Closed prompt November 20 2011

Another Barrier to Maternity Leave for Those Most in Need: Knowing About It, By

Nanette Fondas . published on November 18 2011. found November 20 2011. published by Ms. Magazine. http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/11/18/another-barrier-to-maternity-leave-for-those-most-in-need-knowing-about-it/ 

Language-“On Wednesday a new poll was released that shows that people who are most likely to need paid family leave are least likely to be aware of programs that provide it.” This shows anger. It also explains the main problem addressed in the article. 2. “Two other states, New Jersey and Washington, offer paid family leave and someday the U.S. may join the rest of the developed world with a national program.” This is saying that there is a problem with the US’ paid family leave system. The rest of the world has the ability to have paid family leave and so why don’t we? This statement really drives home the point that we need to mobilize to support moms. 3. “Friend to friend, doctors to mothers, agency to clients: whether we shout from the rooftop or send texts to our sisters, we all need to make those Americans entitled to paid leave aware that they have it–and we need to support family-friendly programs like paid family leave for all Americans.” Finally she gets to her point. Occupy wall street needs to include maternity leave awareness because the poorest people are less likely to know about maternity leave options.

Details-1.“ Specifically, California registered voters were surveyed to assess their awareness of the state’s groundbreaking Paid Family Leave Act, passed nearly 10 years ago.” Explains a specific program in a specific place. 2. “Fewer than 43 percent had “seen, read or heard” of the law allowing them to take paid leave to care for a new child or seriously ill family member.” This Explains how a very specific but very few number of women know about the PFLA. 3. “Two-thirds of college graduate mothers took paid maternity leave but only 18 percent of mothers with no high school diploma could do so.”  This shows specific numbers to prove that moms with degrees take maternity leave while moms without cannot.

Diction- 1. “People who were less educated and had lower household incomes were least likely to be aware of the program, though having a union member in the family helped boost awareness.” Awareness is a very strong word. She could have said knowledge. Awareness really drives home the problem.  2. “The headlines heralded that a “majority” of U.S. moms now get paid maternity leave because 50.8 percent of working women receive some paid time off following the birth of a child.” Heralded is a very strong word.  She could have said announced or reported. Heralded shows her dismay in the media.

Meaning: We should mobilize to help new moms learn about maternity leave, because the women who need it most do not know about it.

Effect: Hopefully to mobilize and bring awareness about this problem.

Response to course material November 20

We have recently started Leslie Silko's Ceremony. It is ok but I am just not really into historical fiction. On Friday We also viewed presentations about important Eras. It was a good review of things that we have learned in the past.  Also recently we learned about how to a multiple choice. I am greatful that we have finally started to learn about this. My anxious self was worried it would be a long time before we actually learned about multiple choice(hahaha).
Happy Thanksgiving!
Go Lions!
Go Blue!

open blog post Novemeber 13 2011

2006, Form B. In many works of literature, a physical journey - the literal movement from one place to another - plays a central role. Choose a novel, play, or epic poem in which a physical journey is an important element and discuss how the journey adds to the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.

Often in Greek Mythology the author or authors will have a reoccurring theme to make a point.  In Homers “The Odyssey” Odysseus takes a very long Journey.  The Journey symbolizes hope,.  It also symbolizes Penelope’s commitment to Odysseus.

                Odysseus’ journey symbolizes hope. Odysseus always dreams about coming home to his family.  This symbolizes hope because he always keeps the hope of coming home alive.  Also the Journey is about hope because Penelope and Telemachus also hope that Odysseus will come home. They keep hope that he is alive.  Odysseus’ ten year journey symbolizes hope. Odysseus men, Odysseus and Penelope and Telemachus keep hope that Odysseus will return to Ithaca.

                And Odysseus’ journey represents Penelope’s commitment.  Penelope has many suitors and could easily have betrayed Odysseus. However she remains loyal to him. She weaves a tapestry telling them when she is done she will marry one of them, and then at night she unweaves it so that she will never finish it.    Odysseus journey symbolizes this because the longer he was away the harder it was for her to remain loyal but she always does. 

                 The message of “The Odyssey” by Homer  is that you should never give up hope, He says this by showing Odysseus never giving up hope, and that you should remain loyal to those you love, by having Penelope remain loyal  to Odysseus.