in calling you pet names example darling or sweets or something more derogative, in my view. i have had problems accepting people calling me kid or woman this to me is telling me I’m to old or to young though i feel that people use the term "girl" to put down a woman because you can easily take it to mean young. i looked up and article that i think really helps in describing what girl means and how it can have affects on some parts of cultures. This article is called "I hate that word, girl".http://www.xanga.com/Viper3017/506842967/i-hate-that-word-girl.html

Extra blog

Over spring break I went to Las Vegas. While I was there I realized how visuals and language was used to appeal to the masses that are down there. The billboards were large and appealing. Marquees were huge and flashed memorable clips and phrases. It's amazing what a few seconds glancing at these can remain in the memory. Even the sales people in the malls had their own language to persuade you to buy things. I don't think I've ever been so convinced. I wish I could find the words to explain how they were convincing. All I know is that they just were. One place inparticular, I don't even know what it was advertising but it kept playing booming loud songs over and over again. Even though I don't remember what it was appealing to, they at least got me to remember it and place the building's architecture and location in memory. I realized too, that the names of Casinos perk up the senses. The Mirage, The Pillazzio, Treasure Island, Ceasar's Palace, The Billagio. Just these few each have a different feel to them. I make an assumption in my mind of what they'd be like or what kind of people I'd find in them.

Blog #9

I think the issue of "Girl" and "men vs. women" (notice how it's usually a male who comes before the female) is something that pops up in everyday conversation and in the media a lot. Yet, I don't think it really bothers me. I don't think it's really hurting anyone. I think people just bring these issues up too much and make a big deal out of it. Unless someone keeps bringing the issue up, things won't get resolved and progress in a new direction. But does anything every really get taken care of and healed? I like to see men and women as equals, although, I understand many don't see the same as me. I believe we each have our own roles in life equally important and different. Our personalities and mannerisms are also different but unique. Men and women like what Tannen presents in the article differ in how they view communication and thinking, I believe that's what unites both sexes. Yet, many find these differences difficult to deal with.

In regards to the term "girl," I think as long as it's referred to women in a way that's not intentionally demeaning or "girly" than it's fine with me. If people do use it to intentionally define a power position than yes, I don't like it all. It's not easy to get out of the habit of using it for women or for using the word guy to refer to both men and women. If people could try to stop using the term, at least in the work setting than maybe such a touchy subject would erase some stereotypes and bad feelings. Who knows when that would ever occur. Plus, I use it a lot around my friends. Maybe that's because I still am young.

Genuine Understanding...

Talk about a wrong first impression! When I started reading Deborah Tannen's article "Can't We Talk?" to prepare for class tomorrow, I was anything but enthusiastic. The tripe that guys like Dr. Phil and John Gray (the author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus) produce immediately came to mind, and I steeled myself to endure some more. I have been writing a lot lately about feminist literary theory and the feminist movement overall, and feel that much of the lip service given to the differences between men and women are exaggerated and blown out of proportion. Viewing men and women as radically different is part of the reason true gender equality is still just a goal, and not a reality.

That said, Tannen’s article was wonderfully insightful and on point, something I suppose I must admit begrudgingly. She makes the linguistic differences in the way words are used and interpreted by men and women so clearly apparent, that I would be a fool to disagree with her. As way of acquiescence, I think I will read the whole book from which this excerpt originates. Anyone else interested can explore the actual print version a bit here, via Amazon.com’s online reader.

Turning my attention to “The Return of Girl” by Darryl McGrath, I find material far more in line with my own fears about how language and perception keeps gender inequality in place. The use of the term “Girl” is an excellent example of the power of language, albeit sadly a negative one. Its use, when in reference to women in their late teens or older clearly serves as “reinforcement that women should strive to look sexual and youthful” and is “an infantilizing term.” Its result, whether intentional or not, to take power and authority away from women, as has been done for centuries. The author attempts to examine the issue without exuding bias, which bolsters his credibility, but for me the issue is open and shut: Girl can and is being used to denigrate women. It is however, important to distinguish its use in professional and commercial settings from informal and personal ones. In private life and conversation, words carry different meanings, and I am not suggesting that the use of the word Girl is patently wrong or incorrect. Always look at who is saying what, not just what is being said, if you want to understand the true power of language.

Blog 9: Gender

Hey, I just thought that since I had time this week that I would get this done early and not have to worry about it later, leaving more time to focus on the ethnography stuff. Well, After reading about "The return of the girl," I never would have thought that the use of the word "girl" would be so problamatic in society. It just seems so silly to me that anyone and everyone can be so nit-picky about such a minute thing, like the "N" word. How is it that we seem to focus on these little things like saying girl instead of woman. For me it doesn't seem like a big deal, but maybe in such instances, for example, of the corporate world it would. Do we always have to be socially or politically correct when it comes to these terms? Again, my opinion is that it depends on the person and the setting, whether formal or informal.

Extra Blog on Ethonography

I'm pretty excited to work on the ethnography. I plan on visiting my Aunt and Uncle today. I was thinking of recording our conversation to get the most out of our meeting. I may have to visit with them again in order to get more information about the Greek Community. Such as, when there are religious meetings to attend, who else could I talk to, etc.

