Response to Dying for Dixie

This article was definitely more controversial and more sensitive a topic than the previous article. It's hard to believe that people are so steadfast and obsessed in their old ways that it leads to violence. Yet it is not uncommon to hear about someone getting killed or seriously hurt because of a disagreement. People like to think that they have to always defend themselves and their beliefs or throw it in other people's faces. There's this belief that it's us versus them and this mentality adds the fuel that starts the fire. This was the case in Michael Westerman's murder. Though Michael was just a regular guy who supposedly didn't really think much about the Confederate flag, he put it on his truck so he could look cool. As a result, a group of people got offended and resulted to violence because they thought it would fix the problem or it would allow them to prove themselves. I don't think anyone can argue for these boys' actions; what they did was wrong. However, the response of the public to the murder was also wrong. Michael was just a regular guy but the public wanted to turn his death into a huge issue or attack. I honestly think that the only way that people will be able to move on from the past is when people realize that the color of a person's skin doesn't matter. I'm not saying that people should forget or be ashamed of their culture, not at all. I'm just saying that people should try to move on and not become offended so easily; the past is the past. This means that people should not look down upon people who have a different skin color or culture. However, this also means that people should not be held on a pedestal because of their skin color. A person's worth should not be determined by a person's skin color but by their actions, their character and thier merit. Only when people can view each other with a sense of colorblindness can the world finally move towards acceptance and justice.

Hey yal!

So I was born in the south and I've been raised in the south. I live in what has got to be the smallest town in North Carolina called Cliffside or Henrietta (very southern sounding names, i know). People say I have a southern accent though I really don't think I compare to some people; however, I do say yal. I used to be somewhat ashamed of my southern upbringing. I thought it made me a redneck and after college, I had this grand plan to move to a huge city and become this successful businesswoman. However, I've learned to love and be proud of my upbringing. I went to New York City and Chicago and I really didn't like the environment. I really don't think the city life is for me. I'm more of a laid back person and I'd prefer to have a house in the woods with lots of land, maybe a few horses and dogs (I love animals). I like living close to my family so that I can walk down the street and say hello to my grandma or call my cousin to hang out. It's a good atmosphere- very friendly, family oriented and safe. Of course there are a few crazy southerners in my town but there are a few everywhere. So all in all, I've had a pretty good life in the southern countryside and if that makes me a redneck, well then, so be it

Response to the Reading

Growing up in the South, I definitely met some southerners who seemed to prefer to live in the past. I used to see the Confederate flag every once in the while hanging in someone's backyard and hearing that ever so popular saying "the south will rise again." I have to say that I have to give some of those people credit; they do have a strong sense of pride in their family dating back generations when some people have no clue where they came from. However, people can get obsessive. Is there really a cats of the confederacy? If so, I would have to say that this group would be on the verge of craziness. I guess some people just want to find something that they have in common. It's funny how the Civil War was a division between the North and South yet remembering it causes so many people (Southerners) to become united.

I would definitely say that not every Southerner is obsessed with the Confederacy (myself included) and I could see how it would annoy some people. However, I think everyone needs to stop obsessing or living in the past. There is a difference between remembering the past and becoming lost in the past. If people want to remember the Confederacy, they can do so but they need to keep in mind that you can't move forward if you dwell on the past. And in my personal opinion, that goes for everyone.

Event #2: Performance at Memorial Hall

Tonight, I went to the performance of Orpheus et Eurydice by Compagnie Marie Chouinard. It was about the Greek tragedy of two lovers named Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus was a poet who fell in love with a tree nymph named Eurydice. However, Eurydice was bitten by a poisonous snake and was sent to the underworld ruled by the Greek god, Hades. Orpheus journeyed to the underworld to bring Eurydice back to earth so he made a deal with Hades: Orpheus could take Eurydice, but he had to walk in front of her and not look back when they were leaving the underworld. Hearing all of the horrible noises made by the demons as they were leaving, Orpheus looks back and loses Eurydice forever.

I must admit that the performance was not what I expected. There were really no props, backdrops or costumes. This allowed the audience to focus specifically on the dancers and their movements (minimal clothing only added to this fact). Also, the dancers were not quiet but they screamed and contorted their faces often having their mouths hang wide open and sticking their tongues out... definitely not what is typical of dancers. However, these strange antics made the audience become focused on the dancers and ask why they were behaving that way. During the middle of the performance, one of the lead dancers actually jumped out into the audience and started climbing over people and seats. This definitely caught the audience's attention. I particularly liked the introduction to the Greek myth when one dancer stood up and told the story while the others acted it out. This dancer told the story like he was in pain (this represents the Greek tragedy) and he also danced while he talked which made it seem like he and the audience were part of the story.

