Child Born To Lesbian Couple Will Have 2 Mothers Listed

According to the author Laura Mansnerus of the article “Child Born To Lesbian Couple Will Have 2 Mothers Listed” (NYT 11/16/06,) a lesbian couple won court approval to have both of their names listed as parents on the birth certificate of their child. It was ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court in October 25 that same-sex couples have the same rights and protections as heterosexual couples. In addition, Stephen Hyland said, “This couple was treated exactly the same way as a married couple under the law of New Jersey.” Ms. Mansnerus claims the baby was born on Tuesday one day after of the agreement.

            Furthermore, a similar case happened in May 2005 when the Supreme Court in EssexCounty ruled that a lesbian couple was entitled to have the names of both women listed on their baby’s birth certificate. However, Patrick De Almeida said that this issue would not be clear as a normal couple because the Supreme Court does not know if the same-sex couple has a good relationship together. Finally, Shannon Minter pointed out that this issue would be the same in the future like gay couples.

Reaction

            This is a good article. First of all, I have a high regard to all gay and lesbian couples. However, I do not agree with them. I from the bottom of my heart point out that to list in a birth certificate the name of the parents who are same-sex couple is a good idea because in this case, the child will be represented by his parents even though they have the same sex. I say so because there are a lot of orphan kids. Therefore, they want somebody who lists her name in his birth certificate no matter who. Moreover, I say that the Supreme Courts should give them the right to do it. At the same time the Supreme Courts have to be careful because they do not know if the same-sex couples have a good relationship each other or if they are capable to take care of a child.

An English Test Is Changed, and Some Foreign students Worry

In the article “An English Test Is Changed, and Some Foreign students worry” the author explains about a test which is given to hundred of thousands of international students who want to study in the UnitedState. In addition, this test is to prove students’ language skills. The test is better known as Toefl which means Test of English as a Foreign Language. However, the test has changed; perhaps the biggest change is the new speaking component. Therefore, students especially Asians, were worried. They would be disadvantage because in school they were not taught English very well.

            Another problem that some undergraduates are experiencing is that they complain because they can not understand foreign graduate students who are teaching their classes. Moreover, this test is changed because universities had to know who can speak English as well. Furthermore, the test is based on the internet. Educators hope the change will improve the teaching of English.

Reaction

            The most interesting thing to me was that the test is changed. I think the universities are doing the right thing changing the test of English as a Foreign Language because it would be a better way to determine which students can speak English well. Additionally, I also say that this test is a good system to let universities know which students have Language skills. Furthermore, the point which caught my attention was that some students, particularly Asians, were worried that they would be disadvantage because of how they were taught English in school. I disagree with this point because it does not matter how you were taught English in school, is depend on how you learned by yourself or in school. 

            I liked that the test would be based on the internet I say so, because it would improve the access to it, giving more chance for students to study better. I sincerely say that those foreign teachers who teach English to student are not goods as teacher because they sometimes do not speak well and it is a big problem for students. For example, I have experienced a math teacher who is Chinese and he has been in United Stated just 3 years ago. However, he does not speak very well. In addition, he just explains well in the blackboard. However, when he is speaking about some problems students can not understand as a result, the majority of the students failed.

Student with Perseverance and A Plan to Match It

In the article “A Student with Perseverance and A Plan to Match It” the author Kari Haskell reports that Steguer Wilson is a college student who has a lot of problems and is afraid of being freshman at HunterCollege in Manhattan. He has already faced the routine freshman frustrations, enduring long registration lines and locating his classroom. However, his older brother Steve, 20, who attends BostonUniversity on a scholarship, has given him a few tips before he arrived. Even so, Steguer still feeling a little scared. Steguer said that he already have 100 pages on reading in one class. Nevertheless, his biggest frustration was not to find his course material on campus. Steguer mother’s name that is from a rural village in the Dominican Republic and immigrated with his father, a Cuban-born construction worker, close to twenty years ago. Steguer claims that his first motivation why he wants to go to the college is because he wants to be away from his community where there are a lot of high school droppers. Also, he wants to be an aeronautical engeneering. Moreover, his parents always say to him, “You know, friends come and go, but the family will always be there for you.” Finally, Steguer hopes that the next year, he will be good too.

Reaction

            I honestly found this article very interesting and have a lot of details which converted in experience to Steguer. I also assert that I consider myself, just like Steguer because I have experienced the routine freshman frustration. I clearly remember when I was waiting for a large line just to get registration into my college. Furthermore, this article also clearly remained when I have my schedule of the classes and the classrooms paper direction. It was very frustrated for me because I could not find easily those rooms. I had to ask someone where I can find those rooms. Therefore, I could find them. I also consider myself like Steguer because right now my career as a student depends on a financial aid, just like him, even though my mom has money to support me during my study. I would like to tell him that I know that the next year that will be great, likewise as me because I have learned many things during these two short semesters. What is more, I would like to tell his mom that I am come from Dominican Republic and my mom always say to me that friends come and go, but my family always will be there if I need something no matter what it is.

A Proposal to Fight Obesity by Limiting the City’s fast-Food Restaurants

According to the author of the article “A Proposal to Fight Obesity by Limiting the City’s Fast-Food Restaurants” the California City of Calistoga and the City of New York have a little in common. However, Calistoga has something that Joel Rivera, councilman of the Bronx, wants to bring to New York, a zoning ordinance against fast food restaurants. Manny Rivera reports that in June, Mr. Rivera, 27, who at age of 22 became the youngest elected official in city history, limiting the number of fast food establishments in New York by changing the zoning laws. Furthermore, Mr. Rivera wants to restrict them to fight the chronic obesity, especially, in poor neighborhoods.

            Moreover, a 2003 survey of nearly 3,000 New York elementary school children found that 24 percent were obese and 19 percent were overweight. Mr. Fernandez said that Mr. Rivera “Stood a McDonald’s there, down the street form a Dunkin Donut, around the corner form a KFC, within eyesight of a Taco Bell and a Sbarro, a short walk from a Burger King, not far from a Pizza Hut and a few blocks from a White Castle.” It was in Fordham Road. Also, Detroit has had zoning ordinances that not permit fast-food restaurants within 500 feet of a school. Finally, the Republican minority leader councilman James S. Oddo said that in the city 2003 banned on smoking in bars and restaurants initially unpopular. Also, he said that this issue is similar like in 2003.

Reaction

            This is a very interesting and exciting article. I really enjoyed it while I was reading it because I am one of the fans of the fast-food. On the one hand, I am agree not to permit fast-food restaurants around school in Detroit. On the other hand, I am not very happy with it because some students do not have time to take s breakfast at home; as a result, they need restaurants to take it before class or after class. Moreover, the point that caught my attention was when I read that in Fordham Road for every step you walk you will see a fast-food restaurant. I say that this point caught my attention because even though I live nearly of Fordham Road I have never paid attention to this fact.

