Getting Laid-Off

Being an employee for anyone does not always necessarily exist with job security. At any point, as an employee for a person or big corporation, there is a possibility that one could be fired or even laid-off. There is even more of a danger when, for example, working as a contractor for a big company. In my case, however, I worked for an agency which helps people find job openings at different companies. In the agency’s defense, they honestly worked well with everyone. As a whole they were caring and generous. I feel that I’ll be fine staying as an employee for the agency, but the company did not even have the audacity to at least give us more than a week’s notice. Well like they say, “everything happens for a reason”. This will hopefully just be for the better and will open bigger doors of opportunity for all of us.

Whale Rider

The film “Whale Rider”, that we watched in class, was a really good movie. It definitely had an effective message at the end. Again, like 10,000 BC, this movie isn’t one that I usually find much interest in. However, I found it interesting enough to perhaps consider watching the movie for a second time. I thought Paikea was a truly courageous little girl. She did not give up on becoming leader of the tribe and getting the whale’s tooth which represents chief of the tribe. Her grandfather, Paka, did not want a girl to be leader. He felt that it was a boy’s position, although, none of the boys which Paka was training, earned the spot. They were not good enough. The spot was truly destined for Paikea.

10,000 BC

Just a few weekends ago, I watched the movie 10,000 BC. This movie is not necessarily the type of movie I usually enjoy watching, especially at the movie theatres. But unfortunately, my boyfriend makes me watch these types of movies with him. However, I did end up really enjoying the film. It is a prehistoric epic that follows a young mammoth hunter’s journey through uncharted territory to secure future of his tribe. Of course it has its romantic story. The young man falls, at a very young age, in love with a beautiful young girl who is also part of the tribe. She gets taken away by another group of people. Throughout his journey to save the tribe, he is also looking forward to seeing his love again. Generally, it’s a great movie and I would recommend it.

Television Addiction

This story was one of the most interesting. Like the essay ‘Territorial Behavior’, this essay is one that we can definitely relate to. Personally, I wouldn’t say that I am a television addict but I’ve most likely gone through a phase in which I was. Television, though, is just truly addicting. Once you watch one series, you just can’t seem to turn off the TV set. For example, at times which I’ve sat down to watch a show, I end up sitting on the couch for at least two or three more shows. In the essay, the author compares the television addiction to drug and alcohol addiction. The way in which the types of habits are similar is because when trying to quit the addiction, people think they can stop it but in reality it’s uncontrollable.

Territorial Behavior

The essay “Territorial Behavior” is one of the readings that bring up smirks to readers simply because we realize that what it’s saying is true. The facts that are mentioned in this story are different things that we know are true but never really think about. The first part deals with Tribal territory. This one basically is based on closeness that we have for those of our culture. It’s how we defend and protect our tribe and such. Secondly, the author talks about Family territory. Family territory is based on the way we, as a family, decorate our spaces. Most families’ homes look completely different and special on the inside and the outside. The fact that we can do this, allows us to show off personality and difference. The final territorial behavior is the personal territory. With personal territory, the author mentions how people usually sit somewhere and will put their belongings beside them to avoid others from sitting too close. Overall, this essay was really good.

Affirmative Action: The Price of Preference

This essay was very interesting, mainly because it’s based on one of those topics that we face in daily life but don’t necessarily think about too often. In almost every job they must have a number of black employees just because if they were to do otherwise, they’d be considered racists. The suggestion of affirmative action should help blacks but not essentially a preference. That is the issue Shelby Steele, the author of this essay, has with this matter. Affirmative action does not only come up in life for jobs, but it also applies for students when they are applying for college. Steele, being a middle-classed black him, does not agree with what affirmative action brings upon black people, or for matter Hispanic, or simply white women.

Cultural Baggage

My idea of culture is mainly tradition. Along with tradition, there are many other factors which not only make up a culture but also make each and every different culture special. The factors consist of mostly nationality, language, music, food, way of living, and religion. In the essay by Barbara Ehrenreich, "Cultural Baggage", she begins by explaining to the readers that whenever others ask her about her ethnic background, she really does not know what to answer. Though she continues by stating that she does know what her background is of course but does not necessarily feel proud about them I guess. Ehrenreich later acknowledges that she wasn't really raised with any culture. In my opinion, this is an issue because in the future you really wouldn't know how to raise your children when it comes down to culture. The author, likewise, basically explains here that she does not raise her children with any culture. In cases like these, the children would not be exposed to religion at an early age so they'd just be expected to choose their beliefs accordingly.