Overall, the performance was very strange and haunting. However, Chouinard did add some comical areas into the performance that were effective in lifting the audience's mood. It was definitely an experience that will not be forgotten; it helped broaden my horizons from what is considered to be typical and I will probably try to go see another performance before the end of the semester.

Observation Re-do

Because the three previous observations were done on one day, another observation was made for one hour to see if the new results were similar to the original results. Instead of observing for one hour within each section of Caribou Coffee, each section was only observed for twenty minutes for a total of one hour. The observation began in the back room. Results were similar to Observation 5. There were three people working individually, each with a laptop on the table. Once again, none of the individual students had books in front of them and each seemed to be absorbed in their own world and therefore, not interested in socializing. This observation was consistent for the twenty minutes.

For the next twenty minutes, the study room was observed. There were two women in this room who were dressed up in dress pants and dress shirts. At first they talked informally and socially about school, work, activities, etc. However, after about ten minutes, they began talking about Marshall Interviews. One of the women was in charge of the committee and the other was trying to help her plan. Also, on the sign in front of the room was “Marshall Interviews”. Therefore, unlike Monday, the purpose of the meeting was academic in nature.

For the last twenty minutes, the front room was observed. There were five individual studiers, each with a laptop in front of them. However, these individuals also had books in front of them so they appeared to actually be studying and taking notes. There were no group studiers for the allotted time. However, there were three separate groups of older couples sitting and socializing. Overall, there were more group studiers on Monday.

Observation Hour 3

For the third hour, the group study room was observed. A group of four women came to use the group study room. However, they did not seem to come to study but to socialize. I observed that every person within that group went to get some beverage from the counter before they sat down. When they settled down, they immediately began a long, loud conversation in which everyone within the group seemed to participate. This conversation did not relate to studying or academics but was more of a “catch up “time. Though they did have books in front of them, they kept getting distracted and spent most of their time talking and gossiping. They also laughed very loudly though it did not seem to bother anyone within the area. The group also did not stay very long but only for approximately thirty minutes; just enough time to finish their beverages and go about their day.

After the first group left, another group came into the room. This group was not focused on studying because it was made up of a man and a son. They could be heard talking but they were not as loud as the previous group had been. The two people seemed to be enjoying their beverages and snacks (the boy even commented on how good the food was) in the warmth of the coffee house.

Observation Hour 2

For the second hour, the back room of Caribou Coffee was observed. In this room, there was only one table that could seat four people whereas eight tables could only seat two people. Where there had been loud music in the other section mentioned in Observation 4, there was no speaker in this room so the music was not very loud. Two people were studying individually with their laptops; however, one group of two people were not studying. In this group, the woman was braiding the man’s hair. Though the individuals within the room did not socialize at all, the group was quietly talking. However, this room became somewhat loud when a group of about seven gentlemen decided to socialize outside. There was also an area where there could be a fire and I observed that the individuals and the group situated themselves near this area though the gas logs were not on. The individuals also did not have any beverages with them for they were too consumed with their laptops.

Within the hour, both individuals got up to talk on their cell phones. They left caribou coffee to talk on their phones outside and they left all of their belongings including their laptops for an extended period of time. However, after the time interval, both individuals came back to their laptops and continued to study.

Towards the end of the hour, another individual came to study. She also pulled out her laptop and did not socialize but started working. Therefore, at the end of the hour, there were a total of three individual studiers and one group of two people who were not studying.

Observation: Hour 1

In order to conduct accurate observations, observations were broken up into three parts according to the location within Caribou Coffee to correspond with each hour. The first hour, observations were made within the wider area of the shop; this area is closest to the counter and therefore is louder. Upon my arrival, I noticed that there were many two person tables among the back of this area that were full of students that seemed to be avidly studying. They were not socializing but studying individually, absorbed in their laptops, with coffee cups in hands and headphones on. In the lower section of this area were larger tables. There were two separate groups that appeared to be studying. One group had books and laptops all over the table and though they would do some individual work; within a few minutes, they would be asking each other questions or explaining a topic. However, they would also include personal statements within the conversation so that they would sometimes get sidetracked from studying. However, they seemed to be effectively studying. The second group, upon closer observation, was not studying for a particular subject. Instead, they seemed to be having an educational discussion about a previous lecture or practicing for a speech. There were some notes on the table that were looked at and taken but for the most part, one person discussed a topic while the other asked questions.

