AshleeGantonn.

August 28th, 1910
Diary Entry #1

Dear Diary, it’s been a while since I had a chance to write anything down. A lot has happened.
It all started where I was merely just sitting around the table with my family and having a simple
conversation about how my day went. I told them that my friend and I went for a walk in the park.
I love the sound of nature it’s one of the only places where I feel happy. It always makes me feel like I am at complete bliss. There’s no other way to describe it. I had no idea that my day would take
a complete turn for the worst. White men barged in through the door with guns and disturbed our simple,
quiet dinner. They pulled me out of my chair and told my parents that they were taking me to a school.
Mom and Dad couldn’t understand what they were saying however. They were speaking in a foreign language.
One that was completely different from our native language. Screaming, and yelling continued while the
White men were pulling at my arms and telling me to come with them. My parents had no way of stopping them.
They wanted to but they didn’t have the powerful weapons that the men had. So I was left to go with these men.
They brought me to this school. There are other kids here too. I think they’re around the same age as me. The
only difference is that they’ve been here longer. I look at their faces, and all I see is a face with sorrow, they all
have tears in their eyes. I’m clueless as to what’s going to happen to me. I hope Mom and Dad are okay…

September 9th, 2010
Diary Entry #2

I have no idea why I’m here. Everyone speaks a different language and I have no idea how to communicate.
Half the time I just spend my time as quiet as possible. Because if I speak, I’ll be struck with a wooden stick like
the others. I really am frightened by the nuns and priests in this place. They’re trying to teach me their culture. Why
do I have to learn their religion? Their language? Why can’t they teach us about our own backgrounds and the things
we’ve always been taught? I’m really worried about what more they’re going to do to me. I wish I could get out of here.

September 10th, 1910
Diary Entry #3

I wanna go home… Why do I have to be here?
What did I do to deserve this?! I never thought that I would
have to go through this. These nuns and priests keep hitting me and spitting on my face. I feel worthless. I think I’m going to die here. I don’t even know what love is anymore. The other day I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the washroom. One of the nuns saw me and struck me with a wooden strap. I don’t think I ever did anything wrong. I wish I could talk to my parents. They came to visit yesterday but weren’t allowed to speak to me unless they spoke in English. It was nice to see them again though. I don’t know how much longer I’m going
to have to stay here. I just hope that I get out of here alive.

September 25th, 1910
Diary Entry # 4

I can’t take this anymore. Too much has happened. Yesterday I was sexually abused by one of the missionaries.
They made me touch them very inappropriately. The images won’t stop playing in my head. I swear I’m scarred for life.
I don’t know how to put it. I really just want to go home. I miss my old life. I miss being able to walk through the park,
and live my regular life. The worst thing is, is that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to see it again. I wish I could still speak
my own language. I don’t get why I can’t. I’ve been praying every night ever since the White men brought me here.
My prayers are yet to be answered..

June 6th, 1920
Diary Entry #5

It’s hard to truly understand the experiences I went through when attending the residential schools. The scars will never be healed. No matter how much money the Canadian government gives to us. No amount of money will ever erase the memory of watching my friends and family being brutally beat while I had no ability to stop it. I wish I would’ve stopped it. Maybe if I had stepped up and done something no one would have to experience the same things that I experienced. There’s no form of counselling that would erase the physical scars that I have. The pain that I’ve had to suffer. The depression that I have had to deal with for many years. And for many years yet to come. I’ve turned to alcohol, and I have become a chronic gas sniffer only because of what I’ve been taught, what I’ve gone through. It’s the only thing that will numb the pain. I’ve never known anything more than what I’ve gone through, what my parents have gone through and what their parents have gone through. I can only pray that my children won’t have to deal with such pain and suffering. Maybe one day the White people will realize what they’ve done to our culture, our people. We’ve lost all recollection of what we used to be. I can only hope and pray that one day our culture will be brought back to life and be able to survive what we’ve been put through.

