Fate, Family and Football

Imagine you live in the projects, your mother is a crack addict and you have been separated from her and your brother. You have no place to call home, and you stay with people from time to time to keep a roof over your head and food in your mouth. Your grades in school are very poor and you only have one shirt to wear for the entire week. Would you be able overcome these obstacles? Well, Michael Oher of the Baltimore Ravens went through these tragic events and many more and overcame all of them with help from many people, especially the Tuohy family. They not only took him in, but he became a part of their family, basically their son, and gave him the opportunity to have a home, family, and a quality education. These situations also affect other people, like my aunt Denise for example. Although her mother was not a crack addict and she excelled in school, she too lived in the projects up until she was 16. She did not have a lot of opportunities or even a room to call her own. She stayed in a two bedroom apartment with her four brothers and parents. She would eventually move into a house, have her own room, and become valedictorian of her class. The movie The Blind Side and the true life story of Michael Oher both capture his amazing life story but there are different depictions of events that took place in Michael Ohers life.

            In the movie and the true life story of Michael Oher there are many similarities. The first similarity is that he grew up in a poor neighborhood in Memphis Tennessee called Hurt Village. It was a housing project filled with drugs, gangs, and violence. His mother was a crack addict and his father was not in his life. In the movie it was depicted this same way however, in the movie you find out what happen to him and his brother as a child. He and his brother were taken away from his mother as young children and separated from each other. They meet up again at a restaurant. His brother works there as the bus boy. Also, in the movie you learn that he stays with the Tuohy's and eventually became a part of their family, however you do not see how before he stayed with them, he mainly lived with a man named Mr. Henderson. In the movie it is portrayed that he lived in the gym. Oher had it really rough growing up. He had no family, no home, but he had dreams of becoming a NFL star. He knew one day he would become something. With the love and care of the care of the Tuohys he is able to achieve this.

            There are some differences from the movie and the true life story of Oher. In the movie, it is depicted that Oher did not dream of becoming an NFL star. He did not even know how to play football. However, in the true life story he in fact had dreams of becoming a star. Oher states, “Every day I woke up, I said to myself, you know, I'm going to work hard, you know, this day to get to that next level” (p.1). In his true life story you also learn of how he became to know the Touhys. He would stay with them from time to time, and then leave and stay with someone else, until he was asked to stay. In the movie it is portrayed that he always stayed with the Touhy's. While Oher was in school, you learn that he had a tutor come and help him with his work. However, in his true life story, Collins his little sister was his tutor at first. She worked with him day and night, even having her class schedule changed so she could have some classes with him. After school she would help him study until late at night.        

            I interviewed my Aunt Denise, who I felt related to Ohers story. She too was born in a project that was filled with drugs, gangs and violence. She had friends whose parents had fallen victim to crack, and the kids were taken by foster care. My aunt says she did not have many clothes the ones she had were hand me downs. She had one pair of shoes, and she shared a bedroom with her four brothers. She did not have anything she could call her own. She always had dreams of leaving the projects. When her parents became able to buy a house, she says it was the best thing. They bought a five bedroom house and she was finally able to have her own space away from her brothers with her own bed. The house was in a very nice working class neighborhood and not as rough as the projects where she had once lived. My aunt always aspired to graduate from school. She loved to read and excelled in all her classes. Like Oher, my aunt was the first girl in my family to graduate from high school, and she graduated valedictorian of her class.

            In the end, Oher and my aunt had good outcomes. Oher was able to complete high school and go to college. He then was drafted into the NFL. More importantly he had a family that cared for him dearly and loved him. My aunt was able to move away from the projects and finally have something she could call her own. They overcame obstacles and with hard work and determination one was able to live in a better neighborhood with more opportunities and the other fulfilled his dream of becoming and NFL star.



