Bianca Brucato - essay number 3 final revision

Bianca Brucato

November 20, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

                             “The pros and cons of constructed beauty”

            Can beauty be constructed?  According to Cameron Russell and Aimee Mullins, beauty can be constructed. In the “Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model,” Ted Talk, Cameron Russell talks about the negative effects of constructed beauty.  Russell says how many young girls and women try to construct themselves to fit a certain criteria society puts on them. They have this idea in order to be beautiful; they have to be skinny, white, and tall. This causes them to go on extreme diets, change their hair and makeup, and get surgeries to fit the so-called “norms” of society. However, in the “ My 12 pairs of legs” Ted Talk, Aimee Mullins talks about the positive effects of constructed beauty. Mullins believes that constructed beauty has its benefits, such as allowing those with disabilities to become architects of their own body. Although constructed beauty is seen negatively due to the pressures society puts on many women to be so called “beautiful,” constructed beauty also has many positive effects that transform people’s culturally conditioned perception of beauty.

             In “Looks aren’t everything. Believe me I’m a model,” Russell says society’s perception of beauty is being abnormally skinny, white, and tall. The perception society puts on beauty causes those who are not this, to feel insecure and unhappy with themselves.  For example Russell states, “53% of 13 year old girls in America are unhappy with their bodies, this grows to 78% by the time the are 17” (Russell 7:26). Many young girls are so unhappy with the way they look; they start to alter themselves to try to please themselves and society. This can lead to unhealthy decisions such as, excessive dieting, dieting pills, eating disorders, and plastic surgery. For example, one of my close friends recently got a nose job because of her insecurity issues. She thought if she altered herself with surgery, she would finally feel happy and beautiful. In the same way my friend felt insecure about her nose, Russell, a famous supermodel, discusses in her Ted Talk how even she feels insecure from the pressures society puts on being “beautiful.” Her insecurities stem from the constant worry of  how she looks and is  perceived by society. The pressures society puts on young girls and women to fit in with the “norms” of society causes them to feel insecure and unhappy with themselves.

            To expand on this topic, Russell talks about how constructed beauty discriminates against those who do not fit the criteria society puts on beauty.  Those who are not abnormally skinny, white, and tall are often treated differently than those who fit these criteria. Russell discusses how she became a model by winning the “ genetic lottery.”  This opens up a lot of opportunities and benefits for her.  For example, when Russell was younger she was pulled over for running a red light. All she had to say was “ I am sorry officer” and she got out of it because of the way she looked. It is unfair that society allows people, who fit the criteria of being beautiful to have advantages over those who do not. On the other hand, people who do not fit the criteria of being “beautiful” according to society, are paying a cost because of the way they look. The way people look, even though it is superficial, has a huge impact on his or her lives. Russell states, “ Image is powerful, image is superficial” (Russell 1:42). Society discriminates against those who do not fit into the so-called “norms” of society.

            Although it has been said constructed beauty has many negative effects on society, in “My 12 pairs of legs” Ted Talk, Aimee Mullins discusses the positive aspects of constructed beauty.  Constructed beauty can allow people with disabilities, such as Mullins feel confident and beautiful. Mullins states, “Innovators of prosthetics allow people that are disabled to become architects of their own body” (Mullins 8:46). For example, Mullins got to experience many things that society believes an amputee could not accomplish. She has walked runways, appeared on covers of magazines, and stared in movies. Mullin’s prosthetic legs give her the opportunity to overcome deficiency and the label society has on those who are disabled. Constructed beauty allows people with disabilities to feel confident and beautiful in a society, that is trained to think otherwise.

            Furthermore, the construction of Mullins prosthetic legs allows others to look at amputees and people with disabilities in a new way. Those who were once fearful or curious were invited to look and explore. For example, Mullins allowed school students to come in a classroom, and freely and explore her different prosthetic legs. The students compared her prosthetic legs to animal-like and superhero forms.  Mullins, an amputee, was transformed into something that goes beyond societies expectations of people with disabilities. Mullins states, “I went from being a women that these kids would have been trained to see as disabled to somebody that had the potential that their bodies didn’t have yet” (Mullins 2:01). Mullin’s prosthetic legs allow society to be open and explore amputees and people with disabilities, rather than to fear them.

            Constructed beauty has many positive and negative effects on society. In Cameron Russell’s Ted Talk, Russell talks about the negative effects of constructed beauty, due to the pressures society puts on women.  These pressures cause many women to try to alter themselves, in order to fit the so-called “norms” of society. This can lead to many negative effects, such as excessive dieting, dieting pills, and plastic surgeries. In Aimee Mullin’s Ted Talk, Mullins talks about the positive effects constructed beauty has on society. Mullins talks about how the constructed beauty allows people with disabilities to feel confident and beautiful. Constructed beauty also allows those with disabilities to break free of the label society puts on being “disabled.” Although constructed beauty is seen negatively due to the pressures society puts on many women to be so called “beautiful,” constructed beauty also has many positive effects, such as transforming society’s culturally conditioned view on beauty.