A Bicycle Country

This is a story about three Cubans set out on a push for America to find freedom from the persecution of their native land. One of them is a girl named Ines who helps an older man named Julio. Ines tries to convince Julio to help her with her plan to flee Cuba. Also, Julio is a broken man who finds a new life through the passion of Ines. Pepe who is a young man, full of life also helps Julio. However, they always have a challenge for the love between him and Ines. Julio and Ines they are kissing in a scene, meaning that they have a good relationship each other.  Later, when they try to escape Cuba, this romance becomes a focal point for conflict. Furthermore, Pepe suffers no internal conflict and he does not change as the play progress.

            The second part of this show is a little bit sadder than the first because Julio and Ines burying their romance in a landslide of boring lunatic soliloquies. Also, madness on the high seas has been done death.

            I know that it is a good story because this shows us what really happened with Cubans who tried to escape Cuba at that time. Also, this is happening today with some Cubans who want to come to United States or other countries for better life. For Example, I have a friend who was born in Cuba to a Cuban girl and a Dominican boy. He and his mother could enter to the Dominican Republic with the help of his father, but his father wanted his uncle to come with them and people of the immigration in Cuba did not want that his uncle went with them because it was forbidden that a Cuban went out of Cuba. Then, his uncle was planning to flee Cuba while my friend and his family were in the Dominican Republic. Later, his uncle could escape Cuba, but he said that it was very difficult to come to the Dominican Republic because he had to spend five days hiding in a boat without foods or water. Finally, I from the bottom of my heart suggest to you to see in any theater where they play this story to learn a little bit more about Cuba and Cubans.

The Crucible

“The Crucible” is a movie that was written by Arthur miller in 1952. This film is about the 1962 witch trails of Salem, Massachusetts. It is a real story. The movie in its first production was marked by malevolence. However, its new production succeeds and the movie becomes a classic. Today this film is studied in high schools and colleges. In the 1996 film “The Crucible,” Mr. Miller earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay based on previously produced material. “The Crucible” is also considered as one of the film of the modern era.

First of all, “The Crucible” begins with the discovery by someone that some girls were performing a strange dance in the woods. Later, the town sends for a Reverend to investigate it. Then, the witch trails begin, the girls lie and find a new power, accusing others of witchcraft. Witchcraft is a communication with the devil or with a familiar. In Addition, the girls continue lying and seeking revenge against some people who do not like the witches. Many residents including old and sick are found guilty of denial of witchcraft. Later they were sentenced to execution. Additionally, during the movie “The Crucible” everything is under control by the girls.

A young woman named Abigail who manipulates the other girls into not revealing what really happened in the forest that day. She is obsessed with John who tries to counter the girls by producing Mary, his servant. Mary admits that the girls lie, but all the girls accuse her witchcraft, and then Mary accuses John to save herself. Therefore, John is sentenced to death.

In conclusion, “The Crucible” is a good movie that makes us to think about witches and how intelligent they were. For example, in a part of the movie the witches accuse others who are normal, that they are the real witches. This film shows us the way that in the 1950s the people sentenced the witches. I sincerely say that movie can clarify something that you did not know about witches.

The Four Petition Against Slavery

First of all, according to the Merriam Webster’s college dictionary, a petition is an earnest request; a formal written request made to an official person or organized body (as a court.) I read the four petitions against slavery, but I found that the most effective and interesting was the second petition titled, “Peter Bestes and Other Slaves Petition for Freedom (April 20, 1773,)” I think that it is the most effective because there is a part where the author explains that the slaves “expect great things from men who have made such a noble stand against the designs of the fellow-men to enslave them.” Slaves wanted to be heard by the governor because they wanted to be free. I found this petition interesting because they say that “the divine spirit of freedom seems to fire every humane breast on this continent, except such as are bribed to assist in executing the execrable plan.” I think that slaves are right because people have rights to be free. I also say that an important point that they mention is; “even the Spaniards, who have not those sublime ideas of freedom that English men have are conscious that they have no right to all the service of their fellow-men, we mean the Africans, whom they have purchased with their money; therefore, they allow them one day in a week to work for themselves,” meaning that English men do not have the right to obligate slaves to do everything that English men need and slaves have to work by themselves.

Bibliography

Zinn, Howard. Voices of a People’s History of the United States. Seven Stories Press, 2004.

Paine’s Common Sense

A dictionary defines propaganda as a congregation of the Roman curia having jurisdiction over missionary territories and related institution. It also defines it, the spreading of ideas, information or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person. I think that propaganda is a public act, can be a massage or rumor for the plan to inform others. In addition, I know that propaganda can be an opinion or behavior of people to provide information. However, a propaganda which is used as a message of something in public that promotes a commercial or something else. For example, when you see a poster with a message that say, “George Bush as president vote Yes,” is considered as propaganda. Moreover, I think that Paine’s Common Sense is an example of propaganda or propagandistic because it challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy, and it spoke to the common people of America to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. Therefore, many people consider Paine’s Common Sense propagandistic.

Half a Revolution

According to the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary a Revolution is the action by a celestial body of going round in an orbit or elliptical course; also, apparent movement of such a body round the earth. For me, Revolution is a war for freedom or to be independent from others. The American Revolution was a war for independence from England. I think that the author of “Voices of a people’s history of the United States,” Howard Zinn used the title “Half a Revolution” in chapters five because he knew that main problems or causes of the American Revolution were taxation, mercantilism and many things else that England had against the 13 colonies. However, those problems continued as the same. I think that “Half a Revolution” is an appropriate title, but not enough because I would title it “Quarter a Revolution.” I say so because the 13 colonies only get their dependence within others problems why they fight against England.

Bibliography

The Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, tenth edition.

Zinn, Howard. Voices of a People’s History of the United States. Seven Stories Press, 2004.

The Two Accounts Written by De Las Casas

I think that one of the author important information is when he explains that the Indies were discovered in the year one thousand four hundred and ninety-two. In the following year a great many Spaniards went there with the intention of getting the land. That land was called Hispaniola, which was six hundred leagues in circumference. Around it in all directions are many other islands, some very big, others very small and all of them were, as we saw with our own eyes, densely populated with native people also called Indians.

 The author also says that Spaniards have behaved in no other way during the past forty years, down to the present time, for they are still acting like ravening beast, killing, terrorizing, afflicting, torturing, and destroying the native people. Then the author explains the reason why Spaniards were doing criminal acts to the native people. He says that their reason for killing and destroying such an infinite number of souls is that the Christians have an ultimate aim which is to acquire gold and to swell themselves with riches in a very brief time and thus rise to a high estate disproportionate to their merits. It should be kept in mind that their insatiable greed and ambition, the greatest ever seen in the world, is the cause of their villainies.

 An important part that the author explains about the native mistakes is that they regarded the Spaniards as angels from heavens. The Spaniards committed acts of force and violence and oppression which made the Indians realize that these men had not come from Heaven. From others islands the Spaniards perpetrated the same acts of aggression against the Indians. The author was in defense of the Indians where he talks about Sepulveda’s opinion which says, “That campaigns against the Indians are lawful.” This story has broadened my understanding a lit of bit more because I thought that only in the Hispaniola the Spaniards killed many Indians people, but they also killed Indians from others islands.

