Last Day!

This has been a very fun summer being in the Summer Scholars program. It was challenging, and also different. I had no idea that we would be constrained in our dorms but we still had fun. Classes were definitely different than my high school class because of the strict curriculum's. For one, my parents were not there to keep me on track. They weren't there to tell me what to do and what not to do. This little experience has matured me mentally and physically. It gave me the mentality to strive to do my best and make my parents proud. It was hard at times but it will only better me to become a successful young man that I will be in the fall. I am fortunate to be in this program and have Professor Wesley as my teacher because she forces us to work to our full capability. Some-days I feel like giving us but I know her challenges are for the better. At first I wanted to hurry home, but now that it's to the end, I'm not ready to leave. I miss my mother fortunately, and I am really ready to see her and my family.

    

Arguable Claims

In my essay I will be arguing about racism in America and how it effects the people. The Zimmerman case is a great topic to discuss about because of it's importance. Not only the Zimmerman case, but also many other cases. For instance, the Michael Vick case and many more other cases that dealt with racism. Issues of evaluation will be my arguable claim because some people may say the outcome was right. Others, may say it was wrong. I think it is wrong so I'll be on that side of the fence. Not because I'm black, but simply because I think Zimmerman should not have justice if Michael Vick was put in prison because of dogs. Do I think Zimmerman should be locked up just because of the Michael Vick case? No, not only that, but Zimmerman should be arrested because everyone should be treated equally no matter what the color of their skin is. I don't have any personal experience so I'll just elaborate on what the media has been exclaiming. I will persuade the readers to jump to my side of my fence, emotionally. I believe Zimmerman will be locked up eventually or something extremely bad is going to happen to him.

 

Argumentive Essay

Racism played a key role in Sula. Whites were superior to the blacks in the Bottom. It was a challenge to be employed as a African-American. Therefore, many blacks were unemployed because of the whites. I think I will enjoy writing about this topic because there is so much to elaborate on. There is a lot of background to this topic and how it all happened. Racism causes people to do negative things because white people build up so much hate in blacks. Blacks react, and release their anger on each other. Not all whites are racist, but in most cases they are. Where I'm from, racism isn't that much of a deal. Whites get along just fine with blacks. Well, at school for the most part. I'm sure it's not the same at home but they still respect the blacks. Maybe some whites think it still should be segregated, and others do not. That's an argument that will go for days. Even though it's illegal to segregate, I know there are still whites out there who wishes it still was segregation. Not only are whites racist to blacks, blacks are racist to whites as well.

Today's Generations

Many kids today are not getting their physical activity because of social networks. The video told us how some kids choose to stay in the house rather than participating in other activities. I can not relate because when I was younger, I always stayed outside. I had a game system, but I rarely played it because I loved to experience the outside. Also, the video enlightened us on how children reenacted what they saw on video games. For instance, kids playing violent video games tend to use violent actions on others. Violent games is one reason many young people use violence on one another. I believe it depend on the mindset on the child. In today's reading, the author lectured on ow many people use the web more than books. The author chose to put their exert on the web due to that reason. I can relate because I do the exact same. I would much rather use the internet to research things. I know I should read books more, rather than relying on the internet to gain knowledge.

   

1965 The End

I do not like the way the story ended at all. I really wish Sula did not die in the chapter before. I wanted her to continue her killing spree in order to keep the story interested. Being that Sula died, I was hoping Shadrack would of taken over Sula's mission. I was disappointed because the ending was boring. The only interesting event was Nel crying over Sula. Nel came to realization that she wasn't as good as she thought she was. Eva opened her eyes into a perspective that she was not a good girl. In fact, she was as evil as Sula. They were partners in crime with all the things that happened. Nel thinks it was all her fault that Chicken Little died. She was fascinated about the death. I didn't realize she was just like Sula until Eva pointed it out. Still, the ending did not value up to my expectations. I wanted a juicy ending that led to deaths and betrayal. I wanted Shadrack and Nel to do some evil, wicked activities. When they walked upon each other, I thought something interesting was going to happen. Unfortunately, Nel only cried over the deceased Sula. At of all people, I really thought Eva was going to die, being that she was so old with one leg.

1941 Choas

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1941 Popplet

1941 Turn around

I read 1941 last night, thinking we were going to have a quiz on it today. I was up all night trying to consume every detail in the chapter. At least I was prepared to take the quiz, just in case. I'm glad I did read because I don't have to try to cram everything in, in one night. I wasn't surprised that Sula's death brightened the bottom. Being that she was dead, people could live their lives accordingly. People changed their lives, knowing that Sula wasn't around to construct things. People lives were better, living conditions were better, and blacks had greater opportunities to be employed. I can agree with the people of the Bottom from calling Sula a witch. She fits the characteristics perfectly. Her sneaky, evil, and cold-hearten actions fits an witch metaphorically. I was really surprised of Shadrack's emotions. He was sad that his partner in crime, Sula, wasn't there because of her death. He finally gained some of his senses, like knowing he was lonely. It was sad that the people who followed him to the tunnel died, especially the Dewey's. Shadrack just watched, significant to when Sula watched her mother die, not trying to help. The Popplet and Animoto websites are cool to use. It's different and it's actually fun to use. I've never used them before so it was interesting to use. 

