Jr at Whitney Young

When junior goes to Reardan he immediately is looked at as an outcast. Junior is the only Indian kid in this all white school and in an attempt to fit in he punches a classmate. Junior does this thinking of the rez and how Indians behave to be accepted. In Reardan though, the culture is different and Junior isn't socially accepted at first. Junior is different from his classmates, economically and what he is used to socially. Whitney Young is not like Reardan, it is very diverse where people come from different social statuses, economic statuses, ethnic backgrounds, and we all have different interests. At Whitney Young junior wouldn't be judged like he was at Reardan. Junior would fit in because he would find people that share similar interests. He wouldn't have to hide anything in fear of being judged. At Reardan he had to because everyone was the same and to be accepted he had to pretend to be something he wasn't  At Whitney Young there is wide variety of clubs and classes offered. This is how Junior would start to find people with similar interests and mindsets. Since he is into drawing cartoons he might join a drawing or writing club, he might spend his time creating art projects in the bridge and blue house, or he might even try out for the basketball team. When walking into the school he wouldn't be an outcast due to the diversity of the school and slowly he would gradually become friends with a certain group of people. For lunch, he might not be able to afford to go off campus and buy food but it would be nothing to be ashamed of. He would have free lunch and just enjoy time with his friends. At Whitney Young Junior would have an easier time finding someone to talk to, and not feel alienated or isolated due to the diversity in interests. Junior would be more comfortable in attending Whitney Young than how his experiences were at Reardan.

The Great Gatsby and A Raisin in the Sun

The American dream is a key theme in both the novels "The Great Gatsby" and in "A Raisin in the Sun." In both of these novels the American dream is perceived by their achievements and personal success, and expressed through the characters' experiences. In the Great Gatsby the American dream revolved around doing your best to be accepted into wealth and high class, their dream was more materialistic. On the other hand, in A Raisin in the Sun, the characters also want to be accepted into wealth and high class but their dream was focused more around pride in the family. The only one who didn’t agree to begin with was Walter Lee. Walter Lee was stubborn about becoming rich off of a liquor store, and didn’t mind investing all his and his sister's money. Once Walter Lee lost all the money, he finally realized his true riches and the importance of family. This is shown when he rejects Lindner's offer of not moving into the neighborhood. The move was a resemblance of their success and being able to beat society's expectations of them, and also being able to achieve and surpass their ancestor's levels of success. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby portrays the American dream with wealth as being success. He is influenced by Dan Cody, and believes that Dan Cody is living the American dream by being wealthy and having luxuries. Gatsby is soon willing to do whatever it takes to gain status, wealth and love which define his success in the American dream. Despite Gatsby's luxurious parties and crowds of "friends" he is missing a little piece of his American dream, Daisy. Represented by the green light, Gatsby is reaching for what he can’t have, what completes his American dream, his true love. The American dream in A Raisin in the Sun is demonstrated with family values and moral standards. Meanwhile, in the Great Gatsby the American dream revolves around wealth and false realities. In both novels, people are trying to achieve the American dream by gaining success but in the Great Gatsby it is more materialistic and superficial. In the beginning characters in A Raisin in the Sun were following Gatsby's footsteps but soon learned that money is not everything and that family comes first. Gatsby believes that money can solve anything and that it defines success. However he soon learns that no matter how many England t-shirts he could own, his true love could never be his. Both novels begin with a similar approach and soon learn what is really important in trying to conquer the American dream. Not only do both the novel's characters fantasize about what they want but they are also very persistent. Once Gatsby decided he wanted to be wealthy, there was nothing to get in his way. He did anything in his power to get what he wanted but this blinded him from what he actually wanted which was Daisy. Gatsby couldn’t let go of his past and grasped it like it was his present. He achieved his American dream in becoming a well to do man but didn’t gain his love back. As for mama, she is also very persistent. Once she knew what she wanted for her family she was not going to back down which was a safe and nice neighborhood; a neighborhood in which her children and grandchildren could enjoy and experience what she wasn’t able to as a child. In the end, he dream was achieved as well as they became the first African Americans to move into an all white neighborhood.

