EPT

         Mead's argument is arguing about how those with the highest grades, most attractive or most likely to succeed are admired. Where as those where we regard success of people close at hand, within our small group, as a threat. I agree with what Mead is saying because we celebrate and admire those with the highest grades, those that look most attractive, and those that are most likely to succeed.

         Mead says people love success. "As a people, we Americans greatly prize success. We are taught to celebrate and admire the one who gets the highest grades, the voted most attractive or most likely to succeed." I agree with these because people love success, the people are smart but not as smart are not admired. No one wants a failure, no one wants someone with the lowest grades, the most unattractive, and the most unlikely to succeed. All of these are useless to one another.

         However, Mead also says, "But while we often rejoice in the success of people far removed from ourselves - people who work in another professions, live in another community, or are endowed with a talent that we do not especially want for ourselves - we tend to regard the success of people close at hand within our own small group, as a threat." What Margaret Mead is saying here is that we regard the success of people near us, as a threat. People have a talent that they don't want especially for ourselves.

           I think people should be praised, admired whether or not they're not attractive or whether or not they're not getting good grades. What matters is that they try. People that try are the ones that should be getting the most praise. Although there are some people that say, "Trying is great, but trying doesn't get you far sometimes. You need more than trying, you need to be good." I don't agree with this because when you keep trying eventually you'll be good at it. However, there are some things where you can't be good at by just trying.

Autobiography

       My name is Crystal and I am a junior at Fairfax High School. My father supports me academically. He supports me by taking me to school and asking if I finished my homework. In Los Angeles during 4th grade I went to Wilshire Park Elementary School. I do not remember my 5th grade elementary school. For middle school I went to John Burroughs Middle School.

       My favorite subject is mathematics. It is my favorite subject because math is really easy for me and writing numbers are easier for me. My worst subject is history. History is hard for me to understand. I think art teachers such as Mr. Yoon are influential teachers. Mr. Yoon influences me pursue drawing because I am fond of the way he draws, this prompt me to practice my drawing.

       I did the final art project in art class during 9th grade. In this project we had to draw at least 5 realistic items. I learned how to make the items I drew into looking like a real life object with shading. In 10th grade I remember doing the chimera project in biology class. This project took three to four months. I learned that you can create an animal with the genes and DNA.

       In the future academically I see myself going to college to major in mathematics. The college I want to go to is USC. As a student I am a fast learner. I am not good with hearing instructions. I am quiet and at times teachers don't like that. I hate writing a lot and I do most of my work. I do not know when or how I spoke English or when I learned to read.

        In junior high I had an A in English. My grade point was a 4.0 at John Burroughs Middle School in 8th grade. My goals for this class is to pass this class and to learn how to write better in English. As a teacher I expect you to teach us all about how to write an essay and about literature. Listening to music helps me write a lot more and it relaxes me to write better.

What is an American?

               Everyone has different opinions on Americans. Americans can be hardworking or the opposite, being lazy. I think Americans are people who work very hard to earn the littlest things. Those people don't need to be male, it can also be female. I also think an American is someone who has the freedom of speech, writing, and actions. Most people say Americans are lazy because they eat a lot and are overweight. There are some Americans who are lazy and obese. Americans have rights to protect themselves. There are laws that are used to protect Americans. There is a saying, "You are innocent until proven guilty." This automatically makes you innocent until proven guilty. An American can be someone who is very poor or rich. It doesn't matter how much money you have. If you live in the USA and is a citizen then you are American.

               An American should not be spied on, they should have privacy. An American doesn't have to be a white person. I think an American is someone who would devote themselves to America. An American could be someone who is Asian, Black, or Mexican.

              Americans should be hardworking people. Americans are people with equal rights. "The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas and form new opinions." (pg.14) I agree with this statement because Americans are strong willed people they can adapt to changes. It may take months, or years but if they keep trying it would work. An American has the right to protest against the government and the right to go against them. However, break the law and you will be sent to jail.

              Americans can be the old times Americans. These Americans are those who grow and do other things that they did long time ago. These Americans put their life on the line during wars just like they are now. Even though they know they have families that are waiting for them to come home. Some don't even come home, but are honored for risking their life to save America. Their lives that they lost weren't lost in vain.

               Being an American is freedom. You can make your own choices, however let it be the best one. Don't let anyone tell you what you choose. It is your right to choose, because it is freedom. Americans are people who can do whatever they want, but it has to be legal. There are laws that protect us Americans. Being an Americans means you live in America.