             

           

      

                                                            Works Cited

Russell, Cameron. “Looks aren’t everything. Believe me I’m a model.” YouTube.         YouTube, 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.

Mullins, Aimee. ‘’My 12 pairs of legs.” YouTube. YouTube, 11 Jan. 2014.

            Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

Bianca Brucato - "Pros and Cons of Beauty" Essay number 3

Bianca Brucato

November 3, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

                             “The pros and cons of constructed beauty”

            Can beauty be constructed?  According to Cameron Russell and Aimee Mullins, beauty can be constructed. In the “Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model,” Ted Talk, Cameron Russell talks about the negative effects of constructed beauty.  Russell talks about how many young girls and women try to construct themselves to fit a certain criteria society puts on them. They have this idea in order to be beautiful; they have to be skinny, white, and pretty. This causes them to go on diets, change their hair and makeup, and get surgeries to fit the so-called “norms” of society. However, in the “ My 12 pairs of legs” Ted Talk, Aimee Mullins talks about the positive effects of constructed beauty. Mullins believes that constructed beauty has its benefits, such as allowing those with disabilities to become architects of their own body. Although constructed beauty is seen negatively due to the pressures society puts on many women to be so called “beautiful,” constructed beauty also has many positive effects that transform people’s view on beauty.

             In “Looks aren’t everything. Believe me I’m a model.” Ted Talk, Russell talks about society’s perception of beauty is being abnormally skinny, white, and pretty. The perception society puts on beauty causes those who are not this, to feel insecure and unhappy with themselves.  For example Russell states, “53% of 13 year old girls in America are unhappy with their bodies, this grows to 78% by the time the are 17” (Russell 7:26). Many young girls are so unhappy with the way they look; they start to alter themselves to try to please themselves and society. This can lead to unhealthy decisions such as, excessive dieting, dieting pills, eating disorders, and plastic surgery. For example, one of my close friends recently got a nose job because of her insecurity issues. She thought if she altered herself with surgery, she would finally feel happy and beautiful. Russell, a famous supermodel, discusses in her Ted Talk how even she feels insecure from the pressures society puts on being “beautiful.” Her insecurities stem from the constant worry of  how she looks and is  perceived by society. The pressures society puts on young girls and women to fit in with the “norms” of society causes them to feel insecure and unhappy with themselves.

            To expand on this topic, Russell talks about how constructed beauty discriminates against those who do not fit the criteria society puts on beauty.  Those who are not abnormally skinny, white, and pretty are often treated differently than those who fit these criteria. Russell discusses how she became a model by winning the “ genetic lottery.”  This opens up a lot of opportunities and benefits for her.  For example, when Russell was younger she was pulled over for running a red light. All she had to say was “ I am sorry officer” and she got out of it because of the way she looked.  People who do not fit the criteria of being “beautiful” according to society, are paying a cost because of the way they look. The way we look, even though it is superficial, has a huge impact on our lives. Russell states, “ Image is powerful, image is superficial” (Russell 1:42). Society discriminates against those who do not fit into the so-called “norms” of society.

            Although constructed beauty has many negative effects on society, in “My 12 pairs of legs” Ted Talk, Aimee Mullins talks about the positive aspects of constructed beauty.  Constructed beauty can allow people with disabilities, such as Mullins feel confident and beautiful. Mullins states, “Innovators of prosthetics allow people that are disabled to become architects of their own body” (Mullins 8:46). For example, Mullins got to experience many things that society believes an amputee could not accomplish. She has walked runways, appeared on covers of magazines, and stared in movies. Mullin’s prosthetic legs give her the opportunity to overcome deficiency and the label society has on those who are disabled. Constructed beauty allows people with disabilities to feel confident and beautiful in a society, that is trained to think otherwise.

            Furthermore, the construction of Mullins prosthetic legs allows others to look at amputees and people with disabilities in a new way. Those who were once fearful or curious were invited to look and explore. For example, Mullins allowed school students to come in a classroom, and freely and explore her different prosthetic legs. The students compared her prosthetic legs to animal-like and superhero forms.  Mullins, an amputee, was transformed into something that goes beyond societies expectations of people with disabilities. Mullins states, “I went from being a women that these kids would have been trained to see as disabled to somebody that had the potential that their bodies didn’t have yet” (Mullins 2:01). Mullin’s prosthetic legs allow society to be open and explore amputees and people with disabilities, rather than to fear them.

            Constructed beauty has many positive and negative effects on society. In Cameron Russell’s Ted Talk, Russell talks about the negative effects of constructed beauty, due to the pressures society puts on women.  These pressures cause many women to try to alter themselves, in order to fit the so-called “norms” of society. This can lead to many negative effects, such as excessive dieting, dieting pills, and plastic surgeries. In Aimee Mullin’s Ted Talk, Mullins talks about the positive effects constructed beauty has on society. Mullins talks about how the constructed beauty allows people with disabilities to feel confident and beautiful. Constructed beauty also allows those with disabilities to break free of the label society puts on being “disabled.”

