Blogger Entry #1

“Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover”

By: Alexis Rodriguez

                        Every time you’re outside your house, you see homeless people all the time. Whether you’re going to the corner store or to grab a bite to eat in the nearest restaurant. They are always there to ask for money and sometimes you give them a couple dollars or so, sometimes you don’t have anything to give because you only have enough money for the things you are going to buy and you feel bad. Unfortunately, not John. Last week I saw a homeless man on his wheelchair. He was on his chair on the sidewalk just relaxing. He wasn’t your typical homeless man with a bad odor or long hair and dirty clothes with a shopping cart. This homeless man had a nice pair of converse, a nice shirt and a clean pair of pants and a decent haircut. I did see a lighter around his neck so I assumed he was homeless because he probably made bad decisions with drugs and maybe got kicked out of his house. When I approached the man I expected him to ask me for some change, like every other homeless person does. Instead, he introduced himself and said his name was John and next thing you know we started talking about each other's lives. He asked me some questions and so did I. I asked him to tell me more about himself, so I can get an idea of how he is and the things he used to do before he was homeless. He said that he was a civil war veteran and is a father. I was shocked at the fact that a civil war veteran was homeless. He started telling me more and how he had a brother and how close they were. I asked John where his brother was and he said that he passed away and died in battle. So turns out that John’s brother was a veteran as well. It was very sad how he fought for our country and put his life on the line and people who don’t know that just think he is you’re typical homeless man who made bad decisions and don’t treat him with respect. Not every homeless man is a drug addict or an alcoholic. Maybe, they don’t want money; they probably just want to have a nice conversation like our friend John. So next time you see a homeless man who seems to have completely nothing, have a conversation with him lunch. You’ll be surprised at what you find out. Remember, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

blogger #3

through the glasses is what white people envision what black people are seen as tattooed up doing illegal stuff which makes them afraid of black people but through the cracks of the glasses there is a different black person being portrayed. One instead of holding a gun he is holding a phone wearing a necklaces that hold a cross with a bottle of soda in his hand. What it seems like is that whenever an innocent young male of color is killed this is how they are seen as and are not given a fair chance at life. This picture shows how not just white people see blacks but if we flipped the script how blacks would see whites. As kids we were taught that police were to protect and to serve you but now whenever I see a cop my first instance is hope they ask question first and shoot later not the other way around if the system gave people of color a fair chance at life I'm sure their would be a better chance at racism disappearing.   

Blogger #5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIPURPnqaAY

[Verse 1: Jussie Smollett:] People been talking about it we won't just stand here in silence can't stop the fire from rising from rising Ooh Ooh (Racism has become a topic that is spiraling put of control and it seems there is no stopping it)

[Verse 2: Alicia Keys] People don't you be afraid so many innocent's slain this is an era for change change (Innocents are dying but do not fear because change is on its way)

[Verse 1: Jussie Smollett] And Malcolm's probably turning in his grave, aye, ave, ave (Malcolm X is upset because he fought for equal rights and that’s not happening)

[Verse 2: Alicia Keys] Every shade was beautifully made (Every skin color is beautiful)

[Chorus: Alicia Keys & Jussie Smollett] And Powerful, There's so much strength in you and me, Powerful, A breathe away from victory, I matter You matter We matter, All. (2x) Powerful. (2x) (We as people are so powerful not just one person matters we all matter and can make a difference)

[Verse 3: Alicia Keys] I see a colorful future Where skin don't define any human And stars are the only thing shooting Shooting Ooh. Ooh (There is a future ahead of us where innocents aren't slain and we are  treated as equals)[Verse 4: Jussie Smollett] Mothers that bury their child How can we sit there and hide Change comes when all take a stand now Stand up Stand up (In todays world many parents are burring their children due to violence and racism people are not doing anything about it we must stand up and take action or it will not change) 

[Verse 5: Jussie Smollett] Martin's speech still echoes in my brain. aye, ain, ain (He can hear Martin Luther King Jr’s speech in his head hoping whites and black’s will one day come together)

[Verse 6: Alicia Keys] Every shade was beautifully made (Every skin color is beautiful)

[Chorus: Alicia Keys & Jussie Smollett ]And Powerful There's so much strength in you and me Powerful A breathe away from victory I matter You matter We matter, All. (2x)Powerful. (2x) Oh  Oh, Oh  Oh, Oh .Oh.(3x)

[Verse 7: Jussie Smollett] Powerful

[Verse 8: Alicia Keys] There's so much strength in you and me Powerful A breathe away from victory (We are so powerful)

