censorship

Scott Watson Mrs. Koch English Honors 2 March 18, 2012 Title Long ago when the United States was first starting out, it was unique as a country because of the fact that our government gave its citizens exclusive rights towards freedom of speech. Over the years many different forms of communication have appeared, whether it be through the phone, or mail. Along with these advancements in communication came new ways to express your opinions. With the creation of the internet, the United States entered completely new territory. Originally the internet was very small, but now its single handily one of the most important pieces of technology ever created. With the introduction of video hosting web sites and social networking, people are literally a post way from each other. Along with these connivence's, the internet is also a powerful tool within America’s classrooms. However, many schools block student’s access to vital information, citing that many web sites that student’s read as interruptions to the classroom. By doing so, many schools violate what our forefathers set out to do so long ago. Instead of giving students the information they often need, they often censor web sites indiscriminately, often ignoring the actual content on the web sites. Because of this,,instead of protecting students from disruptful web sites, more often than not, the consequences usually cause more harm then not censoring the web sites in the first place. But also along with this form of censorship, there are many more forms of censorship. Literally anything could be censored; clothes, ideas, and books could be considered worthy of a ban. Schools often censor web sites because they contain information on one or more subjects that the school deems harmful to students. The information could be about drugs, guns, or anything illegal or unimportant to learning. However, schools usually neglect to examine the web sites thoroughly. For example, some schools block Wikipedia’s article on Tobacco. Students who are trying to learn about Tobacco’s long history are unable to do so. If the school moderators had given a quick look through of the article, they would’ve seen that there was very little if any information that students could use for unlawful means. Another example of this relates to Minnesota school district. When Doug Johnson wanted to show his class an educational web page about the effects of atomic testing, the web page was blocked because the information inside of it was about a chain of islands called the Bikini Islands. When schools begin to use internet censor programs, the programs don’t take into effect the actual information pages contain, instead depending only the title and keywords in the pages. It’s not uncommon for information to be inaccessible to teachers, especially when it has anything to do with things considered controversial.(Wagner, Mitch) Another form of censorship that schools enforce is that students are not allowed to wear certain types of clothing to school. Some examples of clothing that schools don’t allow include clothes have chains on them, clothes with provocative holes in them, clothes with patches, pajama pants, shirts advertising alcohol or tobacco, among others. Many students could be considered opinionated and exercise their first amendment by wearing their own shirts. Many consider wearing a shirt advertising Bud Light the same as wearing a Cardinals shirt. However, schools consider these kinds of shirts detrimental to learning and don’t allow them. A popular trend is having holes on your pants. The holes are often made in the jeans where the quads are and on the knees, and sometimes on the butt or crotch of the pants. While there is a common agreement that provocative clothing disrupts the classroom, most schools have zero tolerance policy towards holes and don’t allow them anywhere. Brad Matthewson was a junior who was sent home twice and who faced trouble after he wore shirts advertising gay pride. In response to anger towards the censorship, the principle of the school said that people might become offended by Matthewson’s shirt. However, matthewson said that no one had complained to him about the shirt. When he asked pressed the matter further, he was told that he still wouldn’t be allowed to wear the shirts because the school feared that the shirts would spark controversy. Because of this censorship, the American Civil Liberties Union has come to Matthewson’s defense. The final form of censorship that schools impose on their students is the censorship of books that the schools deem hurtful towards the learning environment. An example of this would be Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer. Written 1876, the use of derogatory terms for African Americans is a common sight within the book. Because of the changes concerning civil rights within American in modern times, the use of such terms could be considered very inappropriate within the classroom. However, the authenticity and the literature value contained within the book wouldn’t be the same if it were edited. Another series of books that occasionally come under fire is the Harry Potter series. One elementary school