It has been a while since I last spoke with them so I am a bit nervous about the whole thing. We'll see how it goes.

Ethnography (blog 8) better late than never :)

Hopefully you all still agree that it's better late than never!!

One of my dreams is to be a young-adult fiction author. But I don't know for sure if this is the path that I want to take. Therefore I have finally decided , for the ethnography, to explore the experiences of young adult fiction writers. I am going to look at the 'community' of modern authors. The problem is, there's not much of a close knit community with which to work. I'm planning on looking into and joining a few online writer's communities; there are also a couple of in-person lectures and writing workshops that I am going to attend. In addition I am hoping to find any student authors who will let me interview them. Since I think it would be difficult to track down and interview any established writers, I am going to read and watch interviews they've had with others.

Wish me luck!

Have your cake and linguistics, too...

A good friend of mine is an employee at a large company, where her co-worker, Suzanne, was leaving employment. So someone in the department called WalMart to order a cake for Suzanne's going-away party, and, according to my friend, the conversation went something like this:

WalMart Employee: "Hello, 'dis Walmarts, how can I help you?"
Customer: "I would like to order a cake for a going-away party this week."
WalMart Employee: "What you want on the cake?"
Customer: "Best Wishes Suzanne," and underneath that, "We will miss you."

When the cake was picked up for the party, this is what it said...

I guess what they say is true it's better to be late than sorry.... I am doing my ethnography proposal on the Greek Fraternities. I have a bunch of friends in some of the Fraternities and even some relatives so i wanted to learn more about them. I wanted to know if anybody is in a fraternity so i can understand more of what goes on. Please let me know. Thanks guys

ethnography question

hey everyone, I changed my topic to the Buddhist religion. I have a question, what is the way to go about asking for interviews at a church? I feel like it would be kind of awkward does anyone else feel like that? Who would I ask? and also, should I be recording things there? I Feel like that would be innapropriate. just a couple questions =)

Ethnography - Blog #8

I want to do my ethnography on an online parent watchgroup, or a group that is along those lines, but have been struggling to find a good one. This idea interests me because I'd like to see how parents interact with one another online. Does anyone know of an established online watchgroup that they could suggest to me?

Ethnography

I'm doing my ethnography on Alcoholics Anonymous. I did my conversation analysis and my textual analysis on AA and they were both so interesting that I'm just going to stick with the same topic. I got this idea because my step dad is 20 years sober and goes to 2 AA meetings a week. I had always wondered what goes on there and what sort of things they would talk about. I'm glad I chose this topic because I have learned so much and met some really interesting people.

Blog *8*

At first I had no idea, I thought, Hey they just built a Baptist church next to my house, so why not. But then, I got to some serious thinking, and wanted to examine something I was honestly curious about. I think I am going to go with Special Education in Junior High, possibly Elementary schools... I want to teach, and this is one element that I dont know much about, but would like to know more. So I thought it would be good, cause then it is not as much just an assignment than something that might inspire me and that I can truely reflect on.

Etnography

I have decided to do my ethnography focused on gender or LDS church. For gender I would like to do gay community because I think it is very interesting and I also have a friend who is homosexual and so he could help me out with this project.
For LDS church I would love to do an analysis of this major community in Utah. I know it might be hard because I am so familiar with it but I think it is really interesting because I remember my cultural shock when I came in 2006 for the first time to Utah. I assume I will have easier access to this community.

ethnography

i have two choses i have a medical patch company or i have the state crime lab for utah. i know i can get lots of information out of both, but unsure of which one to really write up on. I,m really unsure I know very little about both so if someone might help me out a little it would be great.

better late that never....Ethnography

I work with a girl that is Episcopal, she's very sweet and Innocent, she gets mad at me when i swear and has even prayed for me.. at work. I find her odd, but i want to see what its all about. She spends her Monday nights at bible study and her Saturdays at prayer group. I'll be observing and participating in these activities for my ethnography.

Ethnography

I have decided to do my ethnography on the American Bosnian community here in Salt Lake.  I have a friend that is Bosnian, so he is my inlet to their community.  I plan to attend one of his families get togethers and also going to go to a Bosnian family owned restaurant and bar and interview various people.  I want to focus on their ability to learn English and how it differs for my own experiences, especially if my use of slang and such.

Ethnography

Although, I am still working on how to address the situation I am looking at dyslexia. As I have done some background research I have been intrigued to find that on almost all the major dyslexia sites there is a section where famous people who have dyslexia are highlighted. They all seem to approach the matter by saying that people who have the condition tend to be more creative. I have also found a site from England that claims that certain mental exercises can essentially train the brain how to process information better. Part of the interest I have about the group is that as I have spoken to members of the community they have tended to all be intelligent people that were greatly underestimated in the school system because teachers did not know how to help them. I am guessing that the people affected by the disorder end up essentially code switching in there own minds to be able to adapt to the world around them.

ethnography

I am doing my ethnography on marijuana anonymous, I used to be addicted to pot, and I thought it would be interesting to go to the ma meetings and learn about the community, and in doing so I can better myself and help keep myself off the drug. I am trying to go to a meeting asap, I'm actually not sure where to look for ma, I have found a couple websites, but I am having a hard time finding where the meetings are and when. Once I do though I will be going to the meetings and researching texts and things like that and studying the community, in fact my textual analysis was about marijuana, a recovered addict. I'm really excited about my project.

