These Athletes and Their Dumb Actions

Ok, so last time I touched on the case of Ricky Williams a little bit; and it had me thinking about looking into how many athletes get arrested for either possession of some kind of drug or just drunk driving. During my search, I came across a website that looked like it could possibly help me out with majority of this project. This site was called nflcrimes.com; and I found a lot of interesting articles on just about every crime committed by a athlete in the past two years up to this day. This website brought to attention that there has been just about twenty accounts of an athlete being charged with either drug possession or driving with or under the influence of alcohol in the past year!! That's pretty crazy and ridiculous at the same time. You have nothing better to do with your money than to buy drugs or just be stupid and drive while you're intoxicated.

I thought that drugs would mess up your performance especially marijuana or cocaine. Stuff like this so avoidable that it should be easy to stay away from them. In reality, if you are an athlete, then all crimes should be avoidable. You are a rich man, probably living your childhood dreams by playing pro football, but you mess that up by going to purchase a illegal drug and then get caught. Then, drunk driving is one of the most riskiest things to do. You can get into an accident and possibly kill someone or kill yourself. I cant forget about those performance enhancer drugs that is getting sport stars caught up. This is why they have training camp and practices, to enhance your performance!!! The track star Marion Jones was sent to jail because she lied to federal agents about using these enhancer drugs. Seriously, if you don't think you are not your old self so as to say "when you were younger", then I think it's time for you to give it up.


NFLCRIMES.COM

MORE MUSIC 4 YOUR EAR

Now that all my information is starting to come together i now have a better understanding of what my father was talking about.Continuing on with my research i found myself drifting to another category of great album sells. This category is of public appearance.True stats show that top hip hop artist mainly rap about money cars girls and violent life.There other artist that do not rap about these topics or at lease try not to make them their main emphasis.These are the top five artist for last week record sell see if you can prove me wrong.Rank Artist Album This Week Total
1
Mariah Carey
E=MC2
58,574
887,150
3
Lyfe Jennings
Lyfe Change
20,883
133,006
2
Rick Ross
Trilla
15,603
517,159
4
The Roots
Rising Down
13,405
88,070
5
Atmosphere
When Life Gives You Lemons
10,056
74,087

With the exception to maria Carey who is a r&b singer, rick Ross who in my personal opinion raps about drug sells, money, cars, and violent life sold 4 times the amount as the roots who don't rap about any of the above.He also sold about 3 times the amount as lyfe who also doesn't rap about the same thing as ross.This explains it all people are going to rap about what going to sell weather you live the life or not and i think that is what is making the hip hop industry lose it's contents

www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.6979/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-5-25-08 -

c.

The public opinion on youth is real different from blacks to whites and Latinos. Many people see race as a factor in situations were people are being arrested. This public opinion committee agrees that race changes the situation from the time a young teen is arrested to the point of his or her trial. It is our job to inform these young colored teens that if they get into trouble with the law they will be treated different. They say that crime is committed because of the young persons geographical location.

IS EBONICS A language?

To me Ebonics is a language and so is it to other people. Ebonics effect all people of every race,age, and religion. Some student that i have interviewed said that Ebonics is a lot faster and way more people can understand, and can understand it way more than basic standard English and its a way to be different from other cultures. Ebonics is easier to translate from one to another, some times it help some of us understand the structure of basic English, that why i think school should teach Ebonics classes or use Ebonics to help the teacher teach their students, especially in the younger grades where they just now learning English and getting the fell of the English arts. people say ebonics is lazy, well so is technology. Technology is making things easier so is ebonics. Ebonics is helping shorting sentences and very quickly to another. Some people may think that Ebonics is bigger than the english language it self, and i kind agree, because most of the worlds population are minorities and a quarter of minorities are african american and most blacks speaks ebonics on a everyday basis. In homes ebonics is mostly spoken, between family, and friends.

A language is a coherent system of signs, a grammar of elements and rules."which is used in a regular way for purposes of communication, and also for social symbolic purposes (such as making clear to listeners a speaker's identity, how they feel about themselves and others, and how they perceive a situation)." The AAVE which means "African American Vernacular English" also know as (ebonics).

Some people think ebonics is a separate language from english, cause of where and how it came about."A dialect is a complete system that overlaps to a great degree with some other".Most of grammar, lexicon, and pronunciation are widely shared with a little English from the south slandered white english or english from around the world. But ebonics have its own distinctive features and function. Sometimes its spoken wrong or imitated badly ,for people who don't understand it. Now "Slang refers to a relatively small set of vocabulary items which are ephemeral" slang dose not have grammar or pronunciation. Ebonoics is a made up language and so is all languages, and the reason why its not spoken in a country is because "Languages existed long before the modern world became organized into "countries", or nation-states" and every one doesn't speak english, but "Descendants of enslaved Africans are, by and large, peoples who have been discriminated against, who have been denied access to technologies and education, or educated in traditions foreign to their own experience". That why ebonics was made for the enslaves like the song they use to sing when they would work the fields,"This is part of a historical pattern of discrimination". So is it a langusge? U tell me what u think afther reading this blog!!