Written by,

1 -Bar Scene – Drinking, laughing, partying etc.
-Camera zooms in on two people sitting at the bar.
-Male and Female.
2-Male asks for Captain ‘on the rocks’ . Women asks for fruity margarita “on the rocks”
- Bartender gives both their drinks but with a literal pun.
3- Bartender literally gives them Their drinks “on rocks”
- “Why did you put rocks in my drinks?”
4- “Well really it’s more then just rocks! It’s Antigua Gravel!
It’s the only gravel in the world that can be used in a drink.
Not to mention it’s even better than ice!”
“Try it yourself!”
-Brings out both Ice and drink, and Gravel with drink.
5- Customer tries ice drink says “Oh yeah this is good”
6-Customer tries gravel drink and says “Oh wow! This is incredible! It really enhances the flavour and
it makes it go down so easily!”
– Cut Scene –
7-Camera focuses on a “Infomercial set up”
“Antigua Gravel the most fine gravel of all. Makes drinking even more pleasurable then before!
You’ll be able to enjoy your favorite alcoholic beverages to the greatest extent. Call 1-666-800-8135″ *jingle*
– Cut Scene –
8 Credits/Bloopers/Fun Stuff

Dialogue

Scene 1 consists of whole cast. Camera is focussed on the backs of two patrons. They are starting to order drinks.
Camera focusses on the two people sitting at the bar. The individuals are male and female.

Male : Captain on the Rocks Please?
Female : Margarita on the Rocks Please!
Bartender “Here you go!”
*bartender gives each their drinks*

Female: Why did you put rocks in my drink?
Male: Yeah what the heck!
Bartender: Well you said “On the rocks” didn’t you! And anyway
it’s way better then ice! It’s Antigua GravProxy-Connection: keep-alive
Cache-Control: max-age=0

! Only the finest gravel
in the whole world. Try it yourself!

Each try the drink
Male: Woah No way this is so good!
Female: I can’t believe how good this is! It’s way better than ice!

Infomercial Bit

Bartender: Antigua Gravel! It’s much better then ice! It makes the drink even more thirst quenching then before.
You’ll be wondering why you ever tried ice! Ice dissolves in the drink and actually gets rid of the flavour. Antigua gravel
doesn’t do such a thing! It actually enriches the taste!
Call now and we’ll give you an extra special offer! Two packs for one price!
Order now!
Credits/End/Bloopers

It’s very difficult to turn on the television and not see a commercial with gender bias. I have seen many commercials where women are used as ‘eye candy‘. In other words they’re used as ways to draw attention to the product. Especially in ads that are marketing alcohol. Captain Morgans, Heinekin, Budlight.. All of these brands have commercials that contain women being used as a use of marketing. Which is really quite politically incorrect. If women were allowed to be human in 1913 then how come they’re still being used as ways of eye candy? And ways for men to get very enthusiastic, If you know what I’m saying. It’s the only way to put it. Why can’t men be used in the same way? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a commercial for Captain Morgans that has a half naked man posing the way Captain Morgans does. Why not? Both genders drink the alcohol? So why is it only factual that a man’s satisfaction is most important? Marketing companies should realize that they should preach to both genders. It would be twice the demand. The only reason that a woman would want to purchase the brand after watching the ad would maybe be the idea that she wants to be as gorgeous
as the woman on the commercial.

Another example of this is beauty commercials. Women are told to have long lashes, perfect skin, and long hair. Well at least according to the ads that I have watched there are definitely a bias where women have to look like these celebrities do. They have to have the perfect length of lashes, even though in reality these celebrities are wearing fake lashes. The problem is that young children are being taught that this is the way to live. The only way to live is to be gorgeous and have every product on the market. Only because celebrities do. I definitely can say that through my own experience I have definitely gone through the same issues. Believing that I MUST be how these women on T.V. are. It’s a self-destructive idea but it is something that all of us go through, and it’s something we must realize is wrong and we must find our own path way to righteousness.

I find it rare to actually see a male used in this way. The only people that I see being used as “eye candy” on ads are children, or women. Which is almost a connection to the hierarchy in the 1700-1800s. We were told in social class about the fact that men always come first over women and children. Men>Women>Children>Slaves. It’s just how it was back then, and we think that we’ve changed it over all of these years. But in reality our minds are still set in that time period. Especially when it comes to business, and it comes to advertisements. Men are always portrayed in commercials as the strong, successful type. Women are considered to be something to “make our eyes drool”. It’s a bias that we have had for years, which obviously isn’t something that we should be proud of.

It’s a self destructive concept and it’s an aspect that we must realize, and try to turn in a different direction. These women shouldn’t be what teenage girls look up to when they’re growing up. It can be so extreme that it causes a child to believe that a disease is ‘trendy’. Anorexia for example, since all of these girls are gorgeous and slim doesn’t mean that that’s the way we have to be. I find it to be a huge insult if someone says that I HAVE to be a certain way. Just BECAUSE some commercial says so. Whatever happened to the influence of Marilyn Monroe? She was always someone who had curves and that was what was considered to be beautiful. Which I believe is how it should be. As long as someone is comfortable in their own skin is beauty all by itself. Which is the only way to prosper and live a happy and satisfying book.

