Forward
Between the years 1849-1950, African-Americans got excluded from many activities because of the color of their skin. They could not go to the same schools, they got waited after all the whites got served. But then a law was passed that "All persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment" of any area of public use, " regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin." This law was called the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
As still a growing teenager, I learn and witness new events constantly. Some of these experiences is segregation. I have seen people excluded in activities because of what they look like. It wasn't on a scale as massive as the one in 184901950. But no matter how large, it was still exclusion of a certain group of people based on what they looked like.
This exclusion sparked my interest in stopping people that feel this kind of "justice" is correct. I began paying attention to what went on around me more then ever. I really began to notice that kids in some schools began to get picked on just because their heritage was from a country that was not ours. They picked on kids that had differences that could not be helped. I started to wonder that if one day we will realize that our similarities bring us closer together and our differences join us together as one community.
This is a fictional story based on events that happened in the past, and are currently happening today.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Argument Essay
Argument
Essay
Numerous amounts of adolescences’
create mistakes that they can’t take back. An example of some one who has done
this is Hanna Baker from “13 Reasons Why”, by Jay Asher. Hanna took her own
life due to he bullying and sexual harassment of her fellow “peers”. This adds
to the list of reasons why this book has been challenged by many parents. It is
in my position that this book should stay in middle school libraries because it
helps give awareness about teen bullying.
One reason this book should stay in
middle school libraries/classrooms is because it gives awareness about teen
bullying. Many parents want this touching novel out of middle school shelves
for its “unruly” content. Yes, it has some sexual scenes that may not be
suitable for kids under middle school. But it gives knowledge on teen bullying
and suicide. The Banned Book Awareness article states, “Majority of students
are the ones who look away.” Not many teens in schools see the bullying happen
or they choose to look away. But, in doing so, the victim can turn to do what
Hanna and many others like her/him did. It continues, “They are the ones who
laugh at another’s expense because it is not “me or them”. Teens think it is
all fun and games until a person dies.
Another reason this text should
stay in middle school libraries is because it is up to the reader to decide
what they can and can not read, not the parents. I understand that parents want
to protect their kids from this type of content. But, if they keep making
decisions for us, how will we ever learn how to do it alone? Also, we have to
start being introduced to the real world we can’ live the rest of our lives
under a rock just because you want to keep us safe from this knowledge. In a
response to darkness is too visible by (name here) comments, “As teens, we
should be able to decide what we can and can’t handle” She is correct. We are
the ones who are reading the book, not the parents. They don’t know how our own
mind works.
Finally, this text should stay in
middle schools because many teens love this heart-warming novel. This story is
criticized because of content and much more, but adults don’t see the true
meaning of this book. About Clay Jensen who seeks to find out the truth on what
happened to his high school crush. He follows all of Hanna’s 13 reasons to find
out who caused her death. “If you are listening to theses tape, then you are
one of the reasons my life ended.” Is a quote from this text that shatters
Clay’s heart. Adults simply don’t see beyond the explicit content.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Social Awareness Project
Table of Contents
Overview of Project
…………………………………………………………. 3
Reading Response to the Song Try by
………………………………………. 4
Response to Dead Girls are Skinnier
………………………………………… 5
The Poem “Lost” by Isabel/ how
I ………………………………………… 6-7
The Song Try by Colbie Caillat
……………………………………………... 8-9
Artwork by Kimberly Passage
………………………………………………. 10
Work Cited Page
…………………………………………………………….. 11
Overview of my Project
In the project you are about to
read, you will find a diversity of things. Form song lyrics to responses to
works of art, they are all centered around one topic, the social issues that we
witness in our world today. I focused on one main idea that then branches out
into many smaller ideas. From the artwork by Kimberly Passage that portrays
bullying, to my poem that speaks about teen suicide. I contain a work cited
page that gives credit to the artwork and the song that is in my project.
