Pablo Izquierdo

ENG 1101/Prof. Patterson

October 16, 2014

Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits (Rhetorical Analysis)

What does it mean to be “conscious of your [social] class”? One could approach this problem by realizing that not all human beings live under the same situation. This is the reality that Suki Kim faced one’s she saw her dad go under bankruptcy. It was tragic for her but if one is always nurtured under very privileged conditions than one does not acknowledge what stand on the other side of such social class.  All humans, disregarding any position in the social triangle, should be taught to live in multiple live styles. This way no one should face oppressive stereotypes such as Kim did when she recently enter junior high school and her classmates called her an “F.O.B., short for ‘fresh off the boat.’” Suki approaches the stories of many immigrants that, like herself, had to leave her country under nearly forced conditions under to avoid punishment. She uses the difference between wealthy immigrants that resided on Manhattan ones they arrived by their own will, in contrast, to her own story and the unfortunate situation that she faced. That way she portrayed the distinction of attitude that each had while they stayed at a foreign land.

Social class is important although never fair for the multitude and those who face poverty. The only way to avoid the drastic reality that life varies and that nothing is truly stable, is by training our youth to live in multiple lifestyles such as: survivalist deserters in the jungle to civilized businessman with proper manners. Kim learned that not only money provides stability but in order to reach higher places unity is key.

Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits (Rhetorical Analysis)

Pablo Izquierdo
ENG1101/Professor Patterson
October 10, 2014
Where I’m From by Willie Perdomo (Rhetorical Analysis)
The story portrayed by Perdomo portrays a sense of alienation from one’s true origin. Although it comes from personal perspective, Willie should not characterize himself as a ‘Nuyorican’ because although he spent most of his time in a foreign soil than his true residence, it does not deny him the ownership and authority of considering himself a natural Puerto Rican. One always carries that trail of culture from a past lifestyle. Little things such as bilingual skills and uses common phrases Perdomo uses such as “café con leche y pan con mantequilla” link back to the original part of his roots and the culture that he possesses from his ancestors. Although this particular case, might seem something that only affects him, in the outside world there are plenty of occasions that people feel like outsiders of their own heritage. Thus, this could exemplify an important instance of overcoming cultural disputes.
Most would think that due to low living standards one has to conform themselves with the feuds and flaws that the everyday life brings, nonetheless, that is up to the person to receive the treatment and not denounce or attempt to overcome it. His mother states “(Well, son, that’s the life of the poor) simply because she gave up hope of a better future. Not necessarily because his mother cannot overcome her struggles, doesn’t mean that her son is not capable of nurturing a better social status. Thus, the hazardous lifestyle they carry could potentially improve and result and a great outcome that could bring a better future for the family as a whole.

Where I’m From (Rhetorical Ananlysis)

Pablo Izquierdo
ENG 1101/Prof. Patterson
October 16, 2014
Where I am From
Ridgewood.
Bridge what?
No… Ridge, without the “B”. It’s a place between Brooklyn and Queens, it’s like right in the border.
Nope, I still don’t know where that is.
Do you know where Bushwick, Middle Village or Glendale is?
Oh wait is it around there?
Yeah it’s close.
That’s the common conversation that I usually have to introduce the city where I live in. It’s is quite a peculiar place. For me, it stands on the middle of the MTA map, where the L train runs. I lived in Ridgewood for nearly 7 years and I’m still surprised that no one notices that place. Furthermore, who doesn’t recognize the L train? The train that travels at the speed of light and has perhaps has the best trains of New York. I don’t mind the living conditions, it is pretty calm and peaceful, at least for those who look at you sideways. There is barely, if any, outrageous criminal activity. Thus, people easily pin suspicious activity to young adults who simply like to be a bit more outstanding than others. The former insecure high school of Grover Cleveland is situated four blocks away from my house, which might also influence the behavior of people to think teenagers are the ones to blame for crime. Overall, the high school’s reputation lowered tremendously before I arrived, now all you see is students simply cutting on an average day and going to the school’s park to smoke weed. No gang banging, no big drug deals, nothing too extreme. What bothers me the most is how apartment buildings are set up. I recently moved to a different building in the same city and the rooms are still small and many times continuous. What’s privacy if you live with two women that need to go through your room on a daily basis? Besides, our new apartment is smaller and I’m barely there. Thus, I can’t even organize my stuff properly. When I’m there I can’t even move stuff around without causing noise. My neighbors demand silence and I understand, but isn’t this ‘the city that never sleeps’? It’s not my fault that they have different schedules as me. Besides I’m up early and way later than them, I don’t know why they complain. However, I have to adjust to the environment and live like I’ve done it so far. Ridgewood, without the “B” is the place where I live and the place I will stay until I find something better.

