So, this semester I never really got a chance to go to any of the sporting events. However, I feel that I have missed out on a lot. It’s just that I’m not interested in sports at all. I did win phase one tickets for one of the basketball games, but I ended up not going. This past Sunday I went to visit one of my friends who stays at Avery. The most amazing thing was that they can watch the baseball games that go on from their balcony. Coincidently, there was a baseball game going on. UNC was playing against Maryland. Hence we both decided to sit in the balcony and watch the game. It wasn’t as exciting as a basketball game, but the crowd still seemed very excited.
Even though it was not as crowded, the audience cheered for the team throughout the game. However, the cheering was much louder whenever there was a homerun. The best part was that we won the game. The excitement of going to a game just doubles when your choice of team wins. So, it was definitely very exciting to see UNC beat Maryland. While enjoying the game, I also learned a little more about the rules of baseball and how it’s played. After watching this game, I realized what I have missed out on all year long. Attending sporting events really keeps you in spirit, and it is definitely a good way to support your school and its team. I’ll definitely try to attend more sporting events next year.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Event #3: Lecture
Yesterday, I attended a teach-in on the budget cuts titled “Whose University is this?: A Teach-In on the Budget Cuts” at the UNC Student Union. The event consisted of a panel consisting of students, staff, and faculty. The topics of discussion were tuition hikes, layoffs, budget cuts, and the economic crisis. The speakers included of: Rakhee Devasthali, an undergraduate student, Frank Dominguez, a Professor of Romance Languages, Salia Warren, an organizer with UE150, and Marko Duman, a graduate student in Russian and East European History.
The main argument that Prof. Frank Dominguez made was that workers, specifically the women and minorities, at UNC are being exploited. They are being paid relatively low compared to the others that perform the same duties as them. However, Salia Warren’s main concern was that the budget cuts are being made at the lower level rather than the administrative level. People such as housekeepers are barely paid enough. Hence, cutting their wages even more is probably not a good idea. However, if these same wage cuts are done at the administrative level, then they would not be affected as much since they already earn so much. The lower level workers do not even have any savings that they can depend on once they are laid off. Also, she felt that the lower-wage workers were being exploited by being hired as temporary workers. The important thing to notice is the fact that temporary workers at UNC have to go through a temporary agency owned by UNC. Hence, they benefit from hiring temporary workers who have to give a certain percentage of their income to the temporary agency, which in this case is owned by UNC. So, UNC benefits in that sense as well. Salia Warren was a very good speaker. She knew what she was talking about, which made people pay close attention to what she was saying. Most importantly, her voice tone was very loud and clear.
The other members of the panel included of students at UNC, both undergraduate and graduate. They basically talked about how the budget cuts are affecting them. Their main concern was that classes were being canceled in certain departments, class sizes are being enlarged, and that more classes are being taught by overworked and underpaid faculty and graduate students.
Prior to attending this teach-in, I had no idea about the budget crisis at UNC. However, this event really informed me about the topic and what the university is doing to overcome this crisis. I would completely agree with them that layoffs or forced time off without pay occur at the administrative levels only, and that the University not cut costs and rely on the use of temporary workers.
The main argument that Prof. Frank Dominguez made was that workers, specifically the women and minorities, at UNC are being exploited. They are being paid relatively low compared to the others that perform the same duties as them. However, Salia Warren’s main concern was that the budget cuts are being made at the lower level rather than the administrative level. People such as housekeepers are barely paid enough. Hence, cutting their wages even more is probably not a good idea. However, if these same wage cuts are done at the administrative level, then they would not be affected as much since they already earn so much. The lower level workers do not even have any savings that they can depend on once they are laid off. Also, she felt that the lower-wage workers were being exploited by being hired as temporary workers. The important thing to notice is the fact that temporary workers at UNC have to go through a temporary agency owned by UNC. Hence, they benefit from hiring temporary workers who have to give a certain percentage of their income to the temporary agency, which in this case is owned by UNC. So, UNC benefits in that sense as well. Salia Warren was a very good speaker. She knew what she was talking about, which made people pay close attention to what she was saying. Most importantly, her voice tone was very loud and clear.
The other members of the panel included of students at UNC, both undergraduate and graduate. They basically talked about how the budget cuts are affecting them. Their main concern was that classes were being canceled in certain departments, class sizes are being enlarged, and that more classes are being taught by overworked and underpaid faculty and graduate students.
