• This piece of writing is an assignment from my California history class. The writing is about a book on a group of native Indians that occupied California thousands of years ago. I choose this assignment because I had to use a creative approach and include my point of view as a individual from that time and the perspective of Malcolm Margolin, Author of The Ohlone Way.

Dear Father Serra,

I want to first apologize for my untimely response about the strange text artifact. The exciting discovery had to wait a while due to strenuous and constant mission work along with conquests to retrieve runaway Indians. On a different note, the text has to indeed be a sign from the Lord about his purposeful will that we are doing. I say father converting these gente sin razon are both a burden and blessing. I am thankful for the God given task to saving and civilizing these obscure Indian people. This strange sign from God being tough to understand seems to talk about a lively ancient group of Indians and customs. The text is called The Ohlone Way, by a sir Malcolm Margolin. The ways described from the weird book as traditional Indian life seems very strange to a man of standards. The tribe was called Ohlone, these people must have been the ancestors of the present day Indians being converted in our missions. Thank God because now there is some substantial idea linking why these Indians are so backwards culturally and socially. According to the book, the tribe seemed to be as a child-like and undeveloped people from my sane thinking. Just a reminder that it God’s will for us to manage and direct California. Margolin strangely states that the ancient Ohlone Indians occupied areas where our missions today stand. This data infers that our missions in San Francisco and Monterrey are laying on ground where thousands of ancient Indians once resided. This speaks to the sign from God that it is our life’s purpose to convert and save these lost indian people. The people of Ohlone were a pointless society and were politically and religiously inert. All of these gente sin razon are in desperate need of assimilation. We must advance our conversion process. The souls of these Indian people are at stake. Our teachings must be flawless and learn-able for them. To me the odd text suggests the Ohlone were worshipers of some higher power; which leads to the descendents of them being worshipers of this higher power as well. These people had no one God let alone a real God. The text declared these people would worship inanimate objects and things of nature like the sun, a tree, or dirt. From my intuition I can state these people were on their way to hell. Secular and idol worshipers. A shame how lost they were. The people of the Ohlone were said to be smart and innovative, yet back then and even now I can not imagine how such a thing could be thought of. Any person of common sense knows food is to be raised and not hunted or gathered. They are more like idiotic barbarians. Strange and simple these people, their tools and technology were made up of  twigs and rocks. How smart and innovative does this sound to you father? I tell you there is a heavy need for guidance in all California native people. Though the need is great, something comforting is the amazing work of our marvelous missions. They are doing a very good job of civilizing the Indians we do have. Most are actually looking and speaking like a civilized people. The king of Spain would be astonished and Spaniards back home would be proud. The with exception of a few faithful remnants these natives are catching on to christian culture. These Indians working on the missions is an extra blessing at the same time because it is helping them reach the goal of becoming civilized. The work also contributes to the livelihood of their catholic beliefs. It is a cycle father, our missions are civilizing and helping guide the spirits of these lost Indians. I visualize the day when our pueblos will teach the people true tradition and ways of Catholicism itself. Yet, after reading this artifact text, it constantly reminds me of the satanic savage people we are conforming. Some just seem to not be taking hold of our catholic customs. Soldiers have been getting antsy with some of the fellow friars and I about the bottom line message we are delivering the Indians. They are complaining about groups practicing native dances and rituals that should have been lost long ago by now. Under constant scrutiny from soldiers, we are being faced with the pressuring question that soldiers won’t understand. Are these Indians worthy to be humanized and are they able to be? We punish Indians who are disobedient and not converting to the religion of reason. I believe God would want us to teach those who disobey. For salvation is something natives just don’t understand. Through harsh and cruel punishment these gente sin razon will learn. Although far gone, through our missions these people will become civilized. The odd text talks about how eccentric the Ohlone people’s customs were. According to it the women of Ohlone heritage during pregnancy were said to go under strange diet and rituals. They avoided meat, fish, and salt during their pregnancies to increase chances of a smaller child. The father of the unborn child is said to go under peculiar diet and rituals as well. I am sure the Ohlone are ancestors of these natives because the bizarre cultures are almost identical. Logic for normal things are definitely gone in both generations of the people. Both senseless and pointless. The women of Ohlone after their pregnancy were said to have burned the after birth and umbilical cord from conception in fear that trouble would overcome the mother and child. See father, the pointlessness of rituals and odd superstitions of these people. This world is far from heaven and as human everyone will be confronted with troubles, catholic or savage. This book is clearly a sign from the lord of the needs of these natives. By God! we must attend our duty by taking hold of the hairy hand from these primitive people and edify them. Deep need father, such a deep need. The Ohlone Way talks about how these Indians were simple yet spiritual. It seems to say they would learn from the land and actually feel connected to it. These natives believed everything had energy. Literally, these Indians seemed to worship everything because they felt everything contained a spirit. At a lost for words father, I think this connection was through a black magic or witchcraft.  Father it is indescribable sadness these Indians get their heritage from a whacked out group of people. They were said to believe in multiple Gods. Any person in their right mind knows there is only one God, our Lord and savior. Sir Margolin confirms these Ohlone people’s spirituality by inferring a genuine connection to animals of the land. Before and after hunting or eating these people would pray in regards of their prey. Unfortunately father, our Indians pick up the lineage of their backwards ancestors. A progressive being knows their dominance over animals. They also surely know how to maintain food; they know it is not prayed for nor hunted but instead raised. Father, I am still in confusion about the amazing spiritual connection the Ohlone were said to have with the beast of the land. Bears, wolves, coyotes, how in the world did these people feel linked to these creatures? Father is it not obvious these Indians are not competent to live successful sanctified lives on their own based off the knowledge of their more than likely ancestors. To conclude this mysterious and divine sign from the lord we must advance our tactics completely as superiors. We must control our missions, strengthen our presidios, and possibly recruit friars from Spain or Mexico to help horde Indians into the light of our Lord. We need all our natural given resources to carry out the plan of God! We must use everything in our arsenal to save and civilize these Indians of California for the sake of the kingdom. Father you of all leaders have to understand the desperate need. These Ohlone people were savages with hunting and gathering and pointless faithfuls with their multiple Gods, paving the way for their descendants. Hopefully, you can see and would agree; the Ohlone were probable imbecilic ancestors to these present Indians with silly superstitious, rituals, and odd child birth practices. Savage barbarians with beliefs of connectivity to things of nature like, animals, trees, or the sun. To me, the Ohlone were a truly lost people and I say so because of their customs. We are doing what is needed and expected for the greater good of the lives of these savages but more importantly Spanish tradition. We must advance our efforts for God’s sake. Father the need is great.

Sincerely,

Friar Lee U. H

Journal

Kevin Holloway Journal #2

• I choose this journal to post on here because it is one of my favorites and I feel like I am actually free writing. I did not really have anything to write about but I wrote anyway. The reason it is my favorite is because I wrote nonstop for ten minutes.

This is just an exercise for ten minutes I am writing for fun. When I free write, which I do not do often I tend to write sloppy and forget what I was going to put down. I believe it is because I think too fast or write too slow. My brain is processing thoughts at like one hundred miles per hour while my hand is writing at one and a half miles per hour. It is all good though. I am trying to write legibly if that is correct. One thing my mother always made clear to me in grade school was that I must write neat. Ultimately, she would be getting at the idea that my teacher could not give a grade on some work that resembles chicken scratch. Well, since I forgot to mention I am on the bus. It is even more of a challenge to maintain good penmanship. The bus is just moving and as I am in my seat I am being thrown around like a toy by the bus. Uneven ground we are treading upon. I believe my thought process is uneven ground sometimes. I truly feel I am a smart person but being smart can get you so far in life. I hit a ball of cognitive thought. I wonder, how our bodies as humans have a natural awareness. It is a trip if you think about it. Right now I am unaware of how long I have been writing. I gotta check the time now. I started writing this at six fifty pm. Keep writing. I think it is beautiful how choice is available to us as creative creatures. Instead of writing the numbers 6:50 I spelled them out. Well it is seven '05. I wanted to keep this free write going until 7:10 pm. The bus just attempted a wide turn and succeeded. I hope I did not miss my t.v show. Something just crossed my mind as I almost erased what I had already written. Dang, it is amazing how it just slipped my mind as I was checking my phone. A mystery, well not that much of a mystery. A lot like how and why the bus is bouncing and throwing passengers around like toys.