             

           

      

                                    

Bianca Brucato

November 3, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

                        “Natural beauty is powerful and can be constructed”

            Have you ever wondered what people truly look like under piles and piles of makeup? Many young girls and women wear tons of makeup that make it impossible to see who they truly are. They have this idea that in order to be beautiful they have to alter themselves to fit a certain criteria that society puts on them. In the “Cameron Russell Ted Talk”, Russell talks about society’s perception of beauty is being abnormally skinny, white, and pretty. This perception causes many young girls and women to try to make themselves something there not in order to fit in with the so call “norms” of society. I think that natural beauty is the one of the greatest forms of honesty because it comes from within you and is a reflection of who you truly are.

            Natural beauty is a powerful tool because it is “In the eye of the beholder.” People have all different views and perception on what beauty is. Beauty can be people of all different shapes and sizes; they can tall, short, fat, or skinny. Natural beauty is honest, fair and true because it is something that all people posses and cannot be bought or altered.  Most people wear makeup and get plastic surgery because they are insecure, or they are trying to hide something. Being naturally beauty and showing it off in your daily life shows you are confident and content with yourself. Natural beauty can be seen differently to all people, and is one of the truest forms of beauty.

            Many people have a stereotypical and falsified view of what beauty is. As seen in the “Cameron Russell Ted Talk” video, Russell talks about how society views beauty as being abnormally skinny, white, and pretty. This perception society puts on beauty is not always honest because many young girls and women alter themselves to fit this perception. Natural beauty is one of the most honest forms of beauty because it is possessed by everyone and comes from within you.

               Although constructed beauty has been seen negatively throughout the years due to the pressures society has put on young girls and women to be so called “beautiful.” In Aimee Mullins, “My 12 pairs of legs” Ted Talk, she talks about constructed beauty in a positive way.  As an amputee her prosthetic legs allowed her to built a career as a model, actor, and advocate for women, sports, and the next generation of prosthetics. Mullins shows beauty can be constructed from the legacy she built through her prosthetics legs.

             Furthermore, beauty does not always have to be real in order for it to be honest and true. Constructed beauty can help young girls and women feel confident and good about themselves. Constructed beauty can also allow people with disabilities to feel beautiful in a society that is all about appearances. For example, Mullins got to experience many things that most people would not think an amputee could accomplish. She has walked runways, broke a record in the 1996 Paralympic Games, and became the first double amputee to compete in NCAA Division 1 track and field. The construction of her prosthetic legs has allowed Mullins to feel beautiful, confident, and experience many things most people with disabilities wouldn’t think of doing.  Doctors and specialists who construct prosthetics limbs for people such as, Aimee Mullins allows society to see beauty can be constructed to help all people feel beautiful. All type of beauty, constructed or real can be honest and true if it helps others feel confident and beautiful.

 

              In conclusion, beauty can be constructed to help others such as, amputees and people with disabilities to feel beautiful in a society that is all about appearances.  Constructed beauty helped Aimee Mullins to feel confident and build a legacy through her prosthetic legs. Mullins built a career and legacy as a model, actor, and advocate speaker. Also, in the Cameron Russell Ted Talk she talks about how society puts a falsified perception on beauty.  This causes many women to try to alter themselves, in order to fit a certain criteria society puts on them.  However, natural beauty comes from within you, and is one of the most honest forms of beauty.

Aimee Mullins Ted Talk

Bianca Brucato- Can beauty be constructed

Bianca Brucato

November 2, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

                                                      “Beauty can be constructed”

            Although constructed beauty has been seen negatively throughout the years due to the pressures society has put on young girls and women to be so called “beautiful.” In Aimee Mullins, “My 12 pairs of legs” Ted Talk, she talks about constructed beauty in a positive way.  As an amputee her prosthetic legs allowed her to built a career as a model, actor, and advocate for women, sports, and the next generation of prosthetics. Mullins shows beauty can be constructed from the legacy she built through her prosthetics legs.

             Furthermore, beauty does not always have to be real in order for it to be honest and true. Constructed beauty can help young girls and women feel confident and good about themselves. Constructed beauty can also allow people with disabilities to feel beautiful in a society that is all about appearances. For example, Mullins got to experience many things that most people would not think an amputee could accomplish. She has walked runways, broke a record in the 1996 Paralympic Games, and became the first double amputee to compete in NCAA Division 1 track and field. The construction of her prosthetic legs has allowed Mullins to feel beautiful, confident, and experience many things most people with disabilities wouldn’t think of doing.  Doctors and specialists who construct prosthetics limbs for people such as, Aimee Mullins allows society to see beauty can be constructed to help all people feel beautiful. All type of beauty, constructed or real can be honest and true if it helps others feel confident and beautiful.

