Mexican Whiteboy Seminar
Seminar Pre-Write
Mexican Whiteboy Seminar Pre-Write
1. What masks do Danny and Uno have to wear?
Danny and Uno both have relatively the same masks to wear that are shown throughout the book. The whole book constantly shows how they are judged based off of their Hispanic background. Others around them almost look at them as if they cannot do the same things as normal people could do, even at something as simple as baseball. A quote from this book is a perfect example of this as Uno makes Danny feel bad about his ability stating “For all he know, you’re just another punk Mexican kid from National City. One of my boys. Trust me, he gonna be laughin’ at you.” This quote shows how even before people get to know someone with different ethnicity, they already judge on ability and economic class. Danny and Uno were both affected by this in baseball, as others would constantly be judging them and doubting their abilities based off of what they looked like. All in all, both Danny and Uno have been hiding behind their Mexican Hispanic culture from fear of being judged.
2. Use the concepts of socialization to explain the book “Mexican Whiteboy”
Socialization was represented very well all over the book. Parts of the books show how different places, people, and things in a person’s everyday life can completely change the way they think and act. A place in the book is Uno’s father explaining how people of National City think compared to how others of a more wealthy culture think. He is talking about a little girl with a fashion magazine stating “She turnin’ to page hundred and fifty-one. Pullin’ out a secret stash of cash and countin’: ‘Ten twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven, fifty-eight. She’s restakin’ them bills over and over, in order of value, but it still ain’t enough to get her hair done. Not like the little white girl in the magazine. The actress. She’s flippin’ to that dog-eared magazine page again studyin’ the picture. Lookin’ at herself in the mirror, runnin’ a couple fingers through her nappy-ass hair.” I think this detailed quote truly shows how much of an influence people take from others, even from the media. The media has a huge impact on everyone in this world, as the quote shows. We are all impacted through different ways including the media, school, family, and friends, which is how we are all socialized. As a final point, Mexican Whiteboy has very deep quotations to show and emphasize how we are socialized in our world around us.
3. What new insights did you gain about race and economic class in reading this book?
During the time I spent reading Mexican Whiteboy I increased my knowledge on race, economic class, as well as how people see others differently based on these two things. One of Uno’s thoughts on something his father was saying clearly shows how economic class relates to a person’s race. He thinks “Even the people who don’t talk about money are thinking about it. Because everybody’s poor. Every one of his friends. Their families.” The quote shows how people of Uno’s Mexican ethnicity are impacted in their economic class just by their race. I feel as though this wealth inequality happens throughout America and Mexico today, and that we need to start doing something about it. Also, I have felt almost spoiled in this inequality, as I know that across the world people are struggling with money on a day to day basis. To conclude, America, in addition to every other countries needs to stop judging others economic class based off of their race, and start wealth equality for all.
1. What masks do Danny and Uno have to wear?
Danny and Uno both have relatively the same masks to wear that are shown throughout the book. The whole book constantly shows how they are judged based off of their Hispanic background. Others around them almost look at them as if they cannot do the same things as normal people could do, even at something as simple as baseball. A quote from this book is a perfect example of this as Uno makes Danny feel bad about his ability stating “For all he know, you’re just another punk Mexican kid from National City. One of my boys. Trust me, he gonna be laughin’ at you.” This quote shows how even before people get to know someone with different ethnicity, they already judge on ability and economic class. Danny and Uno were both affected by this in baseball, as others would constantly be judging them and doubting their abilities based off of what they looked like. All in all, both Danny and Uno have been hiding behind their Mexican Hispanic culture from fear of being judged.
2. Use the concepts of socialization to explain the book “Mexican Whiteboy”
Socialization was represented very well all over the book. Parts of the books show how different places, people, and things in a person’s everyday life can completely change the way they think and act. A place in the book is Uno’s father explaining how people of National City think compared to how others of a more wealthy culture think. He is talking about a little girl with a fashion magazine stating “She turnin’ to page hundred and fifty-one. Pullin’ out a secret stash of cash and countin’: ‘Ten twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven, fifty-eight. She’s restakin’ them bills over and over, in order of value, but it still ain’t enough to get her hair done. Not like the little white girl in the magazine. The actress. She’s flippin’ to that dog-eared magazine page again studyin’ the picture. Lookin’ at herself in the mirror, runnin’ a couple fingers through her nappy-ass hair.” I think this detailed quote truly shows how much of an influence people take from others, even from the media. The media has a huge impact on everyone in this world, as the quote shows. We are all impacted through different ways including the media, school, family, and friends, which is how we are all socialized. As a final point, Mexican Whiteboy has very deep quotations to show and emphasize how we are socialized in our world around us.
