State of the Union 2015: Latinos Respond

"State of the Union 2015 Response: National Groups Respond to Obama on Immigration, Economy, Climate Change and Racial Inequality"
By: Michael Oleaga
http://www.latinpost.com/articles/33050/20150121/state-union-2015-address-response-national-groups-respond-president-obama.htm
Source: Latin Post

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) embraced Obama’s efforts to improve the economy and education for Latinos and all other Americans. NALEO declared in a statement that the policies presented by Obama will allow more and more Latinos to rebound and recover from the economic troubles that they have been experiencing in recent years and “pursue their piece of the American Dream, resulting in a more skilled work force and an expanded middle class that is able to do their fair share and fully contribute to our nation’s prosperity” (Oleaga, 1). When addressing immigration, NALEO said passing a widespread and extensive immigration reform would benefit undocumented immigrants and help them assimilate with life in the U.S. and contribute to the developing economy. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the largest organization made up of unions, applauded the president for promoting and encouraging working families. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said that Obama’s focus on raising wages and his embrace of union apprentices and immigrants who want to achieve the American Dream “sent the right message at the right time” (Oleaga, 1). Trumka believes that income inequality continues to be one of the principal challenges, and it is time for Congress to address minimum wage. On climate change, Executive Director or 350.org May Boeve said that this year’s State of the Union address was a vast improvement compared to previous speeches. Center for Popular Democracy Co-Executive Director Ana Maria Archila commended Obama’s progress but said a “range of daunting crises still exists for U.S. workers, communities of color and immigrants” (Oleaga, 1). Archila complains that the president’s speech barely tackled racial inequalities and the discriminatory policing that threatens too many neighborhoods of color. Archila acknowledged Obama’s stress for a higher federal minimum wage, child care, and paid sick leave for working families. "We commend the president for speaking from the right place and with the right intentions. We will continue to fight to build an innovative, pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic agenda. The work ahead of us is real, and we are moving forward," finished Archila.

            Articles like these are important because Americans need to realize that the president needs to address all communities and present the best policy to try to benefit all populations as much as possible. Immigrants, especially Latinos, make up a significant part of the Unites State’s population, therefore, it is essential that their necessities are taken care of just as much as others’.

Jay Gatsby's Smile

“He smiled understandingly- much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced- or seemed to face- the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself” (Fitzgerald, 48).

In Chapter three, Nick has his first close examination of Jay Gatsby’s character and physical appearance; this passage is his initial reaction. Nick’s description of Gatsby’s smile is able to represent both the dramatic and charismatic side of his character. Not only does Nick have this as his initial impression of Gatsby, but the rest of the characters in the story do too. The way he is represented by Nick at their first encounter is the same way Gatsby appears to the rest of the world and all the guests at his parties that do not know him. The author begins to decompose the persona of this character as the novel develops and Gatsby’s death approaches. One of the central façades of Gatsby’s image is that he acts out a role that he defined for himself when he was seventeen years old. This is also associated to the last paragraph of the novel, where it is understood that Gatsby went against the current of reality because he was in love with the woman he thought Daisy was. He remembered things the way he wanted to remember them, and all he wanted to do was go back to the way he thought things were. Gatsby’s smile seems be a significant part of his character. Here, Nick describes Gatsby’s smile as having the ability to make anyone he smiles at feel as though they have been exclusively selected out of “the whole external world,” (Fitzgerald, 48) producing that person’s most hopeful and positive thought of themselves.

Kazaz Party

If I were to throw a Gatsby party, it would take place on the world famous rooftop bar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai, India. Since I would love for all the invited guests to attend this party, those to contact me RSVP’ing will receive a complimentary plane ticket to India. I would ensure that all my guests obtain the first class treatment that I believe they deserve. The party will be held at this location because not only is it luxurious and extravagant, it is also world famous; I would like my guests to leave the party with a genuine smile on their faces. Aside from the AP English Language Class, the guests will range from family and personal friends to celebrities and superstars. Personally, I will extend invitations to all individuals I know. Everyone invited is allowed and encouraged to invite others so that they are also able to enjoy this festivity. Some of the celebrities I would love to spread an invitation to are Brendon Urie along with the rest of Panic! at the Disco, the band members of Thirty Seconds to Mars, Green Day and Fall Out Boy, and a personal invitation to the one and only Charlie Hunnam. The entertainment will in

