PL HELPPP Discussion Topic
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C
In this unit, you've looked at opposing viewpoints
on issues that drove one of the most controversial
eras in US history-the time before, during, and
after the Civil War. As you know, some of the
same issues still exist in twenty-first century
American culture and politics. For example, race
relations, civil rights, labor rights, and state versus
federal control are still targets of movements for
social change. And each issue meets up with
resistance from opposing forces.
Be the first
Choose a source of conflict that you are aware of
in American culture now and describe it in this
discussion forum. Would you consider it primarily
an interpersonal conflict, a political conflict, or a
social conflict? Does it have roots in the era of the
Civil War, or is it a modern issue? Why do you
think people are so passionate about the issue?
What possibilities do you see for resolving the
conflict, and how long might that take?

Racism is a social conflict that has lasted for longer than we even know. This conflict was around before and during the civil war and us still a problem today. People are passionate about this depending on how they were raised and what they grew up around. But from the way I see it the chances of this problem ending are slim to none. Because there will always be someone who thinks differently about others. We can fight for justice, but will we get it?

Explanation:

A conflict I am aware of in the American Culture now is Racism. Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another. I believe this is a social conflict. Racism does have roots from the Civil War era but is still a problem to this day. People are very passionate about this problem because in some situations one race has the advantage over the other, which puts a bad rep on both races. I think the way to solve this problem is for everyone to realize that we are all the same. The color of your skin shouldn't effect how you are treated, after all its just a color. There's no way to tell if this problem will ever be resolved or how long it may take if it does.

Explanation:

i have learned a great many things from participating in varsity football. it has changed my entire outlook on and attitude toward life. before my freshman year at [high-school], i was shy, had low self-esteem and turned away from seemingly impossible challenges. football has altered all of these qualities. on the first day of freshman practice, the team warmed up with a game of touch football. the players were split up and the game began. however, during the game, i noticed that i didn't run as hard as i could, nor did i try to evade my defender and get open. the fact of the matter is that i really did not want to be thrown the ball. i didn't want to be the one at fault if i dropped the ball and the play didn't succeed. i did not want the responsibility of the team because i was too afraid of making a mistake. that aspect of my character led the first years of my high school life. i refrained from asking questions in class, afraid they might be considered too stupid or dumb by my classmates. all the while, i went to practice and everyday, i went home physically and mentally exhausted.

yet my apprehension prevailed as i continued to fear getting put in the game in case another player was injured. i was still afraid of making mistakes and getting blamed by screaming coaches and angry teammates. sometimes these fears came true. during my sophomore season, my position at backup guard led me to play in the varsity games on many occasions. on such occasions, i often made mistakes. most of the time the mistakes were not significant; they rarely changed the outcome of a play. yet i received a thorough verbal lashing at practice for the mistakes i had made. these occurrences only compounded my fears of playing. however, i did not always make mistakes. sometimes i made great plays, for which i was congratulated. now, as i dawn on my senior year of football and am faced with two starting positions, i feel like a changed person.

over the years, playing football has taught me what it takes to succeed. from months of tough practices, i have gained a hard work ethic. from my coaches and fellow teammates, i have learned to work well with others in a group, as it is necessary to cooperate with teammates on the playing field. but most important, i have also gained self-confidence. if i fail, it doesn't matter if they mock or ridicule me; i'll just try again and do it better. i realize that it is necessary to risk failure in order to gain success. the coaches have always said before games that nothing is impossible; i know that now. now, i welcome the challenge. whether i succeed or fail is irrelevant; it is only important that i have tried and tested myself.

the topic of this essay is how the applicant has matured and changed since his freshman year. he focuses on football. one of the strengths of this essay is that it is well organized. the applicant clearly put time into the structure and planning of this essay. he uses the platform of football to discuss and demonstrate his personal growth and development through the high school years. what he could have done better was spend more time describing himself after he made improvements. as it is, he only tells us about his newfound confidence and drive. this essay would have been stronger had he actually shown us, perhaps by including a story or describing an event where his confidence made a difference

explanation: