Reading & Writing for Social Justice

1. The article, “Rudy Giuliani Uses Ferguson to Take his Race Baiting to a Whole New Level” by Dylan Scott is all about the unjust events of racial crimes. The former mayor of NYC, Giuliani, has recently made some horrible statements about racial stereotypes. These statements include, biased opinions on recent shootings, In accurate statements, and twisting the law. When I read and researched this issue I found it insane how someone could be so heartless towards these serious problems. These comments were extremely unjust because there is a big issue of white cops killing innocent black people because stereotypes have gotten out-of-hand. As outrageous as these acts of violence are, Giuliani decides to defend the cops by accusing the black folk as acting suspicious and whatnot. On of Giuliani’s comments towards this issue took the side of accusing black people for being “too violent with one another”. This makes me think about how horrible of these recent shootings have been, not that shootings aren’t horrible, but these especially take the prize currently. Now to make matters even worse, there have been way cops shooting innocent black girls and boys. What if the boys are girls for white? Would the shootings still be as common? I think not.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/rudy-giuliani-ferguson-michael-brown-shooting

2. Some things I noticed in my neighborhood that are unfair to my and others’ human rights were;

• Police Brutality
• Racial Discrimination
• Homelessness
• Minimum Wages
• Sexism

The amount of homelessness it's a constant problem everywhere. It may seem that New York is the only place with homeless people, but that's just a small taste of how the world really lives. There are tens of thousands of people without homes in just NYC alone. Even with this ridiculous amount of homeless people, no one really seems to do anything about it. Sure there are homeless shelters and soup kitchens, but these are tiny tasks that attempt to fix this gigantic problem. These acts are not nearly enough for this many people. These “less fortunate” people are usually look down upon as dirty, no good, people. Honestly, this is extremely selfish of us to do. We make them these less fortunate crooks that we despise. No one takes the time and effort to help out these people. We basically make them the way they are by not helping them. To make matters even worse, we don't like them, even though we caused the problem in the first place by not lending a helping hand.

3. I interviewed my father. I chose him because he is the editor of the daily news paper and I felt he would have a lot of opinions on these current issues. His response was “I believe that our world is unfair when it comes to income inequality.Some people are very rich and others are very poor. But on the bright side something that is good about the human species is that we are getting more and more intelligence by the second and we keep inventing helpful technology every day.”

I agree with my dad on his opinions on these topics. Income inequality, is in fact a very large issue in the world.  But I must point out that income inequality has been around since the beginning of time. There will always be people more wealthy people less wealthy. I believe that  it is an unsolvable issue. I was pretty surprised that my father chose income inequality over all of the other flaws we face. there are so many more problems that are more deadly and unjust than income inequality. On the other hand, I absolutely agree with the fact that the human species is developing and becoming more advanced every day. Without some of the modern technology we have created, who knows what would've happened to our species by now. We are making new medicine and developing cleaner ways to travel every day. These things are extremely important to the lifestyle humans are living.

4. I choose the verse from the song Roadblock by Attaboy. The verse is;

One more detour now

One roadblock

Until the road looks clear

So let’s make the most of it

While it’s still in the palm of our hands, my dear

Hurricanes can’t be seen where the airplanes fly

So c’mon baby let’s fly

I think that this song is obviously not about a road trip, but has a much deeper and more involved meaning. I believe that the artist uses the symbol of traveling and being prevented from moving forward in their trip to display what they are going through. The line about detours and roadblocks contribute to the message of being trapped or stuck somewhere. The writers took a common object and gave it more meaning that it usually has. The method of including symbolism is used a lot when it comes to songs and poems. By using symbolism, the author creates a whole new style of explaining to the reader/listener what they are telling through their piece of writing. This writer tells the listener that she is stuck somewhere and she wants to make the most of the situation while it lasts. This is told through specific objects and it opens up the listeners imagination to a hidden message. Writers can take a simple massage and hide it in everyday objects instead of just putting it out there for everyone to see. Authors involve totally unrelated ideas to make their own more exciting to find.   

