My First Memory :: First Person Narrative Examples

There's always one life-altering, mind-blowing, view-changing point in human existence when memory starts. The first substantial memory I hold in my memorial arsenal is the memory of a play day outside with my oldest brother. I remember this day like it were yesterday; the healthy, cared for grass was green as money; the sun was shining like the face of a newly made contest-winning billionaire. My brother and I were masters of outside play, just like a sensei is master to his students. My oldest brother, Sam, was a gorilla of a brother. He was big, bulky and much of the time, mean. Sam beat me at every game we played. He beat me at anything from toy cars to basketball. Sam was an earth-conquering tyrant. The only thing was that I was Sam's earth to conquer. However, today had a different course of events in store; I was bound to alter history this day. Shortly after returning from a Boy Scout campout; Sam was still in an adventurous, scout-like, kick-Ted's-Butt mood. He was going to teach me to play capture the flag. Capture the flag was a game that I could do well in and proceed past my brother's performance, therefore dethroning him and his dominant rule. I was crystal clear on how to play this game and now it was time to play. I looked high and low for a superexcellent, well-camouflaged hiding place for my flag. I needed a hiding place that Sam would never find, never even think of. The nook I decided on was the best ever; my flag was never to be found. Sam's as pirations were hopeless. The place I decided on was high up in a gum tree. After I hid my flag, the game was on and I expedited out for Sam's flag. Our yard was the only thing between me and his flag. Our yard, however, was jam-packed with thorny sticker bushes, piney pine bushes, and plenty of pine cones. The journey to his flag was going to be long and strenuous, but I was determined. I started out with a nerve cringing, skin-piercing secretive crawl through the sticker bushes. My passage through the bushes was like a passage through a locust-plagued tunnel. I got through that only to be greeted by a mine field of pine cones. Every step could hold my life in its hands. If I was loud, Sam was sure to hear and come tag me.