Reading Response to the Song Try by
Colbie Caillat
Try is an emotional song about the struggle teens; girls in
general, go through to fit into society. The songwriter, Colbie Caillat,
portrays the message that you can be yourself and you don’t have to change for
anyone or anything. One of the lines in the song is, “Put your make-up on. Get
your nails done. Curl your hair. Run the extra mile, keep it slim. So they like
you.” Many teens, especially in high school, would do anything to “fit in” with
the popular crowed. Even in MS.51 there are these problems of girls, and some
boys, changing who they really are so people would like them. This is and can
be the cause of suicide in young adults and teens. Because these girls can’t
seem to fit in no matter how hard they Try.
The message I feel that the singer/songwriter is projecting
to us is like I said in the first paragraph, you can be yourself and you don’t
have to change for anyone. Another inspirational line in the song is, “You don’t
have to try so hard. You don’t have to give it all away.” This powerful line is
saying that people don’t have to try so hard to be someone that they are not.
When they do try hard, they end up giving away their true self. Another
meaningful line is, “Wait a second why should you care, what they think of you.
When you’re all alone, by yourself, do you like you? Do you like you?” This is
a true statement in many ways. You shouldn’t care what others think of you.
Such as how you dress or what you like to do for fun. You and others have to
like you for who You are.
This song had and still has given me a lot of emotions. In
my younger years, elementary and 6th grade, I tried so hard to fit
in. I did fit in after some time, but I soon discovered that I wasn’t happy
like I thought I would be, I wasn’t myself. So I went to find true friends that
would only accept me for me. The song wasn’t the only thing that sparked me
emotions; the video that came along with it also did too. When it starts,
they’re various women of all ages in tons of make-up to make them look
“pretty”, but they don’t look happy. As the video progresses, they each start
taking off all of their make-up and happiness starts to show on their faces.
One woman even takes off a wig to show her bald head. It is sad that they have
to hide who they really are. Maybe one day, the world will accept our
differences, that make us each unique.
Response to Dead Girls Are Skinnier by
Kimberly Passage
The artwork, Dead Girls Are Skinnier by Kimberly Passage,
portrays our generation in society. You can see in the artwork, that there is
one overweight girl walking through the doorway by an extremely skinny girl
that is skin on bones that calls her fat. Around those two, are words in big
bold letters, DEAD GIRLS ARE SKINNIER.
On one side, in smaller letters, tells very helpful facts such as; “destroy what
destroys you” and “no one is ever alone… there is always help.” But, on the other
side, they’re mean and destructive words such as; “Monster” and “go kill
yourself”. They’re more helpful words then hurtful ones, but yet, some teens go
for the hurtful ones. Why is that? Maybe it is because you need twice as many
helpful words to cover the harmful. This piece really speaks to me because I have
had a friend that has gone through problems like these, I know how difficult it
s to break past the voices. When people call you fat and monster, it doesn’t bother
you at first. But then, their voices get to you and you start to believe them. Fortunately
for my friend, she had the right kind of help getting through it, family and
friends. This is a over growing problem all around the world. Especially in high
school, where “appearance” matters. People constantly change who they are for
other people to be able to fit in. One day, teens will see that people have to
accept who they are and deal with it.
Lost Girl
This
is a story of a lost girl, all alone.
Where
she is forsaken and forlorn.
She
now sits in the bathroom stall,
with
her lunch and back against the wall.
She
persists, keeps trying on.
But
there is no friend to motivate her on.
With
lack of love in her sight,
she
may not be able to keep her light.
Everyday
she keeps fighting, going on.
But
her light keeps dimming on and on.
She
can only take so much,
before
she decides it is finally enough.
When
she decides to take the sorrow away,
oh
just to be happy for all her days.
To
the pills, there she went.
And
in that stall, her life was spent.
As
she breathed her final breath goodbye,
her
eyes closed for the very last time.
This
is where her story now ends.
No
life, no love, or any friends.
So
keep those you love and hate close to you.
Or
they might turn into that Lost girl, too.
