Freakonomics Review

The non-fiction book Freakonomics by, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner covers social issues globally and nation wide. The topics they talk about are economics, class, gender, ethnic groups, parenting, crime and education. I believe the authors wrote their book with the purpose of trying to get readers to understand the way the world works. They want to point out how one factor can have a huge influence on others, their personal lives, and society.

In Chapter 3: “Why do Drug Dealers Still Live with Their Moms,” The Chicago gang comparison to McDonalds was a bit shocking because they were both capitalistic “institutes,” whose leaders main concern was to make money not help. Suburban neighborhood have the tendency to speak about how suppress they feel, and how they are limited to low-income jobs like McDonalds that pay minimum wage. It was disturbing to find out street soldiers conforming to $3.30 an hour in comparison to $8.00 at fast food restaurant. I will be purchasing a copy of their Supper Freakonimcs books, due to topics such as abortion, cheating, incentives, violence, and parenting. I have already looked into the history of abortion and the reasons why women decide to abort, or keep their baby.  

The first three chapters of the book were very intriguing, because started comparing issues you never thought had any connection, but as one kept reading the structure added a non-linear style. When we covered the reasons why crime has decreased they gave us a list of reasons they convinced you on how it was the reason for reducing crime, then all of a sudden told it wasn’t. It was an annoying guessing game that kept having me change my annotations summaries. I felt that the authors did a great job with their choice of diction and explanation in concepts.

I would only recommend the first three chapters of the book to a person who is concerned about the way the world works, and feeds off of learning. The book had the tendency to be very one sides, they belittled African Americans a great deal. Some of the topics like abortion became very redundant, which at times make the book boring.

Owning YOUR Reading

In order to process the Freakonomic’s reading I annotate the text by underlining the key points, and placing numbers on ideas that are connected to one another. I try to make it a habit to summarize parts of the reading. It’s important to interact with the reading, so it helps to jot down my thoughts on what I agree, disagree, or have questions on. When I continue to read my questions tend to get answered. I circle the words I don’t understand, look them up, write them in the book, and make sure to understand what the author is trying to express. Since I enjoy the topics they bring up, I can read through the book in 2-3 sittings with 45 minutes each or less. Since I’m always on the go, I tend to do it on Bart or a car ride.

            My recommendations to people who don’t enjoy reading would be, take notes, and don’t forget to look up words or expressions you don’t understand because without it you can lose the authors main points. I strongly suggest not racing through the text; if you cannot focus take small breaks. One last note, don’t believe everything you read; challenge the reading by pointing out their contradictions or bring out your own facts. This will help you keep an ardent attitude. 

Controversial Anti-Abortion Ad

In the New York Times, an article discussed the controversy that erupted over a billboard that was posted in the city of New York. An anti-abortion group decided to post a picture of a little African American girl a couple of miles away from Plan Parenthood with the caption “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.” (Robins 2011).

I have a neutral position in Abortion; I value the existence of a new life, but I also believe that everyone is entitled to make their own choices when it comes to their bodies. We all face different circumstances therefore we should not judge. I strongly disagree with the way this anti-abortion ad, for one they singled out “women of color” instead of women in general. They went on to say that they were not just targeting women of color, but “African American” become one of their “key words” which in my opinion takes away from their message. Instead of being the group who fights for life, they have now become the organization that only chooses to judge peoples actions based on their race. Posting an ad in a city where there is a larger population of African American women is another crucial mistake on their part, because now they are just trying to create trouble. There are better effective ways to deliver their message, instead of trying to call them out in public. They are using the media to create conventional wisdom amongst the public: that woman of color are not sexually responsible because they majority of them abort. The problem with this is that it’s false, because not all African American abort, and those who do, are only doing it because they don’t want bring a child to suffer when they are not prepared to take care of them.

 African American Anti-Abortion Billboard:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/23/billboard-opposing-abortion-stirs-debate/

LGBT Community

Religious groups and old school families disapprove of homosexuality because the bible states that god did not approve of same sex relationships. Man and women were meant to procreate and create families. They strongly believe these actions will not take them to heaven or paradise, and therefore you will go to hell.

My relationship with the stigma is that I fall under three categories, which are being women, a person of color and a lesbian. I have had many challenges being a homosexual woman in the Hispanic community, because the expectation is to get married and have children for the family to embrace. It has been difficult disappointing my religious mother, because she strongly believes my actions wont take me to paradise, which translates into not having everlasting life. The fear of being disowned has been big amongst many of the LGBT (lesbian gay Bisexual and transgender) community, whether it’s with family members or friends. It is a struggle when your partner feels the pressure of choosing their family over you, because they are threatened to be disowned if they continue dating you, solely because of your orientation.

I also know that many members disclose their sexuality, because they don’t want to make limit their opportunities by making people who disapprove of their sexuality uncomfortable. Keep in mind that lesbian women have types and standards just the way a straight woman would.

Media has contributed in the approval as well as the disapproval of homosexual relationships and at some point in between. The gay community is often targeted for not being able to raise a family, because they are expected to have a male and female role model, which in turn will bring up a confused and unstable child. They continue to ignore a child needs love, shelter and food, and not a conventional picture. They also fail to bring up the dysfunctional heterosexual households. A stable home has nothing to do with gender; it has to do with the quality of love and dedication. In recent year there has been more acceptance of the gay community, due to famous artist who stand for the people and the constant fight for acceptance.  It has been difficult getting certain people to understand that being gay is not a phase, like men who continue to ignore the partnership of two women, by trying to win them over.

