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"The article cuts to the point. Trickle down economics is a theory that has only been shown to benefit the immediate benefactors. De Blasio and Warren propose ideas that are realistic and attainable. While some of the ideas may be costly, the investment will be worth it to secure the future economy. America loses money every day. We may as well channel this loss into programs that will help us in the long run. It is interesting, however, that the authors aren't just some journalists. It's Mayor de Blasio and a senator from Massachusetts. So, the issue of income inequality is at least being addressed by those in power. Now time will see if we use these solutions."
--( posted on May 10, 2015, commenting on the post Making the American Dream a Reality )
 
"The piece was truly informative in highlighting the problems that America is facing. Income inequality is perpetuating social problems such as infant mortality, incarceration rates, and tuition costs. It's great to keep discussion of the topic alive and to say that change is needed, but it doesn't seem that will likely happen in the near future. The author of the piece has already claimed that America has gradually stagnated over the past fifty years. The likelihood of a change of course at this point is slim. Mr. Porter paints a grim picture at the end that shows change may only occur when the country is at its lowest. Ultimately, with the voices of most influence being the ones who benefit from income inequality, Mr. Porter's pictured future is quite likely."
--( posted on May 5, 2015, commenting on the post American Exceptionalism (Continued) )
 
"I agree with the author that there is stereotyping of Asian Americans aspiring to all be in degree and certification heavy professions. However, I disagree that more Asians are "needed" in the arts. I don't think that people should be forced or felt as if they are being forced into a certain role to remove a bias. A path into either the sciences or the arts should at least be accepted by society, even if Asian cultural and familial values still have trouble doing so. Holding a group up to an expectation isn't right even when it's done to remove another expectation. This is more so true when the author suggests that there is already a true variety and balance of ways outside the sciences that Asians have found success. If comprehensive data supports that statement, that's great. Stereotypes don't die easily, and again it isn't fair to force new expectations to kill the old ones."
--( posted on Apr 28, 2015, commenting on the post Article from Tom Schactman: Please discuss! )
 
"It's great to know that many colleges and universities are making an effort to acclimate their first generation students. Reaching out to the parents is a good start in helping the first time students who are in need of support. However, I also think that focusing on the parents shouldn't have such an emphasis that helping the student directly is overshadowed. The part of the article which talked about Florida Memorial University's College Prep Program and how a student could be moved out of it if the parent didn't get involved was especially irksome for me. Drop the entry costs and the expenses such as the first suits, but leave help such as the mentoring in the program and make it available for everyone who needs it regardless of parental involvement. The vice-president, Mr. Jones, said, "We are making a commitment to their child," No, he is making a commitment to his students who are the university's future. Getting parents involved in order to help first generation students is fine and may be needed for some students. But don't make it the only tool for helping students, such that you are harming them with a form of help that is too limited for them to use."
--( posted on Apr 21, 2015, commenting on the post Parents and First-Generation College Students )
 
"A possible idea for the final project could be a look at the immigrants of the past who have had an impact in some way. Everyone could choose a different person and write about their lives and specific contributions to their new surroundings. It would be a way of taking the vagueness out of broad immigrant stories of different cultures and ethnicities coming to America if we could put a face to and present different individuals."
--( posted on Mar 27, 2015, commenting on the post Final Project Ideas )
 
"I really liked the idea behind the photographer's project. Having taken the Staten Island Ferry either way a few times myself, I have to say he describes the atmosphere perfectly. Thousands ride it daily, yet it never felt crowded anytime I was on it. There was ample space and room to maintain a satisfactory separation from other people. And like the photographer said, it's less frantic than the urban subway system under the city. It's quite the calming journey between Manhattan and Staten Island that can serve as a perfect case study of the different people in New York. This is especially true with it being a popular tourist attraction. I myself never really paid too much attention to the people around me during commutes in such a manner. That's one thing this class and articles such as this are helping me to do. In short, I absolutely agree that the Staten Island Ferry is a great environment to observe people and the city's diversity. Ample separation on the ferry gives better appreciation than a crowded train affords. The photographer definitely chose a very interesting topic to study and a very useful place to do his work."
--( posted on Mar 9, 2015, commenting on the post “The Faces on the Ferry”-NY Times Article )