Background:
This week's blog is another previously released AP prompt - this one from the 2000s. Consider the fact that contemporary life is marked by all types of controversy. Choose a controversial local, national, or global issue with which you are familiar. There are numerous; don't limit yourself.
Assignment:
Using appropriate evidence and MLA citations, write a 3-5 paragraph mini-essay that carefully considers the opposing positions on this controversy and proposes a solution or compromise.
Links:
- Citation Assistance
- You may also consider perusing the LA Times or other such resources for ideas and/or resources.
Optional, extra credit assignment:
Engage in a meaningful conversation (at least one paragraph or more) with at least one of your classmates.
Due date:
Friday, March 18th at midnight
Note:
No blogs will be posted over Spring Break. :-) The next blog will be for the week of April 4th-8th.
Using violence to get peace is a conroversial issue. The people who like using violence beleive that that actions speek louder than words. The people who don't like violence believe that the pen is mighter than the sword. They both want peace; the difference is that the ones who want to use violence are just impatient and the ones who don't like violence are willing to wait for peace.
ReplyDeleteThe many sides to this arguement are centered around war. The impatient people are the ones who want to go to war or start a war in order to gain control and keep the peace. The patient people make peace treaties to stop the violence and promote peace. Some people believe that if we didn't fight at all there would be peace, but then if the other nations try to fight us and we don't fight back then they would massacre us. On the other hand, if we fought every battle instead of looking for a civil solution then we would constantly loose a lot of men and money which wouldn't leave us any time to pay our debts or get enough new soldiers for the next war. Constantly going into battle is not real peace and being open to attack is not peace either. The best action would be to do the most appropriate solution for the situation. If the situation allows for a peaceful solution then we should try to solve things peacefully. If there is a force against us that is unwilling to solve things peacefully then we should make them bend to our power.
A solution to this controversy might be to vote on whether or not to us violence or to access the situation to find the most peaceful solution first then if that isn't possible to put into effective action then we should find the most effective brutal solution to stop the violence as quickly as possible. If people want peace then the peaceful solutions have to be looked for first so that there is a possibility for less bloodshed. If people want peace but the people fighting are violent and hateful then peace can only be attained through brute force because they don't want peace they just want to see us in pain. The voting is good when people are fighting over whether they should go to war or not and the president also cannot decide on a solution.
Racism has been a controversial topic for many generations. Thousands of people have been discriminated against, and no one has seemed to have any solutions. However, I think I have a very simple solution that many have been thought of before, but never done.
ReplyDeleteSince the beginning of the dreadful slavery period, nearly three centuries ago, “The Negro is still not free.” [King 4] When the first Blacks came over to the Americas from Africa, they were manipulated and taken advantage of, put into chains and shackles and other horrible torture devices in order to help out the lazy ones who didn’t want to do the work: the whites. These people had horrible ideas of what was right.
Some people who are living in the twenty-first century seem to think that they had the right idea. In my opinion, they are all wrong and the blacks deserved much better than how they were treated. They didn’t have a chance against the whites, not only in physical numbers, but also in education and what to expect from the opposing side(s).
On the other hand, those that believe the same way as me, and think they were unjustified in their actions against the blacks, know what to say, but not how to do anything about it. True, slavery doesn’t exist anymore, but racism is still alive and thriving. Sadly enough, not many people are willing to do anything to put a stop to it.
In closing, racism can be eliminated from modern society with a few simple changes, if we are all willing to work on the situation together. We need to learn to put our differences aside, despite our skin colors, which is an extremely insignificant factor when dealing with something like this. We need to help each other out when we are in need of a helping hand, no matter what our personal beliefs. And we also need to look past what everyone else sees, and instead focus upon those traits that matter the most: personality and character. To quote the famous Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “I hope that one day my four little children will live in a world not where they are judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” [King 86-87]
Homosexuality is a controversial issue that many have problem accepting. It has always been the most religious people who have a problem accepting that two of the same gender can love each other, and want to eventually want to get married. These religious people, have been taught since they were young that marriage is between a man and a woman, which will make it normal to feel uncomfortable about something s different, but this does not mean they should hate and taunt homosexuals.
