Minority Report Issue 1

IMSA‘s. Minority Report Our paper aims to spread cultural awareness of the challenges facing historically disadvantaged and ethnically underrepresented groups, in the IMSA community and as a whole. We believe that through spreading awareness of these issues, we can confront the stereotypes facing these groups. ¡¿Que?! I Represent the A Lack of Light or I Can’t Watch BET? Asians for Obama: A My Hair is not a Black Culture... Insight: The Black Hole Opeyemi recounts Pre-election Petting Zoo The troubles and Perspective How some pro- An exploration into the the time he was Chelsea writes about difficulties IMSA significance of the A pre-election look at people’s fascination athletes are thrown told he wasn’t students deal with IMSA "Black Hole." the Asian population, with black hair, her in the public’s eye As it continues to black enough to due to language the media bias, and perspective on it, and evolve, what impact barriers. due to broad-base watch BET. their choice for answers some does it have on cultural Page 4 Page 2 generalizations of relations between president. commonly held culture students? Page 5 questions. Page 3 Page 4 Page 7 moment, my friends and I were in a world of When students come to IMSA, they look our own. “Ey, man, WHAT’S CRACKIN’?” for a group of people who can provide a The Ice filled the room. The fires had been put out, sense of belonging. Often times, this our moment interrupted. Why? What crashed comfort is found with people of their own our precious ecstasy? Tyrone. He and his race because of the inherent pre- Exoticism of homies...they had ruined everything. How established connection. Yet, interestingly, could anyone enjoy themselves with these Americans are also attracted to Asian thugs around…How could anyone enjoy culture due to its exoticism. This interest the Minority themselves around THESE people? causes us to strive to attain knowledge about their customs and traditions. When Our minds are daily penetrated by Asian events like Diwali or Chinese stereotypes. We decide to attend an ethnic Lunar New Year take place, whites, By Brandan Matthews event by the inferences we make about blacks and Hispanics are inclined to Class of ‘10 the culture. Diwali, the festival of lights, attend as a result of their curiosity. annually yields an enormous audience of all races while AASA and Alma Latina The exoticism of Asian culture originates events such as Kwanzaa and Casa De from the unfamiliarity of its customs. Alma do not attract such diverse crowds. Asian culture is not exotic in itself but the “Stacks on deck, patron no ice…we can pop The reason that such an imbalance exists: fact that the clothes, music, art, food, and bottles all night, baby you can have whatever IMSA is plagued by the popular belief appearance of the nation are highly you like…” The music vibrated through my that African-American and Hispanic contrasted by normal American customs body while the bass made the ground tremble. cultures are trite, characterized by creates an exotic appeal. African Our bodies swayed to the beat; the dance floor stereotypes. Americans and Hispanics are so common had become an inferno of pleasure. Lost in the (continued on page 6) IMSA Minority Report ♦ Volume 2 ♦ Issue 1 ♦ 1 MINORITY REPORT myself, below the expected writing level student like myself, there is a large line. Now, one thing to keep in mind is probability the issue won’t be taken ¡¿Que?! the fact that Latinos aren’t the only race seriously. affected by this language barrier. Other races such as Asians which includes No matter how you look at it, language people from the Indian subcontinent, Far barriers can critically affect an IMSA East, and Southeast Asia, have similar student both academically and socially. I problems. Usually, however, it appears know that for me personally, talking to By Gustavo Ulloa not to have as big of an impact on them another student with a similar language Class of ‘09 because they often learn the language at a background appears more natural than much younger age. Nevertheless, it is talking to someone who doesn’t. For that safe to say that they are affected and matter, many of our parents, parents of therefore, it is an issue. students with English as their second language, only speak our first language, A different issue that arises from the lack Spanish in my case, and therefore, extend Undoubtedly at IMSA, it’s quite of a high-quality vocabulary is speech. our responsibilities far beyond that of impossible to walk around for a day and Students whose second language is being just a student. In a sense, this is an not notice the great diversity that exists English and whom speak a language issue that doesn’t necessarily have