The world of marketing and media is probably one of the most influential aspects of a child’s life. The way that companies produce toys for children will change how the child looks at the world. I know that when I was younger I was influenced to try and be pretty, and tall just as how Barbie or the dolls I played with were. I found that since I have an older brother I could see when we were younger the difference between the two different toy sets. He was into cars, trucks, and action figures. While me and my sister were into Barbies, clothes, and pretend make-up. It’s insane how as children our perspective of the world can change so easily. Just by the toys that we play with.

November 6th, 2009 a US army psychiatrist took the life of 13 people, and injured 30 others. It was said to be that the shooting took place in an army base. Only a block or two away from a graduation ceremony for future soliders. When the participants of the ceremony overheard the commotion they rushed over to help. Ripping and tearing their clothes to cover up the wounds of the individuals who were shot. I wonder if this sort of encounter could connect to the toys that children are exposed to. Men are expected to be big, strong and tough. With toys like G.I. Joe what if that connects to how they act in the future? G.I. Joe is known to be a military-themed action figure. Which makes the possibility of this being the reason as to why he just suddenly decided to break out two hand guns and start to shoot people. Proxy-Connection: keep-alive
Cache-Control: max-age=0

ere has to be something in a person’s mind that makes them just suddenly think that they should turn against all that they know, and kill dozens of people. I mean this man was a psychiatrist, usually not the type of person you’d expect to bring out a gun and shoot these people. So there has to be something that made him tick. Was he having a bad day? I don’t think so. Maybe he was finally annoyed of all of the problems that he’s heard from other individuals. He may have just suddenly thought that he had to take it out on someone else. His own thoughts could have very well been built up for so long that he had no other way of exposing them. I can find the connection to my own state of mind. I spend my days and months helping others. My plan in life is to help people every hour of the day. I wish to be a psychologist. I can definitely understand that his own thoughts and problems could have been built up for years and years. Then finally one day he just exploded and had to take it out on someone.

Age bias is also another perspective that companies use to market their products. Commericals like Windows XP and Band-aid brand use children as a way to sell their merchandise. We see these commericals and we say “What a cute kid! I’d feel bad if I didn’t buy that product!” Which is quite obviously not the greatest thing in the world to do. These companies are using these kids when the kids don’t even know what’s going on. In Quebec there is a law that states that no child under the age of 12 is to be used in a commercial. Which I can totally understand. These children should not be used and forced into these commericals at such an early age. I know that if I was used in a marketing commerical when I was that age that now, when I’m old enough to realize the reason for using me in a commercial that I definitely would not approve of it whatsoever. I know that when I have children whenever that may be and if aman comes up to me and says that my child would be perfect for a certain commercial. I would more then likely say no.

Sure there can be Age bias and Gender bias but the bias I recognize the most in advertisements is Racial bias. It really isn’t usual to see a black man in a commerical marketing a product. Nor is it ever usual to see a Native, or Middle Eastern man advertising these products. It’s the strong, white and successful males that we see mostly on commercials everyday. Only because the stereotype is just that. Most people would rather buy something from someone who is successful. Maybe even smart. Which is what in most cases, a white man is percieved as. I know that it is a very blunt detail, however in all reality it is highly true. I really do believe that it is the greatest and most popular bias of them all.

It’s hard to understand the reality of marketing, and commercials when looked at from a customers perspective. We don’t usually stop and think about what is right and wrong. We just like to watch the commercial, and decide whether or not we would take the time and money to buy that product. It is a world that we must look at in a different perspective then usual and decide whether or not the commericals are legitamate enough. It could do a lot of damage otherwise. So the next time that I watch a commercial, whether it be for computers, food, toys, clothes, so on so forth. I will realize the bias statements that marketers portray throughout their commercials.