3. What new insights did you gain about race and economic class in reading this book?
During the time I spent reading Mexican Whiteboy I increased my knowledge on race, economic class, as well as how people see others differently based on these two things. One of Uno’s thoughts on something his father was saying clearly shows how economic class relates to a person’s race. He thinks “Even the people who don’t talk about money are thinking about it. Because everybody’s poor. Every one of his friends. Their families.” The quote shows how people of Uno’s Mexican ethnicity are impacted in their economic class just by their race. I feel as though this wealth inequality happens throughout America and Mexico today, and that we need to start doing something about it. Also, I have felt almost spoiled in this inequality, as I know that across the world people are struggling with money on a day to day basis. To conclude, America, in addition to every other countries needs to stop judging others economic class based off of their race, and start wealth equality for all.
Seminar Reflection
Mexican Whiteboy Seminar Reflection
A question that someone stated in the seminar made me really think, and not feel alone. Even others, as well as I could relate and really speak to this question. She asked “Is there a stronger relationship or bond between the parents to the same gender offspring?” This question really hit me because I felt like I could open up to how I feel an express my opinion. After I explained how I feel, I then realized that I am not alone. Others also related to this question as well, and were able to bring in new ideas to the seminar. I really felt close to this question too because I was able to spill out every thought I had, and also see how others felt. Even after the seminar, I am still thinking about the question and how I individually tie back to it. Overall, I am glad she asked the question, and I really felt like I could open up and express my true feelings.
A connection from the seminar that I made back to my personal life was the question that was asked about what masks Uno and Danny wear throughout the book. I related to this because of the book I am currently reading, called Water for Elephants. The story shows a man who runs away from his prestigious scholar life in an Ivy League school to join a circus. Some of the people that work at the school do not show much respect for the man as they call him a “coward” or say “What are you doing here? Why did you leave?” The quotes can relate back to the masks because the man in the story sometimes felt like he needed to hide behind a rich, smart, and impressive mask around others at the circus. Just like Danny and Uno, he felt almost left out and unable to be who he truly wants to be. As a conclusion, the book Water For Elephants has quotes that can relate back to the essential question of what masks Danny and Uno wear.
During the seminar, I felt like I did well expressing my thoughts and opinions with every question that was asked. Also, I felt like I was detailed enough and had evidence to back up my thoughts. I referred to the text with everything that I had to say, and made sure it all connected back to the seminar questions. The move I need to work on would have to be interrupting others when they are speaking. Personally, I felt like I struggled with this because a few times I caught myself interrupting the speaker with a question or even another thought. Doing this during a seminar is not ok, and it is something I will look out for in the next seminar. Individually, I can work on this by waiting my turn to speak and keeping my questions and thoughts to myself until the speaker is finished. In the end, I hope I can fix what I need to work on, but for now I am happy with my overall seminar performance.
The most beautiful line in the book was a quote from Senior. This quote I found touching and I thought deeply about after I read. While he is talking to Danny and Uno he states an Edgar Allen Poe quote “Never to suffer would never to have been blessed.” I find this quote content and almost relevant to how I feel sometimes, like you need to go through hardships in life to really understand and feel blessed. Senior seems to take this personally as well, as he can relate to the quote from what he has gone through in life. He hopes to teach Danny and Uno to take mistakes in life as lessons, which I find completely applicable to how I, and others should take mistakes too. As you can see, I find this quote incredibly suitable to use and think about in my life every day in the real world.