Prior to attending this teach-in, I had no idea about the budget crisis at UNC. However, this event really informed me about the topic and what the university is doing to overcome this crisis. I would completely agree with them that layoffs or forced time off without pay occur at the administrative levels only, and that the University not cut costs and rely on the use of temporary workers.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Feeder 3.1 rough draft
The influence that the past has on the traditions of the present south can be seen in all of the readings. Even though, the south was presented in several different ways, the family dynamics of the south were very similar. In both “Cats of Confederacy” and “Drawing Names,” the family dynamics and the southern pride changed from generation to generation.
In “Drawing Names,” Carolyn’s mother cooks a lot for Christmas, but Carolyn thinks that her mother just makes a big deal out of such events. Also, at the beginning Carolyn decides they should draw names instead of getting a gift for everyone, which bothers her mother. Carolyn’s generation seems to be more practical rather than traditional. Also, Carolyn’s father does not approve of her divorce, and because of this Carolyn’s sister, Iris, is also hiding the fact that Ray, her husband, is no longer staying with her. Based on this, it is very obvious that the previous generation tried to maintain their marriage life no matter what. However, the new generation no longer worries about the traditions and ideals of the previous generation.
In addition, Laura Jean and Jim bring a bottle of Rebel Yell bourbon, which is a little shocking for Carolyn’s mother. On the other hand, Laura states that “A couple of drinks a day are good for your heart.” Also, it was really interesting to see Pappy there with the two most recent generations. His values were surprising to even Carolyn’s mother, which clearly shows how people’s traditions and ideals change over time. It was just shocking for everyone to hear what he had to say about the men and children eating separately and the women eating last. The reaction of the other people sitting there was directly hinting towards the idea of how times have changed now and such values no longer exist.
In “Drawing Names,” Carolyn’s mother cooks a lot for Christmas, but Carolyn thinks that her mother just makes a big deal out of such events. Also, at the beginning Carolyn decides they should draw names instead of getting a gift for everyone, which bothers her mother. Carolyn’s generation seems to be more practical rather than traditional. Also, Carolyn’s father does not approve of her divorce, and because of this Carolyn’s sister, Iris, is also hiding the fact that Ray, her husband, is no longer staying with her. Based on this, it is very obvious that the previous generation tried to maintain their marriage life no matter what. However, the new generation no longer worries about the traditions and ideals of the previous generation.
In addition, Laura Jean and Jim bring a bottle of Rebel Yell bourbon, which is a little shocking for Carolyn’s mother. On the other hand, Laura states that “A couple of drinks a day are good for your heart.” Also, it was really interesting to see Pappy there with the two most recent generations. His values were surprising to even Carolyn’s mother, which clearly shows how people’s traditions and ideals change over time. It was just shocking for everyone to hear what he had to say about the men and children eating separately and the women eating last. The reaction of the other people sitting there was directly hinting towards the idea of how times have changed now and such values no longer exist.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Autobiographical 2
I can definitely relate to what an African American would have to undergo because I have also experienced discrimination at school. When I was new to the US, I would just go and talk to whoever I wanted. At first, I made a few friends that were of different racial backgrounds. I used to primarily spend time with the Caucasians and the African Americans; however, I soon realized that I did not fit in. I felt as if I wasn’t treated the same as the others. I don’t really know why, but I ended up getting along really well with the Hispanics. This may be because we were all recent migrants and spoke the same amount of English. Even though, I learned English pretty fast, most of my elementary school and middle school time was spent around Hispanics. During high school, I started opening up a bit more and got to know other people. I guess there weren’t as many clicks. Everyone pretty much got along with everyone else.
Even though my family is not originally from here, I still feel that my family believes in a lot of the same values and traditions as the typical southerners. In “Drawing Names,” Carolyn’s father is disappointed over her failed marriage, which is the same case with my parents. My parents have completely different views on this idea. My mom feels that if marriage with someone is not really working out then it’s better to just get a divorce than having to suffer for the rest of your life. However, my dad feels that one should do whatever they can to maintain their relationship no matter what happens.
