My Thoughts About Xavier and Its Mission after 1st Semester Saturday, Nov 5 2011

XU! Well to be quite frank, I am so excited that I decided to attend Xavier University. I felt like it was the school for me, and it turned out to be a perfect fit. I have learned so much here at Xavier. Sometimes classes seemed very overwhelming, but I have adjusted pretty well and my grades are steadily increasing. Xavier is such a unique place. Because it is the only Historically Black Catholic College, it takes on a category of its own. And being located in New Orleans only adds to how special Xavier is! I must add, however, that I do wish the food was better. To say this is New Orleans, the cafeteria should be hittin’. I suppose I can look over that though; I only have seven more semesters to endure it. And I have only seven more semesters to be bombarded by music so loud, that it no longer has words.

The mission statement of Xavier University is very interesting to me. It places and emphasis on learning and serving our communities. Community service has always been an important part of my life, and since Xavier has that mentioned in its mission, it motivates me to keep the same mindset and keep up the work in my community and in areas around New Orleans. It also mentions a focus on a “just and humane society”. In today’s society it seems like corruption and acts of hate and contempt immerse the world we live in. The mention of a “just and humane society” serves a major purpose of instilling hope and giving an ideal way to live. Xavier and its mission statement holds a student to high standards. Therefore, I am motivated to continue to live in a manner that shows honor to God and accomplishes the goals of my school!

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What I thought about Fast Food Nation Saturday, Nov 5 2011

“Fast Food Nation”, written by Eric Schlosser, is a book that revolutionized what I think about fast food restaurants. This book has enlightened me on so many aspects of not just food, but how food has impacted our society and world as a whole. One prevalent issue in the book was food safety. Schlosser informed the reader that many food producing factories used unsafe practices in preparing the cows for slaughter and then preparing the products from the cow. For  instance, cows were stuffed into small feedlots that were not adequate for the cows to maintain their health. Many cows stood ankle deep in manure, and all the cows were exposed to whatever diseases or bacteria in the manure. If one cow was sick, others were bound to become sick as well. Another unethical practice was feeding these cows diseased animals like chickens, dogs,and pigs. Once the cows were ruthlessly shocked to death, workers, many of whom were unlawful immigrants, sped to keep up with the endless conveyor belts. Countless workers lost extremities, incurred major injuries, or died because of uncontrollable speeds, carelessness, and faulty machines.  Factory workers were exploited and thought of as less than human. Kenny, one of the men mentioned in “Fast Food Nation”, pledged his loyalty to the factory he worked at to eventually be broken by them.

Obesity is a very important subject matter discussed in this book. Schlosser details how the fast food companies sold food with high amounts of fat instead of making food that was healthy for its consumers. For example, many McDonald’s opened up overseas and people began to see the negative impact that eating the food had on their health and waste lines. Another topic in the book that I found very fascinating was the article discussing food flavors and scents. It was very interesting to know that smoky flavored chips got their flavor from capturing saw dust aromas from particles. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed learning through this wonderful book.

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How do automobiles and interstates play a role in spreading the fast food culture? Friday, Oct 28 2011

Schlosser did a very good job of explaining why automobiles and interstates play an important role in the spread of fast food restaurants. To summarize him and expound upon his ideas, I have written a few statements.

Vehichles allow individuals the freedom to transport theirselves and families, without having to plan according to a bus or train schedule. In essence, automobiles have empowered their owners with more individualism.Therefore people can basically go places when they please and leave whenever they please.  With this new found independence, people were on the go like never before, sometimes just to joyride and enjoy the scenery or breeze. Many people would stop at fast food restaurants and little shops during their outings and pick up a quick meal or snack for a few bucks. As automobiles continued to become a quintessential part of people’s lives, interstates developed,  and this began a  revolution in  the world of fast food.  In addition, individuals were not only driving to local places, they were visiting distant family members, taking road trips to see sights, and taking long-distance vacations. And when they were traveling, fast food restaurants provided quickly prepared meals at a convienence for small amounts of money. People could take a few minutes out their schedule and eat in the fast food restaurant or drive through if they were in a hurry to get to their destination. Moreover fast food restaurants were in impacted by the spread of automobiles is that people would often drive to a restaurant because they were able to simply ride through the drive through. The automobile made it easy to get a meal and never leave your car or truck and people loved this accomodation, especially if they had handicaps, impairments, or were just plain lazy. So the more people used these amenities, the more fast food restaurants spread abroad through parts of U.S. They were making such a profit off their businesses that fast food restaurants continued to open new branches in places such as impoverished neighborhoods and small towns. Eventually these stores made their ways to places like Japan, China, and Great Britian.