            In conclusion, beauty can be constructed to help others such as, amputees and people with disabilities to feel beautiful in a society that is all about appearances.  Constructed beauty helped Aimee Mullins to feel confident and build a legacy through her prosthetic legs. Mullins built a career and legacy as a model, actor, and advocate speaker.

Cameron Russell Ted Talk

Bianca Brucato- Is beauty honest Essay

Bianca Brucato

October 26, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

                                                  “Natural Beauty is Powerful”

            Have you ever wondered what people truly look like under piles and piles of makeup? Many young girls and women wear tons of makeup that make it impossible to see who they truly are. They have this idea that in order to be beautiful they have to alter themselves to fit a certain criteria that society puts on them. In the “Cameron Russell Ted Talk”, Russell talks about society’s perception of beauty is being abnormally skinny, white, and pretty. This perception causes many young girls and women to try to make themselves something their not in order to fit in with the so call “norms” of society. I think that natural beauty is the one of the greatest forms of honesty because it comes from within you and is a reflection of who you truly are.

            Natural beauty is a powerful tool because it is “In the eye of the beholder.” People have all different views and perception on what beauty is. Beauty can be people of all different shapes and sizes; they can tall, short, fat, or skinny. Natural beauty is honest, fair and true because it is something that all people posses and cannot be bought or altered.  Most people wear makeup and get plastic surgery because they are insecure, or they are trying to hide something. Being naturally beauty and showing it off in your daily life shows you are confident and content with yourself. Natural beauty can be seen differently to all people, and is one of the truest forms of beauty.

            Many people have a stereotypical and falsified view of what beauty is. As seen in the “Cameron Russell Ted Talk” video, Russell talks about how society views beauty as being abnormally skinny, white, and pretty. This perception society puts on beauty is not always honest because many young girls and women alter themselves to fit this perception. Natural beauty is one of the most honest forms of beauty because it is possessed by everyone and comes from within you. 

Bianca Brucato Essay # 2 Final Revision

Bianca Brucato

Professor Young                                                                                      

September 28, 2014

English 1100

                                    “Problems faced within my community”

            How many people do you know suffering from alcoholism? Alcoholism has become a huge problem throughout the United States. Many people can have one or two drinks and still be in control. Some people however, have trouble controlling themselves, and are at risk of alcoholism. Alcoholism has also become a huge problem throughout my community because there are so many liquor stores available. Throughout my community of Staten Island, the growing rate of liquor stores is causing a series of negative effects such as, underage drinking and drinking and driving. Furthermore, the community of Staten Island needs to take action and put a stop to the number of liquor stores growing throughout the community.

            To speak of this issue more widely, alcoholism is an alcohol dependence disease that is often called the “family disease” because it affects the community of family the most. This disease affects all members of the community such as, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, parents, and children directly and indirectly. Having many liquor stores available to all members of your community can lead to various negative effects. One bad effect would be drunk driving, which can lead to accidents and cause an innocent person to die because a person decided to drink and drive. This can lead to someone else’s child, parent, brother, or sister to become injured or even die. Underage drinking can also emerge because the availability of liquor stores makes it easier for teens to obtain alcohol.

            Although in Valerie Kinloch’s, “Harlem, Art, and Literacy and Documenting “Harlem Is Art”/ “Harlem as Art””, Kinloch’s use of art to show inviting messages to all people who enter Harlem has many positive effects. In my community however, liquor stores displaying in their windows inviting messages and decorations to draw costumers in has many negative effects. Kinloch states, “ In Phillip and Khaleeq’s acceptance of Soja’s belief, they pondered ways to encourage adult members of the community to use art (e.g., billboard campaigns, local museums, historical buildings, and avenues and boulevards) to improve and protect the area”(Kinloch, 151). Kinloch uses art to show all adults, teens, business owners, and longtime residents the identity and heritage of Harlem. In my community however, the use of inviting displays to draw people into liquor stores has many negative effects such as, underage drinking and drinking and driving. This problem can seriously injure and kill many people in my community.  Despite the positive effects of promoting inviting art in Harlem, displaying inviting messages in liquor stores has a series of negative effects in Staten Island.

            Although liquor stores in my community display-inviting messages to draw people in to buy alcohol, they can also display inviting messages on how to drink safely throughout my community. Most liquor stores in my community have large neon signs saying phrases such as, “Technically speaking, alcohol is a solution.” These displays are designed to tempt people in my community to buy alcohol. However, a solution to fix the artwork problem in my community is for liquor stores to display inviting signs on how to drink safely. Liquor stores can display signs such as, “You must be 21 years or older to buy or drink alcohol.” This would help fix the underage drinking problem in my community. The community of Staten Island needs to enforce rules on liquor stores to display artwork that would not only help sell alcohol, but also help promote how to drink safely.