word count: 598

Protest Song - Say it loud ( I'm black and I'm proud)

This song is addressing the social injustice of racism. James Brown took and approach to this song as encouragement for African Americans. In this song, he says to say “I’m black, and I’m proud” encouraging African Americans to be proud of who they are and where they come from. Brown then continues the song with everything they have gone through. Here he is continuing to encourage them in the sense they have gone through so much that they have to keep trying until they get what they want.  This was demonstrated in the line saying “but I say we won't quit moving until we get what we deserve.”  Brown then describes how they have been treated due to racism and how they are referred to as “just bones.” He also mentions in the song that they have been working hard, but only for another man. This song coming out during the time of racism gave encouragement and confidence. Another issue during this time period was voting rights, which leads to the symbolism he has in his song. The line "we'd rather die on our feet, than be living on our knees," refers to a new realization that voting rights alone wouldn't create true equality when so many African Americans would continues to live in poverty. Another interpretation is that they would rather die standing, as in strong than die working for someone else. I say this because when he says we would rather die on our feet I interpret it as we would rather die when they’re still standing, meaning healthy. When he continues to say “than be living on our knees” I see it as in living miserably, and having to be on their knees begging. This suggests for African Americans to become more economically self sufficient. I chose this song because it is such a strong and big issue in America. Racism continues to exist to a certain extent. It is not as obvious anymore in America but it still exists, for example, stereotypes. One assumes many things based on a person’s race, when in reality a person is very different on this inside that what they may seem on the outside, racism continues affecting many in America today.

word count: 371

Proposal

I live in the neighborhood of Belmont Cragin and after researching the neighborhood's details I was able to see some basic demographics. For racial demographics, the neighborhood is mostly composed of Hispanics and whites. There are more house owners than renters. There are also more female residents than male and the total population is 77,557 people. For my project I am going to interview two neighbors and one family member. The racial backgrounds of the two neighbors are Mexican and white. The man who is Mexican is Manuel. He has lived here for over 10 years and works in the school across the street. The woman who is white is not in the neighborhood as much as Manuel is, since her job is in the suburbs  She usually leaves around 8 and doesn't get home until 9 from Monday to Friday. As for my relative i will be interviewing my sister who has lived in this neighborhood for about 8 years but has recently moved to the same block I live on. I think the american dream in this neighborhood is going to be not about the hard work but the reason for their hard work, their family. I think the american dream for my interviewees will be living happily with their family and doing what they can for the best of their children. For Manuel, he works where his grandchildren go to school and where one of his daughters attended school. For my other neighbor even though she isn't as much with her family, she works hard to make sure they are never in need of something they don't have. I think the constant idea that will continue in the american dream of Belmont Cragin is family and doing what they can to give the best to their children and family.

American Dream

From homeless shelter to elite science fair

“It will be an adventure to my next adventure,” Lane Gunderman states as he is about to aboard an airplane for the first time. Lane Gunderman was born into poverty and his family was able to scrape by until 2006 when they lost their apartment. After staying at a relative’s house and a divorce between the parents, the father abandoned them leaving them to stay at homeless shelters for over a year. Lane went to a public school in which he excelled and got admitted with a full scholarship into U of C Lab High School where he was accepted in the Summer Link Science Research Program. He came up with a project, created a computer stimulation with an in depth analysis and submitted it to Intel. Out of 1,700 applicants he was able to make the 40 finalists in which he will go to Washington DC to compete and possibly win 100,000 dollars. He is living the dream, the “American dream” some may say. What really is the American dream? I believe it’s expressed as a form of success. It suggests that anyone can conquer in life what they want as long as they work hard and stay committed. Many have expanded and redefined the idea with money, freedom, and fulfillment. Others say the concept is an idealistic goal that can’t be completely achieved due to society. The American dream is prosperity, in which ever way you may see it. This article relates to the American dream by not being affected by his past. Despite his poverty and struggle, he stayed dedicated to what he loved. His American dream was to improve upon the past by his desire to live a better life, even after not having a secure place to spend the night. Everyone has different point of views on success. The American dream is not a white picket fence, but it revolves around it. Do you walk past the fence and look for opportunities as your success dream, or do you stay in and define your success dream as being average, having a family, avoiding poverty and loneliness. Lane decided there was more out there, and his dream, or success story is achieved by working hard no matter the obstacles that come in his way. The American dream isn’t defined by wealth but it’s changing into expectations and owning things, when in reality it is your ambition, and hard work leading to a better life in which you desire to pursue happiness. The American dream isn’t defined by gadgets, it’s defined by one.

