Education Essay

Roseanna Singletary
Enc 1102- Warren
Education Essay- Final
April 17, 2013
Public Schools vs. Private Schools
A public school is a school that is tax free and is supported by public funds and
controlled by local government authority. A private school, on the other hand, is a school owned,
funded and controlled by a private firm, organization or person.
All parents want their children to have the best possible opportunities in life and
understand that a good education is the key. People are experiencing financial difficulties
globally so most parents are forced to send their children to public schools. For many years,
public schools have been the icon of the country, having large numbers of students attending
these schools. Although, there are many public schools in the country, it has become easier to
pin point those that perform below expectation. Nevertheless, there are countless advantages of
education in publics schools such as diversity, easy accessible, accommodation at no cost.
Public schools get most of their funding from taxes, local, federal and state (Yeakey). An
issue like tuition, which can easily deter students from less wealthy families, is not a hindrance
in public schools. The average cost of tuition in a private school is around eight thousand dollars
a year. In the current economy most household’s earnings are below the average rate of earning
(Council for American Private Education 225). Therefore, spending a fortune on tuition, not
including other expenses such as transportation and meals to send one child to private school
may not be a reasonable option for many.
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Another advantage of public schools is that the system offers diversity in its population.
This is beneficial to students in our increasingly global economy. In the global economy of today
knowing the similarities and differences between various cultures and races, and learning to
respect them is essential. Public schools also offer a number of different programs for children
with learning disabilities. While there are private schools that cater to children with disabilities,
they are few and very expensive resulting in fewer students enrolling ( Yeaky and Henderson).
One major disadvantage of public schools is the size of the classroom. Public schools
enroll as many students as they legally can; therefore, the number of students assigned to a
class is often double compared to that of private schools, resulting, in the ratio of student to
teacher being very high. This leaves teachers unable to give special attention to those students
who require it. Unlike private schools the teacher to student ratio is very small; most times the
curriculum for the year is not completed, leaving students at a disadvantage for the upcoming
school year.
Another issue being faced in the public school system is children with behavioral
issues. The older the child gets the worse the behavior gets, making them harder to deal with.
The environment in public schools is conducive for such behaviors ( Turtel). Students with
misconduct are most often just given detention. Since public schools are not allowed to expel
students as freely as private schools, students with bad behavior normally get away with it. In
private schools there is often more parent involvement and students are usually better mannered
have smaller class sizes and get more one on one time from their teachers.
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In public schools, socialization is praised as one of its main advantages. Children
learn essential social skills that will help them survive both at school and outside school.
However, children in public schools can only interact with their peers; these children may lack
the knowledge of social interaction with adults. Private schools, on the other hand, provide
socialization at all levels. Having fewer students allows interaction with everyone by default and
gives students socialization skills to deal with any and everyone.
Most of the things learned in the public school system are geared toward passing exams,
and not correlating with real life issues. The child may end up knowing a lot, book wise, but
comprehends very little ( Turtel 247). This is the area where children that attend private school
excel because they are proficient at facing issues in the outside world.
Education in public schools may not be perfect, but it has several advantages such as it is
easily available to everyone, teaches students about diversity and gives assistance to those with
learning disabilities.
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Work Cited
Parker, Lovvorn, J. Public Schools vs. Private Schools. 03 June 2005. Web. 14 Apr 2013.
Turtel, Joel. Public Schools, Public Menace: How Public Schools Lie to Parents and Betray Our
Children. New York: Liberty Books, 2005. Print.
Yeakey, Carol c, and Ronald D. Henderson. Surmounting All Odds: Education Opportunity,
And Society in the New Millennium Greenwich, Conn: Information Age. Pub. 2000.
Web.