How I Wrote My
Poem
I got my creativity from the book “Thirteen Reasons Why” by
Jay Asher. The book inspired me to portray Hanna’s story, but with a spin. It took
a lot of class time and home time to come up with all the rhymes and story plot
for this poem. I first created a story line (no rhymes) about my main
character, the lost girl. Then finally, I found simple but meaningful line for
my poem.
"Try"
Put your make up on
Get your nails done
Curl your hair
Run the extra mile
Keep it slim
So they like you. Do they like you?
Get your sexy on
Don't be shy, girl
Take it off
This is what you want, to belong
So they like you. Do you like you?
You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try
Get your shopping on,
At the mall,
Max your credit cards
You don't have to choose,
Buy it all
So they like you. Do they like you?
Wait a second,
Why should you care, what they think of you
When you're all alone, by yourself
Do you like you? Do you like you?
You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
Get your nails done
Curl your hair
Run the extra mile
Keep it slim
So they like you. Do they like you?
Get your sexy on
Don't be shy, girl
Take it off
This is what you want, to belong
So they like you. Do you like you?
You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try
Get your shopping on,
At the mall,
Max your credit cards
You don't have to choose,
Buy it all
So they like you. Do they like you?
Wait a second,
Why should you care, what they think of you
When you're all alone, by yourself
Do you like you? Do you like you?
You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
You don't have to try
so hard
You don't have to bend until you break
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
You don't have to bend until you break
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try
Take your make up off
Let your hair down
Take a breath
Look into the mirror, at yourself
Don't you like you?
Cause I like you
Song by COLBIE CAILLAT
Work Cited Page
Artwork by Kimberly Passage:
Song “Try” by Colbie Caillat:
Thursday, November 6, 2014
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Many people might want to ban this book because of language, sexual content, or hardcore plots such as suicide. I feel that 7th graders and up should be allowed to read this book. The content might not be suitable to younger readers because they might not be able to relate to some of this book. 7th grader and up should be able to read this book because there is sexual content that younger people shouldn't be introduced to, there is strong language throughout the story, and older people can relate to some parts of the plot.
One reason 7th graders and up because they have an easier time relating to the book rather then younger people. 6th graders might not realize the importance of something, such as a first kiss. This is one of the main reasons that Hanna talks about. When Justin and Hanna kiss, it is not as magical and special as she would have thought. This can be a big downer to anyone receiving their first kiss. Especially to Hanna, because of this kiss, her life wasn't ruins. Nasty rumors started and Hanna became the center of it. This was one of the reasons she commuted suicide.
Another reason this book is suitable for older teen is because there is strong language and sexual content throughout the books storyline. 6th graders just came out of elementary school and aren't ready to be introduced to such strong and ugly content. They also might not understand the severity of the situation. Hanna says in the book, "I guess that's the point of it all. No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Often times, we have no clue. Yet, we push it just the same." This was a very heartbreaking quote from the book that many people under 7th grade might have a hard time understanding. Also there is another quote from the book is, " I hope you are ready, because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended." The main story plot of this book is about the 13 reasons why a girl, Hanna, killed herself. This is a very sensitive topic and some people aren't ready to be introduced to it yet.
One reason 7th graders and up because they have an easier time relating to the book rather then younger people. 6th graders might not realize the importance of something, such as a first kiss. This is one of the main reasons that Hanna talks about. When Justin and Hanna kiss, it is not as magical and special as she would have thought. This can be a big downer to anyone receiving their first kiss. Especially to Hanna, because of this kiss, her life wasn't ruins. Nasty rumors started and Hanna became the center of it. This was one of the reasons she commuted suicide.
Another reason this book is suitable for older teen is because there is strong language and sexual content throughout the books storyline. 6th graders just came out of elementary school and aren't ready to be introduced to such strong and ugly content. They also might not understand the severity of the situation. Hanna says in the book, "I guess that's the point of it all. No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Often times, we have no clue. Yet, we push it just the same." This was a very heartbreaking quote from the book that many people under 7th grade might have a hard time understanding. Also there is another quote from the book is, " I hope you are ready, because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended." The main story plot of this book is about the 13 reasons why a girl, Hanna, killed herself. This is a very sensitive topic and some people aren't ready to be introduced to it yet.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Archetypes
Reluctant Hero - Clay Jensen
- Clay doesn't want to face Hanna or the tapes that she sent to him. He is scared to confront his own fears, therefor, delaying his quest to find out what actually happened to Hanna.