“Gender Inequality Toy Ads Aimed at Children”

” Each day, every member of the family,
one after the other enters the shrine room, bows
his head before the charm-box, mixes holy
water in the font and then proceeds with a
brief rite similar to Christian Baptisim “

This sentence is a clear example of Ethnocentrisim. The narrator is comparing these “Snaid-Anac” people to Christian belief. Which could very well be a false interpretation of what these people believe. Just because this tradition is “like” Christianity doesn’t mean we should interpret and compare these people to Christianity. They could very well feel as if that statement is an insult and it can be a very dangerous way of viewing things. The person according to this quote is washing their face, in front of a charm box or in other words a medicine cabinet. This has nothing to do with Christian baptisim, for there is no holy belief behind it besides daily hygiene. So in my opinion, this statement refers to Ethnocentrisim.

” To an outsider this preoccupation may seem pointless, but these religious practices greatly reassure the people, and if they chose to live this way, we should not question it. “

This statement can be both Cultural Superiority and Cultural Relativism at the same time. One may question how this is possible. At the same time the narrator states how the culture’s opinion may be pointless. Which is an example of Cultural Superiority. The “outsider” feels superior to the other culture by saying the Snaid-Anac’s culture is false and pointless. However, at the same time the narrator states how if the culture believes this, we should not commit false judgement.We should allow them to believe the way they do because that is how they have learned to prosper. So I believe that this statement is both Culturally Superior, and Relative.

While looking around on CBC.ca I came across a link that said that the leader of the Liberal Party, Michael Ignatieff hired Jean Chrétien as chief of staff. I personally think this would, and could very well be a smart decision on Ignatieff’s side. Chrétien is a very experienced and hard working man. He definitely would have some intelligent insights when it comes to this new occupation. However, I came across this one comment that was only on the first page of the article. ” Yesterday’s party hires yesterday’s man to try and revive their sagging fortunes. How pathetic. “I really believe this commenter has no idea what he is talking about. Sure Jean had many difficult outcomes during his years of being Prime Minister, But he is definitely a very educated and hard working man. I can say this from experience, because I met Jean a few months ago at the Vancouver Liberal Convention in May. Him and I had a conversation about the ways that Young Liberals can act, and help our future. At first when I saw him I didn’t realize it was Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. I know that before I had a conversation with him I was brainwashed into thinking that he was a bad man only because he may have made mistakes during his leadership. But who doesn’t? I’m pretty sure that Stephen Harper has made some big mistakes aswell. I really just don’t understand why someone would most a comment like this without knowing factual information about Jean Chrétien and Michael Ignatieff. I have met both Michael and Jean and they are both very intelligent individuals. Jean will do a great job as Chief of Staff.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips
Philosophy for a “Die-Hard Romantic”

STJ School Forum : Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion : Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips
STJ School Forum

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-12-01
Another book that I read that reminds me of this would be Sophie’s world. The fact that it tells the history of philosophy so well and I understand it much better then if I were to have someone tell me vocally the history of philosophy. I tend to become bored if that’s what happens.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-11-25
The characters are all real people. Socrates himself was a philosopher of the 460 to 399 BC time period and he was known for his almost ‘ insane ‘ personality. In reality however though if we look to the past and all the people that have become famous for their personalities or anything for that matter are because of how insane they seem to be. People like Edgar Allen Poe and Vincent Van Gough were known for their insane personalities and their ideas.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-11-25
Philosophy is one of the greatest subjects I believe to learn about. Either the history or just let alone reading questions. It’s a way to greaten the way that an individual thinks. Which is why this book definitely stands out to me. Not only is it about philosophy but it also has a psychological aspect to it as well and that is why I picked it up.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-11-25
Is it proven that the reason we wish for certain qualities in another is because of the way that our parents raised us? Is it a form of incest almost to look for the same qualities in a husband as what my dad would’ve had? Maybe not so much in a physical perspective but more in an emotional and mental perspective.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-11-25
Some events in this book remind me of own experiences in my life. It mentions a lot about finding the reasons why we might crave the attention from the opposite sex, or at least the sex you find attractive. It can definitely connect to own experiences, and it definitely connects to my own personal experiences. Losing a father, I find the need to search for that love that I have lost. It’s may be hard to explain. Once one has gone through the experience however it is easier to understand.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-11-25
I would like to change the fact that Socrates isn’t here around this day and time! Or at least somebody who resembles him. The idea of someone being able to persuade the way that humans think today as much as he did, or atleast as much as he tried would be amazing. I only wish that I could be as persuasive as he was! That would definitely be my goal in life.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-11-23
“One word frees usOf all the weight and pain in life,That word is Love ”I agree with this remark so much. Nothing else in this world can make someone happier but the word love. It reminds me of the song by The Beatles “The Word”. The lyrics start of by saying “Say the word and you’ll be free Say the word and be like me Say the word I’m thinking ofHave you heard the word is love? It’s so fine, It’s sunshine It’s the word, love” It’s saying that the word of love no matter what can bring us that happy and warm feeling. It’s just the energy that it brings us. I find it to be so amazing that one emotion, one feeling can do so many things all at the same time. I believe this is what Socrates is addressing when he says that “All the weight and pain in life” You can not only be happy, but sad at the same time when it comes to love. But it gives a never ending energy that we’ll feel for all the years of our lives.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-11-06
I have already read one other book by Christopher Phillips. A book called Socrates Cafe. Where he explains how he goes from state to state and has philosophical discussions with people from all forms of life. People in prisons, churches, day care, you name it. He just wants to make sure that everyone can have a greater understanding of what philosophy is and how we as people can think through Socratic Inquiry.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-11-06
Anyone who is open to learning about Philosophy and Psychology at the same time should definitely pick Socrates in Love up. It’s definitely a great book I’m glad to say that there are still pages left in the book for me to read. I don’t really want it to end! If anyone has a sensitive mind about things involving sex, profanity they may not want to read this book. But It’s a part of life, and we must face it and learn about it sooner or later.