L. Patrick, Prof. Peter . "Answers to some Questions about "Ebonics"." 20 November 2007:

NEWS FOR WEEK#4

Continuing on to week number 3 resources are beginning to run low but i still manage to find good incite on the record industry.so now that you have your album finished your going to need a record company to support it. wither it be a major record company as "DEF JAM,MOTOWN,G-UNIT,ATLANTIC,BAD BOY" etc. or an independent record company such as DIPSET,Koch,TVT etc.It's harder to get signed with a major record company but is possible.Signing with a independent label is OK to but there aren't any advancements or royalty checks.You won't get the money as fast as signing a major deal because you are more of a partner when signing independent.Everything is paid for by the company and you not just the company.Even though they have there differences the are the same in ways.I personal like the ideas of the independent labels but the money of the major label deals.

"Pros and Cons of a Major Label Deal
The biggest benefit of a major label deal is a lot of money behind you. They are able to advertise and get you into bigger venues. All of this money behind you comes at a price though. You essentially are owned by the label and are considered an employee. You get paid based on their profits, not on your drive to succeed". by Jerry Greene

"There are many advantages to remaining an independent artist, yet the pursuit for a big record deal remains a top priority for many talented artists.Honestly, the odds of getting a record deal with a major label is getting extremely harder and harder everyday. When you think of the number of talented musicians and vocalists that you see on television Couple this competition with the labels continuing inability to break even, never mind make a profit, and you see why it is getting harder and harder. Record labels are closing...unable to sell their product through conventional means (currently the compact disc)".

"One of the main reasons indie artists like to remain independent is that there is no contract! They don't have to sell out to what will make the label the most money. They can do what they want, and perform where they want. It's just making a lot of sense now for independent bands to go with their own small business". I think this goes back to what my dad was telling me early about doing it yourself this information was very helpful.

http://jagmmp.com/music_articles/record_deal_or_independent_artist.html

SLANG V.S EBONICS!!!!!

Slang and ebonic are similar the only thing that's differ them is that slang is not consider standard english. The issue of ebonics is highly debated about in California, and it always starts out the same way, the definition if the word ebonics. And is it a language? To educators their are 2 major points about ebonics. "One is that any recognition of a nonstandard language as a legitimate means of expression will only confuse children, and reinforce their tendency to use it instead of standard English. The other is that children learn most rapidly in their home language, and that they can benefit in both motivation and achievement by getting a head start in learning to read and write in this way." The people who support the idea of Ebonics states "the idea is to catch those students who don’t fully comprehend mainstream English or tune out because they feel the language of their community is being ignored. By recognizing Ebonics, school officials say they hope to improve the way black students read and write standard English." So now teachers have to be trained to recognize when their students are using Ebonics and turn it into standard english, just like they do with second language like spanish, french, etc. But the funding for them to do the teaching.
The decision of the issue in California, the government position in this issue on black english or ebonics but ''is not a distinct language from standard English and is ineligible for federal bilingual funding.Elevating black English to the status of a language is not the way to raise standards of achievement in schools and for the students. "The administration's policy is that Ebonics is a non-standard form of English and not a foreign language." The decision was made by the help of Rev. Jesse Jackson, the head of the Rainbow/PUSH Action Network, and Rev. Jesses Jackson said "the move was an unacceptable surrender, borderlining on disgrace." But the district authorities want to reach out to student and they think the children are bin ignored.

Organizations helping are youth....

http://www.synergyaids.com/documents/Young_People_We_Care_v2.pdf

As i continued my search towards finding the answer to my main question i found myself researching, what organizations focus on helping teens ? JSI UK this organization helps young teens with problems faced in an everyday scenario. Some problems bigger than others, were these teens are forced to react. The decision making process is different for many people depending on race culture and up bringing(depending on how they were raised). Some of the problems that this organization helps are youth with is making good choices on who their friends are, helping your family, understanding your neighborhood, and giving teens in high school a way to complete their community service that is required in order to graduate. They have sessions were they work one on one with kids that are having trouble or just came out of jail or prison ("system"). This organization holds meetings every week. They keep track of the behavior of the young teen from the time these session start until they are over. They check to see if these teens are ok to go back into a community without being harmful or bad in their neighborhoods. If these organizations fail then we usually see these young people back into the "system".





