Giving Back and Self-Satisfaction: Two Purposes of Education

Giving Back and Self-Satisfaction: Two Purposes of Education

                “Honey Boo Boo Child,” Aka Alana Thompson, a 7 year old girl who stars on a reality show on TLC, “The Learning Channel, a place for learning minds,” often illicit heated controversies, not only about the child but TLC as well.  Producing shows like Here Comes Honey Boo Boo can be some what contradicting when it is associated with an educational theme as “a place for learning minds.”  For example, Quadnews.net wrote an article and mentioned the Thompson family, “The Thompsons represent the worst kind of Americans: they are overweight, slovenly, poor, and uneducated”. The word uneducated hit like bricks because TLC is a “learning channel.”  What do people learn from Honey Boo Boo?  Audiences are not learning what they should.  Here Comes Honey Boo Boo does not serve any educational purpose or enhance intellectual development, rather it is for entertainment.  The audience should be challenged by "The Learning Channel” in critical thinking, building intellectual skills, donating, volunteering, or simply standing up for what one believes in, or things that would encourage the making of a good citizen.  Thus, shows such as this do not contribute to the making of a good citizen. If one is dedicated (TLC) to educating minds, then building a strong solid reputation should reflect the image which is portrayed in both public and personal purposes.

                In other words, TLC ought to consider offering viewers more shows that would support intellectual growth, and encourage individuals to obtain education roots.  Since TLC can reach a large number of people, perhaps more light could be shed on the purpose of education thus, encouraging others to focus more on education rather than entertainment.  One thing for all to concentrate on is both the public and personal purpose that education offers.  Therefore, this essay will discuss the purpose of both public and personal education: How a good education creates good citizens, and also how each individual will find resources within arms reach to gain knowledge and the reward of self-satisfaction which follows.  Both public and personal education serves a great purpose.  Whatever our society has to offer, or each individual strives for, all must comprehend that both public and personal education have a distinct purpose to what it aims, and both are honorable. 

Making of a Good Citizen

                One public purpose of education is the making of a good citizen.  In other words, public education promotes citizens to give back to their community, taking what was learned and applying it by offering fresh new ideas that will improve society.  Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady of The United States, writes in “Good Citizenship: The Purpose of Education” that public education pushes an individual to think outside the box and to be more attentive in every area.  Whatever subject is being taught, all subjects are unique and necessary for the functioning world around us which, contributes to the making of a good citizen.  Roosevelt states, “Learning to be a good citizen is learning to live to the maximum of one’s abilities and opportunities, and every subject should be taught every child with this in view.”  Not all teach the same, learn the same, understand the same, or see the same; however, as Mrs. Roosevelt suggested, public education can help the making of a good citizen.  The process of learning can tend to be coarse because it challenges our intellect, but the results are rewarding.  A good citizen, because of a good public education, will be an asset to the ever present society in which one resides.

                Another example of the making of a good citizen is volunteer work, blood donations, voting, and participation.  The College Board, an organization that promotes “excellence and equity in education,” supports the idea of the making of a good citizen in their article “The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society.” The College Board’s main purpose of the article is to give statistics which, point out that intellectual minds have a higher rate in giving back.  In the article, they share a report of “societal benefits” which includes: “Higher levels of education are correlated with higher levels of civic participation, including volunteer work, voting, and blood donation.”  The report shows that a non high school graduate’s volunteer rate is 9.9 percent, a high school graduate is 21.7 percent, some college education is 34.1 percent, and a bachelor’s degree or higher has a 45.6 percent volunteer rate.  With the information provided by The College Board, evidence shows that public education influences individuals to give back to their community through civic participation and volunteerism.  Thus, public education proves that it offers society many great advantages in the making of a good citizen, where growth of the intellectual mind gives back.

Using Resources and Self Rewarding Satisfaction

                The second purpose of education is the personal cause, in which the reward is self-satisfaction.  One relies not on public affairs to find resources to enrich their knowledge but searches for it by what is in arms reach.  The concept of personal education catches my attention for the mere fact that one works harder for a hunger to learn because of independence; it is a deep hunger inside that craves satisfaction for a personal purpose which, causes one to desperately seek until questions are answered and knowledge gained.  A good example is in Frederick Douglass’ “How I Learned to Read and Write.”  Douglass takes the reader through a heart wrenching journey of his life as a young African American slave; he encounters people who wanted nothing more than to see his failure in reading and writing.  Though he faced adversity, he learned how to work through it for his advantage and used every resource in arms reach, and he grasped that education had it own rewards.  Douglass states, “The plan which I adopted, and the one by which I was most successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom I met in the street.  As many of these as I could, I converted into teachers.”  His personal education was attained because he hungered for more; the disadvantages that surrounded him only empowered his motivation.  The hunger to learn is so fine when the personal purpose of education is found to be complete within one’s life; it is rewarding and brings self-satisfaction. Learning to adapt and use what is available is the key.  The personal purpose of education, more than anything, is self rewarding knowing that you overcame all obstacles and gained life long knowledge. Personal education is intriguing, unique in its own beauty, which the reward is self-satisfaction.

