R.A #2

Title: From Fly-Girls to Bitches and Hoes

Author: Joan Morgan

Date: 1995

Topic: This essay is about the connection of rap music to the treatment of women.

Exigence: Her passion for rap music and the influence it has on the African American culture; specifically the treatment of African American women by African American men.

Intended Audience: rappers, black women, feminists, and listeners of rap music.

Purpose: to expose the negative lyrics rappers rap towards women and to change the behaviors of both men and women to stop the name calling of women such as bitches and hoes.

Claim:  The hurtful words used in rap music are affecting the ways black communities peacefully coexist together.

Main Evidence: In Joan Morgan’s essay, she states that the leading causes of death of young black men is homicide which is usually committed by the same race. This entitles that this issue of violence is not done by a different race but of the same race. Rap music for African Americans is a way to express the feelings they  go through. Morgan writes that “the seemingly impenetrable wall of sexism in rap music is really the complex mask African Americans often wear both to hide and express the pain”(603). It is evident in the rap music of Snoop Dog and B.I.G. in which the lyrics victimize women because they are saying that women are only good for sex and no other positive qualities that they have to offer. Women can change the bad words that rappers use against them by not participating in the dehumanizing behaviors they act out in music videos.

Writer’s Strategy 1: Joan Morgan uses the appeal of pathos to tell her side of view. She reveals one of her family friend’s death to the visible pattern of murders committed by black males. Another personal experience she writes about is that of her friend’s husband leaving their newborn baby with the mother to take care of.

Reader Effect 1: The reader feels sympathy for the writer because of the personal experience she writes about. The reader might have an experience or know someone with an experience similar to one of her friends who had the father of the newborn baby leave and withdraw all responsibilities of the baby. The mother has to figure out how to raise the child all by herself which is a really hard job to do.

Writer’s Strategy 2: A second appeal Morgan uses in her essay is logos. She uses facts about homicides against black males and the number of black to black relationships in America.

Reader’s Effect 2: These facts give evidence to what she is arguing which makes her arguments stronger and more credible.

Writer’s Strategy 3: The third appeal Morgan uses is ethos. She is credible because she has passion for rap music and isn’t biased about who the rappers are. She is a musician, a feminist, and a writer.

Reader’s Effect 3: She is truthful and forthcoming about her opinions which make the reader agree or disagree with her opinions.  

My Response: I agree with the stance she takes against rappers and their usage of bad words towards women. Rappers do this to express their feelings of hard times growing up or their current struggles of drugs and alcohol.  They might not see their word calling towards women offensive because they are surrounded by that kind of atmosphere all the time. I agree that women can stop their behavior that allow men to dehumanize them and call them names. If both men and women can change their behaviors, they can peaceful coexist together.

RR #2 Kilbourne

      The essay “Two Ways a Women Can Get Hurt”: Advertising and Violence by Jean Kilbourne puts in perspective the misconceptions society has about girls and women. The way advertising is used to sell a product or service to consumers can influence a society’s image of the way women are suppose to be. Women sell their bodies by posing naked for watch companies, perfume bottles, and other products just so consumers will buy them. The way media and advertising portray women to be sex objects has caused many women to turn themselves into what ever media wants  women to look like and act like. Women are dehumanized and evaluated by the advertising we are used to seeing on television and billboards. 

Women, compared to men, are thought of to be more weak and less powerful because of their kindness and nurturing characteristics. This makes women more subjected to violence. According to Kilbourne, “battery is the single greatest cause of injury to women in America, more common than automobile accidents, muggings, and stranger rapes combined, and more than one-third of women slain in this country die at the hands of husbands or boyfriends”(584-5). Women are vulnerable to violence because of the way men think of them as objects. If both men and women were equal, there would be no thought of men dominating women. As an extreme example, the way  how dogs have no power over their master, women don’t have any power over abusive men. From examples from Kilbourne, advertising is promoting violence by  using dead looking female bodies, rape situations, and other violent acts to sell something. Women don’t want to be looked down upon and treated like objects. However, advertising continues to degrade the value that women have to offer by making them powerless and vulnerable.

Men also are supposed to act and be a certain way. Advertising portrays men as masculine and powerful and to never take no for an answer from women. Mentioned in the texts by Kilbourne, the coolest men are those who have complete control over their girlfriend and if they are not in control, they are “pussy-whipped”(578).  If a man doesn’t have control of his wife of girlfriend, he might appear to be weak because women are viewed as more weak then men.  Women look up to men who show their power because women feel safe when they have a bodyguard like figure around. Men usually call all the decisions in a relationship because women don’t have as much authority as men do. Compared to women, men are not pressured as much by the media and advertising to look and act a certain way. Moreover, men are competing against their male peers to act more masculine or powerful.  

