"My Life on Earth" Personal Philosophy Project
This project was meant to represent my personal philosophy in response to our previous unit on existentialism. In order to create a good project, I needed to find an artistic outlet to portray my mindset in a physical sense.
The existentialism unit was definitely a hard one for me, because so many of my peers were talking about the meaning of life in a seemingly frivolous and irrational way. I do not believe in the particular novelty of a human being ... we are not special. We are clumps of carbon on a gravitationally bound rock orbiting a hot mass.
The thing is, that previous mindset was not solid. I am an emotional, sentimental person. So on the days that I feel especially warm and fuzzy, I do in fact feel special. I see my friends and family, the wildlife, the mountains and rivers, as special.
God may not be real, but we do truly live in a beautiful world. I grew into the idea of "the meaning of life" being gratefulness.
Yes, I am a right brained woman in STEM, but that does not mean I can't appreciate the society I live in.
Therefore, my project is meant to show both sides of my life, science and beauty.
My final piece of art is pictures of things I find beautiful inside of a book titled "A Treasury of Science".
My next inquiry would have to be whether or not humans have a purpose/place in the universe.
The existentialism unit was definitely a hard one for me, because so many of my peers were talking about the meaning of life in a seemingly frivolous and irrational way. I do not believe in the particular novelty of a human being ... we are not special. We are clumps of carbon on a gravitationally bound rock orbiting a hot mass.
The thing is, that previous mindset was not solid. I am an emotional, sentimental person. So on the days that I feel especially warm and fuzzy, I do in fact feel special. I see my friends and family, the wildlife, the mountains and rivers, as special.
God may not be real, but we do truly live in a beautiful world. I grew into the idea of "the meaning of life" being gratefulness.
Yes, I am a right brained woman in STEM, but that does not mean I can't appreciate the society I live in.
Therefore, my project is meant to show both sides of my life, science and beauty.
My final piece of art is pictures of things I find beautiful inside of a book titled "A Treasury of Science".
My next inquiry would have to be whether or not humans have a purpose/place in the universe.
Rhetorical Arguments
We Need More Critical Thinking about Race, Not Less
By Harper Jones
I chose to create an artistic piece containing rhetoric and satire for my Rogerian Argument project. We were asked to explore many different sides of one controversial topic and produce a piece of work (whether it be an op-ed or a theatrical skit) to portray the issue without a clear bias.
I tried reaching out to Durango 9-R School Board Candidates for their perspectives on the topic of Critical Race Theory (CRT) which is a widely conflicted debate throughout our nation. I was unable to get any responses from the candidates, but luckily since the topic itself is so widespread, I had no trouble finding plenty of opinions surrounding it. One of the candidates, Richard “Dean” Hill, identifies as an Independent political member of the Bayfield and Durango communities and is pushing for the examination of the separation of church and state.
During his strong-willed fight against local mask mandates Hill stated, “Any process that elevates one group above another, or any of those aforementioned, any of those things that have at their heart division instead of union, should not be available for the kids”. Hill could be referring to the types of learning that are as of recently being condemned under the term Critical Race Theory (CRT).
CRT is the practice of educating students about racial injustice as well as systematic racism, typically through a language arts or social studies class. Teachers and parents have shown concern that their students are being taught to feel guilty about racist practices that occurred in the past. They believe that CRT’s values are antithetical to one of the nation’s most important pronouncements; the Declaration of Independence. The document loudly insists that all men are created equal, while CRT ignores that fact.
People from the opposite ideology choose to argue that CRT is a blanketed term produced by conservatives to slander the critical thinking which is being taught in history classes. In left-wing, liberal eyes, the aggressive term Critical Race Theory has been used to make said leftists look bad, and to distract them from the quarrels within mask mandates. They feel that critical thinking is important within any youth’s curriculum, whether that’s history or science. In order to prevent further acts of hate and discrimination based on ones’ skin color, children must understand why it happens and what it can impact.
Both sides of the argument focus on the well-being of our children and future generations to come. So why is it so hard for us to come to a compromise?
In an article written by Josh Hammer (Yes, we should ban critical race theory in schools, 7.1.21), he claims that CRT advocates are working behind the scenes to question “equality theory, legal reasoning, ‘enlightenment’ rationalism, and neutral principles of constitutional law”.
Hammer also states, “...CRT takes the form of crass racial indoctrination that ascribes collective and historical guilt to white Americans, urging white parents of schoolchildren to seek "white abolition" and accusing schools of wantonly "spirit murdering" black children.”
The author of the 1619 project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, which aims to “reframe the country's history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the United States' …”, is a national icon for Pro Critical Race Theory advocates. She recognizes intergenerational trauma that is flowing throughout black communities in America and hopes that CRT can push our society to recognize it as well. She states, “No matter one’s opinion on the project [1619], there should be concern over bans on the subject matter”.