While in this area, I noticed that the music was louder. The workers would also carry loud conversations with one another and their customers but this did not seem to bother the studiers or prevent them from accomplishing their task. Towards the end of the hour, conversations seemed to curiously get louder and where previously, the higher area of the coffee shop seemed to attract individuals, some people joined the individuals upstairs. Therefore, where there had been only individuals, there was one group of two studiers upstairs. And upon leaving, I noticed that there were four study groups composed of two people within this area

Feeder 2.2

At a university such as Chapel Hill, the rigorous curriculum requires that students study for their classes. Whereas, some students may choose to study within their dorm rooms, others may prefer to study where there are more students such as a coffee shop. The preferences that college students demonstrate by choosing places to study might provide some insight into their personalities, such as whether they are more extroverted or introverted, as well as showing their personal study habits. The microculture that will be observed will be the students that choose to study in the coffee shop called Caribou Coffee located on Franklin Street. I have personally observed this microculture gathered in groups to study when I have been to Caribou Coffee getting a warm beverage, and I have always wondered if it is beneficial to study with fellow classmates. Whereas I prefer an isolated, quiet environment, this microculture seems to thrive in the social setting of Caribou Coffee; they are able to study in an environment that has many distractions that would make it impossible for me to focus. Based off of initial observations, these students tend to be more extroverted, social and group oriented. For example, when one member of the group decides to get coffee, the other members follow suit. Therefore, the atmosphere of the coffee shop tends to attract more extroverted students when it comes to choosing a study environment.

The hypothesis that will be tested is that the students who choose to study in the coffee shop called Caribou Coffee prefer a more social environment in which they can interact with peers within a group, instead of studying individually; therefore, these students demonstrate more extroverted qualities. This hypothesis will shed light on how a preference for a certain studying environment provides insight on whether a person has the qualities of an extrovert or introvert; a student who prefers a social studying atmosphere may be more social himself. The hypothesis will also provide the university with information about the study environments in which these students feel most comfortable. This will allow the university to address the needs of all students outside of those who prefer dorm rooms and libraries. Thus, the university will be able to provide a more convenient learning environment for all students.

The Stress that comes with the week before spring break

The week before Spring Break seems to be like the week of final exams. As I studied in the library this afternoon, I noticed that it was full of students. I had to stop at several floors to get a group study room so that I could work on my lab report with my lab partner. And then as I was leaving, another group was waiting for the study room. Everyone in the library was very focused on some sort of work whether it be studying or writing a paper and there was not a sound within the library. It was definitely one of those creepy silences where you are scared to make any sort of noise without disturbing someone. All of the students also seemed very sleep deprived with large coffee cups in hand or a bottle of soda nearly empty. I have never seen the library like this before except during final exams. But then again, I am only a freshman who has not experienced the pre-spring break week. I know if someone was observing me though, they would note the same things: bottle of soda, look of sleep deprivation caused by stress. I do hope these weeks get easier; I don't want this to become a routine. I'm so tired of being stressed.

Feeder 2.2 Rough Draft

At a university such as Chapel Hill, the rigorous curriculum requires that students study for their classes. Whereas, some students may choose to study within their dorm rooms, others may choose other places where there are more students such as a coffee shop. The preferences that college students demonstrate by choosing places to study provides some insight into their personalities such as whether they are social or shy. The microculture that will be observed will be the students that choose to study in the coffee shop called Caribou Coffee located on Franklin Street. There is not much information known specifically about this microculture besides that they usually work in groups instead of studying individually. They also prefer to work in a separate room so that they can discuss the information with coffee in hand without being disturbed. Based off of initial observations, these students tend to be more extroverted, social and group oriented. For example, when one member of the group decides to get coffee, the other members follow suit. Therefore, the environment of the coffee shop tends to attract more extroverted students when it comes to choosing a study environment.
The hypothesis that will be tested is that the students who choose to study in the coffee shop called Caribou Coffee prefer a more social environment in which they can interact with peers within a group setting instead of studying individually. This hypothesis will shed light on how preferences for a certain environment for studying provide insight on whether a person has the qualities of an extrovert or introvert. It will also provide the university with information about the study environments in which these students feel comfortable. This will allow the university to address the needs of all students outside of those who prefer dorm rooms and libraries and thus, provide a more convenient learning environment for all students.