ReplyDeleteMany religious groups were taught that God and Jesus want you to love everyone equally, no matter what. A small different in a large community, scares these religious people to the point where they feel a sort of disgust thinking there is such a thing. They contradict themselves even further, because even though they wont accept the gays, they will accept a ex- child molester, or a drug addict. They accept people that commit crimes and hurt themselves and others for a living, but not an innocent life a gay man, that is religious and may one day want to get married.
This can controversy can stop, once both groups stop bashing on each other. Religious groups need to realize that they all are children of God, and need to respect each other equally. The gay community needs to stop acting like these people are wrong for believing on a “God”, as they all should, just respect each other’s believes, and they way they want to live their rest of their lives.
This controversy is always the same as racial discrimination that was done with the blacks. They were looked at as the lowest of the low because they were “different” in color. In the end people realized that they are human, and need to be respected and cared for, like everybody else. Gays, by religious groups need to realize these are people, and need the respect for their differences as everyone should have for each other, no matter how “different” we are.
The beauty of a woman caring a child for nine months makes the connection between mother and son more connected. Then the thing affects the way a mother thinks and wants to change her mind and does not want that child any more. Furthermore, it has become a serious topic to talk about and the decision of whether it should be legalized. Many people have the idea it is wrong to take the life of a child that yet has not lived. On the other hand people believe that an abortion is appropriate in the situation that mother is carrying.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, many people believe that taking a child life that has not seen the light or experience the world is wrong. One example is the religious people view the pregnancy as a gift from God and only as a blessing to the family. This is due to the fact people see it as a life that needs to live and grow up to be someone in life. Therefore, the belief of a child born can end up being the next person in lie to make or help create a cure for being the next person in lie to make or help create a cure for cancer.
On the other hand people believed that in a certain situation it ok to have an abortion. One example is the mother was raped of abused sexually. That want people believed that the mother has the decision to not have it due to that baby would remind her of the abuse she had. No matter the situation people should not have the decision of the death of a child due to if it came from a planned relationship of abusive to should have a chance to experience the world.
All in all, many people believe abortion should never happen. While other believe depending the situation to allow the mother to decide the outcome to the child life and not live to see light hit is growing mind.
Gay marriage is a very controversial issue, and always will be. The idea of a man marrying a man, or a women marrying a women is not accepted in several minds of people. This should not be a big issue, if two people love one another then they should be allowed to marry each other.
ReplyDeleteSeveral people are thought at any early age that a man should marry a woman, and that is just the norm of everyday life. So when they are exposed to gay marriages, they freak out and go against it. This also leads to violent actions, and even killing the couples. What they have to understand that everyone is different in their own way. Just because one person does not have the same view on things then that does not make them less of a person then them.
Most people are afraid that if they allow a same sex couple marry, then they will just mess up the society. But in reality it would not make a difference because even different sex couples end up divorces. If we do not allow them to do it legally, then they will end up doing it illegally anyways. Even if they prevent them from marrying, they can not take away the love they have for one another.
In conclusion, people should be more open minded. Gay marriages might not be so bad, different is not always bad. If they love each other, then the society should let them be together without criticism or judgmental remarks.
Graffiti is a major crime in the united states. It is not an art, but most people feel that graffiti is vandalism. The people who are doing graffiti are just writing, paint, or scribbling for no good reason. Graffiti artist are destroying private property. This causes many people to get offended for the damage that has been caused. Graffiti causes millions of dollars for the damages in the cities.
ReplyDeleteMany conflicts take place in our society today. One of the most controversal conflicts is between police and criminal suspects. Criminals commit crimes and the police respond to their actions. In today's news (March 18), a retired Burbank officer shoots and kills a robbery suspect. There are many incidents like this one that happen in many cities. The problem that occurs to many people is that the police should not be acting out their agression or firing at suspects they go after. Many people feel the police's actions are justified while others believe that it should be left to the justice system to decide consequences.
