Deep Dive- Trevor Noah's Born a Crime

 

1. As we approach the end of the semester, we will explore the origin story of the one world’s most famous comedians, South African-born Trevor Noah. This week we’ll be reading pages 1-17 in his award-winning memoir. Who are some of your favorite comedians and why do you think comedy matters in the times we live in.                                                                                                         - Some of my favorite comedians are Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Robin Williams, and Eddie Murphy. Especially in today's world, comedy is important, because it provides a way to deal with stress and difficult situations. It gives us new, more lighthearted perspectives on some of the more serious things in life. It brings people together and creates new grounds for discussion.
2. THE BORING STUFF: Okay, if you’re going to dig into this memoir, it means understanding another country’s history. What was the “genius of apartheid” according to Trevor Noah? What are main differences between the Xhosa and the Zulu tribes? Why do you think Noah’s very birth was a “crime?”                   -The genius of Apartheid was that it caused people to turn against each other. Separating people and making them hate one another is what made it easy to run the population. The main difference between the Zulu and Xhosa was that the Zulu were prideful warriors. You could knock them down all you want, but they'd just get back up and keep fighting. Xhosa, on the other hand, were thinkers. They were negotiators who fought with words. Trevor Noah's birth was a "crime" because of his mixed heritage, because a white person wasn't allowed to to have a child with a person of color.
3. On page five he writes, “I was nine years old when my mother threw me out of a moving car. It happened on a Sunday.” What do you eventually learn about the importance of religion for his family and the actual reason why he was thrown from a moving vehicle? How does he describe his relationship with his mother so far?                                                                                                     -Religion is important to Noah's family. His mother took him to three churches every Sunday and seemingly believed that the more she went to church, the more blessings she'd receive, meaning the more prayers she'd have answered. The reason she pushed Noah out of the car was to protect him, herself, and Andrew from the men in the car threatening them. Trevor Noah's relationship with his mom is one that's deeply loving. His mom is willing to take extreme risks if it means her family will be safe in the end.
4. How would you explain the magic of tacos to someone who’s never tried one before? What do you find striking about his experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoAU85wS1x0  (Warning *mild profanity used as part of this slice of life*) What do you look forward to finding out about another person’s experience as you continue to read? While his experience might be quite different from your own, how do you relate so far?                                                                                                                             -Tacos are one of the most versatile foods out there. They can be customized in almost any way you can imagine. Between the hard or soft shell, chicken, beef, or pork, the fresh vegetables and salsa and the many other toppings, you can't really go wrong with tacos. They're a true staple of Mexican cuisine. One thing that I found interesting about Trevor Noah's first experience with tacos is how foreign it seemed to him. Everything from the food, to the "napkins" was totally new to him, and I feel this really highlights how he's still dealing with social barriers today. He grew up very isolated from the rest of the world, and parts of that isolation are shown through his experience with tacos, being hesitant to try new things and being cynical with things he's not familiar with. So far, I don't really find myself relating to Trevor Noah's story. The closest connection we have is the important role of religion in our families. With Trevor Noah's experience, all I can do is look forward to reading a fresh perspective. So far, I realize how lucky I had it growing up in Europe and the U.S.

Deep Dive- Why Should Anyone Care?

PART ONE

1. Pollan’s essay is as much about the problem of problem-solving as it is a proposal for dealing with climate change. What do we do with the feeling that as individuals there is little we can do to influence really big issues such as homelessness, hunger, war, or climate change? Who wants to be just a drop in the bucket? Explore this dilemma by having a conversation in writing with an imaginary companion on a big issue you care about. First explain in writing what problem you think needs to be solved and why. (You might want to write about your potential research topic, if you want.) And then respond to your companion’s first question: You don’t think you could ever really do anything about it, do you? Carry on the conversation with your skeptical companion as long as you can.

Problem: The effect of the mental health crisis on Minnesota students' academic performance.