Language, Identity and Cultural Difference Essay

According to Hall (1997a), enunciation theories suggest that even though we may talk of ourselves from our experiences, the person who speaks and the subject being spoken of are never identical. Identity in this regard is to be conceived as a production which is never complete- â€Å"always in process, and always constituted within, not outside, representation†- (Hall, 1997a) as opposed to viewing it as a complete fact which is then represented by the new cultural practices. However, this view shakes the legitimacy and authority upon which the term cultural identity bases its claim. There are two ways in which cultural identity can be thought of. The first view sees it in terms of a single shared culture, some kind of a collective ‘one true self’ that is hiding inside many other more artificially imposed selves that people with a shared history and ancestry hold in common (Hall, 1997b). Within this view of description of cultural identity, our cultural identities mirrors those historical experiences that we hold in common and the shared cultural codes which offer us as a people, a stable, immutable and continuous frames of reference and meaning, under the shifting classes and fluctuations of our actual history (Hall, 1997a). Singapore was envisioned by her leaders as a multiethnic society in which the constituent ethnic groups shared participation in common institutions while at the same time retaining their distinct languages, customs and religions. The ethnic categories represented self-evident, natural groups that would continue their existence into the indefinite future. Singaporean identity therefore implies being an Indian, a Chinese, or a Malay but in relation to other groups. This model of ethnicity demands the denial of important internal variations for each ethnic group and the recognition of differences between the categories (Tsui & Tollefson, 2007). The second view of cultural identity recognizes that there are similarities and important differences which make up what we really are. We cannot persistently refer with exactness to one experience and one identity without recognizing the other dimension. This other dimension represents the rifts and discontinuities that comprise cultural uniqueness. In this second sense, cultural identity is viewed as an issue of both â€Å"becoming† and â€Å"being†, something that belongs to the future as much as it belongs to the past. Cultural identities in this regard have histories and therefore changes constantly. In other words, cultural identities are subject to the uninterrupted play of history, culture and power (Hall, 1997a). Identity is the name given to the different ways we are placed, and put ourselves within the tale of the past. This second conception of cultural identity is more disturbing and less familiar. How can the formation of identity be understood if does not proceed from a straight line or a fixed origin? The Singaporean identity can be thought of as composed of two vectors that operate simultaneously. These are the vectors of rift and difference, and similarity and continuity. The Singaporean identity can be seen with regard to the relationship between the two vectors.   Similarity and continuity brings to fore the realization that it is the experience of fundamental discontinuity that the Indians, Malays and Chinese share and among these are immigration, colonization and Asian origin. It is therefore interesting to look at how the concept of identity, language and cultural differences were created and how these concepts are related within the context of Singapore. The analysis herein presented will be based in Hall’s view of the link between language, identity and cultural difference. Relationship between Language, Identity and Cultural Difference The relationship between language, culture and identity has emerged to be a hotly contested topic in social sciences. The questions that mainly arise concern the apparent difference between cultural and ethnic identity. Are these types of identities similar or should they be differentiated conceptually. Various scholars hold varying views on the role of language in the definition of one’s identity. A major question that one may be compelled to ask is whether a culture or ethnic group can be considered to be unique if it does not have its own language or in the least its own rendition of a common tongue. Cultural identity is universal whether it is expressed with regard to humanity or otherwise since people from every part of the world are conscious of some kind of specificity that sets them apart from others. In contrast, ethnic identity only appear to take place within complex societies when it seems functional to separate individuals into categories founded upon something other than age, gender or occupation. Ethnicity is associated with cultural identity since one must make reference to cultural, linguistic or religious particularities in order to categorize individuals. According to Hall (1997b), culture is produced by representation. Culture concerns shared meaning and the medium through which we make sense out of things is through the use of language. It is through language that meaning is produced and exchanged. The only mechanism of sharing meaning is through a common access to language. In this regard, language is fundamental to meaning and culture and has always been conceived as the major bank of cultural values and meanings. However, one may be compelled to ask how meaning is constructed through language. According to Hall (1997b), language constructs meaning via its operation as a representational system. Language is one of the mechanisms through which ideas, thoughts and feelings are represented in culture. In this regard, representation through language is fundamental to the processes through which meaning is produced. Our sense of identity is derived from meaning and therefore meaning is linked with questions about how we use culture to define and maintain identity and difference within and between groups. In every social and personal relationship in which we participate, meaning is constantly being produced. Meaning is also produced through our expression in and consumption of relevant cultural materials. Our conducts and practices are also regulated and organized by meaning which help in the setting of rules, norms and conventions upon which social life is ordered and governed. The question of identity therefore emerges in relation to various other divergent moments or practices within the cultural circuits; in our construction of identity and the defining of difference, in the production and consumption and in the regulation of social conduct. In all these instances, language is one of the most important medium through which we produce and circulate meaning.

