Culminating Writing Assignment of Creativity

It was May 12, 2015. Sang Do had just finished exercising at YMCA. A fairly bright day, he recalls. As he was drying his hair he walked towards the Metro Bus stop located at 3rd and Western. Waiting for the 207 headed south, he stood there. Feeling sore and tired of exercising and carrying luggage, he took a seat on the green chair as he waited for the next bus.
He had planned to see his girlfriend. On the far distance an orange streak of light shine into Sang Do's eyes. Ah yes, the long-awaited 207 had arrived. Upon the arrival of the bus Sang Do stood there as other people went in first. Common courtesy he thought. Alas, in he went. He was to exit the bus at 8th and Western, where Ralphs was located. He went to the vegetable aisle assuming that she was there. And there she was- a short girl with long hair that had slight yellow highlights that were fading away. She was picking avocados, and as he approached her, she turned, and smiled, as he did too.
While looking for vegetables, a woman approached the two. She needed help, and, assuming that we were Korean, she asked if we can help her find the products that she needed. Sang Do wasn't prone to helping strangers for his unusually shy behavior but his girlfriend insisted. Her Korean skills weren't so great so Sang Do helped the woman. She was in search of flower wrappings for her son was to graduate USC. After helping the woman out, the two headed towards the bus stop. This time the bus arrived fairly quick. Sang Do's girlfriend got off the bus on 9th and western. They waved goodbye and off she went. Sang Do sat down on a seat, feeling good about helping the woman earlier.
When the bus came to Western and Olympic, there was an argument in the middle of the bus, a loud scream and everyone had their eyes on the middle of the bus. Two African Americans, a man and a woman, were arguing. What they were arguing about Sang Do did not know. It was chaos. The man stood up infuriated and screamed at the woman. A child nearby tightly grasped onto her mother's arms as she started crying. Screaming, children crying, but not a single sound of anyone trying to stop them. Nobody. The bus driver was watching everything, but he didn't take any action. Instead, he watched, and drove on. Sang Do sat in the front of the bus next to the bus driver. He had helped a woman earlier at Ralph's, why couldn't he take any action here? Was it because no one else took action?
The bus stopped at the next stop, 11th and Western. The woman arguing with the man got off. The man followed. Everybody saw the two get off the bus. As soon as they were off the bus, the man grasped the woman in a choke hold. He tugged at the woman's jacket and attempted to punch her. The woman tried to defend herself. Everyone, including Sang Do, took no action upon seeing this. Sang Do turned to the bus driver, who was looking at the rear mirror. He saw everything unfold, yet took no action other than driving away from the fight towards the next stop.
Then came Sang Do's stop, Western and Pico. He got off and faced North, the direction in which the fight had occurred. If he stopped them, if anyone stopped them, what would've happened? Are people too scared to help strangers nowadays? What stopped Sang Do from taking action? As he walked home, he thought these things, and still ponders on it today.

Civil Disobedience

Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for civil disobedience during the 60s. The 60s was the time of racial segregation in which blacks and whites were separated, yet equal. King is the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, a movement aimed towards ending racism in the United States. Unlike Malcolm X's ideals, King's ideals revolved around a non-violent peaceful protest. While his stay at the Birmingham City Jail, King wrote a letter regarding the movement and its motives. It expresses his philosophical views on the non-violent resistance that King has conjured up. He reasons that non-violent protests and Civil Disobedience is required for the message to go through Congress's ears. Unjust Laws, as King describes them, are laws that do not serve a justified purpose;laws that do not see eye-to-eye with the moral code of humanity. These laws, according to King, are unreasonable and undoubtedly useless that they should not be enforced or supported at all. King also discusses the unjust laws and their characteristics of being particularly aimed towards African Americans. These laws were passed by Congress to ensure that African Americans do not receive the privileges that White people receive. Instead, as mentioned above, they are "separated, yet equal." Equal means that whatever one gets, the other must receive exactly as well. However, Congress seems to have a different definition for the word "Equal". They twist the term "Equality" and mend it to a definition which seems, to their eyes, suitable to African Americans. King argues that Congress needs to redefine the term "Equality" so that it will meet the needs that African Americans are deprived of. King also argues that he has been arrested for the reason "parading without a permit." While that may be so, he reasons with the priorities that Congress has made and how out-of-place these priorities are listed. People should come to realize that we as humans should not define one another as a certain race or a certain being but as a human being. The idea of race and stereotyping races will stay strong and alive until we humans as a whole decide to put that matter out of our lives and be with one another. Martin Luther King Jr. quoted , "True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring." This quote can be related to the way Congress and the laws made during the 60s treat African Americans. Congress made laws so that African Americans and Whites are "equal". However, there was a saying where African Americans were "separated but equal." African Americans had the privileges that White people had, yet in a way that wasn't entirely equal. For example, there were public restrooms for African Americans separately from Whites. Restaurants would have a specific section for African Americans. These minor tweaks seem like a step toward change, but Congress's actions deny absolute freedom for every African American in the United States. Congress knows this as well, that what they have done is not a blessing in reality. King Tries to bring this so called equality to reality.