    In the recent years, I've noticed that overall academic performance from my peers has gone down greatly. What I've also noticed is a spike in severe mental health cases. There has to be a correlation, because mental health issues can seriously affect our ability to focus, retain information, and perform well academically. If we don't do anything about this, we'll continue to see this downward loop.

- You don't think you could ever really do anything about it, could you?

    I can see why some may think that. We're dealing with a very pressing issue, but even the smallest actions can make a difference. For example, simply raising awareness about the issue can lead to more support for mental health resources and facilities in schools.

- How can awareness really change anything?

Awareness is the first step towards change. If more people can understand the detrimental effects that mental health could have on student performance, then they can advocate for better policies and more funding towards mental health programs.

-How can you ensure that raising awareness will actually lead to change?

I mean, it's less about raising awareness and more about pushing for action. Being able to discuss these issues can lead us to take steps in the right direction.

- What if nobody cares enough to do anything?

That's pretty much almost a guarantee. Even if people don't care, it's still worth it to at least teach them how to help. If we give them the means, it can at least motivate them to take some sort of action.

2. Test your understanding of Pollan’s argument. After reading “Why Bother?” Compose a fast paragraph that summarizes how Pollan answers his own question: Why bother? What is the core reason and what are other compelling reasons?

     Pollen answers his own question by emphasizing that individua action is what leads to change and not waiting for someone else to do it for you. Personal responsibility is what leads to larger shifts in society. Another argument made is in regard to the practice of living more sustainable.

3. Use both the “believing game” and “doubting game” to evaluate this claim from Wendell Berry and from Pollan: “the deep problem standing behind all of the other problems of industrial civilization is ‘specialization,’…the disease of the modern character." What will help us become healthier as a society?

    Our focus is too narrow. We only focus on our areas of expertise and fail to really look at the bigger picture. On the other hand, we have to question whether specialization the sole reason we're failing as a society, as it can bring about some pretty great advancements and achievements. If we want to become a better society, then we have to find balance. We can foster collaboration and use what we know to advance ours and others' knowledge.

4. Take a look at the Persuasive Research Proposal Assignment. What can we learn from Pollan's essay about our own upcoming assignment? (Note that there is no first person allowed in our essay, which must be fully objective.) Will you make sure to clearly define the problem and provide essential details about how your solution will address the problem you are writing about?

The biggest thing I can take away from Pollan's writing is engaging, yet informative style. He provides a strong call to action and is able to back up a lot of points. I fully understand now that it's important for me to be clear with my info and only provide essential details.

PART TWO

Write a proposal—just around a page--to help resolve a problem that you care about. State how the problem impacts the reader and why the reader should care. Then, describe the solution and how it will make the world a better place. Make sure your proposal does the following: 

• Addresses a problem that is of consequence and of a manageable scale, including the problem’s causes and effects.
• Provides evidence for the seriousness of the problem and for ways to solve it, justifying these solutions over alternatives. You can draw on your own experience but try to find one source that helps a reader understand the issue.
• Is appropriate in both form and content to your purpose and audience.
• Includes one graphic .

THE PROBLEM

Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress are becoming increasingly present in Minnesota students. According to the Minnesota Department of health, in 2022 alone, 29% of students reported long term mental health issues compared to just 23% in 2019. It may seem like a small number, but with the over 425,000 students enrolled in public school each year, about 123,250 of them are experiencing some sort of mental health problem.

 Seeing as these problems have the ability to impair one's ability to learn, there's good reason to believe that mental health is strongly correlated with the drop in Minnesota's education ranking. This can be solved with one simple solution and that's introducing comprehensive mental health programs into our schools. Reasearch by the National Association of School Psychologists has found that students who receive mental health support are way more likely to achieve higher grades and show better attendance records. A focus on mental health can also create a more connected school environment.

A New Mount Rushmore

 When prompted to create a new Mount Rushmore, I immediately knew what five faces I'd use:

1. Dwayne Johnson: He really is the voice of a generation. His rise from humble beginnings to a successful athletic and acting career is inspiring. He embodies the growth and resilience that our nation needs.