            To expand on this topic, underage drinking is one problem in Staten Island that is a result of many liquor stores being located throughout my community. Alcohol is becoming the number one choice of drug in young teens.  Many young teens are experiencing consequences of drinking too much at a young age. As a result, underage drinking is becoming the number one health problem in the United States, as well as my community. Teens in Staten Island are more likely to drink because alcohol is so easily available to them. For example, in my neighborhood, Oakwood, liquor stores are located on every other block.  Many teens in my neighborhood have a higher rate of underage drinking then in other neighborhoods in my community such as, Greatkills or Newdorp, where there are less liquor stores available. Underage drinking has become a serious problem throughout my community and can be harmful to many teens.

            A solution to underage drinking for my community can be to enforce stricter rules and regulations for liquor stores to follow. Liquor stores should be required to be strict on selling alcohol to all people and make sure they are of the legal drinking age to buy alcohol. They should also make sure all employees are aware of the problem of underage drinking and enforce consequences to anyone who sells alcohol to a minor. This can help prevent young teens from buying and obtaining alcohol. By the community of Staten Island becoming strict on the buying and selling alcohol to teens, can help prevent underage drinking. 

            In addition to underage drinking, another problem that results from many liquor stores being located in my community is drinking and driving. Throughout my community, there is various liquor stores located on almost every street corner. This makes it easier for people who drive by to stop in and buy alcohol. The presence of these liquor stores for people in my community that drive by them makes it tempting to stop in and by a bottle of alcohol. The presence of these liquor stores also makes it easier for people who are going out to stop in and get alcohol as they are on their way to a party or event. Drinking and driving is a major problem in my community, Staten Island.  For example, one of my close friends got into an accident while she was driving home intoxicated from a party. She did not only hurt herself, but seriously injured the passenger in her car.  Drinking and driving causes many dangers on the road. It can result in both the driver and others on the road being seriously injured or killed.  Alcohol affects and impairs your judgment; so driving while you are highly intoxicated can hurt yourself and innocent people.  Drinking and driving can take a child, parent, husband, wife, brother or sister away from someone else in your community. Drinking and driving is a serious issue in my community and can harm many innocent people.

            A solution to this problem is to try and avoid drinking and driving all together. As a community if you see someone drinking and driving you should try to stop and bring him or her somewhere safe. This can help save others and the person who is drinking and driving. My community can also avoid drunk driving by providing shuttle buses to and from popular hangout spots were drinking is known. By the community of Staten Island coming together and finding alternatives to drinking and driving, it can help prevent serious accidents on the road.

            In conclusion, alcoholism is a disease in the United States that affects both the body and mind. Alcoholism is also common in Staten Island because of the frequent number of liquor stores located throughout my community. This rise has lead to many negative effects such as, underage drinking and drinking and driving. As a community we must come together and put a stop to the rising number of liquor stores in Staten Island, which is causing harm to many innocent people.

           

Bianca Brucato- Essay number 2 Revision

Bianca Brucato

Professor Young                                                                                      

September 28, 2014

English 1100

                                    “Problems faced within my community”

            How many people do you know suffering from alcoholism? Alcoholism has become a huge problem throughout the United States. Many people can have one or two drinks and still be in control. Some people however, have trouble controlling themselves, and are at risk of alcoholism. Alcoholism has also become a huge problem throughout my community because there are so many liquor stores available. Throughout my community of Staten Island, the growing rate of liquor stores is causing a series of negative effects such as, underage drinking and drinking and driving. The community of Staten Island needs to take action and put a stop to the number of liquor stores growing throughout the community.

            To speak of this issue more widely, alcoholism is an alcohol dependence disease that is often called the “family disease” because it affects the community of family the most. This disease affects all members of the community such as, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, parents, and children directly and indirectly. Having many liquor stores available to all members of your community can lead to various negative effects. One bad effect would be drunk driving, which can lead to accidents and cause an innocent person to die because a person decided to drink and drive. This can lead to someone else’s child, parent, brother, or sister to become injured or even die. Underage drinking can also emerge because the availability of liquor stores makes it easier for teens to obtain alcohol.

            Although in Valerie Kinloch’s, “Harlem, Art, and Literacy and Documenting “Harlem Is Art”/ “Harlem as Art””, Kinloch’s use of art to show inviting messages to all people who enter Harlem has many positive effects. In my community however, liquor stores displaying in their windows inviting messages and decorations to draw costumers in has many negative effects. Kinloch states, “ In Phillip and Khaleeq’s acceptance of Soja’s belief, they pondered ways to encourage adult members of the community to use art (e.g., billboard campaigns, local museums, historical buildings, and avenues and boulevards) to improve and protect the area”(Kinloch, 151). Kinloch uses art to show all adults, teens, business owners, and longtime residents the identity and heritage of Harlem. In my community however, the use of inviting displays to draw people into liquor stores has many negative effects such as, underage drinking and drinking and driving. This problem can seriously injure and kill many people in my community. Despite the positive effects of promoting inviting art in Harlem, displaying inviting messages in liquor stores has a series of negative effects in Staten Island.