Miss Representation Essay

Roseanna Singletary
ENC 1102-Warren
April 9, 2013
NEGATIVE POTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN MEDIA
In our current century, there has been a media revolution that has left the better part of
the world’s population attuned to all sorts of information. The media plays an important role in
society today being the main channel through which we get our information. The media is highly
influential in its defining and formation of the world’s perception of itself and of its occupants. It
has become difficult in the struggle of maintaining one’s uniqueness and identity among people,
aside from the media influence.
Some of the vices that the media often perpetuate that are harmful to the world include
stereotypes that are racial, gender based and class based. The basis of stereotypes is often
artificial attributes, such as physical appearance, financial status, and there are widely
perpetuated and rarely questioned despite their persistence. The excessive, disparaging and
negative portrayal of women is prevalent in commercials, magazines, and videos, where women
display their cleavage in scantily dressed scenes, sending the message to the young and
upcoming women that beauty and big breasts are more important than brains.
On a recent blog, one writer says, the most effective way to inspire female youth is by
having them see, with their own eyes, who they can become (Vivekananda). Too much time and
effort is dedicated by the media to elevating and portraying a small fraction of the population as
symbols and representations of physical perfection.
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Most often, the people used are fashion models, musicians, and actors and athletes. These icons
are normally portrayed in glamorous ways that tend to lead the younger generation to believe
that a certain physical appearance is what is regarded as perfection. Negative depictions of
women in all kinds of media are predisposed to undervalue and objectify women, reducing
them to sexual objects or lesser human beings. In a recent post on Children Now, television not
only fails to reflect the world in which youthful people live, but most often gives the wrong
impression, that some groups are more valued by society (Azad).
With media stations allowing the derogatory depiction of women in commercials or
advocating for reality shows in little or no clothing, young women see this and often fall into
unhealthy eating disorders to try to become like their role models. There is an urgent need for
increased public awareness of not only the existence of, but also the potential harm that is
generated by these stereotypes. Most of the time, the media’s presentation of glamorous lives
and occupations of these icons is often linked to fashion, the products they use, and various
lifestyles (Thorham). In addition, it is in the visual exploitation of these icons, especially female
celebrities that are used in marketing and advertisements of these products.
It is not only in the objectifying of women, but also in how the media portrays women
as dumb and weak, with little or no consideration given to their positive attributes like kindness,
strength and courage. Most often the media focuses on the physical attributes, with society not
realizing the true sense of a woman and what makes her truly beautiful.
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In an interview with Entertainment Times, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the director of the
documentary Miss Representation said that on a worldwide scale, both men and women are
being force fed ideas of what is perceived to be a man or woman, and it is so evident not only
fictional or reality TV shows, but also in media (Royhman).
Despite the overwhelming negative depictions of women in the movies, commercials,
television programs, and advertisements, there are positive models of intelligent and exemplary
women, as well. These, though few, and rarely regarded, can serve as good role models for the
younger female population (Mblinyi). If the media made a conscious effort to show these off,
it would encourage the dreams and boost the self worth of young women. The media can be an
instrument of change; it can maintain the status quo and reflect the views of society, but most
times, it is a means that can help to awaken people and change minds. I think it depends on who
is piloting the plane (Katie Couric).
It is important to know the reality of what the media portrays about women, and contrary
to the image of being sex objects as depicted in movies or as objectified by advertisements.
Women are not only smart, they are strong, witty and beautiful, and therefore deserve to be
treated with equal value.
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Work Cited
Azad, Sifat. Are Women in the Media Only Portrayed as Sex Icons? Statistics show a Massive
Gender Imbalance Across Industries. 2012. Web. March 25, 2013
http://www.policmic.com/article/4439/are women in the media portrayed as sex
icons statistics show a massive gender imbalance across industries
Couric, Katie. Gold Crown Enrichment Host Documentary Film Screening. 2013. Web. March
25,2013.http://www.goldcrownenrichment.org/?p=1312.
Mbilinyi, D.A.S.. Gender relations and women’s images in the media. Dar es Salaam: Daar es
Salaam University Press, 1996. Print.
Rothman,Lily. Miss Representation DOC Director on why the media (Still) Hates Women. 2012.
Web. March 25, 2013,<http://entertainment.time.com/2012/01/10/miss representation.
Doc director on why the media still hates women/>.
Thornham,sue. Women, feminism and media. Edinburgh University Press, 2007.Print
Vandivier,Lindsay. Portrait of women in the media. 1984.web. March 25, 2013<
http://mediarepresentation.wordpress.com/womrnmediapolotics/>.
Vivkananda, Swami. Women and media. 2008. Web. March 25, 2013. <
http://www.caluniv.ac.in/Global%20mdia%20journal/Documents/D.1.%20Women%20
AND%20Media%20-Justice%2020%20%20%20G%20N%20ROY,pdf>

Miss Representation Journal

Roseanna Singletary
Enc 1102-Warren
Journal # 6
Miss Representation
The film Miss Representation opens our eyes to the obtrusive society that we live in
everyday, but often fail to see. The main reason we fail to see it is because it has become our
social norm. Blatant sexism in television, advertising, society, politics and film make it difficult
for women to achieve leadership positions, and for the average women to feel powerful. From
early on young women are programmed on what they should look like in order to feel or to be
viewed as beautiful in our society. This also affects how young males view women. They see
women as being viewed as sexual objects from early on .This hypersexualization of women is
sending a very toxic message to our youth both male and female. While media is using such
advertisements for revenue it may be doing more harm than good. It is conditioning young
women that their value lies in their bodies.T hey see the same body types portrayed over and
over on televisions and in magazines what they don’t see is all the air brushing and digital
enhancements it takes to achieve such perfection, so for the most part they are in the pursuit of
such beauty is unattainable. We need teach young women from early on to recognize their
internal strengths, they don’t have to use sexuality for empowerment, measure themselves by
their accomplishments and not how they look, and not to let anyone or anything take their power
from them.