Martin Luther King Jr. lead a non-violent resistance of African Americans that were so called "free". Although it is a non-violent resistance, the resistance is constantly seen breaking laws. King and the resistance know acknowledge the fact that laws are being broken. Martin Luther King Jr. does this because there are some people who will not listen or understand a message given unless actions are made. The action however, needs to be such an impact that the opposing people will take immediate action. For society, and for the authority of the US, breaking the law is one of the most common ways to grab their attention. King and the resistance sum up to more than a hundred people which, if they all broke laws, would definitely get the authorities' attention. In the letter that King wrote during his stay at the Birmingham City Jail, King states that there are two types of laws: Just and Unjust laws. Martin Luther King Jr. agrees with St. Augustine's view that Unjust laws are not laws at all. Laws, according to King, are "man-made codes that square with the moral law or the law of God." Unjust laws are, according to King's definition of Just laws, laws that do not cope with the morals of God. These laws should not be part of a country where it was built on the ideas of freedom and free speech. In efforts to bring order to the laws of the land, King and his band of resistance do not abide by some of the laws in hopes that Congress will come to a conclusion to change their thoughts on Unjust laws and reevaluate them.

King's letter during his stay at the Birmingham City Jail emphasizes the unjust racial inequalities practiced by the United States. He states "There are some countries without a single Negro registered to vote despite the fact that the Negro constitutes a majority of the population." The Negroes who are a part of the country should have a voice in the voting system. A color in skin should not be the defining factor as to whether one can vote or not. African Americans are human beings, just like white people, they live amongst us. Their votes are good as any other person's vote. Their existence in the country is proof that they have experienced life in the country and therefore can give us their ideals and opinions. One's color should not determine their vote's authenticity at all. People tend to act a certain way or say something in particular depending on who they are next to. If they are strangers, they will act according to the rumors and stereotypes that they have heard about the stranger's ethnicity/race. These small factors have such a huge impact history was changed because of it. Our stereotypical thoughts and ideas have led us to where we are today. It is mostly a negative thing and something that shouldn't be a factor when meeting that person. The Congress's actions towards African Americans seem like they view them as non-humans or just plain evil. Police have been brutal to them statistically more of then than not, as depressing as it may seem. Our skin color definitely plays a key factor when meeting someone.

Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for "parading without a permit." That, in King's opinion, is reasonable to charge him for. King's argument, however, is more reason not to arrest him. King, along with many other African Americans, are being denied the First Amendment of the US constitution. The First Amendment of the US constitution states that the making of any law that impends the free exercise of religion, abridges the freedom of speech, denies the freedom of press, or interferes the rights of peaceful assemble is strictly prohibited. Martin Luther King Jr. is one such man that tries to undo the moral wrongs of racial discrimination by gathering people who suffer the same fate as him. The authorities try to take a powerful and influential model like King down which can be signs that the authorities do not want equal rights. However, their actions are going against their own made rules, rules created by the founding fathers of this land. The authorities are supporting racial discrimination and Unjust laws by trying to stop King. They try to deny primarily Negroes the First Amendment.

Martin Luther King Jr. is a powerful figure that fought for equal rights against Congress. He brought upon a challenge to Congress that seemed too hard for them to see through. King wanted to bring to the United States the rights that it deserves. African Americans were brought upon to the United States as slaves for sale, looked down as objects and not human life. The life that they possess had no meaning to the White people that continued to harass these African Americans. Slavery is what brought the African Americans to the States. However, slavery has been abolished in the US and the African American population was growing. Congress, instead of giving them rights just like any other US citizen, stripped African Americans of their rights and entitled them to a separate group of rights that do not cope or abide with the US Bill of Rights. Even today, racial discrimination is still around and people have been acting in ways according to their prior knowledge of a certain race. Racial discrimination is one of the key factors hate crime and police brutality still exist today. While African Americans now have equal rights, some people, or groups of people, do not believe so. The Ku Klux Klan is one such group that despises the African American community. The Ku Klux Klan was created with the sole purpose of scaring the African American population. They hung them, attacked them, and constantly harassed them every chance they had. People should stop racial discrimination altogether.

Question 3 

Millions of people around the world are entertained for hours by the television. The television is an invention made by mankind that airs vast amount of shows. Many people watch television, and are at often times eager for the next episode of whatever they watch. Ehrenreich ponders on the odd television world, a world where people do not spend hours on watching television- a world where people always have something new happening everyday. Many people watch television because it is like an alternate dimension, another portal to a place where a person isn't always that person- the person is someone else. Ehrenreich's assertions are refutable to some degree. Televisions are great, but people just tend to sacrifice so much for so little entertainment.

