Speak

            When people ask me what I think the most important aspect of any relationship is, I quickly and assuredly say “communication.” No “kindness” or “trust” or “humor”, but the act of talking and expressing and letting the other person into your head. Communication is not small talk. It’s not a location device with a “I’m at the grocery store” or “Driving ttyl” text coming in every half hour. It’s not sugary paraphrases or false compliments or manipulative wording to get emotional reassurance or security or sex. Communication as I see it is synonymous with honesty with the additional pressure of vulnerability in thoughts and feelings and real shit. You have to express what’s going on in your head, and then let the other person or people in on it.

            You and I and everyone around us will only ever know what it’s like to be the person we are. I only know myself, and that’s on the good days. I have no idea what’s it’s like to be my mom or the old man at the grocery store or the person I’m with. If we’re products of our own experiences, which I wholly believe we are, then the delicate summation of our selves cannot be totally understood by anyone, ever. Relationships are about trying though. They’re about admitting to and confronting all of your feelings and mistakes and resentments and allowing the other person to react and have a say in where it all goes from there. Without communication, by focusing on humor or kindness or other bullshit, any and all chances of getting to a place of real intimacy are lost. That, I think, is the most heartbreaking thing.

At the end of the day the goals are simple: safety and security.

"Above all, the safety and security of our customers is the most important thing for us." How many times have you heard any airline say this? Or perhaps any police force bravely claim that they will take any means as long as people are "safe." The word safe extends to a different connotation when police officers take unfair measures in order to secure what they believe is safety. It is no surprise that the police officers have been severely criticized lately for the murder of innocent, unarmed civilians. Eric Garner, for example was choked to death by a police officer after he argued with them that he was not at fault for selling untaxed cigarettes. At that point, was Garner's presence a threat that putting him in a chokehold would ensure safety? Many officers claim that they value safety above all; but do they really? This world would be simple, not to mention very homogeneous, if we got rid of everyone and everything that these higher forces claim and interpret to threaten were gone and executed. Real safety or inauthentic safety?

"At the end of the day the goals are simple: safety and security"

Shazmeneh Durrani 

Professor Mitchel Jackson

Writing 101

11 Decemeber 2014

Prompt: “At the end of the day the goals are simple: safety and security.”

You want it, don’t you? The degree from Princeton, the lamborgini in your garage, the personal stylist whose pay is more than your juniors at work – you want it all. And you, in most cases, strive to achieve all these ambitions that you set your eyes on soon after you come in this world. Every examination you took in highschool, at least if you were one of these academically dedicated ones, had something to do with your dream school, or lets just say your dream. In reality though, that wasn’t your only aim. Each day you woke up with a new target to reach, a new aim to meet be it a purchase, a meeting, shedding a few pounds or completing pending work. Human life often takes the shape of this dismal, monotonous at times robotic routine and we, in all our superiority, succumb to this routine because that’s just how much we yearn for those goals. But these goals don’t end at their accomplishment and that’s what keeps man on this consistent, never-ending run. They are associated with something more than just their material attainment, in that they keep you happy and that is what keeps you safe because without happiness in your life, you become dangerous. You become bitter, envious and spiteful and in that process, you become the greatest threat there is to your existence. You become your biggest foe, biggest rival and so, ultimately to avoid being brought down by your own self, subconsciously or maybe consciously all you realy want is the security that you will be fine, you will be happy.

"Your heart is my piñata"

Hearts are hearts, associated with love and red and gushy stuff. It is a crucial, tender part of our human bodies. A piñata, on the other hand, is an object. It is something that is beaten and battered until it breaks, and then the person beating it rushes to rejoice in all the sweets that fall out before anyone else gets to them. It is a source of entertainment. If my heart is your piñata, please don’t break it. Please don’t beat, batter, and pound my fragile heart into shreds, as if it were a game to see just how quickly or how efficiently you could get the task done. My heart is not something to be abused. It loves you, just like the little colorful piñata that you’re swinging and hitting loves you. It wants to be friends with you, and as much as it wants to reward you with the sweets you're looking for, I hope you swing and miss.