A History of Democracy and Freedom

Since the colonial period (1500-17750) including the early Republic (1775-1820,) until the antebellum period (1820-1860) are marked as a history of the democracy and freedom. All of these we can find in the book entitled, “Voices of the people’s history of the United States” by Howard Zinn. Also, this is a wonderful book because Mr.Zinn wrote it with a lot of details and explanations to make it even easier understand. However, there is some information that was not clearly to me and therefore I needed some one who could explain them in others words, just like my professor Bencivenni did for me. In this course students can learn much information about U.S history. Likewise, all of my classmates and I shared all of we know about U.S. history. Also, we have another concept of history since the origins until the civil war. I would like to mention what I learned in this course. In addition, I would like to apply my knowledge of the course material to analyze factual information and to offer in my own words my interpretation of U.S history from the beginning to the Civil War.

            The colonial period is a phase of democracy and freedom because it was a period when Christopher Columbus and others Spaniards went to America with the intention of settling the land were Indians lived. At the beginning Indians treated Spaniards as angels from Heaven. However, Spaniards treated Indians as dogs. For instance, Spaniards put Indians to work for them. Also, they committed other acts of force and violence and oppression which make the Indians realize that the Spaniards did not came from Heaven; as a result, Indians were fighting with the Spaniards to get freedom. Furthermore, a man named Bartolome De Las Casas struggled for many years to stop the cruelties of Spaniards committed to the Indians. Bartolome De Las Casas said that Indians were human beings and therefore we have to treat them as humans.

          Another stage of the colonial period was The Salem Witchcraft Trials. This stage was about a group of girls who were performing a strange dance in the woods. They were considered as witches. Then, they were accusing other residents that they were the real witches. Those residents were found guilty of denial of witchcraft. Later, they were sentenced to execution.

            The second period which many people call it a history of democracy and freedom, it is the early Republic. One of the most recognized stages of this period was the Declaration of independence written by Thomas Jefferson in 1775. At this time; the United States had thirteen colonies under control of England. Then, Thomas Jefferson and other men decided to be independent from England. Jefferson in his first draft of the Declaration of Independence wrote the famous line “All men are created equal.” He also said referring to democracy that we have to create a government which has to protect our rights. Otherwise, we have the right to change the system of that government. However, we should not change it for weak reasons.

         Another stage of the early Republic was the constitution of the United States. It was adopted in its original form on September 17, 1787 by the constitutional convention in Philadelphia. Nevertheless, it took effect on March 9, 1789. Moreover, the constitution of the UnitedState is one of the oldest constitutions still in use. Also, I know that the bill of rights were the ten amendment added to the constitution in 1791. People call the constitution a source of freedom and democracy because it gives rights to everyone since childhood until death. For example, the amendment XIII talks about the abolition which says that anyone can be punished for crime. Also, the amendment XIV talks about the Civil rights and the amendment XV says that everyone who is born in the United States is citizen and therefore he/she should vote.

         Third period which is often used to refer to the period of increasing sectionalism leading to the American civil war is called antebellum period. During this period we can find the annexation of Texas which in 1836 declared its independence from Mexico. Also, during this time the president of the United States was James Polk, a democrat and expansionist elected in 1844. His main objective as president was the acquisition of California which was part of Mexico. Moreover, John o’ Sullivan, editor of the democratic review used a phrase that would become famous, “Our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.” This line manifest destiny, which reflects the belief that Americans were divinely chosen to spread their values across the continent.

        In conclusion, from the colonial period to the antebellum, including the early Republic is what we call a history of democracy and freedom because people at that time did not know what the meaning of freedom or democracy was. However, they always were trying to get independence, just like Thomas Jefferson did making the Declaration of Independence. During this course I have learned many things about the history of the United States and others, thanks to my professor Bencivenni. I smartly like when Jefferson said that we have the right to change the system of our government if it does not protect our rights. Also, I know that these rights are liberty, equality and pursuit of happiness. One of my favorite to topics of this course was the annexation of Texas. Another was the Constitution of the United States. I also learned that the Bill of Rights were the ten amendments added to the Constitution. I suggest to you to take this course if you want to know about Americans history.

Thomas Jefferson’s Biography

1) First of all, Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia. Jefferson had the function of Statesman. Despite being a Statesman, he was a lawyer, philosopher, political writer, architect, archaeologist and paleontologist. 2) Also, Jefferson was a poor public speaker, generous, kind, hospitable, brilliant and sympathetic. He also had an emotional temperament and he was private. 3) Thomas Jefferson inherited from his father, a planter and inspector, some 5,000 acres of land and from his mother, a high social reputation. His father’s name was Peter Jefferson and his mother’s name was Jane Randolph. Thomas Jefferson was the third of ten children. His older sister helped him to learn to read. 4) In addition, he was the most extraordinary collector of talent and of human knowledge. Also, he studied Latin in Dover, Virginia; he studied Greek, History Literature, Geography and Natural Science. 5)  Thomas Jefferson studied at The College of William and Mary; he studied there from 1760 to 1762. 6) Each day Jefferson dedicated 15 hours, just to study. An important point to mention of Jefferson’s life is that William Small introduced Jefferson to the writing of the British empiricists.

            7) Furthermore, Thomas Jefferson built his own house on 5,000 acres of land, near Charlottesville, Virginia. He called it Monticello, which means little mountain. For Jefferson, his house was a place to meditate, find peace and spend time with his family. 8) Thomas Jefferson was a founding member of the Virginia Committee of Correspondence. Also, he made a summary view of the rights of British Americans. After he was voted into Virginia’s House of Burgesses in 1769; he had two issues. One of them was the Legislation of Slavery. 9) Additionally, Martha Wayles Skelton married Jefferson in 1772. The first fifteen months were the happiest days of their marriage and ten months after they got married. 10) Soon, his father-in-law died and he inherited from him 135 slaves. Therefore, he met Sally Hemings. 11) One of the most important phases of Jefferson’s life was that he wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. According to Jefferson, one of the reasons why he wanted independence from England was because all human beings have the right to be independent and equal. Also, those rights come from Nature’s God. 12) Moreover, in June 1775 Jefferson worked with John Adams who was a good friend and Benjamin Franklin at the Second Continental Congress. 13) In 1776, Jefferson was appointed to the Committee that would draft the Declaration of Independence. Additionally, Jefferson and John Adams were asked to author the document. Also, Adams and Jefferson had a lot of differences. In contrast, Jefferson was passive and conservative and Adams was frank and direct. 14)  The famous first line of the Declaration of Independence was, “All man are Created equal,” written by Thomas Jefferson.