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Email your favorite teacher, thanking them Thursday, Oct 20 2011

Well, this week our assignment was to write a letter of thanks to our favorite teacher and email it to him or her. And though I have several awesome teachers this semester, I didn’t find it too hard to choose the professor that I would email. The email I wrote to my favorite teacher is as follows:

Hey Dr. Privett! I was given an assignment in Freshman Seminar to write to my favorite teacher. So I just wanted to tell you that you are my favorite instructor, and I really admire the way you teach the class and the way you explain concepts of chemistry. I also enjoy how you make chemistry interesting by relating it to other things. I also like the review session that you facilitate, because they are very detailed. I didn’t have a real solid background in chemistry from my high school, but I feel I have been able to grasp most of the modules that we have discussed and been tested upon because of your class. Another thing I like is the fact that you really want your students, as well as other students, to succeed in understanding the topics of chemistry. I frequently see you in the hall or your office talking with students and helping them with problems during your non-office hours. I have stopped by a few times and you have always addressed my matters. I just want to let you know that I genuinely appreciate you as a teacher!

I think she, along with several other teachers, are noteworthy instructors here at Xavier. However, I am assured I made a good choice. I have enjoyed this class, despite the occasional mix-ups or confusions that I incur in trying to study. It is all an uphill journey and I am on my way to a good college career because of awesome teachers like Dr. Privett.

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Interview about an XU’s students views about our mission Thursday, Oct 20 2011

I interviewed one of the seniors at Xavier about his thoughts of Xavier’s mission. He expressed a true feel of Xavier’s mission statement and the impact it has upon others. Besides that, he also shed new light on several things about the mission that I have never really thought about. I asked him what the mission meant to him, and after thinking deeply, he replied by saying that Xavier’s mission “holds me to a higher standard and causes me to really think about not only getting a degree but also making a difference through community service.”  He basically expressed that the mission was not only academically based but also socially based, one which wants to help students develop intellectually as well as active members of the community. And when I asked him whether he felt the mission has been fulfilled, he told me he think it has. Then I asked him did he believe that Xavier’s foundress, Saint Katherine Drexel, would be proud, and the interviewee quickly said “Oh yes! I believe she would.” I further asked him about Katherine Drexel and her vision. He told me that she was the “epitome of the mission statement.” He elaborated by saying that “she gave of herself and her possessions”. Saint Katherine Drexel gave her wealth so African Americans could go to school. He even mentioned the fact that she helped Native American as well. Another question I asked was: what did he think our foundress would change about Xavier. He gave an interesting explanation, replying that “she would try to change the mindset” of what some people think of the mission. She would try to make sure people “would not take it for granted.” Overall, I enjoyed the interview and even became enlightened about how he felt about the mission and its influence in his life.

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Would Katherine Drexel be happy with Xavier today? Thursday, Oct 6 2011

     Katherine Marie Drexel, one of the wealthiest women in America, was born in Philadephia on November 26, 1858 to Francis and Hannah Drexel. A month later, Katherine’s mother died and her father later remarried to Emma Bovisister, who raised Katherine and her sister in the Catholic faith. This started a powerful mission in her life. Later Katherine Drexel traveled around helping Native Americans, African Americans, and any others she could. She was also very instrumental in starting schools. She, along with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, founded Xavier University of Louisiana.

     To be honest, I think Katherine Drexel would be happy with several aspects of Xavier University. I think she would be proud that so many African Americans are attending college and growing as young adults. She would also like the fact that Xavier is number one in putting African American students in medical schools. I think our foundress would be delighted to know that Xavier has really revolutionized the way the sciences are taught to black students. These facts would warm her heart and assure her that investing in this school and the lives of so many black students has really paid off. On the other hand, I am pretty sure she would not be pleased with certain things concerning the school. For instance, I think she would like if all the students have a personal relationship with God. And she probably would also prefer that more students take initiative, and that all would serve others and give back to the communities they are from and the communities here. I am also pretty sure she would not like the images on some of the party flyers passed out on the campus either or how some of the students dress. However, I am sure the good outweighs the bad here and that our foundress would be elated with what Xavier University has accomplished since its founding.

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Does the author have a political agenda? Thursday, Sep 29 2011

 Eric Schlosser in the book Fast Food Nation touched many topics about the fast food industry from the fact that so many so many fast food restaurants are robbed to the notion that so many people controlling the regulation and interests of fast food restaurants are Republicans. Schlosser further elaborates by mentioning the names of several Republicans and the companies they have stock in or are part owner of. Because these tycoons are so concerned about their revenue, they tend to take the short cuts on purchases. These politcians support cheaper prices when in many cases using cheaper companies to produce food for the fast food restaurants is very unsafe and has proved to be detrimental to many people’s health. Many have died while working in these facilities because of unsafe job practices. And others still have suffered with diseases from bacteria such as E coli due to the simple act of these politicians choosing the companies that are less pricy though in many cases the food turns out in a bad state. Schlosser discusses these crafty and coniving politicans, specifically Republicans, to allow citizens to see the reality of the fast food industry and the fact that many of these politicians only care about profit. Though the author may seem to take a position or a specific side in the subject of political afilliment, he is however not so concerned with a political party as he is with individuals being informed of the corruption in these fast food industry giants and the elected officials that support them. Schlosser’s aim is to open the eyes of those who may otherwise not realize the fact that many of our elected officials are influencing the very quality of the food we eat from McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell and the many other fast food restaurants like them that are unhealthy and morally unjust.