Word Count:215

Scary Movie Review

In the Lovely Bones  it tells the story of a fourteen year old girl who was murdered, and wasn’t the first victim of this killer. Although dead, Suzie continues to observe her family on Earth. Throughout the story she witnesses the impact of her loss on her family. As her family doesn’t lose hope in finding the killer, Suzie shows them clues. Suzie not only watches her family on Earth but also the killer who is planning his next murder. This movie is intriguing yet mysterious. Although it was a tragic death, a rape and murder the story is not depressing. The movie begins with Suzie alive demonstrating the life in her, her personality, her daily routine and how many lives were changed by the loss of hers. In this movie as well it shows the emotional struggle of a parent as the father is desperate to reveal his daughter’s killer. He cries at the sight of her room, at the boats they built together, etcetera. The mother however divorces the father for continuing on trying to solve the mystery. The mom just wants to move one and forget about it. It throws the watcher off as one would think the mother would be distraught. The lovely bones is one of my favorite scary movies. The overall plot is not scary but there is a rush feeling when trying to see if Suzie will be able to run away, figure out the killer, seeing if the dad will ultimately find out. I also like how there are many twists and surprises to this movie, especially when Suzie is in purgatory speaking to another victim of the same killer.  I did not enjoy the ending however, I expected there to be more. As the killer runs away from the police I expected him to be caught, but that wasn't the case. The killer is able to get away but as he is talking to a possible next victim he falls off a mountain and dies. The lovely bones had a surprising and unexpected ending but it wasn't interesting. The rest of the movie though is great as you see struggles of the dead watching their family alive and the struggles of the family alive wishing they could see their daughter alive again. The movie is a serial-killer mystery, a teenage melodrama, a domestic tragedy and a candy-hued ghost story.

Word Count: 399

Nature Portfolio

Nature Poem: The Autumn Smile

The eternal autumn smile

Old yet juvenile

Let us down, not even one year

As colors of the wind also appear

Hello orange, yellow, and red, 
goodbye green,
Bye-bye June, July, and August, 
Hello Halloween.

Adios shorts, sunglasses, and flip flops

Hello hoodies and sweats

Jumping into pools no more

Jumping into mom’s raked leaves, yes.

All the leaves are falling down,

Orange yellow red and brown

No spring nor summer beauty have such grace

As the earth does with an autumnal face

Lowered window blind overcomes the light

 As overcoming summer days is an autumn night

The renaissance quilt covers the land

The shadow of night advances as summer days are banned

The wind blows a gentle kiss

As the heart forms a great bliss

 The horizon is painted gold

 The wind does his work gentle, yet bold.

Looking out on to the river's reflection,
It is lovely out there, what a connection.
The trees blowing in the wind together,
A moment that lasts forever