Ethnography Idea

While looking over our textual analysis papers on Wednesday, Micah had a good idea that I could use for my ethnography project. I am analyzing an article that's is trying to get more young people to vote. He had an idea that I could observe and participate in a group of young people here in Utah that are doing just that. Encouraging young voters to have their voices be heard. If I could find such a group I would love to participate in their activities and read as many of the texts they have as possible. I am a supporter of this subject, so I think it would be interesting and I also think it is a specific enough group that it would work well for this project.

Ethnography: blog 8

I'm going to do my Ethnography on the straightedge community.Is a way of life that some people have chosen to have , straight edgers are anti:drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and causal sex and some don't eat meat. The straighted edge community has been growing over the years and it seems like there is a big part of the community in Salt Lake. I'm going to go to a couple of straight edge band's concerts to interact with the straight edge crowd and see if I can intereview some of these kids without getting beat up. Some straight edgers are very violent and sometimes assault people that are not like them or those who don't believe the same.
Pablo Ortiz

Ethnography part 2: another idea

I have another idea for my ethnography project. I was thinking since I love to dance and go often that I would learn more about the history and specific language of it, specifically swing. It would be fun to learn more about it.

Blog 8

For my ethnography I have decided to study an online vegetarian group. I decided to do this because one of my friends at work is a vegetarian and feels like she has little or no support from other friends. I would think that the conversations would be comfortable because it is a blogging community, but I also think that they could take a professional tone because this community is there to teach as well as support.

Blog #8 Ethnography

I had other ideas for the ethnography but then I was talking to Pauline from class and she suggested to do it on her polynesian culture. She's going to help me get in with the polynesian community. I'll probably be going to some church services they have and any other activities. I'm not really sure how they use language. Maybe they switch between the language from the islands and english, to both identify with the polynesian and american community around them. Maybe also they use their own slang to create a sense of unity and bond to separate themselves from the larger white society. I know this will be a good learning opportunity and open my eyes to new experiences, values, and culture.

ETHONOGRAPHY

I've decided to do my ethonography on AA (Alcholics Anonymous) slash NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings. My father has had a drug and alcohol problem the majority of my life and I have other family members and close friends that have struggled with drugs and alcohol as well. I have attended these meetings in the past to better relate with those that were struggling, so this won't be ther first time. It is quite an experience going to these meetings and the language use inside these meetings are also fairly unique. I'm very excited to learn more about this community and gain new experiences and knowledge through my ethonography.

Ethnography

I'd decided back with our first assignment to do my Ethnography on the Polynesian-American community. Where I live in Kearns/Taylorsville, I've always been surrounded by a rich polynesian community both in my church, neighborhood, and school. They've always had a very unique attitude and way of doing things, and although I had recognized that they were wonderfully different from my own culture, I had not previously though why and how far it went. And to visit the Hawiian cultural center and discuss their use of language formally, it interested me to think of their use of Pidgeon English--in fact, I think it origionated with the polynesians. I'm not sure, but that's definately something I'm going to find out. Because if polynesians were the creators of Pidgeon English; why would they have taken to it so? I really think this idea has a lot of potential and look forward to learning more.

ethnography hispano

I'm looking at the Hispanic community in my neighborhood, but am struggling to narrow the ethnography down to one specific topic. I work in an elementary school with a high Latino population, so language among the children is one option. Another is the issue of immigration among the adults, so I could look at the Utah Minutemen Chapters, INS, or again, at the local Hispanic community. It has fascinated me, however, how often the label of 'illegal' and 'alien' pops up among the 6th graders I work with. Immigration status is apparently not only on the minds of their mothers and fathers, but on theirs as well... Another option is looking at language amongst Anglos where Latinos are concerned, how Hispanics are referred to, talked about, and talked to.

Blog 8

I was at first thinking of an extended textual analysis of either Vikings or American Indians, but I will rather likley be looking at an online bodybuilding and exercise community. This latter group uses a casual language different from everyday life, so I'm going to explore this more.

Ethnography

In trying to decide what culture to do my ethnography on I have narrowed it down to just a few. The main one is the homeless culture. I'm having a little bit of difficulty figuring out how to immerse myself in the culture. I've thought of doing volunteer work or some kind of an interview, but I haven't figured out how to truly understand the homelessness and the impact they have on language. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Ethnography

I was thinking that possibly for my ethnography I will do research into computer techs and the language that they use everyday and do some online stuff with communities. The reason that I am thinking about doing this is because I have some friends that are brilliant when it comes to computers and one that actually works as a tech for a living. Please let me know if I am on track with what I am thinking of doing and if any of you think that I would run into any sort of a problem. I think that it would be interesting. This is just an idea though, I am still going through ideas.

Extra Blog on textual analysis and ethonography

I would like to do my textual analysis and ethonography on the greek community in Salt Lake and learn about my own greek history along the way. Although I was planning to do something else, I think this would be a better topic because I have a lot of greek relatives here in Utah. However, I am not greek orthodox. Therefore this would be a very interesting subject.

