Another Time

Another Time

Everyday before September 11, 2011 I was up to beat on current issues. Mostly I would read articles in newspapers, Time or Newsweek Magazine, Life Magazine. In the evenings I would spend my time watching Dateline, 20/20, 60 Minutes, or Nightline. What can I say I loved knowing what was going on in the world, my addiction was CSPAN, CNN, and MSNBC were some of my favorite news television. However the day came when things changed.  Not just for me but for all us.

When the Twin Towers were brought down by terrorists, it was uncensored maybe to much to comprehended. That morning I was at home getting ready for work the television was on in the living to MSNBC and I heard my fiancé gasp and yelled out, “Jenny, Jenny get in here!” Being a mom I thought something was wrong with my little baby girl. So I ran from the bedroom and was annoyed at seeing my fiancé watching television and holding our daughter, who was just sleeping. Annoyed at this sight I did not even catch what going on until it was again pointed out to me. Turning around I caught the vision of the plane going right into second tower and then a reporter and his camera man catching people jumping from the towers, talking about it expletively. This was the last time that I quit staying on top of issues and world events.

What had changed? Was it a new baby or just too busy of a life? After having spent sometime on this over the last few years and giving it consideration for my English blog this week. The only assumption I can draw is the events and how they were being reported. What followed was information over load, united though against one another when our views are not politically correct. The changes within the media and which stories are consider being news worthy. Like Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson and Charlie Sheen. Another change since the 9/11 is especially the news stories that are being reported, heinous acts against one another, murder, kidnappings. Current issues seem to be one act being committed and each one that follows is much more disturbing than the last.

So we ask ourselves where do we turn to now, where can we find a place that will address an issue that we are interested in without having to see every third article about another celebrity at Betty Ford or in court that day? The internet, this is one place I can access issues that I am interested in rather than what is now being consider “the current issues.” Its simple to just Google an issue like, the Dow, Libya and such. Since I do not watch much news anymore most of the time I rely on word of mouth then I will use a search engine read a few articles. The internet is handy though you have to play close attention to what is being said and by whom. Many of the sites are liberal groups, watchdogs, or from a religious group. Sometimes articles from these sites tend to misconstrue or mislead people or over play on the fears of society by “making mountains out of mole hills.”

Today I rarely watch the news, it had become something of a circus of anchors being catty there is no point to it and you have stay watching it until they reveal the actual story you have been waiting for two hours later. It’s ridiculous! I do not read as many papers of magazines theses day either, I mostly rely on word of mouth and the internet these days. This way I surpass learning about how far society has fallen.

The Problem with Language

Some years ago I was in a line at a grocery store, and there was a lady ahead of me. She was purchasing a couple boxes of cereal, milk and a few jars of baby food. Behind me in line was a young man and woman and they also had just a few of the basics. As we are all waiting in line patiently to check-out, I heard the man behind me say, “Oh great lets get over into another line she has three vouchers of food stamps or Wic checks. I’m tired of these people that come here to get a free hand out.” I look up to see that he was addressing the method of payment that the woman in front of me was paying for her items. Stunned I along with the checker and woman just stared at the man and this lady friend as they exited the line and into another.

 As all three of us just stood their silently looking at one another my mind started to dismantle in my head this (bleeps) guy’s conversation with his lady friend. He did not say Hispanic but he implied it by insinuating that she was probably from Mexico by stating, “these people that come here.” Yes, she was Hispanic but did he have first hand knowledge that she may be from Mexico? As I looked at the woman I asked if she was alright and with tears in her eyes she said quietly in a barely audible voice, “Yes, thank you.” Then I looked down at my son who was 4 years old and I became infuriated.

But why was I infuriated, his statements were not directed to me. It then really bothered me that this fellow was stereotyping and was discriminating against Hispanics. He was being prejudice by the language he used to direct his obvious disdain of social programs and people that use it. Rather he had drawn the conclusion that Hispanics from Mexico coming into the United States for a free hand out. I was angry because I also was being insulted, because I too am Hispanic.

