Reading Response - Persepolis

   Throughout human history, rulers have used frightening tactics to stay in power and control their people. In the case of Iran, the situation is no different. In the book Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, the reader can witness the political turmoil of Iran in the 1970s and 80s through a child's eyes. In Persepolis oppressive leaders have the power and they use fear and scare tactics to stay in power.

   For instance, the previous leader of Iran, known as the Shah, used oppressive means to get his power and keep it. The Shah used many tactics to silence his opponents. He jailed political prisoners. At one point, there were over three thousand people in prison for disagreeing with the regime. This wasn't the first time the Shah silenced his people, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. When the people of Iran protested in the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the Shah used his military power to stop the protestors. Marjane Satrapi described it like this, "My parents demonstrated every day. Things started to degenerate. The army shot at them. And they threw stones at the army." The Shah could do nothing but scare his people into silence. Torture was another weapon used by the Shah. Methods like whipping and being burned with an iron were just a few ways the Shah's regime dealt with political prisoners. But the Iranians protested and finally overthrew the Shah. The people fought against an oppressive system, and they won. Hopefully this meant things would get better in Iran.

   Unfortunately, Islamist Fundamentalists replaced the Shah and they used even harsher means to stay in power. The three thousand prisoners that were freed at the end of the Revolution were not free for long. A friend of Marjane's family, Mohsen, who was jailed for being a communist under the Shah, was drowned in his bathtub. "When they found his body, only his head was underwater." Shortly after Mohsen's death, another former prisoner's sister was murdered by the new leaders. Finally, Marjane's own uncle was killed under suspicion of being a spy. After the Revolution, the people of Iran were promised a better life, but they only got another violent and oppressive regime. However, violence wasn't the only weapon that these new leaders used. They attempted to manipulate the educational system. "The educational system and what is written in all school books, at all levels are decadent...That's why we're closing all the universities for a while." This regime also wanted to shape and control the minds of the Iranian youth, instead of teaching them what they needed to know and allowing them to make informed decisions. This era of Iran was no different from the era of the Shah, or Iran's emperors and invaders before him.

   In conclusion, fear and violence are the weapons of those in power and that is unchanging. Iran fought against one oppressive dictator and got another. And although it is a cynical attitude, it does make one believe that those in power will always rule with an iron fist and use fear to control society. But, if the Iranians fought against the Shah during the Revolution, it gives me hope that things will change.

Author's Note - Picture Book

Author’s Note - Picture Book

My picture book describes the life of a blind girl, specifically how blindness affects her interactions with others. To begin with, one must understand the varying degrees of blindness. To be legally blind might mean you have really bad eyesight, or you can’t see anything at all. The type of blindness that my main character has is called No Light Perception (NLP), which means she can’t see anything, and can not see light in any form. Living life without any sight at all is very difficult for people with sight to understand. Not many understand the frustration of blind and disabled children. For instance, Helen Keller or Laura Bridgman, two famous deaf-blind women, were described as uncontrollable and angry. Helen was even described as a “wild, destructive animal.” As a child, it is incredibly difficult to learn and assimilate to one’s peers when blind. So confusion and fright may be expressed through tantrums. My book will discuss the struggles of a girl with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH), but her overall ability to adapt.

The strained relationship with parents is also an important issue being discussed in my book. Laura Bridgman was said to be not very close with her parents and longed for companionship, which caused tantrums and outbreaks of anger. It is important to know that children with blindness, or any type of disability must be treated with the love and compassion that all children need.

I am personally not a blind person, and I am not disabled. I also do not know anyone with blindness. However, I think it is a very important issue. Many do not like to talk about the disabled because they feel uncomfortable, but you can’t just ignore it. It is hard for people without disabilities, like myself, to even have a brief understanding of what truly being disabled is like. However, I don’t think it should be ignored and I would like to call attention to how the disabled are currently treated and how they deserve to be treated.

Although, most people don’t know much about blindness, they should treat the blind and other disabled people with respect. Blind and disabled people do need love and compassion, especially from loved ones, but they also need to be respected and treated as human beings.

