Feature Story Evaluation #2

Story - Porn and libraries

1. The lead was engaging and was a smart was to introduce a controversial topic.

2. The story talked about the issues of free library use at San Jose State and whether or not there needs to be a censorship at the library.

3. The quote where the students talks about how change the time students have to wait and doing censorship is a lose-lose

The the quote from the library association talking about upholding intellectual freedom was interesting 

4. I think the story asked a few too many question which was a little annoying, but overall it had a good chunk of information and quotes. 

Feature Story Evaluation #1

Story - First generation students

1. I thought the lead was engaging due to the Spanish word used at the end of the sentence. Seeing it made me want to read and figure out what it meant.

2. The story talked about different first-generation people who struggle with identity. Specifically Latinos who speak better English than Spanish and find it hard to fit in at school and home. It also discussed Latino who are come to American at a later time and being doing everything they can to Americanize themselves.  

3. The first quote that caught my eye was the one where one of the people talked about being confused and said they were too Mexican for Americans and too American for Mexicans.

The next quote came from the man who although he spoke perfect English was put in lower level classes. and he said he'll never be American in their eyes

4. I think the story was very well-written and though she used a ton of quotes most of them were properly used and the topic was made interesting.
  

Japanese Internment Camp

Standing in front of the Robert F. Peckham Federal Building is a memorial that represents a time when America allowed fear to control their actions.

This masterpiece done by Ruth Asawa depicts the struggles of over 100,000 Japanese American who were put in internment camps in response to war.

The double-sided artwork begins as immigrants arrive from the Taiyo Maru ship in pursuit of the American dream.

People are shown building their lives through farming or small business and children running freely.

With no knowledge that the wavy large barb wires going throughout the top of the memorial signifies that they are in no way free.

As you move throughout you begin to see businesses closing their doors, families strapping their bags on top of their cars and hordes of people being thrusted onto buses.

Flip to the other side and you see the American dream turn into a nightmare.

The houses are now huts that they themselves are forced to make.

Their freedom is fully taken as soldiers watch their every move from towers up above.

The barb wire across the top is now straight.

Families are given little and must resort to making beds out of hay.

Yet, despite their circumstances you see people playing baseball and volleyball and children making art.

On the bottom right you can see the Supreme Court gathering as they realize the injustice that was done.

However, the damage was already done.

Smith and Carlos Description

In the heart of San Jose State University stands a statue of two men with heads down and their black fists raised high into the spring sky. 

  
They are Olympic runners Tommie Smith and John Carlos who used the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City as their platform to fight racial injustice. 

  
Both Smith and Carlos stand barefoot with their black Pumas behind them.

Their facial expression states a need for change that can no longer wait. 

The badges above the letters USA on Smith and Carlos’ blue jumpsuits which says “Olympics Project for Human Rights” exemplifies their cause.  

Carlos not only wears his bronze medal for the U.S., but also sports a yellow, green and red necklace to support his people. 

As Smith stands above all the rest with his gold. 

Now nearly 50 years after their bold statement, these SJSU alums are an inspiration to every current Spartan. 

As students lay on the freshly cut grass reading and studying, this 22-foot-tall statue is a symbol for what a SJSU Spartan can achieve. 

Mystery charater

Growing up on a dessert, a blond haired boy lives his life day to day with little to no excitement.

Longing for a life outside of his own, his prayers are answer by two intelligent friends

One tall and one short

They introduce him to man with a thick white beard who is no longer the man he used to be.

However, he shows the blond haired man that there is more to life that what he’s been exposed to.

After a couple unknown events occur, the blonde hair boy decides to pick up his bag and 

leave with man and his new friends in pursuit of adventure.

During the trip he boy runs into his sister who is about as sassy as can be.

And his estranged father who is not big on his son’s new direction in life.

Knowing that he was once young and innocent boy like him.

The father offers him a new job and even gives him an interview with the CEO, but the boy refuses and has no desire to be like his father.

And the disagreement leads to heavy tension among the two. 

Letters to the Editor

Jordan Alexis
6815 Edinburgh Road Corona, CA 95112
mrjaa17@gmail.com

Article in reference: Lakers taking a long look at LSU prodigy Ben Simmons

To the editor: With only a 20 percent chance of getting the number one overall pick, I think it's time to start looking at how Duke forward Brandon Ingram fits with the Lakers. Yes I think Simmons is a better all-around player at the moment, but Ingram could actually end up being a better fit. With Julius Randle having no jump shot at the moment, drafting Simmons limits dribble penetration because neither he nor Randle can shoot.

Ingram is more of a Kevin Durant type who is lengthy and can hit shots from the perimeter. He also has great ball handling skills and can grow into a reliable defender given his size. Though he is skinny, the game is moving in a direction where skill and IQ is more valuable than ever and he has both. With him we can fill the hole at the small forward position the team currently has.

Letter to the Editor topic

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-ben-simmons-lakers-draft-20160309-story.html

Only one team can get LSU forward Ben Simmons, so it's time to start having a back up plan if you're the Los Angeles Lakers.

Word of the Week #10

Visceral (adj)

Definition: relating to deep inward feelings rather than intellect

Sentence: It feels like Donald Trump has tapped into the visceral side of his supporters 

Source: Washington Post article

Word of the Week #9

Otiose (adj)

Definition: serving no practical purpose or result

Sentence: Since I haven't seen The Revenant, it would be otiose to get my thoughts on why it's so popular.

Source: sports radio

Word of the Week #8

Fungible (adj)

Definition: mutually interchangeable

Sentence: In today's game of football running backs have become very fungible. 