Essay: Don't Blame The Eater

Kevin Holloway

Warning Labels

If you have ever eaten a burger from Mcdonalds or Jack In The Box, question: should there be a warning label on the bag? Really, a label stating the negative effects of eating one of their burgers. There are a bunch of unspoken dangers that come from fast food. The lack of personal responsibility in fast food consumers is an overall contributing factor leading to childhood obesity.

In David Zinczenko’s article “Don’t Blame The Eater” he talks about how provision from fast food places contribute to obesity, some fault on the children consuming it and some fault on the parents allowing them. Zinczenko’s theory of both parents and children being at fault is extremely useful because it sheds light on the problem of lack of personal responsibility. Zinczenko speaks on the thousands of fast food places across America and slim options for alternative places to eat. Zinczenko brings up points about how kids are in a jam when it comes to options for everyday food selection.

    Most of the time bad eating habits start in childhood no matter the weight. Some things that allow us to eat so irresponsibility is our busy lifestyles. Fast food is right in our faces on t.v, on the radio, and even on our way to work or school. Fast food is quick and affordable, which fits perfect for the kinds of busy lives we are living. In “Don’t Blame The Eater”, Zinczenko partly points the finger toward the fast food companies for our heavy fast food consumption. It seems we as people are so busy that we can’t focus enough time to think of sustainable healthy choices other than Jack In The Box. Fast food is whispering in our ears all the time through sales, deals, catchy slogans, and it’s simple convenience. We have deadened our thinking because of fast food’s onslaught of advertising and our constant consumption of the fast food.

    Are we so busy and personally irresponsible that we forget how bad fast food is for us? Do people remember words like regulation or standards in today’s society? Everyone should be aware of the caloric intake of the food they eat, especially fast food. For example the U.S government recommends a daily calorie intake of 2,000. Though it is just a recommendation it is a standard we should hold ourselves to. As human beings we must be aware of the effects of our food on us, David Zinczenko thinks similarly. He writes, “Shouldn’t we know better than to eat two meals a day in fast food restaurants”. Zinczenko suggests that our time in fast food restaurants is to blame for a high overweight rank in America. When a person eats a typical meal from Mcdonalds or Burger King they are consuming half or more of the recommended daily caloric intake according to the U.S Government. There is possibly a great number of people who consume fast food and do not realize the mind and body effects they are inducing on themselves each time they eat it. People at such a loss of personal responsibility disregard reason and initiative for eating different and more healthy foods. Throughout our lives as busy fast food consumers it is imperative that we be more aware about what we are putting into our bodies.

    In today's society reality seems that fast food consumers should be vigilant about finding alternatives for fast food. Though it may seem hard finding more healthy food, it is a challenge people obese and trim must take. Zinczenko himself writes, “ … I guarantee you’ll see one of our country's more than 13,000 McDonald's restaurants. Now drive up the block and try to find someplace to buy a grapefruit.”. Even now fast food places seems to be heavily populating our cities. Zinczenko makes an extremely useful point. Even Though you might see “one” of “13,000” fast food places, if being healthy matters enough you can “try” to find alternatives. The first obvious solution is a balanced home cooked meal. Though it is more time consuming and difficult for some people it will pay off later on throughout life. The effects of eating a home cooked meal versus fast food is a excellent choice and much healthier. A second solution is simply setting out and looking for things to eat other than fast food. You can go to supermarkets, farmers markets, shop for fruits and vegetables, or eat at normal non-fast food restaurants; there are many smarter more responsible choices than eating greasy fast food. Also one can set out a goal for themselves to not eat fast food just because. Imagine this, buying Mcdonalds just because it’s around the corner from your house is passive and extremely lazily while other options are out there ready to be discovered.