Synthesis Page - Of Mice and Men

Argument Essay

Argument Essay

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, is easily considered one of the greatest literary works of the twentieth century. It has influenced countless authors and people everywhere. So the question remains, why has the book been a favorite of book banners everywhere? For fifty years, parents have tried to get this book from schools across the nation. They argue that the book is too inappropriate. They try to keep this great piece of work from teens everywhere, just because they don’t like it. These parents say that the book has too much profanity and “content unfit for young adults.” Though many want the book banned because of its excessive profanity, sexual content, and unruly behavior, it should not be banned because most teenagers can relate to the book and it can help them understand society and life as an adolescent.

One of the main reasons the novel has been banned or challenged so often, at least thirty times since 1960 [ala.org], is because of what some consider excessive profanity. For example, in 1963 the book was challenged because parents found it “obscene.” Since then, the book has been banned or challenged because of profanity specifically thirteen times. For example, “school libraries in Morris, Manitoba…because [it] violates the committee’s guidelines covering ‘excess vulgar language…’” in 1982. The most recent challenge was in 2009 in Big Sky High School in Missoula, MT. These multiple bans of the book leads one to believe that this book is excessively vulgar.

However, the novel should not be banned due to profanity for multiple reasons.   First of all, many of the “vulgar language” found in this novel are not usually considered all that bad. “Three of the top five words in Catcher in the Rye - ‘goddam,’ ‘hell,’ and ‘damn’…” [prooffreader.com]. Other words such as bastard, crap, and sonuvabitch frequent the book as well. These words aren’t typically considered bad nowadays, and are even used everyday without any shock or concern. These words are even allowed in PG-13 movies. Eighth graders, and the many high schoolers who had this book banned, are all over thirteen. So these words are clearly acceptable for teenagers in the eyes of adults. There shouldn’t be a difference between watching a movie star say certain words, and a teenager reading the same words in a book, including a book as popular and influential as this one. One may argue that stronger words, like “fuck,” are used throughout the text. This word does appear in the text a couple times, but that doesn’t mean it is a bad thing. In fact, Holden rarely says the word at all. He only notices the word written on the wall and expresses disgust about it. “I went down by a different staircase, and I saw another "Fuck you" on the wall. I tried to rub it off with my hand again, but this one was scratched on, with a knife or something. It wouldn't come off.” Here Holden sees the words “Fuck you” scratched on to various walls in the Natural History Museum and his sister’s elementary school. Instead of laughing or ignoring the words, he tries to get rid of them. Holden may say ‘hell’ and ‘damn’ a lot, but he draws the line at ‘fuck,’ which is what most people now consider unacceptable. Holden isn’t encouraging teens to say serious curses, he just utilizes curse words that are now acceptable by most people. It is also worth noting that Holden also says, “It's hopeless, anyway. If you had a million years to do it in, you couldn't rub out even half the "Fuck you" signs in the world.” Holden unintentionally makes a point about how children will be exposed to vulgarity at some point in their lives. Cursing is very much ingrained in our culture, and sheltering children forever from the harsh realities of the world won’t save them.

Furthermore, many want to ban the book due to its sexual content. Many schools and parents do not want their kids and teens to read about sex and the act of having it. For example, the book was challenged at Jamaica High School in Sidell, IL because it contained “premarital sex and prostitution.” The book was also banned and challenged at several schools for sexual content at Napoleon, ND High School, Waterloo, IA Schools, Goffstown, NH Schools, and Glynn Academy High School among others. It is clear that many schools are concerned about students reading sexual content. However, Catcher in the Rye should not be banned due to sexual content for several reasons. First of all, many teenagers are already thinning about sex, so it shouldn’t be all that worrisome for them to read about it. “Though discussions of teenage sexuality are generally considered taboo, it is something that most kids begin to think about as soon as they hit puberty. [Can Book Censorship Save Our Children and Their Innocence?]. Also, about 1/3 of high schoolers are sexually active [childtrends.org]. So if such a large portion of teens are already having sex, it doesn’t make sense that they’re not allowed to read about it in school. If so many teens at least know about sex, why can’t they learn about it? The book may even be able to help the teen understand sex. Although sex is mentioned frequently, there is never anything graphic in it. Holden does order a prostitute, but does nothing except talk to her. The goal of the scene isn’t to promote prostitution. The book does offer many opinions on sex, both good and bad. However, since it doesn’t take a clear stance and doesn’t show anything explicit, it allows teenagers to make their own decisions and form their own opinions on sex. Holden Caulfield thinks and talks about sex as much as the average teenager. So sexual context isn’t a valid reason to ban the novel.