Better than usual I felt

That night I got home

And with a tint of fall
and a pencil or two
I wrote this poem

Creation Story: Rainbows

There is always a rainbow to look forward to after a thunderstorm, something bright, mystical, and magical to experience after a dreadful storm.  To many children around the world before storms were scary, something to hide from, there wasn’t a rainbow to soothe them. Children would hide under tables, blankets, pillows clutching on to their dolls, bears, and stuffed animals. Parents weren’t able to calm the screams of their children. Storms would make their hearts beat ten times faster, the dogs bark ten times louder, and the parents had ten times less patience. There was one particular family, a very unique one, living in skittlesville, the Bows. The Bow family consisted of seven little girls. The seven sisters loved storms; they enjoyed playing in the rain. Not just one Bow or two, but all seven were always excited to play outside during a storm. They loved the breeze it produced, the puddles formed to splash in, and pretending to cry as the raindrops streamed down their cheeks. The Bow sisters were simply lively and energetic. Halloween was near, and they all wanted to dress up as their favorite princess. Mr. and Mrs. Bow bought that year, a Cinderella costume, a Belle costume, an Ariel one, as well as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, and Mulan costumes. The 31^st of October they all headed out the door, dressed up, grabbing their jack o lanterns baskets to collect candies. Door to door they ran repeating, “trick or treat “holding out their baskets accepting candies. All the children were as happy as the Bow sisters running from door to door as well. That is until they heard a loud booming sound, soon accompanied by a flash of light. All the children looked at each other in silence, and began to shriek and run behind their parents as they heard another boom. All the children threw their baskets of candies and begged to go home, as they knew a thunderstorm was on the way. Doors were quickly shut, blinds closed and the Bow sisters didn’t see what was wrong. They wondered why all the other children didn’t enjoy storms as much as they did. They pondered the idea of why someone would be afraid of just water. They invited the neighbors to come out and play but they all said no with fear. The Bow sisters decided to bring color and happiness into children’s’ eyes of the idea of storms. Bags and baskets full of candies were left thrown on the streets, and so the sisters decided to pass them out. They picked up as many as they could and began running through the village. All together they ran with smiles, leaving candies in the front steps of houses for children who left them on the street. Slowly children began creeping out of beds, closets, and blankets to see if the rumors were true. They gazed in awe from their windows as they saw the girls all in different colors running in the storm with a smile. The girls would jump and laugh as they ran down the streets. Children began joining them not needing to fear the storms any longer. They followed the girls until all the candies were passed out. Very few children had joined them but after every storm more and more gathered to play in the rain. Hoping to gather more children, the Bow sisters would run smiling after every storm around the town inviting children to come outside, that there was nothing to be afraid of. As they gained the confidence of many, the sisters were now referred to as rainbow. All dressed in different colors, like the day they began to run around in their princess costumes, they would run after every storm. “Here comes the rainbow,” people would say as the girls ran past their houses spreading happiness and color to storms. The Bow sisters continue their mission after every storm producing an arc of colors hoping to produce a smile on children’s’ face and losing the fear they had for what is a thunderstorm.

(Word count: 681)

Responses:

To Build a Fire Response:

To build a fire was a story of a constant dispute between knowledge and instinct. There are many examples of the overconfident man showing knowledge, lacking and over thinking his instincts. The dog however shows many examples of instincts that reflect knowledge. There is a difference between knowledge and instinct. Knowledge is what you learn over the years from yours or other people’s experiences. On the other hand, instincts come naturally. Instincts are actions that occur immediately. Instincts can be grown into, while knowledge has to be taught. One isn’t taught to move your hand away from the fire; it is an instinct to move it away once you feel it hot. In this story the man calculates how long it will take for his arrival with the boys. This is an example of knowledge, something he was taught to do; he is able to calculate the time it will take him. An instinct however was the feeling of panic. On page 628, the man can’t clutch hold of the birch bark in his pocket. He then begins to panic at the thought of his feet freezing. It was a normal instinct to panic of fear when things are going wrong. Since it was his immediate reaction and feeling, it was an instinct. The dog had instincts as well. The dog felt hungry, so he went to look for food. Although he might get lost, his instinct was to look for food, knowing it was necessity. What was interesting to me was that the man in this story had no name. I believe this was intentional of the author. I think that the author was referring to man, the human being in this story. In my opinion, it was implied that this man is man itself. Humans are overconfident in their abilities forgetting what you are naturally born with. Sometimes we are blinded by technology and other advances that we forget the basics of survival. He refers to the man as “folly of a man” meaning foolishness of man. I agree with this concept of man being foolish and blinded by luxuries, forgetting the necessities in life. We are dependent on technology in this century. To survive we don’t only need what we know, or what we have learned but also our natural feelings, our instincts.