Jones cultivates the basic ideals of those who support CRT. Supporters share common ideology with Jones, such as the national and international need to provide and teach racial injust knowledge to our youth. CRT doesn’t just belong in the professional realm, it’s an elemental requirement for our children. In order to raise our next generations with a sense of inclusion and integration, we must teach them that one’s skin color does not determine their worth.
I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the home of the Tulsa Race Massacre. I attended junior high on the Historic Black Wall Street. I have a family of color, and I have seen racial injustice with my own eyes. Now that I live in Durango, Colorado, It’s easier for me to recognize the lack of diversity and inclusion in this town. It hurts that my classmates have never had friends with different skin colors than them, and I wish nothing more than for Durango to become a more integrated society. I believe that Critical Race Theory is an elemental building block to our youth’s education, and will provide positive learning experiences rather than impacting them in a negative way.
Work cited:
Yes, we should ban critical race theory in schools, 7.1.21
9-R Candidates Pursuing Right-Wing Agenda
Beware: Candidates Platform a Trojan Horse
By Harper Jones
I chose to create an artistic piece containing rhetoric and satire for my Rogerian Argument project. We were asked to explore many different sides of one controversial topic and produce a piece of work (whether it be an op-ed or a theatrical skit) to portray the issue without a clear bias.
I tried reaching out to Durango 9-R School Board Candidates for their perspectives on the topic of Critical Race Theory (CRT) which is a widely conflicted debate throughout our nation. I was unable to get any responses from the candidates, but luckily since the topic itself is so widespread, I had no trouble finding plenty of opinions surrounding it. One of the candidates, Richard “Dean” Hill, identifies as an Independent political member of the Bayfield and Durango communities and is pushing for the examination of the separation of church and state.
During his strong-willed fight against local mask mandates Hill stated, “Any process that elevates one group above another, or any of those aforementioned, any of those things that have at their heart division instead of union, should not be available for the kids”. Hill could be referring to the types of learning that are as of recently being condemned under the term Critical Race Theory (CRT).
CRT is the practice of educating students about racial injustice as well as systematic racism, typically through a language arts or social studies class. Teachers and parents have shown concern that their students are being taught to feel guilty about racist practices that occurred in the past. They believe that CRT’s values are antithetical to one of the nation’s most important pronouncements; the Declaration of Independence. The document loudly insists that all men are created equal, while CRT ignores that fact.
People from the opposite ideology choose to argue that CRT is a blanketed term produced by conservatives to slander the critical thinking which is being taught in history classes. In left-wing, liberal eyes, the aggressive term Critical Race Theory has been used to make said leftists look bad, and to distract them from the quarrels within mask mandates. They feel that critical thinking is important within any youth’s curriculum, whether that’s history or science. In order to prevent further acts of hate and discrimination based on ones’ skin color, children must understand why it happens and what it can impact.
Both sides of the argument focus on the well-being of our children and future generations to come. So why is it so hard for us to come to a compromise?
In an article written by Josh Hammer (Yes, we should ban critical race theory in schools, 7.1.21), he claims that CRT advocates are working behind the scenes to question “equality theory, legal reasoning, ‘enlightenment’ rationalism, and neutral principles of constitutional law”.
Hammer also states, “...CRT takes the form of crass racial indoctrination that ascribes collective and historical guilt to white Americans, urging white parents of schoolchildren to seek "white abolition" and accusing schools of wantonly "spirit murdering" black children.”
The author of the 1619 project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, which aims to “reframe the country's history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the United States' …”, is a national icon for Pro Critical Race Theory advocates. She recognizes intergenerational trauma that is flowing throughout black communities in America and hopes that CRT can push our society to recognize it as well. She states, “No matter one’s opinion on the project [1619], there should be concern over bans on the subject matter”.
Jones cultivates the basic ideals of those who support CRT. Supporters share common ideology with Jones, such as the national and international need to provide and teach racial injust knowledge to our youth. CRT doesn’t just belong in the professional realm, it’s an elemental requirement for our children. In order to raise our next generations with a sense of inclusion and integration, we must teach them that one’s skin color does not determine their worth.
I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the home of the Tulsa Race Massacre. I attended junior high on the Historic Black Wall Street. I have a family of color, and I have seen racial injustice with my own eyes. Now that I live in Durango, Colorado, It’s easier for me to recognize the lack of diversity and inclusion in this town. It hurts that my classmates have never had friends with different skin colors than them, and I wish nothing more than for Durango to become a more integrated society. I believe that Critical Race Theory is an elemental building block to our youth’s education, and will provide positive learning experiences rather than impacting them in a negative way.
Work cited:
Yes, we should ban critical race theory in schools, 7.1.21
9-R Candidates Pursuing Right-Wing Agenda
Beware: Candidates Platform a Trojan Horse
Rogerian Argument
I chose to create an artistic piece containing rhetoric and satire for my Rogerian Argument project. We were asked to explore many different sides of one controversial topic and produce a piece of work (whether it be an op-ed or a theatrical skit) to portray the issue without a clear bias.