Many couples today don’t let media and advertising affect their relationship. Men and women switch roles that society expects men should do or women should do. For example, the wife might be the one who makes all the money where as the husband stays home and watches the kids. Gender roles have been switching more recently because consumers are becoming more aware of the harmful advertising that businesses are putting out there. However, the younger generation is up to date on current trends the media puts out which puts them highly at risk for looking and acting a particular way. 

updated Prop. 30

The Passage of Proposition 30

California’s educational system is in the worst financial situation to date. State budgets have just about dried up for educational funding leaving public schools and higher education gasping for help. A proposed bill by Governor Jerry Brown, Proposition 30 would generate an estimated $6 billion of revenue to fund education and public safety. This would be done by raising income taxes 1%-3%for 7 years on the wealthiest Californians ($250,000 on individuals, $500,000 for couples) and raising the sales tax 1/4 cents for 4 years. This money would save our schools from a collapse and would gear future generations of students towards a successful life. Before our schools get any worse than they are now, a yes vote for Proposition 30 is needed. 

The repercussions of Proposition 30 not passing would be felt by all state funded  school students and staff. Over half of the California state budget is for funding K-12 and Higher Education. If Proposition 30 doesn’t pass, there would be $5.5 billion resulting cuts for K-12 and $250 million resulting cuts for CSU colleges(www.csusqe.org/chapters). In an article by Carla Rivera in the Los Angeles Times, Chancellor Reed said that if Prop. 30 doesn’t pass, there would be “about 20,000 qualified students turned away, 5,500 class sections slashed, and 1,500 faculty and staff reductions” for CSU colleges. This would put a burden on families who want to send their children to a CSU because of the expensive tuition hike of 5%. Our economy is already in bad condition and making tuition costs for colleges even more expensive results in less college attendees and thus less college graduates. The CSU Finance committee brainstormed some other possible solutions to much needed revenue such as a “per-unit supplement of $372 for seniors who have already accumulated 150 semester units” or “a $200 per-unit fee for any course load of 17 units or more, which is intended to discourage students from enrolling in a number of classes and then dropping some later.” These are some well thought out ideas that help change student behavior. This makes students more conservative while choosing classes and makes students really focus on their current classes. However, these ideas put forth by the CSU Finance Committee will not solve the revenue crisis that colleges face. Cutting faculty and staff, slashing class sections, and turning away students will be the outcome if Proposition 30 fails. If proposition 30 passes, students and staff will not have to suffer any further cut backs. 

My perspective as a current community college student has greatly influenced my support for Proposition 30. Cabrillo Community College has had to cut 400 classes in the last few years and has cut 47 full time positions(www.csusqe.org/chapters). I have felt anxiety over not getting into the classes I need. Because of the difficulty of getting into classes, my goal of achieving my AS degree will be prolonged. Compared to my two older brothers and father who all attended Cabrillo College, my experience has been more diminished and fraught with anxiety. With more proposed budget cuts, myself and many other future students will be overwhelmed with the drastic changes that colleges will be forced to make. 

In order to increase class offerings, increase faculty, and overall improve the quality of education, schools need more money. Proposition 30 is designed to do just that. However, the contents of Proposition 30 states that revenue will be generated for only 7 years. Proposition 30 is not designed to be a long lasting solution for school funding because the tax revenue will eventually run out. However, now is the time that schools really need the money to save programs and teachers and keep tuition from increasing. According to an article from the Los Angels Times, “state law calls for $4.8 billion in automatic ‘trigger cuts’ to public schools.” The passage of Proposition 30 is the only way to avoid these monumental cuts. 

Another Proposition comparable to Proposition 30 is Proposition 38. According to Steven Harmon from the Mercury News, Prop. 38 is similar to Prop. 30 but broadens the income tax hike “on all but those making less than $7,316, with the wealthiest facing the stiffest hike.” The article also stated that if  Proposition 38  passes, Prop. “38 would raise $10 billion a year for 12 years.” Proposition 38 is a longer solution concerning revenue for K-12 schools but fails to include Community Colleges and Universities that Prop. 30 would cover. So in contrast to Prop. 38, Proposition 30 is an all inclusive Proposition that supports all public schools. According to an article in the Los Angels Times, if Prop. 38 does pass, the proposed trigger cuts will still go into effect resulting in nearly $6 billion cut. California’s schools are in desperate need of money and Prop. 30 will stop the trigger cuts and restore the current funding dilemma. 

This coming November, the residents of California will decide on two measures that will help generate revenue for public schools. Proposition 30 has all the components to evenly distribute money gained from tax revenue. Proposition 38 lacks an important area of targeted funding that Proposition 30 would cover.  Californians making over $250,000 a year will have a tax hike but in return, California's educational system will begin to recover. If public schools don't receive any money for the year 2013, the resulting effect will drive public education into the ground.  Proposition 30 will reverse the cutbacks to public education that the budget deficit made necessary. Vote yes for Proposition 30 and restore our schools. 

La Times

La Times
Mercury News

Proposition 30 Final

The Passage of Proposition 30

California’s educational system is in the worst financial situation to date. State budgets have just about dried up for educational funding leaving public schools and higher education gasping for help. A proposed bill by Governor Jerry Brown, Proposition 30 would generate an estimated $6 billion of revenue to fund education and public safety. This would be done by raising income taxes 1%-3%for 7 years on the wealthiest Californians ($250,000 on individuals, $500,000 for couples) and raising the sales tax 1/4 cents for 4 years. This money would save our schools from a collapse and would gear future generations of students towards a successful life. Before our schools get any worse than they are now, a yes vote for proposition 30 is needed. 

The repercussions of Proposition 30 not passing would be felt by all state funded  school students and staff. Over half of the California state budget is for funding K-12 and Higher Education. If Proposition 30 doesn’t pass, there would be $5.5 billion resulting cuts for K-12 and $250 million resulting cuts for CSU colleges(www.csusqe.org/chapters). The amount of money lost would leave schools with drastic cuts that would effect both students and staff of public schools. In an article by Carla Rivera in the Los Angeles Times, Chancellor Reed said that if Prop. 30 doesn’t pass, there would be “about 20,000 qualified students turned away, 5,500 class sections slashed, and 1,500 faculty and staff reductions” for CSU colleges. This would put a burden on families who want to send their children to a CSU because of the expensive tuition hike of 5%. Our economy is already in bad condition and making tuition costs for colleges even more expensive results in less college attendees and thus less college graduates. The CSU Finance committee brainstormed some other possible solutions to much needed revenue such as a “per-unit supplement of $372 for seniors who have already accumulated 150 semester units” or “a $200 per-unit fee for any course load of 17 units or more, which is intended to discourage students from enrolling in a number of classes and then dropping some later.” These are some well thought out ideas that help change student behavior. This makes students more conservative while choosing classes and makes students really focus on their current classes. However, these ideas put forth by the CSU Finance Committee will not solve the revenue crisis that colleges face. Cutting faculty and staff, slashing class sections, and turning away students will be the outcome if Proposition 30 fails. If proposition 30 passes, students and staff will not have to suffer any further cut backs. 

My perspective as a current community college student has greatly influenced my support for Proposition 30. Cabrillo Community College has had to cut 400 classes in the last few years and has cut 47 full time positions(www.csusqe.org/chapters). I have felt anxiety over not getting into the classes I need. Because of the difficulty of getting into classes, my goal of achieving my AS degree will be prolonged. Compared to my two older brothers and father who all attended Cabrillo College, my experience has been more diminished and fraught with anxiety. With more proposed budget cuts, myself and many other future students will be overwhelmed with the drastic changes that colleges will be forced to make. 

In order to increase class offerings, increase faculty, and overall improve the quality of education, schools need more money. Proposition 30 is designed to do just that. However, the contents of Proposition 30 states that revenue will be generated for only 7 years. Proposition 30 is not designed to be a long lasting solution for school funding because the tax revenue will eventually run out. However, now is the time that schools really need the money to save programs and teachers and keep tuition from increasing. According to an article from the Los Angels Times, “state law calls for $4.8 billion in automatic ‘trigger cuts’ to public schools.” The passage of Proposition 30 is the only way to avoid these monumental cuts. 

Another Proposition comparable to Proposition 30 is Proposition 38. According to Steven Harmon from the Mercury News, Prop. 38 is similar to Prop. 30 but broadens the income tax hike “on all but those making less than $7,316, with the wealthiest facing the stiffest hike.” The article also stated that if  Proposition 38  passes, Prop. “38 would raise $10 billion a year for 12 years.” Proposition 38 is a longer solution concerning revenue for K-12 schools but fails to include Community Colleges and Universities that Prop. 30 would cover. So in contrast to Prop. 38, Proposition 30 is an all inclusive Proposition that supports all public schools. According to an article in the Los Angels Times, if Prop. 38 does pass, the proposed trigger cuts will still go into effect resulting in nearly $6 billion cut. California’s schools are in desperate need of money and Prop. 30 will stop the trigger cuts and restore the current funding dilemma. 

This coming November, the residents of California will decide on two measures that will help generate revenue for public schools. Proposition 30 has all the components to evenly distribute money gained from tax revenue. Proposition 38 lacks an important area of targeted funding that Proposition 30 would cover.  Californians making over $250,000 a year will have a tax hike but in return, California's educational system will begin to recover. If public schools don't receive any money for the year 2013, the resulting effect will drive public education into the ground.  Proposition 30 will reverse the cutbacks to public education that the budget deficit made necessary. Vote yes for Proposition 30 and restore our schools. 

La Times

La Times
Mercury News

Prop 30 rough draft

Prop 30

The current state of our education system in California is falling apart. State budgets have just about dried up for educational funding leaving public schools and higher education gasping for help. If Proposition 30 passes, an estimated $6 billion of revenue will be available to fund necessary educational and safety programs. Income taxes would be raised for the wealthy earners of California between 1-3 % for 7 years and sales tax would increase by .25 percent for 4 years. This money would save our schools from a collapse and would gear our future generation of students towards a successful life. Before our schools get any worse than they are now, a yes vote for proposition 30 is needed. 

Over half of the California state budget is for funding K-12 and Higher Education. If proposition 30 doesn’t pass, there would be $5.5 billion resulting cuts for K-12 and $250 million resulting cuts for CSU colleges. The amount of money lost would leave schools with drastic cuts that would effect both students and staff of public schools. Chancellor Reed said that if prop 30 doesn’t pass, there would be “about 20,000 qualified students turned away, 5,500 class sections slashed, and 1,500 faculty and staff reductions” for CSU colleges. This would put a burden on families who want to send their children to a CSU because of the expensive tuition hike of 5%. Our economy is already in bad condition and making tuition costs for colleges even more expensive results in less college attendees and thus less college graduates. The CSU Finance committee brainstormed some other possible solutions to much needed revenue such as a “per-unit supplement of $372 for seniors who have already accumulated 150 semester units” or “A $200 per-unit fee for any course load of 17 units or more, which is intended to discourage students from enrolling in a number of classes and then dropping some later.” These are some well thought out ideas that help change student behavior. This makes students be more conservitive while choosing classes and makes students really try for all classes they are taking. 

Our next generation is made up of future students and if our state can’t provide qualified and educated people, the state of California and the rest of the United States will suffer. Already our state is ranked 31 rd in the nation of people ages 25-34 with a college degree. The only way California could get better ranked would to get better funding for schools which would help lower tuition costs and would go towards other educational purposes. 

The current community college I am at now, Cabrillo, has had to cut 400 classes in the last few years and has cut 47 full time positions. From my experience, I have not been able to get all the classes I’ve wanted because of space and also because the classes weren’t available. I have experience of how Cabrillo operated 5 years ago because my older brothers were here. The tuition was cheaper and there was more of a choice for choosing classes. Unlike today, classes were much easier to get into because Cabrillo offered much more classes. Also, my dad came to Cabrillo in the early 80s and experienced college with no worries of not getting into classes. Tuition was much cheaper as it is today and if proposition 30 doesn’t pass, tuition will continue to get more expensive. 

Proposition 30 doesn’t exclude all Californian tax payers. The .25 sales tax increase will effect every person in California which will be a struggle for some less well-off people. Times are tough and some will get affected by the increase in sales tax. It is only a fraction of a percent but pennies do add up in the long run. Also, why is it that the top money earners have to carry the bill for our state budget problem? They worked hard for their money and should be able to use it in which ever way they please. These two points offer a valid counter point to oppose proposition 30. However, we have to look at the bigger picture or the bigger problem our state currently faces. Schools are in dire need of state funding and if they don’t receive money within a reasonable time period, our educational system could loose the reputation it once had. If Californians can afford to pay more in taxes in the short run, their contributions will be put towards making a better future. 

Another proposition similar to prop 30 is proposition 38. Prop. 38 is similar to Prop. 30 but broadens the income tax hike “on all but those making less than $7,316, with the wealthiest facing the stiffest hike.” If this Proposition is passed, Prop. “38 would raise $10 billion a year for 12 years.” On an online poll conducted between August 3-7 by PACE/USC Rossier School of Education, proposition 30 “holds a 55 to 36 percent lead” where as proposition 38 “has the support of only 40 percent of the likely voters, with 49 percent opposed.” In contrast to proposition 38, proposition 30 will use tax revenue for both K-12 and Higher Education where as prop 38 will only support K-12 education. 

This coming November, the residents of California will decide on two measures that will help generate revenue for public schools. I was a product of California’s K-12 schooling and experienced a well rounded education. I had great teachers that were very passionate about their job and took teaching very seriously. For the education for the future, I don’t know if the kids will experience the quality education I got. There will be increased class sizes, less educational programs, and less money to go around to fund the necessary things. As a current community college student, I am beginning to see the effects of how our state funding problem is effecting my quality of education. The lack of counselors, tutors, teachers, and all other people that make college run smoothly has hit Cabrillo hard. Lets stop this by voting yes on prop 30 and return Californian schools to what we had.

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/18/local/la-me-0919-cal-state-fees-2-20120919

http://csusqe.org/chapters/

http://www.mercurynews.com/california-budgetci_21374874/california-voters-prefer-gov-jerry-browns-tax-measure

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/endorsements/la-ed-end-prop-30-prop38-20121002,0,2923644.story