                Another example of personal education is given by Olivia Castellano in her article “Canto, Locura, y Poesia”.  She faced opposition from teachers because of words that cut, like when her teachers said, “But how did you get to be so smart? You are a Mexican, aren’t you?”  In spite of the negativity that surrounded Castellano, she did not allow their words to infect her desire to learn.  Instead, recognizing how to defeat negative talk, Olivia took that unfortunate experience and used it as motivation to pursue her hungry for knowledge even more. She too grasped that personal education is rewarding.  Later in life, she became very successful; her personal purpose motivated her to not give up and was rewarding.  Even though Castellano writes about 100 years later than Frederick Douglass, it is interesting to see how both of them encountered adversity differently yet in a strange way, it is all still the same.  There will always be some type of fight or struggle with obstacles that surround everyone, but all are to utilize those mishaps in finding resources to gain every advantage; there is self-satisfaction in personal education and it is rewarding.

Conclusion

                Lastly, my personal purpose of education takes me from past fears to the hope of making an impact to every available opportunity possible.  I seek the benefits that education reaps; of one being self-satisfied, and the rewards that follow.  There is a higher assurance than I, which has persuaded me to use resources within my arms reach in becoming a better me.  Like Castellano or Douglass, at a certain point in life, everyone will come up against a menacing situation to which all can some what relate.  One of my personal experiences of a mishaps happened in the eighth grade.  Like all children, I liked to talk, not excusing my actions however; a teacher came up to me with a very angered look, kicked the chair I was sitting on and said, “Darlann, you’ll never amount to anything,” with his finger pointing in my face.  Something about that moment was damaging.  I found his words on repeat in my head.  Years later, even as an adult, these words became a crutch for all my failures.  Learning to put that fire out seemed too restless, but not hopeless.  As I fight my way through circumstances, I understand in the end that all of it will be worth it.  Knowing that I worked hard on my own, to prove to myself, that I did amount to something, and do have something to offer others is a reward within itself.  My personal purpose of education I hold seriously and close to my heart.  I love the thought that I, yes I, used every resource within my reach to work towards achieving a goal and am persuaded to give my best, knowing that the out come will bring me a reward that I can be proud of:  Self-satisfaction, my personal purpose of education.

Works Cited

Baum, Sandy and Kathlenn Payea. "Education Pays." College Board. N.p., 2005. Web. 2 May 2013.

Castellano, Olivia. "Canto, Locura, Y Poesia." Class Lecture. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2013.

Douglass, Frederick. "How I Learned To Read and Write." Teachers Sites. School World, n.d. Web. 2 May 2013.

Golden, Noah. "Honey Boo Boo May Be Good Reality TV." The Quad News. N.p., 22 Oct. 2012. Web. 02 May 2013.

Roosevelt, Eleanor. "Good Citizenship: The Purpose of Education." The Eleanor Roosvelt Article. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2013.

The Infectious Consumer Virus: Cultural Myths in Advertising

The Infectious Consumer Virus: Cultural Myths in Advertising

            Advertisements have flooded the society and have left damaging results. We are told that the human body is not good enough or that happiness comes from expensive purchases. After this rubbish is filtered into the thought process, we begin to question ourselves. Persuaded constantly by advertising companies, which prey on the weakness of individuals, the vulnerable ones become, infected with these cultural myth virus that turns them into crazed consumer zombies. In the article “Power of Images,” J. Francis Davis discusses expensive purchasing, “We can purchase a little of it vicariously, if we can’t have it all, by drinking fancy liquors or by driving a car that’s out of our price range and financing it over 10 years”(Davis). In other words, expensive purchasing, even if one goes into debt, brings “happiness” because the false hope advertisement offers. 