2. Steve Irwin: His legacy still serves to inspire the people of today. We can learn a thing or two from his passion for wildlife conservation and dedication to educating the world. Him and his approach to environmentalism is something that needs to be memorialized.

3. Ryan Reynolds: His charming humor and philanthropic efforts stand the test of time and will continue to if he's immortalized. His actions serve to connect people, and I think that's worthy of a spot on my ideal Mount Rushmore.

4. Harrison Ford: If there's one thing that really represents the US, it's Hollywood. When I think movies, I think of Harrison Ford. His career has spanned decades, and he's left a ginormous mark on the film industry. From a pop culture perspective, he represents the evolution of film and that's something that should be recognized.

5. Chadwick Boseman: He's a cultural icon. His portrayal of characters- both fictional and non-fictional- inspired a lot of young black Americans, and that's something we need to recognize in times like this.

OLD v. NEW: What's the difference?

The original Mount Rushmore's main focus is on political leaders whereas my new one includes a wide array of entertainers, athletes, and activists. I think this really emphasizes how much our values have changed as a society, especially in regard to our values. I haven't gotten the chance to look at my peers' concepts yet, but I' sure that if I did, a decent majority of them would feature a much greater representation of race and global influence like mine. I feel like this really highlights the shift to modern values like inclusivity and multiculturalism, as opposed to the politically centered ideas of 100+ years ago. At the end of the day, however, both mountains feature a strong set of figures who have had a profound impact on our country and whose lives and ideas deserve to live on in some way, shape, or form. That's what should be learned from the idea of "Mount Rushmore".

Deep dive on The Coming of John

PART ONE

 •     What is the danger of a single story according to Chimamande Adichie?

According to Chimamande Adiche, the danger of is single story is that it talks about one very general narrative/perspective which often leads to conclusions that aren't entierly accurate (stereotypes)

•    Discuss how what she calls “nkali” is part of the danger. What is the truth and problem of stereotypes in her words?

In Adichie's words, nkali is a noun that loosely translates to "to be greater than another." The basic principle of it is that stories are defined how they're told, who tells them, when they're told, or how many stories are told. Stories are dependent on power, and one slightly altered story told by the right person can lead towards the creation of certain stereotypes. The truth and problem of stereotypes and a single story is that "it robs people of dignity. It makes our recognition of equal humanity difficult."

•    What’s the most important idea you’ll take with you from this talk?

When learning about someone, it's important to collect a balance of stories. A story that covers only one perspective isn't terribly reliable and can lead you to make rather harsh assumptions.

PART TWO:

Read “Of the Coming of John” by W.E.B. DuBois in your class textbook, The Creative Composer. “Of the Coming of John” comes from W.E.B. DuBois’s seminal work, The Souls of Black Folks, originally published in 1903. The story is set during the era of Jim Crow in the South and features two main characters, one white (John Henderson) and one black (John Jones).
•    Compare and contrast the two lives featured in the short story.

Despite sharing a first name, the two main characters' lives are very different, especially in regards to education. John Henderson is given the opportunity to enjoy all the doors that are opened for him because of his race and social status. John Jones, on the other hand, is a black man that experiences quite a bit of trouble and outside doubt in his pursuit of education and teaching others. Even though they used to be playmates, race has become a dividing factor when it comes to both Johns' lives. In the end, John Jones was able to kill John Henderson just as easily as John Henderson was able to have John Jones thrown out of the concert hall.

•    Why do you think W.E.B. DuBois chose to write this as a fictional story rather than drawing upon a real life example?

Fiction gives you more creative liberties. It allowed DuBois to create a sharper contrast and really highlight the broader issue that he wanted his story to cover. Fiction also allows you to take a collection of real stories and mix them together to create something more meaningful.

•    Discuss the role of education in the life John Jones particularly. How does his education change how he sees his society and how he sees himself? Do you think that education, beyond preparing a student for a future career, can also change a person?

