My Daily Journal

This week in my tiny town's back-to-school sale flyer, I am urged to buy Winchester Ammo at 5.99 a box for… The backpack? An art project? To trade for gum cards? This 'Back to School Sale' flyer goes on to try to convince me that every child needs a new 39.99 vacuum cleaner to drag to class, along with some name-brand frequent heartburn pills to munch on if they get sick after plugging in their new school days coffee maker.

A brief history of the back-to-school sale:

Back-to-school sale ads have evolved over the years from their rough beginning near 1904 when child labor laws started to reform. Prior to 1904, children were used as labor on farms, in factories, and around the house. Schooling was a rich-kid sport, and costs of items related to school were priced accordingly. Education was considered a luxury by both children and adults; clothing was advertised to reflect this honor of being educated.

Sears 1897 catalog back-to-school sale selections included: boy's double-breasted suit with two pair of knee-pants and stylish hat for 2.25. Proper “school” shoes in white with long pointed toes at 1.28. Suspenders for 2.00. Nicely ruffled and pleated boy's shirt for 1.10 and knee sox for .67. One suit of clothing for a school boy cost over 7.30 plus shipping, while average incomes for year 1897 were only at about 415.00 per year.

Back-to-school sale ads evolved between 1904 and 1936 to include school related items available to all social class budgets. In 1904, a National Child Labor committee was formed for the purpose of attempting to convince the reluctant public that children should be in school and not be out working to contribute to sparse family income. Schooling was still an honor, but back-to-school sales were now being influenced in part by economics and the Great Depression. Children without jobs could eat free if they went to school.

Sears 1923 catalog back-to-school sale is mid-way through the government fight to get children out of labor and into a school classroom. A boy's dark blue serge suit with one pair of knee britches and hat “for school wear” is priced at 4.25, with shoes and accessories 8.40. Average income for the year 1923 was 2,126.00 per year; with rent at an average of 18.00 a month, this left proper school clothing in the budget of some lesser-than-rich American homes.

Near 1923, we also saw the birth of some of our common school supplies today at Sears: school bags with straps and leather “good quality” handles 1.23. 6pc pencil paper tablets with colorful picture covers with 40 sheets of paper each for .25. Two boxes of Crayola wax crayons with 16 colors for .37. The 1923 Sears back-to-school sale also offers an item called “new idea” – a square black metal lunchbox with a thermos bottle inside for just 2.43.

In 1936 it finally became Federal Law that all children should be in classrooms and not the factory. By 1937, manufacturers everywhere were basing ads towards back-to-school sales on all kinds of products with a children's theme in the advertising. The theory was that the children would talk in class, and go home to convince their parents to buy these newly themed items. An example of a 1937 children's ad is seen in the Post Toasties Corn Flake ad for radio play from the AGMA approved grocery ad campaign book for that year:

“The better corn flakes. Mickey Mouse toys on every package. Delicious food for the family – toys for the children. Stays crisp longer in milk or cream. Crisp and delicious. In the big red and yellow box. Factory-fresh to you. The double crisp corn flakes. Made from the tender hearts of corn.”

The beginning advertising campaigns toward children worked. By the mid-1940 era no child wanted to be seen on campus without their Roy Rogers lunchbox and book bag in tow.

During the 1940's schools moved away from the formal dress codes due to the new understanding that all children could not afford such luxuries. Mother's started stocking up on starch in back-to-school sale ads to iron creases into little boy functional trousers to show traditional respect toward schooling.

As televisions moved into every home in America during the 1950's and 1960's, so did the need to keep up with the newest items being offered in back-to-school sale ads. Dressing children for education was no longer about honoring the luxury of education; it was now a consumer fashion war that has led us into today's shop-frenzied standards on the back-to-school sale ads.

While I still have no clue what the little store here in my town was thinking about when they ran Winchester Ammo at 5.99 in their back-to-school sale ad this year, I do know that I do not enjoy back-to-school sale ads any more. They seem hollow in comparison to the old-time back-to-school sale ad definition of feeling honored to be in class.