            So why not become like a zombie, become numb to the truth, and substitute natural feelings for artificial feelings? Jean Kilbourne comments in “Jesus is a Brand of Jeans,” on advertising and the message that is given to consumers: “They cannot possibly escape the message that their bodies are objects, and imperfect objects at that” (Kilbourne 2). The idea sold by advertisements compares the natural to the unnatural; it suggests that the natural cannot compare to what is unnatural. These cultural myth viruses are welcomed by the society without realizing that they carry an infectious virus. Therefore, considering the importance, this paper will discuss two infectious cultural myth viruses: expensive purchasing brings happiness and the human body not being good enough. These cultural myth viruses are birthed by advertisements such as Jeep and their legendary vehicle and the sundresses of Zappos.com. 

Cultural Myth of Expensive Purchasing                                                                                                                                              Advertisements are a cultural myth virus that spread infectious subliminal messages to the minds of its audience, causing the victim to believe that “expensive purchasing” brings happiness. The subliminal message that is given to the reader is received through visual images that would stimulate purchasing decision based on personal desires. An example of this infectious advertisement virus is perfectly displayed through an ad found in US Weekly magazine. When consumers open the magazine, the first couple of pages are blasted with advertisements from the vehicle maker, Jeep.  On the left side of the ad sits a beautiful deep red Jeep on the street at night, and above it reads, “The bold, new look of American style.  The new 2011 Jeep Compass genetically engineered to be legendary.” On the right hand side continues the dark street on which the vehicle sits with city lights a blur from a distance.  In the lower right hand corner of the page is a brunette looking down with her lips puckered, wearing a deep red hooded jacket over her head as to suggest she is Little Red Riding Hood.
             This Jeep ad is an infectious virus, taking one’s safety and implying that this legendary, expensive Jeep Compass can bring happiness and keep one from being lost. It plants a subliminal message that one could be in harm if lost, so why not stay happy being found in the luxury of this high priced vehicle, after all it is the Jeep that will keep you safe and happy. In fact the advertisement is so large, screaming for attention, that it takes up two full pages. Clearly, by taking up two pages, the objective is to capture the reader with uninterrupted distraction from any other advertiser. Jeep, knowledgeable of this, wants to infect viewers with the virus of expense through images to which everyone can relate, hoping that the reader becomes another helpless crazed consumer dedicated to them for life. Davis’ article states, “Images work best at this task when they are vivid and emotionally saturated.” Thus, companies such as Jeep are successful via advertisements that create cultural myths to lure in victims. These cultural myths are highly contagious with a virus that comes with expense for those who have become infected; side effects include unnatural counterfeit happiness. Is there a cure for this infectious cultural myth virus? Of course there is: the vaccine of “awareness and common sense.” Happiness is not found in expensive purchasing, rather in the natural things which bring joy and love. With that said, the virus of expense is one of the many cultural myth viruses to be cautious of.   

Cultural Myth: One’s Body is Not Good Enough                                                                              

            Sadly to say, one more cultural myth has swooped in and infected the society with a different kind of virus that needs to be exposed. This virus, created by advertisement companies, was designed to make its prey believe that “one’s body is not good enough.” This infectious virus contaminates vision, and the brain starts to have illusions. However, as seen in an ad by Zappos.com, they can show how to fix any imperfect body issues. Their advertisement is neatly set in the center of the page. In bold blue letters against a white background reads, “Sundresses: Cheaper than plastic surgery-Just as effective at-Turning heads.” Under these words are three different types of sundresses. The sundresses have a full shape as though they are worn by invisible women with perfect bodies. Here, Zappos.com has come up with a remedy which can help make a perfect body, since the human body is not good enough. Once again, another nasty infectious cultural myth virus, such as this one, would like to clam consumers for life as well. It is hard to get away from the world of advertisements which compares the natural to the unnatural. Fully knowledgeable of the negative influence that these advertisement companies project to it’s readers, by telling them that their bodies are not good enough, wish to effectively gain finical benefits by causing one to feel their body needs improvement. If advertisement companies can convince individuals to possess physical insecurities, then the viewers will begin to second guess themselves; this is what the virus would have the reader to believe, and to become crazed with wanting to look perfect.  Thus, this virus impairs vision, and now the reader views his/her body at a lesser value. Why is this infectious sickness not stopped? It is simple to see that companies such as Zappos.com care not about the individual’s mental state of being, but only seek selfish gain for their own benefits. 
            This cultural myth needs to be exposed: our bodies are not good enough. Even though advertisement companies would say different, everyone should consider that there is no such thing as a “perfect body” unless it has been altered. Also, individuals should neither be defined by products nor should be compared to the unnatural.  Kilbourne comments, “The consumer culture encourages us not only to buy more but to seek our identity and fulfillment through what we buy, to express our individuality through our choices of product” (Kilbourne 3). There is much truth in this comment. Advertisement companies have all the right words to seduce readers which, cause consumers to flirt with the idea that self identity is found through a product. Flirting with these ridiculous cultural myth viruses will eventually infect individuals to believe ones body is not good enough. Therefore, not only is exposure needed concerning these infectious myths, but a cure needs to be presented to the consumers as well. The cure for this cultural myth virus is self-confidence and understanding that each individual has their own identity, which is important to remember. Nonetheless, to gain enlightenment on cultural myth advertising is compared to receiving a vaccine and being immune from infectious viruses.                                                                                                                                   