My ancestors are American Indian and Mexican Indian mixed. My mother’s ancestors are American and Irish mixed. Though to keep things simply I just say, I am Hispanic or Latina. Why is this important? Because many of us today are not just of one particular race nor do we practice one culture. It can be difficult in society today to be seen as just a person or just a person using another method of payment. 

Society sees color and it has always seen the color of someone’s skin to distinguish between races or groups of people. Though we have to look in depth and see why this is a problem today. We are all at fault for propelling this ugly little monster and division in society. Although there are those with a wider net then just one person alone. This is media outlets and how they use language to help create this growing trend in America, that one particular race is the problem for certain economic hardships or groups of people responsible for certain behaviors in a community.

Media outlets are important highways for communication to travel between keeping the public informed though it is also the problem. The media uses certain language to get people hyped, boost ratings and generate a forum of debate. Unfortunately it also creates animosity between the races. Although the media is not forth coming in blatantly stating, “Mexican’s are coming to America to take advantage of programs like food stamps, Medi-care and cash aid. It’s how they use of words that infer such ideas when reporting. This then helps to create stereotypes like, “Mexicans are mostly gardeners and work in the janitorial services. When in reality as stated by Franziska Castillo a writer for Latina Magazine (Sept. 2010 Issue), “In America’s 25 biggest meteropolises, an immigrant is more than likely to be your boss than deliver your dinner.” Castillo obtained such information from the Fiscal Policy Institute, also states, “…half of immigrants hold white-collar-jobs and 11% of them are executives and managers, while just 7% work in food service.”

So why is this important, you may ask? Well first off to help one another recognize that sometimes we all need help at one time or another and it is not one race or group of people or persons. Secondly that we all being to recognize that we are all responsible for the language we use in society. Not just the media but we too need to be aware that we are also helping to contribute to the growth of prejudicial language. Lastly to change what has gotten out hand. 

Inspired to Read

I recently went to my son’s initiation for Demolay in Pasadena. It was yet another crazy weekend. Unfortunately it was an all day event with many different chapters around the valley coming together. There were parents, family members and of course their boys. One can only socialize so much before the hall tends to erupt in loud chatter and you can not even continue a conversation. Quietly I retreated to the dinning area where at least I could hear my own thoughts instead of the ruckus in the adjacent hall. To occupy my time I always tend to bring something or rather have some sort of book or class work that must get done with me. I had with me a book from English class.

Reading quietly I heard an older man say, “Wow I do not think I have seen someone actually try to sit and read in such a long time. Except for magazines and newspapers or a Reader’s Digest.” I said “You have got to be kidding right?”  The gentleman stated, “Well I’m sure the ones I have seen were reading, but who can tell these days? Its either on line or trendy gadgets like Nook and ipad.” He explained to me it was just a long time since he actually saw someone that had an actual book.

This gentleman’s revelation lead me to think what a shame that not many people read books until it’s required in their early school years or college. Whether it is on a trendy gadget or not, not many people actually pick a up novel. Why is this? Have we become a society reliant on information via the internet, gossip magazines, newspapers and media sources that tell us how to feel nowadays? How can I recommend a great read if people are not willing to take the first step? Let me tell you how, by blogging and so here it is folks. Why I would recommend that you read Reading Lolita in Tehran.

Reading Loltia in Tehran is a tremendous riveting read of fiction. Creatively mastered to connect the reader into the world of the women of pre and post Republic Iran. A truly depictive work of fiction that will have you enthralled and connected to the lives of the women of Tehran.

Limited by the regime of what to teach and to whom she can teach Azar Nafisi, takes control by selecting a few dedicated and promising students into her home to discuss works of fiction. What they find and come to know of one another connects them with each other and will deepen your understanding of the true sentiments of these women that must face and live with such restrictions on their own personal self set by their culture, beliefs, religion and political agendas of those in power.

I recommend Reading Lolita Tehran because it is truly an eye opening novel. That will give you the reader a birds eye view into the lives of the people of Iran and what it is to deal and survive such hardships and stigmas placed on the men and women of Tehran.

 After reading this novel it has truly shaped my view of the people and their many hardships that they endure and continue to endure to this time within their own society.