Henry Thoreau once said, "Its not what you look at that matters, its what you see." This quote explains how others perceive a person, a picture, or the workplace not in a simple way but deeper. In the three short essays, "The Story of My Body," by Judith Ortiz Cofer, Nora Ephron's, "The Boston Photgraphs," and Eric Schlosser's "What We Eat," share the reoccurring theme of perception.

"The Story of My Body", written by Judith Ortiz Cofer, is essentially her story of how others perceived her. Cofer moved to the United States when she was only eight from Puerto Rico. Since she moved to America up until high school, she shares her experiences she dealt with, in terms of, "skin," "color," "size," and "looks." One of the first of the many challenges she dealt with was in the supermarket. There was this Susie doll, that Judith adored and wanted for Christmas one year. She reached to touch the dolls hair and soon humiliated through her actions. The Butcher thought of what she did as a crime."You PR kids put your dirty hands on stuff. You always look dirty." He judged her on the color of her skin, and perceived her to be dirty although, in reality it was just her natural color. Furthermore, Judith's size was also viewed as a problem in society. Cofer mentions how her Puerto Rican family described her as being "tall", however, she was recognized as being, "skinny bones," and the "shrimp," by her classmates. Another challenge amongst many was her "self-image", in other words her "looks." Judith Cofer faces the truth when Young boys mention "her face is okay," and her legs look like "toothpicks." She comes to realization that in the real world, Puerto Rican boys "responded to a fuller figure: long necks and a perfect nose were not what they looked for in a girl." Despite how many times her mother mentioned how she was "proud" of her daughters looks, strangers viewed her differently. She understood that the "hierarchy for popularity" didn't categorize a "pretty Peurto Rican girl." Judith Cofer's physical attributes were a challenge in society. How people perceived her, held her back from being excepted in society.

In Nora Ephron's essay, "The Boston Photographs," she discusses the controversy of sensational photographs that were publish in the newspaper, of a woman falling to her death. In an attempt of saving a woman and her child, from falling out of a burning building, Stanley Forman captures the reality of death through the lenses of his camera. The public caused controversy over these photos and felt that it was, "unethical" to publish death to the public eye. Some perceived these photos as "invading the privacy of death," and "cheap sensationalism." Readers commented on how explicit the photos were, ignoring the fact that a woman was struggling for her life. Despite the emotional reactions that society had on the photos, Ephron believes that public deserves to view reality for what it is. She mentions numerous amount of times that they are breathtaking pictures of "something that happened." Nora Ephron wants the reader to understand the concept of the photographs. She further explains that editors she spoked to, responded to the pictures as being,"interesting," "riveting," and "gripping." Some say a picture can tell a thousand words; and its true. Society had many different perceptions on the photographs both positive and negative.

In Eric Schlosser's short essay, "What We Eat,"he shares with the readers his perception of the fast food industry through statistics, social critics, interviews, and research. He focuses on how the "extraordinary" growth in the fast food industry has fundamentally change American society. A farm Activist Jim Hightower, viewed the fast food industry as a "threat" to independent businesses. He also viewed the industry as a "homogenizing influence on American life." Schlosser identifies the impact the fast growing business as on society. He mentions that a survey found that "96 percent" of children could identify Ronald Mcdonald. Furthermore, he gives the readers incite that "this is an industry that both feeds and feeds off the young." He acknowledges the fact that this business takes advantage on the "young." Most people perceive the fast food market as place to get food quick and for cheap. However Eric Schlosser is concerned about how fast food will effect our young. He initially trys to bring awareness to our nation how fast food is taking over. Through Schlosser's perception of the fast food industry he's trying to give reader with important information about the truth of this industry.

These three different essays shared the common theme, perception. Judith Cofer's essay explained how her beauty was perceived. Nora ephrons essay told us how society had viewed these astonishing photographs of a young woman and her child. Eric Schlosser's "What We Eat," talked about the impact fast food has on society. In each essay the authors share with the readers there perception of their own situations.

Beyond the "simple" meaning of tradition

The word tradition comes from the Latin word,"traditio" which means handing over, passing on. The meaning of tradition is used throughout the three essays, "No Name Woman," written by Maxine Hong Kingston, "The Moral Obligations in a Democratic Society," by Cornell West, and Kofi Annan's, "Nobel Lecture." Whether it's the traditions in Chinese culture, a democratic society, or the values that are discussed in Annan's essay, somehow the simple word "tradition" goes beyond its simple meaning. These three essays express the values and beliefs that are important in society in the past and in the present.

TSIn the short essay, "No Name Woman," written by Maxine Hong Kingston the Chinese tradition and beliefs are clearly expressed.SD When humiliated and betrayed in what they believe in consequences are put forth. CM When Kingston's aunt was impregnated by a man other then her husband, the people of the village ransacked the home where she was living smearing blood on the walls and loosening spirits through the air. CM Shunned by the actions that took place, her aunt had the baby and was later found dead in a well. SD In society, tradition is pressured upon you. CM The family decided that in their sense of duty in honoring their culture, that she shall be forgotten almost like she never existed. CM Kingston mentions,"a family must be whole." Clearly her aunts infidelity harmed the traditional aspects of her culture , and a family that was once whole is now broken.

TS The reoccurring theme about tradition is also mentioned in Cornell West"s argument, "The Moral Obligations in a Democratic Society."SD West's essay mentions, "whether the tradition of struggle can be preserved and expanded." CM He believes that we are experiencing cultural decay in values that society is no longer possessing. CM Society today is dealing with the struggle of ones values and how they are excepted. CM Traditionally the struggle for decency and respect for one other is fought for, similar to the struggle Kingston's aunt dealt with. SD West focuses on the traditional struggle African American cultures deal with everyday.CM He mentions "that being black in an American society is a problem."CM Some view African Americans differently, by attacking the way the look, darker skin, wrong nose, their lifestyles, and their values. CSIn other words Cornell argues the issue, over the struggle for tradition and respect in a democratic society.

TS Kofi Annan recognizes the underlying meaning of tradition in his speech, "Nobel Lecture." Kofi explains that in every tradition you can find the tolerance for understanding ones values. He mentions a little girl who was born in Afghanistan. She was brought into a culture that doesn't have respect for what they believe in, and has to live in conditions that are thought of as being,"inhuman." He wants people to recognize what she has to go through. This can relate to the aunt in Kingstons essay, when what they believed in was violated, and that she didn't have pride in her traditions. We can thrive on our own traditions yet learn from others teachings. Its relevant to the way society is today. We live in multi-cultural society where we can learn from one another and share our backgrounds. He declares the fact that we should take pride and respect our own heritage and values.

In conclusion tradition is a broad topic that can range from the cultural aspect to the traditional struggles that are dealt with everyday in the American democracy. In each of the three essays the theme of tradition is relevant throughout them. Maxine Hong Kingston explains the traditions her heritage takes pride in were disrespected, while Cornell West and Kofi Annan both relate deeper to the struggles with tradition. Each of the authors are implying to the readers that certain issues in cultures should be "passed on," and recognized down the road.