Talk to you guys later.

Side Note.

Hey all. Just decided to create a new personal blog in order to help me quit smoking.

I'd like to invite every one (you too 9AM class) to come have a look and ask for support.

http://asmokernomore.blogspot.com/

have a good night.

The N word

I personally am disturbed by the use of the N word, and am unable to see why a person would want to use it. Unfortunately there are those in the world who do use it, for reasons such as popularity in rap music, hatred and prejudice or ignorance. It was sad to hear that David Sylvester came across a store named the N word and when asking the white proprieters the responded with a line from a rap song. Now this could just be ignorance as to the true ugliness of the word, but I can't judge on that. With a word like this that never had any meaning but a hateful one should just not be used, but unfortunately how can you erase prejudice or put out the flames of hatred? Personally, I don't think the word will ever go away, especially if there are prejudices on both sides of the word.

The N-Word

As we have studied this particularly powerful word I keep asking my self why non-African Americans would even want to use the word. I wonder why non-African Americans feel the desire to use that particular word. Why don't we as a society have a moratorium on the use of the word by non-African Americans until that community decides how the word should be used. I realize that some people may find this abstinence to be very difficult, but in the end society will be better for it. By allowing the community that is affected by the word to deal with its use the community is empowered. The affected community would be empowered because as a society we would be saying that we have confidence that community has the ability to make the decisions for its self. Where the word was used to oppress it would now become an example of the communities ability to rise above the past.

For people not in that community it would be like any other objectionable word. For instance although I have worked around people that choose to use the F-word I choose not to use it. It simply becomes a matter of self control.

Language and Race

Going back to what I said before in my poetry slam blog, the level of toleration for this word seems to have become a nuisance to the African American community. Not only to them but perhaps to all who are subjected to this word in a negative way. One might conclude that the "N" word does not need to be in the Webster dictionary anymore. That racism among all people might be compared to this conformity is in and of itself inevitable if not elusive.Many of us, including myself, seem to ignore the facts in today's society. The question of how long one can evade such an illusionistic thought is beyond me. There may or may not come a time when this illusion within society will be withdrawn altogether. The fact of the matter is that most people see things for what they are instead of seeing people. For instance, when I walk down the street and see a black police officer get out of his car he isn't just black to me, he's more than that. He is a human being just like me who has worked hard to become a police officer to serve and protect this country. He has developed within himself a love for what he does otherwise he would not do it. When I see people in this way my perspective on life is enlarged and I learn more about them, as well as myself, than I previously suspected. That is why this "N" word thing should be addressed so that society can move on to bigger and better things.I just recently had the chance to Listen to the audio book of Jabari Asim's "The 'N' word." After listening to it I now feel a deeper understanding and appreciation of why not to use the "N" word. Before, I used to use it as a loose term among friends, but because of the historical implications for the use of the "N" word I now feel like deleting it from my vocabulary. It should not be a thing taken lightly.

As Asim said in his Book, "The 'N' word," "Dave Chapell said in the New York Times, If people stop saying the 'N' word is everyything going to be equal? Is a rainbow going to come out of the sky and all of a sudden things will be better for black people?" Probably not unless it was forgotten completely.

Wassup, my niggers?

I found this article very interesting. In my opinion, a word “nigger” should be totally eliminated from English vocabulary. I disagree with the great poet Sonia Sanchez, mentioned in the article. She wanted to turn the negative connotations that come with the N word into something new and empowering. On the other hand total elimination of this word is impossible because our language goes hand in hand with social condition. If there are still racial disputes there will still be people who use the N word as a bad slur.
If either elimination or reinventing of this word is impossible, I assume that a word “nigger” should come out of mouth of just African American. By greeting each other “what’s up, my nigger?” this expression stays for a friend endearment. But there is no way that it would be a part of vocabulary of non-black member of society. I think when whites use this word, it even more deepen the problem of racial discrimination. As mentioned in this article, sentence: “Nigger, what the f*ck are you looking at?” is just a horrifying example that we may hear from somebody who cannot stay any black people. These people are enemies for other blacks.
My own experience has told me that in small communities and clicks there is a usage of “nigger” possible. One of my teammate, every time she walks into locker room she greets us with “what’s up, sluts?” First time, I thought that she is very rude and mean but later on I realized that this is her way of greeting which express her friendship and trust among our team. In the same way, I think the N word should be only possible to use.

blog #7 nigger vs. nigga

English isn't my first language so these two words do not affect me at all. I learn them as normal slang but I was never told the meaning behind them until was until 5 years of living here I was. The first time I heard the word "nigga" I just recently had started 9th grade in a different place with only being able to speak 5 words of English. A white kid called a dark skin kid that , they acted normal and they even shook hands like friends. so my first time with the word was normal so then later I realized it was what you called a dark skin person but I still didn't know it was a racist word. so when my blood cousin who is very dark skin , moved to live with my family and, I used to call him the "nigga as a sign of friendship and love.after I found out the meaning I was very shocking cause where I come from race doesn't exist. The term African- American freaks me out every time cause they are born here why do we call them African-American?. so I'm not racist and I'm against slavery , the past is the past lets change it into a friendship word. but if nigger is used I think it sounds a little strong and racist, nigga is not.when I look at my aunts and uncles from my mother side I see that there is very light white skin color and there is very dark brothers , so lets say if two of the dark skin brothers start using the word nigga can the white brother use the word too?, or should they say "no you're not dark skin like we are you can't used it" what if the dark skin brothers listen to rock music and the really light skin listen to rap ? who is wrong? nigger is a racist word and nigga is a friendship word. I wont call a dark skin person that, unless they give me permission.