Televisions were made with the general purpose of entertaining. It can cheer our moods on a blue gloomy day, or keep us occupied when we are bored to the brink of death. The people in the Television realm are working to entertain viewers, to draw you in, to consume you. Ehrenreich states that you will never see people "watching television" on television. Indeed, you will not see such things because there is no thrill or entertainment in doing so. Remember, the general purpose of a Television. Televising episode after episodes of actors watching a television will not draw in viewers. Eventually, it will shut the show down, which is not what the broadcasters are planning to do.

Ehrenreich brings up the fact that people on television do not do what we do in our daily lives. The Television world is not planning to act such things out unless for informative reasons such as a documentary of some sort. A television show might be about, for example, a high school student. Our society requires us to live a life of repetition. People do the same things over and over, day by day, sort of like a routine. The television industry will not air a show where a high school student attends school, arrives home, finishes his/her homework, eats, sleeps, only to repeat. There will be little bits of events happening here and there, but it won't be much to talk about. The television industry will not air a show that depicts an average high school student's life. There has to be a hook in the show that separates the show from the others.


Ehrenreich's is negative about the television. The television is a tool created by mankind too serve us, whether it be to entertain us, inform us of the latest news, or feeding our knowledge with documentaries. The negative trait of the television would be its potential to make watchers addicted. People become slaves to the television, being unproductive with their lives. This can be controlled by practicing proper time management. Most television shows are about 30 minutes to an hour in length. The industry expects people to manage their own times. Sacrificing one or two shows daily can help people be more productive in their personal lives.

The television is probably one of the greatest inventions. It serves a variety of purposes, from keeping us entertained to informing us with documentaries, from showing the daily news to teaching us morals. Doubting the television isn't a good idea. Addiction may occur but it is curable. To deny the benefits of the television can make you seem like a foolish person. 

Question 1 (Creativity)

People back in the days didn't need a college diploma in order to necessarily nail a job. Nowadays, a college degree is what the high paying jobs look for. Everybody tries to get into college in hopes of getting a college diploma. The lack of a college diploma seems to hurt a student's future. The cost for colleges can be high. Entering a good college is what many students strive for. However, is it worth the time and effort, not to mention the money, in order to get into a good college? There's always an option of physical labor that doesn't require a college diploma. Having a college diploma degree is not always worth the time and cost, although it is great to have one.

Many people have this mentality that a higher level of education equals higher overall pay. Princeton economist Alan Blinder states that, “You can't hammer a nail over the internet. Nor can the Indians fix your car. Because they are in India.” One can see a college degree as the only source of future wealth and income, but that is not entirely true. Physical labor is one thing that the world will most likely keep. Robots and electronic devices will be used, this is inevitable, but they can malfunction. Physical labor has been in practice since the earliest of time. It will stay for many years. Alan Binder points out that computer jobs aren't always the best jobs out there. Someone is going to have to have to fix the cars or repair houses. Computers can not do that. While one competes with the astonishing majority of people who want the same job as you, someone out there is already making a living through physical labor. (Source A)

Due to inflation over the past few decades, your money has less value than it did years ago. Wielder Ben states that, “Students today are taking on more debt, tightened bankruptcy laws make it more difficult to shake that debt, he argues, and those factors make higher education a risky investment.” Taking the step to go on towards college can be frustrating, as you get financial problems. Competition is always out there. Student loans are out there as well, but many students tend to give up halfway through, which leaves them with huge debts to pay and no income to compensate for the debts. So many people apply for the same job, but only a few are chosen. What will the “losers” do then? The college degree they invested so much time and effort into can have almost no value. These students worked hard for a degree that got them nowhere.

Roth Michael from Source B states that, "Given the pace of technological and social change, it no longer makes sense to devoting four years of higher education entirely to specific skills." Michael refers to college education when he says this. A college education merely assists students in getting the job they desire. Chances are they will have a hard time successfully reaching that goal due to them most likely not having developed any social skills. A college education can determine one's intelligence. Their social skills, if underdeveloped, can harm their chances of landing a job. Social skills should be valued and prioritized more higher than a college diploma. Having high intellect is of no use if one cannot connect with others.

In today's society, most students aim for a college degree in hopes of becoming wealthy. Many students stress out over numerous factors such as bills to pay, difficult subjects, etc. Often times, there will be many students who achieve a diploma, yet only a handful of them will land a job. A college diploma isn't necessary as there are other ways to get a job. 