would not purchase Harry Potter books, saying “They knew that they would get complaints (because of the witchcraft themes), so they didn’t buy them.” There have also been events in which students have gotten in trouble for reading religious texts within the school, and it’s not limited to certain religions. The fear of students learning controversial information, or of parents become angry over what the school allows their children to read can cause schools to ban important and vital books from the curriculum. Books can be used as very important tools within the classroom and the use of controversial material can be some of the most effective ways for students to learn. It’s not uncommon for religion to appear in history class, no matter what the time period that students are studying. this general education may come under fire because of parent’s complaints. Instead of outright banning the reading of religious texts, students should be given the choice of not hearing about other religions before the material is presented. This way students that don’t want to hear can be satisfied, and others who want to learn are able to do so. (Kelly, Melissa) While many schools began their censorship policies with good intentions, in the end they only cause more grief and annoyances then what they would’ve gone through without the censorship at all. Often times students are unable to access information because the school deems it controversial, or that it goes against the learning environment. However, it could be argued that students in highschool should be allowed to access many things that they aren’t. It’s up to individuals and their maturity, but it could be considered unfair for students who need information to be denied it simply because others are to immature to access it. Along with internet censorship, students should be allowed to express their ideas, regardless of whether or not others consider it offensive. If students are blatantly trying to be offensive, that’s a different story. the final form of censorship that should be reviewed are the bans put on certain books. Students should never be unable to read literature or ideas from the past. The ideas that our country were founded on included freedom of speech, soemthing that schools shouldn’t be able to regulate. Wagner, Mitch. How the Internet Harms Schools. 2010. Computers World. May 8, 2012. Kelly, Melissa. censorship and Banning in America. 712educatiors. 2010. Secondary Education. May 8, 2012.

my trip

Scott Watson Mrs. Koch English honors 2 March 14, 2012 The Suite Life It’s an everyday occurrence for a teenager to look at something, only to look away with the realization that they don’t have the money to buy it. But always hopeful, teenagers wait for the day that they’ll be given the opportunity to prove themselves to be mature enough to get their own money. They pray for the time when they would be considered enough to travel on their own, buy their own things, and learn things they want to know. Being a teenager myself, I can only think of getting enough money to go on a vacation of my choosing. I would visit different countries, try out different things, and meet new people. The first place on my stopping list would be Japan. Spending some of my money, I would sail across the ocean to visit. Once there, I would find a nice hotel to stay in. But as soon as I would book myself in, I would immediately be visiting across the country. I would meet and learn about the culture, and I would spend most of my day eating the various cuisine the country would have to offer me. After some time, I would leave the cities and begin to move inland, towards the mountains. By myself, i would adventure into the wilderness, seeking out any small villages that still existed. After spending time on the beaches of Japan, I would go to visit Russia. After landing there, via plane, I would take time to explore the vast lands of the country. In the cities, I would spend money doing traditional Russian dances inside of the countries’ many dance clubs. Outside of these festive activities, I would spend time learning about Russia’s long, rather bumpy history. In Moscow I would look at the city’s famous architecture, taking note of the crazy looking domes that are atop many of the city’s buildings. Upon a quick tour of Joseph Stalin’s memorial, I would move on to France. After a long rail road ride, I would exit the train and open my eyes to Paris, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I would travel the streets, walking into bakeries, sipping fine wines, and enjoying the local beauties. Beneath the Eiffel Tower, I would sit and watch the world around me pass by. With my stomach full of bread, and my mind a bit dizzy from Paris’ delicious wines, I would travel to the grand country of Germany. I would sample every single piece of sausage that would be offered to me, and drive cars at screaming speeds on the Autobahn. Taking a tour in Berlin, I would travel to the Berlin Wall and imagine the history that lay around me. Looking around, while listening to Pink Floyd, I would walk up and down where it used to be. I would eventually ask for a tour of Germany’s famous car owners