Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

During the 1770s Thomas Jefferson wrote what has become a significant historical document today: The Declaration of Independence. The occasion is July 4,1776, when the document was first printed in newspapers and brought out to public. Even though Jefferson primarily wrote it, the actual speakers are the colonists of the thirteen colonies, who were striving to live freely from the English rule. He spoke on behalf of the colonists because the English had set laws that were not wholesome for all. He presents all the rights that people were permitted to have, which include “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence). These three rights were taken away by the colonists’ motherland: England. The English taxed the colonists, took away their right to trade with all parts of the world, and deprived them from the benefits of trial by jury. The audience of this historical document is King George III and the colonists. Jefferson wrote the document to King George because they have the right to live independently, without injuries and abuses. He mentions, “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people” (The Declaration of Independence). The plural pronouns in this quote show that he is speaking on behalf of the colonists. The audience was the colonists as well because Jefferson informed them that they have the right to overthrow a government that did not treat them right. He exhorted them to revolt if they have to, to live freely and without vicious treatments.Therefore, the Revolutionary War was a worthwhile attempt of the colonists, who were suffering with brutal ruling tactics that were used upon them by the British.

Airline Dress Codes?

Airlines give many reasons not to let a person on board. However, what a person is wearing was never one of them.  On Saturday, August 25, 2012, David Koenig reported incidents of people who were not able to board in an article called, “Airline Dress Codes Ban Cleavage, Shirts With Expletives” from The Huffington Post. Recently, an airline employee confronted a woman, who was flying on the Southwest from Las Vegas, for showing too much cleavage. Another woman reported that an American Airlines pilot lectured about her shirt, which had a swear word written on it. Debate was brought out when both women told their stories to bloggers. Last week, a graduate from Arizona State University, named Arijit Guha was prohibited from flying on a Delta plane because he was wearing a shirt that read, “Terrists gonna kill us all” (The Huffington Post). He told them that his shirt was satirical and he wore it to a protest on racial profiling. Guha then stated, “I thought it was a very American idea to speak up and dissent when you think people's rights are being violated” (The Huffington Post). A year ago, Deshon Marman, a black youngster, was pulled out of an airplane and arrested because he refused to pull his low-hanging pants up when employees told him to. Marman’s lawyer complained that the same airline allowed a white man, who was wearing a woman’s underwear, on board.

The article is important not only because peoples’ rights are being violated, but also it brings into question that airlines are being racist. It is true that the first amendment forbids the government from limiting one’s freedom of speech rights, but it does not apply to rules set by private companies. Therefore it is important to take note that Guha was not confronted by government security screeners, but rather by private Delta employees. Airlines do not have clear rules of clothing, which leaves people to decide what to wear on their own. However, terrible that a black man who had his own style of dressing up was arrested, while a white man, who was wearing a woman’s underwear and nothing else, was allowed to fly.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/25/airlines-dress-code-controversy-cleavage-2012_n_1829989.html?ir=Travel

"Graduation" By Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou wrote “Graduation” about her eighth grade graduation experience. She is a reliable and smart author because she was educated. For instance, she stated that she had written a letter to the president and was a top student in her class. Throughout the book she implies her concern for continuing education after graduation. Her main idea was about the unfair treatment of African-Americans during that time because they were not valued for their educational intelligence. White people were in charge of African-American schools, and they were inequitable with black people. For instance, after boys graduated, they were sent off to work in fields and girls were to be responsible for home economics. Her experience showed a reader that black people had no accessibility even if they were smart and educated, like Maya Angelou herself. During the ceremony, a white man gave a speech about the granted improvements at a white school. Not only did he talk about those improvements, but he also praised black people for the couple of talented football players they have. This experience left Maya angry and disappointed with her race because they were valued physically first. As a result, the reader is able to catch her tone shifts. Before graduation, she sounded excited and predictable because she knew how happy she was and how the graduation ceremony was. For instance, she states, “Whitefolks would attend the ceremony, and two or three would speak of God and home, and the Southern way of life, and Mrs. Parsons, the principal’s wife, would play the graduation march while the lower-grade graduates paraded down the aisle and took their seats below the platform” (22). During the graduation her tone shifts to nervousness and anger because of the white man’s speech. Angleou states. “The Dutch children should all stumble in their wooden shoes and break their necks. The French should choke to death on the Louisiana Purchase while silkworms ate all the Chinese with their stupid pigtails” (29). However, at the end her tone changes once again after her class valedictorian, who was a black boy, gave his speech. This time she became excited and inspired because she had an epiphany. Angelou expressed herself saying,  “We were on top again. As always, again. We survived. The depths had been icy and dark, but now a bright sun spoke to our souls” (31). Through this quote, a reader understands that she was proud to be African-American. Even if her race suffered, they still continued to be happy with all the opportunities they were given.

