Speak

The book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, contains numerous symbols that relate to the problems Melinda Sordino is facing. The reader follows Melinda as she struggles with fitting in and dealing with sexual harassment. One very important symbol is the dying tree in Melinda’s front yard. The entire plot is based on things other than this simple tree. Then, all of a sudden, it becomes a key part of the book. Melinda had never felt any sort of connection or attachment to this tree - but once she noticed that the leaves were dying and it was looking more and more unhealthy by the day, did it become important to her.

The dying tree in the story symbolizes Melinda’s confidence. This tree, like most trees, began to grow, it was strong and healthy. As the tree aged, it became older and less powerful. In the end, people are sent to cut it down and put the poor tree out of it’s misery. Melinda went through a similar phase. She began the school year confident and determined. But once word leaked of her calling the cops on a party over the summer; she began to be shy and embarrassed and more of a target to bullies around school. Then she went into hiding, ditching class and camping out in an abandoned janitor's closet - hoping that if she just dissapeared, no one could pester her about busting the party. Slowly, just like the tree, she wilted and shriveled up inside, unable to change anything about how she was treated by her peers. In the book it says, “I have survived. I am here. Confused, screwed up, but here. So, how can I find my way? Is there a chain saw of the soul, an ax I can take to my memories or fears?” This quote clearly shows the reader that even though everything around Melinda is okay, deep inside of her - she is everything but okay. Melinda has no one she can really talk to and trust with her problems, everyone is constantly bugging her about how she called the police, and she is drowning in schoolwork. This dying tree in front of Melinda’s home is no coincidence. At one time, this tree was thriving in the sun, but now it is just a stump in the ground. Melinda once had a group of people who she could talk to whenever she needed support, but now she has been abandoned - she is dead inside. The tree’s leaves are falling off, and her confidence is disappearing by the day. This is why Melinda has such a hard time leaving this tree, even though she has had no connection with, she can’t just let it be cut down.

To sum up, people can relate to all sorts of bizarre objects. Trees, a gum wrapper, old tissues, these things go through the same things that people do - they are cut down, thrown away, lost in coat pockets. Melinda feels like this tree. No one ever notices her, and when they do, they  only whisper about her and tease her. She feels exactly like this dying tree, she wants to disappear and just take with her the good memories. Her confidence is falling like leaves - and there is nothing to do about that, unless, you can get another tree.

Gaokao

It isn’t fair that so much is riding on a single test for millions of Chinese students. There are so many different personalities and so many different people that it is unfair to simply grade them all on how well they can remember information. The Gaokao is not a test of creative thinking, but simply a test of memory. Some students might excel in music,  but before they can follow their passion, they need to also be good at english and math - good enough to get into a top school. If a student doesn't get into one of China’s top colleges, he or she is stuck farming and manufacturing cheap toys. But students who actually get into a top school can leave their small towns and get good jobs. It is wrong to assign them their future because of one test because some people can afford better test prep and the test itself doesn’t properly assess the student.

It isn’t fair to have so much riding on one test because different groups have advantages over others. People who have more money can buy their children better test prep materials and put them in better cram schools. Some parents sacrifice everything, such as quitting a job to devote time to helping their student, or even working extra jobs to pay for the better cram schools. The article describes the life of one such student, Yang Wei, whose mother quit her garment job to support him in his final year of cramming, Wei said, “It’s a lot of pressure.” This shows how big of a deal this test is. Parents are changing their lifestyles dramatically just to support their kids. No one should have to handle this much stress and pressure to do well on just one test. A better way to judge student talent is to base it on numerous tests, projects, or assignments over the course of high school. Students excel in different areas, and should be graded on their whole education, not just memorization.

The test itself doesn’t properly and accurately assess the student’s knowledge. Because the test is the only factor considered for college admittance, the students’ high school experience is nothing but memorization. As the article says, “Everything taught in 10th and 11th grade is focused on what the gaokao tests. … In 12th grade, students typically just review and memorize what they’ve already learned.” Classes can be 16 ½ hours a day, making some cram schools nothing but a “memorization factory,” the article says. Teenage suicide rates rise as the test nears. And in at least one case, students were hooked up to intravenous drips to give them energy to cram. Also, the students never get to experience anything but the studying and cannot live as normal teenagers. “The school prides itself on eliminating the distractions of modern life,” the article says. “Cellphones and laptops are forbidden. The dorms...have no electrical outlets. Dating is banned. In town...the local government has shut down all forms of entertainment…. ‘There’s nothing to do but study,’ Yang says.”

