Media Saves the Beach Reflection

Two aspects of my water project that I am proud of...


1. My photography.

I was really proud of the way my pictures turned out for this project. I took a lot of time learning how to use the different features on the cameras in order to maximize the composition and quality of my pictures. By doing this, I took a once in a lifetime picture that aren't easily reproduced. Also this helped me take better pictures, and set up the layout of my pictures instead of hoping to get lucky and taking a lot of pictures.

I reached the high quality of work by going out to take pictures many times so that I have a diverse amount of pictures to choose from. Also I went in different areas at different times of the day to see how the lighting and location of the sun effects the picture. I also spent a lot of time setting up my shot and by making sure there is a balance of positive and negative space within my picture.

2. My Writing

The San Diego Audubon Society works with the Port of San Diego on the protection of birds and other wildlife through education and study. In an effort to raise awareness about San Diego Bay and the birds that inhabit it, the Audubon Society provides guided field trips, nature tours, and in-class education sessions, partially funded by grants from the Port of San Diego.

Another way to learn about San Diego Bay is to go on the Harbor Tour and whale watching expedition sponsored by Birch Aquarium at Scripps. This narrated tour shows visitors the California Gray whale, dolphins, sea lions, birds, and many other animals found in San Diego Bay.

For this project, I did multiple small paragraphs of writing for each month of the calendar I was responsible for. I'm proud of this writing because I was able to have short concise paragraphs containing detailed information. My paragraphs were easy to understand, straight to the point, and also were about an understandable topic.

I reached this high quality of writing by doing many drafts and a lot of research about my topic. My doing background research I was able to include a lot of information without making them seem like I was just stating facts. I did many versions and critiques of my writing in over to have my writing be to the best of it's ability. The different critiques gave me a varied opinions to improve my writing.

Biracial President

"Isn't it time for the language to move on?" Marie Arana writes in her editorial in which she starts off talking about Barack Obama. Although one of the main points of her article is about biracial people, and how more and more people around us are biracial, without us realizing it, her message is much deeper than that. " In other words, the color of a president-elects skin doesn't tell you much. It's an unreliable marker, a deceptive form of packaging. Isn't it time we stopped using labels that validate the separation of races?" Basically, I feel that her editorial is about moving on and bringing the words we say up to speed with the actions we are taking, and I agree with her.

American citizens may not realize how ignorant they can be at times. For example, by referencing Barack Obama as our first black president, when technically he is our first Biracial President. He will be the first president that is black, but he is also half white. By calling him the first black president I don't believe that you are wrong. It is still true, just not as correct as it could be.

I feel that it is both technically correct because there is no incorrect statement being made. One isn't as correct or as proper, yet still true. I also feel that we were misinformed. Nobody mentioned during the election process or through any of the campaigns that he was the first biracial president, he was always referenced as the first black president.

The point Marie Arana is trying to make is we need to be as sophisticated with our word choices as we are with our decisions we make. If we are trying to bring both to the same level, I feel that we need to educate, and say the proper phrases from the beginning. I don't feel that people are being incorrect because they don't agree, I believe it is because they don't know the truth.


He's Not Black