Conclusion                                                                                                                                        

            In conclusion, cultural myths in advertising affect everyone at some point. Why do consumers purchase products or become obsessed with them? The influence comes from somewhere. Advertising, whether subliminal or not, plays a big role in the choice of product purchased. Whatever the reason may be for consumers, everyone must consider that products neither define an individual nor can they be compared to the natural state of a human. Furthermore, on a personal level, I step back and look at my own experience with this infectious virus of cultural myth advertising. I smile and softly laugh in disbelief for I found myself also to be a victim, without being aware that I was a carrier of this illness. For example, a Jeep has always caught my attention and constantly being told my body was not good enough became acceptable to me. However, the reality is my cure. I do not need expensive purchases to be happy or convinced that my body is not good enough.  I am happy with the vehicle I drive and with myself. I am virus free.

Work cited

Davis, J. Francis. "Power of Images: Creating the Myths of Our Time." Center for Media   Literacy.

                           N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.

Jeep Compass: Advertisement. Us Weekly. 30 May   2011: 1-2. Print                      

Kilbourne, Jean. "Jesus Is a Brand of Jeans." New Internationalist  N.p., n.d. Web.

                           20 Mar. 2013                                          

Zappos.com: Sundresses. Advertisement. Us Weekly. 30 May 2011: 41. Print

Giving back and self-satisfaction: two purposes of education

Giving back and self-satisfaction: two purposes of education.

                “Honey Boo Boo Child”, aka Alana Thompson, a 7 year old girl that star’s on a reality show on TLC, “The Learning Channel, a place for learning minds”, often illicit heated controversies, not only about the child but TLC as well.  Producing shows like Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, can be some what contradicting when it is associated with an educational theme as “a place for learning minds”.  For example, Quadnews.net wrote an article and mentioned the Thompson family, “The Thompsons represent the worst kind of Americans: they are overweight, slovenly, poor and uneducated”. The word uneducated hit like bricks because TLC is a “learning channel”.  What do people learn from Honey Boo Boo?  Audiences are not learning what they should.  Here Comes Honey Boo Boo does not serve any educational purpose to enhance intellectual development, rather it is for entertainment.  The audience should be challenged by "The Learning Channel” in critical thinking, building intellectual skills, donating, volunteering, or simply standing up for what you believe in, things that would encourage the making of a good citizen.  Thus, shows such as this, do not contribute to the making of a good citizens. If one is dedicated (TLC) towards educating minds, then building a strong solid reputation should reflect the image which is portrayed in both personal and public purposes.

This essay will discuss the purpose of both public and personal education, how a good education creates good citizens, also how each individual will find resources within arms reach to gain knowledge and the reward of self-satisfaction which follows.  Both public and personal education serves a great purpose.  Whatever our society has to offer, or each individual strive for, all must comprehend that both public and personal education have a distinct purpose to what it aims and both are honorable. 

Making of a good citizen

                One public purpose of education is the making of a good citizen.  In other words, public education promotes citizens to give back to their community, taking what was learned and applying it by offering fresh new ideas that will improve society.  Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady of The Untied States, writes in, “Good Citizenship: The Purpose of Education” that, public education pushes an individual to think out side the box and to be more attentive in every area.  Whichever subject is being taught, all subjects are unique and necessary for the functioning world around us.  “Learning to be a good citizen is learning to live to the maximum of one’s abilities and opportunities, and every subject should be taught every child with this in view”.  Not all teach the same, learn the same, understand the same, or see the same; however, as Mrs. Roosevelt suggested, public education can help the making of a good citizen.  The process of learning can tend to be coarse because it challenges our intellect, but the results are rewarding.  A good citizen, because of a good public education, will be an asset to the ever present society in which one resides.

                Another example of the making of a good citizen is volunteer work, blood donations, voting and participation.  The College Board, an organization that promotes “excellence and equity in education”, supports the idea of the making of a good citizen in their article, “The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society”.  In the article, they share a report of “societal benefits” which includes: “Higher levels of education are correlated with higher levels of civic participation, including volunteer work, voting and blood donation.”  Thus, public education proves that it offers society many great advantages in the making of a good citizen, where growth of the intellectual mind gives back. 