A Changing World

America in the mid-nineteenth century was known as the land of opportunity and was a place where many immigrants came to start over. During this time, the country underwent some major changes. The population increased greatly from the vast amount of immigrants that moved there and many people began to move away from the agrarian culture or agriculture as a means of support. Industrialization occurred causing the removal of a lot of trees and animals habitats in order to build large factories, buildings and homes to support the millions of families now living there. In America today these problems are still occurring and have become worse. Our advancements in technology and overcrowding have severely impacted nature and create threatening impacts on life today.

            In Emerson’s story, he explains the wonder of nature to man. He is amazed at its beauty and appreciates it deeply. He often goes there to be in solitude and feels a spiritual connection with it. Emerson writes,             The infatuation and love for nature is not as persistent today as it was during Emerson’s time. Nature has been drastically changed by mankind. With a steady increase in population, more and more trees are being removed and replaced with small towns or cities. A multitude of forest and wild life are either lost or becoming extinct. The natural habitat for many animals is gone. The open fields and beautiful scenery that Emerson refers to cannot be seen on a large scale. As we cut away at the trees we take away from nature and also make it harder for animals to find shelter and support themselves and offspring.

“Neither does the wisest man extort her secret and lose his curiosity by finding out all her perfection” (p. 562).

Although, there are efforts to try and preserve nature and wildlife, our ignorance to potential outcomes has lead to further problems. Global Warming is one. Harmful chemicals are being released into the air and creating holes in the ozone layer. Ultraviolent sun rays that were once prevented from getting to earth are now coming through the holes and warming earth’s temperature and dramatically changing climates and environments. The ice caps are melting causing ocean levels to rise and animals like polar bears to go extinct. Climate is also affected. Places like California that normally do not get too cold, have now received freezing temperatures and received large amounts of snow. Emerson writes,

“For nature…the same scene which yesterday breathed perfume and glittered as…is overspread with melancholy today” (p. 564).

This is true; nature as it once was has been drastically altered.

While growing up, I have been able to see the affects of what mankind has done to nature. I am from Kentucky and the winters there have temperatures around fifty and sixty degrees.  We very rarely got snow and when we did it was only a light dusting that melted rapidly. Now the winters there are much worse. The temperatures get down to freezing or below that and we receive much more snow. I can remember having to get my first winter coat with gloves and a scarf. My mom would by us coats but they would be suitable for the mild weather we would receive. This temperature change is believed to be brought in by global warming. In my high school we learned about global warming and the affects that are occurring today.

             In Emerson’s story he has a deep appreciation for nature. He was among some of the people who did not agree much with industrialization. Today that idea I think is not as prevalent. With the advancement of technology there are many cities across the U.S. I think people are more concerned with the advancement of mankind, rather than the preservation of nature. Now that all of these problems are occurring people realize that we should have done more to protect it. I do not believe many people thought nature played as big a role as it does in how the world works. I have never been one to actually enjoy nature and see the beauty in it, but in seeing how important it is, I do believe we should do more to take better care of it.

            Nature has been greatly changed due to humans. With the removal of trees and animals habitats, and causing global warming, mankind is greatly impacted by this. If we continue on the path that we are going are world will only become worse. If we want to continue to advance as a people, we should focus on ways to protect our environment in our continuously changing world.



Teen Pregnacy: Is it glamorized?

There are many ads’ that promote safe sex and prevention of pregnancy. There are numerous ways to access this information not only by television ads’ but also the internet, books, and even in health classes at some high schools. With all these resources available teen pregnancy is still an epidemic among girls in America. An article in the Nevada Sagebrush suggested that t.v shows like “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” patronize viewers.  I however, do not agree with this claim. Yes, I believe these programs should be shown they do not patronize viewers. These programs give young teens a reality check and while promoting safe sex, it also encourages teens to be more cautious with decisions they make.

            In the article, “Shows Promoting Teen Pregnancy Patronize Viewers”, the author stands strong by this view. Although the shows “Teen Mom” and “16 and Pregnant” main goal is show the effects of teen pregnancy, it in some ways glamorizes it. People are fascinated with the lives of pregnant teens. These programs push off Christian value undertones and do not explore all the decisions and option that come along with being pregnant, more specifically abortion.