ReplyDeleteLooking from the officer's perspective, his actions are justified. He can claim that he felt threatened therefore he uses his weapon as defense. According to an abc7 news article, "Retired Burbank officer shoots, kills robbery suspect", " The retired officer was actually fairly injured during the struggle, and wound up, in the end, discharging his weapon at the suspect". This may seem like the natural thing to do, but it is unfair. Outside people or witnesses will not ever understand the officer's true intention. In this situation, the officer was hurt by the suspect; therefore, he felt his life was threatened and used his gun to fire at the suspect. Not only would a police officer act like this, but also any other person. People would have to protect themselves from danger whether they are aware of their actions or not.
In the suspect's point-of view, he was a victim despite the crime(s) he has commited. Although the suspect had done something wrong, it isn't right for him to beaten or killed by a police officer. For the most part, it should be given to the justice system to decide what consequences he should face. Even though the process takes longer, the court would have evidence be gathered to be processed and used to decide on the extent of punishment. Criminal or not, people should not face cruel and usual punishment. For example, a person that commits a minor crime, like stealing a fruit from another person's yard, should not be put in jail for years or sentenced to death. By having suspects go through the justice system, he is given a punishment he actually deserves. In the suspects defense, referring back to the article, he did not deserve to be shot and killed by that Burbank officer. First of all, he is retired so he should not be carrying around a gun. Second of all, the retired officer shot the man after he was attacked not during the assault. So it was probably controlled after one point, and if it was then why had the officer shot the suspect? This makes the officer look guilty because he didn't shoot during the struggle when his life was in danger.
There are many controversies that occur but one that seems to strike a lot of people involves police and suspects. What makes these incidents so controversial is that they have supporters for both sides that are willing to have their arguement heard. Police may argue that they were only acting for their safety and others'. However, victims would argue that they treated cruelly and unfairly by officers. No matter what, incidents like that should be left to the justice system to decide; it would only be more fair.
Teen pregnancies and abortions are always a very controversial topic in society.Today,many teens in schools are parenting and do not have the means to support the child on their own. Many of these teens recieve help from family members and/or the second parent of the child. In alot of cases the girl gets pregnant and the guy leaves out of fear of being a father. Most guys this age are obviously not ready to be parents at all so they run away from the situation. Teens cannot truely raise a child at this time in their lives because they too, are just children. Most teens do not acquire the maturity that raising a child needs, and most boys at this age want to be free and available to do as they please. Having a chold would simply"tie them down",and that is exactly what scares them off.
ReplyDeleteThis can also lead to abortions because after the father is out of the picture, the girl might feel helpless and feel like she is incapable of raising this child on her own.Or maybe her vision of having a baby with the guy she claimed to "love" didnt work out as planned.Either way, teens should not be parents. Teens should be teens. Some teeens are influenced by those around them. Some may feel pressured into having sex early in their lives and continue to but arent smart about their actions. They soon learn tht mistakes happen but now this is a huge responsibility that they have to blame themselves for. Some teens think its all "fun nd games" when they have a child but dont realize how stressful it can really be.this might be y people continue to have unsafe sex and continue to go through custody charges and things like that.
One controversial issue that rarely anyone talks is about the future of the mentally ill children. Mentally ill children mostly depend on their parents or legal guardian but what happens to them when they are over 18? What happens to them if their parents or legal guardian dies? Will the government take care of them? Who really knows what happens to these children when they face the real world. Many people do not consider them fit enough to take care of themselves but don’t you thinks that they have hopes of settling down and raising a family?
ReplyDeleteOne example that can relate to this situation is the movie called “I Am Sam”. Even though it is a fiction movie it shows real life situations that people never really notice. Sam Dawson’s daughter is taken away from his custody because he is not fit enough to take care of her. After six years of raising a child Sam’s effort to care for his daughter Lucy is not really acknowledge by the court. He always made an effort to make sure Lucy was feed, clothed, and feel loved. People always make the mentally ill feel secured but they do not make an effort to reach out to them and teach them to live independently.