Sherman, Judith. "Young people we care!." (2005) 1-90. may 14/2008 .

WHO TEACHES EBONICS??????

How many schools teach ebonics and WHO , WHAT, WHERE ,and WHY ,is teaching it? Well in Atlanta,Georgia. jan. 17 1997, almost 600 students in Dekalb County School are taking a class called "bi-dialectal communication" see ebonics has been a major issue in america today, and it plays a big role in Atlanta. The teacher are trying to help the students rise their test scores in language arts and reading. In Oakland was the first district in the nation to officially declare black english as a second language. The reason why it was dissmiss for a long period of time is because afircan americans and whites consider it as a "lazy tongue" or lack of proper instruction in standard English. Many educators such as teachers and bord of education, have recognized it as a "legitimate" language, "with african roots". Some teacher attempt to help "instill self esteem in black students"they brought up reading materials that uses ebonics, ebonics was a term ebony and phonics. City school in Chicago said ''it's a non-issue within educational circles. just another tool and a way to reach kids so that they achieve and improve achievement." Student bring all different style of language to school everyday. High Principal Willie Hamilton said "It's not to have the teachers teach Ebonics. It's to have the teachers understand the language". Oakland is the only school district that recognized ebonics as a second language. Theres really aint that many schools that teaches ebonic, but the majority of teaching comes from the west and those schools are trying to get federal funding for the program.

My Conclusion After Numerous Of Searches

In the beginning I wasn't sure of what to do as a freshman in college. I only knew the basics such as studying, proper rest, staying alert, staying focused and etc. Besides the basic knowledge that I knew I didn't know what are some ways that can help make my freshman year easier. Freshman year is like a whole new start in life. So in order for me to excel I must know other information to help me do so. So the big question was ''How To Survive My Freshman Year In College?'' This question has been created in my mind ever since I received an acceptance letter from one of my college choices. I had to find answers to this essential question. I began to do researches in which I found accurate detailed answers.
The first thing I discovered is that as a new comer I must examine and observe my new environment. This is key because I need to know whats happening around me. I don't want to get in any type of negative altercations especially as the ''new guy on campus''. Another reason is because I must know what type of people I'm going to be around since I'm going to be in a new environment for at least 4 years. I don't want to be around those who are always in drama or those who cant support themselves. I want the best for myself so I cant let negative people influence me.
While researching I found the most interesting answer. Popularity is one of the most important value to have in college. When I read this I was astonished. I always thought that the more people you know in college the more distracted you'll become but obviously I was wrong. I understand why they would say popularity though. It can increase the amount of people who can help and guide me. Another helpful information was joining clubs/organizations. The more I participate with school the higher my chances of becoming successful. Fraternities, book clubs, chest clubs football, basketball, and track are the main organizations that can help me dwell in my years in college. The final piece is that I should build some type of friendship with my teachers. The best relationship I can build with my teachers is allowing them to be my mentor. I don't want to become to comfortable with them because it can defeat his purpose of being my mentor and my purpose of remaining just a student to him.
So in conclusion, in order for me to survive my freshman year I must become active with the school. I cant just rely on others to help me I have to take the initiative to strive and excel. So I'm going to join as many clubs/organizations as I can. As far as the society done there I'm going to examine different personalities and life styles of people.

A Step Closer To My Big Answer

Its another day of research where questions are build and answers can be found. The previous research I asked "As a student should I try to build an friendship with my teacher or remain only as a student?". This question has been on my mind for a while and its beginning to bother me. So I went to Google. On May 5, 2008 my teacher Mr. Malley taught the class a couple of tricks to help us with our research. In quotations I typed student and teacher relationships. Unlike before results where slimmed down and more specific. I clicked on an article titled "How To Impove Students With their Teacher". I picked this article because I assumed that it can answer my question. I opened up the article and began reading the suggestions they had. "Teachers are constantly trying to improve their relationship with their students. It is difficult to create a relationship relaxed enough so the students feel comfortable approaching their teacher while retaining a level of respect for them" (eHow Education Editor). This introduction made an interesting point. I feel as though that it is hard for a teacher to build relationships with their students. If teachers give the student the impression as if they are a teen, the student will only see them as friend of their age. But if the teacher give the student the impression that they are their friend but to a certain extent. This is how students pick who their favorite teacher is and how this teacher is this and that.
The article give steps how to avoid any conflict with the students trust and friendship.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Set boundaries with the students. Know exactly how friendly is too friendly. Treat all the students the same.

Step2

Require the same amount of respect from every student. Students learn from example, so treat them with the same respect you expect to receive from them.

Step3

Be available for students to talk to you before school, during lunch or after class. Students may need help with work or just need someone to listen. Try to remain objective and never take sides with students.

