Sex, Lies, and spin offs

According to the readings, alot of friction between men and women start at the youngest ages of social interaction. Having said that, shouldn't that mean that schools should promote social interaction between little boys and girls. Perhaps if they get comfortable with each other at an early age, it might make it easier for people get married and stay married. This idea might work now, but it would have deffinetly worked a decade or two ago. Back when television and music was a little more "wholesome". Either way, the matter is that breaking the barriers between boys and girls is alot easier if they are broken before they are even built.

Sex, Lies, and Vocabulary

*anecdotes - (ān'ĭk-dōt')
noun
1. A short account of an interesting or humorous incident.
2. pl. an·ec·dotes or an·ec·do·ta (-dō'tə) Secret or hitherto undivulged particulars of history or biography.
[French, from Greek anekdota]

*hierarchical - (hahy-uh-rahr-ki-kuhl)
adjective
1. classified according to various criteria into successive levels or layers; "it has been said that only a hierarchical society with a leisure class at the top can produce works of art"; "in her hierarchical set of values honesty comes first"
[Middle English ierarchie, from Old French, from Medieval Latin hierarchia, from Greek hierarkhiā, rule of a high priest, from hierarkhēs, high priest; see hierarch.]


*analogous - (ə-nāl'ə-gəs)
adjective
1. similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar; "brains and computers are often considered analogous"; "salmon roe is marketed as analogous to caviar"
2. corresponding in function but not in evolutionary origin; "the wings of a bee and those of a hummingbird are analogous"
[From Latin analogus, from Greek analogos, proportionate : ana-, according to; see ana- + logos, proportion; see leg- in Indo-European roots.]

*agonistic - (āg'ə-nĭs'tĭk)
adjective
1. combative; striving to overcome in argument.
2. straining for effect: agonistic humor.
3. of or pertaining to ancient Greek athletic contests.
4. Ethology. pertaining to the range of activities associated with aggressive encounters between members of the same species, including threat, attack, appeasement, or retreat.
[Greek agōnistikós, equiv. to agōnist]

*rapport - (rā-pôr', -pōr')
noun
1. Relationship, especially one of mutual trust or emotional affinity.
[French, from Old French, from raporter, to bring back : re-, re- + aporter, to bring (from Latin apportāre : ad-, ad- + portāre, to carry; see per-2 in Indo-European roots).]

SEX, LIES, AND CONVERSATION

Although I have never been married, I do know what being in a committed relationship is like and having the feeling that my S.O.S doesn't listen to a word I say. It's like talking to a dog you know it's there it hears everything you say but it just doesn't respond. It's not that it can't bark, it just doesn't. *Maybe like a dog men sometimes just don't have a CLUE or maybe they just don't know when to bark* LOL. I do agree that men and women (boys and girls) have diferent ways of communicating and that's all well and good. I just don't understand and maybe someone can answer this question: Why is it that men amd women have the most difficult time communicating (talking) with each other but when it's time to be intimate they are on one-acord? I have had many conversations with the opposite sex and they feel that women sometimes talk too much. I CONCUR. We often do talk too much and a man can't get in a word edge wise. I just hope that one day when I married I remember that yes a man wants to communicate with his wife just not during a movie, football, basketball, or baseball game. Oh yeah and when they are playing the play station!! Anyway, I hope I mad atleast a little bit of since. See you guys in class.

Personal Response to "Sex, Lies, and Conversation"

I did another personal response because nothing else fit!
I can identify with the author when she says that communication between men and women is similar to communication between two different cultures. Women and men are raised to different social expectations and their brains are simply programmed differently. I have had personal experience with the differences in the way men and women communicate, and those differences can cause many problems in relationships.
I was also impressed by the observation that was made about men talking more in public than women do. It is only one example of the social stigmas that still permeate today's society. Although women are now in the workforce and seen as (mostly) equals, there are still unspoken and unwritten rules that rule how (most) people act in public and at home.
Really, the only way to kick this social stigma is to point out the social geniuses who kick society's laws and actually make a difference. No matter your opinion on Hillary Clinton, she was the first serious possible woman President of America. She kicked the stigma of being the "first lady" and of being the woman to stand behind her husband while he pursues his career. Maybe one day she will be the first woman president, and the first spoise of a president to be president!

What Said said.

I actually appreciate this piece. "The blind arrogance of the imperial gaze" poses extreme problems in the countries in the Middle East that are misunderstood and subjugated, and here at home. Anti-Arab propaganda is rampant, sometimes in very subtle ways. Stereotypes are dominant when people consider the Arab world and the countries within, and this, of course, clouds judgment as a whole. These stereotypes as violent, freedom-hating fanatics are not only prevalent in the minds of the masses, but within the government, as Said points out. We tend to superimpose a model of democracy over their countries and ignore their traditions and their true needs as distinct cultures with their own interests in mind. Sadly there are ulterior motives, such as oil, that can drive us to attempt to install governments loyal first to the US and not to the Arab states, and that can also drive us as far as war. Of course benefits can come of a more "democratic government" rather than a military dictatorship, but subjugation and assimilation can never be the answer especially in areas where we are disliked and unwanted. Propaganda will tell you that it is because they hate us for our power and freedom, but this subjugation and oppression goes back thousands of years. For example, consider the Crusades. It is no wonder that we are regarded suspiciously and at times with a more malicious eye. Extreme political turmoil breeds fanaticism and if you look at the problems in their entirety and consider works from authors such as Said, it can really put this in perspective, a new perspective even, from what most Americans are used to.

