Though flip-flops may seem a current trend, their presence actually dates back to many locations in the ancient world.
Flip-flops were featured as far back as the stone age, where they were made of basic materials such as, papyrus, straw, and rawhide because of the simplicity of creating them. The crafting was very similar to today, a base with a strap attached and worn in between the toes. Flip Flops were a staple in Ancient Roman, Egyptian, and numerous other cultures.
Flip-flops first graced the U.S., however, after World War II, when soldiers returned sometimes with Zori, a form of Japanese footwear. This imported style could be found on beaches and poolside. In the 1960s, flip-flops were given their American name, derived from the sound they make on their wearer's feet, though the interesting shoes had already been deemed "thongs" in Australia and "slippers" in Hawaii. By the 1990s, Americans truly embraced the versatility of the shoe and flip-flops of quality materials such as wood and leather debuted, priced high above their beach-oriented predecessors.
Today, flip-flop sales are booming, with 2 billion in sales per year noted in the U.S., despite criticism from foot and ankle specialists who attribute the rise in foot problems in youth and younger adults with the ever-present flip-flop. Brands continue to create variations on the classic style to accommodate these concerns and less-supported versions are available nearly everywhere as well. In either case, it is doubtful that the flip-flop will go out of style in the near future.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Research Paper Questions
1. My topic is examining American attitudes towards immigration and how they have evolved over time. I will analyze immigration patterns of the past and how U.S. citizens reacted to them versus how they react to immigration primarily from Latin American countries today.
2. The most useful finding I have looked at in my research is the number of illegal immigrants in this country because the numbers are surprisingly large.
3. Right now, I believe that tougher immigration laws should be enforced, but not to the extent that they are in say, Arizona. However, racial profiling and unfair treatment should not be allowed.
4. My topic I believe mostly everyone is at least vaguely familiar with, as the influences of immigration are present in our everyday lives. Nonetheless, there are intricacies of immigration that the general population is probably unfamiliar with, such as Arizona's specific immigration laws, such as SB 1070.SB 1070 is very controversial, as it is the unconstitutional law that requires police officers to demand legal documentation of individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants under the premise of "reasonable suspension" and ignited a firestorm of controversy.
5. I never realized the sheer number of illegal immigrants in the U.S.. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimated that in 2009 there were 6,650,000 illegal immigrants from Mexico alone in America. They represent the vast majority, but there are also hundreds of thousands from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Philippines. These numbers really shocked me, just because of how large they are.
2. The most useful finding I have looked at in my research is the number of illegal immigrants in this country because the numbers are surprisingly large.
3. Right now, I believe that tougher immigration laws should be enforced, but not to the extent that they are in say, Arizona. However, racial profiling and unfair treatment should not be allowed.
4. My topic I believe mostly everyone is at least vaguely familiar with, as the influences of immigration are present in our everyday lives. Nonetheless, there are intricacies of immigration that the general population is probably unfamiliar with, such as Arizona's specific immigration laws, such as SB 1070.SB 1070 is very controversial, as it is the unconstitutional law that requires police officers to demand legal documentation of individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants under the premise of "reasonable suspension" and ignited a firestorm of controversy.
5. I never realized the sheer number of illegal immigrants in the U.S.. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimated that in 2009 there were 6,650,000 illegal immigrants from Mexico alone in America. They represent the vast majority, but there are also hundreds of thousands from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Philippines. These numbers really shocked me, just because of how large they are.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Response to "Why You Truly Never Leave High School"
With the arrival of the Great Depression and an end to child labor, small societies with different priorities and values than adults emerged in America, begginning a new era. As this age persists into the present day, it becomes increasingly clear that high school is a morphed form of reality. The unnatural isolation from adults is peculiar and prompts immaturity. Furthermore, there are far too many students of the same age in one place to possibly characterize by things that actually matter, such as personality or interests, so students take the easy route and make judgements from appearance. These snap judgements, in turn, create a disfigured social hierarchy, reliant on superficial traits that perpetuate a transparent self-confidence among those with the right "look".
This skewed social dynamic not only alters the present for high schoolers, but as this article addresses, affects their future social confidence and self-image. Void of time on the farm or in the workforce with adults as adolescents, high schoolers see the hierarchy of high school as a valid reality an develop their social characteristics accordingly. Upon leaving high school, it becomes clear that the way they were treated there may not have been correct, but many will still bear the detrimental effects for the rest of their life. This proves that the crude nature of high school can reach past its allotted four years.