5. Someone that changes the world every day and a small way is my mother. My mother is a social worker. She helped elderly men and women fight against poverty and homelessness. Without my mother's aid, all of these helpless people would be living in horrible conditions. My mother change the world by helping those in need. She provides her service to these people that are much less fortunate than most other people. This is why I chose my mother for this specific assignment. Her profession is such a beautiful contribution to society. Without the profession of social work, these elderly people will be homeless and living a disgusting and heartbreaking   lifestyle.

When I asked my mother why she chose the field of social work, she responded with,“ I've always been motivated by injustice and because I appreciate all the things I've been lucky enough to have in my life I like to work to help others who haven't been so lucky.”

6. There is a news segment on the tradition of Black Friday, and the dangers at shopping at these stores. These stores like Target and Walmart don’t protect their customer's personal information as well as one would think. There have been a new record set this year of illegal break-ins into companies security information. During the report, a reporter interviewed Dave Dewalt, the CEO of FireEye, a company that protects the security of stores. Dewalt makes his money by convincing vulnerable stores that don’t want bad reviews. All Dewalt does is create a complicated code around the company’s information. Unfortunately, recently hackers have become so smart, that even they can crack these crazy codes. If I was in the shoes of Dave Dewalt right now, I would be extremely nervous and embarrassed. I sold these people of my “unsolvable” coding protection, and then people still break into it. I just lost my entire career of what I thought I was good at, but there are people that were even better. These companies that thought I was helping them, probably think they got scammed or cheated by me , but honestly, I didn’t know these people were so good at what they do. I would be incredibly embarrassed that my whole profession just got horribly ruined by a criminal mastermind.   

7. I watched the movie Grease for my depiction of an older show. As I rewatched this movie with these questions in mind, I noticed how many more stereotypes were included into this film. Throughout the whole movie, there were too many stereotypes to count, and not one remotely accurate impression of a teenager. The representation of these average teenagers were extremely offensive and incorrect. All of the teenagers in the movie where rowdy, obnoxious, and short tempered. They always got what they wanted, and were feared by the " geeks and nerds". And of course, all of them were attractive, strong and very popular. But this all-time classic has more flaws than what meets the eye. Not only does the entire movie cast consist of white actors, but the only African-American seen in the entire movie is a janitor working at the school. Now, it was okay to have the stereotype teenagers in the movie but it is not okay to include racist ideas. The parents of these students are not included in this movie, but you are led to think that they are wealthy and let their kids do whatever they want, which is demonstrated very clearly in the film. As I watched this movie, I realized that the entire plot is based off of these rebellious teenagers doing cliché teenager stuff. The overall message that was displayed to me was that high school is full of clubs, gangs, and cliques. And high school is exactly like all of the stereotypes claim it’s like, oh, and don’t get beaten up on the first day of school.  I doubt this is the message that the writers wanted to send to its watchers.

The Glass Castle Shouldn't be Banned, Nor Any Other Book

How many times have you heard someone say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, probably too many times to count. But as cliche as this saying is, it doesn’t stop people from doing so. To begin with, more and more people today have been assuming things about books that aren’t true. Parents and teachers have been automatically coming to the conclusion that certain books should be banned due to their content. An example of an book that has been banned in a couple of schools is, “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls. This memoir is looked down upon due to its amount of truth incorporated into the writing. Walls goes through a very tough childhood, and people have been expressing their opinions about her writing in inappropriate ways. I must agree that some of the events that occur in the book are disturbing and also heartbreaking, but don’t forget heartwarming too. I believe that the banning of this outstanding book, and a lot of other books too, is completely ridiculous and unfair to the writers and the readers.   

To begin with, the book “The Glass Castle” is a memoir. A memoir is a book that is about real events that happened to the writer. People shouldn’t have the right to take their opinions out on authors if the genre is displayed very clearly on the cover. When I first picked up this book, the first thing I noticed was that it was a memoir, meaning that all that I was about to read was true. It's a reader picks up a book, especially a memoir, he/she should know what they are getting into. But if one doesn’t notice the clearly-labeled genre, they have really lost the right to complain about the content. Perhaps some books may have different levels of appropriateness, that is the reader’s responsibility to figure out from the first couple of pages. As emotionally difficult Walls’ childhood was, it doesn't hurt less to have people hate on your story. Although some of the language and messages can be upsetting, they are things that people need to know exist and could happen to anyone and everyone. In the book it says, “ ‘It's not such a bad life,’  Mom told us after we'd been homeless for a couple of months.” This quote demonstrates how difficult of a lifestyle Walls and her family faced. Some parents might want to keep their children tucked away and hidden from all of the problems in the world. But that can only last for so long. Someday, all children will be exposed to all of the issues people are facing, and their mommys won’t be there to protect them. Walls is just doing the nobel job of showing young readers the how the real world really is. By banning a book from a school, doesn’t mean you’re getting rid of the problem once and for all, you are simply delaying the conversation between you and your kid about what really goes on in some households. Banning books is an ill-advised plan to keep children from seeing the truth as is really is, not sugarcoated life most of their information is.

Not only are the rules of banning books completely insane, but they are useless too. If someone tells you you can’t chew gum in school, that only makes you want to do so more. If someone tells you not to talk during class, that only makes you want to do so more. So what happens if someone tells you that you can’t read this book… I think you can guess. Jeannette Walls once said, “ ‘Sometimes you have to walk through the muck to get to the message. What I worry is that in order to protect students, we may be taking away the tools they need to protect themselves later on.’ ” Walls knows the downside of hiding readers from the experience of reading about her lifestyle and the struggles she faced. Walls is doing everyone who reads her memoir a favor by explaining in detail, maybe a little too much detail, the issues she faced growing up. By telling her sad story she is helping others understand the issues others face in a scenario that isn’t as good as their current one. In her memoir, Walls once said, “ ‘Not everything can be amazing the first time, sometimes it takes awhile to get something worth saving’ ” This quote really describes the problems that Walls faced daily. But in the back of her mind, she knew that one day, everything will turn out okay. This line was thrown into the book to give the reader a little hope between all of the gruesome stories that are told. But truthfully, you can go far with just this simple string of words. Everyone will have their ups and downs in their life, but it is how you deal with them is key. This is the message Walls tried to send to her readers as they read the tale of the life.

To sum up, in a couple of words, banning books is useless and a completely faulty idea. These so called “banned books” contain stories and messages that everyone should learn about. An example of these useless banned books as some people call it, is the Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. This book is so heartwarming and heartbreaking. Parents believe that they should hide these messages and events from their children in hopes of never having to break the innocence of them. Honestly, the world has flaws and ignoring them is just going to make them worse. Jeannette Walls says the one idea that helped her get up in the morning and face the world was,  “ After all, everyone needs a few flaws to make them real”.

The Moon & More Essay

If you could go into the future and see where all you choices could lead you before you did them, would you? If you could know the outcome of something before you even did it, would you want to know that? Maybe you would maybe you wouldn’t. Emmeline, in the book, The Moon and More by Sara Dessen, faces many hard choices. The most important one, what she will do in the future. Emmeline lives in the small town of Colby, so does everyone else. No one really leaves, and no one really stays for long. Emmeline is stuck in a mental tug-of-war. She doesn't know if she wants to stay in Colby for the rest of her life, or does she want to leave and never look back. There are plenty of compelling pros and cons on both sides  telling her to stay and telling her to go. So, put yourself in Emmelines shoes, should you follow everyone else in her tiny town, or should you take an adventure and leave everything you’ve ever known behind. The angel and the devil both are dragging Emmeline down, but who to side with?