Ridgewood

Suki Kim’s essay, “Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits” reveals the cruel truth  she faced as she went from riches to rags emigrating from South Korea to Queens, New York. From birth, Suki Kim was raised to live the luxurious life as a millionaire but everything suddenly became dark when one day her father had become bankrupt. This triggered a sudden move to America since bankruptcy was punishable by a jail term at the time. Although they were able to find a house owned by A Korean family, it was a challenge for her to change her princess-like mentality which included chauffeurs, maids, and governesses. She also learned the term “Asian” which she found quite offensive because yellow skin reminded her of the Forsythia flowers that represented the lower class when she was still in Korea. She realized the major difference in cultures between America and Korea when she noticed the formalities in Korean classrooms versus American classrooms. Indeed, Americans were deemed much more lenient and liberal when she saw a couple french kissing during class while the teacher was completely ignored. She began to become aware of the difference in classes even within her own Korean ethnicity when she found out that the wealthier Korean students didn’t go to public school in queens and most of her fellow Korean ESL students were all those who would’ve placed in lower class if they were still in Korea. Overall, Suki Kim has lived through the hardships and challenges that she faced as she transitioned from rich to poor. Moreover, this experience has taught an interested yet cruel reality of the division between classes.

Josiah Valcarcel

If you were to ask me where I’m from I would tell you “ Corona, by citi field, you know where the Mets play.” This is the only way I can think of to describe my area. Everyone knows where the Mets play right baseball is Americas sport, easy enough to describe don’t you think? Well not really, Corona is so much more than Citi Field we have such a wide range of things to do in Queens like Flushing Meadows Park, and we host the annual U.S Open, all in practically the same vicinity. There is diversity in Queens unlike any other borough, walking up and down a street in Astoria one could find a variety of multi-cultural restaurants from around the globe.

Having easy access to many of the boroughs like 45 minutes from Manhattan and an even shorter distance from Brooklyn. Anywhere you want to go in the city is just a train ride away. This is special for New York City specifically because this Transit system is the one of the biggest. I love every part of my city and getting to see everything that happens in this crazy wacky place I call home.

I enjoy the subway rides filled with many different types of people coming home from work; school whatever their day brought each with their own special story. Everything in this city from its architecture to the history of it is just so intriguing to me. I never want to stop learning about where I come from and every part of this city. This city is so small but bigger than anything you’d expect. What I consider the capital of the world is only on 3 or so small islands. There is something for anyone; this is considered the city that never sleeps and that is truth. Anything that needs to be done can usually happen with the right determination and enough fares on a metro card.

There is an entire world here in these five boroughs and that’s what I love about the place I live in. I would never be ashamed to tell anyone where I’m from because us New Yorkers are like no others, we adapt in different ways. I feel in some ways we are stronger than most. We don’t shy away from danger and we come together when we are need. New York City is and will always hold a special place in my heart no matter where life takes me.

Anthony Lawrence

English 1101

10/6/14

Homework 5

Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits

In the short story Facing Poverty with a Rich Girl’s Habits by Suki Kim, was striped of out a life of luxury and put into poverty. Her father was a millionaire and lost everything over night. In a matter of hours what she had known to be her entire life was taken away. The purpose of this story is to show how immigrants struggle in the transition of coming to a new country.

The lifestyle that she had exceeds the lifestyle of many immigrants. Most immigrants do not come from wealth so it would easier for others to adjust to he sudden shift in environment. Her father was suffering through financial struggle and because of this he lost everything and was now on way to becoming bankrupt, so to avoid jail (because going bankrupt was a crime) he had to move. Too young and inadequate enough to truly understand the station, she was left with the minimum observation, which was that she was that her family was broke and had to move to America or face losing her father to the unfair system of Korea. Suki had a hard time fitting in; she looked different and barely spoke English. She was forced to watch as her mother fell from high society lady to having a job as a fish filleter at a market.

AS a child Suki was badly teased. Other kids use to call her F.O.B, which meant fresh off the boat. She was also forced to endure how people called her yellow even though she did not consider her skin tone to be that color. Then she could not relate to others from her country as much before there were different generations of immigrants and they all had a reason not to like each other .The more she tried to fit in the more she suck out. The life styles of many immigrants are very complex because she holds on to her Korean culture while still being able to take in the new culture of America. How would you feel if it was your daughter or son that had to go through this?

“Where I’m From” by Willie Perdomo is a beautiful personal poem that expresses both the highs and lows of one’s neighborhood. Instead of showing pride throughout the poem, the author uses a rather special way to show his feelings toward 110th Street and Lexington Ave. At first, it starts off with a fresh breeze coming through the windows but immediately turns bitter when he mentions a barking German shepherd and screams of a woman being abused by her husband. The tone throughout the poem is as if everything that seems horrifying compared to the norm is actually quite ordinary where he lives. Perdomo skillfully describes the outrageous events of police invading homes to heartlessly kill innocent families for the heck of it and a little boy spitting out a razor but having to get a number to wait extremely long hours as if it wasn’t even an emergency. The detailed descriptions of these events stir a certain feeling of anger and disgust. However, the author turns the whole poem around with a hint of sweetness and expresses the small moments of happiness such as his niece stopping in the middle of the street to tell to notice the stars in the sky. It just may be that Willie Perdomo is showing us that what he loves about where he’s from is the beauty hidden within all the ugly.

