What Can be Done with Economic Disparity

Corey Davis

Ms. Lisa Crumit-Hancock

ENGL-125 H- Composition 1

3 May 2017

Rogerian Argument

Economic Disparity in Communities

After viewing and assessing several different forms of community in ENGL 125-H over the course of the spring semester, a common theme of unhealthy communities exists in any community has become clear. Unhealthy communities tend to add up quickly and are complex in nature. However, one cause that plays a direct effect on unhealthy communities is economic disparity. This phrase is sparingly used in day to day conversation. With this said, many individuals ask, "What does this phrase mean, why is this term important, and how is it evident in the world we live in?". Economic disparity is also expressed as income inequality or wealth gap. Throughout, this article each phrase will be used interchangeably.

This gap plays a direct role in the upbringing of many unhealthy communities since money makes the world go around. What is meant by this is a community’s worth/growth is relatable to its economic health. In addition, this inequality has led to an altercation between two groups in our society. One of these groups has been coined “the one percent,” while the other group is called “the 99 percent”.  These groups have often been at one another’s throats over income gap. In Ellen Waldman’s article, "Inequality in America and Spillover Effects on Mediation Practice: Disputing for the 1 Per Cent and the 99 Per Cent", she discusses how the rich and poor have different methods to solving economic disputes/case. In her conclusion she founded,

“In 1926, F Scott Fitzgerald wrote that the rich are ‘different from you and me’. The observation still holds. Both on subjective and objective measures, the upper class experience life differently than do middle class or lower class earners. This divergence continues when rich and poor enter into mediation.” (42)

With this difference, both groups have their own perspectives when it comes to what needs to be done about wealth inequality. The members of “the one percent” may see no harm in the inequality that has occurred in the world we live in them, while other members may see the harm with the issue. In contrast, the members of “the 99 percent” have a vastly different opinion wealth inequality. This group sees inequality as an unfair just in the world and see that this gap is becoming greater. “The 99 percent” is correct in stating this, Ellen Waldman’s research found, “Today, seven out of 10 people live in countries where inequality today is greater that it was 30 years ago.” (26) Overall, this issue affects both groups by altering how the world operates on a daily basis. Two examples of how economic inequality can affect how the world operates is with its economic growth and social relationship between countries. These two concepts can impact both the poor and rich’s lives.

Both the rich and the poor have a varied approach on what they believe are solutions to the income gap. Some from each group believe the answer to income inequality is the acquired level of education. The supporters of acquiring higher education to reverse the income gap often cite the increased income of those who have higher education in comparison to their lower educated peers, this viewpoint has some statistics in their corner. Mr. Kenworthy founded that,

“Explanations of rising income inequality often begin with education. In The Race between Education and Technology, Claudia Goldin and Lawrence Katz describe how educational attainment in the United States increased steadily from the late 1800s through the 1960s. But then the pace of advance slowed, and as it did, the ‘‘college pay premium’’—the ratio of the earnings of persons with a four-year college degree to the earnings of those without—began to rise.” (“Why the Surge...” 2)

Lane Kenworthy’s research into education showed that this group has a viable solution.  Others see the solution with the problem lays in with how tax protocol is established. Some say lower taxes for all, some say lower taxes for the poor/higher taxes for the rich, and some say higher taxes for all can help. Typically, poor and the rich both cite this solution since most individuals often see most of the money they acquire goes towards taxes. This group believes their income suffers from being taxed. There is a select few that have faith in raise taxes. This isolated group believes that the money collected in taxes, in the end, benefits everyone by use of the government provided services (country infrastructure, emergency responder, snow removal, etc.) This solution standpoint has some force behind it. Kenworthy’s research also found,

“In the United States, the top statutory federal income tax rate and the top 1 percent’s share of pretax income have indeed tended to move in opposite directions over time. In the 1920s the top tax rate decreased and the top 1 percent’s income share shot up. The top tax rate rose sharply between 1929 and 1945, and the top 1 percent’s income share fell sharply. From 1979 to 2007, the top tax rate decreased a good bit and the top 1 percent’s income share jumped. (“Why the Surge...” 7)

So, in theory, all of these possible solutions may be a valuable approach in some contexts.