There were also many challenges to The Catcher in the Rye due to its protagonist, who isn’t exactly the best role model. Actually, he is pretty far from it. It has been challenged in schools because some think it showcases bad morals. For instance, in Morris, Manitoba, the same school that challenged it for profanity also challenged it for “things concerning moral issues.” It was also challenged in Linton-Stockton, IN High School because it was “blasphemous” and it “undermined morality.” Many schools, including the previously mentioned ones, didn’t elaborate on what the “moral issues” were. However, the book should not be banned for whatever vague moral issues people complain about. Holden certainly does certain, what some would call inappropriate, activities. He drops out of school, hires a prostitute and often makes insensitive comments. He also has a general hatred of just about everything. Despite his bad attitude, he never actually does any really morally wrong activities. He doesn’t commit any crimes or anything. It’s also important to realize that Holden is an adolescent, and he’s in a period of his life that is very difficult. He fears going into adulthood and leaving his innocence behind, and he often acts out to cope with that. Many teenagers also endure this same time of experience. Adolescence is a time of rebellion, where many teens challenge what is expected them. They can relate to Holden and empathize with him. Holden Caulfield pretty much the whole “rebellious teen” type of attitude. He is an outcast and kind seems himself as a failure. In the book, he not only fails every class except english, he also leaves school and spends a week on his own. Teenagers can help understand themselves better because of Holden. In a letter written from the Lake Braddock English department, they say “Reading and studying books that expose us, imaginatively and safely, to that trouble steels our souls to pull us through our own hard times and leads us to a greater empathy for the plight of our fellow human beings.” Teenagers will be able to understand themselves and their peers. They’ll be able to develop empathy to the outcasts of society. Some say that the book encourages rebellious behavior. That it makes teens act out. The book may do this, but it’s better than letting teenagers just accept whatever happens. They have to understand that it is okay to be different and they should even encourage it. As it’s put in “The Wilds of Education,” “Isn’t education supposed to provoke, disrupt, challenge the paradigms that young people have consciously embraced and attack the prejudices that they have unconsciously absorbed?” The book is the perfect book to guide teenage outcasts, and help young people everywhere challenge conformity. 

The Catcher in the Rye shouldn’t be banned for such superficial reasons such as profanity, because teenagers are prepared for the material in it and the book will truly help them. Of course teenagers are prepared for vulgarity and sexual content, it isn’t nonexistent and teenagers will have to face certain experiences that they may be uncomfortable with. The novel can both inform and guide them in these situations. Instead of everyone trying to ban this book, they should be celebrating it.

Citations

"Banned And/or Challenged Books from the Radcliffe Publishing Course Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century." Banned And/or Challenged Books from the Radcliffe Publishing Course Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics/reasons>.

Bruni, Frank. "The Wilds of Education." The New York Times. The New York Times, 27 Sept. 2014. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/28/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-the-wilds-of-education.html?_r=0>.

Shapiro, T. Reese. "Fairfax County Parent Wants 'Beloved' Banned from School System." Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-county-parent-wants-beloved-banned-from-school-system/2013/02/07/99521330-6bd1-11e2-ada0-5ca5fa7ebe79_story.html>.

Gurdon, Megan Cox. "Darkness Too Visible." WSJ. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303657404576357622592697038>.

Rich, Jake. "Can Book Censorship Save Our Children and Their Innocence?." University Wire. 07 Oct. 2014: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 18 Dec. 2014.

