Transformational Writing Ideas !!!!

For Project #3 Transformational Writing, I truly believe there are many topics and issues that can be addressed. As we had the opportunity to meet in class, one of the topics that seemed to be so interesting was that of different nonprofit organizations in Chicago, that are often overlooked or have little to no promotion or media coverage. The nonprofit organizations we specifically talked about were those that help people trying to recover from substance abuse or maybe even those that help women against domestic violence. I thought these topics were amazing to touch on because it is something that dramatically impacts a large number if not all Chicago communities in one way or another. At the same time very often these helpful organizations don’t get any type of promotion to help their name and issues out there. I think it wouldn’t hurt them to have students promote their organization. With this in mind, I think it would be nice to perhaps do video interviews on personal stories, brochures and fliers that could help them be more known around Chicago. All of these potential ideas I think would largely benefit these great groups, while we make an attempt to frame them in a different view. Based on the group roles we discussed in class, I found it funny that having everyone in a group take on the same role, will take the group nowhere. But rather, we all have to fill up a role, to make this project a successful one. I do admit to being more of a supporter, but if it is needed I am willing to adjust and take on any role necessary to get task completed and on time. I do consider myself more of a supporter, but I believe that throughout time I have been a little bit of all, I just tend to lean more towards being a supporter in any group scenario. I like the idea behind this project because it will be a way to get out our own ideas and actually help frame and aid a local group or organization in Chicago.

Group Work :)

Working in groups is something that I believe most people dread. Yet it’s surprising, if we really think about it, we have had to and will have to continue to work with others throughout all our lives. Throughout elementary and high school, working in groups, was something I really disliked. Personally because I thought a lot of people didn’t put emphasis into the project, and I would be stuck doing a majority of the work. This may also be because I am the kind of person who, likes to work with others, yet I don’t like to depend on others for my grade or assessment. It may sound harsh, but I like to know that the project or assignment that I did, was done to my best potential and that the grade that I got was based on my own work. But now that I have had to work in groups in college, things are different. During my English 102 class, we did have to work in groups, but what I liked was that even though it was a group project, we each had to ultimately turn in our own work. Our group was used in such a way for feedback, or questions and support for sources for our research project.  Working in groups is beneficial because we know we have each other if we have doubts about our own work, or any questions. Also working with groups allows for more ideas to be brought up. If we all cooperate and put effort into our project, the end result should be rewarding. Based on the handout it’s interesting to see how it points out that each group goes through a four step process to a final outcome. What I found the most interesting is the idea of the different roles that each person can play throughout a group. Especially that ultimately we all take on more than one role. I look forward to working in groups for this last and final project.

"La Casita"

Whittier Dual Language School : "La Casita"- Images of "La Casita", to show how strongly parents and students feel about CPS decision to demolish "La Casita". "La Casita" is used for community events and after school programs. CPS, agreed to use the money for demolition for renovations of "La Casita", but now the agreement is in the air. Whittier Dual Language School does not have a library of its own, and uses its field house to house its small amount of books. "La Casita" is a crucial part of this community and a great resource for the success of students.

Wikipedia Draft :)

Whittier Dual Language School

“Nurturing the seeds of dual language, cultivating success”

Contents

·         Location

o   Transportation

·         Mission

·         Vision

·         School Director

·         History

·         Students/ Staff

·         Programs

o   Grade Level

·         Controversy- Field House

o   La Casita

o   Decision

o   Update

Location

Whittier Dual Language School is located in the Lower West side community of Pilsen. Whittier is on 1900 West 23rd Street, Chicago, IL 60608-4289.

Transportation: To arrive at Whittier Elementary school or into the Pilsen community, one can easily take the CTA Pink Line which is 54^th/Cermak to Loop on the ‘L’. One can get off at the Damen stop and walk a few blocks to arrive at 23^rd street to Whittier Dual Language School.

Mission

In collaboration with students, parents, the World Language Magnet Cluster Program and Extended Community Program, Whittier Dual Language School will provide an academic program what will challenge each student to achieve academic excellence with bi-literate competence in all content areas.  Whittier is committed to providing a climate that fosters positive self-esteem, cross-cultural attitudes, individual dignity, cooperation and excellence.

Vision

Whittier Dual Language School will prepare students for success in high school and beyond.  Through an emphasis on literacy in English and Spanish, mathematics, science, social studies, the integration of technology, the arts and physical activities with higher order thinking skills, our students will develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values to become critical thinkers and productive members of their community.

History

Whittier Dual Language School is named after the known poet John Greenleaf Whittier, born on December 17, 1807 in the Whittier Homestead located in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Mr. Whittier is widely famous for his poetry such as “Snow Bound” released in 1866. He is recognized joining and advocating for the abolitionist cause. He got schooling at Haverhill Academy and through a teacher became interested in poetry. He then became an editor for a Boston and Hartford newspapers. He also had an association with the Atlantic Monthly Magazine form 1857 until his death.  John is also known for his aid in the creation of the Republican party. Even after his death on September 7, 1892, Whittier’s poetry work continued to grow popular, especially that related to the anti-slavery movement.

Students/ Staff

Annotated Bibliography Draft?

Annotated Bibliography

Olmedo, Irma M. "Blending Borders of Language and Culture: Schooling in La Villita." Journal of Latinos

& Education 8.1 (2009): 22-37. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

This is an academic article from the Journal of Latinos and Education by Irma M. Olmedo that focuses and examines the education of the Chicago Mexican community, La Villita. La Villita along with the Pilsen community is largely composed of Hispanics. Like many communities around the United States La Villita is a victim of the creation of a border from racism and urban segregation in housing and schooling as the article emphasizes. The education system in La Villita relies a lot on the bilingual education program, taking into consideration that a majority of the schools in la Villita are composed of Mexican American students. This specific article examined La Frontera elementary school to see how kids are being taught to blend both their languages and cultures. In order for this to happen as the article states, is not an easy task, there has to be trust and commitment in all parties to ensure the success of the children. As the article suggest, the children are aware of the importance of knowing both languages not only for their own benefit but for their families as well.

                This article definitely brings out the importance of a bilingual education in communities like La Villita and Pilsen. These communities rely immensely on the resources necessary in the education system to make students successful in a society where segregation in schools is common. Based on this study from a Hispanic majority school, the credibility of it is in my opinion high; they have the authority to put their opinion out there. To state the significance of ESL education for communities like Pilsen that requires a higher need of attention for the success of its schools. Where often communities like Pilsen t considered a part of the poorest part of the city, is overlooked when the distribution of resources is done.

Source 2:

Zehr, Mary Ann. "Bilingual Mandate Challenges Chicago's Public Preschools." Education Week 30.13

(2010): 1-19. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

This article is very interesting to look into, as I realize that is puts great importance on how recently Chicago Public Schools will now require that all preschools to offer bilingual education to students. As the article declares by July 2014 all preschool teachers with ELLS in their classrooms must be endorsed with bilingual education or ESL. The article then expresses its concern with the low number of bilingual teachers eligible to begin to endorse this program. With such a limited number of teachers with a bilingual education, the challenge to implement this into the Chicago Public Schools will become twice as hard. But foreseeing the problems to come, Head Start programs and other community organizations have already began to put this order to play, showing that it is possible to begin to offer ESL even at a young age.

The authority held by this article to me is somewhat high, especially due to the many facts that it includes regarding the numbers and regulations for the implementation of this program all throughout the Chicago community schools. It is important to acknowledge that the implementation of ESL at a really young age is beneficial to students who will continue their education in schools like the Pilsen community where bilingual education is essential to succeed. The challenges that the program will run into are minimal, if in the long run it will be the students themselves who will see the results, once they are funneled through the Chicago education system.

               

What is left to say?!

