Overall, a very hands on English class, it isn’t hard but it isn’t easy as well. Half of the job in any situation is to show up, so it that case show up to class and participate. Effort is going to be needed if you go through the motions the class will eat you alive. The workload is manageable make sure you work continuously throughout the semester, because if you wait to the last minute you won’t be able to do your best work. Now, that you have my words of wisdom make em count.
-Justin Thomas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2g0Pk3gBzI Success How Bad Do You Want It? This by far my favorite video that I watch/listen to when I’m working out and running. I’m driven to be the best at any and everything I do in and or outside of school. There have been times when I felt like giving up or not giving my all, but whenever I have this video playing it keeps me hungry to keep on fighting to pull out that extra mile. I personally think everyone should watch this video, its something that will keep you motivated to achieve what you set out to accomplish. My favorite quote of the video “Your already in pain why not get a reward for it?”
The Week’s Editorial Staff, “The death penalty in decline”, Yahoo News. 21. Oct. 2011. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <http://news.yahoo.com/death-penalty-decline-115800988.html>.
Summarize:
This article talks about the the decreasing of capital punishment throughout the world. Last year, 91 countries that were booked to carry out executions with only 23 being carried out. Even though the U.S. executed the most people so far this year of 36 people, the support throughout the country is dwindling. A Gallup poll was recently taken showing that U.S.’s approval rate has dropped 19 percentage points over a 17 year span to where it now is at 61%. Now, there still are some supporters of capital punishment even though they are dropping, “Someone who murders another human being can only be made to pay for his actions by forfeiting his own life,” says death-penalty advocate Casey Carmical. What has played a big role in the decreasing support is that, 138 people on death row have been exonerated since 1973, and four convicts three in Texas and one in Missouri have had their innocence proven only after they were put to death. Why kill a man if there’s a chance he is innocent? That is something I just don’t understand.
Analysis/Evaluation:
This is a valuable source in my opinion, because it has facts supporting each statement that’s made. What i also found is that it’s not bias, the article presents both sides of the argument with statement’s from pro capital punishment supporters to the non supporters. I also found some compelling numbers which is always strong when presenting your research. With that being said, I will be keeping this source along with adding others.
Reflection:
This was my first source that I found and it happened to be an amazing one in my opinion. The numbers presented and the arguments from both sides of the fence are very helpful, because you aren’t just getting one point of view. The fact that it gives you numbers from 20 to 30 years ago gives you a sense of how people’s mindset changed from being all for it to wanting to have it abolished. Hopefully, the rest of my sources will be this useful as this one is.
Capital Punishment
What is capital punishment?
What are the reasons why people support capital punishment?
What are the reasons why people are against capital punishment?
How many people have been killed by capital punishment?
Is it ethical or unethical?
What does capital punishment accomplish?
What are the contradictions?
What are the costs for capital punishment?
The past present and future of capital punishment?
1st source Capital Punishment by Paul G. Connors, book editor Detroit: Greenhaven Press, c2007
2nd source Capital Punishment by Mary E. Williams, book editor Detroit : Greenhaven Press, c2005
3rd source The contradictions of American capital punishment / Franklin E. Zimring New York : Oxford University Press, 2003
4th source America’s experiment with capital punishment: reflections on the past, present, and future of the ultimate penal sanction / edited by James R. Acker, Robert M. Bohm, Charles S. Lanier Durham, N.C. : Carolina Academic Press, c2003
I’ve been doing some research on one of my questions for my proposal. In Los Angeles County High Schools have drop outs rates of 20% or higher which isn’t good at all. Statewide, the study found nearly three out of four students graduated and 18.2 percent dropped out. But what I wasnt too happy to find out was that there is still a significant gap that persists between Hispanic and African American students and their peers, with 67.7 % of Hispanic students making it to graduation and 59 percent of African Americans earning a high school diploma. Hopefully change is on the way, if not I’m going to die striving for it.
What picks my brain is what the African-American social status is? … Something I can’t answer at this very moment. My friends have always told me that they can see me as a future activist with the likes of Al Sharpton and Reverend Jesse Jackson, because I can so much about my community. Is that my goal in life no so much, but if it was to happen I know for a fact id do a better job than Sharpton and Jackson. What is my main concern is the progression of my people in better the society in which we live in. All I continue to hear is negativity about African-Americans whether it’s from my peers or the mass media. Complaining and arguing isn’t going to help, they only way this can change is if people realize how important life is, the value of education, and your voice does count despite of what other say. I’ve been doing some research of my own and what I found out wasn’t what I was looking for. The dropout rate of African-Americans in high school is high, along with that the teenage pregnancy right is also high; and then to make things worst were filling up the prisons all across the country. Through this research process hopefully I’ll be able to find out why these rates are so high so, I’ll be able to put add some solutions to fix these problems.
Does it encourage you to see that “everyday folks” JUST LIKE YOU *are* doing something about the problems we’ve been discussing?
YES IT DOES, many teenagers or young adults believe that they can’t make a difference which is not trouble at all. That’s why the 90’s generation does believe in voting because they feel their vote doesn’t mean anything. I don’t know where this arose from because, the only motive that keeps me going is that I know I can make a difference and I will. How do you feel ?
So far, I dont have an interview set in stone just yet. I’ve been talking to professors on campus, but none of them live in the three counties assigned for this project. I’m still looking an havent gotten down on myself, I’m pretty sure I’ll find someone that meets the criteria for this project sooner than later. I’m not worried because I know I’ll have something to turn in on 9/20.
I did some research on Scotland County since my options of interviewees are from Laurinburg. I wasn’t shocked to find out that Scotland is a small county with a population in the 40,000 range. The average household income is around 31,000 dollars I figured it would be in that area seeing it is a rural county. Scotland does have a health clinic along with one hospital which is also what I expected. What I didnt know, was that the county is divided up into four townships: Laurel Hill, Spring Hill, Stewartsville, and Davidson.
After, reading the two articles I was left speechless. To know that American participated in these experiments left me even more upset. Two words came to mind “clearly unethical” is really all you can say if someone were to ask for a brief conclusion. Me being an African-American I was very upset to hear about the Syphilis experiment done in Tuskegee, it was sickening to read about. I am pleased to know that experiments of that nature won’t happen again, at least I hope.
mythoughtsgoneviral 