Whats you true color? Blog #8

Weekly Blog Post:

Today in in class the only word to describe it was "WOW". Walking into class students engaged on a rather relevant argument on why Deerfield High school class colors are so important as well as questioning the rights that administrators have to limit what color student wear. I did some research and by asking around found that class colors have been around since the school opened in 1959. While most students argued that the school can’t restrict what color we ware, I thought to myself "could they"?? The school can’t directly tell student not to wear a color but there are other ways of making the message permanent. Different afterschool activities and sporting teams are trying restricting class colors, stating that that particular player or participant will be "benched" if he/she wares a color that is not red an grey. This is an outrage nor is it constitutional, the first amendment clearly states that citizens of America have the freedom of "expression". Putting limitations on colors kids can ware is not what America stands for. There was another valid point, why can the school just be united for one day. All wearing the same colors and not forming "hazing rituals" that the older kids do. I have taken a lot of thought to this Issue and think that both points are valid. In conclusion there is no conclusion, it’s still a very open topic. Can we "legally" get in trouble for wearing a color? Should students even wear colors to represent their grade? Whatever the various responses to those questions are I think it’s nice for a grade to wear one color and be completely unified. Change may be coming around the corner Deerfield. Watch out.

** Comment Please!!

Restricted Restrictions Blog #7

Weekly Issues Blog:

Speech Code: A speech code is any rule or regulation that limits, restricts, or bans speech beyond the strict legal limitations upon freedom of.....

----------------------------------------               --------------------------------          

Over the past week in issues it has been a real learning experience, my political views on free speech totally shifted. I went from being againsed these codes to making the transformation and seeing that the codes are a true privilege. It started out after I viewed some racial posters made by extremist groups like the K.K.K. These photos depicted racist views targeting different races or minorities. After experiencing this my views on speech codes instantly changed. Speech codes should be allowed in every day in all public places. Police and state legislatures should come down harder on racial remarks and make those who target races fear punishment for taking it too far. I found a great video just showcasing how bad these groups can be…… check it out (for select mature audience).

      http://www.youtube.com/verify_controversy?next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DCxV9K3aw-h0

Crow & Codes Blog #6

                                                         -In Class Post-

After looking at the slide show and reading the article I have come to the educated conclusion that this type of behavior should be band. The slide show and article depicted photos and racist text agenized certain colors of skin and ethnicities A picture that really struck me was of two men holding a noose, that’s automatically insinuating violence. Not only in colleges and schools should this be band, but around the world as well as in the public and marketplace. Racist radical groups like the K.K.K create fear of practicing religion or been a certain colored skin. This is America "the land of the free" with groups like this people question their freedom and it should not be allowed on American soil. The behavior depicted should be 100% outlawed everywhere no matter what the constitution states. Freedom of speech should not be protected because these groups are showcasing "fighting words" not peaceful protest!

After going to the "fire" website I decided to choose a school and look further into their speech codes. I chose the University of Alabama; this college has a speech code rating of red. The university does partake in speech codes, the codes are thusly stated in the student hand book which every student is required to read before starting school at the university. I think it’s a good idea for the school to partake in speech codes especially after I saw how racist people can be. The university having a speech code makes me more likely to attend because therefore I know racism and hate will not be tolerated. I do think that the Alabama having speech codes is legal, it’s a large public university with a lot of money and I’m sure they have some good lawyers, it must be legal. In accordance to the actions I have just read about the University would expel the students on the grounds of racism and hate crimes. Alabama has a zero tolerance policy stated in the text. I fully agree with Alabama’s reaction, it’s the right thing to do.

 After looking at "Fire's" website I think that it’s pretty cool. This is necessary information that many people don’t know is there. I also think the general public of America need to learn more about speech codes epically when picking a new workplace or going to college. It’s an important variable that should factor into the decision. I fully agree with the formal definition of a speech code, I think they are just there to protect us “the students".

In conclusion today I have learned just how important speech codes are in society and am excited to do some more research on my own time. Sighing out........ B. Martin

 *** Comment if you have any questions

Crushing America Blog #5

                                              Crushing America
Over the past two days in class a movie has really effected me. Growing up in New York everything to do with 9-11 really touches me because its my home. Over the past two days our class has been viewing a documentary like none other with footage from firemen in the World Trade center. It was told from the prospective of the New York fire department about all that they encountered that day that commercial air carriers struck the World Trade Center. Being raised 6 blocks from the towers my parents and I knew a lot of people who lost their life to a sick cowardly terror attacks. Seeing the reaction on the Fire Fighters faces as well as how much they cared about their home city really struck me. One image that stayed with me through the whole day today was of the firefighter priest that was killed when tower one collapsed. This is something that I wont ever forget, looking into the faces of the men carrying the dead minister back to the church. Innocent people died, my friends family and fellow newyonkers all to someone else's hate for America. The building that was hit was not random, the target was to shut down Americas trade market place hoping for the world to crash just like both towers did. " I do not want to ever have to lower the flag to have staff for the rest of my carrier". This quote was states by the fire fighter "probe" and also carries a lot of deeper meaning. I think he said that because no every time the flag would be lowered be a death it could never compare to all the deaths lost at ground 0. As a fellow NewYorker my heart goes out to those that lost their loved ones, Never Forget 9:11:01.....
                                                            - B. Martin

Isaac Killing the Gulf Coast Blog # 4

                                 Isaac Killing the Gulf Coast:

Over the last two weeks people all around the world have been prepping for the incoming category one hurricane, Hurricane Isaac. As it hit the gulf of mexico last week it claimed many fatalities as well as destroying towns. Among the most destroyed was New Orleans, after hurricane Katrina the citizens of New Orleans though that nothing can be worse. Many this time around made the smart decision and evacuated before this storm hit. This is a large issue right now in America, I think the national guard should be issued. Something must be done, even though the storm did not claim many lives it still should not be overlooked. This topic hits very close to home in my case because my grandma was one of the effected people in the storm. Her house was still standing after the manner, but there is thousands of dollars worth of repairs that will need to be completed. She was among the smart ones, knowing how harsh hurricanes can be, she made and good decision  and evacuated. As the voting season is coming closer im interested to see Romney and Obama's stand on what should be done to fix the problem as well as rebuild the city's that were effected. This Issue is not to be overlooked when seeing who is the best candidate for your vote.

                                                     - B. Martin