From Chapter 1 of Curious Researcher, "Developing a Working Knowledge", I absolutely see the numerous topics one can take on when researching and if you are truly interested, how that can affect your writing overall. If we choose a topic that we absolutely hate and have no desire to research, the process as a whole will be a failure because we are already being tortured with something we hate. Based on the fact that our class assignment is to research a community, neighborhood, or group in Chicago, I have chosen to look more deeply into the community of Pilsen. I am personally not very familiar with the community overall because I am from the suburbs and have limited knowledge on Pilsen as whole. What interested me the most was its strong Mexican American culture, when i visited. I truly think that the most important issue to look into is the education children receive in a community like Pilsen that is a majority minority community. Are the ways in which children are educated different to how a white community neighborhood would be taught? That is why the group of people that intrigue me the most in Pilsen are the children, the Mexican American children, living in a community, where perhaps English may be their second language. Does Pilsen offer ESL classes for children who speak Spanish or any other language as their first language? What type of resources are these children offered to enhance their education? The places that draw my attention the most in Pilsen are the places as simple as the playgrounds, or the recreation centers, the art museums, restaurants, cart vendors, schools. How do all these locations come together to sustain their culture? or what kind of stereotypes is Pilsen even known for? Like i said i am not an expert on Pilsen, because I am not originally from there, but how do children or parents deal with gangs, or violence that occurs in the community?  I think all these groups of people have some kind of impact, big or small on Pilsen, and the people residing there. The two or three main questions that I would be interested in really knowing from Pilsen, would involve the children, education, and violence in the Pilsen community. Being Mexican American, I find it very useful to know how a group that I am a part of is educated and how that impacts our future? Does that have anything to do with the low number of Hispanics in college? All of these issues impact a community and are often overlooked, like in the Wikipedia entries that focus on transportation to Pilsen or the history, and don't focus on the issues of today.

Thats all? !!!! :o

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_West_Side,_Chicago

As I browse and read through the Wikipedia entry about Pilsen on the World Wide Web, it is kind of interesting and sad at the same time to see how simplistic its description is. I admit the main points and attraction places of Pilsen are discussed, yet they oversee important aspect about Pilsen. The entry mentions Pilsen’s history and why it is that today it is known as a mainly Mexican American community. I personally think that the way Pilsen is framed today has little to do with how it used to be mainly inhibited by Czech immigrants. As the entry mentions it was not until the 1970’s that Pilsen became more and more populated by Mexican Americans. They also briefly mention the education system that Pilsen has, its schools, yet I think it definitely dismisses the kind of education kids in this neighborhood receive especially being a majority minority community. I think it is important to look more into the kind of education that children receive in this context, just as Jean Anyon argues with her article “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work”. Each community and social class receives a different type of education that impacts the way students will view and think about writing and reading. How these kids are taught will impact their own view on reading and writing later on. The other main thing that I thought was definitely overlooked by the entry was that of more detail on Pilsen culture as a community. What makes Pilsen a close community, what they have to offer, the food and entertainment. I also didn’t see anywhere in the entry anything about the hard working cart vendors in Pilsens most transited streets. I believe they are a big part of what makes Pilsen unique and worth visiting. They without a doubt add on to the culture and vibe that one gets when visiting and walking through the streets of Pilsen. These are the things that most stood out to me in regards to Pilsen’s Wikipedia entry. Just as an example, there was more information on the transportation to Pilsen than the delicious restaurants or Mexican museum. In order to write my own Wikipedia entry I think it will be necessary to incorporate all of Pilsen’s attractions and facts that many often overlook.

Pilsen: Heart of Chicago :)

As I look through the many communities that Chicago is composed of, the one I chose to look more into is Pilsen. I have personally visited Pilsen once since I moved to Chicago. I am originally from Carpentersville a northwestern suburb. The main reason I decided to visit and explore Pilsen last year was because I can honestly say that I missed my mexican roots from back home. When I visited Pilsen, I felt more at home and it was nice to see how knit of a community Pilsen really is. For those who are not familiar with what Pilsen has to offer, it is a Mexican American community, filled with rich culture. Pilsen can  be reached through CTA's pink line and a variety of buses. Once in Pilsen, one can gain a sense of its culture through its many unique restaurants and cafe that give you a taste of great mexican food. One can also visit its well known Mexican museum thats exhibits a variety of themes, such as art. With the upcoming day of the dead November 1st, the musuem exhibits artifacts and alters in honor of the dead. Churches around Pilsen are also a unique place to visit, giving you a sense mexican traditions. While walking through Pilsens street one sees the carts selling anything from tamales, fruit and elotes. Pilsen also has a lot of beautiful murals that represent Mexican culture and famous artists and people who made history. Often one may go through Halsted and dismiss and overview the numerous art gallaries that make Pilsen even more unique. The one thing one cant miss when visiting Pilsen are the panaderias, that sell traditional mexican bread. All of these and more aspects make the community of Pilsen stand out. Its easy to look over all the details that make it stand out from the rest, but when I visit Pilsen its a great feeling and vibe that I get. Out of the many communities in Chicago, Pilsen the heart of Chicago is an extroardinary community worth visiting.