A position that stands in align with the writer’s view point revolves around joint effort on two fronts. One involves addressing of forms of governmental policies while the other focuses on unions.  Governmental policy plays a huge role in how the economy works; this can include trade deals, mega governmental contracts, and a presidential economic plan. The same goes with income gap in many nations. Lane Kenworthy shreds some light on how the government can influence economic inequality,

“Where low-end incomes have increased, that typically has been a product of increases in net government transfers. Such increases are due to political choices, rather than to constraints or opportunities stemming from the share of income captured by those at the top… Still, it is noteworthy that some affluent countries have managed to engineer increasing incomes for low-end households despite a significant top-heavy rise in inequality. For American policymakers, that might serve as welcome inspiration.” (Rising Inequality... 108)

The other front revolves around the approach of how individuals use and see unions. Unions play an important method in how income gap can occur and increase. Additionally, unions have a direct impact on income levels for many. Labor unions that are often united can force employers to allocate more money into the workers’ benefits (insurance or wages). Any union can prevent/limit the influence left by the competitiveness of the work force with immigrants and technological innovations. However, individual's see labor unions as a place where they pay dues or fees to be apart of, and see no benefit in them. Lane Kenworthy demonstrates union effectiveness by showing the correlation between income inequality and unions,

“Cross-county comparison suggests that union strength has mattered for income inequality. The contrast between the United States and Canada is illustrative. Canada’s unionization rate has remained fairly constant over the past generation, and the top 1 percent’s income share in Canada has risen only half as much as in the U.S.” (“Why the Surge...” 7)

          The implications on any unhealthy community of finding and reversing the effects of economic disparity is a complicated and necessary process, however achieving this can be completed by a joint approach of altered governmental action and strengthened unions. With this said, this approach is quite similar to the position others have. The separate position of altering taxes and considering the importance of education for reverse and lessening the income gap between the rich and poor. These two situations are intertwined with governmental decision making. Taxes and post-secondary education financial aid are influence by federal governmental offices. Therefore, adoption of the position revolving around addressing government policy and altering how unions are used and viewed.

 

Week 13 Post

Below is a list of my top ten songs that describes my life. However, I am not going to go into why I like them and this that and the other. But with this said, I am actually going to shows you examples of how these songs are relatable to my own life but in a way that is relatable to you as a reader. In case you do not know a certain song or may not remember a song, each has a hyperlink, so you are able to click on them and are able to be transported to the song itself. Lastly, I hope you enjoy my connection of the songs to your own life.

1.     Humble and Kind- This song is the number one on my list due to partly because of the title, but also the lyrics. The reason that both are important because in this song shows how being humble and kind is important concept to master in life. Without these two characteristics, a person’s approaches and meanings life would be different in nature. This song is where I understood the importance of being kind and humble to others.

2.      You Should Be Here- "You Should Be Here", portrays how inside others and my own life there are friendships and other relationships that have went sour due to a variety of differences/reason; as well as how distance between friends and significant others has an influential impact on your life whether you admit it or not. An example of this would be with dealing with the loss of a close pet(s).

3.      The Man I Want to Be- This song shows how myself personally always has had an ideal picture of where I would like to see myself in six months, a year, and in five years. They are many things I can improve with myself personally. Same goes with others regardless how “perfect they are/see themselves.

4.     Today- The song "Today" shows the importance of current and live parts of people's lives. For myself personally this includes college work, paying for college, and keeping up with other requirements outside of academics and work employment. However, one should also focus on the trivial things in life. Some examples are late nights with friends, small talks with close/extended family, and lastly time you have with just yourself.

5.     Woman Like You /Hard to Love- I linked both songs at number six because each prove a common experience in our lives, but an important experience. These songs show how our relationships makes us better at a person on a conceptual level but also makes us better and makes us question our own selves. An example of this is what makes us unique and special that someone may want to deal and spend possibly the rest of their life with you "till the end". Whatever this may mean for you and your significant other.  

6.     The Dance- "The Dance" demonstrates how there are certain events or stage memories that have alter are lives one way or another. Some examples are an individual own future marriage if applicable, seeing family and friends get married and begin a new chapter in their own life. 

7.      I Don't Dance- This song, is like the one above it but the major difference is this song focuses on how an individual who normally do not “dance” on a normal basis in front of /with others, but one individual is able to get you out of your comfort zone. So, in other words, this song the importance of how others encourage us out of our comfort zones.

8.      Remember When- "Remember When" purpose in my own life was showing how no memory/event is too small not to remember and reflect upon. An example of this in everyday life is talking about found memories as a de-stressor during frustrating times.

9.      There Goes My Life- "There Goes My Life" displays how in my life as well as other of how humans tend to over react to new uncertain, unplanned, and stressful situations. On top, of this single demonstrates how typically these events make our lives more challenging at first, but also makes are lives better off later on. An example of this is higher education or having an unexcepted child.  

10. Don't Blink- This song has an influential impact on myself, because it reminds me not to take day to day life's gifts for granted. Some example of this includes family members, the joy of growing up, and being young. This also incorporates anyone.