Socrates in Love by Christopher Phillips in Book Talk : Non-Fiction Book Discussion, aganton, 2009-11-05
I believe that Christopher Phillips – The author of Socrates Café and Socrates in Love definitely portrays some of the same qualities I’m sure Socrates did. Sure Socrates may be upset with me comparing him to another human being. But in a true aspect Phillips definitely reminds me of Socrates. Trying to express the thoughts and wisdom that he has learned to others. Whether or not they believe or agree with him is a totally different aspect. The fact that he is preaching out, and making sure his voice is heard and heard in the right way. without any further interpretation. I feel Phillips definitely has some aspects that make him just like Socrates himself.

Technology – is it really that big of a deal? The fact that it has increased and gained both quality and quantity is hard to believe for those who did not grow up on these different technological devices. Their opinion is more then likely completely different then someone who has grown up with computers and learned everything they know now through computers. We can research different topics and branch off of the issues and statements that other individuals display. Since I have experienced this, and grown up on technology my point of view is very well based on what I have saw, and what I know to be true. There is both negative and positive affects of technology that we as both collectives and individuals know about and if we don’t, we will find it sooner or later.

Before watching a video online called “Growing Up Online” I believed that I knew everything about the technological side of the world. I was definitely wrong. The fact that there are websites about basically everything, is just mind-boggling. One example is the Pro-Ana and Pro-Mia websites which promote the “trend” of anorexia and bulimia. I don’t understand why someone would want to promote, and persuade the opinions of adolescent teenagers everywhere that being skinny is the only way of life. I decided that I should research this, because I found that it was very interesting to hear that someone really thinks promoting a disease, an illness is right. I came across a website where they stated that if you want to be thin, you must believe that less is always more. They also stated that if anyone were to tell them otherwise to “stick their hypothetical fingers into their metaphorical ears” and not listen to what they say. Only because the philosophy of Ana or Mia is how they should live, and the only way to be beautiful in the eyes of the rest of the world. I really don’t understand the reasoning behind these websites.

In many cases Technology is obviously a good thing. It gives us quick access to the research and information that we need. If it wasn’t for technology, our world would be very different then how it is today. We definitely would not be as developed as we are today. There are so many different forms of technology and it’s incredible that it’s still developing. I’m sure that in a few years there will be a lot more forms of technology. I definitely believe that the technology we have now will not even be close to what we will be using in years to come. Technology is always increasing no matter what. It’s just like any other company or business there always needs to be something new so that customers do not become bored. I believe that technology is a great thing, for the most part. Technology helps us stay in touch with the people that we know, or the people that we’ve lost contact to for many years and finally have a chance to talk to again.

So in conclusion, there are definitely a lot of pros and cons when it comes to the internet and technology. Pros being that we can connect to the people that we have lost contact with, and Cons being that through the internet many young people are being influenced to believe what they shouldn’t. It is definitely easy to say that without technology and without the communication systems that we have today our world would be a lot different then it is today. I’m sure that many people would find it very hard to adjust if technology just quit out of nowhere. This would mean no computers, no internet, no phones, no television – nothing. Let’s just hope that doesn’t happen anytime soon.