After becoming more aware of racial oppression, John Jones becomes rather bitter and more isolated from his community back home. He told his community of his social projects, but started a bit of a frenzy. Eventually, when asked by Jennie if everyone who studies ends up unhappy, John replies that they do. I think that education can really change an individual. It has the potential to really make or break your ability to make smarter choices, depending on what you take with you. The lessons you learn can really influence your broader outlook on the world and play a key role in the making of important decisions.

•    On a personal level, what connection do you draw between Chimamanda Achidie’s Ted Talk and the story told here?

The one big connection I can draw between the TED Talk and "Of the Coming of John" is the power of a single story. The clearest example of this is in the killing of white John. John Jones killed John Henderson because Henderson was a threat to Jennie. Jones killed as a means of defense, but the townsfolk most certainly didn't know that (not like they would've cared anyways). John Jones was lynched because people assumed the worst of him, just as they did throughout the story.

•  Consider what has changed in America since over a hundred years have passed since this story’s publication. Find the story of one person of color who was killed unjustly, either by police or by other forces in the community. Using research discover their story and tell us what you find out.

    A lot has changed in the U.S. we've been granted new freedoms, new technologies, and achieved great things. One of our greatest achievements (which is still a work in progress) is the granting of rights to minorities. Today, I'm able to say that I go to a very diverse school. Back then, that would've seemed like crazy talk. The thought of being able to mingle with other races seemed unthinkable back then because of how divided we were. Unfortunately, that division would result in some fairly heinous acts. 

    Medgar Evers was civil rights activist based in Mississippi. He worked as the state's field secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP). When it came to pushing for civil rights, he was a very hard-working individual. On the night of June 12th 1963, he was returning home from a meeting with NAACP lawyers. As he got out of his car, he was sniped in the back by the white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith. Evers, mortally wounded, staggered a few feet before collapsing in front of his home, where he'd eventually be found by his wife and kids. He'd go on to die in the hospital from his injuries. Evers' assassination shocked the nation and was a turning point for the civil rights movement. His assassin was arrested and put on trial twice in 1964, but wouldn't be properly convicted until 1994.

Week Six: Is My Smartphone Hurting Me?

              Jean Twenge and Sarah Cavanagh have very conflicting views when it comes to smartphones and their effects on the youth. Twenge's primary argument is that smartphones have had a profound impact on the mental and social behaviors of teens. According to Twenge, cellphones have left the teens of today "psychologically...more vulnerable than Millennials were: Rates of teen depression and suicide have skyrocketed." Twenge's data supposedly shows increased rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness among teens who spend a lot of time on their their phones. She also highlights how smartphones have changed the way that teens interact. In today's digital world, we see less in-person communication. This emphasis on online interaction is what Twenge believes to be isolating and harmful, tying back to the whole mental health aspect. 

             Despite the solid evidence, Sarah Cavanagh argues that a lot of Twenge's information is cherry-picked and that the correlation between cellphone use and mental health runs a tad deeper. Cavanagh argues that while there are quite a few cons to smartphone use, there are just as many pros, such as the ability for teens to interact and with others across the globe on shared interests. This gives them a sense of community and helps them "feel embedded in a social network filled with meaning. This idea Cavanagh puts forth highly contradicts Twenge's, which makes it hard to pick a side.

            Taking my own experience into consideration: I find myself falling somewhere in between the two arguments. I understand the addictive, mentally draining nature of the smartphone, but it's hard to imagine where we’d be without them. I met some of my best friends and made a lot of self-discoveries through my electronics. For me, my phone has been a way for me to explore the larger world from the comfort of my bedroom. I rely so heavily on the freedoms granted to me by my devices, that my phone's become an extension of me. Lately, it feels like the well-being of my iPhone has mattered more to me than almost anything else. I feel an unnecessary amount of emotion towards some stupid, miniature electric box and I hate myself for it. If I had to ditch my phone for the day, I don't know if I could. Screentime is like a drug, and I have to take action before I become too far gone. When it comes to phone usage, the one conclusion I can draw is: use smart phones- not too much- for the right reasons. It's so simple, yet I've been doing a sinful amount of doomscrolling lately. Phones are a tool and a privilege, yet we take that for granted.

