The kids have been influenced!

Anyone who believes that the media has no influence on people, must be living a dream world. The media affects all people. Now as far as to the degree of influence, that might have some room for discussion. Weight, for example, is a very important issue to all Americans. We have become a culture where, God forbid, you are overweight, you are considered an outcast. Our society does not accept overweight people. Our society does not accept overweight people. The television makes this quite clear with all its advertisements for the various reducing programs. You have different celebrities who promote the different weight loss programs. You have different people for weight watchers, the Atkins diet, Jenny Craig, and Jarod for subway. Now you even have a television program called, “The biggest loser.” From the minute kids go to school, they are teased about being fat.
You must agree that all those programs continue to make the American public think that being overweight is a cardinal sin. I truly believe that this is one of the main reasons why there are so many anorexic young adults in America. All these television advertisements, magazine articles and radio announcements take a toll on you. At first glance, sure, one listens to what is on t.v. and says,” no way” I don’t need to lose weight. Then as time goes on, you start to look at yourself in another light. Who do you have to blame for this? The answer is, the media, no matter what the issue maybe. Pokemon used to be a real big show when I was young. I remember the t.v. was flooded with all kinds of Pokemon gadgets, ranging from cards to all kinds of toys. I would drive my mom crazy. I think back at how much t.v. had to do with my obsession with Pokemon. Pokemon was all over my house. The way things are presented has a great deal with influence on all of us. It is the advertising people who prey on our work defenses. Every aspect of our life is subjected to the media. At any given time we will cave in to something that hits our weakest point. Even the way things are packaged, influences our way of buying food. The more appealing the package looks, the more likely we are to buy the product. The media advertises these products on t.v. and in the paper, this we are tempted to buy.

Poor Souls

Looking at these photos can only bring back to mind another devastating period of time, the Holocaust. The photographer has captured the full impact of this crushing blow that the island of Haiti had to endure. The look of despair, hopelessness, and misery is rampant throughout the entire nation. Just as the Holocaust wiped out an entire population of Jews, so has this hurricane to a certain extent. These people now are totally stripped of any ounce of dignity. As they wallow through the muck and mud they are faced with the reality that they have nothing. What more can these poor individuals lose? I also ask myself, why has God chosen to continuously pound this country with natural disasters. They are already a nation full of political strife. Must they also suffer the cruelty of nature? The photographer, undoubtedly, has a great deal to do in capturing the audience’s emotions. These photos definitely invigorate me. They tend to wake up rebellious side of me. After seeing these conditions, I want to open the eyes of everyone. I want all to see this despair as I do. Why is it that we cannot allow the Haitians to have the same opportunity as the Cubans have? If they land on our soil they too, should be granted freedom. In no way do I wish to diminish the anguish that the Cubans feel. On the contrary, I wish to have both situations be treated in the same manner. Maybe, this was God’s way of making our government open their eyes to the tragic situation that the Haitians are going through. Maybe, now they may grant those individuals the same freedoms that they grant the Cubans once they touch American soil. There is so much pain and suffering in the world, I wish I could be more of an activist in promoting peace throughout the world. These photos have touched my inner being, in such a way, that I want to go out and do anything I can to bring us closer to aiding countries in need.

To lead or follow?

It is funny how when you are growing up, you are always told to be a leader and not a follower. In today’s society, however, when it comes to important events, one tends to stray towards their parents beliefs. I do question, what if you like following what your friends do, if you believe this is correct. Are you wrong for following if you see it as ok, but society may not? I am not referring to illegal or reckless activities, but maybe just simple pleasures that are harmless. When you do stand up for yourself and become a leader, you put yourself out there to be either praised with admiration or shunned by your peers. Teenagers have it rough. You strive your entire life to bring success to your family’s name by succeeding them and their achievements. At the same time one is dealing with other daunting tasks such as: school, relationships, friends, etc. A good topic for discussion at the dinner table may be questions on politics or religion. In, my house we discuss everything that would be considered unusual in most families. Hell, nowadays it is impossible to have a family eat together. Either dad is coming home late from the office or mom cannot spare the time to make a home cooked meal. The common thing to do is to order out and everyone eats when they want to. It is sad that today you have to have a designated day to sit down and have a meal as a family. “Nick at Night,” suggested the idea to have this one-day where the family sits down to have a family night. They made this a national day. How absurd is that! Is it possible that society has come to this point? How can it be that families have drifted so far apart that they need a “National Family Day,” to bring them together.


I just want to touch on the male and female titles that try to keep us in a gender bubble. I for one am against it. Break the bubble! Finally, you have women branching out and breaking out of the stereotypical housewife. They too, have their own careers. The roles are often switched. Today, you can see a man cooking a warm meal for his family. I do wonder why when these roles are switched, society tends to have a dim view on the male subject. If the woman is successful and loving her job and the man is at home cooking and cleaning, society labels him as “lazy” and not manly. This is all due to the fact that he is not the one bringing home the, “bread.” I love the fact that women are involved in politics. This year history will be made, whether it be Obama as president or Palin as VP. The glass ceiling effect is finally weakening. No matter what gender, race, or religion you are, any job could be seen fit for you.

Thoughts on blogging

When one gets an assignment for school, such as homework problems for math or even a group project for history, dread and stress come to mind. This is how I felt when I started school and how most students feel when they hear that. The main problem, for some, is the fact that they question whether or not they are doing this right. The student will also question himself by asking if this is what the teacher is asking for? Blogging is merely a notation of one’s feelings. The strange thing about blogging however, even though it is considered an assignment to do it, really is not one. The first thing that came to mind, when I heard that I had to do a blog, was actually the opposite. I saw this as an opportunity to get my thoughts out of my head and actually onto paper. This is my first blog that I have ever written because through high school I tended to keep to my parents and myself when it involved personal things or opening up secrets. I have found that blogging is quite cathartic.



Being that this is my first blog I wonder if I am doing this right which adds stress. The odd thing is that there is a sense of relief that comes with writing a blog. I am supposed to be asking myself questions on how I feel in doing this. The truth is I get mixed feelings. I tend to be very uneasy when opening up to new people. I love to have a good time, but opening up my thoughts is unsettling at times. It is like getting back stage passes to see your favorite artist perform, but when the time comes you freeze and get nervous. The anticipation that you build to see the guy is enormous just as the possibility of opening up your thoughts and ideas to others, but when the time comes to go and do it, you second guess yourself and have doubts.