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Kenny Thursday, Sep 22 2011

In this reading, Eric Schlosser writes about Kenny Dobbins, an employee at a meatpacking company. Kenny had it tough growing up and ended up working at various jobs and wound up at the Monfort slaughterhouse in Grand Island, Nebraska. Kenny started off by lifting 120 pound boxes. And though he was a strong man of stature, this would begin a viscous cycle to his health. Then one day he accidentally landed on the metal rim of a conveyor belt and got a pair of severely herniated disks. However, he returned to work after spending a month in the hospital and around a year or so at home or in a pain clinic. Though he had excruciating pain he decided to return because he was a loyal employee. He returned and continued to work. One of the next jobs the plant gave him was cleaning out blood tanks and gut bins after a salmonella contamination. And though others refused this job he worked, spraying the chlorine with nothing but a paper mask, and when Kenny made it home he fell ill and was rushed to the hospital and but under oxygen tanks. His lungs had been damaged and burned by the hazardous chemicals, and he was covered in blisters. Again he returned to later be injured by a train, which left him bleeding with gashes. Kenny was relentless and returned after a week or so. To be quite honest, I don’t know of anyone who has suffered parallel things to Kenny. Half the things he went through alone could kill a healthy man. I do remember my mom telling me a story about here when she was in the hospital delivering one of my younger sisters. She had a very bad experience, because a doctor mistakenly lost a needle which ripped her bladder, and once they counted the instruments and saw blood in her urine bag, they realized what had happened. This was a very traumatic experience for my mom because after the mistake, the team had to then go back and find the needle and take it out.

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My Favorite Class Friday, Sep 16 2011

     Picking my favorite class is hard, because I tend to get frustrated every other day with some class. However, I believe Biology is truly my favorite  class. I love Biology, and I have since grade school. Learning about the chemical processes of the body seems intimidating at times, but all in all it is pretty interesting and essential to my career plans. And I absolutely love Anatomy and Physiology. A&P, as it is referenced to, is so mind boggling to me. It is so detailed and alluring all at the same time. I enjoy learning about the body systems, especially the renal system and reproductive system. Those stand out to me, because it is amazing how the body filters itself and also how we are able to produce new human beings through fertilization. Biology is such a broad subject though. Once we think we have learned the majority about the structure of the human body, we realize there is so much yet to be learned. Every day someone is learning something revolutionary in the field of biology. People are discovering new treatments to diseases. Still others are focused on other living organisms like animals, plants, protist, and fungi. The more we explore the world and the beauy it has to offer, the more we want to learn about it.

     Besides being  a evolutionary subject, Biology is also a class I enjoy because I like my teacher’s pedagogical style. Basically, I love Biology for so many reasons, including the fact that it is so interesting and the fact that is all about living organisms. I also really like Biology , because it is the basis for what I want to do in the future. I would not be able to prepare myself for the occupation of a doctor without learning Biology, along with several other sciences and core subjects.

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How did Sinclair’s The Jungle (1906) dramatically change the food industry? Will this book Fast Food Nation do the same? Why or why not? Sunday, Sep 4 2011

The Jungle is a 1906 novel written by Upton Sinclair and it is credited for exposing the corruption of the meatpacking industry. The book describes in harsh tones poverty, absence of social programs, unpleasant living and working conditions, and hopelessness prevalent among the working class. More specifically, The Jungle mentions in detail the hazardous practices such as putting out rat poison and the general unsanitary conditions which resulted in tainted meat products and spread of disease. Sinclair’s observations of the state of the company’s conditions were made known for the American public to see. Public outrage and a drop in meat purchases subsequently led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation, however intricately researched and terribly captivating, will most likely not have as big of a change on the food industry as The Jungle. Part of this is due to the fact that much of corporate America is set in its stubborn ways. It is not ready to commit to big changes and costly food safety regulations. Another point I would like to make is that many big political figures, specifically some Republicans own stocks in fast food restaurants. Enforcing these beneficial and healthy changes will negatively affect the profit they so happily receive. Though Schlosser mentions corruption, and unsanitary practices in the meatpacking plants, many are not moved by the truths presented in Fast Food Nation simply because the companies of today are even more powerful than in the 1900’s. It is seemingly impossible to get McDonald’s to order their suppliers to slow down its conveyor belts and ensure that equipment is up to par and fully functioning to avoid injuries and food contamination. Because most of the public lacks that vigor and energy to make a scene and shake up the fast food giants, Fast Food Nation will not be as influential as The Jungle.

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