This skewed social dynamic not only alters the present for high schoolers, but as this article addresses, affects their future social confidence and self-image. Void of time on the farm or in the workforce with adults as adolescents, high schoolers see the hierarchy of high school as a valid reality an develop their social characteristics accordingly. Upon leaving high school, it becomes clear that the way they were treated there may not have been correct, but many will still bear the detrimental effects for the rest of their life. This proves that the crude nature of high school can reach past its allotted four years.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Response to Racial Profiling/ FBI
About two years ago when my sister and I were at the airport going through security, my suitcase passed through the scanner easily, however, my sister's luggage was paused mid-conveyor belt. One security worker motioned to another and before we knew it a flock of them were gesturing and squinting at the screen. They pulled my sister over to a small cubicle with her suitcase and cautiously opened it up, only to find blocks of cheese with her laptop cord sitting on top. The security guard examined her quizzically and explained that the blocks appeared to be suspiciously connected with wires on the screen. "Yeah I just got back from Wisconsin" my sister replied.
That day was the first time I had ever seen someone I know get pulled aside by airport security. However, I can't help but wonder if she had been of a different ethnicity if the scenario would have played out differently. One minute they were convinced she was a terrorist, but then shortly after sent her on her way. In the post-9/11 world I have known, it has become glaringly clear that different ethnic groups are unfairly stereotyped often, due to their appearances solely. These four essays granted me a perspective that I never fully grasped on my own, because as a white female, racial profiling has never caused me grief like so many others.
The essays were interesting to read, as each author had a different take on national security and his or her role in it. Though all of the essays seemed to possess a certain disdain for unjust security measures, the authors recognize that the guarded tactics work to make America a safer place.
The essays also drew attention to the fear at the root of opposition to heightened security measures, a fear of the loss of personal freedom. In our society today, it seems that many are increasingly taking safety for granted in their struggle to maintain complete personal liberty. At this point our country needs to start recognizing that freedom cannot be relinquished without a cost, and thus, citizens need to accept that America needs to stay under watchful eyes, or pay a possibly hefty price.
That day was the first time I had ever seen someone I know get pulled aside by airport security. However, I can't help but wonder if she had been of a different ethnicity if the scenario would have played out differently. One minute they were convinced she was a terrorist, but then shortly after sent her on her way. In the post-9/11 world I have known, it has become glaringly clear that different ethnic groups are unfairly stereotyped often, due to their appearances solely. These four essays granted me a perspective that I never fully grasped on my own, because as a white female, racial profiling has never caused me grief like so many others.
The essays were interesting to read, as each author had a different take on national security and his or her role in it. Though all of the essays seemed to possess a certain disdain for unjust security measures, the authors recognize that the guarded tactics work to make America a safer place.
The essays also drew attention to the fear at the root of opposition to heightened security measures, a fear of the loss of personal freedom. In our society today, it seems that many are increasingly taking safety for granted in their struggle to maintain complete personal liberty. At this point our country needs to start recognizing that freedom cannot be relinquished without a cost, and thus, citizens need to accept that America needs to stay under watchful eyes, or pay a possibly hefty price.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
Research Paper Update
My topic is analyzing the changes in American attitudes towards immigration in recent years as opposed to the past. I will look to uncover the reasons behind this new hostility and propose possible ways to remedy the problem.
Sources:
Hanson, Gordon H., Preface to "Does Illegal Immigration Harm US Citizens?" This is a great analysis of the ways the recent influx of immigrants has affected America in regards to finances and the workforce.
Ruark, Eric A., and Matthew Graham. "Immigration Is Increasing Poverty in the United States." A solid argument against claims that immigrants take away large numbers of jobs from established citizens.
Huerta, Alvaro. "Arizona's Immigration Law is Racist." A reflection from someone who personally identifies with those attacked in Arizona, addressing the racism present in our society.
"Introduction to Illegal Immigration: Current Controversies." A concise explanation of the Arizona controversy and its immediate aftermath.
Sources:
Hanson, Gordon H., Preface to "Does Illegal Immigration Harm US Citizens?" This is a great analysis of the ways the recent influx of immigrants has affected America in regards to finances and the workforce.
Hainmueller, Jens and Hiscox, Michael J., "Attitudes toward Highly Skilled and Low-skilled Immigration" This study is unique in the ways that it focuses on the opinions of individuals as they relate to immigration and also tries to pinpoint the varying attitudes towards immigrants of different skill levels.
Ruark, Eric A., and Matthew Graham. "Immigration Is Increasing Poverty in the United States." A solid argument against claims that immigrants take away large numbers of jobs from established citizens.
Hainmueller, Jens and Hopkins, Daniel J., "The Hidden American Immigration Consensus: A Conjoint Analysis of Attitudes Toward Immigrants." A great study that aims to identify the specific attributes of immigrants that provoke especially positive or negative reactions among Americans.
"Introduction to Illegal Immigration: Current Controversies." A concise explanation of the Arizona controversy and its immediate aftermath.
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