Lawyers Aim at Food Manufacturers

On Friday, August 17, 2012, Stephanie Strom discussed cases against the food industry, in the article “Lawyers From Suits Against Big Tobacco Target Food Makers” from New York Times. Don Barrett, a Mississippi lawyer, and other lawyers, took in millions of dollars after suing Big Tobacco. Now they have turned to food manufacturers, and have filed twenty-five cases against industries like, PepsiCo, Heinz, and ConAgra Foods. They assert that food makers are deceiving consumers by falsely labeling ingredients and products. For instance, Barrett’s group has brought a case against Chobani, the Greek yogurt maker for listing “evaporated cane juice” in its ingredients for a yogurt. The Food and Drug Administration has warned companies not to use that term because it is “false and misleading”. “If you’re going to put sugar in your yogurt, why not just say it’s sugar?” said Pierce Gore, who is part of Barrett’s group. The Barrett’s group is also asking a federal court in California to stop the sales of Pam cooking spray. Consumer Christina Sturges heard about the lawsuit involving this. She took a closer look at the ingredients and read “propellant”, which is petroleum gas, propane, and butane. The only way she could have found out was by looking at a materials safety data sheet, which is filed to the government only. This is dangerous and frightening, and unhealthy for people. “I’d been spraying that on muffin tins to make muffins for my grandchildren,” said Christina Sturges.

         When Mr. Barrett was fighting tobacco cases a decade ago, he lost because the juries agreed with tobacco companies that it is a personal choice to smoke. It was not until he and his partner sued on behalf of the states that they won the case. Food companies can claim the same belief as the tobacco companies. Even though people do not realize that they are deceived, it is important to be aware. Moreover, every person should claim that it is the job of the government to protect the consumer. The government should set more strict rules regarding ingredients for food companies to protect the health of consumers. 

My Favorite Book

I have read many novels throughout my life, but nothing beats And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.  This mystery novel is about eight people, all strangers to each other, who are invited to an Indian Island. When they arrive at the island, two servants welcome them to a house. After all the characters meet one another, they start having a party. However, the party stops after a recorded voice reveals each of their committed murders in the past. During that frightening moment, a character chokes on his drink and passes away. His death marks the beginning of all the other characters’ deaths. Throughout the book each person passes away, and their cryptic deaths tempt a reader to condemn certain characters that are still alive. When a person dies, the remaining people organize searches to find the killer. It is not until the end that we discover the real murderer, who is a judge that was also with them on the island. He also pretends to be a victim by faking his own death. After he kills every one, he leaves a manuscript in a bottle and then commits suicide. The manuscript explains why he committed suicide and that he killed everyone because he wanted justice for those who have committed crimes but left unpunished. This piece of literature is by far my favorite book primarily because of its unexpected ending. For instance, I could never imagine that the judge is the murderer because he had faked his own death. Even though I do not agree that humans have the right to carry out justice, I still love this novel because it let me challenge myself in trying to solve the mystery. Also, Christie’s word choice drew my attention because she succeeded in raising tension in me. For instance, an old woman was always quiet and unemotional even if someone was discovered dead, which made me think that she was the killer.