Amy Shih

Success, after all, loves a witness but failure cant exist without one

Shazmeneh Durrani 

Professor Mitchells Jackson

Writing 066

December 02 2014

        Success and failure are both inevitable aspects of the human struggle to attain some form of fulfillment. It is only natural, human for us to yearn for success and avoid all failure and it is equally natural for us to display our extreme level of pride over our accomplishments. We give exams, we sit for interviews, we apply for jobs, we invest in relationships and some of us excel. We secure a numerically brilliant grade on our sheet, or make it to an exceptional position at a firm and try every possible, discreet way to show it all those who did not. Our success doesn’t feel as over-powering, as meaningful until we don’t hear some kind of applaud, or gain some form of joy by announcing it to the world and it is true that success gradually becomes something that we want to show to the world more than something we invest value in for our own good. But, more than success, interestingly it is failures inseperable relationship with having an audience. For me, personally, failure does not exist. Failure is just another one of the various man-made constructions that strengthen our self-demeaning stance; it is just a perception. 

       In instances where I don’t secure myself an extra-ordinary score, I will not have failed in my own eyes, I would have done a poor job or I would perhaps call it my negligence but it only becomes failure when I compare myself to others. As I stand admist people who chase success so blindly and impeteously, I find myself to be a true failure only because they are there to witness me, to make me feel incapable in their comparison, only because I do not worship success, I pursue excellence and if my excellence doesn’t match theirs doesn’t mean I failed.

Hypocrisy in Wedding Vows

Jenesis Veras

December 02, 2014

Professor Jackson

Writing 1

Writing Prompt: Success, after all, loves a witness, but failure exist without one.” –Junot Díaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.

           

Many preach that they are strong and stable enough to be part of the good times and the bad. For example, the traditional typical wedding vows, state, “I will love you in sickness and in health, and in the good and the bad.” There is a part in all of us in where we choose to believe that we are humble enough to broadcast both polar extremes in our lives, but in reality that is a lie to humanity and to oneself. We do not treat both positive and negative, good and bad, or success and failure as one.

One usually wants to broadcast all of his or her accomplishments and success to showcase how capable one is. Many are available to receive praise at a moment’s notice. However, that type of mentality does not apply to failure as well. Many do not want to facilitate or display their mistakes and successful adventures with others, as it is a display of weakness. One becomes more inclined to try to cover up those many failures with whatever amount of success that individual has encountered throughout their lifetime. 

In relation back to the idea of wedding vows, is a marriage more willing to showcase their success than their failures as partners, not treating both statements of their vows equally?

Writing Prompt: Toni Morrison Interview

Sonja Popovic
Writing I
Professor Jackson
November 25, 2014

Writing Prompt: 

Toni Morrison Interview

I thought that the interviewer was quite rude. He was ungracious, not funny at all, and undeniably dismissive of Morrison's work. He tried too hard to include humor in his interview, which makes sense since it was Comedy Central, but then the humor should be effortless and on point, rather than at the expense of the author's work. His comment about the midlife crisis was plainly dumb and served no purpose but to undermine both the author's experiences in her life up until she was 39 and her decision to start being an author - as though suggesting that it was an anomalous mistake. The other distasteful comment was when the interviewer said how he needs to pigeonhole everyone - but why? I don't understand his contradictory statement that he doesn't see race but that he absolutely needs to label Morrison as an African-American writer. Two things are wrong with his comment. Firstly, everyone sees race so the interviewer saying he doesn't is obviously dishonest. Secondly, why does he need to bring up race at all - especially when he claims that the concept is foreign to him? In this context, bringing up race undermines the author's literary success and by even including it in his show, demonstrates that he does in fact see race - very acutely even. He was repeatedly disrespectful and off-track... 

Not All the Same

Jenesis Veras

November 25, 2014

Professor Jackson

Writing 1

Writing Prompt: Toni Morrison Video

           

The greatest living author and Nobel Prize winner in Literature, Toni Morrison stated that she does not want to be viewed as an African American writer but simply as an American writer. In her mind, race is a terminology, which can only be defined as a human being. She does not want any specific label relating the color of skin because it is an act of racism, which is a social contract and of which money can be made off of. We all need to know something about racism but there is no such thing as race.

The interviewer links President Barack Obama with Toni Morrison probably because they are both well-known successful African Americans. However, when Toni Morrison makes a joke about her being responsible for Obama Care, we can clearly see what the negative effect is of linking people together. Due to the fact that they are people with the same color, many may believe that they may have the same mindset. That is the reason why she simply wanted to be labeled as an American because once one starts categorizing groups of individuals, one starts to assume that they all share one common belief.