Week Five, Discussion Board Four

THINGS I WANT

I want…

- An acoustic drumset

- A new piano

- To get 8 hours of sleep or more every night

- A more scientifically inclined mind

- A bigger home library

- Easier access to necessities 

- Fingers that aren’t heavily damaged and scarred

THE JURY IS STILL OUT

- Is [redacted] actually into me?

- Is the sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S actually funny?

- Is my sister a good cook?

- Is Netflix really the best streaming service?

- Am I actually a decent musician?

- As a teenager, is finding a job really worth it in these times?

- The Spanish I’m learning in class— is it proper?

- Was Deadpool and Wolverine really as good as people said it was?

MY MEDIA AND MY OBSESSIONS

- Star Wars

- Minecraft

- YouTube

- Instagram

- TikTok

- Europe (band)

- Snapchat

- Call of Duty

- Rainbow Six Siege 

- Buddy Rich

- Nirvana

- Guns N’ Roses

THINGS THAT BOTHER ME

- Big-name social media influencers.

- The so-called “popular kids” at my school

- TikTok as a whole

- Overly nit picky people who don’t offer anything constructive

- People who refuse to take accountability

- Love stories/movies/tv shows

- People who take pleasure in hurting others (both physically and mentally)

- Kids at my school who vape in the bathroom stalls and keep out anyone who actually needs them.

-People who can’t go more than five minutes without going on their phone

- People who blame their “OCD” when in reality they’re just someone who likes things to be orderly.

-When kids who are extremely ill come to school and get everyone else sick

-When I email my high school dean and wait a whole month before getting a response (it’s like talking to a brick wall)

        If you really think about it, big name social media influencers are a lot like fast food chains. Both are incredibly popular and have a fairly large following, but they lack real depth. Like fast food, influencers offer quick, easily digestible content that catches the eyes of the masses- especially kids. They promote a lifestyle that, on the surface, seems fancy and exciting, but on a much deeper level, is superficial and ultimately poisons the mind. Your brain gets filled with utter garbage and you start believing that other people know what’s best for you. In times like these, that can be very mentally taxing. It also doesn’t help that the constant streams of advertisements and brand deals make you forget what it’s like to be exposed to genuine material.

    On the other hand, while everyone else seems to adore these influencers and internet celebrities, I find myself craving meaningful interaction. Just as a home cooked meal brings me comfort and satisfaction, I prefer authentic content that provides real value and perspective. Creators who share their true selves— their struggles, their imperfections— are more relatable and inspiring. That’s not something you see with e-celebrities who, like the fast food industry, only show the good parts of whatever it is they’re trying to sell. In the end, they fail to realize that food doesn’t have to look good to taste good.

WEEK FOUR, DISCUSSION BOARD FOUR

 Conan Doyle gained fame by creating the world's foremost fictional detective in Sherlock Holmes, but what in what ways did he fail to do good detective work himself when it came to the Case of the Cottingham Fairies?             

Doyle’s first mistake was taking the word of two teenage girls, believing that two young women of their class couldn’t possibly pull off such a complicated hoax. Doyle also made an error by sending Edward Gardner, an avid believer in fairies, to investigate. Not once did anyone consider potential bias in the investigation. Gardner and Doyle both made a grave error in their judgement of Elsie Wright.  They didn’t stop to consider the fact that an artistic young girl with the facilities to make realistic fairy cutouts and take fake pictures with an accomplice could do so. Gardner and Doyle were so caught up in their investigation that they couldn’t realize some major red flags. Not very Sherlock Holmes-like.

