Listening Is A 10 Part Skill -True Story!

I believe if I had not read this little selection, I would probably still be falling asleep in my lecture classes. What I learned from this is that listening has to become almost like a job. We have to find the positive side  and interesting facts within our listening, there is no such as thing as an uninteresting subject. Nichols also makes the point that we should judge the subject and not the way it is presented to us. In comparison to my life, I love politics but in my poly sci. lecture class all he does is talk and talk, but I need to overcome that and find my focal point. I'm glad the point was made that taking notes is essential because I've been taking cornell notes since my freshman year in high school so I  know how to pick out important information and take quick notes. I think overall, listening can be a challenge to some and a piece of cake for others -we must find a love for it though because that is the only way we will be able to renovate our lives.

Mindful Listening

One concept I found interesting that I would like to focus on are the Obstacles of Mindful Listening. When I really want to learn about something, it's really are to stay attentive. I think my attention span is slim to none. I think one way to overcome all the obstacles is reading more often and doing more brain exercises. I use to be really brainy but then I hit the middle of high school and just gave it up. Now that I am in college, I realized that almost everything I do will impact my future in a positive or even a negative way. I would like to get over the "this is too complicated" and really spend my time and knowledge to get on a better understanding on what's unknown to me. Thankfully, I am a natural mindful listener, I am open minded and considerate so I believe if I really but my heart into what I hear and learn, things will come a lot smoother.

Am I really listening?

After ready the section pertaining to Forms of Nonlistening, I couldn't help but laugh and compare my ways to what I had read. When talking to people, especially those who I am close with, I always tend to listen and then lead the conversation revolving around myself (Monopolizing). I don't think I do it on purpose but I do it just so they know that I am listen but in order to convince them that I am I come out with a story that similar to theirs. I feel like it brings our conversation closer. I seen it as a positive thing but I guess in certain, serious conversations I should be more considerate.
One issue I do have is Ambushing. It takes a lot for me to get mad, but when I am frustrated -I will take anything you say and use it against you. With my parents, I couldn't wait until they had something to say, just so I can reverse it on them and try to make a valid argument. But like we all know "Parents are always right" -__- But I do need to humble myself when I am frustrated, I would hate to say something that I don't mean and lose that persons trust.

Stereotypes, My Life, and Other Unfortunate Events

The concept I found the most interesting, was the one about constructivism. We all endure schemata each and every day. I can really relate to this topic because I was always the black sheep through out school. When I relocated to Stockton, I didn't live in the best neighborhoods. But due to my advance knowledge and intellect I was able to attend the best elementary and middle school which also set me up for the best path in high school. I was in the G.A.T.E. program which stands for: Gifted and Talented Education. I loved the challenge; I was reading college level books in third grade. But unfortunately, especially where I am from, it is rare to see an African American advance in their studies. For some strange reason, I was teased for being black and smart. One girl asked me if I needed condoms since the teen pregnancy rate is at its all-time high, specifically among Black women. I never really understood the concept of stereotypes until I got to high school. Teachers were in shock that I would walk into their AP classes. The stigmas I had to face sucked, but I couldn't react the way they expected me to though. I faced many situations to where the enemy would want me to get mad but I kill them with kindness. Fortunately, I graduated the top 10% with high honors so I guess you could say I'm still proving those stereotypes wrong, I will not be conforming anytime soon :)

The Melting Pot

Sadly to say, America has become the melting pot for many cultures and religions. But on the brighter side, I do agree with Rev. Jackson when he states that we are "rainbows and a family quilt". So many generations have invested into this country, but many have still not been recognized, just swept under the rug. There are so many traditions that I not respected like Ramadan for example. Although of Muslim kids take a lot of heat and pressure in school.
If I had a metaphor that compliments Jess Jackson's, I would say "America has the simplistic beauty like no other". We are always shifting and changing almost everyday, for instance, I had NO idea it was illegal for vendors to sell plastic bags out here in San Jose. I went from plastic bag city to eco-friendly. I thought that is a perfect way to prevent global warming, I'm not even into stuff like that. We do have almost everyone in the world here, I just hope that we the people can come to a mutual understanding and respect, after all this is the land of the free right?

Hate Now, Freedom Late?

