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Karla Zepeda Professor Topf English 114B 20 April 2014 Rough Draft We do not chose in what family we want to live with, where we grow up, where we come from, where we first get to see our perspectives of the world, we are born into it. We are not born with the mindset of knowing what is right and what is wrong, how we are supposed to act and behave, we are taught that. And over the course of time, we begin to add value and meaning to things and in the world. We are influenced by the environment we are surrounded by, we mimic what we see and hear others do. So when deciding how we want to live our life, we use what we were taught to help in our decision making process. Society is different for everyone, not everyone is taught the same thing. The norms and values of society change by the location of a place and the types of people. Within the United States there are 3 different types of laws; Federal, State, and city laws. Federal laws are laws that apply for everyone who live within the U.S., State laws vary between states and only apply to those who live within the state or commit a crime within that state. Local laws (also known as city laws), are specific laws within a city and each city has different laws and what may seem as such an important norm in one city can have a different value within another. Just like each country has different norms and values, both culturally and religiously, so does each city. The two places I decided to visit were 2 beaches; Venice Beach and Seal Beach. Each of these beaches are located in two different counties; Los Angeles and Orange County.

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And as I stated before, each city (including counties) have different sets of norms and values and in the two beaches I saw a lot of differences. Humans help to shape this world. We have the canvas in our hands and we do with what we please and make with it. Being that we live in a democracy, we vote and our vote counts. Our votes are our voices. As stated earlier, local laws depend in city, the laws are voted by the people who live in the city and not all people are the same. One of those examples could be used is graffiti being viewed as art or vandalism. By definition, art is the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. What may be considered as art in Venice is considered as Vandalism in Seal Beach. [search up view points/article- analyze/support argument] Another value that can be discussed is marijuana. Venice beach is home to many of the biggest pot heads with over dozens of Medical Marijuana shops. Although Seal Beach does have medical shops, the norms are taken differently. Los Angeles voted to not pass the law of legalizing marijuana, but being prescribed marijuana is accepted. This law of selling marijuana and not having a medical card is strictly enforced, or is it? On Venice beach you can see anyone smoking and asking for hits. [Search up view points/article- analyze] According to the 2010 Census, Orange County had a population of 3,010,232, with the majority being white and second majority being Hispanic. In Seal Beach there was a population of 24,168 people, with the race of white being the majority of 20,154. Asians were the next highest population of 2,309 and so on. While at Seal Beach I saw it was both hot and windy. The sun was shimmering so bright and the rays felt like hot flaming kisses on my skin, the wind sending whispers in my ears and an ever so gentle touch on my hair. There were many (but not so many) people there enjoying the beach. I saw kids bring kites. The kites were painting the sky

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in bright colors. Along with that, I saw many surfers. The surfers seemed to dance with the waves, creating a beautiful piece of art. A classic stereotypical Californian beach as you would only see in the movies. People walking their dogs, a pier not so packed. Everyone was so friendly. There were rules such as not going to far deep into the water or not being able to sit in front of the lifeguard hut. Children were to be watched at all times to ensure safety and there were many cops patrolling. I noticed as well in the type of people, majority if not all were white. There are many beach homes so most of the families and people came from their house, an area just so clean and secure. The 2010 census for Los Angeles had a population of 9,818,605, with the majority of people being white and second majority being Hispanic (just like O.C.). Venice is within Los Angeles and isnt its own city but rather a neighborhood. But, it is estimated that there is roughly a population of 28,241. Beautiful sunny Venice beach, home too man. As EVERYONE many know, Venice beach (especially on hot summer days) is packed a filled and looking like a colorful masterpiece. The boardwalk is filled with hordes of people. The beach even more filled. The buildings, apartments, walls all covered in LA art, the art in which Venice is famous for; so many different colors, not only on the walls but in the crowds of people as well. The place is so diverse with many different types of cultures all wanting a taste of LA. I hear the beating of drums, a type of beating where a story is being told sending a shiver down my spine. There are so many homeless here as well. Hoping to find the good in others and asking for a second chance. There are stores and restaurants here. The beaches are filled with life and activities. No surfers to be found. The norms here seemed to be the same but not taken in much value. People set their things in wherever they could find a space even if it wasnt aloud. The beach is bigger. There are palm trees and a sweet sweet ocean breeze that when smelled is filled with

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mouthwatering desires. The smell of marijuana begins to creep in; I take one deep breath knowing that this right here is Venice. Every person is brought up differently; adding different value to things. Seal Beach is dominantly a whit neighborhood; Venice is as well, but not so much. My brother works in Seal Beach so I feel like an outcast and stared at when I go because of my race. This is your classic white rich neighborhood. When I got to Venice beach, I dont feel like an outcast. Although, yes living at the beach does require having a good income, it isnt necessarily the same. At Venice beach you have the visitors, the residents, and then the people who live there. Venice beach is such a diverse community. Being that it is home to the famous muscle beach, and right next to the famous Santa Monica pier, so many people come and visit (the visitors). The boardwalk is always packed with people, never seeing a new face. Los Angeles its self is such a diverse community. Then you have the residents who might as well live there since they are there all the time. They are the vendors who are always there selling souvenirs, the beach bums who are always at the beach because they love it that much, the street performers, basketball players, etc., Then those who actually live in the beach homes. [explain how it helps, add more information] [conclusion?????]

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Bibliography (later turn into Works Cited) http://censusviewer.com/county/CA/Los%20Angeles http://www.zip-codes.com/zip-code/90291/zip-code-90291-2010-census.asp http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall07/Sanchez/art.html http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Graffiti-is-it-art-or-vandalism/28040 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/graffiti-street-art-ndash-orcrime-868736.html