A Wasteful Society

Roseanna Singletary
Enc 1102- Warren
March 19, 2013
A Wasteful Society
While many people die of hunger all over the world, there is so much food being wasted.
Many grocery stores and supermarkets throw away edible food that can be donated to the poor.
The film Dive by John Seifert illustrates a case of shocking statistics. According to the movie,
hunger results from the lack of a proper system to enhance food circulation. The movie uses a
synopsis of dumpster diving activist who pass through several grocery stores in the Los Angeles
area to demonstrate the massive amounts of food wasted. The producer Seifert confronts store
managers in an attempt to encourage them to donate some of the food to local food banks to feed
the homeless or the poor in the community.
The managers and owners of food stores should donate some of the food being thrown
away. Throwing away food that can be used to help less fortunate people feed their families
could save someone from going to bed hungry. Donating this food to the local food bank,
churches, or charitable organizations is not only an act of being responsible, but also morally
right. Consequently, many studies have demonstrated that hunger is the main reason for death of
many people. Many poor Americans are impoverished due to the lack of employment
opportunities. Many of them cannot get food as a basic commodity that is essential to their
livelihood. At the same time edible food is being thrown into dumpsters by food stores. Instead
of throwing away food, the food should be donated and distributed to food banks ( Kessler 124).
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While studies show that hunger results from high levels of poverty. The same studies
demonstrated that there is more food than people. The problem lies with the even distribution of
the food. If the food that is being thrown away was being channeled into food banks, this would
increase food security, hence alleviating hunger in the community. It is not only unreasonable,
but also unethical to throw food away when there are so many people faced with hunger in our
society. The government should prioritize coming up with a strategy to enhance food distribution
among the communities. This can be achieved by donating and the distribution of excess food
supplies instead of throwing away useable food. In addition, donation of excess food represents
an act of social responsibility to the society as compared to throwing food away which is
immoral (Collins 56).
One of the long standing arguments against food donation is the legal liabilities as a
result of consuming the food. Many food manufacturing companies have faced legal liabilities
after donating food to impoverished people. Although most of them think food donation is an act
of faith, the dangers prior to the consumption of the food are referred to the store managers. Food
store managers should consider donating surplus food in their stores to food banks. Effective
legislation has been implemented to solve any disputes arising from food donations. In this
regard, the federal government has implemented The Good Samaritan Act that protects any
persons from liability of such donations.
Some business managers may argue that food donations may lead to many unnecessary
ethical questions.
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While some may argue that possible food fraud can occur, and lead to the food ending up in the
wrong hands. In order to end this trend, the management should employ personnel who will
reduce chances of fraud occurring in donation centers and the food will reach hunger stricken
individuals. Some may say it is better to dump the food because there could be psychological
issues that may prevent poor people from collecting the food. To resolve this, government and
stakeholders should make people aware that donation is an effective way of food distribution that
will help alleviate hunger in society (Bisati 67).
To conclude, donation of food to end hunger continues to be a relevant controversial
issue today. Managers of food stores and distributors should donate their food to hunger stricken
communities and food banks in order to alleviate hunger from the society. No matter how the
issue of food donation is handled, it should be understood that The Good Samaritan Donation
Act protects from legal liability occurring as a result of such donations. It is not only a
convenient choice to donate food, but also a moral choice.
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Work Cited
Bisati, Muhammad, and Denys Johnson-Davies. Hunger, Cairo: American University in Cairo
Press, 2008. Print
Collins, Suzanne. The hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Internet Source.
Kessler, J.M. (2012) Hunger. Boston: Graphia.