            15) The war of Independence lasted 8 years (1775-1783.) 16) The toughest battle of Jefferson’s life was the separation of church from State in Virginia. 17) Later, his wife died and Jefferson was devastated and felt distressed by the death. Jefferson also promised his wife that he would never marry again. 18) He carefully planned the education and training of his daughters, Martha Maria and Lucy. Soon, after his wife’s death he spent 5 years in France. 19) Additionally, when he returned to the States; he was secretary of State because George Washington gave him that position. 20) Also, he was Vice President during John Adam’s presidency. 21) Then, in 1801 he was inaugurated the third president of the United States. 22) Likewise, Jefferson was founder of the University of Virginia. 23) Thomas Jefferson believed that critical to a democracy’s survival was that the government has to protect our rights and the people had to be educated as well.   24) A big issue that Jefferson and John Adams had was that they were political enemies. Therefore, they decided not to speak to each other for 12 years. Finally, on July 4, 1826 Thomas Jefferson died, just like John Adams. 25) On Jefferson’s tombstone it says: “Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Virginia for religious, freedom and father of the University of Virginia.”

The Wonderful Lousy Man

We always hear about many leaders who are the main characters of the past. In this case, the main character is Thomas Jefferson. Now that I have read various texts, including “Jefferson Is America and America Is Jefferson,” “The Sublime Oxymoron,” “The Argonauts of 1776,” “Flawed Founders” and “The Declaration of Independence,” I can say that Jefferson was a wonderful man, but at the same time he was a lousy man. Jefferson had a lot of contradictions in himself. However, these contradictions make us think and continue studying people from the past until now.

            First of all, Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia. His father’s name was Peter Jefferson and his mother was Jane Randolph. Thomas Jefferson always tried to be perfect and looked for perfection. He was a lawyer, philosopher, political writer, architect, archeologist and paleontologist. I think that he had a great love of learning; as a result, I can say that Thomas Jefferson was an educated person. Also, Thomas Jefferson built his house 8 times just changing it to make it better than before. For that reason, I believe that if all mankind were like Jefferson, this world would be better. In addition, Jefferson believed that the government must protect our rights. Otherwise, we have the right to change the system of this government and make it better. However, we can not change it for weak reasons, but for strong reasons. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. The famous phrase of the Declaration of Independence is, “All men are created equal,” in which the word “Men” leaves no doubt that Jefferson meant slaves.

            Furthermore, Thomas Jefferson had many contradictions in his life because he said something about liberty and rights and did something different with them. For example, in the essay “The Sublime Oxymoron” the author Charles Krauthammer talks about Jefferson’s contradictions and he used a phrase to refer to Jefferson’s main contradiction, which was “Prophet of freedom, owner of slaves.” We can not understand Thomas Jefferson very well because of his contradictions between his thoughts and actions. Moreover, Thomas Jefferson saw black people as inferior to white people. According to Jefferson, black people have the same capacity to memorize things as white people, but not to reason. Therefore, I believe that people of the present time are racists. Another aspect why we can not understand Jefferson is because he was racist, but he had a romance with Sally Hamings, a black woman, and probably they had children together. I really say that Jefferson is an amazing man because of his ideas about liberty, freedom and rights. Also, Jefferson knew how to live his life. Therefore, he always kept doing something and searching for things not to be in a world of ignorance.

            I see Thomas Jefferson as an excellent man who tried to reach something that is impossible to reach, just like us. Also, I like most of his ideas which make me think and try to figure them out. However, I do not like some of his ideas that I do not agree with. I really was surprised when I heard that Thomas Jefferson dedicated 15 hours studying each day. Consequently, I believed that Jefferson was an educated person. Additionally, I can not comprehend how someone can live so long with contradictions in his mind, just like Thomas Jefferson did. I from the bottom of my heart know that I cannot keep an idea and do something different so long. In contrast to me, Thomas Jefferson contradicted himself because if I have an idea to do something, I just do it. Likewise, Thomas Jefferson said that we have to change something not for weak reasons or for temporary reasons, just like I change some of my ideas that are not clear for others that are better. In addition, Thomas Jefferson was awful and at the same time intelligent to me because he used slaves to do all the chores in his house. On the one hand, he was intelligent because he took advantage of his slaves. On the other hand, he was awful because he had slaves and according to God human beings can not enslave other humans no matter what.

            In conclusion, Thomas Jefferson is a wonderful man, but at the same time he is lousy. I really liked the story of Jefferson’s life. Also, I could not understand how someone can live with an ironic idea. I suggest to you to read those essays if you want to understand just a bit about Thomas Jefferson. Of all I have read about Thomas Jefferson, I sincerely like just the phrase “All men are created equal.” Honestly, Thomas Jefferson did a good job writing the Declaration of Independence. Thanks to him, the United States could get independence from England. Also, I love when Jefferson said that if we want something that is our right; we must fight furiously to get it no matter who or what stands in our way. I openly agree with Jefferson when he said that if you want to end a relationship, you have to let others know why you are ending this relationship; you must give reasons why you want to be independent, just like he did to England. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson is someone who people must study him to comprehend his life and not to commit the same mistakes as he did in his life.

The Sublime Oxymoron

In the essay “The Sublime Oxymoron” the author Charles Krauthammer discusses Thomas Jefferson’s contradictions. Krauthammer says that Jefferson will always bother us because on the one hand, Jefferson wants everyone to be independent and equal. On the other hand, he does not respect himself because he has slaves. For Krauthammer, all of these miss the mark because no one can begin to understand a man one hundred percent. For example, we cannot understand Thomas Jefferson because he was extraordinary in his degree, continental and supremely American. In addition, the phrase that Mr. Krauthammer uses to refer to Jefferson’s contradiction is: “Prophet of freedom, owner of slaves.”

            Furthermore, Thomas Jefferson sees Native Americans as a difficult problem, but equal to white men. Moreover, in the essay the author uses a quotation that Honore de Balzac once wrote, “Behind every great fortune there is a crime,” meaning that if you want something that is your right to have it, you have to fight and be furious and take risks to get it. Also, the author gives us a specific example about Jefferson’s contradiction; he claims that Jefferson wanted to do the right thing to the Indians. Nevertheless, Jefferson upheld the white man needed to introduce fear in the Indians or the American experiment would fail. It means that American should have the power and principle. Additionally, Mr. Krauthammer says that Jefferson wrote the most beautiful expressions ever written by someone about human liberty. Additionally, the author says, in contrast to George Washington, father of the U.S.A, Thomas Jefferson will eternally be something to study and try to answer questions about Jefferson’s life. Finally, according to Krauthammer, Thomas Jefferson is someone who people have to understand because he always tried to reach perfection even though he never found it.

The Changing Focus of Public Education

In the article “The Changing Focus of Public Education” Steven Zaleski talks about schools and students. He declares that our society is in the center of a technology revolution which many people do not understand very well. On the one hand, Mr. Zaleski asks if teachers should be focused on results of required tests in the hope higher test scores will result. On the other hand, Mr. Zaleski asks if teachers must be focused on the students in the hope they can create a passion for knowledge and inspire students to become good learners during their lives. Furthermore, he says that in our society testing has become focused. For example, if you want to get a driver-permit, you have you take a test. If you want to graduate from high school, you must pass many tests. For a job you have to take a test. If you want to be part of the military, you first take a test, etc. The list is long, however the fact is clear.

