Just Walk By Black Men, and Public Space Response to Brent Staples. 5/6/08 Brent Staples.

Just Walk By Black Men, and Public Space

Response to Brent Staples

5/6/08

Brent Staples

With who did I identify at the start of Staples essay?

I identify with Brent Staples by being Latino, and walking around in a White area in the same situation having a White female looking back from a distance as she did to Mr. Staples. Also I identify with Brent Staples as being stereotyped in an upper class area. The victim perceives Mr. Staples as a mugger or rapist. I can be perceived in the same way as a Latino with tattoos and a shaved bald head. I can be judged as a gang member because of my looks, and the way I speak with an accent. Sometimes I walk with a limp. People often misjudge my appearance and think I am a “Cholo” or a gangster, and are often scared by my attire, and looks. When I was younger in high school this girl dropped her books, and I pick them up for her, and we began chatting, and to my surprise, she said that she had a crush on me back in Middle school, but was afraid to approach me because she had perceived me as a mean person.

Languages.

I tend to switch from English to Spanish When am holding an conversation with friends। I also noticed that I also speak slang in both English , and Spanish. When am in school I always speak in both Languages, and I can't carry on a conversation without speaking in both Languages. I really never Gave it much thought about speaking in both Languages, I guess its just the way I grew up in the Barrios, everyone speaks the same Languages, and switches from English to Spanish, and speaks slang English, and Spanish। I have been told that I do have an accent in my voice, maybe its because, am bilingual, and maybe its the just the way my parents talked , and I pick up the " lingo", I've been working on my grammer also, and am working on my Languages, and how to carry on a conversation with out using slang in both Languages, hओपेफुल्ली I can over come this Improper English, and speak proper English.

Reflections On Scotch On The Rocks!

I thought it was an excellent story it touches base with the problems I had as A youngster, and I could relate to the story because I lived that life almost all my life! I lost my driving license in 1995 due to two D.U.I.'s and I did two years in prison for those acts! As I read through the story it all seem familiar especially the part where she skits onto A Magnolia tree outta control. I have this Poem and the name of it is "My Name is Alcohol", I will share it with the class. I Got help myself, I just had my 13Th Birthday this year. I like "Scotch On The Rocks"It really was A excellent piece of work! I'm sure it will stress it's point across and open up one's eyes about the seriousness of D.U.I. and the consequences of going to jail and the impact it has on family members!

My T.V. Habits.

Day of my T.V. viewing: 4:30 P.M. Am watching Trzs Latino M.T.V. I stop watching at: 6;30 P.M. "WOW", I was amazed to learn that Selena's brother is A member of the musical band"The Cumbia Kings"! I was really excited, and into the music as the beat moved my soul, and had me doing A few Cumdia moves of my own.The energy in their moves were electrifying. it was A soulful experience, and will buy one of their C.D.'s some day.When I think of Selena, I feel bad that she died so young, and such A promising future ahead of her! It's hard to imagine that someone so nice and talented, could reach A fate as she did. Its always fun to hear her music and see her dance! Her music touched person's of all kinds of races. They say music is Universal no matter which language you speak. I felt very depressing after the show, and went to bed. Day of my T.V. viewing: 9:P.M. I stop watching at: 11:P.M. I am watching Dodger baseball right now and am happy to report that they won: 4to3. I love watching my home team play. Alot people dislike Baseball because they say that its boring, and say that the game is too long, and that the food , and refreshments are to expensive. In my opinion, I don't mind watching two, and A half hours of scoreless endings. The only thing I don't like is the hard chairs, and the long lines to use the rest rooms. I guess staying home to watch A Baseball game has some advanages over going to the Ball park for example: I can lay comfortable on my bed and relax and have all the goodies at my reach, and not have to worry about the long lines to any where! It's fun when you win, and bitterness when you lose! Started waching T.V. at 9:a.m. Am proud to say, am a Lakre fan! Lakers won the number one seed in the western confernce and will have home field advantage throught out the series providing they keep wining. I think they have A chance to win the conference championship, and hopefully the N.B.A. Title! I feel happy right now because the Lakres just won A game so all they need now is three more wins and they can advance to the next round of the playoffs. So am feeling pretty good right now. I just stop viewing the T.V., it's 12:p.m.

My Lab Experience.

My lab experience was really cool. I just purchased A new computer, and am now learning how use It. So this lab experience has help me some what sharpen my typing skills, and having fun in the same time. At first, I have to admit I was kinda nervous, and stressed out. I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to share my personal life with my class mates, and participating in various class room projects, reading especially. I never felt bored in Ms. Lennon classes, am sure everyone feels the same. I want to thank My class mate Rigoberto for helping me out on my Blog, that was very cool of him to come to my home, and help me out! I enjoyed English 21, and hope, to have Ms. Lennon for English 28. This has been A very good learning experience for me, am sure it has honed my communication, and writting skills altogether.

Why My Culture History Is Inportant To Me.

My reason why is because it has given insight to many Heritage traits throught song and dance, food. It has open up a new perspective on many subjects such as Tortillas, which can be traced back to our ancestor the Aztec Indians. Finding my Hertiage roots has been an interesting experience for me , first I'd like to share with you that am Chicano which is the same as Mexican/American, I've learned that I came from A mix race which is called a Mestizo Which is Spanish mixed with Aztec Indian. Born and raised in the East Side of Los Angeles, California. I've witness history and marched along with other Chicanos and Chicanas in protest of the Vietnam war where thousands of young brothers and sisters were killed in A very controversial war. Riots broke out people lost their lifes, others went to jail including my-self. It was a lesson of injustice, dissapointment, mental anguished it was site I'll never forget. The March was called the Chicano Moratorium on the vietnam war, which took place on August 29th,1970 on Whittier Blvd East Los Angeles, California. In my present History class here at Los Angeles Trade Tecnical College, I have touch base with the same subject, and has enlighten me with facts that were silent for so long. History has along with my English class has given me self- esteem and honor. My culture is rich with pride and happiness. Am proud to be Chicano in America