Have you notice that "being cool" causes the person to change his or her life. In this universe, young teenagers and adult wants to reform their lives into better shape because they want to be the center of attention. They want people around them to notice that they are the top gun; no one can stand up to them. They see the world differently than "we" do. According to this young teenager life; Quinn Wu also play a certian "act" in life, to help him hide his "real" identities; not allowing people to notice what he is capable of doing. Quinn was influence by others; only to change his "appearance" around, but he is still the same teenage kid. Quinn always wanted to change his looks, which stop him from going to school; ashamed that his classmates will make a fool out of him. But until, his friend's words drop him so hard that he needed to become "coooooooool..." Coolness is essntial to surviving difficult times, which involve obsession and deadly consolations of depression; to form a new life of being the center of attention.
Yo son, you have to get some new kicks. Stop wearing those payless shit. Your life worth more than a penny. You feel me?
Umm.. does it matter what I wear? Can you mind your own business Mei Dong?
Look at you Quinn. Wearing a loose purple shirt with some baggy ass jean. Look at your fuck up sneaker. Did you borrow it from a bum? You look ridiculous! I am trying to help you out, my dude.
I dont need your help. I dont need new clothes. (looking down at himself) And how do I look ridiculous. Everyone has different styles.
You dont look ridiculous? (shock) Did any girls ever like you? If i were your mom, I will trade you away for some eggs. I swear to my mother's life, you DO look ridiculous!
Nothing to say? Quinn, I dont have any respect for you. Your ugly ass doesnt belong here. And one more thing, learn how to take a fuckin' shower or use deodorant bodyspread.
My god! looking at you makes me lose my appetite. Fucking god! ( walking away) DISGUSTING.
This is the first time Quinn had felt this way. Is it true that he look ridicuolus? Is is true that his mother could has trade him away for something better? Is it true that Mei Dong was right? It cant be. I dont look that bad. Do I? Well I am going to find out.
Yo what's up my man, Keith? Chillin?
I am going home with Tiffany.
Word! My boy. You gonna hit that?
What!?
You and Tiffany (wink)
Shut the fuck up Quinn, and why are you acting so weird?
How do I act weird?, son?
Cos yo dumbass is tryna act cool and talking slang. Getta the fuck outta here. (walking away)
Quinn spotted Michelle and nervous walk over to her.
Hey Michelle, you wanna hang out with me?
Umm.. sure... when?
Around 6, you wanna go to the movie?
Are you asking me for a date?
umm.. no... umm... maybe... Do you?
(starting to laugh) You think I...
Hey Michelle, where are you going afterschool?
Yo girl, stop interfering my convo with my girl.
Michelle is your girl?
Quinn, listen. I know you are nice but I dont see any coolness in you. The way you look and dress, doesnt make me interested in you. And can you stop talking like that? (turning back to cory) Let's go Cory.
(laughing) Quinn? You are RIDICULOUS
Walking back home alone, Quinn felt very incomplete. He wish everyone was happy with what he is wearing, but how can he turn the tables around? Quinn stop in front of Jimmy Jazz. He then walk right in and surprising he saw many rare shoes. He kept on looking and looking, realizing he need to be cool. He was fascinated with all these brand clothing until he heard these boys whispering. "That nigga is ugly. He need to learn the word fresh." That made Quinn more heartbroken but that doesnt stop him, from looking around the store. He was very drawn into the Jordan and Nike shoes, until someone said, " Sir, we dont have your brand. Payless is across the street. Thank you." Quinn's mouth drop wide open. What does dressing or looking good has to do with anything in life? Why cant anyone take him for a granted that he doesnt care how he look. Fuck being cool. Jesus!
Walking down those miserable blocks back home, he was comparing himself to other people. North Face, Levis, Jordan, Looney Tunes, Nike, Tims, Converse, South Pole, Forever 21, DU-Rag, chains, fitted, footlocker. You name it. Howcome!? Howcome!!? Howcome!!!? I cant be like the rest? Almost home, Quinn lept on thinking how can he become like the rest. Immendiately, Quinn thought of something. If there's a problem, there got to be a solution. He took out a pair of scissor from his bookbag and smile.
Hey mom, guess what?
What happen son?
I was trying out for the basketball team and I got myself a playing spot. That means I am able to play for the team.
That's nice ( walking away)
But mom, we need to go shopping for sneakerm because I torn my sneaker while practicing.
You just got a new pair last month, how can you probably wreck it?
Cos Im.. Im.. ran a lot of suicide to impress the coach.
Fine, we go tomorrow.
