QUESTION 5

It can sometimes be hard to remain neutral in fights, but it all depends on what situations you’re in. If you’re in a situation where it’s a lot of people against a lot of people, chances are you’ll pick a side. You’ll do this because you have a lot of support and you’re probably not going to let many people down, if any. I don’t think that people should be neutral in these fights because you should voice your opinions, especially if you into one of the sides in this argument. Examples of these would be debates that go on, or fights in your community about what they should use the money for. Where I used to live, we had a fight similar to that one. The district wanted to get rid of the IB (International Baccalaureate) program that the district offered from 4th to 10th Grade. It was one of the few things that made the school unique and they wanted to take it away. Obviously I wanted to keep the program since I was in it and the fight went on from 2005-2006. The newly elected school board thought that the program was costly, anti-Christian, and un-American. Everyone is the town was furious at these remarks. I was really surprised though at how much the IB program costs. It seemed to all of us that it was exactly the same as all of the other classes except we had to read different books and we got a better college recommendation. If people had not gotten involved in this fight the IB program would have ceased to exist. Everyone in the community chose a side and it all worked out. That’s why I thought that in situations like these, people should get involved. One situation that would benefit you by remaining neutral would be one against two or three people that you know or are friends with. It’s hard deciding on which side to take because no matter what, you’re going to let someone down. In these situations it’s hard remaining neutral but it’s a lot better to be neutral than getting involved. I respect the people that don’t take sides in these situations. Being a bystander and possibly helping resolve the situation would help everyone but could also make you part of the problem. Although most fights between friends are better to stay out of, I do think that you in involved. Even more difficult situations would be ones between family members. Getting involved I think would be the worst thing you could do. In conclusion, I think that it’s harder but better to remain in a fight between people you know but that it’s a lot better taking a side in a fight or controversy between two sides involving people that you wouldn’t frustrate easily.

This American Life

This American life was a recording about people with learning disabilities. The whole time I was hearing the stories in the beginning I felt really bad. I kept thinking to myself, “what would it be like to be in their situation? Thinking everyday that you’re doing what everyone else is but you’re really not. Having everyone know that you’re different but not you knowing this until a later date.” I was also really surprised that the teachers would yell at the kids for things that even some normal people could do by mistake. Also, when the kids were describing how their homework seemed easier than the other kid’s homework, it made me think of my little brother. He always asks my sister and me why our homework is harder than. My brother also does this for other things like me driving or going places without our parents. In a way, it’s kind of like these people are trapped in childhood, not always being able to do things on their own, getting easier things to do than other people their age, and not being left alone that often. Vincent’s story I thought was very interesting too. I was wowed at the fact that his symptoms were so rare that they had to give he problem its own name. That would probably sound the worst to me if I heard that, knowing that there aren’t any people who have the same symptoms as you that you can relate to. Hearing that his parents would care for him without problems relieved me and made me think of what my parents would be in a situation like that, caring for me everyday and always having to be with me and care for me. The schedule that they made for him helped I think. I could also understand why he would hate it though. Being told what to do and not having control of my day would drive me crazy. That’s why I understood why he wanted to quit his jobs and other activities to regain the feeling of having power. I also saw his reasoning’s for wanting to quit his job. While working at my aunt’s store I realized what some people have to go through everyday, doing the same things with no changes and not feeling like you accomplished anything. That’s why I thought the chicken coup idea was good because it gives the feeling of have a responsibility in the world. Where without you, this entire operation would not exist. Feeling this sense of accomplishment everyday. It just shows that you should do what you want to do and not because of what other people want. He now doesn’t answer to anyone and is doing what he wants instead of sleeping away like some people who don’t have problems even do.