            To expand on this topic, underage drinking is one problem in Staten Island that is a result of many liquor stores being located throughout my community. Alcohol is becoming the number one choice of drug in young teens.  Many young teens are experiencing consequences of drinking too much at a young age. As a result, underage drinking is becoming the number one health problem in the United States, as well as my community. Teens in Staten Island are more likely to drink because alcohol is so easily available to them. For example, in my neighborhood, Oakwood, liquor stores are located on every other block.  Many teens in my neighborhood have a higher rate of underage drinking then in other neighborhoods in my community such as, Greatkills or Newdorp, where there are less liquor stores available. Underage drinking has become a serious problem throughout my community and can be harmful to many teens.

            A solution to underage drinking for my community can be to enforce stricter rules and regulations for liquor stores to follow. Liquor stores should be required to be strict on selling alcohol to all people and make sure they are of the legal drinking age to buy alcohol. They should also make sure all employees are aware of the problem of underage drinking and enforce consequences to anyone who sells alcohol to a minor. This can help prevent young teens from buying and obtaining alcohol. By the community of Staten Island becoming strict on the buying and selling alcohol to teens, can help prevent underage drinking. 

            In addition to underage drinking, another problem that results from many liquor stores being located in my community is drinking and driving.  Drinking and driving is a major problem in my community, Staten Island. For example, one of my close friends got into an accident while she was driving intoxicated. She did not only hurt herself, but seriously injured the passenger in her car.  Drinking and driving causes many dangers on the road. It can result in both the driver and others on the road being seriously injured or killed.  Alcohol affects and impairs your judgment; so driving while you are highly intoxicated can hurt yourself and innocent people.  Drinking and driving can take a child, parent, husband, wife, brother or sister away from someone else in your community. Drinking and driving is a serious issue in my community and can harm many innocent people.

            A solution to this problem is to try and avoid drinking and driving all together. As a community if you see someone drinking and driving you should try to stop and bring him or her somewhere safe. This can help save others and the person who is drinking and driving. My community can also avoid drunk driving by providing shuttle buses to and from popular hangout spots were drinking is known. By the community of Staten Island coming together and finding alternatives to drinking and driving, it can help prevent serious accidents on the road.

            In conclusion, alcoholism is a disease in the United States that affects both the body and mind. Alcoholism is also common in Staten Island because of the frequent number of liquor stores located throughout my community. This rise has lead to many negative effects such as, underage drinking and drinking and driving. As a community we must come together and put a stop to the rising number of liquor stores in Staten Island, which is causing harm to many innocent people.

                                                        Works Cited

Kinloch,Valerie.  Harlem on Our Minds: Place, Race, and the Literacies of Urban

 Youth. New York: Teacher College, 2010. Print.

"Problems faced within my community"

Bianca Brucato

Professor Young

September 28, 2014

English 1100

“Problems faced within my community”                                   

 

            How many people do you know suffering from alcoholism? Alcoholism has become a huge problem throughout the United States. Many people can have one or two drinks and still be in control. Some people however, have trouble controlling themselves, and are at risk of alcoholism. Alcoholism has also become a huge problem throughout my community because there are so many liquor stores available. Throughout my community of Staten Island, the growing rate of liquor stores is causing a series of negative effects such as, underage drinking and drinking and driving. The community of Staten Island needs to take action and put a stop to the number of liquor stores growing throughout the community.

            To speak of this issue more widely, Alcoholism is an alcohol dependence disease that is often called the “family disease” because it affects the community of family the most. This disease affects all members of the community such as, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, parents, and children directly and indirectly. Having many liquor stores available to all members of your community can lead to various negative effects. One bad effect would be drunk driving, which can lead to accidents and cause an innocent person to die because a person decided to drink and drive. This can lead to someone else’s child, parent, brother, or sister to become injured or even die. Underage drinking can also emerge because the availability of liquor stores makes it easier for teens to obtain alcohol.

            Although in Valerie Kinloch’s, “Harlem, Art, and Literacy and Documenting “Harlem Is Art”/ “Harlem as Art””, Kinloch’s use of art to show inviting messages to all people who enter Harlem has many positive effects. In my community however, liquor stores displaying in their windows inviting messages and decorations to draw costumers in has many negative effects. Kinloch states, “ In Phillip and Khaleeq’s acceptance of Soja’s belief, they pondered ways to encourage adult members of the community to use art (e.g., billboard campaigns, local museums, historical buildings, and avenues and boulevards) to improve and protect the area.” Kinloch uses art to show all adults, teens, business owners, and longtime residents the identity and heritage of Harlem. In my community, Staten Island, the use of inviting displays to draw people into liquor stores has many negative effects such as, underage drinking and drinking and driving. This problem can seriously injure and kill many people in my community. Despite the positive effects of promoting inviting art in Harlem, displaying inviting messages in liquor stores has a series of negative effects in Staten Island.