A question that someone stated in the seminar made me really think, and not feel alone. Even others, as well as I could relate and really speak to this question. She asked “Is there a stronger relationship or bond between the parents to the same gender offspring?” This question really hit me because I felt like I could open up to how I feel an express my opinion. After I explained how I feel, I then realized that I am not alone. Others also related to this question as well, and were able to bring in new ideas to the seminar. I really felt close to this question too because I was able to spill out every thought I had, and also see how others felt. Even after the seminar, I am still thinking about the question and how I individually tie back to it. Overall, I am glad she asked the question, and I really felt like I could open up and express my true feelings.
A connection from the seminar that I made back to my personal life was the question that was asked about what masks Uno and Danny wear throughout the book. I related to this because of the book I am currently reading, called Water for Elephants. The story shows a man who runs away from his prestigious scholar life in an Ivy League school to join a circus. Some of the people that work at the school do not show much respect for the man as they call him a “coward” or say “What are you doing here? Why did you leave?” The quotes can relate back to the masks because the man in the story sometimes felt like he needed to hide behind a rich, smart, and impressive mask around others at the circus. Just like Danny and Uno, he felt almost left out and unable to be who he truly wants to be. As a conclusion, the book Water For Elephants has quotes that can relate back to the essential question of what masks Danny and Uno wear.
During the seminar, I felt like I did well expressing my thoughts and opinions with every question that was asked. Also, I felt like I was detailed enough and had evidence to back up my thoughts. I referred to the text with everything that I had to say, and made sure it all connected back to the seminar questions. The move I need to work on would have to be interrupting others when they are speaking. Personally, I felt like I struggled with this because a few times I caught myself interrupting the speaker with a question or even another thought. Doing this during a seminar is not ok, and it is something I will look out for in the next seminar. Individually, I can work on this by waiting my turn to speak and keeping my questions and thoughts to myself until the speaker is finished. In the end, I hope I can fix what I need to work on, but for now I am happy with my overall seminar performance.
The most beautiful line in the book was a quote from Senior. This quote I found touching and I thought deeply about after I read. While he is talking to Danny and Uno he states an Edgar Allen Poe quote “Never to suffer would never to have been blessed.” I find this quote content and almost relevant to how I feel sometimes, like you need to go through hardships in life to really understand and feel blessed. Senior seems to take this personally as well, as he can relate to the quote from what he has gone through in life. He hopes to teach Danny and Uno to take mistakes in life as lessons, which I find completely applicable to how I, and others should take mistakes too. As you can see, I find this quote incredibly suitable to use and think about in my life every day in the real world.
Brave New World Seminar
Seminar Pre-Write
BNW Seminar Pre-Write Claire L.
1. What is the overall message of BNW?
The overall message of Brave New World is saying that if we do not start solving our problems now, they will soon catch up to us and our world will be turned into this type of utopian society. We will start getting more and more lethargic, and turn to technology for answers, which will only lead us down the road of a technology-run world, just like Brave New World. The message that was trying to be sent to us is that our want for pleasure and consumerism will soon take over control and send us on a downward slope towards disaster.
2. In what ways has Brave New World Made you think about the concept of happiness?
In many ways Brave New World has represent happiness, but overall I think it was trying to say that you can only create your own happiness. Throughout the book, the characters were trying to find happiness through work, other people, and even drugs. None of these worked, and if they did it would only create a fake type of happiness or a happiness that wouldn’t last. The only way you can experience true and last happiness is by creating or finding on your own, and that is true happiness.
3. What does John mean by saying nothing in civilization costs enough (page 239)?
What John is trying to say is that because of all of the fake happiness that he is surrounded by, he cannot feel what it is like to “pay” for anything anymore. John feels that he does not get the true feeling of what it is like to have true feelings and emotions. In Brave New World, most things come free including happiness, as well as emotions and even human feelings, and John is trying to say he wants to work up to these feelings, not be granted with them. He wants to feel the accomplishment and relief of having to pay for things, not just have them.
4. How much of our society do you think is focused on comfort and how much do you think is focused on truth and beauty? Give overall percentages and explain why.
I think about 80% of our society is focused on truth and beauty, and 20% is focused on comfort. I feel that most of our society is focused on how we look on the outside and making sure we always look appealing to others, and that we push our own true comfort aside. We start to think less and less of comfort, even though it is extremely important. Truth and beauty seems to be more popular, no matter how uncomfortable we might be. Comfort seems to just be less important than being physically attractive and truthful.