All and all, this was what I saw as my top ten songs that have alter my life threw out the years.

What is Dyslexia and What Can Be Done to Help?

Dyslexia

What is Dyslexia?

       

Dyslexia is a type of learning disability that involves an issue with processing or understanding language. Normally, this involves use of the grapheme phoneme principle. In other words, an individual has difficulty with connecting a letter to its sound and vice versa. This knowledge plays a huge influence on the use written and spoken language. An example of this is thinking of the word specific but saying or writing the word pacific down.

According to LDA American.org some symptoms and signs of dyslexia are:

-          Reads slowly and painfully

-          Experiences decoding errors, especially with the order of letters

-          Shows wide disparity between listening comprehension and reading comprehension of some text

-          Has trouble with spelling

-          May have difficulty with handwriting

-          Exhibits difficulty recalling known words

-          Has difficulty with written language

-          May experience difficulty with math computations

-          Decoding real words is better than nonsense words

-          Substitutes one small sight word for another: a, I, he, the, there, was

In addition, I strongly recommend looking at this website,    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3480257/What-s-REALLY-like-read-dyslexia-Simulator-reveals-letters-words-appear-people-condition.html .  This website simulates what it is like to have/experience dyslexia. 

Reading Programs are Effective for Students with Dyslexia?

        

   Typically reading programs in school are not suited for children whom have dyslexia. However, there are some reading programs design for them.  These programs may help your child in other areas but not with reading issue. Some examples are: 

o   Kumon

o   Sylvan Learning

o   Hooked on Phonics

o   Reading Recovery

o   Accelerated Reader

o   Vision Therapy

o   Brain Gym

o   Special Diets

-          A program that will benefit a child with dyslexia is any reading program that uses the Orton Gillingham approach. This approach is the oldest and most researched method for helping/teaching individuals with dyslexia.

 

Ways Parents Can Help their Kids with Dyslexia:

According to Dyslexia Read Well, they are several things that parents can do to help their child with dyslexia Some ways to help are:

•          Read to your Child
•           Share Reading
•           Overlearning
•           Silent Reading
•           Make Reading Fun
•           Promote Confidence

_{URL: https://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/}

          _{http://www.dyslexia-reading-well.com/dyslexia-treatment.html}

          _{http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/dyslexics/learn-about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia}

         _{http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3480257/What-s-REALLY-like-read-dyslexia-Simulator-reveals-letters-words-appear-people-condition.html}

              

Week 12 Blog

In the short film, "Elevator Music", what occurs is two individuals get into the elevator at first and each plays their form of musical entertainment  for the ride to their destination. Eventually the elevator is full of several individuals play their form of entertainment. However, everyone stops playing their music when an individual walk in the elevator with a boombox. Everyone proceeds to wait in anticipation, but the guy put in headphones. Then elevator music kicks in.  

Using the film, the author who submitted their film to Virgin Media Shorts wanted to portray how and why elevator music was incorporated into the elevator for the rides to various floors. The author of the film purpose in the making of the film is to show his ability to make a film. I am making this inference base off the fact that the channel the film is posted on is a channel with the goal to find the best undiscovered film makers in the UK. In terms of the audience of the film, is anybody that has ever been been a part of an elevator ride and had to listen to the music in an elevator. My reasoning for making that connection is by how everyone became distracted by the elevator music at the end of the video. 

The film itself, has three qualities of a community embedded in it that proves a variety characteristics of community. One characteristic that the film shows is the ethnic diversity of a community. The film uses a variety of sexes, career, and race. A second similar characteristic the film portrays is how communities can a have a variety of interests in an area. The film shows this by the variety of genre each person listens to.  A third characteristic the film portrays is how some community can be isolated and only talk to other members when necessary. The film uses how each member in the video do not say a word and only look at one another for a moment upon entering the elevator. There are several other characteristics of community within the film. 

Communication Impact on the Civil War

How we choose to communicate with others in our daily lives has had profound impact on our skills of communicating later in life. On top of effecting our skills in communication, how communication occurs also alters other ways of life. One historical example of communication impacts others day to day lives was during the Civil War. Three methods of communication that have direct impact on how the war went and others interpreted the war; these methods of communication included the Gettysburg Address, the newspapers, and the telegraph.

The Gettysburg Address by President Lincoln was a short speech performed after the fighting between the North and South had ended. This speech was a minor speech with regards to the other speech performed that day. However, this speech by Lincoln help turned the American public opinion around and help the public obtain the last fighting desire to finish the fight. 

The newspapers reported the fighting that occurred on a day to day basis. This news coverage lead to difficulties for public opinion on the war but allows for the war to be transparent to all. Below are 3 examples of newspapers.  Theses newspapers effects how all viewed the war. 

