RR #2

In his piece “‘Bro’s before Hos’: The Guy Code,” Michael Kimmel focuses on the origins, meanings, and definition of being a man. To get a widely accepted analysis of manhood, Kimmel asked young men from across the United States and several other countries about being a man. From his observations, Kimmel concluded that the primary rule of manhood is to never submit to neither emotions nor weakness. Kimmel stressed that to overcome weakness and emotion, a male should show no fear, thrive powerfully and successfully, and win in any competition. The author then claimed that young men aim for their masculine identity from their fellow male community, including fathers, elder brothers, and coaches. Kimmel also stated that men apply great effort to their manhood not to impress woman but rather to be “man among men,” which may allow them to be well-regarded in society. After explaining the characteristics of manhood, Kimmel listed many consequences of opposing the rules of manhood. Kimmel suggested that if a male rejects the ways of being a man, he will be failure.

From his insights of men all across the world, Kimmel listed some values of being a man: “…never show your feelings, never ask for directions, never give up, never give in, be strong, be aggressive, show no fear, show no mercy, get rich, get even, get laid, win—follow easily after that” (609). He also used knowledge from psychologist Robert Brannon to express the common foundation for masculinity: never be a sissy, thrive with power, be strong, and live life on the edge (610). Kimmel then traces the origins of manhood, and he explains that efforts to succeed in being a man arise from other male influence. After interviewing several men about their influences on being a man, Kimmel concluded that the male community, such as coaches, fathers, brothers, uncles, and even priests, urge males to reach for their place in manhood. Kimmel clarified the reasons underlying rules of manhood: “They do it because they want to be positively evaluated by other men. American men want to be a ‘man among men,’ an Arnold Schwarzenegger-like ‘man’s man,’ not a Fabio-like ‘ladies’ man.’ Masculinity is largely a ‘homosocial’ experience: performed for, and judged by, other men” (611). The intentions of manhood provide readers with a greater understanding of men. After describing matters that involve living up to man rules, Kimmel discussed the possible effects of contradicting society’s rules of being a man. He expressed that the failure to abide by the man rules results into the demotion of a man to a “faggot” or gay person. Kimmel showed a quote from a male who has properly represented manhood. Eminem, a widely known celebrity, artist, and proper representation of manhood, elaborated on how the term “faggot” is used to scorn a male’s position on manhood: “The lowest degrading thing you can say to a man when you’re battling him is to call him a faggot and try to take away his manhood. Call him a sissy, call him a punk. ‘Faggot’ to me just means taking away your manhood” (612). Being called a faggot is a way in which Kimmel describes how a man has failed in society; Kimmel also expresses that attachment to mothers impairs a man’s manly value. Kimmel claimed that boys, before reaching the successful status as a man, must push away from their mothers: “Along the way they suppress all the feelings they associate with the maternal—compassion, nurturance, vulnerability, dependency. This suppression and repudiation is the origin of the Boy Code” (615).

I agree with most of Kimmel’s claims on manhood. From my personal experience of being a man, I can agree to the basic man rules: never be a sissy, thrive with power, be strong, and live life on the edge. After reading the article ‘Bros Before Hos’: the Guy Code,” I realized that other male influences have shaped me into the man that I am today. Most of Kimmel’s views on manhood apply to my life, but I disagree with his claim that boys must push away from their mothers to attain manhood: “Boys learn that their connection to mother will emasculate them, turn them into Mama’s Boys. And so they learn to act as if they have made that leap by pushing away from their mothers” (615). I believe that boys who push away from the hard work and care of their mothers label themselves as rather sissies than young men. If boys push away from their mothers due to a fear of being a Mama’ Boy, then their fear is the principle cause of their actions. Thus, by allowing such a fear to take control, boys who push away from their mothers are truly sissies, not men. A boy who resembles the true characteristics of manhood will acknowledge the compassionate care from their mothers, and give the mother respect. However, this acknowledgement of mothers should not overplay into the actions of an over dependent, needy Mama’s Boy, but it should serve to lead the young boy to be more of a man than a brat.

