Aria: Richard Rodriguez

Article: Article: Aria 

Author: Richard Rodriguez 

Quote 1: “Without question, it would have pleased me to hear my teachers address me

in Spanish when I entered the classroom.”

     This quote is significant in regards to Richard feeling like a social outcast. Because he does not speak the “public language”, his presence is not that of his middle class classmates.  He feels uneasy, and that the English language is not for him. Every fiber of his being is telling him he is not supposed to speak the public language, even worse, he would comprise his home life. However, he soon realizes he has no other choice but to learn English. 

Quote 2: “Because I wrongly imagined that English was intrinsically a public language

and Spanish an intrinsically private one, I easily noted the difference between

classroom language and the language of home.” 

  

     This quote galvanizes a subconscious false reality instilled in Richard’s mind as he faces two different worlds, his home life, and school. At school, sentences were constructed so that the entire class could understand. Where as his home language is not understood by most. At school he must learn the English to be a participating figure and succeed in his classes.  

Quote 3: “The belief. the calming assurance that I belonged in public, had at last taken

hold.”

     This quote expresses Richard’s first moment where he spoke clear English and the entire class understood. He had finally articulated his point and for all to hear. He began to think of himself as belonging in public and no longer feels ostracized. Richard has always been an American Citizen, however, it was not until he reached seven years old, did he realize he truly was an American citizen since day one. 

     A point to share in class is that the family does assimilate to their new culture. However, the dad does not seem to adapt well. His presence in the home is diminishing. There is much less communication as the daughter enjoys being her own public identity. The only time she will adhere to her parents incorrect, grammatically awkward, broken phrases of English is in public. The relationship she once had with her parents is no longer present, and it is harsh this occurred because the girl had no other choice but to learn English to fit in and succeed.  

Prov J artige addressing bilingual nature in RI schools 

http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20180528/ri-districts-adapt-to-rise-in-english-language-learners

All Lives Matter

     In the article, “All lives mater,” by Kevin Goose, is a compelling text that offers a sensical insight as to why it is not okay to say all lives matter, but instead, “Black Lives matter.” The term, “All lives matter,” refers to every race. However, it is of my understanding, according to this article, that black folks feel that the phrase, “All Lives matter”, is ignoring the hardships black culture face.The phrase, “black lives mater,” came about in 2013, following an event where an unarmed black male named,Trayvon Martin, was shot and killed by police. The, “black lives matter,” served as a platform for antiracism and justice. Since the year 2013, black lives matter campaigns and slogans roared through the United States.  

     There was a point and time when every timeI listened or watched the news, black lives matter, was a part of the program news. This made me realize that black people still face inequalities, unfortunately, by the people they are to supposed to associate with safety. It is a grossly depressing world where institutions such as education, the police, banks, etc, are places of this nature that are supposed to be beneficial for citizens and aid in creating a better life, are places that judge and characterize individuals based on the color of their skin. However, the act also demonstrated that the black folk are not okay with the inequalities presented to them, and will fight back against a compromised social normality that in no way shape or form is acceptable in the “land of the free.”   

     When the article made reference to police violence, I decided to look up the data to see just how many blacks were being killed by police. As It turns out, in the year 2015, two years after the Trayvon Martin shooting, more white people had been shot by police officers in 2015 than minorities.” However, the population has a major hand in the likely hood of being shot. Meaning, yes, more white people were shot by police in 2015, the population of white people, far exceeds that of the black population. So in reality, the severity lies in the black population because a higher percent of the black population is being ordered by police. Thus, meaning the blacks are subject to a higher likelihood of being shot by the police.  

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/07/11/arent-more-white-people-than-black-people-killed-by-police-yes-but-no/?utm_term=.267059ac778f  

U.S.A, Land of Limitations

 The article, " USA, Land of Limitations", by Nicholas Kristof, is a very compelling argument concerning one’s ability to advance in this world. The article begins to explain how the United States of America used to be a place where people came, not for welfare, but to provide goods and services. The hardworking people had the opportunity to do so, Kristof states. However, he feels that in today’s world, opportunity is very rare. 

     This article made me think back to when I was young. As a young lad trying to figure out what high school to go to, my father instilled life lasting advice into me. He said, “Don’t worry about the price of the school. I work hard so you have the opportunity to attend a good school. Opportunity is everything.” I knew how important opportunity was at this very age. However, it was explained to me that opportunity, is not rare. My father told me that I wanted to get a bike I was going to have to work to buy it. So, I cut lawns, picked up leaves, helped my neighbors with task such as building fences and so forth. The opportunity for me to make money was all around me. The fact that the author states that opportunity is very rare and successful is dependent upon the success of one's grandparents  seems like a very cynical look at success. 

     Being said, I do see where he is coming from. When looking at politics and Ivy League schools even, the applicants that get accepted have the rare convince of having someone on the inside. Thus, being smart gets you no where unless you have an inside connections, making advancing into a realm such as being part of a big corporation difficult when hr letters on your resume are not a top knock school that cost an arm and a leg to attend. 

     One point to voice in the classroom is that of which opportunity is available to those who are willing to seek it. Finding the opportunity may not be easy, it may take several lesser than ideal opportunities that will lead you to the opportunity of your dreams. However, with time comes experience and every expense you encountered and endure in your lifetime will be of value to whatever opportunity you are presented with in your life. 

http://www.pravsworld.com/making-the-most-of-every-opportunity/

NIck's First Blog

     My name is Nick Berling, and I attend Rhode Island College. I am in my second year of college and aspire to receive a teaching degree in four years. I have an older brother, by two minutes. We are fraternal twins. We look nothing alike, except in the face. We have opposite personalities, however, get along fine. Over the summer, I worked, a lot. I worked at a local market located in Westerly, RI seven days a week for 3 months. At this job I did a plethora of activities. For instance, I cut meat, cashier, delivery, and unloaded the trucks that came in with loads of food. Here is a picture of my boss and his wife who have owned the market since 1989. Very nice people.

(left: Cheryll )(Right: Tony)
These fine people are my bosses. They have multiple kids and operate a family run business going on it's twenty-sixth year. They work long hard days and are a big inspiration to me. 

     Some of my free time consists of working out, reading, and watching too many hours of Youtube. My hobbies include CrossFit, running, rugby, biking, and occasionally surfing. I enjoy being outdoors. I have lived in Westerly for most of my life and I could not imagine being away from the ocean. I have grown to love the ocean so much, that everyday of the summer, weather permitting, involved a swim in the ocean. I recently went to Colorado, and the mountains are great, but I still prefer the ocean. Here are some pictures of me doing some of my favorite hobbies.  

This is me playing rugby in the Hendricken Alumni game. 

This is a picture of me working on my handstand walks. 

This is me paddling boarding with a couple of my friends. Which is one of the most relaxing, fun activities I can possibly do.