Hunger Issue

American Dream Essay

Roseanna Singletary
ENC 1102-Warren
February 25, 2013
Trials and Tribulations of the Modern Immigrant
Immigrants have always faced an uphill battle. Regardless of the country of the point of
origin, immigrants have to make a cultural adjustment to survive and potentially thrive.
Individuals from all across the globe come to the United States in order to seek out the American
dream. Their goals of seeking a better life, to provide for their family and to earn the economic
stability they didn’t have access to in their home land. The United States has a very strict
immigration process one of the strictest in the world, yet even after passage to the States,
immigrants face more than just the trials of finding a job, receiving an education and fitting in.
Immigrants coming to America may have more obstacles to overcome now than at any other
time in the history of the country, and only the strong, passionate, and persistent individuals are
able to make it and thrive.
The most serious issues and battles immigrants face are when they are undocumented.
This is a growing issue with immigrants coming from Mexico, the Caribbean or other South
American nations in which they don’t go through the standard immigration practice in order to
gain access to the United States. The problem escalates for children who are undocumented
immigrants (William Harris 2012). Many of these children end up attending school and
eventually look to receive a driver’s license, obtain a job or apply to college, only to either to be
denied or, worse, deported as an undocumented immigrant.
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To combat the issue, many are looking to change the law, although until substantial immigration
reform takes place, many of these undocumented immigrants searching for a better life have just
as high of a chance of being deported.
Outside of the children of immigrants, adult’s crossing over into the United States face
significant struggles right off the bat. These all revolve around their basic survival (Steve
Norman 2009). From securing a job to locating somewhere to live, as soon as an immigrant
makes their way into the United States, it is necessary for them to hit the pavement running.
Although this has always been an issue for immigrants coming to the United States, fewer and
fewer immigrants come to America with the basic knowledge to obtain these necessary tasks:
namely knowing the language. Twenty nine percent of all immigrants who live in California, a
state heavily populated with Latino immigrants, are in households where nobody over the age of
thirteen speaks English well (Laura Hill 2007). This makes enrolling in public school and finding
a suitable job incredibly difficult for these individuals, knowing the language is essential. This
doesn’t mean that immigrants don’t think learning the language isn’t important. In the same
study, ninety six percent of all foreign born Latinos believe it is important to teach English to
children, in order to ensure the children are able to survive and prosper in the United States.
Knowing the language has a direct correlation with further success down the road. In fact,
seventy one percent of immigrants who have a college degree speak English very well or
exclusively. Realizing at a young age that knowing and understanding the language proved
essential when it came to future success.
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At the conclusion of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, more individuals immigrating
during this time period than any other time throughout the history of the United States. However,
at the time a college education wasn’t necessary in order to find a well paying job and provide
for a family. Now, individuals must have some sort of college education in order to thrive in
America. An individual with a bachelor’s degree earns, on average, $55,700 a year, while
someone with just a high school diploma earned, on average $21,900 (Misty Mix, 2009). With
the increased demand for educated individuals, immigrants are faced with the need to learn the
language and master it quickly, to allow for a better life for not only themselves, but their
children.
Immigrants face an uphill battle as soon as they cross into the United States. Whether it is
the fear of deportation when applying for right-of-passage items such as a driver’s license or
enrollment in college, or simply learning to speak English, immigrants face more difficult tasks
and situations now than they ever have in the history of the country. Only the strong survive, but
on the top of these immigrants must possess determination greater than many of their national
counterparts, as there are more hurdles to leap over in order to obtain the American Dream.
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Works Cited
Harns, William. Undocumented, young immigrants face obstacles, uncertain future.
University of Chicago News, May 11, 2012.
Hill, Laura, English Proficiency of immigrants, Public Policy Institute of California.
May, 2007. Web. Retrieved February 23, 2013 from
<http//www.ppic.org/main/publication show.asp>
Mix, Misty. Study shows those with college degrees earn more money. You University.
Web. Retrieved on February 23, 2013 from
http://www.you university.com/news- trendy/4956-study-shows-those-
with-college-degrees-earn-more-money.
Norman, Steve, US Immigrants Face New Challenges, Voice of America. November 2,
2009. Web. Retrieved on February 23, 2013 from
<http:// www.voanews.com/content/a-13-2009-08-11-voa5-
68705437/356573.html>.

Roseanna Singletary
Enc 1102- Warren
Journal #4
February 23, 2013
The American Dream
Living The American Dream could mean a number of things too many different people. I
had never given it much thought, until listening to our guest speaker talk about the many
obstacles he had to overcome coming to live in this country as an immigrant. Simple things that
we take for granted were such a challenge for him. Things such as trying to communicate his
thoughts, going to school, looking for a job, or something as simple as trying to purchase a candy
bar from a vending machine, things we do every day without giving it much thought.
I could relate very well to what he was saying about the language barrier and having to
learn to speak English. I recently went on vacation to San Juan Puerto Rico. Although, Puerto
Rico a part of the United States. Spanish is the primary language. We were only there for a week
but traveling, ordering our meals or just trying to call a taxi was horrific. I speak a little Spanish,
but every time I attempted to speak in Spanish, the person I was talking to spoke so fast I was
only able to catch every third or fourth word. This left me feeling aggravated and defeated.
I enjoyed my vacation and Puerto Rico is a beautiful place, but I was so happy the day we
flew back home. I think I talked the lady sitting next to me to death. I was so excited to be able to
talk to someone other than my husband that spoke English. We shared our stories about Puerto
Rico and talked the whole flight. I couldn’t imagine going to live in a country with so many
different cultures and having to learn a new language and a total new way of life.