Source: sports radio

Comparing media

One of the biggest news stories in the world of sports is the issues involving the University of Tennessee Athletics.

Eight unnamed women have filed Title X sexual assault cases on the university, stating that the school has permitted a sexually hostile culture to take place on campus.

I’ve watched and heard about the story on multiple news outlets and it seems each has a different approach.

In the articles I’ve read the reporters have been somewhat accusatory in their writing.

CNN for example, has done a very good job getting their research in order and making sure they have the right quotes for the victim’s side.

However, they don’t seem to be digging too deep into the other side of the issue.

There’s very little detail on the credibility of the claims that have been made against the university.  

In one particular article, they don’t present the counter argument until the article is three-fourths done.

I feel by then my opinion on the situation has already been set.

On TV things are a little different, with multiple interviews being shown on the issue, both sides have been able to properly defend themselves.

Former employees and players from the University of Tennessee have been interviewed and have lamented the actions of those leading the school.

While former and present university officials and coaches have been able to give their thoughts on the matter and have brought balance to the issue.

Also with TV, you get to bring in multiple reporters who cover all angles of the story and see what opinions they developed based on their research.

Then lastly you get to radio which is easily the most bias of the three. Especially in sports talk radio, a host will usually find a quote or section of the story that supports their argument.

Then in defense of their side of the argument, sports hosts will find whatever holes they can in the opposing side to discredit them.

For this Tennessee story in particular, I’ve seen radio shows use certain isolated quotes or sound bites that can manipulate the listener’s opinion.

I will give credit however to the 710 ESPN LA station I listen to. The hosts of the shows have been able to give multiple perspectives on the matter due to their mix of journalist and former athletes in studio.

Overall all three forms of media have their pros and cons. When it comes to this story specifically it also depends what network or publications you’re getting the information from.

One could be leaning either way which makes things a little more difficult.

Word of the Week #6

Chastise (v)

Definition: to rebuke or reprimand severely

Sentence: The mother chastised her son after he told her he got suspended from school

Source: a friend used it in conversation

Word of the Week #7

Lambaste (v)

Definition: to criticize someone or something harshly 

Sentence: Reporters lambasted the coach after his gusty play call failed 

Source: CNN article

My Favorite Writing

My brother's doing bad on my mother's TV
She says: "You watch it too much, it's just not healthy!"
"All My Children" in the daytime, "Dallas" at night
Can't even see the game or the Sugar Ray fight.

The bill collectors they ring my phoneAnd scare my wife when I'm not home
Got a bum education, double-digit inflationI can't take the train to the job, there's a strike at the station
Neon King Kong standin' on my back
Can't stop to turn around, broke my sacrophiliac
A mid-ranged migraine, cancered membrane
Sometimes I think I'm going insane, I swear I might hijack a plane"

Music is a form of creative writing and when done well, it can be great encouragement to those who listen.

These lyrics above are just some of the lyrics from a famous hip hop song by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five called "The Message". 

One of the first songs that began talking about the reality of life on the streets of New York. What I love the most about these lyrics are how descriptive they are and how they give you such as great visual.  

It's as if you get a mini movie in your head of what is going in in the artist's daily life. 

It is an art of storytelling was not necessarily praised by the media at that time, but to those who loved the genre of music or lived in these sort of areas this song serve as poetry to their ears. 

It is not fancy or riddled with strong vocabulary, it is just real and down to earth expression. 

This song had tremendous impact on the art rap and helped bring it out of the disco phase it was in when Surgarhill Gang first arrived. 

The art of storytelling has always been the moniker of rap and it is why I love the genre so much. 

The willingness to lay it all out there and tell the people things that may make them uncomfortable. 

A way of expression that at the time was a pure as it gets. Not like the nonsense people try and call rap today.

Word of the week #5

Referendum (n)

Definition: a general vote by the electorate on a single political question

Sentence: the senator called for a referendum on the issue of free health care

Source: a friend used it in conversation

Word of the week #4

Bereft (adj)

Definition: deprived of or lacking something

Sentence: For as smart as John is, he's seen bereft of any social skills

Source: ESPN radio

Word of the Week #3

Besmirch (v)

Definition: damage the reputation of someone or something in the opinion of others 

Sentence: He attempted to besmirch my name as an act of revenge

Source:Trusting in God (book) by Jerry Bridges

Word of the Week #2

Malaprop (n)

Definition: an act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by the confusion of words that are similar in sound

Sentence: the misuse of the terms "could of", "should of" and "would of" are common malapropisms

Source:TrueHoops TV (NBA) podcast

All About Me

Jimi Hendrix, Metallica and Adele are just a few of the musicians that help divine the wide range of my love for music.

Since I was little I've always been intrigued by all genres of music, which at times comes as a surprise to others.

Because I'm a black man people have assumed I listen to just rap and r&b, and are taking back when play Train in Vain by The Clash in my car.

A lot of times I can see it in a person's eyes when they ask me what I'm listening to and I tell them Metallic.

I remember back in high school when I played football my teammates would look at me funny because I would use Master of Puppets as my hype song before games.

It is fun being able to surprise people with your range of music, I find it often allows me to have conversations with people I wouldn't normally talk to. 

Like the time is talked to a tatted up white guy at hot topic about Rage Against the Machine or talking to one of my classmates about Mumford and Sons. 

Yes, I do listen to rap and r&b, but to me music is music and I really don't care what genre it is. If I like the sound, I'll give it a chance. 

   

Word of the Week #1

Capricious (adj)

Definition: given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

Sentence: He's such a capricious player I never know how he's going to react play to play

Source: Article by ESPN writer Ethan Sherwood and a TrueHoops TV podcast