Wednesday, January 22, 2014

summary/ response to A First Amendment Junkie

           According to feminist author, Susan Jacoby's essay " A First Amendment Junkie," the First Amendment should be based on absolute interpretation solely. Throughout her essay she brings up several cases that people have brought up as exceptions to the Amendment, but she states that they are just a mere misdirection. Kiddie Porn is a circumstance that many argue should be an exception to the Amendment. However, according to Jacoby, Kiddie Porn and the First Amendment are not related. Kiddie Porn is just an abuse of power that one has bestowed upon themselves and it should be punished by law, but not as disobeying the First Amendment. Throughout Susan Jacoby's essay, she makes it very clear that the First Amendment should have no exceptions. Even though there are those who believe that pornography violates this Amendment, she states that it does not apply. The First Amendment is an absolute interpretation solely.

         In response to Feminist author, Susan Jacoby's essay on the "First Amendment Junkie," I thought that she made some very good points, however I did not necessarily care for the way that Jacoby argued her piece. I found myself numerous times having to re-read the paragraph to understand what exactly it was that she way trying to convey. I liked the fact that she used  the neo-Nazis marching on the survivors of an extermination camp as an allegory to the "porn shops on 42nd Street." I think that was one of her strongest points that she made throughout the essay.
          Her last point that she makes, even though it is a valid point, the way she argued it could have been portrayed better. Her main message was who decides the difference between art and trash. Who is to say that to one person, pornography is trash and to the other pornography is art? However, when reading this paragraph about art vs. trash, I found it confusing at some points. I struggled to figure out the main message, she was actually trying to say. Overall she was arguing a very controversial subject and I thought that she did well in not straying from the point she was trying to make.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Response to White Priviledge

   In Peggy McIntosh's essay "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack," she makes numerous points that white people take for-granted everyday. She brings up the fact that, we can go to school and not have to worry about being discriminated based on race. We can walk home from school or work and not have to worry about being harassed, beaten, or kidnapped based on race. We are not judged based on race. There are numerous things that we do every day and the only difference is the color of our skin. I think McIntosh brings up many good points throughout her essay. She makes one think about the things that we actually do take for-granted.
    In my opinion, I think McIntosh was smart in publishing this article. She wasn't afraid to voice the truth. I like the fact how she took a different approach to racism as well. Instead of saying that whites did this wrong or they should have done this to avoid race discrimination, she brings a sense of guilt throughout her essay. I think she is wanting the audience to feel a sense of remorse and guilt by telling of so much we do not appreciate, but others do not get the chance to have. I think it is very strong and effective point in her argument. It is one that the audience is reminded of the whole 50 points.

Summary of " Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"

                                       "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"
   In the credible author, Peggy McIntosh's, essay "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack," she addresses the conflict of race in a different approach than most. Instead of taking an approach from the African American race, she addresses it from the opposite. McIntosh makes a list of 50 things that she can do and have because of her race. The points that she brings up throughout her essay, are ones that numerous people take for-granted. Throughout her essay, she talks of how white people have no consequences or at least how they do not have to think of those consequences after every action they make. In conclusion, Peggy McIntosh is trying to bring attention the privileges that numerous Caucasian people have taken for-granted.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Response to Coben's, "The Undercover Parent"

       "The Undercover Parent," by Harlan Coben is a well stated argument that urges the audience to use spyware in everyday household. His reasoning for his argument is based on that fact that it will create an environment of danger and jeopardizing the future for our kids. Throughout his essay, one clearly sees the position that he takes on the situation and he is trying to persuade others to agree with him. To strengthen his argument, he addresses the negative thoughts of those who disagree with spyware. The main disagreement he brings up, is the fact that some think it is morally wrong. However, he states that without spyware, it is more harmful for our children. He even gives an example to strengthen his argument, which is two people having a closer relationship in response to spyware. In conclusion, he believes that spyware is not "morally wrong," but instead is very beneficial for families.