Abigail Adams Revision

Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her son John Quincy Adams while he was overseas with his father John Adams. Abigail feels that she needs to guide John towards the right path of leadership while simultaneously doing her job of being a loving mother. Her letter to John is very alluring as she cares for John, preparing him for what dangers he might face in his voyage. Throughout this letter, Abigail's use of Pathos, Syntax, and Allusion convinces Adams to stay strong whilst traveling afar.

Abigail opens her letter with a motherly- protective tone, implying the use of Pathos. She carefully foresaw that John is able to do great deeds.”For your own benefit, I should not have urged you to accompany your father and brother when you appeared so averse to the voyage.” Pathos is the use of emotional appeal to get into one's head. Abigail brings up her family and her assumption of John not wanting to embark on the voyage. Family matters usually link with emotional feelings since families are attached together and grow a bond. She considers her son's opinions, revealing a loving side that only a mother could deliver.

Abigail's letter has great use of Syntax as she structures her letter strategically. She opens with a heart-warming introduction, asking John if he is okay. Then, at line 9, Abigail puts family matters aside, bringing the point of what she's trying to do, which is to keep Adams strong. Line 16 gives John an example for line 9. Abigail constantly strikes at John with an anecdote-like example,(Would Cicero have shone so distinguished...) then comparing it to John,(All history will convince you of this...) and then closes her letter with yet another caring paragraph that furthermore encourages John(...do honor your country, and render your parents supremely happy, particularly your ever affectionate mother).

Allusions are another rhetorical device Abigail uses towards John in this letter. Lines 30-34 is a reference to Cicero, the Roman Philosopher. “Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orator is he had not been roused, kindled, and inflamed by the tyranny of Catiline, Verres, and Mark Anthony?” Cicero was a man that was burning with passion due to watching the tyrannical actions of the three. Abigail states that in order to become a powerful leader, John too must find something that will ignite his passion.

Throughout the letter, Abigail uses three rhetorical devices: Syntax, Allusions, and the use of Pathos to advise John in his trip. She uses the three almost back to back, connecting one with another so fluently that it almost looks flawless to the normal eye. These rhetorical devices shows us her success of being both an affectionate mother and a strong-minded woman that sets goals.

My Academic Experiences

 “Since someone you know went/is going there, why don't you go there too?” These words made me the student that you see before you. I came to America at the age of five without knowing what to expect in this foreign ground. My family moved here seeking better living conditions for me and my siblings. We flew to Nevada first before riding a bus to California. Once we arrived to California, we moved to the city of Los Angeles.

My family chose to live in the busy area of Koreatown. Why Koreatown? My family does not know any English. Koreatown has many Koreans living in it. There are signs written in Korean.  Our family took a blind jump coming to the States. Living in Koreatown, we became friendly with this one family that lived about 2 doors away from us. Coincidentally, their son and I were the same age, both of us being Korean as well. My parents didn't know which school to send me to, so they asked my newfound friend's parents. They insisted that I follow their son to Hobart Blvd. Elementary School, for it was nearby my house at the time. My parents asked me the question, “Since your friend is going there, why don't you go there too?” I didn't know anything so I accepted it. Hobart Blvd. Elementary is located in 980 S. Hobart Boulevard. The area around Hobart was and still is a bustling neighborhood with cars going every hour of the day.

 When the time came for me to choose which middle school to attend, I had not a single clue. No one had ever told me which school is good which school is bad. I didn't have contacts with my elementary school friends. My parents didn't know where to send me either. They found out that Berendo Middle offered a Korean-dual language program. My parents seemed happy about it and my older sister of currently 23 years of age culminated from that school as well. My parents enrolled me into Berendo Middle School, located at 1157 S. Berendo Street (still in koreatown). The neighborhood around this school had an eerie, unsafe feeling than the neighborhood around Hobart Blvd. Elementary School. I spent 3-4 years in the school, making friends and going through changes.

 Eventually, the time came for me to choose which high school I wanted to enroll into. I had no clue about high schools and was, for the most part, afraid of entering high school. The movies I have watched and the bullying I have seen seemed to put quite an impact on my perspective of high school. I knew my sister had attended Los Angeles High School, but I myself did not want to enroll in Los Angeles High because I've heard rumors about the school and the negative comments about the students in the school.

My parents knew this and they asked me “ Since your friends are going to Fairfax High, why don't you go there too?”Once again, most of my friends were going to enroll into Fairfax High School, located in 7850 Melrose Ave, this school is located outside the premises of Koreatown. My home school is West Adams High School, which I did not want to go to. I knew that Los Angeles High School and West Adams High School were closer to me in terms of distance. Comfortable as it may have been, I felt that Fairfax High would provide a better education. Despite the distance, I accepted the idea. I felt that going to a school near my house would tarnish my education so I decided to attend Fairfax. I am now a current student of Fairfax High School.