The Comeback Culture

For me, I was always can describe the American Culture as very sarcastic. Half the time, people don't mean what they say or say what they mean. A lot of the times I can't even imagine how I would describe sarcasm or "comebacks/ jokes" to another culture. Especially the all time favorite your mama jokes. Besides the jokes we make, their are also some gestures that could probably be seen as different in somebody's culture. The head nod is used often. Usually to demonstrate understanding of something or just to say hey to someone. Someone else could maybe think you are trying to start a fight or your dissing them. A majority of people use their hands when they talk. Usually their is no meaning behind it, but it just helps the person explain what they are trying to say. Someone from a different area or culture could think you are saying something disrespectful. Once I was asked why I use my hands when I talk and first of all I didn't even notice I was. Also, I couldn't give a straight answer, because truly no meaning goes behind it.

It's better to be feared.... A Bronx Tale

Within the movie, Collogero transferred through different kind of groups. And, each of these groups had different impacts on him. As a child, he saw his father and Sonny as role models. His father, because he took care of him and worked hard. And, Sonny because he had power and everyone knew about him and what he was capable of. As he got older he had the group of his friends and he had Sonny's group. At first I thought Sonny and his crew were a bad influence on C and his friends. His friends would always try to act tough and gang up on others, because the say Sonny do it. But, with Sonny their seemed to be reason. He protected the neighborhood and if he had a reason, he would bring out that tough side. I later saw that Sonny did care about certain people, including C. However, I wouldn't categorize C with either of these groups. I think C always had something else on his mind. He never felt comfortable with his friends and he stated to question Sonny and his crew. C sort of made up his own group, but spent time with others and learned different kinds of lessons from them. I think C's status was determined on the fact that he hung with Sonny's crew. They have power, which gave C power. Without them, he would have been some kid who lived on the neighborhood or the bus driver's kid. But, this power helped C out a lot.
On a more large scale, their were various groups within the city and area. Collogero's neighborhood was full of italian's like himself and everyone knew the rules. You followed them and didn't mess with anyone like Sonny. But, if you moved to different areas there were different set of rules. Not the kind of rules that is inforced by the government, but the kind that is just set for your area. Another area shown in the movie is the african american part of the city. They have rules about "outsiders" such as C and his friends coming into town and the same for the african americans coming into C's area. These unwritten rules had to be established awhile back. But, certain "gangs" or "crews" like Sonny's embellished these rules. Having such high power like Sonny, he can say almost anything and it will be followed. And, if someone with great power says, "no african americans in this area" or "no one like this is allowed in the bar" then that fear will enstill in them to stay away. I feel the movie correctly displayed how many crews or gangs are like. And, the different impacts that different people can have on someone like C is true in the real world. It changes with time period and area, but still is very true.

9/11

People think of the United States of America as so united and so put-together. Security levels high and it seems like nothing could break us. But, its incredible that one incident can just alter the perspectives of so many different people. The horrible incident that occurred on September 11, 2001 is something that still can make most people so emotional. This includes myself very much. But, many people don't see that after this date, America became even more united. And, not just after that incident, but after any major crisis. People became more giving and helped each other out. It really did bring us closer, but on the other hand, it also made people look at places and others differently. Most instances, in a more judgemental way. When people step into an airport, they may look around or look at certain races, religions, or any placement in a different way. They may not want to be near them or feel uncomfortable. And, sometimes people can't control this. It's just something caused by their knowledge and instincts based on an event or situation. So, something such as 9/11 can really change people's perspectives on other people. Sometimes its a shame.

Freaks and Geeks

It was interesting to view the different groups at this high school. And, I feel like groups still do exist at Stevenson. However, not everyone is just involved in one group so power distribution is different. I can categorize myself as an athlete, average, and a geek. I love sports, but at the same time I always do my homework and care greatly about my grades. I think of myself as average, but I have friends who say otherwise. In the entire school, I don't think of myself highly, but in my close group of friends I do. And, that's always a good feeling of power. Today its hard to say how much power belongs to who, because the school is so big. Overall, the teachers and faculty have power.