White Soil

This reminds me of a white student on the NYU class of 2018 Facebook page who was defending Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot Mike Brown. I found his comments to be disgusting and inhumane because just as Toni Morrison stated in the interview, race is just the human race while racism is a social construct that creates certain benefits for white people. I’m angry–no, I have been angry ever since Trayvon Martin's death because criminals, racist criminals are still enjoying their freedom while the black young man lays in his grave. And that black young black is asking, screaming for our support; his innocent blood calls for our action of justice. And although I’m not black, my heart still grieves because it just doesn’t make sense to me that a young boy who could have been in college right now, like I am, is no longer able to have this opportunity because of a white man, a white society, a white history.

I joined the protest last night and as I was raising my hands and chanting, “no justice no peace, no racist police,” I could feel the world becoming more equal in my heart but in my mind, I was aware that I was still walking on white soil.  

- Bremda Acosta

The Fast and the Hungry

Journal by Amanda Regalado
October 2014
The Fast and the Hungry

"Nobody can give you freedom.  Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything.  If you're a man, you'll take it."
-Malcolm X

"There are two types of people in this world, Amanda," my dad would tell me. "There are the Fast and the Hungry."
In moments like these, my dad was literally talking about food.  There are the Fast--those who eat their meal quickly enough so that others don't start picking off of their plate.  Then, there are the Hungry.  The Hungry are those who eat slowly, so slowly that the Fast people take all of their food because they did not eat it quickly enough.  The Hungry are hungry because they did not take advantage of the opportunity to eat all of their food.  The Fast are not hungry because they took the opportunity not only to eat their own food, but to eat the Hungrys' food as well.  This is just a silly analogy my father told me when I was little, but this analogy relates to much more than people sharing dinner together at a family table.  Malcolm X once said, "Nobody can give you freedom.  Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything.  If you're a man, you'll take it." In terms of social justice and equality, you cannot expect it to be handed to you freely on an open platter.  You must take it, according to Malcolm X.  You must actively pursue equality.  If you don't, you will end up being the Hungry.

Ignorance and Privilege

Journal by Amanda Regalado

10/20/14

Ignorance and Privilege

"Ignorance of how we are shaped racially is the first sign of privilege. In other words: It is a privilege to ignore the consequence of race in America."

-Time Wise

Prejudice. Discrimination. Hatred.  It is extraordinarily sad to know that these words describe what present day American Society is full of, even in 2014.  In 2014, racism still lives and is acted upon.  Even I find myself guilty of making middles remarks about racial stereotypes when speaking casually with my friends.  Why is that? Why is human kind still separating one another into white and non-white?  What will it take for people to truly see one another as human beings who bleed the same blood?

Tim Wise once said, "Ignorance of how we are shaped racially is the first sign of privilege. In other words: It is a privilege to ignore the consequence of race in America."  In this assertion, Tim declares that many Americans today are ignorant of the racial discrimination that still occurs.  Today, people of "color" are still separated from white people.  People of "color" statistically dace discrimination in the work force and are underrepresented in systems for higher education.  Yes, progress is being made to end this racial prejudice, but there is still much room to grow.  Let's check our privilege, friends. There's room to grow.

Life: A Random Hand.

Journal by Amanda Regalado
10/6/14
Life: A Random Hand.

"I want to have fun. It's a beautiful life. You learn, you win, you lose, you get up."
-Nas

Life: A random hand of cards drawn to you, cards that you cannot control or choose.  Life: A box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.  Life: A game everyone is given an opportunity to play.  Crazy. Unpredictable. Fun. Life.

A writer named Naz once said, "I want to have fun. It's a beautiful life. You learn, you win, you lose, you get up." This quote is reflective of Naz's sunny disposition and optimistic outlook on life.  I very much love this quote.  In fact, I am going to tweet it later.  I like it not because it is deep, not because it is philosophical, but because it accurately describes my outlook on life.  Something I hold of utmost importance is happiness.  Some people try to find their happiness in money.  Others in success.  Still others in relationships.  I am guilty of each of these. However, in order to obtain true happiness, you cannot put your fate in the hands of these objects that are imperfect, that are temporary.  These things will only let you down.  Happiness is a choice.  You must choose to be happy, regardless of your situation.  True happiness comes from appreciating life.  All of life.  Its about finding the beauty in the not-so-beautiful, and seeing the light in the dark.  

Machiavelli

Journal by Amanda Regalado
9/24/14
Machiavelli

"You either love or you hate. You live in the middle, you get nothing."
-Charlie Sheen

When in a position of power or leadership, is it better to be loved, or hated by your people?  This is the age-old Machiavellian question that modern day American Society is still attempting to answer.  In terms of celebrities, the best PR is to act out in ways that force the public to either love you or hate you.  Both positive and negative PR will bring you success as a celebrity.  But, which type of PR brings the most success??