    Now not to get confused, fast food is unhealthy if eaten constantly, but it is not the most terrible thing in the universe. Fast food is not entirely unhealthy as long as it consumed in moderation. Individuals and especially those with children should view fast food as a type of reward of some sort. There is a family I know who only eats Mcdonald’s once or twice every month, avoiding over consumption of fast food in a responsible way. Fast food once or twice a month, depending on the individual, is a good way to utilize and see constant fast food consumption as something very easy to get attached to.

    Fast food consumers must be more responsible when it comes to eating healthy. Simple things like looking at the calorie count on the Big Mac or Whopper Jr. you’ve ordered or simply changing your thinking, thus leading you to shop and eat from different and more healthy places. Cooked dinner, Jack In The Box every now and again, or a conscious thought about the dangers of mindlessly eating fast food everyday can lead to a major difference in us and our children’s responsible eating habits.

Personal Statement

Kevin Holloway

    I am a young African American born and raised in Oakland California. Ultimately, I am a leader trying to make a difference in the community. The middle son of my mother’s three children, I’ve always been encouraged to good in school. Moms always had the hopeful idea that we would be alright. The paycheck to paycheck lifestyle was not in mind for me. In my mind to avoid that struggle I would enrich myself learning and trying my best. Never quitting became a concrete law never to be broken. As a student and young man giving up is not an option.

Throughout education, which is expected, I experienced ups and downs in school. Growing up in the hood, school was not the most nurturing environment, but it was what I had. I won’t blame and make false claims about why I was not student of the millennium. People and schools fall short of perfect. Sometimes I almost got all A’s; sometimes I got straight F’s, the reason why can’t be justified, but the truth is I love learning and education too much to ever give up.I am attending Berkeley City College because I care about my future in academics. In school I saw there was much to be learned about myself and the world. Going into 9th grade I started to see how chaotic life could get as a student. Being a 4 foot 11 inch kid attending a huge school in a new area with bigger responsibilities was very tough. The new rhythm and environment high school shook me as a little fourteen year old.

I went into highschool with a somewhat doubtful attitude. I lost my fervent edge for striving in the classroom. Things were not how they use to be. As a kid school was cool, always something good to look forward to no matter what. Class use to be my friends and I racing to complete the warm-ups first; or competing to be finished with all our homework so we could play Madden ‘06 or NBA Streets. That is how it use to be. In high school things got totally different, it was like every man for himself and that discouraged me. I managed and started to see high school in a different light. High school was a new environment and opportunity to enrich myself with lessons of the real world. Now, I look forward to my responsibilities with joy knowing deep inside I can achieve because it’s my learning. I look to exercise my responsibilities as a young adult and student here at Berkeley City College.

In high school education seemed joyless and a very hard challenge. Throughout high school I learned-I have to work for what is rightfully mine. In life things are not just handed out-they are obtained through hard work. Understanding this changed my attitude in a positive way. Being at Berkeley City College is an opportunity to succeed. High school was like a jungle gym for me. I had many shifts, changes, and obstacles going on. Transferring from school to school showed me that- it does not matter where-you must be a success wherever you are. This became a non-negotiable idea. Jumping from school to school showed me a positive lesson but had a negative effect. The switch from school to school created a crash in my social life. First a Freshmen I attended Oakland Tech then I transferred to Fremont High. It was tough to make good friends while switching schools. At this time of my life I was in a jacked up jam that was likely to make me a high school dropout. Trying to pull my grades together and stabilize at a school seemed useless. Around Sophomore year my house caught on fire, this was one of the most devastating things that I imagined would never happen to where I live. Fifteen years old and my world was caving in on me. School was my main priority but it took a heavy hit and lost importance in my life at that time. Through tenth and eleventh grade reality smacked me; my house burned up and I could have lost my whole family. From that experience things I thought I cared about didn’t actually matter so much. Stuff like my Xbox 360 and flat screen t.v meant nothing. I thank God that only my home was physically damaged and I was able to transfer to my last high school, Leadership where I graduated June of 2012.