[Chorus: Alicia Keys & Jussie Smollett] I matter You matter We matter, All. (2x) (We all mean something)

Powerful. (2x)

Blogger #6

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B4z5p4qpI79WdHdCeXBtR1hHdWs

blogger 6

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B41_eiGiem_ybFBzT0pLeDEtcE0/view?usp=sharing

blogger 3

Christian Quintero

English A, 8am-10am

Ms. Amanda Reyes

17 October 2015

Connections Essay

The topic I decided to choose for my Multi-Genre Portfolio project was racism. Racism is still very alive in the United States and around the world. People suffer every day from being harassed, bullied, mistreated, and violated based on the belief that one race is superior to another. There are thousands of cases of men and women who are mistreated because their race or what they look like. I had read an article of these three male athletes who were arrested for disorderly conduct when they were simply waiting for a ride from their coach and nothing more. They were told they looked “suspicious” and “Out of place” but the reality of the situation was that they were judged and stereotyped to three black males that were up to no good. This story caught my attention because it is similar to what has happened to some of my teammates that I have grown up with. The two stories were very interesting because they contained the same situation, different state, different city, but the same race. Racism is threatening the lives of innocent people.

“Structural violence is one way of describing social arrangements that put individuals and populations in harm’s way” (Dr. Paul Farmer). Structural violence is an example that ties into race in the way that people are put in unfair situations that can involve police, society, employers, and even our hospitals. It isn’t fair that some are not given opportunities to succeed based on their appearance. It is also unfair that opportunities are taken away. For example, a negative perspective toward a group of people can threaten an entire race’s community. How is one supposed to succeed when their opportunity is being limited as soon as they step out their front door? Another article that was written had stated that structural violence may lead to death. That twenty years of study show that any person of color is less likely to receive treatment before anybody else (Paul Kivel). That race definitely plays a major role in our daily lives.

To help prove my points and help bring light to these issues I have included a police report, an interview, and a proposal in my portfolio. The police report was made from a template and a simply input the information that I took from some very common race involved cases. My interview was a real conversation I had with a friend of mine on Friday October 16th, 2015. I thought it was a perfect example and I just put our conversation in the format of an interview. Lastly, I used my proposal essay as one of my genres to show what can be done to help instead of another case or video regarding the same material of people being mistreated because of their color. I feel like my portfolio does a good job on showing the relationship between racism and structural violence in the way that I gave examples of articles I personally read and I gave real stories to show the points I was making. It definitely makes connections through the given examples throughout the portfolio.    

blogger 4

Racism Proposal

Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. This belief and mind set is something that should be taken a little more seriously not only in America but around the world. Racism will take place through our sports, our police departments, and even our schools. There is no right or reason that gives someone the power to be cruel due to the thought of “superiority”. Given the money, I would aim to help this cause in a way that would bring more awareness through concerts, sporting events, and speeches. Also a campaign would be started similar to FIFA’s “Say No to Racism” campaign. This campaign would play its part through sporting events. Every sport nationwide would say no to racism and when people see their idols say no to racism they will too. Also this money would pay for charity events to further help the cause. The money would also help to spread awareness through the many issues that our police forces are racially profiling and harassing people just because of the their clothing and color of their skin. It would help bring out the silenced voices of people who have suffered for simply just being who they are and nothing else. If we get enough people to stand up and speak out the cause will grow and hopefully one day racism would not be an issue in our country and around the world.

Blogger #5

2pac- Dear Mama

(Verse 1)
    Even thought the crack fiend, mama you always was a black queen, mama I finally understand for a woman it ain't easy trying to raise a man. You always was committed. A poor single mother on welfare tell me how you did it? There's no way I could pay you back, but the plan to show you that I understand, you are appreciated, basically what the verse is saying that his mother was on drugs, but tupac she still was his queen and no matter what struggles they went through like being on welfare etc. She always had food on the table for him, and he appreciates her, for all she's done for him.

(Hook)
    Lady don'tcha  know we love ya? Sweet lady place no one above ya. Sweet lady, don'tcha we love ya? Basically this hook is trying to say is that this person which Tupac's mother, he's telling her that him and his sister love her very much and that no one would be placed above her because she is special to them.
(Verse2)
    Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair no love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there. He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger, wouldn't let me feel for a stranger. They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along I was looking for a father he was gone. Now this was Tupac's deepest verses talking about how his father wasn't there to love him like he should, he resented him and when Tupac's father died, he had no emotions he didn't know who he was, basically he was a stranger to him.