I think a lot of rap and hip-hop artist use it a lot so . A 7th grader who still never heard of the word "nigga" listens to a rap album and starts using the word around all his friends, maybe they don't know the meaning yet either but the word becomes more and more accepted until it becomes okay with everybody. why ? remember thats what you call your friends no somebody you hate.see how it becomes a friendship word, ah maybe I'm wrong.

(sorry if there spelling or grammar check needed)

The N Word

I have never liked to hear that word. I believe this is so because when I had first learned about the word when I was a kid I said it again to my mom and she smacked my mouth and put hot sauce in my mouth. I learned that it was a mean word and that "we don't say mean words." I agree with the reading when the author quotes Ray Richardson, “I don’t give white people the right to use the word until they clean up the conditions they made that attempted to relegate me to nonhuman status. I believe racial equality will make the word powerless. At that time, yes, but until that time, don’t even say it. You have not earned the right.” I really dont think that any white person has the right to use this word. If you are going to say it, I think that you should keep it private. It was used as a derogatory term and can still offend people. Yes black people have the right to say it, they were called that word for years, but I dont think that they should get so angry when white people say it. I understand that they might think its "their" word but no one owns language and if they are using it with each other its fair game. To me its like girls wearing low cut shirts and getting mad at guys for staring at their chest.
My grandma is a very racial person. Her brother fought in WWII and she uses horrible slang terms towards blacks, Japanese, and Asian people. I find it very disgusting. I love her to death but it really saddens me that we cant move forward. I agree with the reading that the only way to get rid of racism is to actively try to rid the world of the terms that are being used.
I really like the last paragraph of the reading. When I think of literature and language, I dont think of the harsh words that are or have been used to cut down other people that are different than the rest of the world. I think of words that are beautiful and crafted together in a way that is music to my ears and takes me away to another plane of thought. I dont believe that the "N" word or any other derogatory term should have any use in our society. Its time to move forward.

The N Word

Ok, so I have never honestly agreed with people saying the N word. Now when I say that I mean caucasian people or people who aren't part of the african american culture who I don't feel have a right to be using it. I think the african american culture has all the right to use it, and sometimes like the way they use it in rap songs like nigga, I think it's a word that is part of their culture and they have different ways of using it which is fine. I think it really should be kept unsaid though, but it's really hard to honestly say which is right. I mean if it were to be kept from the outside world and it wasn't used in rap songs or anything, it would be much less prevalent and it would maybe help lessen racism if it wasn't being used, but I think it is a part of the african american culture and it really would be their call for people to use it or not.

As for the personal world, I think it is people's choice. I don't necessarily agree with people outside of the african american culture using it freely, but in their own personal space it's not my business what words they use. I will admit I have used it before like the hip hop way like nigga, with my friends and stuff, but I really don't feel completely right about using it. It's interesting because if I am around a group of people who use the n word and it's usually nigga, I will start using it without even noticing, but if i'm not i won't say it at all. It just really depends on the situation and the people. That's why its hard to take a firm position on if it should be out in the public world, or withdrew, and even the personal world. Freedom of speech and culture make it able to go either way, if that makes sense. By the way this is a really interesting topic I think.

Hard book to write, harder book to read...

Kudos to you, Asim... I can't imagine how it must have felt, being black himself, for Asim to research and write this book; the edits, reviews, rewrites, and especially going to bed every night with the N word running free in his head. I've only read two chapters and I feel like I need to brush my teeth, wash my mouth with soap, and spit that word out. Toward the last few pages, I skipped reading the word "nigger" entirely; fully aware it was there but not resting my eyes on it long enough, like being at one end of a long hallway when someone you don't want to acknowledge is moving toward you from the opposite end. You know that passing one another is inevitable, yet when it comes time, you suddenly discover a loose string hanging from your sleeve, or start looking for some imaginary thing in your bag. That's how I felt about the N word in every paragraph. I just couldn't look it in the eye anymore.

Now, I realize that I'm reading and writing these things from a very Anglo perspective. Any right, spoken or implied, that blacks have given themselves and each other to use the term remains out of my grasp, and comfortably so. I don't want to understand the rules, quite frankly. I am one who wishes the word, in all its varieties, would just go away. But then I re-read the text I've highlighted from Asim's chapter, and I know that I'm not letting its impact sink in all the way on my Anglo brain full of Anglo experiences. I'm suddenly fiddling with the lid on my Chapstick or messing with my cell phone while the N word is approaching me in the hallway, so to speak. I guess I've aptly demonstrated the complexities of Wittengenstein's labyrinth... I only know my way about from one side. I either don't know how to find my way, I'm not sure if I want to find my way, or in Raye Richardson's words, until I'm willing to look the N word in the eye, "[I] have not earned the right" to do so.