The benefits of public love are visible through actress Jennifer Lawrence whose fan base, despite a minor mishap of leaked nude photos, is stronger than ever, thriving on her sincerity and down-to-earth aura.  Opposite, Charlie Sheen, the epitome of a hate-fame celebrity, acts out in an unruly manner in order to retain recognition from his fans.  Which outlet is the most effective at self-promotion?  Which outlet is more glorifying?  According to Charlie Sheen, "You either love or you hate. You live in the middle, you get nothing."  Sheen asserts that if you are in pursuit of anything indifference will prevent you from receiving it.  If you want to be famous, you've got to induce either love or hate from your audience.  For Sheen, love or hate does not matter.  Either route will suffice.  According to Machiavelli, however, being hated and feared proves to be more successful. And fun.

Pedestal

Journal by Amanda Regalado
9/22/14
Pedestal

"Celebrity is the chastisement of merit and the punishment of talent."
-Emily Dickinson

You have this something.  You put this something high above you.  You fixate it up on a pedestal.  You place this something so high on the pedestal you've created that you begin to idolize it.  But, because you've put this something so high, it has nowhere in the world to go but down.  Celebrities are mortal, imperfect humans we idolize and create into demigods.  We feel we know celebrities.  We feel we should follow them.  We see them as leaders and hold them to higher standards than we hold ourselves.  We expect these demigods to act as perfect examples of character and merit.  We disregard any idea of their intelligence, goals, or individuality and remember solely their beauty and talent.

If our demigods acts morally unpleasing to us in any way, we chastise them, claiming they are bad influences on our children, on our young men and women, on our adults.

We hold celebrities to an unfair stander.  We expect perfection of them morally and physically.  It is not fair to expect so much of a human being and not see to it that we be perfect as well.

Emily Dickenson once said, "Celebrity is the chastisement of merit and the punishment of talent."  Being chastised for one's actions is unavoidable to a celebrity, as everything they do is under watch by the entire world.  The love of singing, acting, performing is taken away and replace by resentment and standardization.

Kingdom of the Blind

Journal by Amanda Regalado
9/17/14
Kingdom of the Blind

"If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."

 -Kurt Vonnegut

If a person is willing to make an attempt, to try, even just a little, he or she will already have an advantage in our world.  Kurt Vonnegut once said, "If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."  Kurt's assertion is a commentary on the amount of effort needed for the average person living in modern day American society to be successful.  By comparing a person who does a half-assed job with a one eyed man, and the rest of society with a blind kingdom, Kurt suggests that even the smallest amount of effort will separate someone from everyone else.  Many modern day Americans are lazy and prefer to use shortcuts, rather than work hard.  Engineers are employed solely to create pieces of technology to fuel America's lazy habits and save America's time.  Instead of cooking the burger, Americans drive through McDonalds.  Instead of going out and meeting others, Americans find mates on Tindr.   Instead of reading the novel, American high schoolers SparkNotes it. But, if the high schooler were to read the novel, even a half assed reading, he or she would already have superior knowledge of the book over the rest of the class.  Effort is what separates the subpar from the good, the good from the great.  If a little effort gives a blind man an eye, imagine how well he would see with a lot of effort.

Jenesis Veras

Professor Jackson

11/20/14

Prompt: "It is more important to understand than to be understood." –Bill Russell

Understand the World Because the World Won’t Try to Understand You

The world in which we live in is composed of many different ideologies, philosophies, theories and beliefs. Each and every single one of them has a sense of reasoning behind it. Some may view certain belief systems to be unjustifiable, but that does not take away from the explanation of those particular beliefs. Since our world has become a much diverse nation, it is crucially important to gain the ability to understand various concepts.

Understanding is the key to knowledge, and knowledge is the key to wisdom, and wisdom is the key to opportunity. Trying to understand and fully comprehend as much ideas as one possibly can obtain is the wisest way to acquire survival and success. If one knows a lit bit about many things in various areas, it becomes quite impossible for another human being to have an advantage over the one with the acquired knowledge.

In reality, many people do not care about what one thinks and they won’t take the time to try to fully comprehend your own ideas and belief systems. However, in this self-concerned world, it is quite important to have the ability to try to understand the world around you because no one will care enough to try to understand you.