            To expand on this topic, underage drinking is one problem in Staten Island that is a result of many liquor stores being located throughout my community. Alcohol is becoming the number one choice of drug in young teens.  Many young teens are experiencing consequences of drinking too much at a young age. As a result, underage drinking is becoming the number one health problem in the United States, as well as my community. Teens in Staten Island are more likely to drink because alcohol is so easily available to them. For example, in my neighborhood, Oakwood, liquor stores are located on every other block.  Many teens in my neighborhood have a higher rate of underage drinking then in other neighborhoods in my community such as, Greatkills or Newdorp, were there are less liquor stores available. Underage drinking has become a serious problem throughout my community and can be harmful to many teens.

            A solution to underage drinking for my community can be to enforce stricter rules and regulations for liquor stores to follow. Liquor stores should be required to be strict on selling alcohol to all people and make sure they are of the legal drinking age to buy alcohol. They should also make sure all employees are aware of the problem of underage drinking and enforce consequences to anyone who sells alcohol to a minor. This can help prevent young teens from buying and obtaining alcohol. By the community of Staten Island becoming strict on the buying and selling alcohol to teens, can help prevent underage drinking. 

            In addition to underage drinking, another problem that results from many liquor stores being located in my community is drinking and driving.  Drinking and driving is a major problem in my community, Staten Island. For example, one of my close friends got into an accident while she was driving intoxicated. She did not only hurt herself, but seriously injured the passenger in her car.  Drinking and driving causes many dangers to the road. It can result in both the driver and others on the road being seriously injured or killed.  Alcohol affects and impairs your judgment; so driving while your highly intoxicated can hurt yourself and innocent people.  Drinking and driving can take a child, parent, husband, wife, brother or sister away from someone else in your community. Drinking and driving is a serious issue in my community and can harm many innocent people.

            A solution to this problem is to try and avoid drinking and driving all together. As a community if you see someone drinking and driving you should try to stop and bring him or her somewhere safe. This can help save others and the person who is drinking and driving. My community can also avoid drunk driving by providing shuttle busses to and from popular hangout spots were drinking is known. By the community of Staten Island coming together and finding alternatives to drinking and driving, can help prevent serious accidents on the road.

            In conclusion, Alcoholism is a disease in the United States that affects both the body and mind. Alcoholism is also common in Staten Island because of the frequent number of liquor stores located throughout my community. This rise has lead to many negative effects such as, underage drinking and drinking and driving. As a community we must come together and put a stop to the rising number of liquor stores in Staten Island, which is causing harm to many innocent people. 

Bianca Brucato

September 28, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

Valerie Kinloch Questions

1.      “From architectural designs to cultural activities to the role of local communities in civil rights movements, urban places and spaces are rich in history (147 – 148).”  Discuss the meaning of this sentence.

 – This sentence means that every place has some type of meaning and history to it.   It could be through culture, community, architecture, civil rights movements that all play a huge part in shaping that places history. There is always something to learn and gain from the history of urban places.

2.     “Phillip and Khaleeq both had a strong fondness for Harlem’s famous 125^th Street.  They focused on 125^th Street as a site where ‘art is in constant process’” (149).  What is significant about this street as it relates to the essay?  In the same way, what is a famous street, hangout spot, or location in your town?  Why is it famous?   - Harlem’s famous 125^th Street plays a huge role in shaping the identity and culture of Harlem’s art. According to Phillip and Khaleeq this street holds boat loads of black symbols. A famous place to hangout in my town is The Great Kills Little League and Swim Club. This is a famous place to hangout for all people located in the town of Great Kills because it is a big hangout spot for kids and families to go and have a fun time. The Great Kills Little League and Swim Club has been around for almost 20 years and is a fun place for kids to go and stay out of trouble.

3. In class we made the connection between identity and symbols.  We concluded that symbols can signify a part of your identity.  Discuss the use of symbols as identities throughout the reading.  Why are they important?  -The symbols used in this passage has a very symbolic meaning to the story as a whole. The symbols play a huge part in shaping the identity of the residents of Harlem because they show Harlem’s deep African American roots and culture.

4. “…[F]ollow-up conversations with Phillip and Khaleeq taught me new ways to see art as ‘action you don’t get permission to create’ (Phillip) and as ‘what we got inside us that wanna get out’” (Kinloch qtd Khaleeq 151).  Discuss the meaning of this sentence.  – The meaning behind this sentence is that not everyone accepts art and is usually suppressed by those who find it to be a waste of time and space. No matter how hard we try to fight for the integrity and beauty of art there will always be people who are going to try to suppress it.

5. On page 154, Kinloch discusses community as signs of history.  What does this mean in relation to the text?  Similarly, write about significant historical identifiers of your community.  (Your community can be any place.)  - This means that symbols are what show the history and culture of a community. Symbols are a representation of the community as a whole.  A significant historic place in Staten Island is Richmond Town. This town is filled with history from the 1600’s and has original buildings and farmhouses to show the history and lifestyles of early American life.