 If you were asked to leave the place you grew up and leave to go to a new and scary place for the next few years of your life. Would you be heartbroken or ready for an adventure? There is an equal share of bumps along the long, and winding road leading you to you future.  One positive thing that comes from staying in Colby is that Emmeline can stay close to her family and close friends. In the book it says, “ These are my best friends. From preschool all the way up to here, we have had each-other’s backs. What would happen when they aren’t there to catch me when I fall? ” This quote shows the reader that Emmeline has so many memories of her friends.  It will be devastating to leave all the close people in her life. All these people Emmeline  cares so much about. It will be difficult for Emmeline, and even harder for her friends. How will they cope and survive with her away in College? On the other hand,  with a handful of close friends comes a handful of people that you are so ready to leave behind. In the book, is states, “   ‘ Ugh. I know her.’ I didn't’ even have to scan the high school yearbook, I already knew that devil by heart. ” This quote displays how close Emmeline is with everyone in her town. When there are the same exact kids with you from elementary to high school, you're going to know everything about everyone. These are things both good and bad. Of course, everyone wants to stay close to their friends, but you also wouldn’t mind leaving behind those annoying people that you would love to just never see again. I’m not quite sure which is more desirable, roommates with your bestfriends, or never seeing your enemies again.

On the contrary, who doesn’t have the dream of living in the big city. Going to a big school with so many new people. After living her whole life in a cramped town with the same people, leaving everything all behind doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. To prove this point, the book explains, “ ‘How can you still be stilling living in this tiny town?’ I just shook my head. ‘I would have gone mad in no time. I need the big city. I need people. I need a busy lifestyle.’ I nodded imagining every word and treasuring each thought. ” this quote shows the reader that not only does the pure image of living in a big city give Emmeline chills, but also it scares her that it could be a reality. Let me ask you a question. If you have the choice of staying in a small town doing the same things for your entire life or living in a big city with new things every day… what would you choose? Emmeline feels trapped. She wants to live two totally different ways. She is trying to combine two different ways of going about her future. Except she is attempting to complete the impossible. Emmeline is torn between two opposite paths. She is stuck, trying over and over to combine two things that just were meant to be separate. Emmeline can’t decide what she really wants from her future. Will she ever figure it out which path is right for her. It is hidden deep down in her heart, but it will take a lot to get it unleashed.

To sum up, Emmeline is running in circles trying to decide on what is right for her. She is revisiting every pro and con she can possibly think of. But what Emmeline can't see it that any number of pros and cons isn’t going to magically decide what college is right for you. You need to truly want it. It takes all of the strength inside someone to figure this out. As I asked in the beginning, if you could see your mistakes before you made them, would you? This is really a trick question. You make no mistakes. Mistakes are just lessons being taught to you so you can use them later in life. Emmeline needs to notice that whatever she does, good or bad, it will only be a step closer to figuring out what she legitimately wants in her future. But for now, Emmeline is stuck trying to understand how life is a castle, you must fight the dragon before you rescue the princess.

Ashes Essay

If someone asked you if you liked cookies or brownies better, what would you say? That is an impossible choice to have to make! The character Ashes, in Susan Beth Pfeffer’s short story, Ashes, is faced with a dramatic choice, like the one above. She needs to figure out who she should side with in her parents’ divorce. She struggles to figure out the right thing to do, you can’t just side with one parent over the other one… or can you? She encounters a difficult decision and has to choose between safety and risky. Should she believe in her dad, or should she keep it safe with her mom.  

If you have been cautious your whole life, and then asked to take a risk, would you? this is the kind of situation Ashes is in. She doesn’t know whether she should take a risk with her dad or play it safe with her mom. Ashes' father is out in the open, a dreamer as he calls himself, but is that who Ashes whats to turn into, to be for the rest of her life? In the story it says, “When I was little, Dad used to promise me the stars for a necklace, but like most of his promises, that one never quite happened.” This part of the story shows how Ashes knows how her father can’t always be there for her and give her what she needs, but he at least attempts to give her something or make her feel special. This specific line shows that the father doesn’t care about his promises. All he does is claim that he can give people things he can’t. This definitely hurts the relationship and trust he has formed with his daughter, and it will come back and hurt him someday. This is kind of like the Boy Who Cried Wolf, in this case, it is a father who doesn’t keep his promises. Another example of her dad carelessly forgetting his promises is when he promises Ashes a cup of rice pudding, then just shoves his guarantee into the back of his head and just let is sit there and rot. He says, “ ‘Then we’ll get some rice pudding for dessert,’ ”, then later it says, “ The rice pudding test long forgotten.” This shows how Ashes’ father will just make a promise to her and then totally forget he said it in the first place. The phrase I promise, is just another couple words in the dictionary that have absolutely no meaning to him.