Blogger #1

Christian Quintero
Professor Reyes
English A
1 November 2015

Homelessness Article

Homelessness in California has been a growing issue in the United States. So much in fact that the state of California is now in a “State of Emergency” due to the issue of the homeless population in our California cities. The time to help these people is now. Every day we see an individual that is homeless but are afraid to reach out or afraid to approach because of some of the stereotypes that society has placed on the homeless. Some of the stereotypes include that they are alcoholics, criminals, drug abusers, or they are mentally ill. All of these are stereotype threats towards the homeless in the way that they falsely label all of the homeless to be one or more than one of those stereotypes. It creates an unknown fear towards them for the reason that society has made them out to be a certain way. They are people just like you and I but how many times do we walk past a homeless person and not even acknowledge them. Does anybody really deserve to be treated that way?
According to a 2011 count, the homeless population in just the city of Los Angeles was an estimated 26,000. That includes men, woman, teens, senior citizens, veterans, and even some children. Only about two thirds are actually sheltered. That leaves about another 8,000 people that do not have a home and are barely getting enough in life to get by. The city of Los Angeles has declared its state of emergency. Since 2013 the homeless population has grown 12% and seems to not be slowing down anytime soon. Local Los Angeles leaders have committed to contribute $100 Million to shelter and give other basic needs of living to the homeless (Stewart, LA Times). It’s good to see that people are taking action to help the issue instead of going around it and coming up with a way to get rid of them.
In my opinion, I feel that this type of action should have happened sooner when the population of the homeless was not so large. Now that it is at its worst the city of Los Angeles has decided to help minimize the issue. It is ridiculous that roughly 26,000 people are on the streets. They aren’t all criminals or bad people with a bad habit either. The way I look at it is that they have had an unfortunate amount of luck that put them where they are in life. For example, I was grocery shopping with my mother when I was about 14 and we saw this homeless man outside a supermarket. We had decided to help and we bought him some food, water, deodorant, and shampoo. He was so thankful and told us he had been outside the store the whole day and only received about 4 dollars in change. He mentioned he was not asking much but that there was a few generous people helped him out but by far the best thing was the food and supplies we gave him. We talked for a bit and he told my mother he worked for a small insurance company that had went under and as time went on he slowly lost everything. This man wasn’t an alcoholic or a druggy or mentally ill. He was just unlucky in his life. This goes to show that my first thoughts of this intimidating man were completely wrong. He was actually a kind hearted and humble person trying to get by. I have to think that there a lot of stories are just like his and should be considered when seeing a homeless person because the majority of them are not what they are made out to be.

Blogger #2

Brittany Garcia 

Professor Reyes

My first impression of both Jamilla Lyiscott and Anzulda , is that both describe how languages depending on home school friends have rules . When and where they can use those languages. Jamilla says she uses the language because her's was stolen and raped and is why her English is broken . Anzulda talks about a how she is punished for speaking in her native tongue , how she was punshied for trying to tell the teacher how to correctly say her name . Both talk about trying to overcome being able to talk more then one language and being judged for it depending where they are. How they have to conform to where they are to blend in and not make a big scene , now I see how it is to have a different identity among others . The way I have always seen it people are all different , if we all are different why do we have to talks to the same ?

blogger 5

RUNAWAY LOVE  BY LUDACRIS FT. MARY J BLIGE
the genre is :conscious hip hop/R&B


the song is about three young girls that are preadolescents who are going through some though times, and the only solutions for them is to runaway. each three girls have different scenarios, common problems that most of the teens goes through in life.  instead of seeking for help they rather runaway , becoming homeless, and even worst they can end up dead. He is pretty much telling us some of the scenarios teens goes through, and the consequences in which they can result in. instead of dealing with the problems at home , having to be abuse by the people around you, and not being able to no one  because they wont belive you, most people would rather run away, runaway from there problems.

he is discussing my issue because all these three girls were being abuse by someone in there home, and where scared of telling someone, and when they told someone they where being ignores.  when they found the bruises on the girl, they would make up excuses to cover their abuser. many time when someone is being abuse, they sometime give up and just runaway, Ludacris feels like them sometimes, in which he can just leave everything and just runway.