- Clay is dismayed when he learns that he was one of the reasons why Hanna committed suicide. He doesn't think that he can accomplish his quest due to having little faith in his own abilities.
- Clay many times wants to give up and quit, even though he is doing perfectly fine. On the inside, Clay is dying at the thought that Hanna killed herself because of him. Clay is also a Lover when it comes to what hero he is. This is because he was deeply in love with Hanna. He wants to prove that he can go on with listening to the tapes.
- Many people in the world can/are reluctant hero's. Such as, when human sare fighting cancer, they might not want to fight the sickness. They can easily give up and stop fighting. But, then it takes the right inspiration to get them up and battling again. this is like Clay, he is reluctant to listen to the tapes but then gets the courage to keep pushing forward.
Shapeshifter - Justin Foley
- Justin make a drastic change from nice senior to stereotypical bad jock. He is also one of the 13 reasons why Hanna killed herself. He was Hanna's first kiss and it was "sweet for the month or so", as Hanna put it. But it soon turned sour when Justin made up rumors about them doing something more.
- Justin then again turned, or "shape-shifted" for the worse. Saddened by Hanna leaving him, he went to a party and got drunk. Coincidentally, Hanna was also at this party and witnessed him raping an unconscious girl.
- Justin kept going downhill, or the "snowball effect" as Hanna would put it. After hearing Hanna's tapes, he went onto be a bully and not communicating to anything or anyone. He used to be so popular in school for the rumors he created, but ultimately, that was also his downfall.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Far From You by Lisa Schroeder
"Far From You" by Lisa Schroeder is a tale about the hardship of living with a dead mother. Alice lost her mother to cancer and now goes through the long process of healing. She now goes through life with a heavy heart and takes it out on those close to her. Alice seems like she is fine but in reality, she isn't. This story symbolizes the hardships that some teens go through when loosing a loved one.
This story starts off with Alice explaining her life and how she grew to hate it. Her father remarried after her mothers death, and now is welcoming a new baby girl into the family. Of course this upsets her deeply, thinking now that now one will have time for her even though she will just push everyone away. She seems to hate everything and everyone, but possibly in reality she wants someone to care about her like her mother did. But she seems blind to the fact that everyone in her life cares about her But this story then takes a turn for the worst when after a family gathering in California a snow storm hits. Leaving Victoria (the step mom) , Ivy (the new baby) and Alice stuck in the car with little food, warmth and liquids. In the car true colors come out and feelings are exposed. Victoria says to Alice, " I'm not plotting anything. And your not going anywhere. You are staying here and we will figure this out together." I feel like this quote opened new doors for them both. Alice starts to see that now everything isn't always about her and her mothers death.
When Victoria has chosen to go out in the snow storm to find help, Alice is left alone with an infant to take care of. In a desperate time, heat was out and the was only a lighter, but with no kindling. She smashes her guitar, one of the only things left from her mother, and creates a fire. Her smashing the guitar symbolizes her letting go of her mothers death and accepting it. She goes back into the car and faints from lack of food with Ivy in her hands. Her mother comes to her in the form of an angel and comforts her saying that everything will be alright. She say a few word that change the story all together, " learn to enjoy the little thing in life because they will always be with you". This is her mothers way of saying that I am with you in all these little things, you will never be alone. When Alice wakes up, she is in a hospital room on an IV. She learns that Victoria and her new family might not be her mother, but she has to learn that they need her and she has to be there for them.