Resources:

AGMA Book: 3800 Advertising Aids for Many of America's Leading Brands of Grocery Products; 1937 edition, Dedicated to Grocers of America; Associated Grocery Manufacturers of America.

Federal Child Labor Law History: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/laborctr/child_labor/about/us_history.html

Sears Roebuck 1897 Catalog; reprint 1976 by: Chelsea House Publishers

Sears Roebuck 1923 Catalog: Thrift Book of a Nation; reprint 1973 by: DBI Books, Inc. Northfield, Ill.

References:
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Buy what you need for the first day of school but don’t buy too much for the rest of the year. Some items, such as pencils and pens, might be useful to stock up on if there is a great sale. But since many stores overstock on items, you may actually be able to find some bargains by scanning for sales after the back to school rush is over.

It is clear to see that violence and controversy has continued to rise in sporting events as the years roll by us. In baseball, basketball, hockey, and especially football, these occurrences have happened more frequently than in the past seasons. The question is why? Why do these violent acts continue to happen with the fans in the seats and with the players on the field? Several factors are to be considered as influencing these acts in professional sports. 

Let’s face it; sports are life for many people living on this earth. I know from my experience that when I am watching a game on television or in the stands, the intensity of the action on the field encompasses my body. The thing that many people do not think about is the consequences for their actions and how to hold their emotions inside. With an increase in rivalry meetings between teams, there comes such a strong intensity that fans let their emotions run wild and commit acts that otherwise would not be committed. Sometimes, fans even run onto the field even in the nude and not only distract the players on the field and interrupt the fun of the game, but they end up in jail for the night or longer. Also, with many vendors selling alcoholic beverages in the stadiums or arenas, fans’ views can become alternated and they really do not know what they ended up doing. In one instance, a father and son charged onto a baseball field and beat up on a defenseless umpire who made a “bad” call on a previous play. The consequences of their actions ended up not only putting them in jail together, but canceling the rest of the game making the players and the fans suffer.

A second reason for such violence at sporting events is an ongoing case that continues to appear in the world of sports. The reason is steroids. Steroids are becoming a serious issue in all of the major sports and even in the Olympics. By using these performance enhancing drugs, players not only endanger the lives of themselves and their family, but they give players that extra power allowing them to hit the opponent harder and do things that they otherwise would not do. Such instances often end in season or career-ending injuries for the innocent player receiving the hit. Such as in the case with alcohol in the stands, the steroid user does not even think about the consequences of the hit or abuse he puts onto the opponent. Using steroids often causes unwanted violence and sometimes even hurts their own team and career, along with handing a heavy-weighted fine to the abuser. Not to mention that after officials find out about the steroid use, it jeopardizes the career of the user, which in turn causes unwanted violent acts from fans onto the player. 

The final and possibly the most important factor that goes into violence at sporting events is that sports are taken to serious in society. Sports are enjoyable to watch and can be very relaxing to watch after a stress-filled day. One play, however, can cause turmoil between friends, players, and the fans in the stands. An unwanted interaction occurs because of the human need for competition. From personal experience, I know that when two fans are at differences between two competing teams, violence, though not as serious, often occurs. Violence does not have to be limited to physical abuse, but it can also be considered as yelling and verbal abuse, sometimes ending in a broken friendship. Also, society encourages violence in sports. Often times, people cheer at the result of an opposing player being hurt on the playing field by a player from their team of choice. 

It is clear that something must be done to stop the violence in sports. If sports were taken as they were meant to be, than violent acts would be all-around more enjoyable for the fans and the players. Now that the question of why has been answered, the question still remaining is how long, if ever, before violent acts are non-existent in the world of sports? As a huge sports fan myself, I believe that the process will be ongoing for many years to come. I guess sports are that much influenced by society that the serious issue is receiving little thought in the minds of the respected commissioners of each league. Until a more serious consequence is levied upon the abusers, violence in sporting events will continue to meet the needs of society for years to come.