As I read the hate speech expert, I was shocked at the arguments that were proposed towards "hate speeches". I cannot believe the heights of ridicule America has reached. Yes, in our constitution it states that we have freedom of speech, religion, press, and all that other good stuff. But if you jump down to about the Fourteenth Amendment, it also states that basically everyone deserves and will get equal rights -this in particular excludes discrimination. Public hate speeches are discrimination and not only bring shame to the group thats giving their "hate speech", but also to America. I understand that we all have feelings that we feel are so important to where they need to be shared with the world, but there should be a line. Now I'm not saying hate speeches should be censored, but they should very well be limited, almost restricted for the most part. What is the point of the hate speech? How is it going to benefit your group, beside all the bandwagoners who eventually wear the wagon down? There are plenty of ways to express "hate" in a much more respectful manner although it does not have a positive connotation. Honestly, hate speeches is just an add to our society, I know its something that won't ever change. Everyone will challenge it  just like gay marriages and polygamy. In all seriousness, I believe hate speeches shouldn't be shared with the public and should be more regulated and observed by high officials. If it were up to me, I would ban hate speeches, just because "speeches" is in the as a scape goat word, when in reality it's discrimination. What are, we the people, suppose to possibly do when a hate speech is given to us?

Improving Thy Self

The "Improving Self-Concept" caught my attention the most. It was a pretty lengthy section but to sum it all up, there are many factors in our lives that need to be considered before making a change. At a certain point in our lives, we come to a crossroad where we feel like our mentalities just don't seem to fit so we want to alter that. It is very afflicting when you have the people who know you the best not agreeing with the change. My question is: What are we suppose to do, are they really my friends, who's really going to understand? I love this concept though because for myself, I am a very outgoing and outspoken individual. I can be humble when necessary but for most of the time I'm just really bubbly. Coming into college, I wanted to be in the back of the crowd, be the observer; but that definitely did not happen. I realized that that is apart of my character, that is really who I am. Now my cursing habit, I do want to improve on that; and like the book stated "Set Goals That Are Realistic and Fair". I am really trying to cut back on the habit, I am seeing a great deal of improvement, little by little. I have to constantly remind myself that it isn't lady like and it goes against my moral values and religion. I don't want to be seen as the intelligent girl with a sailor's mouth.

I hope you all feel slightly inspired to improve something in your life even if it's something little like my cursing habit. I believe in the long run, it will pay off and it will be noticed. Also, you'll feel better about yourself -you get that extra boost of confidence :) -Peace&Love

Back 'N The Days v. Nowadays

So I don't know many people other than my parents, that are comfortable enough with me to let me know what life was like 20 and 40 years ago. So instead, I interviewed my roommate's parents who satisfy the 40+ and her siblings(one boy and one girl) who satisfied the 20+. It was quite interesting to find out that their experiences were not that different. Her mother had started that they were expected to go to school, get good grades, participate in many activities as possible; college was not an option, it was an expectation. For the men, they had be "cool", no car means no ladies. No job, no ladies. For the women, their skirts were no where near as short as they are now. Tight clothes were frowned upon. The women had to "fit the image", they caked on make-up, shopped at the same popular outlets. I can tell that being a lady then is almost the exact opposite of what is excepted now. Her siblings info was pretty much the same which makes sense because after their generation was when the rebelling began. I can most definitely decipher the era change for men and women. The balance beam has switched up, one of my 20 year old male acquaintance stated that much is expected of him "the buffer the better, the smarter the more wealthier.." as for women, we grew into independency. My sister who is shy of 26 says that doesn't depend on any body because now everyone is for them selves. It has become a world of survival of the fittest now. I can only imagine what it's be like 20+ years from now, when we are the actual adults >:)

Race It's Who You Are

Race is how we define our cultures and heritages, to set ourselves apart from others. In other words, we are all some kind of race or ethnicity. Race really helps classifying individuals because if this were just a black or white world, then we really wouldn't know who we are and our roots. Many people take pride in their race such as myself for example. I am Nigerian and Jamaican -not African-American. I take so much pride in who I am because my heritage has meaningful history that not many people can say same about. But to contradict this, race is just a label. How you represent yourself is what matters most. Yes, I am black but I am a sophisticated young woman. The Census Bureau shouldn't allow to check multiply races because then we'll have the people who THINK they are one thing but they really aren't. When it comes to the Census, it should go by what race your father was because our father's are dominant. But if they are not present, then it should be based on our mother's ethnicity.

The double negative of communication

The statement "We cannot not communicate" is positively a double negative but is a true Statement. Being the we are humans, we have many needs that need to be met in order to survive, the only way of getting that satisfaction is through communication. This world would not spin if we were unable to commmunicate. I sometimes have those days where I do not want to interact nor speak to anybody, but I'm super social so its almost impossible for me to not communicate. Another concept that I would like to touch basis with is the fact that once something is said and done, there is no taking it back or reversing it. There has been many of times I've said some crucial things, that are way out of my character especially. Fortunetly, I do not hold grudges and I make it known that although it was said it wasn't meant. And like they say "actions speak louder than words".