Shannen Avila

English 113 B
Professor Konning
9 March 2014
A Closer Look

The best thing about the world is that you can view it however you please. Our
thoughts and opinions matter more specifically when analyzing a space. Many people
often go to shopping malls but tend not to have an interest on who and why it is there.
Every place not only a shopping mall shapes our understanding of differences whether it
is an economic or social concern. The Northridge fashion center is an interesting space
from the history to the customers; it reflects socioeconomic concerns.
The Northridge Fashion Center was first built and opened in 1971. An earthquake
in January 14, 1994 destroyed the mall completely causing the people of the community
to have another loss. It was eventually rebuilt with many more stores, at a total of one
hundred and forty. The mall was reconstructed escalators and elevators and also has a
fifteen bay food court on the second level. In the year 1998 the mall was sold to Chicago-
based General Growth Properties after investing more than one hundred million dollars in
reconstruction. The Northridge fashion center is a college town mall that has support
from its whole community.
Sometimes we walk into a place not knowing what our surroundings are saying
behind our backs. Maybe our clothes do not match their quality of life or maybe the color
of our skin makes us different. But who said you have to be rich to go into a shopping
and purchase a few things. Some people spend weeks saving their money to buy a piece
of cloth that happens to be the best thing on earth because of its brand and the way it is
portrayed by society. I guess what I am trying to say is that shopping malls have become
a habit not a hobby; a desire and tension of need instead of want.

As my group and I walked into the mall I instantly heard the footsteps and
shopping bags crumble as people walked. My heart began to pound because I didnt
know whether people would take the time to fill out our surveys. I witnessed how many
people rejected the people selling items in their booths and how some did not even bother
to say no thank you. I watched the water fountain at the center of the mall and paid
attention to the ceiling but there was nothing that captured my attention; no decorations
nor music playing; just water drops coming from the water fountain. Instantly in my mind
I said, Well this shall be fun.
My group and I were able to survey a few customers at the Northridge Fashion
Center and came across a few rejections. Based on our results 54% of the people at the
mall were around the ages of 18-24. It did not take long for the security guards to
approach us and angrily ask us to leave. Of course we refused to leave because our
observations had just begun. Eventually we were chased out the mall, which was
unprofessional in my opinion. My experience at the Northridge mall was not as expected.
It is understandable that they do not want their customers to be distracted but I believe it
goes beyond that; they are afraid of the feedback their customer may give.
Socioeconomic plays an important role in the world today. It is a label that
identifies us all through money. They say if you come from low-income parents you will
stick to that category. Our goal is to break the cycle. Shopping malls are intended for this
as well. Have you ever thought about it? It give us that opportunity to show those who
look down on us that we can also buy a pair shoes that are pricey. It is a competition, no
doubt about it, but why do people utilize this method to prove others wrong? I believe
societys standards are rising up so high everyone will do anything to get to a certain
level. In relation to the Northridge Fashion center it helps shape an understanding of
socioeconomic because the majority of the people who live around the area are people
who have well paying jobs a decent homes.
I was raised in the city of Watts and our closet mall is only one floor with very
few to pick from. Of course we can travel a few minutes more to go to a better mall but
they do not compare to The Americana shopping mall or Fox Hills etc. living in a low-
income community has really opened my eyes and helped me understand that Im happy
without the materialistic things and I am able to value the worth of a dollar bill. I know
what I want but cannot afford and I know what I need and work hard to get because it is a
necessity.
However, many people will argue that shopping malls are worth having but they
do not understand the cause of it destruction to people. They say everyone is entitled to
their own opinion; I agree, but these spaces no longer have the value of quality over
quantity or the value of rewarding yourself by going shopping or even to go for quality
time with friends and family members.
Working at target has helped me compare our service to the guest from the service
at the Northridge mall to their customers. To begin with at target we call our shoppers
guest because we like for them to feel welcomed as if it is their home. At target we have a
goal, which is to engage, educated, and sale. Since I noticed that the majority of
customers at the mall are teenagers and young adults I figured that the employees do not
ask if we need help. You are lucky enough to get an employee to say Hi welcome to
it is very interesting because at Target we approach all of our guest regardless of their
age. It is not only about selling a product it is about making others happy with the service
that matters because they will eventually come back.
In conclusion, social class will always be a category that will identify our
economic status but not our capability. Even though there are endless arguments I
strongly believe shopping malls cause many people to shut their eyes from reality and
create criticism. Analyzing this space, The Northridge Fashion Center increased my
knowledge of understanding how others think. A closer look on societys expectations
and power among many people and whom we are all at one point guilty of.

(C) Papers: Represent an adequate level of writing that satisfies basic assignment
requirements only.

Demonstrates some sense of audience and purpose.
Presents an adequate title that introduces the essay.
The topic is defined only generally. Thesis is present but is also general and is possibly
inadequate and/or ill-conceived. Support is often obvious and easily accessible,
demonstrating little awareness of the topics complexity or other points of view.
There is an attempt to cite outside sources of information.
Paragraphs are adequately organized, but contain only modest levels of focus and support
necessary to effectively illustrate assertions or represent clear, connected units of thought.
Paragraphs occasionally lack topic sentences and the use of transitions may be
mechanical but foster coherence.
Sentences demonstrate lapses in proofreading/editing with enough careless mistakes to
significantly catch a readers attention in a negative manner and affect readability.
Sentence structure is relatively simple, exhibiting little or no variety.
Essay contains a minimally acceptable level of detail, rhetorical control, and critical
thinking.