I was walking down this long and hot dirty road , like I do everyday, to get home after work. On this particular day I hear a baby crying and a couple on their knees before the river. Then I saw something that I think will stay with me for the rest of my life. The man place the baby into the water and the woman was begging him to stop crying and pleaing. There was a little splashing going on, for what seemed like eternity, then it finally stopped.

My name is Anu and I live this small village all my life. I have heard the cries of hunger, the cries of babies, when the mother's milk has due to malnourishment, I even heard the fighting of a family fighting over a small piece of bread left on the table. Our family got like that sometimes when most of the chickens got sick so we were unable to sell them to the markets.

For some reason, nothing will ever take the place of what I saw today and that woman's sorrow and pain. I felt it all the way to my bones. When, I suppose that was her husband, was finished, he gave the still and quiet infant back to his mother who held it close as they walked away. When I finally made to the front door and so out to breath, papa, heard me from down by the hen house, he came running to see what all the hurrahs was about. I was breathing so heavily that my mother gave me some water to calm me down.

In the end I finally got the entire story out. When I was finally finished telling it, my father said to my other brothers and sisters to get washed up for dinner. I stood their with my mouth wide agape. Then I had to ask them mama, papa did you just here the story I just told you? My mother would not look me in my eyes and my papa said to go get ready for dinner. I got up and I listened at the door, all I could make out was that must of been the Chandra's baby girl she had last week. Then I heard my father say, He knows better than to do that during the day he knows he should wait until night. I was extremely dumbfounded, my parents talked about these things as if they were normal. I barely could eat that night and gladly gave my food to my brother who was ever so appreciative. When my brother and sisters finally all went to sleep, I could not sleep because I could not get those images out of my mind.

Then I heard my mother's footsteps, where I would know anywhere, coming my way and she put her finger to her lips to say don't wake the other's up then waved for me to come with her. I followed her out to the kitchen she sat me down at the table and then I saw a tear come down her face. Momma, what is so wrong. I have to tell you something, and I knew it would come some day but not so soon. Then I began to start to ask questions about her and papa but she quieted me right away and said let me get this out right now while I have the nerve to.

Now you are the oldest girl and you are 11 years old. You will be 12 in a month, so I must tell you now. What you saw today is not an uncommon thing; it goes on all the time. Do you not ever stop to think that a week or two after a child is born in this village that they usually die quite often and often it is a little girl. I nodded, this was true, I just never thought about it. Well, she explained it all to me. We barely have food on the table some years are better than others are. However, those bad years are the ones that cause good, decent and hardworking people to do things that they would not normally do.

Therefore, I had to say to her I am so glad you and papa never had to make those kinds of decisions. Well, this is what I needed to talk to you about Anu. The only reason all five of my girls were spared is that I had to make a solemn promise, that when you turn twelve, I will let you go to America to marry an American man. Nevertheless, Anu, he will be almost old enough to be your grandfather. The man is already coming to get you in two months it has all been arrange.

I stood and looked down at my mother with the look of hatred on my face. She started to cry harder than she said, “This was the only way to keep you alive. I could not bring myself to drown something I held inside of me for nine months. How do we know, this man might treat you very well. Mama, what if he does not, I will be stuck in a country where I know no one. Mama I am scared, how could you and papa do this to me? Then it hit me all at once and I said this man from America, he is paying you and papa for me, is he not? My mother put her face down and just started crying harder. I looked up and saw my papa standing in the doorway. You are going to be considered grown, and we need this farm to prosper more, you should want to do this for your family. Don't you love and respect your mother and myself.

All I could do was run out to the hen house where I slept, what little sleep I did get, out there for the remainder of the evening. I spoke to know one during breakfast and I walked home in a dazed. I looked at that spot where they drowned that baby. Well, I just will not do it. I will convince papa the money I bring home from the sewing mill every week is enough. I will hold strong against him and he will understand eventually. I felt good ever since I made that decision.