Ludacris is a musician which is best known for hip hop and R&B, and for someone to do a song that discusses a big issue featuring mary j bligde, another artist in which can make something noticeable  like they do. they where giving awareness on some of the abuses girls go through, and how some of the girls end up being runaways. .

runaway love is a well known song who was wriiten by several people like, Ludacris, polow da Don, keri hillson, slick rick, and Doug E. Fresh, there are several people that help produce this song. the song was also converted into a music video , which had a a lot of detail, and it went well with the lyrics, and it showed a lot about my social issue.

bloger enrty 4

 my social issue is child abuse, and I believe  half of the money should be donated to this social issue, because for one reason our children are our future. the children don't have a voice to speak up for them. there are thousands of children allover the world being abuse, and little is being done about it. the money should be donated to the foster shelter, and the organizations that help the children who were and are victims of these types of abuse. the money should be use to bring awareness of all types of abuse, the symptoms, and the help they can provide. they should bring awareness on how people who speak up if they see a child being abuse, can save the child life. I believe the money should go this social issue, but as well as other social issue, that as well need to be   heard of, and need as much help possible like child abuse

   Monday, December 7, 2015

Blogger #2




We all have different languages that we speak,  so many different cultures in the United States. Like Mexican, Indian, Chinese all different types of people etc. Some of us might use a lot of slang when we speak our languages, and some might speak with no slang at all. It all comes with the culture and different parts of cities that you are from, in the country you were born in. Having a different language to speak is always useful, especially when your talking about something that you don't want someone to understand. Those are things that people have to deal with on a daily basis listening to different languages spoken.

blogger entry 2

we all have different language, mainly according to where you where born and raise.in my opinion , I believe we all have our own language with its own definition. There are many words that have different meaning to different cultures. it can mean something positive to a culture while it means negative toward another culture. every culture has a unique language, which distinguishes them for example with Anzaluda, she had over heard some Cuban females using a figure a speech that they use, but with an opposite meaning. also just because they all speak Spanish doesn't mean they are all from the same background. they have different type of Spanish and its all according the where you are born, and how you are raised. I speak various of language, English Spanish, Spanglish, I feel like I speak all types of Spanish, because when ever I met someone new , they tend to misunderstand me when I speak to them in Spanish.

Blogger #2

Blogger #2

               In "Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways to speak English" she talks about the challenges she goes through when she speaks English. How she speaks it depending on where she is at. whether she is at home, school or with friends or as she said "the hood." she also says "I'm here to tell you that even articulate Americans sounds foolish to the British." What I think she meant by that was that just even though the U.S's natural language is English or "perfect English," we are still considered as speaking it with an accent to other countries such as England. I believe that no one should get judged upon the way they speak a certain language, not everybody speaks perfect English. The same thing would happen to the people who speak English if they were to go to another country French, Spanish, German, Italian and so on. One shouldn't be treated as "another" because their not speaking "the right language."

Blogger #5

Professor Reyes 

Brittany Garcia 

Activism in the form of art 

For my social issues i found that through art it is a better way to catch my audience attention and make the re consider when they talk negative about their selfs or others , or when they harm their self to fit the medias perspective of "beauty" . I wanted to get my message across like banksy does in his art work , or how like Barbara Kruger does in her art . Barbara Kruger has some pieces of art that demostate second thoughts and make you reconsider what is really going on . Music is also a good way to get my message across I found a couple of songs , like Beyoncé's "pretty hurts" that makes you think people go through this everyday to try to conform and be like someone else other then thier selfs .

Blogger #6

Professor Reyes 

Brittany Garcia 

The title of my exhibition is 

What's the truth .

I wanted my exhibition to be different , I wanted to get my message out their for everyone to know this issues is a serious matter and should not be ignored or left behind other known issues . Images on the media affect people faster then bacteria. 

My first piece I want to make stamps/stickers , spray paint , markers to demonstrate my issues in popular places among people . On my stickers I want to use a chameleon , because they always tend to blend in whenever they are . With the spray paint I want to get my message across by writing messages about the issue , and use markers to write also messages on thing you would take a second look at .

My second piece is to use a scale , write comments like your too skinny , your too fat , etc with markers , stickers , paint , and smash the scale with a hammer and place the scale in a local gym , and write down people's reactions .

My third piece is to blow out a picture of a shadow and black and white image of a person who has lost their identity , and use three different mirrors , three different sizes , and show how no matter how you look at yourself or see yourself you'll never be happy until you look like someone else .

My last piece is to blow out a picture I seen on the Internet of a little girl looking a magazine cover of a model holding sissors to her stomach and post it on a busy street . 

I want to create this exhibition in the form of a video to show the public .

Blogger #4

Blogger #4 Proposal

My Proposal

“There are first times for everything. The first time I drove a car, first time I broke my leg, first time I ate sushi, first time I went to work, first time I was fired -- and I'll never forget my first kiss. 'Firsts' are memorable parts of life and growing up. Well, the same goes for that first night spent on the streets or in a homeless shelter. The first time you're homeless, the intense feelings of fear and uncertainty are impossible to forget. If you've never been homeless, it's tough to describe that first night sleeping on the street. The fear and disillusionment are almost paralyzing. You just go through the motions, but at the same time you're beating yourself up for being in this situation. It is very surreal because no one ever thinks they will become homeless. No one.