Looking through every section, Quinn was hypnotize with all the shoes and clothes collection around him. He simply gather up all the good looking items and rush to the nearest changing room to try on his new clothes.
Walking back to school the very next day, he realize his friends was checking him out. Just zoning out while Quinn walk by each and everyone of them with a smirk on his face. Acting all tough and real, Quinn walk toward Michelle.
Yo babe, what's good with you and yo outfit. You look good girl.
Hey Quinn, (checking him out)
You wanna hit the dance floor at my friend's studio or chill at tha bartender?
Umm... I am not quite...
(Mei Dong walking toward Quinn and Michelle) Hey Michelle, (looking at Quinn) Damn son, when you become a transformer, Quinn? Or is that yo Halloween custome?
Nah yo, yo mom own me money from last night so I decided to spend it on myself to look fresh for her. You feel me?
Nigha! you want to start something?
Nah my dude, I dont start anything with ugly people, I start with yo mom.
Son, I was the one who taught you how to be fly.
My man, now it is my turn to teach you how to become ugly. Say Michelle( turning to Michelle) You down to tha casino? Pick yo sexy ass up at 8.
Quinn was influence by his friend's words and judgments. Now he knows how to be cool in a "good" way. He spends his time, shopping and chilling with his boys. Quinn wasnt trying to be a G, he just wants to stand out and help people. Quinn doesnt hassle around trying to be well knoww, he just want respects. He is a helpful cool young man.
Before I get started on this paper, I will like to know: "What is the difference between "normal" cool and "ghetto" cool? What I meant by that is, some teenagers just act like themselves. They dont care what people say about them. They are just inside their little world; thinking on how to succeed in life. "Ghetto" cool people are really differnt from normal cool people. Ghetto cool people form gangs, smoke, dealing with drugs, having tattoos, piercing, street fighting and show an act of violence. According to my habits of mind, I belong to the cool normal group. I learn some important steps on how to be "much more" cooler than ghetto people.
1. Dont care so much about what others think of you. We are always different from everyone else. We are always on different level or stages, so why care what people say about you. You dont have to please anyone except yourself and people that really loves you. Dont let people get under your skin and make you become a different person.
2. Be aware of how others will precieve you. There is no chance in hell, to let people judge who you are and affect your self esteem. All you got to do is do what you have to do and feel secure about yourself.
3. Find real friends. Why do you hang around friends that require you to wear designer clothes, they are not "REAL" friends. Friends are suppose to have your back, not judging your appearance or force you to look better.
4. Keep yourself "cool" The definition of cool is being calm, indifferent, and socially adept. All you got to do is keep yourself cool, pace yourself and dont let stuff get into your mind. Make yourself comfortable and dont put your mind on anybody else situation. You need to have confident within yourself.
5. Last but not least. BE YOURSELF!!! DONT TRY TO BE LIKE ANYONE ELSE. LIVE LIFE FOR WHO YOU ARE.
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Quinn,
ReplyDeleteI thought you really had a strong start with how you had the story and how it gave an emotional and personal view into your own struggle with cool, i think the way you were able to personalize it gave me at least a much deeper and more significant view into your paper. I think the story itself can be used to a multitude of levels, such as a personal view on the oppision of cool, or maybe as a youth in revolt type thing. It can end any way you want it to and make it have any message you want it too because the emotional level of it allows it to be like that. With all that said i do think there is some room for improvement, the story is very good but there is some cleaning up to do with who talks and the grammer and such, then my biggest problem is the second half, i think that you really could do so much more then the be what you want to be stuff. We are always discussing that in class and i think there is so much more that you can talk about that. It is just kind of cliche, but if you touch it up and put some of your own personal thought i think that this can be something great and really moving and deep, but thats just me.
Sam
Quinn,
ReplyDeleteTHESIS: We use cool as a way to sheild our own personal beliefs and create a barrier between ourselves and the outside world.
Main Idea: Cool is a de-facto anti-depressent and a to protect ourselves from getting hurt.
Big Insight: The personal angle. Showing how you have incorporated these theories in your own life and the affect it's had.
Everybody knows the story about the big physical bully. He likes to make a punk out of all the younger kids who can't defend themselves but when finally chalenged by someone who is of equal strength the bully himself ends u a punk, and so it goes. I think that story ties in directly to what your trying to say. The bully uses his cool role (the tough bully) to sheild his own insecurities and feelings. A question that comes to mind; are those "true" feelings actually true or just a deaper complexity of the role of the bully?
1. A more direct and repeated thesis.
2. Some more questions.
3. Quotes and some more non-personal examples.
Great job
Will