Lesson 2- How do filmmakers shed light upon social issues and move us towards action?

Significant Exchange-Oral Debate

First Draft of Argument Paper

This is a very rough draft of what my paper will look like. I am in the process of reviewing and editing it as well as creating a Reference Page. I will post this version now so that I will not be caught without a post at 11pm. I have a habit of losing myself in a project and not realizing what time it is in reality. Thanks! :)

            As time extends, so do our waistbands. Obesity has become an issue in our country. Families on the go would rather spend an average of forty dollars on food to go than cook a meal at home. The calories in the average Fast Food burger are equivalent to what a person should have in one day. It is no wonder why Americans are having issues with weight. This issue has grown exponentially causing the government. Even though the government has created new laws that help guide how we eat, Americans should be held accountable to following these new regulations.

            New legislations have been debated over years in regards to the obesity epidemic, because the government believes people need an incentive. Most people do not know how to address the problem, because another person cannot control what a person puts in their mouths. Therefore legislation is trying to control what happens in a person’s wallet. As stated in Rob Longley’s article, “Big Brother - Thinner Brother, Can legislation prevent obesity in America?” “Some insurance industry officials have suggested charging obese persons higher premiums.” This is due to the heightening costs of obesity-related health care, which is currently about $117 billion dollars. Yet the message is clear Americans need to monitor their eating habits.

            It is expensive to eat healthy. Most Americans will confirm that buying a salad from a store is more expensive than a burger at a Fast Food restaurant. With the economy at a steady decline, Americans are more than ever concerned about the money in their wallets. So why would anyone follow the suggestions of the government, when it is easier to say than to do? Who really wins? The medical centers that treat people with obesity are those that benefit the most from illness related to obesity, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. As stated in Michael Pollan article, “Big Food vs. Big Insurance,” “There’s lots of money to be made selling fast food and then treating the diseases that fast food causes.” It is a cycle. We eat poorly to save money so we can pay our medical bills, but we lose even more money, because of our poor eating habits. Americans must break the costly cycle, but we need some help.

            Since Americans cannot control their calorie intake, new regulations have been passed to insure that most public restaurants insure consumers the lowest calorie intake and a choice on what to eat. Fast Food restaurants have had to change how they prepare food as well as show the calorie intake for each item. It is a way to alert consumers on what they are eating and the most cost effective item is not always the healthiest. The Federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has also made new guidelines that, “[Americans] are to engage in regular physical activity, urging adults who want to lose weight to participate in 60 minutes to 90 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily,” as said in Kim Krisberg Article “New Dietary Guidelines Advocate Physical Activity, Calorie Control.” Americans must contribute to the reform; we must make the right decisions.

            Although most Americans believe it is unjust that the government has created new policies that restaurants must follow, it is for the betterment of America as whole. This change causes the restaurants to spend more money on healthier products such as cooking oil and condiments. They also must spend more on advertisement as well as the addition of Nutritional Facts to what they sell. Yet this is beneficial for those that take their health seriously. Even for those that are not as concerned with their health, they have been warned. This in turn increases the accountability each individual American has for their health.

            Americans must be accountable for their own eating habits. It is no longer the fault of the restaurant with the juicy steak that shoots a person’s cholesterol sky-high. The government has warned us and has tried their best to open healthier options for us all. It is what we do with these opportunities that will define what our health as a country will be in the future. 

De-Stress So You Can Do Your Best

Welcome back everyone. I hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing Thanksgiving. As finals/ final project due dates are nearing us at a rapid pace, I decided to dedicate this post to 5 ways we can de-stress ourselves.

1. Meditation: This is a fast and effective way to lower your stress level. One of my favorites is laying down on the bed or any flat surface for 8 minutes. Easy? Not really. The hardest part of the 8 Minute Meditation is emptying your mind of all thoughts and only concentrating on your breathing while relaxing every muscle. It takes a while to perfect it, but it is beneficial when you do.

2. Yoga: Some of you all may be groaning, but it is true. Yoga is relaxing. There are different levels of Yoga so be sure to pick the one that is best for you. I particularly like and recommend Power Vinyasa. It is fairly close to a work-out. It is a series of yoga positions mixed with cardio that concentrates on your breathing. Every time I go, I come out completely relaxed.

3. Music: Yes, music. It can relax your mind and sooth your soul. I would recommend something soothing and light. I prefer Adele and Maroon 5, because they are soothing, yet I don't sacrifice my favorite artists. Try to stay away from rock. It does sooth at times, but usually it feeds into anxiety because of the harsh tones and beat.

4. Tea: Drink Tea. Any type of tea will do, but I would recommend Chamomile. It is by nature a soothing tea that calms. It also eases stomach problems including the stomach flu.

5. Exercise: I know this seems out of place, but I wanted to put it in because some people are relaxed when they are active. Exercises releases tension in your muscles and causes you to focus. So while your at the gym, hit a punching bag or two and pretend it's all of your problems.

Thanks for tuning in and be safe. :)

Response to Diane's Blog- "Sir Reads-A-Lot"

"Sir Reads-A-Lot"

I love blogging and all the topics people write about, but I believe this is by far the funniest post I've read by far. It just goes to show how a creative mind works. I also love this post, because it is a creative piece without prejudice. I see so many teachers scorn rap when it can actually stimulate a child creatively. Yes, I understand some songs insult women and emphasize violence (believe me I've heard a lot of them), but if we find the right ones we can really inspire students that can relate to it. I believe done in the right way rap is can be a form of poetry where people can express themselves. I feel that any method which prompts kids to think out of the box is worth while, even if some people oppose it. There will always be nay-sayers, but as long as we are not offending or hurting anyone I believe it's okay. For instance, there are people that say Facebook is corrupt and would never use it as an activity in class. These are also the people that stray away from technology. I feel anything that can catch a student's interest is worthwhile.  Also I found a pretty entertaining video on Thesis Statements done in rap that I hope you will all like. It is creativity at its best. :)

Lack of Interest, Lack of Education, or Just Plain Rude?

Welcome back, readers. I hope all is well with you. Tonight I will be going on a rant. I warn you now of this, so you may have a choice. Here goes:

Today was a hard day. I pride myself on my patience, but what destroys the solid wall I have built is being disrespected. There were two incidents. The first was on the wrap line in AU's cafeteria. As many would know, trying to grab lunch during rush hour is difficult. Everyone on all the lines resemble the zombies from "The Walking Dead," when Rick first meets Glenn. I maneuver around one girl and lightly tap her bag by accident. It was so light that a regular person would disregard it, but of course the girl has to say, "Excuse me," to her friend as if I wouldn't hear it. Yes, it's my fault for tapping her, but she didn't have to belittle my existence. I apologized and thought life could move on, but she had to talk about me right in front of me in a hushed voice to her friend. Note: A hushed voice is audible from a foot away. I removed myself from the situation, because I was livid. After that occurrence, I started wondering, "Why?" Why can't people be kind or have a little bit of patience? Is it a genetic trait or is it learned? Is it possible that people just don't care? I was raised as a Catholic, but am not that rigid with the practice. Yet I have always believed that one should treat others as one wish to be treated. Even in school it was reinforced, we should all treat each other as equals. I just couldn't wrap my head around it.

Earlier tonight I was in the holy land, Barnes and Nobles. I treated myself to a couple of books and went to the line having forgotten what happened earlier today. There was a father and son ahead of me kind of on the line, but not really. I couldn't distinguish if they were or not, so I believed they were, because I didn't want any confusion later, such as people accusing me of jumping the line. So, I waited my turn. One cashier became available and beckoned the people forward. I was then distracted by those tantalizing items they always keep near the cashier. It hadn't even been 5 seconds before I had the gentleman, not really that gentle, prod me forward with his words. He alerted me that there was a cashier open and I expressed to him my confusion and walked towards the teller. He did not stop there. He then said in a trite tone, "Jeez, how many times do they have to call you," and then mumbled as he went to a different teller. My vision was covered in red spots. I then told him, "I didn't know if they were going or not. There is no reason to be disrespectful." He ignored me, I bought my books, and he bought his. I then left in a worse mood than before.


Why is it that people disrespect others so easily for such minor things? Is it that parents and teachers don't teach people manners at an early age? I want to teach my students that we should all be respectful towards one another regardless of our gender, race, or religion. Little things similar to those mentioned before should not throw us over the edge. I'm sure that the man in the bookstore thought I was a stupid teen, because I was still wearing my gym clothes. Why does that matter? I am a lady and want to be respected as such. Do teens deserve less respect? I do not believe so. We are all equals; we are all human.

So tell me do you think I just had a bad day or was it a lack of interest, lack of education or just plain rude?


Good-night and stay safe. :)

S.T.A.R. Revision Strategy