I'll never forget my first night. I was sober, but I had no money, no place to go and no one I could call for help. I was officially homeless. Just six months earlier I had a well-paying job in the television industry, overseeing syndicated programs like Wheel of Fortune. But now, I was the one who had suddenly landed on bankrupt. The irony was painful. I decided to walk from Koreatown to North Hollywood, mainly because I knew the neighborhood and was comfortable with the area. I walked 11 or so miles to the valley. By the time I arrived, it was beginning to get dark, so I started to think about where I was going to sleep. I decided to try a park nearby, but when I arrived, I noticed gang members hanging around in the dark, so I moved on to another location.

My feet were becoming swollen; I was emotionally and physically exhausted. I knew that the worst crimes in the city -- muggings, beatings, shootings -- happened at night to people living outdoors. I knew that when you sleep outside, you are vulnerable to just about everything. I was scared. Probably more scared then I have been or ever will be. I think it was around 3 a.m. when I finally found a park near a small shopping mall in North Hollywood. It was empty, and the first place where I felt safe enough to lay down. Exhaustion quickly set in and I closed my eyes. I don't remember how much time had passed -- maybe 20 minutes -- when, suddenly, all the water sprinklers went off. I just laid there in disbelief, soaking. It's impossible to describe the mixture of fear, anger, vulnerability and, well, homelessness I felt as I lay there”- Mark Horvath  

Hi, my name is Alexis Rodriguez. I am in the progress of creating an organization to help the homeless in Los Angeles. Not only do I want to help them find a place to sleep, but I also want to help them for the better. First, I want to build a shelter for them to sleep. Secondly, I want to hire local barbers so they can give the homeless decent haircuts. Third, I want to help them apply for a job somewhere and get them nice dressing clothes for their interviews. If they do land a job, I will let them stay in the shelter until they get a place of their own.

We are the 2^nd city with the highest population of homeless people. In 2013, there was approximately 2.5 million homeless children all around the world. That’s just children. In Los Angeles, there was 53,798 homeless people in 2013. I’m quite confident that population has increased in these past 2 years. Now, with your donation you can help me lower that population.

Every time I see a homeless person I feel sympathy for them. Why? Because it reminds me of my cousin who was once homeless. He had just gotten out of jail and he was going home with a big smile on his face, expecting his family to be happy to see him because he hadn’t seen them in 5 years. As soon he got there they said hi and fed him, but as soon as that was over his parents talked to him and told him that they had no room for him and he had to find a place to stay. So he contacted us and we let him stay. He eventually got a job and saved up for a car and started sleeping in his. So please, help me prevent a future family from losing a member do to homelessness. Like MLK once said, “Life’s most urgent questions is: What are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Blogger #4

Professor Reyes 

Brittany Garcia 

What I would like to do with this money is to make my social issue on body image more known among others . To build more organizations here in the us . Researching this issue I noticed their was not a lot of organizations to help cope with this problem. Their are about 70% of people that don't receive help with this problem , this problem is more then body image and how you look , but it leads to more , anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, sometimes people who don't get help can go into depression , drug abuse . Etc . Because they have no resources to go to , no help , no one to talk to . With this money we can build more organizations , help lines , Centers to help people and let them know their not alone and they shouldn't be ashamed. With half the money we can have fundraisers and help many more people and make more money to let the issue not get the best of us. 

Blogger #6

Piece: Two Triangles

Hello Everyone, My name is Alexis Rodriguez. I’m here to gather all of you around to present to you my very own art exhibition. In this art exhibition I will be showing you different types of photographs of homeless people. How one person’s decision to help can make a difference in their lives. I don’t really have a name for each piece because I decided to make my whole exhibition a one giant piece. So, the name of this art exhibition is called “Two Triangles.” I decided to call it two triangles because one triangle can spilt in half, making two triangles. Making those two triangles 2 different pathways. One pathway will show what can possibly happen if you decide to help the homeless person and what can happen to the homeless person. The other pathway shows what could happen to the homeless person if you decide to not help. For each picture I wrote a summary and an analysis. Each describing everything you can see in the picture. From the color of the people, background, shapes, the movement and the objects around them. Also, the stories behind every picture. By the time you’re done viewing this exhibition, I hope that you will decide which pathway you will decide to choose. Will you want to be triangle A or Triangle B?