(Word count: 386)

Response to The Tide Rises, The Tide falls:

The tide rises, the tide falls is about moving on. In this poem it begins by saying that it is darkening meaning that night is coming in, and a traveler goes to town. It continues by the waves erasing the footsteps of the traveler in the sand, and the tides continue to rise and fall. This poem describes how life keeps going no matter what. The tides didn’t stop rising and falling after the traveler. The traveler came back and the tides were the same, constantly rising and falling. When one dies, life keeps going. This poem relates to the ideas of the poem of Thanatopsis. They both describe how life moves on after death. They describe how no matter what, everything will always be the same. The tides made minor changes, for example, the erasing of the sand footprints, but they kept on rising and falling. Although there were many things going on at once, the tides continued to do what they do, at night, and at day. We should be like tides after footprints of our lives erase. After are loved ones are gone, we need to continue doing what we do. We need to live our lives happily, and normally. Life moves on, and the tides continue to rise and fall.

(Word count: 214)

Response to Grass:

In this poem the grass symbolizes time. It tells how time covers all and how the dead are forgotten over time. It mentions some wars that occurred in Austerlitz, Waterloo, Gettysburg, Ypres, and Verdun. Eventually the bodies, the people are forgotten about. This is shown in how the people ask the conductor where they are and what was there. As no one knows the grass is disguising history. Wars and the people that died in war are forgotten over time. The author emphasizes how the grass is saying to let it work, how it covers all. As they shovel and bury the dead, its job is to cover them all. As they ask what place is this and where are we now, it demonstrates the grass’ anger towards humans as they selfishly and foolishly forget of the great people who lie underneath. I believe this poem is criticizing those who forget of the past. In reality we can’t forget the past because it will repeat. If we are not aware of the result and causes of previous wars, they will continue to occur, and repeat. As we look at the grass we must remember who is underneath us and the struggles they went through to get there.

(Word count: 210)

Response to Thanatopsis:

Beginning with the title, “thanatos” is Greek for death, and “opsis” is greek for view. The title of the poem is translated into a view of death. Imagery of graves and tombs take place in this poem due to the fact that it is describing death. The earth is described with nature being a beautiful grave, always decorated for the dead. The author is saying this because once we die we become part of the Earth as we are buried underground. The flowers above us in nature decorate our graves. We shouldn’t fear death either. Everyone experiences it, rich and poor, no matter what everyone dies. We all join together in the end underground. One should accept death when it comes because it is a final resting place; it is like going into an endless dream. The author describes death as an “eternal resting place on a magnificent couch.” This doesn’t mean that once we die we are playing video games and watching TV on our couches. The couch is symbolizing our grave. It refers to where we go when we die; it isn’t a scary or awful place but a comforting and cozy place. It describes death as a pleasant nap instead of an eternal prison.

(Word count: 207)

Response to Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening:

Like many of Robert Frost’s poems he has both a literal and figurative meaning in this poem. Literally he begins by saying he is walking in the woods and in a house that doesn’t belong to him, while the owner is gone. Figuratively I believe he is saying that the woods belong to everyone because it is meant for enjoying and not owning. Then he explains how the horse is confused at how Frost can enjoy the simplicity of a frozen lake on a dark evening. I think by this he is expressing his feelings with symbols. I think the dark evening symbolizes depression while the horse’s thought are the emotions and unexplainable feelings of the relationship he shares with nature. The horse’s bell shaking symbolizes the conflicts Frost has. He only hears the wind, making him feel alone. At the end of this poem I he has realized that the woods are a beautiful place but also a depressing place. He ends the poem saying he has miles to go before he sleeps, meaning that he has a lot of living and much more to do before he dies. One needs to enjoy life to the fullest, and do the most one can before one dies.