This story starts off with Alice explaining her life and how she grew to hate it. Her father remarried after her mothers death, and now is welcoming a new baby girl into the family. Of course this upsets her deeply, thinking now that now one will have time for her even though she will just push everyone away. She seems to hate everything and everyone, but possibly in reality she wants someone to care about her like her mother did. But she seems blind to the fact that everyone in her life cares about her But this story then takes a turn for the worst when after a family gathering in California a snow storm hits. Leaving Victoria (the step mom) , Ivy (the new baby) and Alice stuck in the car with little food, warmth and liquids. In the car true colors come out and feelings are exposed. Victoria says to Alice, " I'm not plotting anything. And your not going anywhere. You are staying here and we will figure this out together." I feel like this quote opened new doors for them both. Alice starts to see that now everything isn't always about her and her mothers death.
When Victoria has chosen to go out in the snow storm to find help, Alice is left alone with an infant to take care of. In a desperate time, heat was out and the was only a lighter, but with no kindling. She smashes her guitar, one of the only things left from her mother, and creates a fire. Her smashing the guitar symbolizes her letting go of her mothers death and accepting it. She goes back into the car and faints from lack of food with Ivy in her hands. Her mother comes to her in the form of an angel and comforts her saying that everything will be alright. She say a few word that change the story all together, " learn to enjoy the little thing in life because they will always be with you". This is her mothers way of saying that I am with you in all these little things, you will never be alone. When Alice wakes up, she is in a hospital room on an IV. She learns that Victoria and her new family might not be her mother, but she has to learn that they need her and she has to be there for them.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
I Am Number 4 by Pittacus Lore
In the book "I am Number 4" by Pittacus Lore, I feel the most changed character is Mark. Mark is your stereotypical highschool jock. He was a selfish andself-centered person, he goes out with his group of jocks and is a big bully to those who are "under" him, such as Sam. When John comes to the high school for the first time, he develops a crush on Marks ex-girlfriend, Sahra. Mark wasn't happy about it and vented his anger onto John. He filled Johns locker with cow manure and he takes his cell phone (which is extreamly important to John). And when John starts to develop his legacies in the middle of class, Mark follows and starts a rumor that John chickened out in fighting him so that's why he ran out of class like that. The next day John is the center of attention in a bad way.
Skip ahead, Mark and his crew kidnapped Jonh, Sahra, Sam, and Emily just so he can beat up John. But John beig superhuman and all, it doesn't work out for Mark. After Mark sees John as a better opponent then himself, he begins to leave them alone. Then the Mogdorians find out where John and his Cepan are, and go on the attack. Trapped inside the school, Mark , John, Sahra, Sam, and Six are forced to fight back. John and Six being Loric and all gives them an advantage over the Mogordians but are outnumbered 1 to 100. Mark then sees what John has to go through everyday and how his bullying isn't helping Johns cause. As John is about to get killed, Mark steps in and shoots the Mog before it kills John. John, Sam and Six eventually have to go because the battle dud toyed the entire school and police think it was a terrorist attack by John. Mark defends them even after they go, saying that they didn't cause the attack but were helping defend it.
Mark made an incredible change from selfish jock to a helping ally to John and his friends. Even though he is a minor character, he goes through one of the biggest changes in he book. He plays a big role and if it wasn't for Mark, John would be dead.
Skip ahead, Mark and his crew kidnapped Jonh, Sahra, Sam, and Emily just so he can beat up John. But John beig superhuman and all, it doesn't work out for Mark. After Mark sees John as a better opponent then himself, he begins to leave them alone. Then the Mogdorians find out where John and his Cepan are, and go on the attack. Trapped inside the school, Mark , John, Sahra, Sam, and Six are forced to fight back. John and Six being Loric and all gives them an advantage over the Mogordians but are outnumbered 1 to 100. Mark then sees what John has to go through everyday and how his bullying isn't helping Johns cause. As John is about to get killed, Mark steps in and shoots the Mog before it kills John. John, Sam and Six eventually have to go because the battle dud toyed the entire school and police think it was a terrorist attack by John. Mark defends them even after they go, saying that they didn't cause the attack but were helping defend it.
Mark made an incredible change from selfish jock to a helping ally to John and his friends. Even though he is a minor character, he goes through one of the biggest changes in he book. He plays a big role and if it wasn't for Mark, John would be dead.
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