            Mr. Zaleski says that according to the test-centered system, the truth is that if the learner knows the material, he or she will do well on the test. Nevertheless, in this test-centered system we have to ask if all the tests are given to students who have gotten enough sleep and enough to eat, etc. Mr. Zaleski adds that measurement and evolution are important tools to help students in their education. Moreover, an important point is that in changing the focus of education, schools and society have to emphasize three things first. One of them is, to emphasize learning, not a grade. Second, school and society have to permit learners to reach for their own personal best in education. Finally, fun needs to be reintroduced into classes because when students have fun learning, learning becomes something that will continue outside the classroom.

            Steven Zaleski said, “When education focuses on people, their needs, their strengths, their interests, a passion for learning and understanding should inspire individuals to be lifelong learners.” According to Mr. Zaleski if the purpose of education is based on high test scores, then we shall keep pushing ahead our current course. Nonetheless, if the purpose of education is acquiring knowledge and creating a passion for learning, then a drastic change is needed. Therefore, Mr. Zaleski said. “It is time to put the focus of education on the students.”

Schooling is not Education

In the essay “Schooling Is not Education” the author Mortimer J. Adler has made the conclusion that nobody can ever be educated in school or college. School and college are not doing the right thing to educate students. Moreover, it is impossible that a young man become educated because education comes later, usually so much later. However, an important thing that school should be doing is to prepare the young for continued learning in later life by giving them the skills of learning and the love of it. Finding an educated young person or of a wise young person, it is impossible. Furthermore, a phrase that is true says, “If you know that you are ignorant it is the beginning of wisdom.”
High school and college graduates do not know and can not understand why education comes later. In addition, only mature men and woman can become educated, starting the process on their 40’s and 50’s. Teachers are doing the wrong thing covering a lot of material to teach students. Reading and discussing are the key words to continue learning. Additionally, Mr. Adler says that an educated person is one who through the work and experience of his own life has acquired the basic ideas that make him representative of his culture.

Reaction

            The most interesting idea to me was that nobody can ever be educated in school or college. I think so, because schools are not doing what they should be doing. For example, school and college are forcing student to use a method that does not work for students. I sincerely say that school must give different methods to their students. For example, schools may teach students using interesting themes such as “What is happening today in our world?”  Students can choose a method that they want more and is easier for them. I agree with Mr. Adler when he says that it is impossible that a young man become educated because education comes later. I agree with him because an educated person is someone who experiences many different things about his life.

There is a phrase that Mr. Adler says is, “Awareness of ignorant is the beginning of wisdom.” I really like it because it is true, when you know that you do not know you start searching for information or something else that you need to learn. The thing that is very important to continue learning are reading and discussing, I believe so, because when you read and discuss with somebody who read that same book that can give you the ability to compare your ideas with others. I sincerely suggest that school and college must prepare students to continue learning in the future. Teachers can not cover material or force students to use a method of learning that students do not like because it may frustrate students to forget everything that they learned.

Jefferson, Real and Imagined (Summary)

In the essay “Jefferson, Real and Imagined” the author Pauline Maier uses quotation marks to refer to “Thomas Jefferson.” When she refers to “Thomas Jefferson;” she is trying to explain to us that Jefferson is a champion of American Liberty in all imaginable forms. However, at the same time he is hypocrite because he is the father of freedom and has slaves. Also, Ms. Maier points out that Thomas Jefferson has the fault of his own actions and what we are studying today about him. According to Ms. Maier, the Continental Congress were people who accepted the words of the Declaration of Independence and they inserted them. The author says that they are the work of “Thomas Jefferson.” In addition, Ms. Maier claims that “Our Declaration is not Jefferson’s, but Lincoln’s.” It means that Lincoln should receive more credit than Jefferson for the Declaration’s importance. Also, it is because of “The truncated assertion of equality and rights on the Jefferson memorial, which says nothing about the right of revolution.” Finally, Ms. Maier claims that we have to understand others’ ideas and accept them if those ideas are necessary. Also, people of this country have to study the past, especially so their today leaders do not commit the same mistakes of the past.

Reaction

            This essay is very interesting once you have read it. The point that caught my attention was that the author Pauline Maier put the name of Thomas Jefferson into quotation marks. I agree with her because I could not understand Jefferson at all. I say it because he said that all men are crated equal, but he had slaves. However, I saw Thomas Jefferson as a leader of America and like us because he always tried to reach something even though it was impossible to reach. Another important point that we have to accept was that Ms. Maier claimed that Lincoln should receive more credits than Jefferson for the Declaration. In conclusion, the most interesting point that Pauline Maier mentioned was that people of this country have to study the past not to make the same mistakes like they did and we have to accept others’ ideas if they are good.

Educating Rita

“Educating Rita” is a good film about a 26-year-old woman named Susan White, better known as Rita because her favorite book “Ruby Fruit Jungle” was written by Rita Mae Brown. “Educating Rita” is a 1983 film directed by Lewis Gilbert. The film won the 1983 BAFTA (BritishAcademy of Film and Television Arts) award for the best film. Rita goes to the university because she wants to discover herself. During the course of the movie she has to confront different obstacles which are a little hard. She has to undergo different changes during the course of the film. In the film Rita wants to sign up for a course at the Open University to take classes of literature with her tutor named Dr. Frank Bryant who has a drinking problem and does not  have experience to teach students.

Susan White is married and working as a hairdresser. Rita wants to join in a course at the Open University (OU) to learn about English Literature and to be educated even though she does not have much knowledge about it. She has a big problem with her husband Denny who urges her to have a baby as quickly as possible. However, she does not want to have a baby because she wants to find out what she can do first in her student life. Denny also opposes her decision to go to the university. In addition, Denny finds some pills that Rita is using to avoid getting pregnant. Therefore, he is very angry and burns some of the books that Rita is studying. Another problem that Rita has to experience is her tutor Frank Bryant because he is not able to teach students. He has a drinking problem. In the movie Frank is usually drunk. Even so, Rita wants to be educated by Frank.

An important aspect of the movie is when Frank wants to turn Rita into an educated member of society and he sees how quickly she learns. For that reason, Frank falls in love with his own creation. Later, Rita has to move to a room with Trish. She is Rita’s flatmate. Rita changes her job to work as a waitress. Later, Frank and Rita grow and learn from each other. Frank learns with the help of Rita that he is able to see the mess of his life. Julia, Frank’s girlfriend, is cheating with Brian, Frank’s colleague at the university. Frank recognizes it because they are always lying. For example, when Julia and Brian are kissing one night and Frank is entering the house Brian takes the telephone to talk. However, that morning Frank had disconnected it. At the end of the movie a wonderful thing happens. This is when Rita cuts Frank’s hair to allow him to see himself in a new way.

This film shows different issues which are happening today in our society. “Educating Rita” shows that if you want to be educated, you must experience changes in your life. Being educated does not mean just being intelligent or responsible. Being educated really means that you should change yourself in a positive way and be mature. This film can also teach that an educated person is someone who is independent and free in his/her life or his way to study. I sincerely say that “Educating Rita” has helped me to motivate myself to study what I want and is important to me even though I do not have much knowledge about it. The part that I did not like was when Denny burned Rita’s books because she does not want to have a baby. This scene represent that Denny is destroying Rita’s future and vocation.