Social Awareness Project

1.Media and News Immersion - Online News Articles - News Diary from 11/28/14 - 12/2/14

November 28th

The article read today was called “‘Shocking Mistake’ Exposed in Darren Wilson Grand Jury.” The article discusses one major inconsistency in the Wilson case. There was a comparison to a similar case in the supreme court back in 1979. In this case, Tennessee vs. Garner, the Supreme Court went in favor of Garner. This meant that it is now unconstitutional for a cop to kill anyone for fleeing to escape, and it must be believed that the person was violent in order to shoot them. In the Wilson trial, this information was revealed in what seemed like a deliberately confusing manner. The question one juror asked, was if that ruling had any place over Missouri statutes. The answer from an ADA was “don’t worry about it,” when a simple yes would have sufficed. It is suggested that if the jury had a better understanding of the 1979 ruling, they may have decided to indict.

This makes me believe that there was some bias in the Wilson trial. The Tennessee vs. Garner case was a fairly well known case, as evidenced when one ADA said, “we don’t want to get into law class.” So if this was a fairly known ruling, why was the jury informed to not worry about it? Since Wilson did not know if Brown was involved in an altercation or any violent activity, then Wilson would have no reason to fire. But Wilson did, and the 1979 ruling clearly says an officer can not shoot a non-violent fleeing subject. So why did prosecutors ignore this entirely? Weren’t they supposed to help indict Darren Wilson. Overall, this article makes me have doubts about the Wilson trial.

Source: thefreethoughtproject.com

November 29th

Today I read the article “Darren Wilson, Officer in Ferguson Shooting, Resigns From Police Dept.” This article describes how after intense pressure form Ferguson protestors, Darren Wilson felt the need to resign. He released a statement saying how he thought it was best for him to leave. This is one of the many demands of the protestors have made. However, protestors feel like this is not enough. They still want an indictment and will continue to peacefully protest until that happens. Overall, this does show signs of Ferguson, and the nation, on the road to recovery.

I think this is a very important development in the Ferguson protests. It shows that there is some progress being made here. And although there is a very long road to recovery and an improvement in race relations, there is an end in sight. It is also gratifying to see that many protestors are staying peaceful, and the looting and arson are limited to only a few. It’s been a tough couple of months, and there will be a couple more tough months, but things are looking up for Ferguson and Mike Brown’s family.

Source: New York Times

November 30th

Today I read the article “Bullying the Bullies,” which describes the new fad of “doxxing” on social media. What happens is, if a social media user, usually from tumblr, sees racist comments online, keep in mind that these comments can be really out of line, they will post their personal information and sometimes get them either fired from work or suspended from school. The article debates whether or not this is a fair practice. Sure, people who are so blatantly racist and post it online deserve to be punished, but is such vicious attacking really the answer?

As a participant of social media, I have witnessed people getting doxxed. Online, most people celebrate this behavior. It shames racist people and shows them that there are consequences for their actions. This article tries to point out that there are better ways of handling this type of behavior, although it doesn’t really specify many other options. Yes, it is harsh, but it sends a strong message. In my opinion, doxxing is justified and if you think it’s okay to say such offensive things on social media, or anywhere else, you deserve whatever outrage and punishment that comes for you.

Source: techcrunch.com

December 1st

Today I read the article “Terry Crews is ‘Not Going to be Silent’ about Feminism.” The article explains how TV star Terry Crews, currently on ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine,’ expressed his view on feminism in an interview. He wants men to stop treating women as trophies, and even compares this abuse of women to the Taliban or ISIS. He understands feminism and wants more men to know about it.

I think this article, and Terry Crews’ actions are very important. We are used to only hearing female celebrities talk about feminism and the unfair treatment of women, such as Emma Watson or Beyonce, but we don’t hear men out on the issue as often. But here, Terry Crews freely discusses his opinion on feminism and urges other men to respect the feminist movement. I think this is a big step for feminism, because if the issue is supposed to be properly discussed, both men and women have to weigh in on the issue.