"Ilegal Who?": Since when is working ILLEGAL?

http://standwitharizona.com/blog/2011/08/18/obama-amnesty-begins-halts-deportations-for-300000-illegal-aliens-offers-work-permits/

The topic of immigration has been present throughout all my life. I grew up living with two quote en quote "illegal immigrants". Both of my parents came to this country illegally at a young age not just for a better future for their family but for themselves. Their motivation to come to a country that promised opportunity and success, was stronger than their fear to leave their family and home country behind. When I was nine years old my dad received a letter notifying him that he was going to be deported and that he had a court hearing with which he had to show up with a lawyer and defend his case, or ICE would just come to our house and take him away. Now that I look back at this situation I realize how cold hearted people have to be to take away a father from his children and not realize the harm they cause or feel empathy when they see the tears that roll down the children's eyes. When I read this article I was amazed and shocked by how threatened people feel by "illegal Immigrants" who like my parents only come to work and do their best to fit into the American society. The way this website is so harsh places "illegals" on the spotlight as criminals that are to be thrown out because they pose a threat to society and all Americans. The fact that this article is from a very right winged view and is framed in the Illegal framing just like Lakoff and Ferguson point out puts immigrants as criminals that are to be punished and if they are not punished it is immoral. I personally think that this way of framing undocumented immigration relates to what we discussed  in class, overlooks and by no means considers the thoughts and feelings of the immigrants themselves. Because there are so many ways of viewing and framing this issue its results impact not only Americans in specific but most importantly the children of these immigrants. The way I view immigration has a lot to do with my own personal experience and how I grew up in fear of losing both my parents without prior notice. I truly am proud of my parents who now are documented, but have gone through a lot to succeed in this country. I cant express enough how important it is for this issue to be resolved where all aspects contributing to immigration are addressed. Its not just about kicking them out or building a steel wall around this country, but about dissecting every detail to ensure a better nation. The word "illegal" in my own view should not even come close to immigrant, because like most of my family they only come to work. How can the desire to work and reach ones goals, be ILLEGAL?.....

Growing up in my household :))

Growing up in a Mexican household many may think that my father was the typical macho, who believed women belonged in the kitchen and were not meant to work. It is easy to see how one would think that my mom was the typical stay home mom, who made our lunch and cleaned the house. As I hear stories from my mom and dad, as they grew up, that was their lives. Their fathers or my grandfather’s grew up believing that their wives were to care for their children and cook, while they went out to work and brought home quote en quote the bacon. This type of family model was that of what is considered a very conservative family model. The Strict Family Model is what is most closely associated with the conservative right wing political party. The Strict Family Model is based on the belief that all evil is to be combatted and that father is viewed in a way as the hero figure of the household. Children are to be taught discipline in what is usually called tough love. They are to learn on their own and set strict guidelines where little to no affection is shown. In this model fathers don’t like people to interfere in the way they guide their family, just like conservatives believe that little to no government involvement is for the best of the nation. The Strict Father Model is a good guide to reasons conservatives have ideas for certain issues such as abortion and feminism. On the other hand, I believe to have grown in a home that follows The Nurturant Parent Model. This model focuses more on love and communication between parents and children. It’s not about punishment but rather teaching children evils and guiding them through the process of learning or becoming independent. It also encompasses the idea that overall children are to have fun and enjoy life. If parents grow close to their children then they are more likely to want to help others and their communities. The liberals tend to follow this type of family model to mold their own beliefs in crucial issues such as abortion and multiculturalism. Both of these family models give insight to the conservative and liberal political viewpoints. I am glad to have been raised in a Nurturant Parent Model, where I have been raised with love and where punishment is not always the answer, but rather learned through my mistakes for my own benefit. I definitely consider myself a liberal, and hope to continue this education to the generations to come. I don’t agree with the tough love motto of the Strict Family Model used by the conservative standpoint.