My brother is what you consider someone that is mentally ill, but he is one of the brightest people I know. My brother is easily frustrated but that is because no one makes an effort to understand him. It seems that people find it easier to give up on someone rather than make an effort. Sometimes it seems that my mom doesn’t really know what is going to happen when he graduates from high school; she always wonders what will happen but never takes action. My brother wants to be a movie direction and is always investigating the cinema world; looking at movies that received either an Academy Award or were nominated for something big.
The only solution I can think of is to never give up on them. Teach them to become independent, motivate to reach their dreams, and listen when it seems that they lose all hope.
The only solution I can think of is to never give up on them. Teach them to become independent, motivate them to reach their dreams, and listen to them when it seems that they lose all hope.
ReplyDeleteThere are many controversial issues that are not only plaguing the nation, but the whole world as well. One of these issues deals with biotechnology and its contribution to the medicinal area. Biotechnology has introduced the world to a variety of cures and preventions for detrimental diseases such as cancer. For example, stem cell research has allowed scientists to conduct bone marrow transplants, which have helped treat cancer patients and reduce the risk of relapse. Biotechnology also allows a person with a genetic disorder to undergo gene therapy, which is when they have their DNA alterated in order to show healthy and regular DNA codes.
ReplyDeleteHowever, biotechnology is controversial for several reasons. Stem cell research requires the destruction of an embryo, removing the blastocyst and manipulating it to become differentiated and specialized cells for the body. It has been a controversy among the religious folk who believe that stem cell research is an act of abortion because the embryo is already forming to become a baby the moment the sperm reaches the egg. Gene therapy is also a controversy due to the power it gives humans to change the way a person looks or behaves. If the person had the money, he/she could go through genetic therapy to change hair color, eye color, and the general appearance. That power, according to most religions, is only given to God.
Perhaps the best solution for this is to find a way to create stem cells without the use of killing an embryo. The advancement of technology is allowing us to discover new ways to achieve another possibility, so I believe it shouldn’t be so hard. As for genetic therapy, I think it would be highly useful to use it to strictly treat any genetic disorders a person may have, not just because they are not satisfied with the way they look.
(Sorry this is late!)
(Posting for Edith Jimenez, p5 - on time)
ReplyDeleteAbortion is a widespread controversy that is continually being challenged. As much as pro-choice followers try to advocate their beliefs, there is no sanity in their arguments. There are always other ways to confront this issue. It makes me sick to my stomach to have to hear about the high abortion rates every year, because I know that there are alternative modes to handle such a situation.
The cost that innocent beings must pay is too unbearable for me to just stand around. A massacre is taking place whenever an abortion is made, and the severity of it can’t be decorated. This controversy is far more than what it appears because it is not humanitarian. As stated “A Realtime ultrasound video tape and movie of a 12- week suction abortion is commercially available as, The Silent Scream, narrated by Dr. B. Nathanson, a former abortionist. It dramatically, but factually, shows the pre-born baby dodging the suction instrument time after time, while its heartbeat doubles in rate. When finally caught, its body being dismembered, the baby’s mouth clearly opens wide — hence, the title” (available from Heritage House '76 at http:www.heritagehouse76.com).
California does not have any of the major types of abortion restrictions—such as waiting periods, mandated parental involvement or limitations on publicly funded abortions—often found in other states (guttmacher.org). As this shows that there are no legal restrictions in California, congress should set up some law that requires the consent of a parent. If possible, I would protest for the mandatory submission of the motive for the abortion, and it needs to be legitimate. This would be reviewed by professionals who would decide if the abortion is really necessary. If the abortion is not necessary, then they will be denied. After this process the mother will be expected to attend therapy following a plan to provide a solution for the baby’s benefit.
Posting for Edith Jimenez, period 5 - Late
ReplyDelete@ Alejandra: i agree with your opinion, it is not okay for society to reject change. Change is not always bad. In fact, change can be good when it is done the right way. In this case it can be for the better. If a person realizes that they did not have a good experience with one sex, they might want to try something new. Changing to a different sex might be the best choice for that person because it didn't work out in past relationships.