Source: TIME

December 2nd

Today I read the article “Ray Rice tells ‘Today’ Show He Had ‘One Bad Night.” In this article, infamous football player Ray Rice, tries to redeem himself in an interview with the Today Show. He claims that he only had “one bad night” and hopes the NFL would give him a “second chance.” He explains that he and his wife, the one who he had beaten, are happily married and that he would do anything for her. It is also explained that Ray Rice is no longer suspended, but no team has decided to hire him.

I don’t think that Ray Rice deserves redemption. There is literally footage of him beating his then fiancee, and that is not acceptable. Even if he just had a bad night, that doesn’t make it okay. He could have another bad night, and who would he hurt then? Passion or excitement doesn’t excuse domestic abuse. Ray Rice can do as many interviews as he wants, but I don’t think the public will ever forgive him, let alone let him on to a football team.

4.   Reading Response to a Social Issue in a Literary Work - Song

With its catchy chorus and mellow beat, “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People managed to be a hit song back in 2011. However, this seemingly simplistic song sounds a lot more sinister when you listen to it a second time. The story “Pumped Up Kicks” tells is of the troubled teen, Robert, who after finding his father’s gun, is preparing to shoot other people. This disturbing narrative becomes even more powerful when compared to school shootings such as the Sandy Hook Newtown shooting. But this isn’t the only reason this somewhat cheery song is so eerie. “Pumped Up Kicks” investigates the mind of an outcast and how isolation and abuse can have an affect on a teen.

In order to properly express this narrative, the singers decided to write it in first person and from the point of view of the killer, not the victim. It is very essential that the song is in the point of view of the outcast. On the news, the reports of violence being committed by psychopaths can never be explained. However, in this song we can get the reasoning used by Robert, though it is flawed, instead of just seeing the carnage that someone like the victim would see. We can clearly see the causes of this teen’s anger. He mentions how his dad is coming home late and bringing a “dark surprise.” One way this surprise could be interpreted is as abuse. This is also supported by the fact that his father has a closet with a gun inside along with a “box of fun things.” So his father is a source of abuse, or at the very least, neglect, and that’s already enough to push a kid over the edge. Robert also seems to be ostracized from his peers. He says, “All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run, better run, outrun my gun.” His anger is directed at his peers who have “pumped up kicks.” After some research, I discovered that these “kicks” were referring to the Reebok Pump Basketball Shoe. These were essentially another option that one could buy, instead of getting Air Jordans. People who tended to buy these had money to spare. Robert on the other hand probably doesn’t, considering it appears to be only him and his dad, who works late. So his peers could be ignoring him due to his economic status. Or, it could be that he just doesn’t fit in. He doesn’t wear these pumped up kicks like everyone else, and he feels separated and different because of it. Because of these reasons, Robert clearly feels very frustrated and he thinks the only way he can feel better is targeting those who hurt him.

Although we know understand why Robert seems to be in this emotional state, we must also address why he is so emotionally turbulent. Is the problem bullying and social exclusion, parental abuse, or just a psychological problem. Perhaps it is a combination of all three. What we have to do after addressing the cause of these shootings, we must find the solution. School shootings are tragedies of the worst kind. The only way to stop them is to stop it at the source. Hopefully people will one day realize this.

5.   Write an Original Literary Piece - Poem

“Crying”

people anywhere and everywhere

are crying out

from here to there

throughout the world people shout

for freedom and peace

and things about

justice, and the need to be free

but some people

refuse to see

they ignore and quiet

those who speak out

leaving no choice but to riot

silence is what is desired

to snuff out the voices

but it only makes them tired

freedom of speech is what we need

and the charade can only stay up for so long

before its wounds start to bleed

so people join hand in hand 

to get what we demand

but everyone knows

how the story goes

sometimes silence wins

and that’s the challenge

My poem “Crying” is mainly about the current protests going on throughout the world. We all know here in the United States that people are protesting the events in Ferguson. However, the rest of the world is in outrage to. In Mexico, Russia, and Hong Kong people are standing up for their rights. And people in other countries lend there support by protesting in the name of a cause. But this poem isn’t only about protesting and people wanting their rights. It’s also about censorship and what governments will do to silence there people. From tear gas and rubber bullets to the warped portrayals in the media, people in power like to stay in power and silence the opposition. Sometimes it succeeds, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s like a tug of war, people against their leaders. I ended the poem on an ominous note because, sometimes people forget. The news will seem boring and no one will want to hear about it anymore. And the demand for human rights fades into the background. That’s partially why there is so much outrage now, people either didn’t remember or didn’t care, but hopefully, people will finally hear the world crying out and give it the attention it deserves.

