Red, White and You

Alyssa Pedi
English 1101
Professor Young
September 15, 2017

America the beautiful, and America the free. While it is truly beautiful and free, it does unfortunately have people who do not see it for what it truly is. Former, "star" quarter back, number 7 for the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick has taken advantage of our beautiful home. Every single day hundreds of soldiers give their lives for our freedom. They are hundreds and hundreds of miles away from their homes, their families, and the simplicities of life. Kaepernick took it upon himself to perform an act of disrespect during a football game. He did not do the right thing and not stand for the playing of the National Anthem. The song that represents our freedom, and our soldiers. The soldiers who sit dying on piles of dirt in foreign countries while Colin Kaepernick sits comfortably on his big piles of money. Hearing upon this event my stomach turned and my blood boiled. A proud family member and friend of a long line of military officials, I shut off my tv and began to question what I had just seen. Football games are a place for loud cheers, oceans of supporting fans strutting their teams official colors, and greasy snacks. This is not a place for political views from a man who is getting paid to do otherwise. While it is arguable what the right thing to do was, I feel he chose the worst possible action and offended those who "were" fans of his. Featured in this video, Kaepernick takes a knee right behind hundreds of service members being honored on military appreciation night.

 It is hard to comprehend the fact that while my 21 and 24 year old cousins, and my 19 year old best friend are overseas fighting for this beautiful life I am privileged to live, this man can do an action so simple, so vile as to disrespect millions he does not even know.

The process is quite simple, you go to work, do your job, and then you go home. Your home time is where you are free to do whatever you choose. If Kaepernick so pleases to protest and take a stand in his free time that is his god given right, but his timing and location was inappropriate. In my eyes this was the wrong thing to do, and technically he may have had the right to kneel, in my book he had no right. And if he doesn't like these rules then he can pack his bag and move himself somewhere else. Located at every American sporting event, our beautiful flag soars high. Red, white and blue; the three colors that symbolize our country. Red, white and you; the person who should be doing everything in your power to build it up, not tear it down and divide us. The same aspect goes for Michael Bennett; I applaud those individuals who stand up for their rights because I know I would have the courage to do the same. But its when the idea is being shoved down my throat that I have to disagree. Opinions are a wonderful thing and everyone is blessed to be able to voice theirs, so you believe in yours and I will believe in mine and that is exactly how it is supposed to go. There should be no riots, or protests because what I believe does not agree with what you do. This is America the beautiful, and America the free, but it will not be this way for much longer if people continue to take advantage of it.

Do the Right Thing Quotes

Alyssa Pedi
English 1101
Professor Young
September 5 2017

In class we have been discussing Do the Right Thing. It is an eye opening script/movie that tells the story of Mookie, a 24 year old man living in Brooklyn, New York. Along the way we are introduced to the citizens of this town that come to affect the life of our protagonist. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "... Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys a community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in a monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends by defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers." This powerful quote can be broken down and connected to our story. To begin the downward spiral, it starts off with defining violence with hatred and love. These are binary terms and can be found scattered throughout Do the Right Thing, and on the knuckles of Radio Raheem. The power that comes from both love and hate destroys the community not only with buildings or items, but with a life in the end. The idea of any type of, "brotherhood," gets demolished because of the tension created by characters Buggin' Out, Radio Raheem, Sal, Pino and Vito. Their arguing and disagreements obliterate any type of bond that could have been formed. Towards the end of our downward spiral, comes the explosion of emotions shown by Mookie and the community. In an act of savagery they loot and burn down Sal's Famous Pizzeria. The only way to end the violence building up within the people was by letting it defeat itself. As for the rest of the story, there was a, "bitter" taste left in the mouths of the survivors, Sal and his family. With their restaurant destroyed and an angry mob surrounding them they had nowhere to turn to except away from it all. The brutality now lies within the community, as a side of them came out they never knew existed. Do the Right Thing, is a true example of what happens when love and hate collide. Both will destroy anything in their paths.          

First Week of College

Alyssa Pedi
English 1101
September 2 2017
Professor Young

First Week of College

This past week I began my first week of college. I watched myself grow up faster in a matter of seven days rather then the past 18 years of my life. After being forced to step out of my comfort zone I soon discovered the best version of myself had began to show. I was more friendly than I had ever been, making friends left and right I soon found myself with three amazing friends who are a lot like myself and have to be some of the best people I have ever met. They have truly helped me adjust to this transition like I had always hoped I would be able to. Then came the classes and the work load. While this is still a work in progress, I cannot wait to learn more about something I love and to one day be able to finally make that dream a reality. With this being said, I can officially say I have one week down and many more to go and I couldn't be more ready.