(Word count: 207)

Weather Experience: A Shower of Happpiness

Turning was I

Eight years old

Birthday princess

With a tiara of plastic gold

Balloons everywhere

Cake and roses

Smiles on everyone

As we took pictures in different poses

Having a great time we were

Typical party in the park

Suddenly then came

A shadow of dark

Everything was ruined

As a shower fell down

Nothing cheered us up

Not even the clown

We began packing up

And I got hit in the back

To make matters worst

I turned around to realize it was Jack

“What was that for!?” I screamed

“Let’s have fun,” he said.

“It’s raining!” I argued

“Oh, c’mon, don’t let this get to your head”

Soaking wet we were

As water balloons we threw

Dancing in the rain

My disaster was now a dream come true

Soon I learned that rain showered happiness

This was the best birthday yet

Definitely a day

I will never forget

Most beautiful experience:

The dusty corner on that ear piercing, creaky wooden floor that would never let me get away with anything. No sneaky nights with this floor, something my parents appreciated. They were vertically lined up that all lead to the chipped off white door. Once turned, the lock on the door was almost as ear splitting loud as the creaky floors. My mom yelled for me, it was time to go, time to leave where I had spent my whole life, my home. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen was an empty house. What made it so special was the feeling it gave off, not the sight. It is not about the destination but rather the journey to get there. I headed out the door to go to our new house as the UPS truck was going to follow us. Before I closed the door, of course there was the loud creak of my step. I looked at what was our living room, and my life flashed before my eyes. Next to the heater there used to be a couch, the one I would plop down on every afternoon and complain about my homework while doing it. Over to the right there was a glimpse of the kitchen where my mom spent most of her time. That empty kitchen used to be our family time, banging of pots by my little cousin, my mom cooking while watching her soap operas, and my dad waiting at the table for dinner as excited as a five year old on Christmas. Down the hallway was my room, first door on the left. That door was slammed shut so loud when I was mad, that room was filled of pillow fights, sleepless nights, diary entries, and simply happiness. Walking down further was my parents’ room. A door permanently colored on, the scribbles never washed away. That door was opened as I searched for security from monsters under my bed when I was younger. From the kitchen to the living room was a long hallway, especially on my 6^th birthday. The cake never made it from the kitchen to the living room, as my sister slipped and my puppy was enjoying the cake on the floor now instead of us. Three honks interrupted my flashbacks, it was time to go. I looked at the empty house one last time. A home I would never forget, I spent both joyous and devastating times there. I closed the door, and ran to the car waiting for me. “What took you so long,” my mom asked. “Oh, nothing, I was just making sure I didn't forget anything.” I smiled looking at her positive that from that house, I would never forget anything. Looking forward to a fresh start I gladly said, “Let’s go.”

(Word count: 466)

Response to 3 essays:

I especially enjoyed the poem by Robert Frost. He wonders how people can just hear and not care about the noise that trees make. Trees make noise by wind blowing through it, but people don’t notice it. He believes that the trees desire is to leave, their noise are their pleas for help. Trees have their roots, however, and are unable to fulfill their desire to leave, while their branches are trying to reach out somewhere. Trees constantly are conversating but it’s just meaningless noise to people who hear it. I think this is really interesting because it makes me realize the things we take for granted. It related to American Forests, because it talks about the burning of forests. These two essays have a relationship. Robert Frost speaks of how trees aren't listened to and asking for help and American Forests explain how trees are taken down carelessly by humans, not listening to the trees. In American Forests, the writer feels that trees are taken down by white men just for their benefit. This again relates to Robert Frost’s ideas of selfishness as people don’t care nor listen. Both these essays lead to the ideas of Thoreau in his essay Walking. In this essay Thoreau explains his ideas of people not being able to enjoy nature because of others carelessness. You can’t enjoy what others are ruining, and restricting. The land is for all; nature shouldn't have restrictions, and shouldn't be getting cut down. As Frost and American Forests explain our carelessness leading us to destroy our lands will soon be a picture that Thoreau fears of us not being to enjoy land, because there won’t be any left.

(Word count: 280)