stores, taking looks at some of the best automotive technology in the entire world. As soon as I would get my first speeding ticket from the German police, I would head out of the country, taking a float over to Great Britain. As soon as I would land, I would go visit Big Ben, London’s famous clock tower. Thoughts of the Hunchback of Notredame would pop up in my head as I would look at the tower’s clock hands ticking away. After some time looking at London’s beautiful clock, I would seek out someone who could teach me the history of the Famous English band, The Beatles. With my vacation money I would slip the teacher some money, convincing him to give me some memorabilia. With my new found merchandise, I would go visit parliament. I, being the history junkie I am, would take the time to stand in awe at the sheer amount of importance around me as I would stand inside of English parliament. I would realize that monarchs, noblemen, knights, and all other English heroes could have stood in the very spot that I would be. Soon I would travel to the beautiful and mysterious deserts of the Middle East. Moving deep into the deserts, I would look for cities to spend my time in. renowned for the natural recourses of the lands around them, I’m sure that i wouldn’t be disappointed with what the cities’ many stores would have to offer me. Perhaps I would take a stroll within the cities markets, looking for the perfect kinds of exotic fruits to taste. One of the major religions within the region, islam, has a long and diverse history that has effected many things in the world today. Without a doubt, at some point during my adventures in the Middle East, I would be given the opportunity to learn about the contributions that Muslim culture has made. But eventually my times traveling around the Middle East would come to an end, and with it, I would turn my sights towards Northern Africa. At this point in my worldwide travels, I’m sure my taste for locations near the equator would still be strong. Traveling South from the Middle East, I would go Egypt. Littered with literally an endless amount of things that have historical value, Egypt would have the most to offer along my travels in my opinion. My first stop would be in the streets of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Just recently, massive protests were had to end the the rule of the country’s president. Feeling the air within the city would be an experience that I would never forget. Comparable almost to a revolution, the feeling patriotism within the country would most likely be very apparent. Leaving the city behind, I would travel to the Great Pyramids. Taking a tour as soon as possible, images of myself being Indiana Jones would begin. Ancient curses and deadly traps would be behind every corner. At this point on my trip, much of my money would probably have been spent on traveling expenses. But there would be nothing stopping me from enjoying authentic Egyptian delicacies. After experiencing what Egypt had to offer me, I would begin moving back North towards Italy. Rationing the money that I have left, I would spend a portion of it quickly within Italy. Stopping first in Rome, moving towards the ancient Colosseum. Standing in the stands, I would look down in the area where battles, that put gladiators against each other, were fought. Leaving this place, I would stop into any bakery within sight and enjoy delicious breads and many different foods. Pizzas, spaghettis, and pasta would all fall before me during my crusade to ingest all of Italy. But Italy wouldn’t be Italy if it wasn’t for the country’s love for Soccer. before I would leave the country I would stop to enjoy a game of futbol. Renowned for their soccer players, italy would display the greatest sportsmanship and skill the world as to offer when it comes to the sport. After many goals and hours of yelling chants with the crowds, my time in italy would be over. I would end my tour at the western tip of Canada. There I would enjoy Canada’s beautiful wildlife. Taking time to hike around the country, I would take note of Mother Nature’s beautiful effect on Canada. Of course, I would go the largest Ice rink in Canada to show the natives my unbelievable skill and prowess on the ice. With out a doubt, soon all of Canada would know and fear me, “The Loud, Proud, American Mouth.” I would truly earn the last edition to my title because of my inability to control my words in the heat of battle. None the less, self control, or not, my time spent dazzling the crowds would be the most enjoyable out of my whole trip. One day, I will enjoy my responsibilities as an adult. No matter how hard the road gets, or how impossible things might seem at some point, I will appreciate the privileges that are given to adults. Even if that means I won’t be sipping wine beneath the Eiffel tower, or driving an Audi on the Autobahn, I will still be in complete control of my life. Whether or not I have enough money to take train rides through Russia, or to stay in five-star Japanese Hotels, I will still enjoy what I have regardless. In the end, no matter what happens, when I’m an adult, I’m going to live like it’s the sweet life.