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Writer Formerly Known As. . . Period 8 February 8, 2008

In the introduction to Days of Obligation, Richard Rodriguez uses drastic contrasts between modernism and old-fashionism, inexperience and wisdom, Catholicism and Protestantism, optimism and cynicism, to compare young, comedic California to old, tragic Mexico. Although he starts his introduction by clearly labeling Mexico as tragic and California as comic, he admits that neither place is just tragic or comedic, he finds wisdom in both lifestyles. Rodriguez says that “My Mexican father, as his father before him, believed that old men know more than young men; that life will break your heart; that death finally is the vantage point from which a life must be seen.” Rodriguez uses this to convey the outlook on life that the average Mexican has. They have very little in this life and they know that death is an imminent part of life, so they celebrate and enjoy the little that they do have. In that way “Mexico has been the happier place for being a country of tragedy.” Because they are grateful for what they have they have “better food, sweeter children, and more opulent funerals.” California on the other hand “is a sad place where children run away from parents, a state of pale beer, and young old women, and divorced husbands living alone in condos.” They are given so many chances and resources that they use them for things that they don’t really need, and they are constantly wondering about what they can get next that they are ungrateful for what they possess now. People come to California hoping to cash in on this comedic culture. Rodriguez concludes that his youth was defined by a very California-like optimism, but now that he as aged and become wiser he is more inclined to the Mexican point of view. He is more grateful although he doesn’t agree with the cynical conclusions of Mexico. Both sides have wisdom, but in different ways.

R.I.P. William Buckley Period 8 The Last-Standing Stereotype Stereotyping can happen in numerous ways, and commonly people that are overweight are victims of these false assumptions. People often stereotype others because of beliefs they have learned from their parents or on their own. Discriminating against a person because of one’s weight can be a seriously hurtful and demeaning thing. Many people assume that the causes for being overweight are eating all day and rarely exercising. Some people call overweight people slobs or lazy, when in most instances this isn’t the case. Some have health problems that lead to being overweight, like a kidney disease or malfunction, or the person may even be suffering from a birth defect. The effects of stereotyping an overweight person can cause them great pain and devastation. Even death can be a possible result of this type of stereotyping. People who are obese usually already feel self-conscious about themselves, and if stereotyping leads to teasing or making fun of the person, as it usually does, it will only worsens matter. This may not lead directly to death, but it may lead to depression and loneliness. Frequently, eating disorders can occur. One prominent eating disorder is Anorexia Nervosa. This is when a person who is in the pursuit of thinness, starves themselves and often becomes malnourished. A second eating disorder is bulimia, which is when a person repeatedly binge eats, then self-induces vomiting to help prevent any weight gain. These forms of eating disorders can lead to various health problems, such as: Low body temperature, muscle weakness, dry skin, slow pulse, even death can occur if the problem is not treated. These complications are just a few, on a horrifically long list. Under certain circumstances, being tormented about one’s weight can be the foundation of other issues as well. For children growing up it can be especially difficult. There can be many social issues involved as far as making friends and participating in various group activities. Once school is finished, finding a job can be another challenge. By reason that the person may feel they are not good enough and furthermore may be apprehensive of the interview process. Once an adult with these types of emotions has children of their own they may pass the feeling on to their children. There is also a direct link to genetic eating disorders. This is just one example of how stereotyping can affect our society. Each person is one individual, and there is absolutely no way of accurately judging someone on looks alone. As you can see there are numerous factors that can cause weight gain. It is better to get to know someone for yourself then to judge on appearance alone.

