Assignment # 5-Blog Entry #1

For our final essay assignment, I have chosen to evaluate the issue of affirmative action. From  its inception, affirmative action has been under fire as some individuals claim that it is an act of reverse racism. Many felt the use of quotas by school to determine how many minority students should be admitted placed more qualified students at a disadvantage.Initiated under the presidency of Nixon, the program was aimed at giving disadvantaged students who had earned good grades, participated in extracurricular activities and worked to better their communities the chance to receive the college-level education they otherwise would have been denied. The goal of the program was not to dis-empower one group for the benefit of another but, rather to level the playing ground.Universities that received government aid would have to show that funds were being used to help diversify their institutions and provide qualified students who could not afford to attend the university with financial aid.However, due to several court cases  such as University of California v. Bakke  universities are no longer allowed to use quotas. Much of the confusion and frustration arises from the public's ignorance about the program. I am interested in this topic because I feel that without programs such as affirmative action I would have not been able to attend college.I believe that individuals need to be better informed.

www.opencongress.org

Assignment #4- Blog Entry 2- Downtown Los Angeles

The gentrification of Downtown Los Angeles poses several different problems for developers and residents. Home to between seven to eight thousand homeless individuals, the renovation of the area continues to further displace and relocate the homeless individuals living in the area. While many developers argue that the development of the region will help to bring in more income and ensure that people do not only work in the area and then leave, many feel the the "renewal" of the area will merely result in poor individuals being moved further out and the wealthy who can afford lofts and condos moving in. The creation of new galleries, shopping centers, and coffee shops has not proved beneficial to many residents who feel that they are denied access to these establishments. Many of the individuals living in the area are not only homeless but also mentally ill, drug addicts, alcoholics, and families that have been hit hard by the economic downturn. The gentrification of the area has been slowed by organization such as LA CAN , a group dedicated to making sure developers include housing for the individuals living within the area and police harassment of residents is decreased. However, the development of the region experiencing "urban blight" is not only negative. Some benefits include maintenance of public transportation, display of art within the area and newer housing.The project already seems to be in the later stages in gentrification but many organizers have learned from past examples of "urban renewal" that it is important to make sure the  interests of residents are not overlooked. The increased police force, displacement of residents and loss of historic buildings continue to anger Angelenos who feel their opinions are not being heard. With such a diverse group of individuals living in the area it is important that forces join to reach a solution to the issues to ensure the riots in cities such as Watts and Detroit are not repeated.

Logical Fallacies- False Authority

A 2007 ad by Governor Mike Huckabee seeks to gain support through Chuck Norris's approval of his agenda. The ad depicts Chuck Norris ass a reliable source for information about the politics and tactics of Huckabee despite his lack of experience in the government. A well-known celebrity, Chuck Norris often played the character of the "good guy", a hero who rescues damsels in distress and locks the criminals behind bars. By using Chuck Norris in the advertisement, Huckabee calls people to support him due to his close relationship with this well-known figure. It also leads viewers to recognize him as a "good guy" or someone who is looking out for the interests of the people. By saying that he approves of the ad, Chuck Norris is using his status as a celebrity to persuade others to support Huckabee. This ad is a fallacy because it misguides the audience leading them to believe that Chuck Norris is a reliable source for information on the Huckabee's campaign and role within government though he holds no office and does not seem to have thoroughly researched the issue.Rather than focus on Huckabee, viewers are drawn to the humor of the ad.Instead, people especially young adults will tend to focus on how "cool" Huckabee is because he knows Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris serves as distraction from the purpose of the ad which should be to inform the public about Huckabee and why he is the best candidate.

Assignment #4-Blog Entry 1- USC Master Plan

Though the  USC Master Plan seems to offer a variety of new opportunities to "improve" the community, I feel the interests of individuals outside the USC community are not being taken into account. The USC Master Plan in more ways than one seems to  be an effort to being in more revenue for developers and the university.In order for the community to truly benefit from this plan the University would have to make sure that community members and developers/investors schedule meetings together in which they discuss what their goals are. I feel that as though the USC Master Plan characterizes the university as a mediator between community members and investors. However, the plan does not raise the question of how residents would like to see the community "improved". On the contrary, the Master Plan seems to define what a community should look like and to cater to middle-class people who will be able to contribute more revenue to the area.

One of my other concerns about the USC Master Plan is the renovation of Jefferson Blvd and for the university to take over several of the businesses in University Village. In the case of remodeling Jefferson Blvd. the university''s plan to reduce the street to two lanes seems as though it will merely result in more traffic. The buying of property in the University Village also seems as though it will not benefit residents. Many of the individuals in the area have grown accustom to the areas and shopping center.In a way it seems as though the university is simply trying to make the area look "nicer" rather than focusing on maybe offering programs from community members to educate themselves or use college facilities. How can the university or developers know what the community wants unless there is some form of communication? Efforts need to  center around building ties and trust between all parties. Residents should not be rendered powerless but instead given an opportunity to discuss their opinion about the Master Plan and making "improvements" to the area.

Sketch of Jefferson Blvd. after the Renovations