This brings me to Berkeley City College where I look to be a successful student. Wherever I go after Berkeley I plan to be successful because I believe learning is an everyday task. Coming to Berkeley I hope to establish a choice for my major. I understand college is where I will find what I want to do throughout my life. I have interest in the health field in healthcare administration. I know people sick or hospitalized that aren’t satisfied with things. Unsure if it is just their life or what; but when it comes to health, I’m sure a person who is ill should get what they want or need, no questions asked. Sad and true, patients in hospitals are mistreated and don’t fully have the voice they possess. I think because in reality they are in the hospital and shouldn’t bicker or question things to the people trying to help. But I strongly think, why shouldn’t they question? Why shouldn’t they speak their mind? Patients should have the safe space to voice needs and things without the thought of neglection. As a student no matter the circumstance I must have a voice. Similar to patients, I have needs that must be addressed. I believe I deserve better in my life. My older brother has Bipolar schizophrenia; along with sympathy, there is motivation and a sense of entitlement to those like him. I believe people like my brother could benefit from a person like me advocating for them. Patients have needs just like students; at the end of the day needs are things that need to be completed. I also have interest in the field of communications. One thing my mother always says is, “Nothing beats an understanding”. I love communicating and doing so in various ways. I like to communicate what it is I’m feeling through dancing, writing, or simply silence. I believe in expression and if there is no clarity communication is nothing. Communication is a necessity. Attending Berkeley City College I am able to set sail toward making a choice for my major. By coming to Berkeley City College I hope to find the field of study best for me.

           I’m at Berkeley City College right now with the intent to help. I look to help the success of my future. I desire to help my family and loved ones and I want to help those in needs a bit. Growing up, I was not a spoiled kid but I wasn’t super poor either. I desire to have better things in my life, the finer things of this world. I look to provide for my family in a great way. I want to be able to buy my mother a house, give my grandmother money whenever she needs it, and have good stories from college for my family. The hope for a better future and BCC puts me in perfect fit to start my path of success. I did not have the most nurturing environment growing up but it was a place supporting enough for positivity to thrive. A boost from friends, neighbors, and folks held me to a sort of expectation. It was always love and a hope to see a young brother rise and strive to better. Somewhere in every human being is a burning desire to be the best they can be. I want to show people and myself that-it doesn’t matter where you start- but what matters is where you finish. Berkeley City College is a good place to begin attaining my goals. I will buy my mother a home. Becoming a successful man and not living from paycheck to paycheck I am going to be a good role model for young people familiar with wanting to give up.

I represent both where I come from and the color of my skin but most of all importantly I represent principles and qualities I believe in. I am an open minded thinker. I am open to different ideas but likely to challenge those ideas. I’m a person of reason and to be straight forward I’ll ask why? The kind of person I am. I will ask why or question a thing when I do not agree. I am a normal motivated person and I try to bring up people around me. I can only lead myself  and see that others will follow if they choose; but, like I said I only have control of myself. I am individual and not your average young man. I believe balance is essential in life and I strive to interpret it in my everyday tasks. I’m a strong member of the community because I am a leader and see leading by example as a key to progress in a society. I strive to be an individual that has impact on the world. I am attending Berkeley City College with the hope that I will be my own person and not a statistic of failure. I intend to go far in academic studies. Berkeley is a good starting line for me to look, rise up and dash for my destiny of accomplishment.