Final Draft

William Drury

Instructor Knapp

English 1A

16 October 2012

Proposition 30 Provides Relief for California

The Great Recession has left staggering consequences for California. The state’s tight budget may not be able to uphold public education in California. Several school districts throughout the state are reducing their budgets to cope with the decaying economy. For instance, the Sonora Union High School District has lost nearly $1 million per year for the past five years, and they may not be able to meet their financial needs within the next two years (Swift). California’s debt remains a severe issue, and ignoring it may only result in more problems. However, one solution to California’s financial crisis is Proposition 30’s tax initiative. Proposition 30 will prevent California’s public education from plummeting. If passed, Proposition 30 will increase the tax rate on incomes above $250,000 per individual by 1 to 3 percentage points for seven years. Proposition 30 also calls for an additional tax increase on the state sales tax by a quarter of a cent for four years, which would generate about $1.2 billion a year. 89% of the tax revenues will feed K-12 schools and the other 11% will go to community colleges. On the other hand, if proposition 30 fails, the government will cut nearly $6 billion from the educational budget. K-12 schools will lose $5.5 billion, which will cut nearly three weeks from the school year, the California State University (CSU) system will lose $250 million, and the University of California (UC) system will lose $375 million. On top of educational cuts, the government is also threatening to reduce funds on public safety programs, such as fire safety.

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In order to prevent problems from cuts on K-12 schools, Proposition 30 must pass. With the failure of Proposition 30, K-12 schools will be forced to eliminate three weeks out of the school year. As a result of the shortened school year, young students will need care and somewhere to go when out of school. Some parents may not have sufficient funds to afford the costly rate of daycare, so parents will face troubles with relocating their children on dropped schooldays.  Also, by cutting three weeks from the school year, the Los Angeles Unified School District will shorten its school year to 155 days. Compared to other countries, the shortened school year will produce limited and mildly productive education. In particular, the following countries will have more public school days than California: China, 260 days; Japan, 243 days; Israel, 216 days; Nigeria, 190 days; France 185 days; and Bolivia, 160 days (Danziger).  With less education than students in other countries, California students may have less academic knowledge and may receive poor scores on standardized tests. With California’s low test scores, the United States’ status in academics may decline. Thus, Proposition 30 must pass to prevent the problems of unattended children and poor education from occurring.

Furthermore, the passage of Proposition 30 provides students with access to higher education. By Proposition 30 going into effect, CSU and UC schools will not be forced to restrain admissions. On the contrary, if Proposition 30 does not go into effect, CSU and UC schools will severely cut faculty, admissions, and staff. For example, the CSU system will reject 20,000 qualified students for admission, eliminate 5,500 class sections, and reduce 1,500 staff members (Rivera). Therefore, the average student’s ability to attend a CSU will be much more difficult. Also, UC schools are seeking to increase admissions from out-of-state students, which will hamper a native Californian’s chances of being accepted into a UC school. Because non-

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Californian students pay tuition of an additional $23,000 per year, UC officials are planning to raise the admissions of out-of-state students from 10% to 15% or 20% (Gordon). The increased admissions of out-of-state students will help solve budget issues, but because it decreases local admissions, it rejects the UC goal of educating Californians. Thus, with admissions possibly declining in both CSU and UC schools, students may face greater challenges of attending a university in California. Personally, due to recent budget cuts, I’ve recently been rejected to several UC and CSU schools. A professional college counselor stated that I had a likely result of being accepted into several UC and CSU schools, but because of class cuts and reduced admissions, most UC and CSU schools have rejected my admission. As a relief to educational cuts, Proposition 30 will provide sufficient funds for UC and CSU schools to sustain their classes, staff, and amount of admissions. Therefore, to facilitate students with attending college, Proposition 30 needs to pass.  

Moreover, Proposition 30’s tax revenues will help students afford tuition rates. If Proposition 30 fails, the UC system will possibly conduct a midyear tuition increase of 20% and the CSU system will raise tuition 5% next year (Rivera). Both UC and CSU tuition raises will require students to obtain more money to afford colleges. Some students are fortunate enough to receive money from their parents, but other students have to apply great effort to afford higher education. Personally, I have been struggling to afford college. During my final year of high school, I applied to Humboldt State University, which accepted my application. I really wanted to attend Humboldt State University, but because of increasing tuition rates, I could not afford to attend college there. First, I had to work full time for a year to pay for low rates of attending community college. Some of my peers have suggested to stay home and to simply attend to a

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local community college, which might allow me to afford housing. However, because my parents’ financial debt is forcing my family to move from a house to a small apartment, I have to now pay for housing on my own, even if I do attend a local community college. On top of unforgiving housing costs, I am struggling to keep up with prices of tuition and books. Even though I have worked full time for a year, I still need more funds to survive through college. Consequently, I have taken out student loans. The instant debt caused by acquiring student loans has dissuaded me from taking such action, but I am forced to undergo desperate measures to begin working towards my college degree. Because a college degree is a standard tool for success in today’s economy, I will continue to fight my through college expenses. However, if tuition rates again increase, I will be forced to overcome more distressing obstacles to eventually obtain higher education. Therefore, if CSU and UC tuition rates continue to rise, several California students, such as myself, may struggle to attain a standard college degree. In order to prevent potential problems from tuition increases, Proposition 30 needs to pass.