Conan Doyle had lost both his son and brother in World War I. Deep in grief, he found himself in spiritualism, the occult, and beliefs in fairies. In the next essay, "The Devil Baby of Hull House," hundreds of people, particularly women and mothers, come to visit Hull House (a settlement home for immigrant families) intent on seeing a devil baby that does not in fact exist. What does author Jane Addams discover that many of these women share in common? She listens to the stories of these women, fascinated. Share one of those stories that she uncovers by paraphrasing it here. When you consider Conan Doyle and the stories of these women who come to Hull House, what are some observations you have about why people might be drawn in to believing in things that don't exist? Try to draw connections between the essays.

Author Jane Addams discovers that the one thing the women share in common was the fact that they’d all been faced with disaster and death. They can’t expect anything more from life. They’ve already been through the unimaginable, so at this rate, anything seem’s believable to them. The one story that stuck out to me was the one where two kids out of fourteen made it to adulthood, and they both killed because of the same explosion. This story reminded me a lot of Conan Doyle’s, and how he lost his son and brother to the same war. I feel like as a result of horrifying experiences like these, people tend to form very overactive imaginations as a way of coping with the struggles of the real world. People the three women, or Doyle chase the imaginary, because it frees their minds from the confines of trauma.

"There is nothing scientifically impossible, so far as I can see, in some people seeing things that are invisible to others," Conan Doyle wrote. He conceded that, "Victorian science would have left the world hard and clean and bare, like a landscape in the moon" (qtd. in Losure 92-93). More than a hundred years later in what ways do you agree with Doyle? Is there a particular mystery that you think is beyond science?

I agree with Doyle in the sense that a lot of things the we think to be scientifically impossible are in fact quite the opposite. Science is based on perspective, and not everybody can see or understand the same things. Sometimes, a fresh point of view is all it takes to solve life’s greatest mysteries. One particular mystery that I think is beyond science is the whole idea of the Big Bang. It seems like we have it all figured out, but the fact that there was a whole lot of “nothingness” before our universe just seems beyond human comprehension. I mean, something had to cause the Big Bang, right?                                    

In a long paragraph, create a mystery for a reader of your blog. Choose one world mystery or urban legend or cryptid (often called cryptozoology) such as Bigfoot, chupacabras, ghosts, the Lochness monster, the Jersey Devil, the kraken, mermaids, Mothman, selkies, the Thunderbird, etc.—or any other creature you can think of. Or choose a psychic phenomenon such as telepathy or telekinesis. Using research, explore what evidence exists out there that might or might not prove the existence of such a being? Quote from at least one of your articles. What do you believe after your search? 

Discussion

             All throughout North America, both skeptics and believers have been asking the same question for years now: is there a Bigfoot? Since their first documentation in 1811 by David Thompson, the idea of Sasquatches has gripped the world. For decades, people have reported seeing these large, hairy, almost ape-like creatures. Alleged footprints, hair samples, and blurry photographs and videos have all been put forth as evidence, but with so little being known about Sasquatches, it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake. Most researchers claim that the samples presented to them display anatomical features that aren’t notable on any other creatures. It’s worth noting that evidence can be faked, and this has been the basis of many skeptics arguments. Because of this, the notorious Patterson-Gilman film (1967) remains one of, if not the most debated Bigfoot videos of all time. The grainy video quality makes it so difficult to tell whether or not we’re looking at Bigfoot, or some funny guy in a fur suit, which is why the grounds around the film are so hot, even to this day. Regardless, the film sparked a Bigfoot craze throughout the U.S. As sightings continued to skyrocket, so did skepticisms. Every account of Bigfoot was based on human memory, and we all know how unreliable memory can be. “In crime cases…witnesses can be influenced by their emotions and miss or distort important details. In the same vein, people also often overestimate their ability to remember things. When it comes to…Bigfoot, the human brain is capable of making up explanations for events it can’t immediately interpret”(https://www/livescience.com/24598-bigfoot.html). It is for that reason why I hold a firm belief that Bigfoot, as well as other cryptids don’t exist. When people are relaying accounts of certain unexplainable things they’ve face, they exaggerate details and go overboard with their explanations. The impact that Bigfoot had on American culture made it so easy to lie, because people wanted to believe that there was a giant-footed creature out there waiting to be seen.