In conclusion, “Educating Rita” is a good film. This movie explores many different issues related to class, education, students and professors. Rita gets what she wants to do at the Open University. There are a lot of problems that Rita has to confront. Rita changes her life with the help of Frank and vice versa. This film is very interesting and important because it helps you to understand what education means. This film has taught me that education is a process and that an educated person is someone who has changes in his life. Education makes us a better person in our culture and society. It also makes us intelligent, curious and less ignorant. This movie shows the relationship between Rita and Frank that is very interesting because in the beginning Frank does not want to teach Rita literature. However, at the end of the movie Frank teaches Rita literature and a lot of aspects that she needs as an educated person.

Intellectual

·        An educated person is some one who is intelligent.
·        An educated person is some one who has language skills, thinking skills and knowledge.
·        An educated person is some one who cans exchange ideas with others people.
·        An educated person is some one who has many ideas.
·        An educated person is some one who has knowledge in general.
·        An educated person is some one who is able to collaborate in society with revolutionary ideas.
·        An educated person is some one who is attentive to class.
·        An educated person is some one who can create new ways to educate him self and other.

Interested by the world


·        An educated person is some one who knows everything about what is happening around him or her.
·        An educated person is some one who thinks about her/his future.
·        An educated person is some one who prepares her/his future.

Important person


·        An educated person is some one who knows how make an interesting conversation.
·        An educated person is some one who is interesting
·        An educated person is some one who stands up when some body is greeting.
·        An educated person is some one who takes his or her hat off while a class is in progress.
·        An educated person is some one who respects others’ ideas, religion, race and culture.
·        An educated person is some one who has discreet language and good habits.
·        An educated person is some one who is punctual in class.
·        An educated person is some one who knows what respect means
·        An educated person is some one who greets all the time.
·        An educated person is some one who is patient with others.

Good qualities


·        An educated person is some one who drives conflicts and problems easier.
·        An educated person is some one who has a lot of worth.
·        An educated person is some one who is responsible.
·        An educated person is some one who solves difficult problems.
·        An educated person is some one who is organized.
·        An educated person is some one who can make good decision when problem appears.
·        An educated person is some one who solves problem without violence.
·         An educated person is some one who is polite.

Concept of Freedom

At the beginning of this semester, I thought that freedom was just to get out of prison. Also, I thought that only authority could give you your freedom. Nevertheless, thanks to several short stories and an essay that I have read. I have another concept of freedom. One of those short stories was “Eveline,” written by James Joyce. The other one was “Tosca,” written by Isabel Allende. In addition, the essay that helped me to understand better the concept of freedom was “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus I would like to mention some factors that limit and promote human freedom. I will also mention what is freedom.

               The Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines freedom as the quality or state of being free. There are many factors that restrict human freedom. Some factors are being afraid of taking risks, being afraid of the unknown and being afraid of making a new life. With those factors you show that you are shy. One of the most common factors that limit human freedom is ignorance or lack of self-knowledge because people make themselves prisoners, thinking that they know everything even when they do not know anything. Moreover, they have to accept that we all live in a world of relative ignorance. Additionally, Plato said, “We are even comfortable with that ignorance, because it is all we know.” For me, the most common factor is lack of self-esteem. When you do not trust yourself you want others to make choices for you. For example, in the short story “Eveline” the main character is Eveline, who at the end of the story is distressed because she does not know what to do at that moment, leaving with Frank toward a new life or staying in her old life, and therefore she prays to God to direct her, to show her what is her duty.

            However, there are many factors that promote human freedom. When you make your own decisions to satisfy yourself and not others is one of those factors. For example, in the short story “Tosca” the main character is Maurizia Rugieri. When she is a child she plays the piano very well, people love it and her father is proud of her. Nonetheless, she decides to not play the piano anymore and to be a singer. Another factor is to accept the consequences of our actions, mistakes and decisions. Also, being aware of our condition, situation and reality help us to be free. For example, in the essay “The Myth of Sisyphus” the main character is Sisyphus who is punished by the gods because he stole their secrets. His punishment is to push a rock toward the top of a mountain and then he goes back down to the bottom of the mountain to push it again and again. Nevertheless, according to the author Albert Camus, Sisyphus is free because he is conscious that he caused his own punishment and he has accepted the consequences.

            According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is someone who has a defect, the defect causes his destruction, but he is aware that he caused his own destruction. Therefore, I think that a tragic hero is someone who is free, because according to Mr. Camus, when someone is aware that he caused his own punishment or predicament, he becomes free. I did not have a clear concept of freedom before, but now I can say freedom comes when you do not make excuses or do not rationalize. Furthermore, I can say that to be free in our lives we have to confront problems that we have even though we cannot always resolve them. Moreover, Mr. Camus said, “The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart one must imagine Sisyphus happy,” meaning our jobs that every day we do are enough to keep us happy. I think that is freedom. Nonetheless, if you do not do anything in your life, if you always complain about your life, or you blame others for your situation and you run away from problems, you are a prisoner.

            In conclusion, thanks to those short stories and the essay I can say that I have another concept of freedom that I did not know before. Furthermore, to be free we must not be afraid of taking risks or making a new life. We have to accept our responsibility for our actions. Additionally, we have to confront problems. According to Mr. Camus, we have to be happy doing our job. Also, we have to push our rock toward the top of the mountain and then go back down to push it again, just like Sisyphus, and to be aware of our jobs that we do everyday to be happy and free. Moreover, we have to accept that we all live in a world of relative ignorance because it is all we know. Someone who is free can also be educated faster than a prisoner. However, when you are a prisoner you can be aware that you do not know enough and then you begin to look for knowledge.

Childhood and Experiences

When people are adults they think about their past, reflecting on many experiences that have helped them to become successful thanks to their childhood experiences. There is an essay titled “The Wonderful Lousy Poem” where the author gives us many ideas and details his experiences during his childhood.  Another essay is “Discovery of a Father” in which the author discovers his father when he is a child. Also, a film title “Cinema Paradiso” is quite helpful about childhood’s experiences. When you understand your childhood experiences, it helps you become successful later in your life.

            In the essay “The Wonderful Lousy Poem” Budd Schulberg talks about his experiences when he was a child. He wrote his first poem and showed it to his mother who was founder and prime mover in various intellectual projects, helping the Hollywood community to see something new. In addition, his mother said to him that the poem was wonderful and beautiful and she was proud of him. The little boy, nicknamed Buddy, was waiting for his father to show him the wonderful poem according to his mother. He made his poem even better and he put it right on his father’s plate on the dining room table.

            His mother and father were educated. Additionally, he hoped that his father would say the same thing as his mother had said. However, his father arrived at home; he was angry and walked back and forward, saying bad words at the same time. Then he read the poem and he said, “What is this?” He said that the poem was lousy. A few years later, Buddy had to agree with his father’s harsh judgment. Then he was 24 and wrote his first novel. At this time his editor was like his father and mother when he wrote his first time because his editor encouraged him and at the same time criticized him too. At the very end, Buddy said, “I try to follow my true course.”