Even though my family is not originally from here, I still feel that my family believes in a lot of the same values and traditions as the typical southerners. In “Drawing Names,” Carolyn’s father is disappointed over her failed marriage, which is the same case with my parents. My parents have completely different views on this idea. My mom feels that if marriage with someone is not really working out then it’s better to just get a divorce than having to suffer for the rest of your life. However, my dad feels that one should do whatever they can to maintain their relationship no matter what happens.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Respone to "Dying for Dixie"
I think this chapter was definitely more intense than the one we had to read previously. However, once again I felt that Horwitz tended to sympathize with the African Americans. At first, we learn of Michael Westerman being shot by Freddie, and Michael is portrayed as being completely innocent. Later on when Horwitz visits Michael’s previous workplace, he finds out that Michael was racist. One of the waitresses there said, “Mike had a racial hang-up.” Also, she considered him as being a bully. Also, the treatment of Hannah, Michael’s wife, towards Freddie’s mother was quite disturbing. In contrast, Horwitz portrays Freddie as being apologetic for his behavior. However, at Michael’s house at the end, they are still supporting what they believed previously. They had rebel flag on display at their house and one of the toddler’s wore a rebel-flag shirt.
The thing that I found most interesting was when Frances Chapman states that, “Blacks just need to get over slavery, and you can’t live in the past.” However, she was doing the same thing by defending the rebel flag. Also, she states, “Don’t put us where they used to be.” She says this right after saying that slavery was not really that bad. So, if it wasn’t that bad then why should she mind being in their place? I just don’t understand why people can’t just treat everyone as equal, but then again if I think about it even now we still have class and status divisions. However, no one is limited to what they can achieve. Such things still exist, but just not as much as before.
The thing that I found most interesting was when Frances Chapman states that, “Blacks just need to get over slavery, and you can’t live in the past.” However, she was doing the same thing by defending the rebel flag. Also, she states, “Don’t put us where they used to be.” She says this right after saying that slavery was not really that bad. So, if it wasn’t that bad then why should she mind being in their place? I just don’t understand why people can’t just treat everyone as equal, but then again if I think about it even now we still have class and status divisions. However, no one is limited to what they can achieve. Such things still exist, but just not as much as before.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Autobiographical
First of all, I was not born in the United States. I was born in Pakistan, and my family moved to the U.S. in 1998. I stayed in New York for almost a day, but I never really got to see how life was like up there. We then moved down to Asheboro, NC. I have been living there ever since. I personally really enjoy living in that small town. Not many people even know where it is. It is where the North Carolina Zoo is located. My family is very conservative and restrictive, which has kind of made me what I am today. I was told last semester by one of my friends that I had an accent, but definitely not a southern accent. I guess that would be obvious, because English is no t the first language that I learned. However, I have felt that a few of my relatives that live in New York and Maryland consider us as being very traditional and mannered. In fact, a few days back I was talking to one of my friends that lives in New York, and he was telling me how the children that are normally brought up there are very spoiled. I feel that someone can be spoiled anywhere, and it doesn’t really matter where you’re brought up. I think it is the decisions that we make about who we would spend time with at school that represents the type of people we eventually become.
Cats of the Confederacy
The chapter, Cats of The Confederacy, was very interesting. I was a little surprised to know that we still had people in the south that held meetings to honor their great-grandfathers that fought in the Civil War. I liked how the author, Horwitz, showed us both, the perspective of the people who were for the Civil War and those who were against it. However, I felt that Horwitz seemed to be a little biased towards the people that were against the Civil War rather than the ones supporting the Confederates who fought for the Civil War. Horwitz seems to be making fun of the meetings the Sons and Daughters of Confederates by saying, “The birthday party that followed was even stranger.”
However, Horwitz didn’t have any negative things to say about the African Americans that he met. At the end, Horwitz talks to an African American who basically disagrees with the celebration of the Confederacy. I feel that by not saying anything negative about the African Americans, Horwitz seems to also disagree with the celebration of the Confederacy. I also agree with Horwitz. It is unpleasant to celebrate the Confederacy when everyone knows that they fought for something that was wrong. Overall, this was an informative chapter for those who had no knowledge about the Confederates. It is a great way for people to know about the existence of such groups as the Sons and Daughters of Confederates.
However, Horwitz didn’t have any negative things to say about the African Americans that he met. At the end, Horwitz talks to an African American who basically disagrees with the celebration of the Confederacy. I feel that by not saying anything negative about the African Americans, Horwitz seems to also disagree with the celebration of the Confederacy. I also agree with Horwitz. It is unpleasant to celebrate the Confederacy when everyone knows that they fought for something that was wrong. Overall, this was an informative chapter for those who had no knowledge about the Confederates. It is a great way for people to know about the existence of such groups as the Sons and Daughters of Confederates.
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