Journal 6

I must say that I have mixed views on the film, Miss Representation. As a father of three daughters, I have already experienced the teenage years with one, one getting close to start, and the little one is breaking me off now, so her teenage years should be a walk in the park. I didn't see much of the media or society affecting the way my oldest presented herself, but with my tween, it's a completely ballgame. She is always in front of the mirror. She will stand in front of the mirror for an hour doing her hair. She will definitely add to the stress level once she is officially a teen. Now with the film Miss Representation, I heard a lot of reporters, students, and parents hating on the beautiful women in the movies, commercials, and modeling jobs. Some were saying that the women used in those platforms are belittling women, portraying them in a negative way, and used as sex symbols. If  they are, so what, those women weren't held at gun point forcing them to do those jobs. The fact is, each women got paid for the job, and each felt good about themselves. For the students or media that  are knocking those of beauty, seek counseling and enjoy life.

Waste Not Want Not

Scott Uria

Professor Kelly

ENC 1102

March 19, 2013

Waste Not Want Not

            Hey Mom, is dinner ready? At some point in most of our childhood, we have asked that question.  Unfortunately there are many children in our country that are lucky to receive a hot meal once a week. The United States is the wealthiest country in the world, so why do we have hungry families? There are many countries that does not have the benefit of overstocked food and a government that could help. I feel that poverty exist because our government and society as a whole have failed them. During a recent documentary I reviewed called Dive, this film brought to light of the food waste that seems to be a common practice by many food chain stores. Instead of waste, what could be done with all that food?

            According to an article by Tom Hudson, dumpster diving is on the rise across the states. Those diving are not finding trash, but perfectly good food. Every city has food banks to help feed the homeless and families in need, so why not provide to those outlets? There are some great individuals that are crusading for this cause, so this issue is now getting the attention it deserves. But should it be just up to the community to speak on this waste issue? Our elected politicians seem to make things happen when it benefits them. If they need a new gold faucet for their 1,200 square foot bathroom, it’s done! If the people who voted the politicians in office need help to feed their families, politicians will place it on the back burner and considered not important. Wouldn’t it be nice if our government passed a law that forbids food chain stores from throwing out perfectly good food into dumpsters, and mandate that the food be donated to food banks instead? Maybe our country would be able to rest at night knowing that every American has been fed.

            I wanted to look into another country and their poverty level. That country would be Bolivia, the other half of my heritage. It appears that 60% of 9.1 million in population lives in poverty (N.Y Times). Despite increasing revenues from gas and oil, Bolivia remains the most hunger afflicted country in South America. I lived in Bolivia as a young baby, and as I got older I can recall my mother telling me how most of the meals consisted of rice and corn, and were never in large portions. The bright spot was that we never had to go without, but there were many who were not so lucky.

            Throughout my military career, I have traveled to several countries. In many of those countries, eating a simple hamburger would be a luxury. There were several kids that would go behind people as they threw away their trash in search of left over scraps. I really wished I could help by purchasing a meal for a kid, but I knew that would open up the flood gates. If other children seen a child receiving a meal, the kids would be on me like fleas. Instead I would just wave and keep moving.

            Hunger and food waste is a big issue in America. It’s not just a food chain problem, it’s a household problem. Many of us have thrown out food that we never used. Yes, I am guilty! There have been several times where I went grocery shopping and purchased more than I actually needed. I catch myself preaching to my children that the food they leave on their plate could feed families in other parts of the world.  If we just start with ourselves by not wasting, maybe one day the regulations will change on food chain stores. I would like to close with a scripture that seems to tie right in with this topic. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” – Matthew 25:35

                                                                    Works Cited

Dive. Perf. Jeremy Seifert. 2010.

Fantz, Ashley. (2013): n. pag. CNN. Web.

Hudson, Tom. "Dumpster Diving." Editorial. Dec. 2012: n. pag. Print.