            There are many young girls in the U.S that become pregnant. The young moms in “Teen Mom” and “16 and Pregnant” are followed around in their day to day lives during the pregnancy and after they have given birth. The show does not glamorize the fact the girls are pregnant, but demonstrates all the responsibility the girls gain and the freedom they lose. They are unable to hang out with friends like other teens. Some struggle financially and have to get jobs and some mom’s even drop out of school or struggle staying in school. There have been cases where the child was given up for adoption also. This is a reality check for teens. With me being a teen myself, it is more powerful to see the effects of teen pregnancy, rather than reading about them or hearing cases about them. Being able to see firsthand, young girls around the same age undergoing the same situation and how they are handling it really leaves an impact on audiences.

            Since teen pregnancy is common, the shows look into why the girls have become pregnant. The girls on the show openly come out and say it is because they did not use condoms or were not on birth control.  Pregnancy is not a concern until it occurs. This scenario is very common. It is not that teens are uneducated about how to protect themselves and prevent pregnancy, but rather that they do not take proper precautions at their own will. These shows make teens more cautious about decisions they make like not using condoms, because they physically see the effects.  How hard it is to raise a child without adequate schooling, jobs, or stable relationship. How difficult it is for the parents that place their child up for adoption. This is all visible in the show. The moms have moms have decided to go through with their pregnancies and do what they believe is best for their child.

             In conclusion, yes, I think these types of programs should be shown. It allows teens to receive a firsthand look at the difficulties in being a teen parent. While it promotes safe sex, it also encourages teens to be more cautious in their decisions pertaining to it. These families make the decision of going through with the pregnancy and handling them the best way they can. Religion may play a role in their decision, but it is their religious values that over all help their decision. These shows are just like all the ads and books that promote safe sex and prevention of pregnancy, and hopefully through this, young girls will think more about their decisions and utilize the resources given to them.

               

Moving on Is the Hardest Part

Have you ever experienced heartbreak before? Is it hard to wake up and deal with the demands of everyday life while your thoughts are centered on your lost love? Is it hard to go to sleep without dreaming of them? I myself have experienced this. I know what it is like to be in love and I also know what it is like to experience heartbreak. I often found myself thinking more about my situation even if I tried my hardest no to. Trying to erase a person, I devoted all my time to, from my memory was hard because of all the good memories that we had. In John Mayer’s song "Dreaming With A Broken Heart", it embodies the thoughts and emotions I felt at the time of my break up.

            There are many songs about breakups, but this song shows real emotion. It is a situation that many experience and the emotions portrayed in the song are similar to the way people feel when they break up. When you first hear the song, you can tell that over all the author is trying to move on from heartbreak. The pace is slow, the mood is sad, and the author sounds really down. When you listen to the words you discover how hard it is for the author to let go and deal with his break up. In the song he says “…you roll out of bed on your knees, and for a moment you can hardly breathe…” This line always grabs my attention because I believe it is real emotion. There are always songs about people breaking up and being angry with each other. They believe that they can find a much better person and they are bitter. There are very few songs where I believe the author is being honest about having a hard time moving on. That is why this song appeals to me.

            The meaning behind the song is portrayed well. I think that the song is saying I am in love with someone who is not in love with me anymore, so how do I deal with that. How do I stop thinking or dreaming about them. Should I have hope that we will get back together. In the song he says “…wondering could you stay my love, Will you wake up by my side…”  These are thoughts and emotions that I felt.  It is as if the author is trying to convince himself that it is really over and I found myself doing the same thing. In relationships people argue and break up, then get back together. When you know that it is really over though, you do try and convince yourself that it is.