6. In what specific way does the use of digital documentation and photographs help Khaleeq and Phillip show residents the effects of gentrification?  Similarly, does the use of photographs and video that you created help to show your community?  Do you think you could have done your written your response about your community without it? – Digital documentation helps us to visualize information without having to read pages and pages. Most people like this because it can help you visualize the story or message your trying to tell. The video I created helped show my community, which is my dorm because the video showed all details of my room that I could not write on paper. I don’t think I could have written my response without it because it helped me explain the details of my community.

7. Kinloch closes her essay with a list of questions that derived from her research.  Discuss what her questions aim to uncover as it relates to the main point of her essay. Kinloch closes her essay with a list of questions derived from her research to show how back in the day people stood up to gentrification more than they did today. Today people are more lenient with gentrification and do not stand up for themselves and community.

Bianca Brucato

Professor Young

September 28, 2014

English 1100

                                    “ The affects and solutions to alcoholism”

            How many people do you know suffering from alcoholism? Alcoholism has become a huge problem throughout the United States. Many people can have one or two drinks and still be in control. Some people however have trouble controlling themselves, and are at risk of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease that affects both your body and mind. Without treatment an alcoholic can have a high rate of becoming seriously ill and an early death. Furthermore, It can affect the family community in a negative way and lead to family loss, health issues, and serious accidents.

            To speak of this issue more widely, Alcoholism is an alcohol dependence disease that is often called the “family disease” because it affects the community of family the most. This disease affects all husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, parents, and children directly and indirectly. An alcoholic begins to rely so heavily on alcohol it starts to take over his life and relationships with others. Alcoholism can also affect people outside their family. Drunk driving can cause accidents and cause an innocent person to die because an alcoholic decided to drink and drive. This can lead to someone else’s child, parent, brother, or sister being away from them because an alcoholic decided to drive. Alcoholism is a disease that needs to be treated and cannot be cured without seeking help. Those who have family members or friends that are alcoholics need to act more aggressively by enforcing strict rules to stop drinking and seek help that will end this problem.

            One problem that results from alcoholism is family loss. Many alcoholics have families that love and support them, but still decide to drink and self-destruct themselves. This can totally disrupt family life and create a mess that can take years to fix. When your spouse is an alcoholic, it can lead to divorce because of trust and communication problems. Children of alcoholics often feel scared and neglected because of their parent’s unstable behavior.  This can lead to your child resenting you or wanting nothing to do with you. Domestic violence often emerges in households where a spouse or parent is an alcoholic, causing domestic violence to be more dangerous. Alcoholism is a serious disease that results in the destruction of family ties and relations.

            A solution to alcoholism is for family members or friends of alcoholics to encourage them to seek help to fix the problem. Encouraging or even forcing addicts to go to family therapy and alcoholic treatments is a crucial factor in treating alcoholism.  Strong family support plays an important role for alcoholics in their recovery process. Forcing alcoholics to stop drinking and encouraging them to seek help is a major solution to the problem of alcoholism that is faced in many households.

            Secondarily, another problem that results from alcoholism is serious illnesses. Alcoholism can lead to many other mental and physical illnesses.  Many people to who are alcoholics experience depression or anxiety when they drink. Many times alcoholics like to think drinking will help fix these problems, but drinking will only make it worse.  Long-time heavy drinking also increases your risk of having problems with your heart.  Drinking causes your blood pressure to rise and heart muscles to weaken, which are major factors in having problems with your heart.

            In order to avoid these serious illnesses that result from alcoholism, a solution can to be to seek help from your doctor.  Your doctor can help you get the help you need to stop drinking which, can lead to many other problems.  A doctor can prescribe you medicine or therapy to help you cope and deal with alcoholism. You can even call a Drink line, which is free and confidential to talk to someone about your problems on drinking. Consulting in a doctor to help stop abusing alcohol and cure other illnesses is a major way to help fix the problem of alcoholism.

            Thirdly, another problem that results from alcoholism is serious accidents that can harm yourself and others.  Drinking and driving is a major problem in the United Sates. It can result in both the driver and others on the road in being serious injured or killed.  Alcoholism affects and impairs your judgment; so driving while your highly intoxicated can hurt innocent people.  Drinking and driving can take a child, parent, husband, wife, brother or sister away from someone else.  This can affect other families, not only you and the person injured. Drinking and driving is a serious issue that can result from alcoholism and harm many people and families.

            A solution to this problem is to avoid drinking and driving all together. As a community of families, if you see someone drinking and driving you should try to stop them and bring them somewhere to sober up. As a community this can help save others and the person who is drinking and driving.

            Alcoholism is a disease that affects both the body and mind. Many alcoholics are so codependent on alcohol they do not care if they hurt their families or others to get alcohol. Alcoholism is a disease that affects the community of family and can lead to other issues such as family loss, serious illness, and serious accidents. It is important that families force alcoholics to stop drinking and seek help to solve the problem of alcoholism.