Group Essay

Racism is an all to common discussion that takes place in America these days, and it is not without reason. Racism is something that has been a problem in this country for centuries, and though some believe the problem is all but erased in the modern day, the issue still persists. According to activist Time Wise, "Racism is an ideology that says certain people, by virtue of their race, are either inferior or superior to others of a different race, and with race usually being defined by skin color." (Cook, 4). As Americans, this definition seems very fitting. For years, and even in certain places today, people of certain races are denied luxuries that are given to some whites.

This advantage given to whites is also known as "white privilege." Tim Wise again describes this as "any advantage, head start, or protection the system grants whites but not people of color. It's the flip side of discrimination." (Cook, 4). This is something we see all the time in America. For example, if people of color are discriminated against for something such as jobs or housing, that provides that many more opportunities for whites.

This "white privilege" that Time Wise explalins throughout this interview is, I dare say, something that effects my life. Often times, as Wise says, "We have tobe honest with ourselves and realize that we're conditned tohvecertain reactions, andthat doesn't make us bad people, as long as we catch ourselves." (Cook, 12). In this instance he's talking about the racist tendencies that we sometimes have towards others. It's something we're all guilty of, but s long as we make the effort to train ourselves, and stop these tendencies, there's no reason racism cannot be greatly reduced to the point of being a non-issue.


Works Cited:
"By The Color of Their Skin: Time Wise on the Myth of a Postracial America." Interview by David Cook. The Sun July 2009: 4-12. Print.

Chapter 15: Omnivore's Dilemma

Chapter 15 of The Omnivore's Dilemma is one of the more interesting chapters we've read so far, as Pollan dissects the art of hunting/gathering. In the chapter, he tries to create a meal entirely of hunted, gathered, or homegrown food. It isn't long, however, before he realizes this is a task that is easier said than done. Eventually Pollan comes to the realization that hunting/gathering is on the large scale, a thing of the past, and in reality is a little more dangerous than it is worth.

I tend to agree with Pollan in the sense that Hunting/Gathering can no longer sustain us as humans, because of how food has been revolutionized. As it is, American's haven't had to rely on this sort of practice in probably 100 years or more. This is evident in the sense that most of us couldn't even safely practice foraging, with so many rogue and poisonous berries and mushrooms.

Chapter 16 & 17: Omivores Dilemma

In chapter 16 of The Omnivore's Dilemma, Pollan talks about man's ability to eat many different things in nature, as well as his choices and tendencies towards what to eat. In addition, Pollan makes it a point within the chapter to connect man's choices in eating habit to necessity. He says at one point that being omnivorous is essential to healthy living for humans, as certain nutrients are to be gathered from plants and meat. I would agree with this veiw, and say that a healthy balance between carnivorous and herbivorous eating is essential to maintaining a nutritious lifestyle.

In chapter 17, Pollan deals with the ethics of eating meat. In the chapter he brings to mind the fact that many of us don't think about the rammifiations eating meat has on the fair treatment of animals and slaughtering practices. The question of whether or not eating meat is ethical is raised in this chapter, and it is my belief that the answer comes from chapter 16. I personally believe that meat is a necessity to healthy living, and growth, and that without it, humans on the whole would suffer.

MLA documentation style

In a Writer's Resource there were three different options for what type of citation style we can use throughout the course. Of the three - which were MLA, APA, and Chicago - I chose the MLA format. This is a format that i've been familiar with since Jr. High, and am certainly most comfortable using here in college.

In tab 6 of A Writer's Resource, MLA is the focus. Throughout the section the three main parts of MLA documentation are talked about. These are: In-text citations, list of works cited, and explanatory notes and acknowledgments. The main purpose of this Tab is to give an indepth perspective on these three aspects of the MLA documentation style, and I believe it does this quite well.

They Say, I Say, Ch. 4 &5

The first few chapters in the book They Say, I Say deal primarily with the "They Say" aspect of writing. In chapter four however, we delve in to the "I Say" portion, and more specifically, three ways to respond. Chapter 4 is titled appropriately, "Yes/No/Okay, But" which are the said ways in which the chapter recommends to respond to the "They Say" portions from the first few chapters.

In chapter 4 there is an emphasis on responding with the three basic tactics: agreeing, disagreeing, or some combination of both. This applies both to reading and writing, as the reader should establish a position early, so as to not confuse the audience about your conclusions. Throughout the chapter there are also many templates to help us become comfortable with these types of responses.

In chapter 5, the issue of discernability is addressed, as the purpose of this chapter is to distinguish what you say, from what they say. The chapter deals primarily with the determination of who is saying what in the texts we read.