Kicking the Habit - Current Events

        In the article, “Kicking the Habit,” by Robert Elder, Elder explains the fight against smoking starting all the way back to the 1960s and the concerning new rise of electronic cigarettes. Back in the 1960s smoking was incredibly popular, so much so that “half of American men were smokers and a third of American women were smokers,” so the government decided to take action. The Surgeon General and various doctors made it their mission to inform the public. It seems to have worked quite well because now only 18% of Americans identify as smokers. However, there is a new problem that the article explains. Robert Elder explains the world of electronic or “e-cigarettes” and how problematic they can be.

While Elder explores the world of “e-cigarettes” we can see what a threat these new cigarettes can cause. In the article, before e-cigarettes are even mentioned, the reader gets a lengthy description of the history of cigarettes, and the manipulation tactics big tobacco used to keep people buying their cigarettes. Cigarette companies did despicable things such as hiring actors to play doctors and marketing to children. This kind of behavior, to a lesser extent is evident. “E-cigarettes can come in flavors - which critics say is an attempt to get children to start smoking.” Here, the author draws a parallel to the way in which old cigarette companies used a different tactic to market to children, which involved the cartoon character “Joe Camel.” The article also mentions how e-cigarette companies advertise, “including celebrity endorsements from Stephen Dorff and Jenny McCarthy.” This is similar to advertisements in the 50s in 60s, in which a Harvard Professor spoken to by Elder says “I see the companies trying to make it cool to smoke again.” These e-cigarettes don’t just follow the steps of cigarette companies marketing-wise, they are also attempting to get a new generation of people addicted to smoking. It apparently doesn’t matter whether it is vapor or smoke, though it is better for your lungs. Still, it is the nicotine that’s bad, the smoke produced by normal cigarettes is just a side effect. Robert Elder is clearly trying to get the reader to understand the new problem with this “fad.”

Elder’s implication that e-cigarettes could possibly be as disastrous as cigarettes were in the 50s in the 60s really changed my view on e-cigarettes. I don’t think I’d ever smoke any type of cigarette, but I thought that the ability to smoke without harming your or anyone else’s lungs was a great idea. People would finally be able to smoke without harming anybody. But it turns out, electronic smoking is harming people. It may not cause lung cancer, but it is addictive, and addiction is a big problem. This article has proven its point, that e-cigarette smoking is more dangerous than previously thought.

The Museum of the History of New York - Homework

         During the field trip to the The Museum of the History of New York, we explored the Activism in New York exhibit. It had several examples of how people in New York tried to change something. It detailed Women's Suffrage, the Civil Rights Movement, gay rights in New York, biking rights, and numerous other things. These people who fought for what they believed in, managed to create changes that impact our world today. For instance, women can vote, segregation has ended, and most recently, gay people in New York can get married. It just shows that together people can do great things, even children, like myself.

         These courageous people who changed the world inspire me to do something to better the world to. Now I don't have a particular cause which I feel all that strongly about, which is one of the main parts of being an activist. But I do believe that no one should be treated unfairly. And even in today's modernized world, this still happens frequently. In this year we have observed situations like the one in Ferguson and the Israeli - Palestine conflict which both involve forms of racism and prejudice against others. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous problems. I want to do whatever I can to fix said problems, or at least inform people who may be in the dark about what's going on. Most people stopped paying attention to these problems after a couple of weeks because they lost interest. I would like to change this. That actually sounds a lot like being a journalist. Perhaps I could do that. Anyway, I just want to change things, just like the previous activists in New York have.