Better Than Me Period 8 Last Stereotype Standing Stereotyping can happen in numerous ways and commonly people that are overweight fall victim to these false assumptions. People often stereotype others because of beliefs they have learned from their parents or on their own. Discriminating against a person because of one’s weight can be seriously hurtful and demeaning. Even famous public figures fall into condoning these stereotypes. Benjamin Franklin said, “I guess I don’t so much mind being old, as I mind being fat and old” (Franklin 127). Benjamin Franklin thus makes it clear that he finds being fat a much more miserable part of life than being old. Had Franklin said something to the effect that he’d rather be “old” than “black”, Al Sharpton would be all over him like sweat on a cab-driver’s armpit. But why isn’t anyone defending those who are overweight? Race and physical appearance are both characteristics that are often genetic and unchangeable, but stereotypes about weight seem to be the only stereotypes still allowed in today’s “easily-offended” society. Many people assume that the causes for being overweight are eating all day and rarely exercising, and it’s these types of assumptions that disfigure the perception of weight problems. Some overweight people have health problems that lead to being overweight, like a kidney disease or malfunction, or the person may even have suffered from a birth defect, but people fail to realize this. Some people call overweight people slobs or lazy, when in most instances this isn’t the case. Zig Ziglar said, “A narrow mind and a fat head invariably come on the same person” (Ziglar 132). Ziglar in this case tries to pass off “fat” and “narrow mindedness” as synonyms. In reality overweight people are functioning members of society that most likely didn’t choose to be fat. Scientific studies now show that genetics affects a large portion of a person’s comfortable weight. The effects of stereotyping an overweight person can cause them great pain and devastation. In extreme cases those who have been victimized resort to taking their own lives. People who are obese usually already feel self-conscious about themselves, and if stereotyping leads to teasing or making fun of the person, as it often does, it will only worsen the matter. This doesn’t automatically lead to drastic measures such as suicide; it more commonly leads to depression and loneliness.

Better Than Me Period 8 Last Stereotype Standing Stereotyping can happen in numerous ways and commonly people that are overweight fall victim to these false assumptions. People often stereotype others because of beliefs they have learned from their parents or on their own. Discriminating against a person because of one’s weight can be seriously hurtful and demeaning. Even famous public figures fall into condoning these stereotypes. Benjamin Franklin said, “I guess I don’t so much mind being old, as I mind being fat and old” (Franklin 127). Benjamin Franklin thus makes it clear that he finds being fat a much more miserable part of life than being old. Had Franklin said something to the effect that he’d rather be “old” than “black”, Al Sharpton would be all over him like sweat on a cab-driver’s armpit. But why isn’t anyone defending those who are overweight? Race and physical appearance are both characteristics that are often genetic and unchangeable, but stereotypes about weight seem to be the only stereotypes still allowed in today’s “easily-offended” society. Many people assume that the causes for being overweight are eating all day and rarely exercising, and it’s these types of assumptions that disfigure the perception of weight problems. Some overweight people have health problems that lead to being overweight, like a kidney disease or malfunction, or the person may even have suffered from a birth defect, but people fail to realize this. Some people call overweight people slobs or lazy, when in most instances this isn’t the case. Zig Ziglar said, “A narrow mind and a fat head invariably come on the same person” (Ziglar 132). Ziglar in this case tries to pass off “fat” and “narrow mindedness” as synonyms. In reality overweight people are functioning members of society that most likely didn’t choose to be fat. Scientific studies now show that genetics affects a large portion of a person’s comfortable weight. The effects of stereotyping an overweight person can cause them great pain and devastation. In extreme cases those who have been victimized resort to taking their own lives. People who are obese usually already feel self-conscious about themselves, and if stereotyping leads to teasing or making fun of the person, as it often does, it will only worsen the matter. This doesn’t automatically lead to drastic measures such as suicide; it more commonly leads to depression and loneliness. Frequently, eating disorders can occur. One prominent eating disorder is Anorexia Nervosa. This is when a person who is in the pursuit of thinness, starves themselves and often becomes malnourished. A second eating disorder is bulimia, which is when a person repeatedly binge eats, then self-induces vomiting to help prevent any weight gain. These forms of eating disorders can lead to various health problems, such as: Low body temperature, muscle weakness, dry skin, slow pulse, even death can occur if the problem is not treated. These complications are just a few, on a horrifically long list. Under certain circumstances, being tormented about one’s weight can be the foundation of other issues as well. For children growing up it can be especially difficult. There can be many social issues involved as far as making friends and participating in various group activities. Once school is finished, finding a job can be another challenge. By reason that the person may feel they are not good enough and furthermore may be apprehensive of the interview process. Once an adult with these types of emotions has children of their own they may pass the feeling on to their children. There is also a direct link to genetic eating disorders. Therefore we know that being overweight has a great impact on how one’s life will play out. How then is it fair to those that didn’t choose their conditions of life to be mocked nonetheless. The truth is, it isn’t fair. People have seen that mockery is offensive in other physical attributes like race and gender, but they don’t realize that they let overweight stereotypes slide, and therefore fail to grant equality to people of every walk of life.

blah blah blah BAM, I need this