Stereotypical Arabs know their words.

Begnign: adj.

1. having a kindly disposition; gracious: a benign king.

2. showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness: a benign smile.

3. favorable; propitious: a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.

Inculcated: v.

1. to implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly (usually fol. by upon or in): to inculcate virtue in the young.

2. to cause or influence (someone) to accept an idea or feeling (usually fol. by with): Socrates inculcated his pupils with the love of truth.

Traduced: v.

1. to speak maliciously and falsely of; slander; defame: to traduce someone's character.

Blandishments: n.

1. Often, blandishments. something, as an action or speech, that tends to flatter, coax, entice, etc.: Our blandishments left him unmoved. We succumbed to the blandishments of tropical living.

STEREOTYPING OF ARABS "VOCABULARY"

IMPERIALISM- (1)has two meanings, one describing an action and the other describing an attitude. Most commonly it is understood in relation to empire building, as the expansion of a nation's authority by territoral conquest establishing economic and political powers in other territorial or nations, and when such encompasses non-contiguous "colonies" or "protectorates" then the term also subsumes colonialism. (2) In its second meaning the term describes the imperialistic attitude of superiority, subordination and dominion over foreign people— a chauvinism and comportment relegating foreign people to a lesser social and or political status.

PROPAGANDA- is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the cognitive narrative of the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda.

WOEFULLY- 1. Affected by or full of woe; mournful.
2. Causing or involving woe.
3. Deplorably bad or wretched.

FANATICISM- is an emotion of being filled with excessive, uncritical zeal, particularly for an extreme religious or political cause or in some cases sports, or with an obsessive enthusiasm for a pastime or hobby.

PALATABLE- 1.acceptable or agreeable to the palate or taste; savory: palatable food.
2.acceptable or agreeable to the mind or feelings: palatable ideas.

Critical Spinoff of "Stereotyping of Arabs by the US Ensures Years of Turmoil"

Let me sum of what I have to say in a few short, simple words. If you don't like America, LEAVE. It won't miss you. Edward Said wrote a very biased, one-sided piece that stereotyped Americans as stereotyping bigots. Not all Americans hate Arabs. I, personally have plenty of friends who are Arab and/or Muslim. Edward Said focused on the people that are biased against Arabs and Muslims which slanted his piece in a thoroughly disgusting fashion. And, believe it or not, there were other reasons than just the oil issue for invading Iraq. Whether or not we were right in doing it, we did it out of a "big brother" complex. We felt that Saddam Hussein was a horrible man (which he was) and that if we didn't step in, nobody else would (which was true). Should we have stepped in? That is not for me to decide. I, along with my fellow troops simply followed orders. I was lucky enough to not go to Iraq. However, had I been told to, I would have. Edward Said didn't look at the Iraqis who thank the American troops for being over there and doing what they do. He was a biased person himself. Before he complains about Americans, perhaps he should look in the mirror.

Why I Want A Wife

"My God" is absolutly right. This man wants a wife alright, a Stepherd Wife. This guy sounds just like the men from that movie. It's fine to want or even require specific characteristics in a mate, hell there are people in the world that take care of their mate and children just like the friend wants no questions asked. It's TOTALLY different when the person with all the demands is bringing nothing at all to the table. Going to school is a wonderful thing, hell I'm in school but when a person does nothing to hell the one they are with out they need to be put in check!!!
Brady's friend needs to take the Stepherd Wife movie literally and build a woman because that's the only way he's going get all those qualities in a woman and he's not bringing anything of substance to the table.
I don't know what else to say on this subject!!!

Personally, I found this amusing.

I do still know wives that behave that way and are expected to behave that way... and they are in my family. I understand that Brady is exaggerating to prove her point, but it does hit close to home when I have members of my own family telling me that I am "immature" for not adopting that kind of role. Of course those kinds of expectations are exceedingly sexist, but there are people that still expect their significant other, and it is usually a wife, to act in that manner and be happy about it of all things. I have been a wife and I did some of those things for my husband (cook, clean, make appointments), but he reciprocated by doing some of them for me. It was a partnership, as it should be.

I can appreciate the satire of Brady's piece and see what may be expected of a woman during that time, but in the here and now it really does sound even more ludicrous.

Critical Spinoff of "I Want a Wife"

I will agree with the author that life isn't always fair to women, but there is another side to that. Men (usually) have it easier, but there are husbands that do the same thing that Brady describes a wife doing. There are even (gasp) single fathers who do it all and never complain. Honestly, this story irritated me to no end. Yes, there are some men that expect their wife or wives to do all of this, but that wife decided to marry him. And if she didn't know what he was like before she married him, then perhaps she should have waited more than a month to marry him. Maybe Brady should get a divorce and marry a man that has low self esteem and will cater to her hand and foot, let her cheat on him, and take care of her children while she does it.

