A View, Not of my Own.

To write a paper on an opinion you do not carry is a tough charge. As so much of what we write is to express our own opinions. First you have to choose a topic. Something I am passionate about. The topic I chose is school uniforms.

There are many benefits to schools uniforms. It helps to unify the student body as a community as well as allowing teachers and administrators to concentrate on more important work in the school, rather than whether students clothes are in accordance with the dress code. This in turn will help to increase the proficiency of the teaching environment, ultimately helping the students. Another benefit to making mandatory school uniforms is that it helps to eliminate gang colors in urban schools. This will decrease the amount of violence in our schools.
As to the argument many have made that the uniforms will be expensive and/or poor quality, it is simply not true. In fact uniforms are well priced for all social classes and can help in deterring bullying in schools based on a persons’ inability to purchase the newest brands. Mandatory school uniforms also eliminate derogatory logos and language in the student wardrobe. This helps in preventing the fall of students into rougher, or more violent ways of life.
Implementing school uniforms also decreases the number of thefts of clothing or shoes as well as decreasing the number of violent confrontations due to clothes. It also reduces the distractions within the classroom, because if everyone is wearing the same thing as you, you have no reason to look around the room rather than at the board. Also uniforms make it clearly visible to teachers and administrators those young people who do not belong on the premises or who are not following rules. This makes punishing those students easier and quicker.
One of the largest arguments against uniforms is the claim that it is unconstitutional, taking away a students right to freedom of expression. There are compromises to be made however. Many systems are supporting that uniforms can be more relaxed rather than the all too famous catholic school uniform. Uniforms can be a simple pair of khaki pants and a knit shirt or even a pair of jeans. However jean size should be regulated and students should be required to wear pants the fit, rather than those which hang down below the waist and expose undergarments, or are too tight and revealing. Another way of dealing with arguments against uniforms is to allow students to wear buttons or pins which express their political or social views. However it should be made clear that any gang paraphernalia is not accecptable in any way.
To aid the parents of children in low income or single parent homes, offering financial aid for the purchase of uniforms should be considered. Also a school must accommodate the religious beliefs of students, so religious clothing must be allowed. Perhaps by requesting that students wear part of the uniform along with religious garments, or underneath you can incorporate them into the whole of your school community. Also allowing the uniform colors to be bright, or to change slightly with the season can help in easing students into the process.
There are many, many benefits to school uniforms. In addition to being functional they can be more flexible than many individuals believe. Our children’s safety is the most important thing in our society today, as well as their education. School uniforms aid in both of these areas, helping to secure a better future for all of us.

Myspace Music Disease

Myspace.com, most of us have an account there. If we do not, then our friends do. A blogging site which seems like any other at first, but then it blooms into something unexpected and wonderful. Myspace.com has become a community where people from all around the country, even the world can connect. You can find local bands that are still in the beginnings of producing their music. You can support local music around the world and open the door to a variable musical wonderland. All you have to do is follow links, similar to Alice following the white rabbit. Follow the link from one of your friends to one of their friends and so on until you have opened yourself into a much larger community.
The band community on Myspace alone is unique. Where in the normal world bands are competitors, vying for the same gigs, online they are supporters. Each band supports others because it is not a competitive space. Myspace is simply about getting their music heard and supporting local and small time music. There are bands of every type that you can stumble across in your travels. Parody, R&B, Industrial, Rock, Emo, and Pop can all be found side by side supporting one another. It is a musical enthusiasts dream, right at their fingertips.
Simply by clicking the button you can browse through hundreds of musicians of any one genre. It gives you the power to explore more than just the “popular” artists and find music that you truthfully enjoy. All it takes is a scroll of the mouse to be surprised by artists you never knew existed, and music you might not have thought possible. Too many of us are letting this amazing tool slip us by. Supporting local bands is important. Especially because many of them are better than the popular artists out there today.

"Lil-yah"

In my few short years attending the Upattinas School and Resource Center, I met many interesting people. I was shown the inner beauty that so many people posess. As I found myself blooming into the person I am today, I witnessed the transformation of many other people as well. One of which was an amazingly talented girl by the name of Lelia Broussard (pronounced “Lil-yah” as she has corrected so many). I first met her about four years ago, and was immediately taken aback but her beautiful voice and creative lyrics. From the first time I met her I found that she was completely dedicated to her dreams, even at a young age. And even more shocking was the complete support from her family. I had never seen a family so dedicated to their daughter’s dream.

At that early point her sound was unique, even though her voice was a little raw. But the talent was there, just waiting to be refined into one of the most beautiful gems in the world of music. I did not get a chance to see Lelia much during my senior year of high school, however she was always to be found at school functions or at performance class, singing her heart out and showcasing her new songs to us. I lost touch over last year as I went to college, so when she “friended” me through www.myspace.com I was blown away by the new her. She had been terribly successful in the year I had missed. She’d been played on the radio, had two of her songs featured on episodes of “Joan of Arcadia” and so much more. As the songs on the site began to play I was in such disbelief. Was this the same girl? Had she really grown that much? She had blossomed from a seedling into a full rose.

As a mere spectator I can not tell how the transformation came to happen, although I suspect it was from her dedication and spirit. Lelia had always had the talent to write meaningful, soulful music and to sing it the way it was meant to be. Now she has grown into her voice and become a beautiful girl who I am certain will cause a sensation. Her defiance of the pop world comforts me as she sings the way she wants and is duely recognized for it. In the short time I have known her she has gone from a talented girl, singing her heart out, to an amazing professional singing to your soul.

For all those who want to learn more about this amazing local artist, www.leliabroussard.com or www.myspace.com/leliabroussard. Listen to her yourself and I promise you will be impressed.