N word = Limitations in Language

This reading opened my mind a lot more about the N word. Nevertheless, I still have the same belief about the usage of the word as I did before the readings. I am a firm believer in acquiring as much knowledge as possible in order to obtain an extensive vocabulary and be able to express oneself as well and eloquent as possible. I know that I am far from where I want to be in terms of the extensiveness of my person vocabulary. Nevertheless, I am ever trying to further my education and am trying to do my part. I feel that the black community limits their vocabulary in expressing themselves while just using the N word. There are a variety of situations that can and should be expressed with more than just one word, the N word. I do understand that it can be used in SO many situations, just like th F word, which is another word that so many use that auses their vocabulary to be limited. It's like blacks feel that they are entitled to use the N word in any given situation and/or setting. I'm not insinuating that blacks are less intelligent than any other race, this is just an observation that I have made over time. I appreciated the portion of the reading where it states that Dave Chappelle loved hearing two white kids refer to one another as "nigger." Then the claim was made that if an Asian-American man would likewise appreciate two black kids refer to one another as "gook" or "jap." It would sound really awkward and inappropriate! My conclusion on the whole matter is that regardless of the culture that one is from or their ethnic make-up, they should make an attempt at using language as a way to express themselves and not be limited and live in ignorance.

When to use the N-word...

I found Asim's explanations on why the "N" word carries so much weight very interesting. I had always believed that any and all racial, or otherwise, epithets were equally objective and offensive. But after reading this chapter I can understand how the history of a word can give it more weight than a word with a clean or short history as in "honky" or "queer". I have always found the N-word to be highly offensive, but was enlightened by this reading as to why it is so much more offensive than so many other derogatory words used to describe minorities.
I have also always been of the mind the the N-word should be completely eradicated; never used by anyone no matter what. Although Asim believes that certain studies cannot be properly pursued without the word, I am still not sure I agree. I do think that it is very important to teach and learn about history, even the negative parts of it and I believe that it is important for art to be able to imitate life realistically and even shock people if necessary. However, I do not see cause or justification for continuing to spread hate by allowing this word to continue it's existence.

Blog 7: Nigger vs. Nigga

Three weeks ago, I was so certain about where I stood with the expression nigger. Now I have seen so many points made by so many races, both backing it up and deriding it. Asking me to take a position is much too problematical, and there are too many inconsistencies both ways. Mind you, my opinion yields the “position” that I take.
“You approach from one side and know your way about: you approach the same place from another side and no longer know you way about.” To me, approaching it from one race as opposed to another, can determine where you end. I am in the majority; Caucasian, and no, I do not use the term. I feel like since I am not of that culture I have no place to use the term. I do not think it is correct, and if there is any correctness in it, it is for that nationality to decide (as it would be with any culture a particular term identifies with). My place in the “public and private sphere” is minute in the big picture, and personally I think it would be great if the rest of the majority saw it my way (is that selfish, or what). If the term is going to be used, that culture has the right do use it, or not, as they will.

star fascination

I thought that this was really interesting to know about. I learned very briefly in my geography course that I am taking this semester that when you are looking the stars that you are really looking into the past. The stars are really millions of lightyears away meaning the light that is shining down into your eyes was really emitted hundreds of millions of years ago. I wanted to write about this because it just blew my mind away. It makes me want to take a real astronomy class. So when you are looking at the stars remember that you are looking into the past instead of the future. Here is a link. Stars are cool. it is explaining what stars are made of. This is so fascinating!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stars

Sunday, March 2

I thought that the final chapter of the book "The N Word" brought up some very interesting points, and it brought to light the one question I have always wondered about...

I have always felt that the "N" word is one of the most despicable, hate-filled words imaginable. It has more power because of those things than any other word I can think of.  Because of my views about this, it has never been a question for me to not use the word- EVER.  I know the history of America, and the use of the word in this country well enough to know that it is not just a word.

While it's simple for me to say that I don't think anyone should use the word, I don't think that I have any basis to decide from.  If using the word in the black community, as a term of endearment, allows members of the community to feel that they are able to take the power of the word back, so be it.  

I was a little shocked to read about NWA in this article, not because I don't see it as relevant, but because of the way they've used the "n" word in one of their songs.  They "see themselves as both targets of white oppression and agents of their own destruction.  In their view, blacks will be called n****** by the larger society no matter what they accomplish in terms of wealth, education, or professional status, so there's little purpose in trying to shake off the word."  I wonder how much, if at all, this view has changed for them in the approximately 20 years since writing about feeling that way.

The "N" word....

A friend of mine was sitting in the room with me as I pulled up this chapter, they were interested so i read it out loud. By the middle I was so sick of saying the N word and they were so sick of hearing it, i read the rest to myself. I will personally never be comfortable with that word. I haven't even experienced the stab that it can carry but I still hate that word.
I do think though that as it becomes more and more common, the sting it carries will eventually fade away. Maybe not anytime real soon, but soon enough.
I also found it strange that in the chapter it seemed that the N word was being compared to words like gay and queer. I don't even think it comes close. I do know a few homosexuals who hate to be referred to as queer but will use the word to describe others.
I find the whole thing just mind boggling. It seems that the use of derogatory and slanderous words and phrases is circumstantial and everyone is held to a double standard.
I remember in high school calling my girl friends sluts and hoes, but if some one outside our click was to call one of us that it was grounds for a good ol fashion girl fight.
I'm not comparing the words to each other but the circumstance and double standards are the same.