 

            Finally, the failure of Proposition 30 will leave California as a regressive state. Weak education, fewer admissions, and increased tuition may arise from the government’s harsh educational budget cuts. Opponents of Proposition 30 may declare that increasing tax rates on sales and the wealthy is unjust, but because the government threatened to make such severe cuts on the state budget, Proposition 30 needs to pass to maintain California upright. Proposition 30’s tax revenues will yield sufficient funds to sustain education and public safety programs. With a strong education, graduates may promote success into America’s workforce, which plays a significant role in the economy. California’s education remains a critical subject, for it nurtures

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the youth who will someday dictate California’s future. Personally, I believe that the slight tax increases provide a reasonable and affordable means to overcome California’s financial debt. The government cuts imposed by the failure of Proposition 30 will leave California plunging with more problems. Therefore, Proposition 30 must pass to maintain California’s survival.

Works Cited

 

1. Danziger, Dennis. "Governor Brown's Modest Proposal." Huffington Post. HuffPost Educatiion Group, 26 Sept. 2012. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dennis- danziger/governor-browns-modest-proposal_b_1915042.html>.

Dennis Danziger’s article details the effects of potential government cuts on California’s public schools. It lists details on a shortened school year. The article also compares the shortened to school year to other countries’ public school years. The article applies to the general public.

2. Gordon Larry.“UC regents weigh ugly options; ‘No Ideas are off the Table’ as leaders brainstorm ways to cope if tax hike fails.”Los Angeles Times 13 Sep. 2012: AA.1. National Newspaper Core. Web. 22 Sep. 2012.

Larry Gordon’s article describes the University of California’s potential outcomes from the failure of proposition 30. The author lists details of the UC system’s plan of coping with the failure of proposition 30. Gordon’s article appeals to the general public, especially those interested in proposition 30. Gordon lists many quotations from UC Regents that describe the UC’s financial struggles. He limits personal analysis and insight but provides many facts. The article provides several facts that support the need for proposition 30.

3. Rivera, Carla. “Cal State to raise fees if tax hike fails; Trustees tentatively approve a 5% tuition increase for next year if voters in November reject Prop. 30” Los Angeles Times 19 Sep. 2012: AA.1. National Newspaper Core. Web. 22 Sep. 2012.

In her article, Carla Rivera describes ways in which the UC and CSU system will cope with budget cuts. The article lists facts on tuition increases and reduced admissions, classes, and facukty. Rivera’s article applies to the general public, and it centralizes on those involved with California’s public education. The article remains a valuable source for informing people on the effects of the failure of Proposition 30.

4. Swift, Brenna. "School Initiatives Explained." Union Democrat. Western Communications, Inc., 5 Oct. 2012. Web. 2 Oct. 2012.< http://www.uniondemocrat.com/News/Local- News/School-initiatives-explained>.

Brenna Swifts article of “School Initiatives Explained” lists many facts on the outcome of the failure of Proposition 30. The article explains how public schools in California will have to adjust to severe budget cuts. Swift explains how particular school districts, such as the Sonora Union High School District, have dealt with recent budget cuts. The article applies to the general public.

Rough Draft

           America’s youth is the future. America may sustain its prominence by ensuring the youth thrive with intelligence. Education is the primary source of enhancing both children and young adults with tools to succeed. College degrees permit people to enter into a career. Most employers today admire a workforce with a high, reputable education. As the current economy is struggling, well-educated individuals may revive businesses and consequently, the economy. However, as economic matters dwindle down, so does public education. School systems lack necessary funding to implement productive education, especially in California. The Californian education system has recently reduced classes, staff, and admissions. California’s lack of funds remains a severe issue, and ignoring it may only result in more problems.  A solution to California’s decaying public school system is proposition 30, which calls for temporary, slight tax increases.

            If passed, proposition 30 will increase the tax rate in incomes above $250,000 per individual by 1 to 3 percentage points for seven years. Proposition 30 also calls for an additional tax increase on the state sales tax by a quarter of a cent for four years, which would generate about $1.2 billion a year. 89% of the tax revenues will feed K-12 schools and the other 11% will go to community colleges. If proposition 30 fails, the government will cut nearly $6 billion from the educational budget. K-12 schools will lose $5.5 billion, and the California State University (CSU) system will lose $250 million, and the University of California (UC) system will lose $375 million.