"Normal" Framing :/

Article: Right Wing News
Obama's White House is a 'hostile environment for females that treats women like meat'
By, David Gardner
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2038386/Obamas-White-House-hostile-environment-women-treated-like-meat.html

The issue at hand in this specific article from The Right Wing News deals with how females within the White House have expressed their concern with being left out of important decisions and the overall treatment inside the White House. They have reported feeling basically like a piece of meat, that is rarely taken into account. The way this article frames this issue is in my view in a negative connotation towards president Obama and his colleges such as Rahm Emmanuel and Larry Summers. In a way putting them out in the open that women are not being given the deserved treatment throughout the government offices, making them stand out as sexists.  Analyzing this article I realize that a lot can be said just by viewing who wrote this article. This article is written by The Right Wing News, the name does say it all. It is written by conservatives aka those in favor of Republicans. Taking this into account one can see that Obama being a democrat, this article would be framed to negatively affect his image. Just as the article states according to them, Obama is at his lowest rates of approval by the American people. By putting out news like these and framing them as if Obama really did not give women the right treatment, this would favor the Republican party and Republicans. because this would affect Obama image. This article makes sense and is "normal" for those who are right winged, because they will most likely a majority of the time be in favor of anything that makes the democratic party look bad. This narrative to those who are republicans, would make them happy to hear that Obama is doing something that could give them a potential lead in the upcoming presidential elections. The framing of this article is very interesting because it leads those who view this article as normal to have hope that the Republicans will regain office if the democratic party continues to take actions like these. While reading this I personally do not agree with how this article is framed but I can most definitely see how it is framed to satisfy those who are right winged. I realize how much of an affect the frame and most importantly who writes the articles can have on common beliefs and in political aspects.

A view from the other Side :)

These are the two blog post I commented on. I found it so interesting to read through my classmates blogs because they give you a different perspective on issues while learning more about them. http://unknownfear99.blogspot.com/2011/08/somewhere-in-middle.html?showComment=1316098370526#c4632097792689765690

http://mluna-liveyourdreams.blogspot.com/2011/09/way-that-i-see-work-is-not-same-in.html?showComment=1316098824328#c3780213787572064349

Framing :o !!!

During our class activity we had the opportunity to view and talk about various articles. The articles specifically allowed us to view how different news reports and location of publication frame different issues and situations differently. All of them starting from the title have power and influence geared towards a specific group of people and with a clear idea of the image and message they want to portray to others. The articles our group got were focused mainly on Obama and his speech and plan for creating more jobs for the country. They all spoke and centered on this issue of jobs and the way Obama planned to fix the high unemployment rates. The way these articles framed this issue was quite different. In one of our article from the Fox News, the article was completely bashing on Obama and how unrealistic his plan was. That in reality his plan would never go through, thus this article was completely framed in a way where Obama image could be viewed as negative to the public. On the other hand there was another article that framed Obama plan in a way that it showed that even though his plan was vague in certain ways, because the GOP had no way to stand against it, Obama plan would help generate a positive image for himself towards a larger audience. These frames make sense in a way where just by reading the title of a article you know the intention it was written with, its clear that the writer wants you to read his or her article and end having a certain idea about the issue at hand. These different forms of narratives reflect different powers in that, if the most famous newspaper in the US decided to publish a negative view towards Obama plan, this newspaper clearly has the power to make a large sum of people to think that way to. Those who hold the power to get written work out there largely contribute to common social beliefs. Its amazing how one article or one news report has the power to change and influence the thinking of many people. I personally think that those who write an article and decide to frame it, first look at the issue at hand, what is being discussed? who's involved? location? and then decide with the companies own values and beliefs how they want to make the news available to a larger audience. What reaction do they want to create to the people who will be reading this. Do they want people to be happy, sad, scared or alarmed? I think these are the main things that writers take into consideration and should take into consideration when writing. By knowing what reaction they want from their readers any writer can then frame his work in such a way.

Unmeasured Effects !!!