clude a DJ that takes requests, casino gaming tables, and photo booths for guests to remember this celebration. Beverages will be served by the bartender, who has a wide range of selection for all my guests to be satisfied. Servers will be coming around with platters of finger foods that guests are free to take and enjoy. There will be assorted diverse foods from all over the world to satisfy all tastes and needs, whether it is for health or taste reasons. The majority of the food served will be Indian so people taste the local flavor. Asian, Middle-Eastern, and South American foods will also be offered. Since the Four Seasons is a hotel, I will have all thirty-four floors of the building reserved so guests are able to book a room to stay the night after the party and enjoy what Mumbai, India has to offer.

The Racism Continues

"North Miami Beach Police Use Mugshots Of African Americans For Target Practice"
By: Michael McLaughlin
Source: Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/15/north-miami-beach-target-practice_n_6482964.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Racially heartless officers in South Florida have been caught using six mug shots of actual African American suspects for target practice. One Florida National Guard sergeant arrived at the shooting range and recognized one of the six bullet-riddled photos as her fifteen year old brother. Major Kathy Katerman said that the department has several lineups for target practice and “some feature only white men, others are all Latino and one features photos of only women” (McLaughlin, 1).  She attempts to justify the racially inappropriate target practice by saying that the public thinks they should be targeting evenly, as in one woman one man and one black, but she goes on to claim that this is not what the test is about. Major Katerman declares that the North Miami Beach Police “have targets of all races” (McLaughlin, 1). In Katerman’s eyes, this is a fair justification and it seems to make it acceptable to use six African American suspects’ mug shots for target practice. Police Chief Scott Dennis told NBC South Florida that “officers used poor judgment. No one would be punished, however” (McLaughlin, 1).  This indescribable episode was reminiscent of a similar occurrence in 2013, in which a Florida police sergeant was fired for using targets of Trayvon Martin for shooting practice.

No matter how much North Miami Beach Police try to deny that their activities are racist and justify their actions, it is not acceptable. Racism still exists in our world today despite all the awareness being raised and equality laws being passed. Consequences should be administered to these policemen; actions like these should never be justified. It is important that individuals read articles about incidences such as this one because they need to realize that the progressions and improvements that have been made to this day are not enough. It is crucial that individuals take action and raise awareness about issues and incidences like this because the world needs more corrections.

The Style of the Jazz Age

The fashion of the Roaring Twenties is greatly molded and influenced by the surrounding society and events. The style of the Jazz Age is well known for the flapper dresses, cloche hats, high-heeled shoes, men’s fashion, and famous fashion designers. Because it was such a huge shift from the previous era, 1920s fashion is still famous today. It is a reflection of the rapid movement and change of society. Women were allowed mobility in the new fashion, unlike the heavy customs of the Victorian era. Corsets and crinolines were thrown away; hemlines on dresses rose quickly, one year at mid-calf and the next right below the knee. Waistlines kept dropping until they sat at the hips. Flapper dresses allowed young women to dance while exposing just enough skin to attract the attention of men. Because this was the era of liberated women, the beauty of the dress came from the confidence of the woman wearing it. Daytime dresses were shapeless and hung loosely, often decorated with floral prints and fluorescent colors such as “Nile Green”, “Sunset Orange”, “French Blue”, and “Maze”. Evening dresses reflected elegance and wealth with their beads, accessories and material. The waistline and hem were the same as that of the daytime dress, but its construction was completely different. Fashion designers got their start with 1920s evening gowns, making their names known. The cloche hats consisted of velvet, satin, horsehair, and straw or felt, hiding a woman’s hair by tucking it into the hat. At this time, women were ready for a major change and therefore rebelled against the status quo. They began to do drink, smoke, drive like men, and also adopted their clothes. Women redefined the definition of “sexy” with a masculine influence.

http://www.fashion-era.com/flapper_fashion_1920s.htm

http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/1920s-fashion.html

http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/flapper-dress.html