Step4

Listen and try to understand the students. Students have problems just like everyone else. Try not to be too strict with the students so they don't dread coming to your class.

Step5

Greet the students with a smile as they come into class. Talk with them and listen to what's going on in their lives. This makes the students feel like you are interested in them.

Step6

Support the school's extracurricular activities. Even if you are not involved, go to sporting events, plays, concerts and other school events. When the students see you supporting them, they appreciate you more.
Overall this article has answered my question accurately. So after doin several research I strongly believe I know what to do to excel in my freshman year in college. I found valuable answers with accurate details and explanation.

Education Editor, eHow. "How To Improve the Students-Teacher Relationship." 21 May 2008 .
(How to improve the Student-Teacher relationship )

EXCITED FOR WEEK #3

So here i am in week number three of this project. I think to some of my classmates its starting to become boring an tedious but, not to me i love music an doing this research have been fun an a learning experience. Now with my first weeks research i did an interview with the pops i took the information and like a computer i analyzed it. This week's research came form the web search of yahoo. What did i catch? An article from wiki that stated these facts
1. Give your album a good name (you can name it after a song on the album if you want).
2. Make sure the name matches your style of music. A death metal band whose debut is named Jolly Good Times on Peppermint Farm.
3. Have cool album artwork, and also make sure it represents what the band and the album is about. In fact, a good cover can make a certain name sound different (for example if Peppermint Farm has a cover with zombies walking across a farm, it will work).
4. Always finish with a meaningful or good song - one that wraps up the entire album.


I think this was helpful to a certain extent not the best information but not the worse. this information came from wikihow which means its based on lots of people person opinions.I like the last one (number 4) it's saying that the last song or your album should wrap the whole thing together. Then that made me think about the first track on your album. I think i should be a introduction to your music it should be strong intense an ear catching the intro can decide if you keep the cd going or shut off the stero
wikihow, wikihow. "how to make a good ." none: 1

Restart.

I started with the most common way to search,Google. I found the two main types of crime, violent crimes such as murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The second main type of crime is property crime such as auto theft, burglary and larceny theft. The most common violent crime was aggravated assault one was reported on an average of one every 36.8 seconds, these stats shows the ammount of people being assaulted every day. Crime is a key part of many peoples life in the US. Maybe we need stricter penalties for these people that continue to repeat crime over an over While the most common property crime was larceny reported once every 4.5 seconds. These are the most committed crimes in America. I ask my self why do teens do these types of things? I believe that it has something to do with influence from everyone around them and their own personal judgement. In order to help these teens we should start with what we know, Start by giving them more alternatives to do in their spare time. More jobs should be created to keep them doing something constructive and at the same time make a little bit of money. Young teens that are costantly getting in trouble should be put to work voulaterially in order to show the young kids how to do things right. They should be used as role models for these kids. Alot of these crime committing teens feel that they "need to" do these things in order to have money and be respected in their neighborhoods.





___________________________________________________________
Chapman, Bill. "What is the most common crime committed in the U.S.?." Classroom Tools 12 10 1998 05 08 2008 http://www.classroomtools.com/comcrime.htm.

The Next step

Previous research was quite helpful; but my question what is the ratio of freshmen passing their first year still prove me to find answers. Is the ratio high or low? If high what is the cause? These questions had to be answered. Instead of Google I wanted to try Yahoo. I typed ratio of college drop outs. Results where shown but none of the results caught me interest. I typed in ratio of college freshmen drop out again none of the results appear to stand out to me. Frustration began to build while I still try to find results. I didn't know where to go. I didn't want to go beyond in my search so early. I'm not one hundred percent sure what I want to do.
My determination to find the answer became up roaring. I tried the Google again but this time I typed what is the percentage of college drop outs. I sign of relief finally came. I clicked on an article title Why DO 40 Percent Drop Out of College. Finally my question was answered. The percentage of college drop outs are 40% or higher. The next step was to find out what causes them(students) to drop out. Once again used Google. An article titled Officials Explain Dropout Causes-University. " As the stress of the end of the semester and the pressure of exams mount, many students begin to feel overwhelmed. For some, the best way to deal with the demands of college life, whether as a result of exams or just the daily grind of the school year, is to leave UNC. Despite the negative connotation normally associated with dropping out of college, some University officials said it can be the right option for students in certain situations. According to U.S. News & World Report, UNC's six-year graduation rate is almost identical to the retention rates at top-tier public universities, such as the University of Virginia and the University of California-Berkeley (Nicholson).
Now my question is what type of activity as an incoming freshman must do to excel in my first year?

nicholson, meredith. "Officials explain dropout Causes." 12/03/01 1. 21 May 2008 .
(Nicholson )