HOW TO TAME A WILD TONGUE

As an Mexican American Anzaldua's experiences are not so different from the experiences African Americans having to try finding their place in America. I have often heard it discussed how many different names have been applied to my race of people, (negro, colored, African American, black), and other terms too derrogatory to mention.
"We're going to have to control your tongue." It's interesting that those words were said and how it was in the wrong contence. Anzaldua's tongue was affected by the foriegn objects in her mouth but the context inwhich she was being told about her tongue was to control what she said out of her mouth. It's difficult enough trying to fit in with Americans and speak as Americans do, but not being able to express herself as a Chicano, being made to feel less then compared to other spanish people made it very difficult to even attempt to communicate with other chicano. They didn't know how to go about speaking to one another because of the stereotype that was placed on them. It's amazing how difficult it is for some races of people to feel like they fit in the American culture when in reality everyone here in America (Greeks, Scotish, Irish, Europeans, etc...) are from some where else.

Vocabulary Exploration for "How to Tame a Wild Tongue"

Instead of attempting to translate any of the Spanish in the work, I chose some words that the author used in relation to language and culture.

* intervocalic (ĭn'tər-vō-kāl'ĭk)
–adjective Phonetics.
1.(usually of a consonant) immediately following a vowel and preceding a vowel, as the v in cover or p in occupy, d in idea, etc.
[Origin: 1885–90; inter- + vocalic]

* archaisms (archaic) (är'kē-ĭz'əm, -kā-)
-noun
1. marked by the characteristics of an earlier period; antiquated: an archaic manner; an archaic notion.
2. (of a linguistic form) commonly used in an earlier time but rare in present-day usage except to suggest the older time, as in religious rituals or historical novels. Examples: thou; wast; methinks; forsooth.
[New Latin archaeismus, from Greek arkhaismos, from arkhaios, ancient]

* argot (är'gō, -gət)
-noun
1.a specialized idiomatic vocabulary peculiar to a particular class or group of people, esp. that of an underworld group, devised for private communication and identification: a Restoration play rich in thieves' argot.
2. the special vocabulary and idiom of a particular profession or social group: sociologists' argot.
[Origin: 1855–60; < F, n. deriv. of argoter to quarrel, deriv. L ergō ergo with v. suffix -oter]

* acculturating (acculturation) (ə-kŭl'chə-rā'shən)
1. The modification of the culture of a group or individual as a result of contact with a different culture.
2. The process by which the culture of a particular society is instilled in a human from infancy onward.

*synergy (sĭn'ər-jē)
-noun
1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
2. Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect.
[From Greek sunergiā, cooperation, from sunergos, working together]

How I felt after reading "how to tame a wild tongue"

Normally, I'm not a huge fan of non-fictional readings and this definitely added a reason why. The story opened up with a girl in a dentist's office that wouldn't quit talking while he was performing his duties. How the author worded the event and the doctor's reaction, I thought the entire story was going in that direction. Unfortunatly, such was not the case. The story took a downward turn in the entertainment area, but skyrocketed in the sociology area. Next thing I know, I've learned several different types of spanish and different phrases from each. I feel I should add reading this artical to my resume, just for it's profound ability to confuse the mess out of the reader. The author really had a tough time concentrating on sticking to a single subject. One moment she's discussing how talking in spanish in school got her punished, next she's explaining the difference in Spanglish and northern spanish. As far as I knew, tex-mex was a snack food, but she definitly altered my perception on a certain crunchy, salty, snack mix.

Personal Response to "How to Tame a Wild Tongue"

It is hard for me, personally to identify with the writer, but I see my mother in this story. My mother was adopted from Turkey, and was never taught anything about her culture. My grandmother, who was born and raised in England, and came to America later in life, raised her as an American. Well, she raised her as "American-like" as she could, having grown up English. When my mother went to school, she spoke with an English accent, just like my grandmother does to this day. So, her teachers put her into a speech therapy class to get rid of her accent, because it was "wrong."
I agree that cultural censorship is an issue, but I don't agree that the English speaking Americans should have to accomodate the Spanish speaking Chicanos. (P. 53 "...as long as I have to accomodate the English speakers rather than having them accomodate me, my tongue will be illegitimate.") In America, majority rules, and English speaking Americans are still the majority. I am of the opinion that if you don't like it, leave. There are plenty of realistic accomodations for people who's first language is Spanish (has anyone had to press "1" for English lately?) and I don't feel that there is anything wrong with the way that things are set up right now.
Is it possible that one day, a majority of Americans will speak Spanish primarily? I think it is. But, again, it comes back to the "majority" issue. The "business" language of the world is English. I think that standard English will always have a place. But I think that soon enough, Americans will all be speaking a bastardized form of English and Spanish as a first language - Spanglish, if you will. However, as an "Anglo" with a Hispanic daughter, I will raise my daughter to speak English first. My daughter will speak Spanish, but it will not be her cultural crutch. She will speak it to stay in touch with who she is, not to separate herself from the rest of society.