            This essay is very important and interesting to me because the author gives many ideas and details about his experiences. Those experiences are related, just like some experiences that I have experienced them before. In addition, this essay shows us that to be successful in our life, we need someone who encourages us and at the same time we need someone who criticizes us because motivation can help you to stand up and do something with self-confidence. However, when someone criticizes you, you will not commit the same mistake again.

            In the essay “Discovery of a Father” the author Sherwood Anderson describes his childhood experiences and his father. He says that fathers want their sons to be what they feel they cannot themselves be and vice versa. He says that for every doctor, shoe-clerk in a small city, there is always a comedian or a clown, it is his father. On the one hand, many people think that his father is funny. On the other hand, he thinks that his father is terrible, ridiculous. Therefore, the little boy does not want his father. Additionally, many people love his father because he knows a lot of stories even though those stories are invented.

            One day his father arrives at home and says to the little boy that they have to go outside to swim in a pond. That day it is raining and there are flashes of lighting followed by thunder. His father says, “Take off your clothes.” Naked, they go to the pond. He and his father are swimming, his father takes him on his back and he holds onto his father’s shoulders. The little boy realizes that he father was sad and he paid attention to him. Therefore, the little boy also realizes that his father is a good person and he decides to have him in his whole life.

            This essay is a good story about father and son. This essay has taught me that sons want their fathers to do something that they cannot do and vice versa. Also, when fathers pay attention to their sons, then sons begin to love them and sons begin want their fathers as long as their lives.

            The film “Cinema Paradiso” won the special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best Foreign Film Academy Awards. “Cinema Paradiso” is set in an Italian village in the 1940s and 50s. The main characters are Salvatore, better known as Toto, and Alfredo, Toto’s father-like friend. They have a great relationship with each other. Their relationship is based on mutual love and fascination with films. In addition, Cinema Paradiso is a theater where many residents of the village go to see the movie. It also is the only entertainment in the village.

            Later, Alfredo gets blinded by an accident; as a result, Toto gains knowledge and becomes the official projectionist of the Cinema Paradiso. He has to remove all kissing scenes as Alfredo did. Soon after, Toto falls in love with a blue-eyed girl named Elena. Then Alfredo realizes that in order for Salvatore to grow, Salvatore have to leave the village. The last words that Alfredo Says to Toto is that Salvatore must not look back once he leaves Giancaldo. Alfredo dies and Toto returns to the village 30 years later. Furthermore, the residents decide to destroy Cinema Paradiso Theater. Moreover, at the end of the film, Alfredo left a video to Salvatore which has all the kissing scenes. I think that Toto learned from his relationship with Alfredo that we need someone who give us advice and at the same time show us what is bad and good to grew up.

            I sincerely say that this movie is one of the best films I have ever seen because it relates to me and many people. I say so because Toto has a friend who was like his father, and I also had one. When I was a child he gave me a lot of advice that helped me to grow up. This movie has taught me that when you are a child and you love your livelihood like Toto loves Cinema Paradiso, later on you become successful in business.

            Furthermore, these two essays and the movie have a lot of similarities and differences. For example, in the essay “The Wonderful Lousy Poem” the author referrers to his childhood just like in the essay “Discovery of a Father” and the movie “Cinema Paradiso.” Additionally, in each one the main characters realized that they needed someone who encourage them and at the same time criticize them. Moreover, they have a great relationship with their father, in the case of Toto with his father-like friend, which made them to be successful later in life.

            In contrast, in the essay “Discovery of a Father” the author did not have love to his father because of his father’s behavior. However, in the movie “Cinema Paradiso” Toto have a wonderful friendship with Alfredo and therefore Toto considered him as his father. Likewise, in the essay “The wonderful Lousy Poem” the author loved his father even though his father sometime had a strange behavior with him.
In conclusion, many people have a lot of experiences, especially during their childhood. When become to understand those experiences that can help you to be successful in your life. Also, being successful in you life you need someone who criticizes you and at the same time someone who motivates you. Writing this essay has helped me understanding even better my experiences. I suggested you to fallow some ideas you think that caught your attention. I also learn that in your childhood, you need love to grow up beneficially.

A Philosophy of Education

As many people do not have a clear meaning of education, I also did not understand what exactly is education or when a person becomes educated. However, I have read several essays about education which have helped me to understand a little bit better the meaning of education. One of them is “Schooling Is Not Education.” Other is “The Mind at Work.” And the last one is “Reading Requires More Than Words.” Those essays have a lot of ideas which are very interesting and important for people who want to become educated. In addition, during this semester I have seen different films about education and how a person becomes educated. I know that those films are very easy to understand. For example, in the movie “Dead Poets Society” Mr. Keating who is a professor says to his student that people when they are young think that they are invisible. Later on, they know how to become successful in their life. Education has a lot of purposes for a person. Having a great teacher is quite important for students who want to be educated.

            First of all, I think that one of the purposes of education is to turn a person to become educated, permitting him to see the world differently than he saw it before. I have read different types of essays related to education. One of them is “Schooling Is Not Education” in which the author Mortimer J. Adler says, “Awareness of ignorance is the beginning of wisdom,” meaning that when you become conscious that you do not know enough about your culture or that of others, you start searching for information or something else that you need to learn. Therefore, I say that learning is one of the purposes of education. Making the purposes of education real and powerful, first you must prepare yourself to continue learning during your life. I saw a movie titled “Educating Rita.” From this movie I learned that one of the important purposes of education is to make a person less ignorant than he was before. For example, in one scene of the movie Frank, Rita’s teacher, tells Rita that no matter how many books she has read, the problem is that she does not know anything about literature, meaning that even if you have read many books about any topic, this is not enough to say that you know all about that topic.  Another way to make the purpose of education a powerful reality is reading and discussing, because when you read something and discuss it with someone, you can learn and understand better. All of this happens with the help of a great teacher.

            I think that education comes faster with the help of a great teacher. A great teacher is someone who gives students the love of learning. Furthermore, a great teacher lets students know that they are ignorant, and as a result, students begin to study more and more to become wise. I have seen many movies related to great teachers. Four of them are “Educating Rita,” “The Ron Clark Story,” “Dead Poets Society” and “Stand and Deliver.” In these four movies I saw that teachers let students know that they must sacrifice themselves to become successful in their lives. Another quite important aspect that I saw in common in those teachers is that they introduce fun to the learning process because when students have fun learning, learning becomes something that continues outside the classroom. For example, in the movie “The Ron Clark Story,” Mr. Clark who is a teacher of a group of young students, he also plays with them. He makes a rap song mentioning all presidents of the United States to let students have fun in class. I think that it is a good method for students because students feel surprised to see something new that they have never seen before and they like it. An example of a great teacher is Lewis Levine who is my teacher at the college. I just met him and in the short time of the semester he has let me know that I am so ignorant of the world. Professor Levine has given me the love of learning and has introduced fun to my learning process. Therefore, I continue learning outside the classroom.