The telegraph also had a key impact in the war. Lincoln used this to communicate to his generals directly. Truthfully, Lincoln was able to stay on top of hour by hour developments of any battles. This allowed for effective changes with any sort of plan of attack or defense. This was one of the main reasons why the North end up being victorious in the Civil War. 

The Civil War is just one historical example of how communication has affected the world around us today. A current example is how social media communication has affected every one's lives. Whether good or bad forms of communication, each plays a role in how the world has developed to where we are now and will reach in the coming years. So, the next time your communication imagine what affect it will have one yourself as well as others. 

URL: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-newspapers-reported-the-civil-war-17280757/ 

Week 11 Blog Post

 Dear, High School Senior,
The book, "The Transition to College Writing" provides an insight about adjusting to college. Below is a partial summary of two points from the book and some I personally believe he left out.

Inside of chapter one within "The Transition to College Writing", Hjortshoj’s reflects on the differences between High School and College. Two differences that he expresses on that I agree happens with my own experience translating to college is High school teachers are usually generalists, college teachers are specialist and principles of academic freedom in college. In other words, College professor or specialist in this field which impact what and how the class is taught. This impact how a class is structured and goes. Same goes with high school but is often structured off how a state curriculum.  While, with academic freedom this also allows for college professors to teach their classes however they chose to. This is semi-applicable with high school teachers due to the state curriculum.

However, with those differences, I have experience two differences that Hjortshoj's left out from his writing of differences between high school and college. One is failure is natural and excepted in college at some point, while high school failure is catastrophic, in other words, at one point or another you are going to fail a test, quiz, or an exam. However, this failure is not the end of the world typically because it depends on how one reacts to the failure. While, in contrast, failure in high school is viewed as the end of the world for most college bound students. The reason for this despair is due to how grade point average (GPA) can be affect by a failure on tests, quizzes, and projects. GPA is what drives a college bond student since college admission/scholarships are based on off GPA. A second idea that I believe Hjortshoj left out is how the difference with independence varies between college and high school. Independence as it relates to high school and college is two opposite ends of the spectrum. For example, in high school independence is viewed as having the ability to do activities outside of school, like hanging with friends. On the opposite end we have college independence, this includes free independence to do whatever one pleases, but this is different from doing things with friends.

With these differences in mind, often leads to an effect on an individual’s viewpoint on college, typically these viewpoints are false. This incorrect viewpoint can also be called myths. These myths occur because we as human beings like to have expectation on possible life choices/opportunities. An example of this is how we see factory or skilled job as a non-life long job and college is your only choice to be successful. Theses myths lead us to think college is our only choice and leads to struggles later with selecting major and repaying loans after not completing college. This only one choice of a myth that we have and relate to college. There are many other myths that affects us on are decision making in college.

What is Executive Functioning and Why it's Important?

Most college students excel at skills necessary for being college ready. These skills are also connected with a success of a student in grade/high school. With this being said, these skills are often coined executive functioning. Now that we have established what a general usefulness of executive function, but what is it?  Executive Functioning is a collection of skills that affects an individual’s ability to organize and act out cognitive and physical thoughts to achieve a goal. These collections of skills include:

o        Impulse Control

       §Regulating impulsive and inappropriate behavior from occurring.

o        Emotional Control 

       §Controlling and checking emotional responses- tends to affect dealing with stress, failure and others form of stresses. 

o        Flexible Thinking

       § Open-mindedness towards new ways of thinking and the unexpected events. 

o        Working Memory

       §Also, called short-term memory, this is where learning new information takes places at.

o        Self-Monitoring

       §Assessing self-progress towards a goal/desire. 

o        Planning and Prioritizing

       §Selecting and achieving a goal or desire and partaking in the necessary step to the goal.

o        Task Initiation

       §Starting and stopping old and new tasks.

o        Organization

       §Keeping items/ideas in groups, so one can effectively retrieve them at a later time or date.

These skills collectively influence how a student of any level approaches academic and nonacademic work. An example of this is how an individual approaches addresses an problem or a decision choice. An everyday decision that is related to decision making is planning an activity. Without the skills listed above that as person typically has, planning any activity may become a challenge. An example is if a person lacks in flexible thinking, a person who plans activity and one-thing changes may actually cancel the completely planned activity because of one little change, instead of adapting/changing the activity due to the change. Overall, executive functioning is often over looked since most of the skills are acquired naturally in most cases. However, the word most does not mean always occurs; knowing how well you executive functioning is and address an issue can improve your academic and nonacademic abilities substantially.