I tried reaching out to Durango 9-R School Board Candidates for their perspectives on the topic of Critical Race Theory (CRT) which is a widely conflicted debate throughout our nation. I was unable to get any responses from the candidates, but luckily since the topic itself is so widespread, I had no trouble finding plenty of opinions surrounding it. One of the candidates, Richard “Dean” Hill, identifies as an Independent political member of the Bayfield and Durango communities and is pushing for the examination of the separation of church and state.
During his strong-willed fight against local mask mandates Hill stated, “Any process that elevates one group above another, or any of those aforementioned, any of those things that have at their heart division instead of union, should not be available for the kids”. Hill could be referring to the types of learning that are as of recently being condemned under the term Critical Race Theory (CRT).
CRT is the practice of educating students about racial injustice as well as systematic racism, typically through a language arts or social studies class. Teachers and parents have shown concern that their students are being taught to feel guilty about racist practices that occurred in the past. They believe that CRT’s values are antithetical to one of the nation’s most important pronouncements; the Declaration of Independence. The document loudly insists that all men are created equal, while CRT ignores that fact.
People from the opposite ideology choose to argue that CRT is a blanketed term produced by conservatives to slander the critical thinking which is being taught in history classes. In left-wing, liberal eyes, the aggressive term Critical Race Theory has been used to make said leftists look bad, and to distract them from the quarrels within mask mandates. They feel that critical thinking is important within any youth’s curriculum, whether that’s history or science. In order to prevent further acts of hate and discrimination based on ones’ skin color, children must understand why it happens and what it can impact.
Both sides of the argument focus on the well-being of our children and future generations to come. So why is it so hard for us to come to a compromise?
In an article written by Josh Hammer (Yes, we should ban critical race theory in schools, 7.1.21), he claims that CRT advocates are working behind the scenes to question “equality theory, legal reasoning, ‘enlightenment’ rationalism, and neutral principles of constitutional law”.
Hammer also states, “...CRT takes the form of crass racial indoctrination that ascribes collective and historical guilt to white Americans, urging white parents of schoolchildren to seek "white abolition" and accusing schools of wantonly "spirit murdering" black children.”
The author of the 1619 project, Nikole Hannah-Jones which aims to “reframe the country's history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the United States' …”, is a national icon for Pro Critical Race Theory advocates. She recognizes intergenerational trauma that is flowing throughout black communities in America and hopes that CRT can push our society to recognize it as well. She states, “No matter one’s opinion on the project [1619], there should be concern over bans on the subject matter”.
Jones cultivates the basic ideals of those who support CRT. Supporters share common ideology with Jones, such as the national and international need to provide and teach racial injust knowledge to our youth. CRT doesn’t just belong in the professional realm, it’s an elemental requirement for our children. In order to raise our next generations with a sense of inclusion and integration, we must teach them that one’s skin color does not determine their worth.
I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the home of the Tulsa Race Massacre. I attended junior high on the Historic Black Wall Street. I have a family of color, and I have seen racial injustice with my own eyes. Now that I live in Durango, Colorado, It’s easier for me to recognize the lack of diversity and inclusion in this town. It hurts that my classmates have never had friends with different skin colors than them, and I wish nothing more than for Durango to become a more integrated society. I believe that Critical Race Theory is an elemental building block to our youth’s education, and will provide positive learning experiences rather than impacting them in a negative way.
Reflection:
My project aimed to convey 2 different opinions on Critical Race Theory. I mainly chose this approach and topic because of my personal connection to racial injustice and how it has impacted me as a person. Since I began this project, my own opinion has not changed but I have more clearly understood the other side of the argument. I now know why CRT is such a big deal in our nation at the moment, but that doesn't mean I agree with the other ideology. I still believe that CRT should be taught in K-12 because it is important in the growth of our young students, and the next generation to come.
I really appreciated Jessica's reach for the "willingness to be disturbed" because it allowed me to expand my knowledge, thoughts, and ideas through those of others. I have learned how to listen to others whom I may disagree with without becoming angry or defensive.
My project aimed to convey 2 different opinions on Critical Race Theory. I mainly chose this approach and topic because of my personal connection to racial injustice and how it has impacted me as a person. Since I began this project, my own opinion has not changed but I have more clearly understood the other side of the argument. I now know why CRT is such a big deal in our nation at the moment, but that doesn't mean I agree with the other ideology. I still believe that CRT should be taught in K-12 because it is important in the growth of our young students, and the next generation to come.
I really appreciated Jessica's reach for the "willingness to be disturbed" because it allowed me to expand my knowledge, thoughts, and ideas through those of others. I have learned how to listen to others whom I may disagree with without becoming angry or defensive.