Matthew. King James Version. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

Dive

After watching the documentary Dive, it really made me think about how wasteful our country is. While driving home, I knew I had to stop by Wal-mart to pick up a few groceries. Once in the parking lot, I contemplated whether or not I should go in to shop, or go behind the store to shop. Although joking, I must admit I wanted to take a peek to see Wal-mart was just as wasteful as many grocery stores. As days have passed, I have reflected on food I had purchased to stock my refrigerator, just to end up unused waste. Yes, I am guilty on a much smaller level, but still guilty. The part of the documentary that hit me the most was the segment on Haiti. That really put things in perspective of the poverty going on throughout this world. But I am a firm believer of taking care of you own first, so let’s stop wasting America, and donated the unused items to the hungry families in our country!

The American Dream (Essay)

Scott Uria

Professor Kelly

ENC 1102

March 5, 2013

The American Dream

From birth to death, we all have decisions that will dictate our life. When we hear of people living out the American dream, what does that mean? How many of us have actually given it a thought? The American dream is something we all strive for, but what defines whether or not we have accomplished our dream? The fact is, it varies from person to person. I feel that every person decides what they are pursuing, and decides when they have accomplished it. That is the beauty of our country and the pursuit of happiness.

 I recently had the opportunity to hear a wonderful speaker, Mo Garcia, and his experience and translation of the American dream. He explained how he was uprooted from El Salvador and sent to the United States to start a new life. With years of resentment came wasted years. Once the light bulb came on, he knew what he wanted to do, just to be derailed again. Mr. Garcia had to identify his weaknesses and turned those into strengths. Once accomplished, he found success in motivating others to be proactive in life goals. His lecture is structured to make you think about where you fit in, and how to get there. I came home and contemplated whether or not I have lived out my American dream, and the answer is yes.

            Growing up in Columbia, South Carolina, I was always intrigued by Fort Jackson, an Army base located nearby. I knew from an early age that I wanted to serve my country as a service member of the United States Armed Forces. Upon completion of high school, I enrolled at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Although I enjoyed the college/campus life, I knew that I needed something to give me more. At the end of the semester, I came home and joined the United States Navy, and shipped out on March 20, 1989.  Sure, basic training was a rude awakening as to what I just signed up for, but I liked the challenge. Before I knew it, twenty years of service was upon me, and retired March 31, 2009. During that time frame, I have traveled the world, free of charge, received free on the job training, free medical and dental, thirty plus days of yearly vacation, unlimited paid sick days, and a free education using the Post 9/11 G.I Bill. Having the opportunity to retire at the age of 39, with a monthly pension for the rest of my life is a sweet deal. Most importantly, I was able to protect the freedoms of my country so other may chase and accomplish their American dream. Yes, I can honestly say that I have and currently am living the American dream!

            Many Americans consider homeownership a major piece of completing life’s dreams. To get to that point, other steps must be accomplished. Mortgage companies will review whether or not the applicant has a secure job, established credit, and debt to income ratio. Two of items listed fall into the large puzzle of the American dream. Employment and strong credit will get a lot in this country. With so many people owning homes, that dream threatened some, and buried others. Our country went into a recession in 2008, and the housing market continues to struggle today. So for those who consider homeownership part of their American dream, has that dream become a nightmare? According to, Statesman Journal, Queenie Wong reports that since 2009, more than a dozen government and private programs have been created to help home owners avoid foreclosure. Now programs are offering more options for homeowners, but they’re also not going off without a hitch. The dream of owning a home is still alive, but it may be a little tougher than years passed.

            I have shared a large portion of my American dream, and the joy and satisfaction I felt upon completion. Sure, I have several other goals to accomplished, and others that have been completed. Upon completion of new goals, it will be another building block to my life of success. Have you figured out what your dream consist of? Some dreams may not be individual, but as a country as a whole.  I would like to share a portion of Martin Luther King Jr. speech, ‘I Have a Dream.’ This should be the foundation of every dream. “From every mountainside, let freedom ring. And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

                         Queenie Wong, Statesman Journal, September 29, 2012

                         Mauricio “Mo” Garcia, Founder and CEO, MG Success Services

      Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., ‘I Have a Dream’, August 28, 1963