Consequently, K-12 schools will be forced to eliminate 3 weeks of the school year. By cutting 3 weeks out of the school year, many working parents face the problem of where to put their children when out of school. Some parents may have to pay the costly rate of daycare.  Also, the CSU system will reduce classes, faculty, and admissions, which will worsen the conditions for students. With larger classes and fewer teachers, the ability to focus and receive proper education will be limited. With fewer admissions, students may not be able to attend a university due to increased competition.

As financial problems arise, California State University trustees have been thinking of ways to cope with the budget. If a tax measure from either proposition 30 or 38 fails, CSU trustees plan to raise tuition 5% next year (Rivera). Although tuition has been significantly increasing over the past decade, students will have to bear more tuition expenses to attain college education. Chancellor Charles B. Reed states that if either tax measure fails, roughly 20,000 college students will be denied admission; 5,500 class sections will be cut, and 1,500 faculty and staff will also be cut (Rivera). With so many cuts, educational value will degrade. Students will be limited to receiving aid in their studies, which will make education more demanding and difficult. Class and faculty cuts will clearly limit admissions for prospective students. From the failure of proposition 30, the UC system will also carry out financial solutions that will reduce UC admissions. UC officials are seeking to raise the admissions of out-of-state students from 10% to 15% or 20% (Gordon). Non-Californian students pay tuition of an additional $23,000 a year. The additional tuition rate for out-of-state students will help solve budget issues, but because it decreases local admissions, it rejects the UC goal of educating Californians. UC regents are also planning several other ways to gather money: holding more classes in summer, boosting online education, and leasing parking facilities to private operators and hiking parking fees. Sherry Lansing, the UC regents chairwoman, even proposed to cut film studies departments to only 1 location at UCLA. The UC strategies to resolve their budget impairs a student’s learning opportunities. UC system President Mark G. Yudof describes the tough financial scene: “There are no simple solutions. There are only difficult, complex ones.” Both CSU and UC sytems can greatly benefit from proposition 30.

Proposal

Title: Proposition 30

Author: Billy Drury

Date: September 30, 2012

Topic: Proposition 30

Exigence: Educational crisis needs immediate funding to sustain California’s public Education system.

Intended Audience: General Public

Purpose: To inform public about the effects of Proposition 30

Claim: Proposition 30 needs to pass to sustain education

Logos: The passage of proposition 30 calls for a sales and tax increase initiative. The sales tax will increase from 7.25 percent to 7.5 percent. The income tax will raise 1-3 percent on Californians making over $250,000 per year. If proposition 30 does not pass, the government will cut $5.5 billion from the K-12 educational budget, which will retract 3 weeks from school. Cal State universities will cut $250 million, which would subsequently decrease class cuts, faculty staff, and admissions. Although CSU tuition has increased over the past decade, the Cal State University system will again increase tuition. The educational cuts arising from the failure of proposition 30 will may cut 15-20 school days form the year. Consequently, California’s public schools will likely consist of a 155-day school year. Opinions on a 155-day school year may vary, but compared to other nations, it is unproductive. The following countries provide theier students with the following amount of days out of the year: China- 260, Japan-243, Israel-216, Nigeria- 190, France-185, and Bolivia-160. As compared to the mentioned countries, California may produce weak educational results, which may provide detrimental results on the United States’ supremacy.

Pathos: Ultimately, proposition 30 affects California’s youth. I have always been told that the youth of America is the future. Education enhances the youth with tools to succeed in the future. Therefore, education remains a vital factor in America’s prosperity. The passage of proposition 30 will permit individuals to have modest access to education. If proposition 30 fails, education will add to America’s growing list of problems. With increases in tuition and classroom sizes, prospective students may be discouraged to attend school. With America’s ongoing economic struggles, parents may very well be struggling not only to support practical matters, but also their children’s education. Large classroom sizes devitalizes attention to the individual student, and struggling students may need costly tutoring. Tuition increases will also require students to pay more for education. Tuition and tutoring costs may likely induce hardships for the average student. Some fortunate students may have parents pay for their educational expenses, but others may not have necessary funds. Loans may give an economically challenged student breathing room, but with the current economy, how likely is paying off debt just after college graduation? Because jobs are scarce and the economy’s future is questionable, loans may only create problems for the aspiring student. Because matters are difficult, California’ youth must implement strong, ambitious focus to attain an education.

Ethos: Because education plays a strong role in society’s future, I stand strong for proposition 30. The slight tax increase from proposition 30 will only mildly affect taxpayers’ economic matters. Tax revenues will provide adequate education that shapes the future of America. On the other hand, the failure of proposition 30 drastically deters California’s educational system. Tax increase may very well be affordable for people of any economic situation.