The N word

I found this article to be very fascinating and factual to where the N word is going in society and how many people view the word. There are so many of us who believe that it should not be used in society and that we need to be as a society very careful on the usage of our language.

I find this interesting because there are so many other words that are just as out there and I believe should not be used out in society. A couple of these that are used quite often are queer and honky. These words seem to be accepted in society when they are not some of the most appropriate expressions that should be used to identify someone. This is why I believe that we all need to be careful and take care of how we use the N word and any other terms to say something about someone because we don't know the affect we will have on the person or on a certain society as a whole if we are not careful in our language usage.

Would you like to have someone say something that was mean and possibly spiteful towards you? I thought not.

#7

Back in the days of slavery the N word was used as a dregoatory term for the blacks. Today that N word is still used a bad name, or term of indearment. Sometimes this word has a double standard attached with it, certain people may use it while other should not. In my opinion it is a word that should not be used all together, it is a degrading word. Going through school certain people use that word to as if they were saying, "bro, dude etc.." Wittengenstien described language as a maze, we are able to choose our way through the maze and we are able to choose the way we speak.

Blog 7: N word and use

Asim seems to make a good historical case about why other (derogatory) words like honky, queer and gay, when used against the respective target groups do not carry the same weight as the N word does, in that they are not based on "centuries of instinct, habit and thought."

Here's some more about the meaning of the N-word: nigger derives from neger (from Scottish and northern England dialect), which comes from the French nègre and Spanish negro. In Spanish and Portugese negro means black. In fact, the French, Spanish and Portugese come from the Latin "nigrum", which means black. In Northern American culture, negro is considered more or less offensive, but in a Southern American culture it's different, like in Brazil, where even Brazilian government websites use the term negro to identify blacks -- despite this country also having a history of slavery.

This also explains why negro doesn't have the same offensive tinge is because nigger is its own variant and evolved with a distinct meaning. But, nigger was also applied to darker-skinned people of India, Australia and Polynesia by English settlers.

Asim says he doesn't care about private usage of the N word, where he states: "My concern is with the public square, where I believe the N word and other profane expressions have no rightful place." But on the other hand, he states that the N word "rightly belongs to the realms of art, scholarship, journalism, and history, none of which can be effectively pursued without critically engaging the word". So in this context he argues that it is fine to use. All of those are in the public square. From that I can only conclude that he is for exceptions. I think he specifically means social conversations within the "public square", or recipients of a larger audience without that context. I agree with this.

Interview with Asim

Colbert touches lightly on the use of the N word in his interview with Jabari Asim. This way he can connect with his audience. By making it humorous, however, it just makes it all the more right to use the N word in the public sphere. He touched on how by calling nigger by the N word, does that not still mean you're using the word because in your mind you are thinking the word? Following this, Asim comments that we cannot address the language of racism without directly engaging in the use of racist words. The N word shouldn't be banned but shouldn't be used as a term of endearment or used positively.

The Vagina Monologues

I went to the Vagina Monologues recently. I found the play on words interesting using such derogatory words in an open casual manner with many colorful metaphors. The way I was brought up, anything to do with anything sexual was not spoken of in causal conversation.
The play defies the "hush, hush" rules. That in a sense was its purpose. To get the vagina out in the open. Trying to give it less of a bad rap. Women talked about their vagina like it was a person with feelings and a voice. It wore certain clothing such as furr, silk, and high heels. It said things like "closed due to flooding," "more," and "do it again." It was referred to as the "grass around the house" and the "doorbell to the house."
I felt really uncomfortable during the play and disgusted. I think that's what the writer wanted the audience to feel, so you'd realize their frustration. They wanted you to realize that if it was spoken of more often-good or bad-then it wouldn't be ignored. The play incorporates monologues celebrating the vagina. Ones were more serious than others. I never imagined women could have such emotions and expressions regarding the vagina. I personally really don't think about that that much. Maybe that's because of my upbringing, the culture around me, and my own feelings and experiences.
But women are held as second class in society. Women are second best to men. The male penis dominates. Males get paid more. Women get raped and have to pay for their own rape kits and prove that we didn't "ask for it" and that it was consentual sex.
In the play the vagina is cool. The vagina is where it all happens. The vagina is raped with guns, the clitoris is cut away, or the vagina is invaded by huge medical tongs . Some men make sure women aren't enticing or will never be able to feel pleasure. It's a way to control women.
I may have felt uncomfortable-but what was voiced in the monologues makes you realize where the feminist movement came from and wanting to speak out about injustices to women.

