Response to Carolina Reader p.260, Question 4

The construction of cultural body-image is managed by many different factors. These factors may range from family members to complete strangers, everyone can have some effect on body-image. Your personal body image can be altered bye a simple comment from a friend, but also by something as widespread as a magazine advertisement. As for a broad cultural body-image, this is usually defined by the mass media in developed countries. Television shows, ads, and other media pieces tend to portray desired body-image. In undeveloped countries, body image is defined by forces such as custom and heritage. Body-image can have profound effects on a society, especially negative body-image. Those in a society who feel they do not meet the standard body-image can develop low self esteem, eating disorders, and other psychological ailments.

Least Favorite Annotation

Benne, Robert, and Gerald McDermott. "Thirteen Bad Arguments for Same-Sex Marriage." Christianity Today os 48.9 (2004): 51-52. Academic Search Premier. 24 Oct. 2007.

This article is heavlily biased by religious and conservative thinking. The authors are mainly attempting to appeal to other conservative thinkers. Also, the authors are attempting to show gay marriage supporters where they are using faulty logic. The authors' main point is that there are no good reasons to support gay marriage. I did not agree with the authors' wiewpoints. I felt as though the authors themselves used some faulty thinking. I will use this source in my paper to help illustrate the conservative viewpoint on gay marriage.

Topic Proposal

Homosexuals’ Civil Rights

The rights of same-sex couples have, within the past few years, become a major political debating point. There are many different rights involved in these disputes. One of the most important rights involved is marriage. As it stands now, same-sex couples are only allowed to marry in Virginia; all other states do not legally acknowledge same-sex unions. The Gay Community feels that the preventive policies in place are in direct violation of their innate civil rights.
My paper will argue the point that homosexual couples should be entitled to the same civil rights as all other citizens of the United States. Currently same-sex couples are denied many common rights that we in the heterosexual community might take for granted. To support my thesis I will include excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. I will also research statistics that address the financial success, and other practical arenas, of same-sex couples. I also intend to research the effects on children’s development in same-sex environments. I will use these sources to show situations in which homosexuals are discriminated, and how their rights have been violated. My audience will include anyone who is concerned about gay rights; whether they are for or against them. My intention for this paper is to examine the issue through a fair, moral lens.

Smoking Ban Brainstorm

Civil Rights
Health Issues
Legislation Enacted
Supporting Groups
Opposing Groups
Politics
Pros and Cons
Environmental Concerns

Personal Post Secret

I used my old name tag from the University Bookstore to create my Post Secret card. I emblazoned the name tag with the phrase "No, I can't help you". This message was in response to the shirts we had to wear while working. The shirts were bright red with the message "Yes, I can help you!" on the front. When I worked at the bookstore, I did not receive any training; so I thought that shirt was a little misleading. I figured my name tag was the best way to represent this idea because it clearly identified the subject of my statement. I'm fairly certain that my classmates understood the message; I don't think anyone had any deeper insights to it either. I did not receive any unexpected reactions to my card. I think this is because most people identified with my sentiments.

Post Secret

The explicit claim on the Lockout Receipt is that the person locked their self out on purpose. The implicit claim is that they did this because it would cause the safety officer to come to their room; and they are attracted to the safety officer. The author appears to be a college student. The audience is any fellow student who understands the author’s point of view. The main visual component of this particular card is that it was made on the Lockout Receipt from the situation that is referred to. This gives a sense of validation for the claim.