            At the beginning of the semester, I knew that an educated person is someone who is intelligent. He has many ideas. He also knows how to make an interesting conversation. In addition, he stands up when somebody is greeting him. Nevertheless, during this semester, I learned that those qualities are not enough for an educated person. I also learned that an educated person is someone who changes his/her life in a positive way and is independent in the process of learning. Likewise, when you see the world in a different way, different than you saw it before, you begin to become educated. The author of the essay “Schooling Is Not Education,” Mortimer J. Adler, says that a young man can not be educated because education comes later, usually much later. I agree with him because a young man does not experience many things during his youth. He also says that if you want to be educated, you should have the skills of learning and the love of it. For example, I am a young student and I have not experienced many things during my youth. Therefore, I consider myself immature. Mr. Adler also says that only a mature man or woman can be educated.

            In conclusion, education is quite important for a person who wants to become educated. The keys of learning are reading and discussing. I sincerely say that at the beginning of this semester I did not understand exactly what education means. Nonetheless, now I have a better definition of what education is. Education has a lot of purposes which are very important if you want to become educated. Those purposes can become reality with the help of a great teacher. I know that a great teacher is someone who gives student the love of learning and lets him know that he is ignorant.  In addition, I feel very happy and lucky to have a professor like Lewis Levine because he has given me the love of learning and has let me know that I am ignorant. I suggest to Professor that keep up his qualities as a professor. I liked those films that I saw because they have changed my ideas of education. Additionally, those essays that I read are very informative about education. I sincerely say that all ideas in this essay are very interesting for people who want to be educated.

Teaching and Learning: A Comparison of John Keating and Jaime Escalante

First ofall, John Keating is an English teacher of the movie “Dead Poets Society” who inspires his students to overcome their reluctance to make change in their lives and stairs up their interest in poetry and literature. It is the same thing that Jaime Escalante a math teacher of the movie “Stand and Deliver” makes. However, he is teaching calculus program rivaled by only handful of exclusive academies. One of the methods of Mr. Keating is doing things that students feel open. For example, in a part of the movie Mr. Keating takes a book and finds the idea of such mathematical literary criticism ridiculous. Therefore, he suggests his students to rip the introductory essay out of the text books. In addition, Mr. Escalante is very interesting and makes students think. For example, in a part of the movie he says to his students that repeat, “A negative times a negative equals a positive” then he asks, “Why.”
            From the beginning to the end of the movie, Mr. Keating has a good relationship with his students because they always have a good behavior. However, Mr. Escalante just at the end has a good relationship with his students. As many teachers have problems with their students’ families, Mr. Escalante has a problem with one of his students’ father who does not want that his daughter studies any more in the school. Additionally, Mr. Keating has almost the same problem with a father who does not want that his son wastes his time learning English Literature. A big problem that they have in common is that the other teachers in the school do not want the way how they teach. I think that an ideal teacher must give to the students the skills of learning and the love of it.

A Comparison between “Jefferson Is America and America Is Jefferson” and “The Sublime Oxymoron”

First of all, these essays have a lot of differences and similarities. One of the similarities between them is that in the essay “The Sublime Oxymoron” the author Charles Krauthammer talks about Jefferson’s contradictions the same as in “Jefferson Is America and America Is Jefferson” where the author David K. Shipler says that Jefferson represents the biggest contradiction in America. On the one hand, Mr. Krauthammer says that Jefferson wanted independence and equality. On the other hand, Mr. Shipler claims that Jefferson would not give slaves the same equal opportunity. Whereas Shipler writes that Jefferson wrote in his draft of the Declaration of Independence, “All man are created equal,” which the word “Men” leaves no doubt that Jefferson meant slaves, Mr. Krauthammer points out that nobody can understand the contradiction between Jefferson’s thoughts and his actions.

            In contrast, Mr. Krauthammer believes that Jefferson sees Native Americans as a difficult problem, but equal to white people, and Mr. Shipler explains that for Jefferson the black color was less attractive than white and that black people did not smell good. However, Jefferson believed black people were brave and adventuresome. Jefferson also thought that black people had the same capacity to memorize things like white people did, but not to reason. Another important point to mention is that according to Mr. Krauthammer, Jefferson wanted to do the right thing to the Indians. Also, Jefferson knew that white men needed to introduce fear in the Indians or the American experiment would fail. On the one hand, Mr. Shipler says that Jefferson is like us because of belief in human equality as well as his stereotypes and racism. On the other hand, Mr. Krauthammer asserts that Jefferson is not like us because he wrote the most beautiful expressions ever written by someone about human liberty. However, he says Jefferson is like us because he was a man that always was looking for the perfection even though he

Who Are We and Where Do We Come From

There are many scientists who explain the theory of the Big Bang and the theory of evolution. They know what happened from 15 billion years ago until now. Those theories have influenced my religious beliefs. I would like to explain what the stories of the Big Bang and Evolution theories are. I would also like to give my opinion about the Big Bang and Evolution theories.

Scientists know that the Big Bang happened 15 billion years ago with an explosion of an infinitely hot, infinitely dense mass which contained all the matter in the universe. This mass is considered smaller than a marble. After the first three minutes of the explosion the temperature started to get lower, producing water. The universe was like a plasma soup. Scientists also know that thirteen billion years ago the force of gravity had started forming galaxies and clouds of dust started forming, stars, sun, the solar system and finally the earth.
According to the theory of the Big Bang, five billion years ago the Milky Way was already formed by a Super Nova explosion sending iron, carbon and oxygen into space. The basic ingredients of life which are carbon, water and energy, appeared through sun light that produced bacteria and algae. According to scientists, the beginning of the evolution of plants and animals which are bacteria, algae, fish, amphibians, reptile, birds and mammal was produced by a Blue Green bacteria that had oxygenated the earth’s atmosphere.

After all of this, the human branch diverged from monkeys four million years ago. The theory of evolution says that human beings are the result of an evolutionary process that began 4 million years ago with monkeys. The first branch that emerged from the monkey was the orangutan, then the gorilla followed by the chimpanzee. Additionally, Homo Sapiens appeared.

According to scientists, the first important species of the human branch was Australopithecus Afarensis. An example from this species is the fossil named Lucy. Another one is named Salem. Then, appeared Australopithecus Africanus. Raymond Dart found in 1924 the skull of an African child that was 3 million-year-old. Later on, appeared Homo erectus, who lived 2 million years ago. According to scientists, they had tools; they were the first to invent fire and the first to leave Africa. 1.5 million years ago appeared pre-Homo Sapiens followed by Homo Sapiens 1 million years ago. The last one was Homo Sapiens Sapiens. Neanderthals lived 50,000 years ago. A woman from Africa is considered the mother of modern humans and she is supposed to have lived 200,000 years ago.

In conclusion, the theory of the Big Bang and the theory of Evolution are very important sources to understand who we are or where we come from. Since I was a child, I just learned about the Bible and about God. However, now I can understand better the Big Bang and Evolution theories. I have concluded that those theories are better to answer many questions that human beings always ask than Genesis because scientists have a lot of evidence to prove that those theories are true. I like those theories more even though I still believe in the Bible.