To sum up, it is not fair to have so much riding on a single test for millions of Chinese students because not only is the test a poor indicator of student intelligence, but it ruins the teenage experience for all of these students. And I thought the town in Footloose was strict.

Martin Espada Essay

There are countless famous poets in the world. Some well-known others not as well-known. But Martin Espada was neither one of these - he was an incredible poet who wrote about topics that other poets didn't dare to write about. The poems, “A New Bathroom Policy”, “Revolutionary Spanish Lesson” and “Two Mexicans”,  all demonstrate races them. Many people believe that racism is “dead” and doesn't exist anymore in the US, but that is an incorrect statement. Each of the poems, written by Martin Espada, deal with controversial topics, and they all explore these issues from the eyes of a Latino man/woman who is experiencing racism.

The first poem, “A New Bathroom Policy” tells a story about a principal hearing some students talk in spanish in the bathroom at school. The principal then gets anxious that he can't understand what the students are saying and then bans spanish from all of the bathrooms. There is a quote from the poem that states, “the only word he recognizes is his own name and this constipates him”. This line shows how uncomfortable people become when they can't be in total control over every situation. We, the human race, automatically assume the worst from everyone around us and we get stressed when we can't understand something. This is even more of a deal when it is from a language that we aren't familiar with. We all assume that we are talking trash about the other, when honestly we have no idea what we are talking about ourselves. This makes me feel like our views on others are unfair and out of date. Obviously, everyone has their doubts about each other, but what matters is how far we will go in order to support our suspicions. This makes me think back in history. For as long as anyone can remember this has always been how humans have treated each other. I believe that it's almost impossible to change this nature of living and trusting. The human race always questions others as a form of protecting themselves from dangerous people and surroundings. But throw in a totally different race and it will almost be impossible to prevent this. Therefore, the story with the principal is just another example of how often this occurs and how difficult it is to prevent it.   

The second poem, “Revolutionary Spanish Lesson”, is about all of the “accidents” that people make when addressing someone of a foreign descent. Humans in general, all seem to struggle with pronunciation of unusual words, after all, everyone makes mistakes. But to be in the shoes of someone who constantly has their name messed up, is a pretty difficult task to handle. In the poem it says, “hijack a busload of Republican tourists from Wisconsin”. This quote shows me the anger that all of these people have when it comes to the carelessness of the American tongue. I have a bit of a troublesome last-name myself and I do actually get frustrated when it is mispronounced. But to have everyone you meet screw up your name because of the stereotypical origin would make me furious. Espada wanted to send out the message that no one can magically pronounce everything perfectly the first try, but they could at least put in a little effort. Even a tiny bit of effort into someones name shows them that you care and respect their culture.

The third and final poem, “Two Mexicans”, is about the pure evilness and horrible things that Mexicans are forced to go through. Mexicans have been treated badly by the white man for as longs as anyone can possibly remember. We constantly take advantage of them and it is wrong on so many different levels. Throughout the poem, Espada states the events that Mexicans are forced into for our pleasure and entertainment. In the poem it says, “ some peering from the shade of bowler hats, but all crowding into the photograph.” This quote shows how horribly we treat them yet have no shame at the end of the day.We tournament these harmless and innocent people just because we believe that they are lesser than we are due to the fact that they are hard workers. There is a universal image of people with white skin are always in charge and the boss. We then feel the need to keep that image no matter what, but in reality, anyone can be at the top of the “chain” just like white people currently are. Everyone, no matter what race, has the capability to be at the top, they just need a chance. Therefore, the people at the top feel the need to shoot down anyone who tries to reach their full potential - this is shown in the poem.  

To sum up, there are countless examples of racism everywhere. Not very often is it brought to our attention by because the level of bravery needed to do this is outstanding. Martin Espada reaches this bravery and has absolutely no shame or problem pointing out the flaws in our world. And he gets the respect he deserves.