            The instrumental helps add to the emotion and tone of the song. A piano and an electric guitar are used. At first the piano is played softly and the guitar plays the same melody. The pace is s l o w and John Mayer sings in a soft and defeated voice. The mood created is one of sadness and the tone is not one of anger but very hurt and hopeless. Then the pace speeds up just a tad and the piano and electric guitar are played more dramatically. You feel as if John Mayer starts to sing directly to you. While listening to the song it makes me sad. I can relate to how the author is feeling during that time in my life. I think that if different instruments were used the mood could still be created, but if the pace was changed this song would not have hopeless tone created.

            All in all, this song I believe captivates real emotion after a break up. The meaning is clear and the tone, lyrics and instruments used all help display an obstacle the author is trying to overcome. It tells a story and I think the author achieved relating this topic to audiences which is why it is very popular. This song is still very important to me and I feel the same way every time I listen to it. “…do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand, would you get them if I did, no you won’t, because you’re gone, gone, gone, gone, gone…”

From the City to the Burbs

“The next stop will be Grand” goes the train as the doors close. There are twenty or more people in the train car with me, all indulged in their own conversations, but all with some place to go. Loud sirens, large buildings, fast walking, tons of tourist, and the smell of the water from the beach make Chicago. The city that I’d grown up in and all I’d known about until my family decides to move to the suburbs. Country Club Hills, a quiet suburb of Chicago, not some place I wanted to move was our destination. I would have to leave my school, all my friends, and adapt to a new neighborhood and make new friends. I hated the idea of moving and cried so hard when we actually moved into our new house. My views about the suburbs soon changed once I got there, but at first I thought badly of them. The suburbs were distant from the city, full of upper class and arrogant people, and very boring with nothing to do.

The distance from Chicago to Country Club Hills was the initial reason I did not want to move. The ride to our new house seemed to take forever. How would I visit my friends? There was no bus service out there, and it seemed to have very few people that actually lived out there. It was like a living in a completely different world. I did not want go to outside and make new friends like my parents persuaded me to do. I went in with such a bad attitude about the place until I found an old friend that lived around the corner from me. We soon became best friends, and did everything together! She showed me how to get back to the city, and I soon realized how close we were to the city and how quickly we could get out there. I soon began to like living out there. I began to make more friends and was still able to commute back to Chicago to see my old friends.

As a young girl in the city, I had developed a negative attitude about the people who lived in the suburbs. I was sure that it was full of upper class arrogant people. There were many occasions where my family had gone shopping to the mall out there and the people always seemed to give us weird looks, like they could tell we were not from the same place. The teens always seemed to look down on other teens from the city. How quickly this view of the suburbs for me would change. As I began to make more friends, I soon found that most of the people living out there were from the city and even the neighborhood I was from. They also dreaded moving and had the same views as I. I then began to feel a closer bond with my new friends. We now had something in common and could talk about it. A lot of their parents also had jobs like my parents. There were a few whose families were loaded, but for the most part, everyone had average jobs.

The last problem I worried about was that the suburbs were very boring with nothing to do. This at times could be true. A lot of the stores and restaurant’s would close early, where as in the city, they would be open late. If you were not able to drive then you could be bored at times, but luckily for me, I had friends who could drive and we went everywhere. I would always have a ball when I went out. I found that the suburbs were not as bad as people made it seem. I went in with a very negative attitude and have found that I love living out there. It was a nice neighborhood, children could go out and play without parents worrying about gang activity, the school systems were nice and over all it was a nice community. There was so much to offer and I never realized that until we moved there. Pretty soon we rarely starting going back to the city. Everything we needed was out here.

In summation, my views towards the suburbs really changed once I moved out there. It was not as far from Chicago as I once thought it was, it only took about fifteen minutes to go back and forth, everyone out there was not upper class and arrogant but average and down to earth, and although sometimes it could be boring, there were a lot of things to do and rarely a dull moment. This just goes to show that I need to start going into situations with a more open mind. Although I did not want to move, I am glad my parents made the decision to. I got to expand my horizons beyond city limits and enjoy my life out in the suburbs.