Essay 3

Tori Hinz
ENGW 1101
Professor Young
4 April 2017
Essay 3


Topic: Human Trafficking

10 Questions:

-What is Human trafficking?
-How do traffickers recruit their victims?
-Why are people trafficked?
-Why do victims of trafficking not run away?
-What effect does it have on its victims?
-Who can become a victim?
-Who makes the travel arrangements?
-Who are the traffickers?
-Should trafficked people avoid the police?
-What can society do to stop trafficking?

Descent

Tori Hinz

ENGW 1101

Professor Young

6 February 2017

Descent

The action of descending from someone or something requires moving away from them or thinking differently. Descent occurs a lot in today’s society as many people have different views and beliefs on situations that occur. This may also at times cause conflict between others as their personal opinions vary. As for in Friendswood the idea of chemical dumping causes members of the society to descent based on what they have lived through.

Rush is a character in the book that has an opinion that varies from one of her close friends, Lee. After losing her daughter Lee feels that it her obligation to protect her community from the possible harm of the chemicals that once took her daughter from her. She is constantly doing research on the soil and trying to prevent housing to be built on the land. However, Rush personally feels that she is living in the past. It is her town too, and she is not concerned about the chemicals. She believes that Lee is letting this all consume her and that her actions are not necessary. Rush openly tells Lee how she feels and is not afraid to hold back, this is how she thinks differently.

This can also be related to the current situation that is taking place in East Chicago. Residents received word that there were high levels of lead and arsenic around their homes. They were told by their mayor to relocate and soil samples were requested. However, in Friendswood Mayor Wallen believes that property values trump everything and stated that the land was fine to live on. These are opposing views on very similar situations in which both have the right to state their opinions. The communities may agree or disagree with what their mayors have stated however it is accepted to think differently.

My personal views on when descending is acceptable are that personal beliefs and values should never be contained. If one feels or thinks differently, than it should be known. No two people are the same and one should not conform just to fit in with others. We must look at things with different perspectives and take others into consideration. Although you may not always agree with one another it is still important to respect how they feel. Our society is too diverse for everyone to think the same and being able to express yourself should be accepted.

Descent occurs often as personal beliefs and values differ. Thinking differently however, may occasionally cause for controversy. As for in Friendswood two friends had opposing views on the chemical dumping. This can also be related to Chicago lead contamination and their views on the situation. Thinking differently may be difficult at times as it easier to conform, however it is important to follow through with how one truly feels.

Friendswood

1. Will is a teenage girl who likes cully. Her relationship with her parents is questionable as it is said that, “her mother acted like there was something different, something wrong and out of place in Willa” (Steinke 62). Her family is very religious and she keeps having visions that feel extremely real to her in which she sometimes feels as if they are reality.
2. Dex works equipment for the football team. He has a good relationship with his mother as his father has left them. His father always used to tell him, “She’s a good person, and you respect that, always” (Steinke 37) in reference to his mother. His sister Layla is very outgoing and he is to watch over her as she enters high school. As for his friends, they are over often and have a good relationship with his family where they are always joking.
3. Hal is an ex-football player and a current real estate agent. His wife is Darlene and his son is Cully. His career is currently suffering as there are very few houses to show, however he tries to stay optimistic. It is said that “Hal tried to remain optimistic because that’s how you made sales” (Steinke 13). He truly loves his son, who is a very good athlete. As for Darlene, she helped him find his way to sobriety however, he has cheated on her with another women.
4. Lee is Jacks ex-wife, as they are currently separated, she is also the mother of Jess. A significant tragedy that happened in her life was the death of her twelve year old daughter. This effects lee because she is trying to stop more real estate from being built in Rosemont so that others can be saved from the toxic chemicals. It was said that, “when Jack left her, Doc had offered her the job at the office and he became her protector” (Steinke 5).  Although lee is trying to help other community members she is also taking away from jobs, such as real estate and people who are trying to make a living.
5. The chemical duping occurred when the industry placed a container of toxic chemicals in the ground. “For years, the container had been safe down there, but now the land had excreted it” (Steinke 11). Lee is trying to test the soil on the land to prove that it is toxic to prevent it from effecting the community. Some of the signs of the chemical dumping are people getting sick and black sludge coming from the ground.
6. The current situation in Rosemont in which there is chemical dumping can be related to the current situation in Flint Michigan which began in April 2014. The land in Rosemont is toxic as they placed a large container with toxic waste in the ground. As for in Flint they currently do not have safe drinking water. These are to environmental calamities that are effecting the communities. 

Works Cited 

Steinke, Rene. Friendswood. Waterville, ME: Thorndike Press, 2015. Print.