Nelson George’s “Fort Greene Dreams” tells a story that reveals changes brought to his life through the experiences in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It all started when he moved from Queens to Brooklyn while publishing the Simmons profile. As he put it, “the end and beginning of two eras for me” was how he felt with the new beginning in a different neighborhood. During the first few years, he discovered the close proximity to Manhattan which brought him to picturesque parks, streets lined with thick trees, late night shows, and the convenience of the subway. He also had a “disposable income” that allowed him to enjoy life in a spacious apartment and entertain women with wine and vinyls. Though gentrification, crime, and drugs were huge problems in the neighborhood, he described 1985 to 1992 to be the most important years of his life in terms of his career flourishing and his works being more well known. He found the Fort Greene had its up an downs and that was what made it such an inspiring area to develop himself in. All in all, Fort Greene provided a beautiful, creative environment in which he grew to appreciate and helped him to define his success.

Julian Czerewin

In the article “ Where I’m From” Willie Perdomo describes a neighborhood where he use to live and where he was raised up. It is a short story, but full of details about how day-by-day life goes on. Author is trying to show a contrast between good and bed, struggle of good innocent people with crime and uncertainty of tomorrow.

The area of 110^th Street and Lexington Avenue is the center of a Puerto Rican/American neighborhood where residents of that area meet and gather on some street corners. On these street corners they tell the stories from their past and present, drinking Bacardi, where an unforgettable aroma of fresh made coffee is present in the air every morning.

A place where rodents are a part of everybody’s life is used by the author’s mother as an expression for being poor and living in the poor neighborhood. The NYPD actions against innocent bystanders are a representation showing the authors disapproval to these acts. Also gang presence is visible in Willie Perdomo’s story. The author beautifully uses the comparison of Independence Day as a sign of freedom, prosperity and victory on one hand. On the other hand he uses it as disfigure where independent means to be free from law, which causes teenagers to become gang members harming, hurting and terrorizing their own neighborhoods. “I’m the God when I put the gun to your head. I’m the judge and you’re in my courtroom”, the writer tells us about hierarchy in the article. It is a double standard: to be a gang member and to be a first class citizen, having all the rights and privileges or to belong to the rest and have no rights or privileges.

Willie Perdomo is proud to be a Puerto Rican American but the same time he is ashamed to live in that particular neighborhood, as he doesn’t want his girlfriend to visit that area. He is addressing the readers with hope that place in which he grew will be one day very safe neighborhood still with aroma of fresh coffee and people gathering on the streets and Independence Day will be celebrated on July 4^th.

Where I’m from.

I was born in a small village in Southeast Poland. It had a population around 300 people at the time. The village was located high in the mountains, a place so beautiful with two rivers, several lakes, and gorgeous forests with a lot of wild animals. As a small boy I remember those unforgettable night skies full of stars with a visible Milky Way and other constellations. I also remember winters, cold with a lot of snow, icicles hanging from homes, barns and trees, and playing hockey on the frozen lakes with homemade skates and sticks. I remember the summers with beautiful green flora, hard work at the farm, a little bit of free time in which we played soccer, swam, went horseback riding or went fishing.

In 1989 I decided to leave my beautiful homeland behind and start new life.  On July 28, 1989 I came to United States of America. The dreams of so many, came through for so few. In the beginning I lived in Greenpoint Brooklyn, Ridgewood Queens, Fort Lee New Jersey and then in 1993 I moved to Forest Hills Queens where I dwell until today. The history of Forest Hills starts around 1906, when Brooklyn attorney Cord Meyer, bought 600 acres of land where six farms were located and named that area Forest Hills. Part of that land was sold with the intention to build low-income housing to improve living conditions for the working poor. From that time until the present the property value went so much up that that plan didn’t work.

In present time, Forest Hills contains an area of 2.6 sq. ml with population around 84,000 people. Residents are racially diversified with almost 50% foreign born. There are many things I like about this neighborhood: it’s very quiet, safe, clean, has an excellent urban design. On many occasions it reminds me of the place from where I came. It’s such a small world and ironically a small village in Poland and Forest Hills Queens have a lot of similarities. But there are some things which I’m not happy about. For example, Forest Hills is changing rapidly and is loosing its architectural look. Many of old beautiful English style houses are disappearing from the neighborhood, and in their place, new and ugly houses are built with glass, plastic and paper design.

Day by day life in the place where I live goes like the time in the atomic clock. At 5:15 am you could hear the first plane coming to La Guardia Airport. At 6 am Chinese women gather at the playground and do tai chi exercise. At 6:15 am people start coming out to walk the dogs. At 6:30 am the newspapermen comes.  At 6:40 am my neighbor leaves to get coffee and a fresh bagel for breakfast. Then in the evening there is more or less the similar schedule with different activities.

Overall, I’m happy that I live in Forest Hills, Queens and would highly recommend this neighborhood to anyone who is planning to move. It will be a great idea to spent some time in Forest Hills Park, or just enjoy afternoon on Austin Street shopping, buying a coffee, an ice-cream or a cake at Martha Steward bakery or just visit Forest Hills stadium where first US Open tennis tournament was played.