After reading the news story " 4 year old black boy Wants to have a Gun" by CBS 2 Chicago News, I realize how framing can really affect the way certain races are viewed within a society. At a first glance at the interview with the small boy, one immediately misinterprets the boys words. One begins to think that this boy at such a young age is already geared towards violence within his community and his home. The story is set/ framed in a way that it gains attention because it promotes fear within this community and those surrounding. They plant doubt to people about the security of the neighborhood and how much they can in reality trust the police. But most importantly what I saw is how they so negatively portray and reinforce stereotypes about African American people. Taking into consideration that this 4 year old boy is African American, people will pay more attention and become more alarmed than if a 4 year old white boy said he wanted a gun when he grew older. I think this really goes to show how Clark and Ivanic place so much emphasis on the power the press has to bring about common beliefs in society. And most importantly who has the power to write? its not just about writing but about having enough power and influence to get your writing out there, to be read by a larger audience. Something that is very commonly reinforced in our education system. Those who have power will continue to have it because their children are the ones receiving the better education and the opportunities that those minority communities will continue to receive a bad, mediocre education. Thus increasing the cultural capital of those few fortunate children and funneling others towards the blue collar jobs in the work force.  If I was writing my own version of this story I would most definitely stress the importance of trusting the police in any situation, instead of trying to take matters into your own hands. I would take the frame of making this 4 year old boy look like he truly wants to help out his community and make his race proud. The way stories like these are framed come to affect a community largely if the right message is not sent out. Those who have the power to write don't realize how their words and ideas can create and shape popular beliefs.

My Definition of "Work"

The word work to me has been very commonly used all throughout my life and in my household. It is hard to have a one concrete definition of what work is, because coming from different backgrounds and perspectives, we all have a different idea of what work may encompass or the image it brings to mind. The way I was brought up in my family, work either school work such as homework or work work in terms of employment are given great emphasis and importance. To me it is a commitment and a responsibility that needs to be done to ones fullest potential and be satisfied with the end results, as it is a product and a reflection of your own labor and efforts. Theses associations I make with work, are definitely rooted in the way my parents ingrained in me the significance of work and how it would affect my own future. I think that this idea of work has affected me in positive ways throughout my life because I look at work in this way, I have been able to continue and strive to reach my educational and personal goals. Based on George Lakoffs article, I can definitely say that I associate work with labor, such as a factory and now that I am in college a notebook, pen, computer, and books. The idea of relating a factory to work has a lot to do with my childhood, as both my parents have worked in factories all their lives. When I think of work, I definitely have in mind the idea of staying away from factory related work because I have been told as a child that if I want to succeed, a factory job is not the right path. Based on my own definition and way of looking at work, I can honestly say that I think different cultures view work in different ways. We can all look at work in different ways because as I mentioned earlier we all come from different backgrounds and its but normal that we view things differently. I think that work can be viewed outside the image of a degraded factory job position. I do believe that I limit myself with my image or idea of work, and viewing work differently may more productive for me especially as a college student. Work is and will always be important to me, and beginning to look at it in a different manner may definitely help me as I reach my career goals.

My name is Mariana Ortiz and I am a sophomore at Roosevelt University. I am from Carpentersville, Illinois, and attended schools in District 300 all throughout my K-12 education. As I look back at the education I received and analyze it through the article of Jean Anyon, "Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work" I am impressed with how differently students are educated based on their social class. Looking back at my own experience as a student, I believe that I received an education that encompasses aspects of all four kinds of education Anyon describes, but as I look closely the education system I went through most definitely was that of a Middle Class School. Throughout all grades, great emphasis was placed on getting the right answer. It did not necessarily matter the means to getting the correct answer, but rather how many you got correct, thus correlating that to your overall final grade.In many of my classes everything to the last detail was based on the textbook, the teacher would make lesson plans, notes and homework all off the book and that would leave little to no room for creativity. The main way I see my schools relating to Middle Class Schools is that we were always ingrained that if we did well in school, got good grades and behaved, we would easily end up going to college and getting a good job. The kinds of teachers I had as I went to school most definitely impacted the way I read and write today. I can recall that all through high school, the process of writing a research paper or any paper at all had strict rules and if they were not followed the consequence would be a failing grade. Due to the process I was taught in grade school and high school, when I got to Roosevelt the idea of having no real structure that everyone necessarily had to follow, made the idea of being creative and writing quite difficult. I was so used to following the 5 paragraph structure that my first college English class became a challenge, but with the help of my professor I was able to transition into a more creative form of writing. I truly believe that with the 4 different school systems that Anyon identified, definitely give sign of how the United States is stratified, that even the education system prepares you to continue in a cycle where the rich will always be rich and the poor will always stay poor, because no real opportunities are given to advance and change the status quo. Now that I am in college and have realized how I was educated I think I have been prepared to continue in the same cycle, where I have been geared towards an education and job for the middle class. I find it interesting how we all go through the education system, without realizing the impact that even the smallest things can have on our future in this country.