kailaanyc

[kailaanyc]

Who are Today's Migrants?

Antoinette Renfrum-Thorpe migrated from Kingston Jamaica in 1995. She had a daughter at the young age of 21 in Jamaica. Although life was hard for them as they weren't able to always keep themselves afloat, she still had support from her mother who helped take care of her and her child. Although they were still blessed, Antoinette still believed that there was room for her to grow and succeed and be the best version of herself. She describes moving to the United States for better opportunities. The bank where she had worked had closed and jobs began to be difficult to acquire for her during this time. With a child to feed and bills to pay, she had a difficult decision to make either leave her child behind or struggling to put food in her mouth.  She was forced to leave her child behind, move to Curacao, and stay with her dad While trying to make a source of income for herself and her daughter. Like it was hot for her since she had been living in Jamaica for most of her life. It was a different adjustment and a cultural barrier that she faced while living there. It was hard for her to shift from living in Jamaica to living on this mostly European Island. Although the island was mostly African descendants, it was still hard for her to be so far from her daughter and not watch her grow up. She did return to Jamaica for a bit of time in order to spend more time with her daughter when she began to fall in love with a man named Desmond. this was not the father of her first daughter however he loved her as if she had been his own. the family then decided to move to the United States where they later got married and had another daughter who is now my best friend. although life had been Sunshine and rainbows there were still matters that had to be taken care of and challenges that had to be overcome. with no college education, it was hard for her to get a decent job there for she had decided to go back to college with her two daughters in mind.  after college, she began working her way up what jobs in order to support two children. today she works at a health company. Antoinette's story is inspiring because of the constant changes that she made to her environment, she was able to move up on the socioeconomic scale by putting in hard work and dedication.

[kailaanyc]

The Culture of Consumerism

iPhone 13 Pro Max

$1200

Want

Friends, Social Media

Groceries

$100

Need

-Hunger

Hair Products

$150

Need

-Social Media, Hair Care

Shoes

$2000

Want

-Social Media, 

Clothes

$600

Want/Need

-Social Media

Jackets

$400

Need

Social Media

Bracelets

$300

Want

Gifts

Chain

$600

Want

Gift

Bags

$1000

Want

Social Media

Decor

$500

Want

Pinterest 

Apple Watch

$500

Want

Gift

From this assignment, it has become clear how much today's society and this generation have fed into consumerism. The amount of money that is spent on unnecessary things is very sickening. however, there's a type of stigma behind the way someone should dress and it feels like a constant race what the finish line is moving. if you don't have the latest shoes that you can't dress and they're often looked down upon. if you don't have the newest iPhone then you're broke. it is sad to say that I have fed into the stigma as well and am constantly putting my wants over my needs. my saving tactics have been slowly deteriorating since my time in college. I'm constantly spending money on clothes when I could simply wear the same things over and over and save my money for other things. However, I don't think that the stigma will change because of the growing population as well as the growing population of consumers. parents buy luxurious things for their children at younger ages, and everyone cannot afford these luxurious things so those kids who don't have the same opportunities are often looked down upon.

[kailaanyc]

The History of the Roberts and Seraph Family

My parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on until we were all born in a country called Dominica. The citizens of Dominica first came from present-day Nigeria as well as Cameroon.  Dominica was a French colony from about 1715 all the way until 1763 Until the end of the Seven Years War and became a British colony from 1763 to 1978. my mom was born in 1978, officially when it gained its independence. As described by my mom Dominica was one of the most beautiful places that she had ever experienced. You could do things for no cost like enjoying the rivers, springs, and ocean. Tablets and phones weren’t used as much because the children of Dominica would be outside playing with their friends. The TV wasn’t the number one priority rather taking the company over each other. Many people walked rather than drive because of the beautiful warm climate. One of the biggest things was getting home from work in just 10. In contrast, when she lived in New York, on the subway it took over 2 hours to commute.

Life in Dominica for children was very different from the lives of American children. it was much safer, kids were able to stay out later, and the people are much happier with their lives. my mom described it as the best time for life and always spoke about going back. The climate is able To grow food such as bananas, plantains, avocados, Citrus, mango, and coconuts. There are more than 13 different types of bananas grown as well as plantains. bananas and plantains are Dominica’s main exports. The most popular food that is made in Dominica is callaloo which is described as “a combination of leafy vegetables such as dasheen or spinach,  coconut milk, salted meat, yams, onions, peppers, green bananas,  and dumplings consisting of flour and cornmeal”. one of my favorite dishes growing up was braf basically like a soup with dumplings made out of flour with smoked meat, potatoes, and vegetables. they are also known for the way that they make bread which is so salt and ice and is the best when it comes out hot.

Dominica Is also known for their Carnival which can be described as a time in which we celebrate our culture and all of the great things that come with it. people dressed up in costumes with all different types of colors. During this time we also announced Miss Dominica which is a pageant in which many Dominican women ranging from ages 18 to 21 compete for the title. back in 2000, my mom won the title I was Thomas Dominica she was able to right through the streets in a big float with her crown. I experienced Dominique's beautiful carnival more than once and I have to say it was the best experience I have ever experienced in my life. The music, the food, and the atmosphere were something I had never experienced before. experience than this from a young age helps me to embrace my culture. going up to them would always ask me where I was from and I would tell them and they were confused about what the place was so sometimes it just stayed that my parents were from the Caribbean an embarrassment however as I began to grow up here more and more about my family I became more comfortable with. 

[kailaanyc]

The History of a Graduation Cap

When the first universities were founded back in the 12th and 13th century, caps and gowns would be used as a symbol of moving onto the next level in academics. Caps and hoods were used by the clergy and professors that stood as a symbol for religious status. The students as well as the faculty in order to tell them apart from the residents of the town. They would also have their heads shaved therefore it provided warmth for them as well. These practices that were used in Europe made its way to the United States which began to required by many universities to wear their "college habits".

Many caps that are used in the United States are manufactured in Virginia. Although this is not the only place where these caps are made this is home to millions of caps and gowns used in the US today. There are many manufacturers all over the world because of its vast use in all different type of cultures and religions.

I used a cap through 3 different stages in my life; graduating kindergarten, graduating middle school, and graduating high school and will be using it one more time in college. A cap for me represents a new chapter in my life, a fresh start to do whatever my heart wants me to do. A cap in 2022 can be decorated with quotes or meanings that empower you and your goals. A cap represents all my hard work, all the late nights studying, all the tears shed in order for me to be my best self.

Today caps and gowns are made by hundreds of manufacturers around the world in order to keep up with high demand of caps and gowns needed especially during the months of May and June. Caps and gowns are made from polyester fabrics which are handmade by many workers and one of the biggest companies being Oak Hall.

[kailaanyc]

Uneven Development

Tax payers are more than likely paying the same amount however, one side of the city is more developed as the rest decays. Cost of living will more than likely increase in the less developed side as the other side falls victim to gentrification.