That happiness was short lived, before I could, my papa called me into the hen house. To speak with me in private. Before, I could get a word out he began to speak in a somewhat whispering tone. First, things have been moved up a little bit, he will be here 2 days after your 12th birthday and he wants to marry you over here. His name is Joseph Davidson and wants to travel back as Mr. and Mrs. Davidson, when he returns to America. Anu, you are my eldest child, I will not lie to you and tell you that I did want you to be a boy, but you were my first born and you were such a beautiful child, I did not nor I would not have had to destroy you anyway. It was your sisters that your mother had to make this promise to me in order to keep them. Anu, you must think of this as a sacrifice that you are making for your family. Your younger brothers and sisters will be able to stay in school. I will fix this old hen house and mother needs so many things.

I spoke with this man personally and he made a promise to me that he will always treat you good. By this time, I had my head down, and I had to ask him, would my sisters have to do the same thing? Of course Anu, you are not the only one who will have to endure this. You have four more sisters, by time you are all in America, you will all be able to come and visit us, who knows you, might love it there so much, you might not want to come back, he giggled. I knew this was all to make me feel better, and all the standing up to him just left me.

My birthday came and went and my father hardly spoke a word to me. I think deep down inside, he felt guilty, but he was not going to stop this whole charade was he? My mother had sewed me a dress, which for a different occasion I would have loved it. I heard her at night and I knew what she was working on.

The day finally came and our Buddhist Priest came to marry us. When I met him. I felt nothing but repulsion for this man who had to be every bit of 50. He actually had white hair. My papa did not even have white hair yet. After the ceremony, Mr. Davidson had to leave right away because of some meeting in the states. I kissed all my brother and sisters and gave them gifts I brought with my last two paychecks. Knowing once I leave my father will be like a rich man in our village. He and my Papa went into the hen house and I saw him hand my father an envelope. Mama was crying hysterically now. I waved and hugged everyone. I had this feeling in my heart, that I will never see them again.

I never did go back to my country, but what I regret the mosty was asking my my father one question Papa why did you ever put me up for sell me?

[flickr ('tv')]

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If I were to ask you if you know people who play mind games, perhaps you would think of someone who is manipulative and who is clever at psychological warfare of the mind. Perhaps you think of a young child who is afraid of the dark, imagining a monster in the room and the more the child thinks about it, the larger the monster grows.

But what about the games that your mind plays out everyday with your own thoughts? We go along in life, day by day, almost on an 'auto-pilot' mode with our thoughts. If we wake up late, we may spend the entire day racing, trying not to be late, worried about being late, stressed out about hurrying, which seems to delay everything in our path to getting to our destination on time, causing more stress about being late… It becomes a vicious circle as the entire day's mood is affected by these thoughts which multiply the more we think about them. Our mind plays a game of thoughts and our thoughts become reality. These are the mind games of our everyday lives; our daily routines.

If you were to stop and examine your thoughts each day, you can become aware of the times when you are most apt to slip into these runaway habits. Becoming aware is the first step in consciously attempting to shift any negative thoughts into more positive ones. You are, in effect, creating a new mind game: one that is on purpose and that is filled with positivity and peace.

So the next time you wake up and find yourself having any negative or stressful thoughts, try to stop and reflect for a moment. Find something to be grateful for. Focus on that for a few moments. Feel that feeling in your heart. Smile! You will find that you are starting a new mind game for the day and this one has a happy ending.

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Summers around the world are different
Or are they the same if not is it global warming and pollution to blame

Can I lay in the sun and have some fun
Maybe if the earth were to be here in 2021

I like my summers hot and my winters cold
I wait for summer all year long and it never gets old

The wind through my hair
What a beautiful earth I cant help but stare

The beaches might look better
When summers get hotter and water wetter

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