1. What is the overall message of BNW?
The overall message of Brave New World is saying that if we do not start solving our problems now, they will soon catch up to us and our world will be turned into this type of utopian society. We will start getting more and more lethargic, and turn to technology for answers, which will only lead us down the road of a technology-run world, just like Brave New World. The message that was trying to be sent to us is that our want for pleasure and consumerism will soon take over control and send us on a downward slope towards disaster.
2. In what ways has Brave New World Made you think about the concept of happiness?
In many ways Brave New World has represent happiness, but overall I think it was trying to say that you can only create your own happiness. Throughout the book, the characters were trying to find happiness through work, other people, and even drugs. None of these worked, and if they did it would only create a fake type of happiness or a happiness that wouldn’t last. The only way you can experience true and last happiness is by creating or finding on your own, and that is true happiness.
3. What does John mean by saying nothing in civilization costs enough (page 239)?
What John is trying to say is that because of all of the fake happiness that he is surrounded by, he cannot feel what it is like to “pay” for anything anymore. John feels that he does not get the true feeling of what it is like to have true feelings and emotions. In Brave New World, most things come free including happiness, as well as emotions and even human feelings, and John is trying to say he wants to work up to these feelings, not be granted with them. He wants to feel the accomplishment and relief of having to pay for things, not just have them.
4. How much of our society do you think is focused on comfort and how much do you think is focused on truth and beauty? Give overall percentages and explain why.
I think about 80% of our society is focused on truth and beauty, and 20% is focused on comfort. I feel that most of our society is focused on how we look on the outside and making sure we always look appealing to others, and that we push our own true comfort aside. We start to think less and less of comfort, even though it is extremely important. Truth and beauty seems to be more popular, no matter how uncomfortable we might be. Comfort seems to just be less important than being physically attractive and truthful.
Seminar Reflection
One comment made by a peer about happiness has really made me think deeply. I replied back to her, and added more onto her thought. She said “Happiness these days can be really expensive.” At first I agreed with her, but then I realized that even if it does cost a lot, that shouldn’t matter, as you should just be focussing on being happy and in the moment. My peer made a really good point, but I did think differently than her in a way. The comment was really surprising, and brought up many ideas from others. Overall, I am really glad that she brought up that point, as I got to think and also share my ideas on it.
I feel I did well asking clarifying questions and sharing my ideas. I also felt like I did well in trying to bring others in on the seminar conversation. Many times I would ask people to join in and share their ideas. I feel I have grown since the last seminar because I shared more of my ideas this time and thought a little more deeply by asking deep questions to my peers during the seminar. By thinking deeply, I got to really understand the book more even after I have finished it. Also, thinking deeply made me realize more about happiness and the world around me. All together, I feel that I have grown in many ways since our last seminar.
A key idea that my peers and I were able to come up with during the seminar that I would like to take away is that happiness comes intrinsically, and only you can create it. After I read the book, I thought about this concept a lot, and when I came to the seminar and realized others thought about this as well, I felt even better about the concept. We talked about how happiness come intrinsically, and juggled around more ideas based on that. The book really taught be more about the concept, and what could happen if people thought differently about happiness. To conclude, I really grasped more on happiness from the seminar, and got to think a little bit more about what the book was really trying to say to us.
I feel I did well asking clarifying questions and sharing my ideas. I also felt like I did well in trying to bring others in on the seminar conversation. Many times I would ask people to join in and share their ideas. I feel I have grown since the last seminar because I shared more of my ideas this time and thought a little more deeply by asking deep questions to my peers during the seminar. By thinking deeply, I got to really understand the book more even after I have finished it. Also, thinking deeply made me realize more about happiness and the world around me. All together, I feel that I have grown in many ways since our last seminar.
A key idea that my peers and I were able to come up with during the seminar that I would like to take away is that happiness comes intrinsically, and only you can create it. After I read the book, I thought about this concept a lot, and when I came to the seminar and realized others thought about this as well, I felt even better about the concept. We talked about how happiness come intrinsically, and juggled around more ideas based on that. The book really taught be more about the concept, and what could happen if people thought differently about happiness. To conclude, I really grasped more on happiness from the seminar, and got to think a little bit more about what the book was really trying to say to us.