Cesia Rodriguez

Prof. Justin Rodgers Cooper

December 14, 2011

ENG 101-103

                                           Final Examination Reflection

            While I’ve been learning about Martin Luther King and his non-violence theory, I have observed the way he pursued his goal by using different and productive strategies. I’ve also noticed how King advocated human rights for not only the African Americans but for the poor people, and for the white supremacist that were brainwashed believing that they were above the so called “minority” (African Americans and immigrants). There is also a connection to the way Dr. King used language to convince and motivate people to fight for justice and for their rights.

            In A Testament of Hope, by, Martin Luther King, edited by James M. Washington was mainly about the practice of non-violence and how to see past the hate, pain and hostility and come as one to stand up for justice and equality. In these past weeks I have learned how the language of human rights connects with Martins theory. I have also detected the techniques he used when he approached certain types of groups. For example; the Christians, he would infer to God and the bible to unite everyone no matter if you were black or white. By doing so these people would overcome hate join hand in hand and stand up for what is right. King also used the term Agape which means that we have to love one another; no matter if they have done any harm, matching to the love god has for humankind. Another example would be the way he approached atheist. Atheists are people who believe that there is no god. King would use their neighbors, children, love ones and the basic human rights we all have to inspire them and make these people take action, not with violence but with love. The way he used language was very powerful motivational and surreal. His voice and the way he spoke made people feel safe and brave to confront the real cruel world that were waiting to beat them. The way Dr. King used his voice, words and gestures to advocate for justice and equality was beyond amazing. His speeches would gather 100,000 of people. The way this affected the black community and not only them but the world was incredible because just one man made it happen. He made everyone forget for at least a second about their differences and untied them in a very positive way. This was the work of language of human rights.

            There are no limits to what one person can do because if Martin Luther King made it happen then anyone in this world can make it happen. It only takes courage understanding, patience, and passion for what you believe in and what you stand for. This was what I learned in my cluster classes that have opened my eyes to see how everything connects from the most minimal to the most extraordinary.   

Cesia Rodriguez

Prof. Jerskey

December 12, 2011

ELL 101

                                        Importance of Language

            Although I am very fluent in speaking, reading, writing English and Spanish those being the languages I’ve grew up hearing and basically the only languages I have considered, I would have never imagined how important exposing myself to other different people, culture, and languages can be. Taking the ELL 101 course has made me realize that I’ve been taking different languages for granted. Before walking into this class I did not know how important pronunciation, gestures and the way someone communicates with you can really identify them. This can also help you find yourself in different ways. With my family and my social group I was only limited to a certain amount of language. For example I was never before in a room with so many different races and cultures in my life as I was in this first semester of college. Being Latina specifically Dominican, I was use to being around people that come from the same background as me and that only speak the same language as me. After I was exposed to just a portion of diverse ethnicity I noticed how open I am to anything or any one that is different from me. For example; the different foods from around the world and the different beliefs people have according to religion, medication, family and even food. 

            I have become more open minded and more accepting to certain things that my race/background may not agree on. But there are also a few things that my culture has in common with different cultures. In the Muslim society certain families would pick out the man they would want their daughter to marry, and they say with in time you will learn to value and love your partner. But the family always chooses a wealthy man because they want their daughter to be well maintained financially. “The Muslim world is different. Guided by powerful cultural rules and preferences, Muslims commonly arrange the marriages of their children.” Kurtz, Stanley “Marriage, and the Terror War Part 2.” nationalreview.com 16 Feb. 2007 <http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/220002/marriage-and-terror-war-part-ii/stanley-kurtz>. This also applied to the people born in Dominican Republic back in my mother’s time. Her first marriage was chosen by my grandparents, according to them he was a great man and he was wealthy. Although we may not speak the same language and we may not dress the same or eat the same food we still have similarities based on cultural practice. 