a amongst us. Whether it’s peeking your other than English at home find it harder definite solution but requires awareness. head into a classroom or just having to communicate a point effectively. Through awareness, we will be able to lunch in the cafeteria, one can see how Naturally, in an argument or debate, the better comprehend why we have the diversity essentially formulates a picture winner tends to be the person who is the particular troubles that we do and why of IMSA where learning along side better speaker and not necessarily the one we sometimes ask, “¿Que?” In addition, colleagues from different cultural with the best point. For instance, Rand we can come up with a way to help these backgrounds becomes a reality. This Quinn who is the Policy Analyst for students by offering a grammar and notion, however, can be misinterpreted Stanford University and my advisor for composition elective here at IMSA that by many, especially when cultural factors the LEAD Summer Business Program could not only help students with English such as language are forgotten. stated that, “The offered service or as their second language but also product is not necessarily the most students who would just like to sharpen Upon entering IMSA, one common significant factor in a competition but up their writing skills. Another way is by thought I shared with other incoming rather the way in which the product or starting up ESL (English as Second students was the question of my ability to service is presented.” This statement in Language) clubs that can help students thrive in such an environment. Once here, itself made me realize that more focus better their speaking skills. Whatever the I realized I had many deficiencies I had should be placed on my presentation case may be, I truly believe that these never noticed before. Unquestionably, rather than the actual product idea. In a actions will only furthermore lead us language was my biggest. Now, what I sense, if your product or service idea is closer to accomplishing IMSA’s mission mean isn’t that I couldn’t speak or well rounded as far as your business plan of “igniting and nurturing creative, understand the English language, but is concerned but your presentation ethical scientific minds that advance the rather that I lacked a good vocabulary. doesn’t resemble it, everything would be human condition”. There is no doubt in When it comes to writing papers, for useless for judges wouldn’t be able to my mind an issue exists and it’s up to us instance, it becomes difficult to write at a picture it. Similarly, if an idea or issue is to take action towards resolving it. level in which IMSA’s teachers sometimes ineffectively brought up and expect. This inability places students, like communicated terribly at IMSA by a Writing Staff Editors Abe Lee — ‘09 Mehmet G. Badur — Editor-in-Chief Alejandro Acosta — ’09 Pedro L. Aguirre — Copy Editor Bernice Fokum — ‘10 Opeyemi O. Kusoro — Layout Editor Brandan Mathews — ’10 Any comments, suggestions, or reactions in Chelsea Elder — ‘09 general can be directed to Gustavo Ulloa — ‘09 [email protected] Jasmine Kwasa — ’09 Special Thanks to: Kemi Aladesuyi— ‘09 Dr. Bob Hernadez for all his help and leadership Malik Alim — ’10 Mrs. Tracy Townsend for all her guidance and Melcolm Ruffin — ‘09 generous comments 2 ♦ Issue 1 ♦ Volume 2 ♦ IMSA Minority Report MINORITY REPORT National Basketball Association all people who were massacred to claim it. It together. means the millions of those enslaved in I Represent order to build it up. And it means the The Mavericks found these suggested millions of those who are still oppressed consequences to be too extreme and in order for it to prosper.” Once Smith instead they encouraged Howard to be was given the chance to publicly explain the Black more aware that nothing said by pro herself the controversy and criticisms athletes is private in our society. Even the surrounding her actions died down, and things that he said in a joking manner in she actually continued to turn her back Culture... the company of his friends were on the flag during the national anthem for publicized on YouTube. If Josh Howard the remainder of the season without knew that the whole world would hear consequences from the college or team. his words he probably would have By Melcolm Ruffin thought twice and probably not said Class of ‘09 them at all. Regardless of whether he expresses it verbally or not Howard will still feel unsatisfied with the American flag and what it stands for, because he thinks his The comments of athletes have always race has been treated unfairly throughout been harshly criticized by sports fans and this country’s history.

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