Self-Assessment

Blogging has never really been a huge passion of mine. For many years now I have lived around peers who have dedicated a huge part of their lives to blogging and others who held just as little interest as me. My initial impression of blogging was that it was just a bunch of people with no lives writing their opinions about subjects that really don't even matter all too much. I never quite understood the impact that blogging can have on certain aspects of our world. Until recently, when I began to blog in Mrs. Diaz's class, my general understanding and opinion of blogging began to change. I soon, realized that blogging held a type of individuality for people to be able to express their opinions in ways that otherwise would have been criticized if said verbally. For people who are too shy or timid to display their opinions, blogging becomes somewhat of a voice for people. For me, I am not too passionate about writing so blogging might not be for me. However, since our class has been assigned to blog, I have a much higher level of respect to this internet phenomenon.
As stated before, writing is not one of my passions and probably never will be. Im more of a science and mathematic based individual so english is not one of my strong points. However, even though my writing may not be on the level of a critically acclaimed author, I sometimes feel lost in my work when I am assigned to write essays in class. When I am asked to write about a subject that I can relate well to, I feel a type of connection in my writing to where the whole world around me disappears and all my attention is on the paper in front of me. In my lifetime, i have received a few A's, many B's , and a few C's and D's when it has come to essay writing. However, even though other people may believe my writing skills aren't up to par, I am proud of everything I have ever wrote.

Convocation

This years convocation at Howard University was nothing less than a very entertaining and mind-blowing presentation. During this years speech, we had the honor of listening to world renounced surgeon Benjamin Carson. Dr. Carson has been known to perform extraordinary work with various surgery procedures and his over 60 degrees proves it all. One of his greatest accomplishments has been the successful separation of conjoined twins. Throughout the course of his speech, Dr. Carson spoke to the crowd, of over 1500 people, about the various procedures he has performed and the knowledge he gained from each experience. Hearing about how he separated two twins, conjoined at the head, was by far my favorite story that he told. It was almost like you were there with him performing the story and you couldn't help but sense a feeling of satisfaction and excitement to hear that the twins survived and are alive and kicking to this very day. I personally am not a huge fan of public specking because usually the speech becomes lengthy and boring halfway through the presentation. However, when Dr. Carson spoke, he was able to hold my complete attention the entire time. Not once did i ever have to start playing with my phone or talk to the people around me to keep be entertained. Dr. Carson, in my opinion, is a great man that can serve as the perfect role model for any African American. His accomplishments and his experiences are ones that almost anyone should strive to achieve. After being at convocation, I gained a new appreciation for a man i had never even heard of and I am most definitely going to be at the next one.


http://www.howard.edu/newsroom/releases/2010/100924convocation.htm

BMW Fallout

Because of issues with leaks that may develop in power breaking systems, the BMW company of North America has recently decided to recall nearly 200,000 of their released vehicles. Many of the vehicles that are being taken back include: 5,6, and 7 series powered by V8 and V12 engines. The German automaker of these vehicles stated that the leakage that may occur with these vehicles could possibly lead to vacuum loss and even reduction of power breaking. Lucky, no accidents or injuries have been recorded so far. In order for safety issues to be fulfilled, BMW has prepared to distribute replacement parts throughout North America and the company has also chosen to send letters through the mail to any BMW owners who may be affected by this issue. Many people have been asked to make appointments with their dealers just to be safe. With BMW's being known as some of the top of the line cars in a America, issues as such make most people wonder why this car is so highly acknowledged. When one thinks of a BMW, usually the words high-class and luxury come to mind; however, when the company has to recall a vast majority of cars it makes people worry. What other problems do these cars have that BMW has not yet discovered? Though most people may say that this is just a minor glitch and BMW is still a great car to own, one cannot help but stay aware for any future issues.

The end of the NFL?

          NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, during his yearly visit to seven NFL training camps this year, was rumored to have upset many NFl players during locker room meetings with him. It is rumored that Goodell had discussed a potential lockout during the season next spring. After hearing this, the players broke out in anger and concern towards what this met their future could entail; Scott Fujita of the Cleveland Browns was one of the most upset quoting, "What do the owners want? What's it going to take to get a deal done?" The concern of these players is only getting worse as rumor spreads from team to team. This battle between owners and commissioner can only lead to trouble as this may become the leagues first halt since 1987. With money being the main issue, who knows when such a disagreement could be settled? How will the millions of NFl fans react to the absence of the one thing they look forward to each year? What will happen to the players salaries? Only time will tell what is to become to Americas favorite sport. The absence of football next spring could lead to nationwide chaos and protest that has the potential into turning into something much worse. At this point the men involved in this controversy need to come to a standing agreement soon before a simple spread rumor could lead to a nationwide scare; which no one wants.


Article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4887844

A More Perfect Union

  “A nation is more than the sum of its parts,” Barack Obama. In his speech, A More Perfect Union, Barack Obama exerts to the country his opinion about the issue of race relations in the United States; and how both slavery and racism once, and still exist in the country today. As African Americans in this country, our significance plays a huge part in the betterment of this country and we need to work together to fight off all negative stereotypes. Obama implies that even though the majority of people in this country come from various regions of the globe, “we all want to move in the same direction-towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren;” he makes clear that during his reign as president, he promises to the American people that unity is his main goal for progress in this country. In an effort to further Obama’s goal, we as African Americans should to strive to fight off and redirect any sort of negative connotations brought forth by anyone with the mindset that any race in superior to another. Obama mentioned that his candidacy took a turn for the worst when his pastor, Reverend Wright, had said some racial slurs to the press causing a huge uprising among the American people. Though Wright comments were inexcusable, Obama stood right by his pastors side saying that his pastor was “irrevocably bound” to the past and such allegations from him are only more reasons as to why this country needs a change and has yet to be perfected. Setbacks, like the one of Reverend Wright, should only be though of as further reason to fight and make a change towards what is right. Racism today is simply a wicked thought process of those who have yet to see the true beauty in a nation united by many different races. Us as Americans need to take a stand and join Obama’s efforts to help unite this torn country of ours. As Americans, i feel like we need to become more accepting and a lot less judgmental towards people who aren't like us. In Continuation, we also need to stop allowing our kids to grow up in a very racists household. If set-backs like these are broken, a better and less controversial America is promised for our future.