On the other hand, Ashes’ mother is the exact opposite of her father. Ashes’ mother is organized, prepared, and always ready for everything. While Ashes’ father is forgetful, unreliable, and dishonest. Both of her parents are complete opposites of each other, that is why Ashes is having a hard time figuring out who she is really more of. Is she more like her father, going into things head first, or more like her mother, taking things slowly and carefully. In the passage, Ashes’ father tells her, “ ‘One in a million,’ he said. ‘And don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise, Ashes. They will, you know. They’ll try to tear you down. They’ll laugh at your dreams.’ ”. This particular piece of advice is pretty unrealistic. Of course there will be times where people will not accept her but eventually come around to it. Ashes dad is the kind of person that thinks like he is in a story book. He says things not because it is the truth, but because it makes people feel better about themselves. Sure, this is a nice thing to be told every once in a while, but to tell Ashes that she is the most valuable and outstanding person in the world all the time instead of what he really believes is kind of upsetting, although she is being complemented. On the contrary, Ashes’ mother is always on top of things and prepared for everything. In the story, Ashes describes her mother as, “The most practical person I know, always putting aside for a rainy day.” Ashes’ mom is the sort of person who carries everything around in her handbag the kind of person who has plans made in advance for all situations. Both of Ashes’ parents are very important people. But they both totally contradict each other. It is very hard to choose who you want to be more like, especially when it comes to deciding between your parents.    

In conclusion, Ashes is at a fork in the road of her life. She can choose to follow the road that her mother took or the road her father took. Careful, or careless. Sometimes, you have to follow your heart and do what you think is best, not because you should side with one or the other. When you come to a fork in the road, what should you do? There is one way, and another way, but then there is also a little dirt path right in the middle of both of them. What would you choose? Left or right? Fantasy or reality? Cookies or brownies?

Summer Reading Response

Over the summer I read numerous good books. But one especially stood out to me, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. Not only was a touching story about a young boy, but it was also, without a doubt, one of the most impressively written books I've read in a while. Boyne somehow finds a way to hide messages into the story without being too obvious. With such an intense and large topic this book is covering, having a story about a child during this time in our history, made this book a much more enjoyable and interesting novel. 

Usually when reading a book about our country's history, the book is usually unnecessarily factual at times and gets very boring very quickly. But Boyne takes a different approach on this subject. He creates a character, Bruno, and in the Bruno's life, Boyne writes about his experiences during the Holocaust. A good example of this is when the book says,  " 'Papa,' said Shmuel. 'We can't find him.' 'Can't find him? That's very odd. You mean he's lost?'  said Bruno." In any other world World II book, the author would've just written this as much more upfront and straightforward, but in this book, Boyne decides to use a more subtle approach in the characters life's and what is happening to them. This makes the book even more heartbreaking and even more outstanding. Not only does he inform you of all of these events that happened, but he does it in such a way that it is still holds interest of the readers and does not lose them as he is educating them throughout the entire book. John Boyne is such an inspiration to me. I have always wanted to be able to write about a topic and not only teach the readers things they didn't know, but also write a very interesting and heartwarming story.

Overall, I must say that The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is probably one of the best books I have read over the summer. Let alone this year. It breaks your heart and at the same time it warms it with this timeless friendship of two boys from different backgrounds. Although they have many differences, the chemistry between the two children is obvious and beautiful even through short yet so inspiring and intense book.