Using resources and self rewarding satisfaction

                The second purpose of education is the personal cause, in which the reward is self-satisfaction.  One relies not on public affairs to find resources to enrich their knowledge, but searches for it by what is in arms reach.  The concept of personal education catches my attention for the mere fact that one works harder for a hunger to learn because of independence; it is a deep hunger inside that craves satisfaction for a personal purpose, that drive of hunger which causes one to desperately seek until questions are answers and knowledge gained.  A good example is in Frederick Douglass’, “How I Learned to Read and Write”.  Douglass takes the reader through a heart wrenching journey of his life, as a young African American slave; he encounters people that would want nothing more than to see his failure in reading and writing.  Though he faced adversity, he learned how to work through it for his advantage and used every resource in arms reach, he grasped that education had it own rewards.  Douglass states, “The plan which I adopted, and the one by which I was most successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom I met in the street.  As many of these as I could, I converted into teachers”.  His personal education was attained because he hungered for more; the disadvantages that surrounded him only empowered his motivation.  The hunger to learn is so fine when the personal purpose of education is found to be complete within ones life; it is rewarding and brings self-satisfaction. Learning to adapt and use what is in arms reach is the key.  The personal purpose of education, more than anything, is self rewarding knowing that you overcame all obstacles and gained life long knowledge. Personal education is intriguing, unique in its own beauty, which the reward is self-satisfaction.

                Another example of personal education is given by Olivia Castellano, in her article “Canto, Locura, y Poesia”, she faced opposition from teachers because of words that cut, “but how did you get to be so smart? You are a Mexican, aren’t you?” She did not allow their words to infect her desire to learn. She too grasped that personal education is rewarding.  Later in life, she became very successful; her personal purpose motivated her to not give up and was rewarding.  Even though Castellano writes about 100 years later than Frederick Douglass, it is interesting to see how both of them encountered adversity differently yet in a strange way it is all still the same.  There will always be some type of fight or struggle with obstacles that surround everyone, but all are to utilize those mishaps in finding resources to gain every advantage, there is self-satisfaction in personal education and it is rewarding.

               

Conclusion

Lastly, my personal purpose of education takes me from past fears to the hope of making an impact to every available opportunity possible.  I seek the benefits that education reaps, one being self-satisfaction and the rewards that follow.  There is a higher assurance than I, which has persuaded me to use resources within my arms reach in becoming a better me.  Like Castellano or Douglass, at a certain point in life everyone will come up against a menacing situation to which all can some what relate.  One of my personal experiences of a mishaps happened in the eighth grade.  Like all children, I liked to talk, not excusing my actions however, a teacher came up to me with a very angered look, kicked the chair I was sitting on and said “Darlann you’ll never amount to anything” with his finger pointing in my face.  Something about that moment was damaging.  I found his words on repeat in my head.  Years later, even as an adult, these words became a crutch for all my failures.  Learning to put that fire out seemed too restless, but not hopeless.  As I fight my way through circumstances, I understand in the end that all of it will be worth it!  Knowing that I worked hard on my own, to prove to myself, that I did amount to something, and do have something to offer others is a reward within itself.  My personal purpose of education I hold seriously and close to my heart.  I love the thought that I, yes I, used every resource within my arms reach to work towards achieving a goal, and am persuaded to give my best, knowing that the out come will bring me a reward that I can be proud of:  Self-satisfaction, my personal purpose of education.

My purpose for attending NCTC

I want to pursue a degree in the Criminal Justice field.  I want to understand our laws and the way the system works, so I can serve others in whatever their situation may be.  I am passionate about reaching the needs of others who are clueless of the help provided for them and weighing out their best options.

My career will help other individuals understand guidelines and laws are set for their best interest.  I will be there to assist them in the best possible direction.  My inspiration towards this career is that I have an understanding that truth and facts always end up on top.  With this in mind and close to heart, I know that I can and will, work hard to see that others are steered the right way lawfully. 

North Central Texas College offers classes needed to pursue my career in this field.  This semester I am taking a Creative Framework class.  I find this class to be very useful.  It keeps me focused on why I'm attending college, goal setting, and preparation for security in my future occupation.   

My purpose for attending college is to work hard and gain as much knowledge possible to serve others.  My goals for this course is to do the best I can and bring something to the table to live by.  I want to have a strong image of a hard worker that gets the job done.  I want to work at doing the best so I can be effective not only in my life, but for others as well.