Bros Before Hos: The Guy Code

In “Bros Before Hos”: The Guy Code, author Michael Kimmel talks about certain ways that society expects young men between the ages of 15 and 26 to act. He focuses on the hardship faced by males in living up to these standards. He talks about what is known as “Guy Code,” or a list of values that all men are supposed to have. The first rule says that guys shouldn’t show their emotions or share their feelings, and if they do it is considered a sign of weakness. The second is to be someone that displays masculinity, which is measured by wealth and power. The third rule says that a man should be reliable during crisis and remain “sturdy.”  The final rule implies that men should basically always be irrational and aggressive. The author talks about how both other men and other women judge a man based on “The Guy Code.” I agree that it is hard for a man because he has standards to live up to. But it’s not just society that expects us to carry out these rules. It seems more like our pride that drives us to do so. So in turn, to live out “The Guy Code” is actually natural for a man. 

Further Reading:  http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/08/21/guyland

Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption

In “Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption,” author Diana Kendall talks about the different social classes of society and how the media frames its view on the lifestyle of people. The media targets the general public by making them think they can be rich and famous like the people in on television or in movies etc. Kendall disagrees with the viewpoint of the media and says that the middle class will not be able to have a substantial increase in income. In other words, she believes the general public will never really be able to become truly rich. She says that we buy large houses and cars just to mimic the rich, only to put ourselves in debt; therefore making us less rich than before. I agree with Kendall full-heartedly. I believe that the media really molds our view on how our lifestyle should be. We then become slightly misguided and purchase things beyond our reach. However, I disagree with Kendall on one point. She thinks that the middle class will never become rich. I believe that if people stop trying to follow the media’s lifestyle, they will be able to witness a benefit in the long run and become more rich. 

Further Reading: http://sammiesstarkeysblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/framing-class-vicarious-living-and.html

$3000 Death Song

       The poem “Three Thousand Dollar Death Song” is written by Wendy Rose. She wrote this poem after looking at the bones of her Native American ancestors. The author questions what our worth is when we are dead. Does our body’s cost a monetary value on them or are they worth something more than that that isn’t materialistic. It forces the reader to think about what we really are worth at the time of our deaths. All of the things we did during our life all comes down to the price of our grave. But I personally believe it’s more than just that. Our lives don’t come down to a price of our body. It comes down to the legacy we left behind while we were living. And that’s the message the author is trying to send when she is looking at her ancestor’s bones. It’s all about values we lived by and the memories we instilled in others while we were alive.  The picture I included really embodies my feelings best because it contains the words “One Life, One Legacy.” And in the background it has a fingerprint. That means that you have only one life, and one chance to make an imprint on people around you and in the world. 

Further Reading: http://www.suite101.com/content/wendy-roses-three-thousand-dollar-death-song-a96348

"Prop 8 Hurt My Family: Ask Me How"

The article "Prop 8 Hurt My Family: Ask Me How" features a compilation of findings community forums and online surveys regarding the controversial Proposition 8 law passed in California that decertified same-sex marriage in that state. It documents the destructive effects of the law on homosexual people and others who support them. The article is broken down into six categories that Proposition 8 negatively affected. Those categories were people, children of same-sex couples, bullying in schools, heterosexual allies, families, and neighborhoods.

            Proposition 8 is shown in a very negative light in the article. I in turn agree with the article. I personally agree that people have the right to do what makes them happy. Some people might say they’re setting a bad example. Well if that’s the case then just turn your head the other way. It’s not our place to say what’s right or wrong. There is a socially accepted standard but people are free to break free from that standard if they choose. Plus, a lot of the stuff the opposition brings to the table is also irrelevant and flat out nonsense. I chose a picture that shows a segregated bathroom and “Prop 8” on the bottom, comparing Proposition 8 to modern day segregation. 

Further reading: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-prop8-2-2008nov02,0,5926932.story

            

Intro

My name's Joe Gillard. I'm originally from Long Island, New York, and my family is from Trinidad. I moved to Georgia for high school and college. I am a simple person, and can admit I am pretty lazy. I am a huge procrastinator, and all of my friends/family know me for it. The one thing I love and makes me happy is playing football. I don't plan on playing it professionally, just in college. I enjoy mostly everything and usually am easy to get along with. I especially love to listen to music. I enjoy all genres of music but specifically hip-hop. I sometimes seem not talkative but once you get to know me, I talk a lot. I don't really have anything that bothers me or that I hate. It takes a lot to get on my nerves. I would like to earn a degree in business for my undergraduate degree, then go to law school to pursue a career in that field. And that's my background in a paragraph