Bullying And Its Effect On Society - 1060 Words

What is bullying? Google’s online dictionary defines bullying as using superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants. Many define bullying as physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically degrading another living being. Bullying has become a growing issue around the world. The act of bullying can begin with a small eye roll, but within a short period of time it can escalate to abuse. Bullying is an issue that cannot be taken lightly. The consequences of bullying can be lethal, encourage a never-ending cycle of bullying, and have long term mental effects. In a recent survey conducted at Elise P. Buckingham Charter Magnet High School, the results indicated that bullying is still an issue. It is not clear how bullying can be completely eradicated, but there are ways of preventing it from increasing in society. Introduction The overall topic of the recent findings discusses bullying and the major problems that are caused by bullying. The general definition of bullying is any form of aggression action towards another person in order to feel superior. Often times, for no justifiable reason. It has become clear to many people that bullying is a continuous problem that seems to have no solution. Bullying is a topic of interest that needs to be addressed. Bullying is a destructive force because the experiences can vary in severity, deteriorate a person’s self-esteem, and can have disastrous consequences.Show MoreRelatedBullying And Its Effects On Society983 Words   |  4 Pagesother countries. Today’s youth have experienced nearly twice as much bullying than past generations. In the United States it is shown that forty-eight percent of junior high and high school students have been bullied. Seventy percent of all grade school students in the United States say they have bullied or have seen a fellow classmate bullied. The types of bullying in today’s schools include: physical, social, verbal, and cyber bullying. This is a problem that has been brought to the attention of schoolRead MoreBullying And Its Effects On Society1546 Words   |  7 Pages13, 2014 Bullying Continues to Worsen Rudeness can be defined in many ways, but the definition most fitting for this topic would be, lack of manners, discourtesy. It’s been around since the beginning of time, but it’s become increasingly popular in today’s society. There are infinite ways someone could be rude to others, for example not holding a door for the next person, making fun of someone, or even disrupting someone. One big problem in today’s generation is bullying. THESIS: Bullying has increasedRead MoreBullying And Its Effect On Society1633 Words   |  7 Pagesmay be exploited is through the familiar conviction of bullying. Bullying has been entrenched in American society as a relevant issue for quite some time. The word â€Å"bully† derives back from as far as the 1530’s. In 1838, the novel, Oliver Twist, exhibited the first use of bullying within literary work. Years later, in 1862, the first account of bullying was reported. Over one hundred years following this, th e first proposition of an anti-bullying law was constructed. As time has persisted, the issueRead MoreBullying And Its Effects On Society Essay1298 Words   |  6 PagesBullying, or being bullied, was once thought of as a normal process of growing up that had little to no impact in life. Now, it has become lethal enough to even go as far to convince one to end their life or commit a felony. The action of bullying a person has increased not just physically but also through the cyberspace world. As the world’s internet continues to expand with more social media and entertainment pages like Facebook, WorldStarHipHop, video blogging website, music video promotersRead MoreBullying And Its Effects On Society1313 Words   |  6 PagesBullying is defined as a use of superior strength or influence to intimidate someone, typically to force him or her to do what one wants. The bully and those who are bullied can be of any age; bullying does not discriminate. There are a number of ps ychological causes and effects that can cause bullying and also the lasting effects of. However, in order to understand the psychology behind bullying, one must understand the reasons that influence one to become a bully and the effects it can have onRead MoreBullying And Its Effects On Society1957 Words   |  8 PagesBullying is defined as â€Å"unwanted, aggressive behavior among people that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both persons who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.† In this day and age, there are so many places advertising a no bullying sentiment or trying to get people to donate money or read about how to stop the bullying that goes on in high school. These websites and foundations areRead MoreBullying And Its Effects On Society2270 Words   |  10 PagesBullying is arguably one of the most common vices in our contemporary society that affec ts individuals across different settings in the society. Most people associate bullying with schools and teenagers, but the practice cuts across almost all institutions in the modern-day American society. People get bullied at workplaces and even in public institutions when seeking for public services. Bullying entails the use of perceived superior power by an individual to intimidate, threaten, or harm anotherRead MoreBullying And Its Effect On Society Essay2475 Words   |  10 PagesIt seems bullying has existed since the beginning of humanity. As we saw in the video during class, Competitiveness was first to arise before cooperation. The dynamics of bullying however are ever-changing and pose an even larger threat to society than ever before. From elementary school to high school, even in college and beyond. The various environments, the internet, work place and even at home. The variables of bullying have changed so dramatically over a considerably short passage of time,Read M oreBullying And Its Effects On Society1932 Words   |  8 PagesAbstract Bullying, a social issue that has been most associated with adolescent aggressive behavior from one to another, has expanded from the realms of the school halls to the Internet. But as laws have been passed and legislation enacted, are these adolescent populations still vulnerable? This paper describes the definition of bullying, power imbalance or struggle, public reaction, policies, public laws or administration rules, implementation of social welfare programs, actual impact, legislativeRead MoreBullying And Its Effects On Society1309 Words   |  6 PagesIt is very important for teachers to take a bigger approach on bullying because it can go undetected, be harmful to students, and have a negative impact on families. This also will make the environment where the bullying is taking place a negative place for others. Other people may say that they should just move then they can have a fresh start. However it is absolutely critical for schools to take a bigger approach towards bull ying because it can go undetected, be harmful to the victim and others