Blog#7

Just as incorrect as Russia attempting to hide its negative history by removing information from textbooks. The same would be true in trying to come up with a positive meaning for the word nigger. It's too embedded within the history of black slavery. People who know that history are probably just as unnerved when they hear it as say a person who is very religious. When someone uses "God" or "Jesus" as a swear word, it can be unnerving to a person that revears those words.
Some terms just need to be used in the correct connotation. For example, recently the speaker of the house for Utah representatives lost his charmanship because he called a bill they were working on an "ugly black baby." Because of their history that they've lived blacks are very sensitive to terms that refer nagatively to their race.
Also, I think that rappers are degrading their race. Individuals like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, and Barak Obama are examples of negroes sensitive to their history and wanting to take the negroe away from the gangster low-life connotation. They have hope and have arisen above the white mans low expectations of them. I don't know, but I would assume the individuals I mentioned above would be offended and disagree with the degrading use of the N word.

Blog 6: In a digital world

Many of the things in which Mark Wesch made a point in his web 2.0 video I believe are true for most of us who participate in this class. It was interesting to see how many people shared the same situation that I do in respect to their education. Mark said they had done a project where a blog had been edited 376 or so times to come up with some statistics about how often a certain things happen. I find that I do spend more time on the internet than doing any one other particular thing during the day besides sleeping. I don't always read my text books and sometimes find it easier to look up terms and references on the internet using sources like wikipedia and google. I read more emails in a year than I read pages in a book and spend more time watching youtube videos and other online video sources than I even do watching TV. The information age that we live in has sure changed the mediums that we use to access information. I think we are falling behind in some areas like our educaitonal institutions on how we incorporate that into our study. I would be lost without resources like the internet. A card catalog in a library just does not seem a likely place where I would venture to seek information. I would probably be in the dark on a lot of topics and issues. Because of the internet I have achieved the status of where I am in life today. I have been able to learn what others have not been able to teach me. I have been able to learn about things that would have otherwise not been available to me. I know about technology and computers systems because I have been connected to the knowledge and contributions of all others out there who have come together to share to create something bigger than themselves.

Nigger vs. Nigga

When I was a little girl my father often took my sister and I to Juneteenth, an African American celebration that lasts about a week in the middle of June that celebrates freed slaves.  On this particularly muggy Sunday that were having a talent contest on the stage during the park's festivities.  There were Sisters singing field hymns and children dancing in bright African clothes.  Then a group of boys came on the stage, both white and black, they began to rap and use the word "Nigger" and "Nigga" quite a lot and finally Rev. Davis got up there and stopped the madness.  He then went on to do a kind of sermn on how the usage of those words are damn nation a that they should be ashamed of themselves.  

My father taught me that using "Nigger or Nigga" were both bad.  When African Americans say it to other Blacks it's like setting ourselves back in history and erasing all of the progress we have gotten to this point so far.  Now I'm not one to judge those who say it, and I have a few rap albums in my collection.  I'm just saying I don't say it and I definitely don't like hearing others say it in a hateful way.  

Also, when it comes to privacy it's to each their own I say.  I feel like if people say it in their own home then they better be able to take it in public then.  

A video response to "Web 2.0...The Machine is Us/ing us"

Note how this video blogger imitates Mike Wesch's technique except he actually writes the text rather than typing. Also, note the critiques of Wesch's thinking.

Blogging of the Future

I was just playing around MSN today and found this topic on the new PC's of the future.  MSN broke it down to 15 items they liked and this is one of them.  Its something that folks would wear as a fashion statement that takes blogging and chatting online to a whole new level.  As a person wears this if someone in their friend group is near, that item changes colors to the mood of the friend and you can start blogging and chatting and such.  I thought this was a pretty crazy and genius idea.  

To get the whole story go to 

http://tech.msn.com/products/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=6306011

Blog # 6

i feel that thanks to video’s and other forms of communication i find we most likely like the video said we are lying to our selves though in a letter to someone you say that your taller or built great though you know you aren’t its the same with picture messages it is you don’t want to show how you really are to the world so you hide behind someone else’s face as i would say or voice. Though i also have to say that this is now a way, for people to get the fifteen minutes of fame they so desperately need in this world. this is all technology helps to accomplish the way we chat now gives us the more out stretched hand to see other cultures through first hand and not through the hand of writers who spent a year over there then come back and have to condense it in to three pages. This is how you should see the technology shapes are lives and futures. Here a video i found to show the cold truth of how people change things in are societies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89keJIQV32s ps this is graphic so please have a strong stomach for it no puns intended.

Blog #7

For me the bottom line behind the N word is respect (and lack of respect). It was the lack of respect this word showed that caused so much pain in the past, and it is the lack of respect that it continues to show that is causing problems and controversy today. Ultimately, we can't really control who uses the N word and how they use it. Like my mom used to tell me when I was a kid, I have control of myself, but my control really ends there. I can control what I say, but there's no way for me to control what anyone else says.
Wittengenstien described language as a maze, I may know what is acceptable with the N word in one part of the maze (the way my family treated the N word growing up, which was not to use it at all), but I don't know what may be acceptable in a different part of the maze (the way a black family in dominantly black neighborhood in L.A. might treat it). Ultimately, each of us has to make a decision about whether we will or will not use the N word. For me, the decision is easy: I won't use it in public or private conversation because of the lack of respect it carries. May we respect others as each of makes our decision.

Colbert interview with Jabari Asim

Here's a link to a short Stephen Colbert interview with Jabari Asim. Note how Colbert uses humor to hint at serious issues about language.