            I have also changed my thoughts about language and communication. According to the “The Study Of Language”, edited by George Yule I have studied how English forms their words using certain techniques like Coinage, Borrowing, Compounding, Blending, Clipping, Backformation, Acronyms, Conversion, Derivation, Prefix and Suffix.(pg. 53- 59). Learning how to use these word formation and their historical backgrounds made me appreciate other languages because if it wasn’t for them we would not have the words that we all love using like yogurt (Turkish) or sofa (Arabic) etc. I was also watching a video based on how a child learns how to speak. The exposure of language and different words can be very fundamental to them. In this video we can all see that it takes time to develop a language. The study was done to a baby basically him learning how to pronounce words while he gets older. Deb Roy. The Birth of a Word. 14 March. 2011 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE4ce4mexrU>. By watching this video you will have a clear understanding on how the brain works with language.

            After this course I have viewed language in a different perspective. I feel as if language made me admire the different people from around the world. I also see how important is to try to learn to speak a different language because not only do you find yourself but you can help someone find themselves also. I did not see it at first but I noticed how much in common I have with different diversity/ethnicity just based on language and gestures. I know that if I help someone that does not speak the language I speak I know I would be able to help them because of the different languages and cultures I have been exposed to.    

LIB poems

Human Rights the universal language
of the people
you can be from here
you can be from Egypt
you can be from Quito
but you would all understand
your human rights
and the ones of the rest of the people.


language is the method of communication and understanding
with in a group of people
therefore human rights is the method of understanding and communicating
under mutual treatment and the law
with in this world and the people


 

Blog Five - Dr. kings speech

Dr. MLK was a very powerful out spoken man. His speeches were one of a kind and very inspiring. He had a few techniques that made his crowd go ballistic with joy and courage. For example he would use repetitions and body movements. MLK would speak about god and to non believers he would approach the situation in a general way, by not speaking about religion but by us human beings and how we had to look after each other. This made people feel more compassion and sympathy for one another and also gave them courage to face their fears with out being scared (MLK prepared them to face the violent acts they were going to be put against). These speeches were so powerful and persuading that it made a large number of people around the world realize what was really going on and motivated them support the non-violent act. These speeches connected so much to non violence because instead of responding back with force MLK decided to go about it a more clever way and use his voice to be seen, heard, and looked up to.  

Third Essay Workshop- Non-violence Theory Practice

The Civil Rights movement was the turning point to all African Americans. This was what provoked all these movements against violence, segregation, discrimination etc. In A Testimony Of Hope  edited by James M. Washington introduces Dr. Martin Luther King and his thoughts and feeling he has about the practice of non-violence theory. Religion (Christianity) was the main  focus to encourage the non-violence movement and to persuade all African Americans but mainly adolescent and children into joining by supporting the movements. Kings constant words of hope was what gave people the strength and courage. He prepared them to not fear the injustice consequences that was going to be brought upon them. such as getting beat hosed down getting attacked by dogs and many more other violent acts. But having god by their side was bigger than getting revenge or fighting back.

LIB110 BIO

i will introduce myself to the audience, telling them my name, were i was born my ethnicity etc.. i will give my definition to law and human rights and also language. im going to give examples on how they connect and include my own personal experience 

blog assignment two - contradiction

          In the text when i was a slave edited by Norman R. Yetman, are many memoirs of interviewed slaves about their experience during the slavery era. Mary Armstrong was one of those individuals interviewed in Houston, Texas at age 91 (pg 5). Armstrong expresses her feeling and her experience towards slavery, and gives us an inside look of how hard times were back in the 1800. She explains how hard it was and how scary but how she also got away with hurting her mistress Olivia's mother Old Polly. We can all agree that that is a form of contradiction.
          Mary's mother had told her all about how old William Cleveland and old Polly Cleveland were so cruel. How they would beat their slaves and sold slave families to different households. She also told Mary how old Polly  whipped her little sister to death at only nine months. After Mary's mistress Olivia bought her from her parents William and Polly, Mary decided she was going to get back at her. "I picks up a rock about as big as half your fist and hits her right in the eye and busted the eyeball, and tells her that's for whippin' my baby  sister to death". Mary tells her mistress and Olivia's reply was "well, i guess mama has learnt her lesson at that".
         This is a form of contradiction because during slavery if any colored person decided to commit any act of violence against white people they would be put through the worst punishment and even death possible. Also she states how scary it was living in those times, but she has the courage to bust her mistresses mothers eye knowing that Old Polly was white and she was black and that in those times blacks weren't even considered humans to even think about hurting a white person.