Religion has and will continue to ostracize the gay community, due to their strong belief of what is considered a norm. In the Bay Area, especially in the San Francisco we have many LGBT members hold events, protest and find ways to bring us together in order to fight off the stigmas surrounding us. My way of standing up for myself along with the community is by finding the appropriate time to share it with others.

I Pledge...

 I have decided to become part of an Organization called, Year Up that gives young adults the possibility to prove their strengths in challenging IT training, Business Communications along with Professional skills in a period of 5-6 months. We are exposed to a vast amount of information that we have to retain in a small period that will prepare us for an internship with a corporate partner.

I have taken a close look of the areas that I need to work on in order to accomplish my goals in order to be successful for my internship. 

I Pledge to become a leader at Year UP by,

1. Learn the material we are learning in depth in order to become a resource in class. 

2. Engage more with colleges, instructors as well as with staff members. 

3. Make my presence be known by participating more, because I no longer want to be overshadowed. 

I pledge to be a successful IT Technician by,

1. Studying my Tech Textbook for 2-3 hours each night.

2. Take control of my learning by, searching up information regarding the field I'm not knowledgeable about and asking more questions.

3. Use software’s, operating systems and devices more often that I'm not familiar with in order to get comfortable with it.

I pledge to become a better presenter by,

1. Preparing an outline about what I will be discussing, with clear topics, explination, and main ideas. I also want the flow of my transition to make sense.  

2. Practice my presentation by myself, in the mirror, on voice recorder, and in front of the webcam.

3. Give my presentation to friends, family and stranger, to get a feel of how clear I present. 

Far From Utopia

For the past twenty one years I have resided in a predominantly blue collar neighborhood in East Oakland, where you will find African American and Latinos (immigrants/Chicanos). My part of the city is known as being unsafe, disruptive and dirty. Although each one of these words holds an element of truth they are not completely accurate. My street has gone through many phases, such as chaotic teens, drug addicts roaming around, and people feeling the need to dump trash. You will also find many families that work hard to maintain a comfortable home who hate the way their environment is being abused.

 As a young child, I had a lot of pride knowing that my mother owned our two floored house, but as I began to get older I came to realize the bad conditions many people were in. I hated the way trash was dumped on the sidewalks, illegal substances and prostitution was sold. I wouldn’t dare invite people over because I felt a great deal of shame due to my neighborhood. I felt like it was a reflection on the type of person I was and therefore, it left me powerless.
            The only escape I had was being placed in the San Francisco school district because the people were different, creative, knowledgeable, and advocated on behalf of their beliefs. The teachers encouraged us to protest for immigrant rights and the funding for our school. It gave me the opportunity to revitalize myself by finding my voice. I put these lessons into practice by personally picking up items left on the street and contacting the city to pick up bigger items such as couches and mattresses. People usually believe that if they weren’t the ones creating the mess, they shouldn’t be the one having to clean it. If we continue having this mentality, we will never progress.  I use to judge the people around me for being ignorant, but as I’ve matured I have come to realize that  many people are not properly educated because they come from unstable homes, the school system failed them or they come from different countries. My community feels limited; immigrants are afraid of being deported or sent to jail for crossing the border illegally and citizens view the authority as the enemy who are looking to detain them.
          Even though my neighborhood has not been the most positive place to grow up, it allowed me to appreciate the positive role models and to take advantage of the opportunities that have been presented to me. My grades in school are a reflection of who I want to be and where I want to go and I will find a way to help my family, along with my community.

Propaganda's influence

Propaganda have been a source of influence around the world to get people act a way, and buy products and services. The German military (Hitler) was one of the major contributors in using this tool help pump a nation after  being defeated in World War I, while portraying jews, homosexuals, and people who oppose his leadership as the enemy. The power of propaganda contributed in the genocide of millions of jews.

            Nowadays corporate companies have made their movement in advertising by promoting products, services and attitudes in order to attract an audience. Agencies think carefully about the consumer they want to attract, such as age, class, ethnical groups, or gender, as well as location. They also make sure to overplay their advertisement in as many places as possible. When it comes to children they know colors,exciting characters, and loud sounds attract them, therefore they create cartoons such as spongebob and Barney as characters who will win them over. In order to get parents in on the buying process, they have added lessons within these cartoons, such as Dora the Explorer a young bilingual character that teaches children how to speak spanish. In this case corporate companies take on a parents need and a child's desire.

            When it comes to teenagers advertisements they have concentrated on the confusing time in their lives. The adolescent phase is a time when they are looking to be independent individuals with voices that matter. Advertisements have gone above and beyond to get their attention. Television has been one of their main resources to attract attention, but you can now find them on popular social networking sites such as facebook. If one were to take a quick look at MTV, you can easily see the rebellious attitudes that are being displayed as “cool.” Jersey Shore is one of the most popular shows amongst American teengers that have encouraged drinking, partying, and fighting as an exciting way to live. The problem with this is that these kids are not being exposed to the truth, that these dangerous activities can end up with severe consequences that could limit their opportunities in the future. In Makers are storming the Schoolhouse, by Michael J. Sandel he goes on to say “The purpose of advertising is to recruit consumers; the purpose of public schools is to cultivate citizens,” he clearly distinguishes the way two sides of society treats young adult, one tries to better their character while the other tries to use manipulate him/her into selling them a product.

            Advertisement/Propaganda has and will continue to be effective sources in society for good and egregious reasons One should pay close attention to the advertisement by thinking rationally about their intentions. As a member of society, everyone should advocate for what they believe is right. Just because advertisements come from big corporate companies it doesn’t mean they are fully in control. Not buying into advertisement is power.