 

1940 Death Bed

ON NO! Sula has killed herself because she overdosed on her medicine. I was very surprised because the main character died. I wonder what the next chapters are going to be about. I know it's going to be spicy because I feel as if Nel is going to do something terrible. Hopefully she'll get back at Jude because of his decisions. Either way, I think karma is going to play on Jude. Ajax as well because of the way he eliminated Sula. Maybe Sula will haunt him as a ghost. There are so many thoughts as to what is going to happen next. When Sula died, it was very shocking because it seemed so early. I thought maybe Jude, or Ajax would die before Sula. I say that because of the way Sula felt for them. Maybe she would of killed Jude just because he slept with her and he was married to her best friend. I just knew she was going to kill Ajax instantly. I would of never thought if anyone getting away from Sula. I became suspicious when Sula says, "...Wait'll I tell Nel." I say that because how could she have said that if she was already dead. Another reason is that maybe she was saying, she was going to see Nel in after-life and discuss her experience with her death.

Sula and Nel

1939 Relationships

Sula has became a walking devil. She is so evil that Mr. Finely sees her, chokes on the chicken bone, and dies. The whole community accuses her of killing him, but actually she played no parts in it. I found it weird that Shadrack tip his "imaginary" hat towards Sula, being that he doesn't wear hats. I really want to find out what Sula and Shadrack has going on with one another. The people in the bottom accuses Sula to doing many things. For example, she is accused of pushing Teapot off the steps, by his mother, Betty. Betty wants to take the case to court because of the incident. I believe Sula did it because she is just that devilish. Sula also has a bad name for herself from sleeping with the white men. Their wives pay more attention to Sula so that she wouldn't get her hands on them. Sula met her match when she came around Ajax. I'm glad Ajax did that to her because it was well deserved. She deserved to be treated as a hoe because of all the things she did to the other women. 

HIDE YOUR HUSBANDS

1937 Betrayal

Sula is very low for what she had done. Having sex with your best friends husband is very disrespectful. Everyone is class thinks Sula is evil and no one likes her. I wouldn't know what to do if I saw my significant other with my best friend having sex. Some said they would kill their significant other and the best friend. That wouldn't solve anything, but it would lead you to jail. I think everyone would just black out, and react as soon as they see it. The class was upset with Nel as well. They said she should of reacted another way that she did. Instead of just standing there, she should of jumped on Nel, and many other violent things. It's easy to say, but I think neither of us would know what to do if we were in Nel's shoes. It was entertaining when Cam expressed her feelings about men, and how they only think with their penis. That's not always the case because some girls want it just as much as men do. I understood where she was coming from, and how she felt because some men do think that way.

1927 Marraige

I am confident that I did well on my quiz today. Study groups actually helps with my grades. Racism was a theme in 1927 because, only white men had the high paying jobs, and it was difficult for blacks to get a job. Friendship was also a theme. Sula and Nel were separating after they graduated. Sula was attending college and Nel was getting married. I can relate with the separation due to going off to college. Some friends I had in high school are slowly fading because we are not together anymore. As a class we agreed that Nel was submissive because she gave in to Jude. Jude wanted to feel like a man, so he decided to propose to Nel. Nel gave in, and they married each other. Helene was very excited that Nel was getting married, and became very exhausted due to planning the wedding. Helene was very pleased that Sula and Nel were separating. She did not like their relationship as friends; however, she had to accept it. I have a couple of friends that my mother doesn't feel me comfortable around with, so I respect her opinion.

1923 Choas

I FINALLY PASSED A QUIZ!! I am super excited because I was nervous about taking the quiz. It was beneficial for me to read as a group because we discussed every detail in the book. I will continue to do so because I feel more confident about myself. Today's class discussion was about Sula and her evil ways. Many people said they wouldn't have Sula as a friend because she is evil. Personally, I wouldn't either because she is cold hearten. I couldn't be friends with someone who doesn't care for someone who dies. Especially at a young age, Sula had a heart of a serial killer. Seeing your mother die, and not doing anything thing about is above all evil. I, or either of my friends could just witness our mother dying in pain. I think Sula's birthmark symbolizes her becoming into a more evil person. First, it was Little Chicken, and now her mother. I believe she'll do something even more devastating than that. Even though watching your mother die is gruesome, I believe Sula will cause even greater problems.

1922 Death

I am really in disappointed in my quiz results because I actually did read the book. I even wrote notes on the book but that still did not help. It's like look right past the little ideas in that book. Unfortunately, the things I paid a little attention to were on the quiz. I thought it was very said that Sula threw Little Chicken in the water and did not help him get out. The class agreed because and said she act as if it wasn't a big concern. We talked about the old and young men who were sitting outside of the parlor, catching attention to everything that passed by. They were perverts because they made gestures when women passed by. It did not matter what age they were. I thought Sula was very brave to pull out the knife on the boys. Bri said she was brave and crazy because she had cut her own self to scare the boys away. I agree because for one, she was brave enough to walk in their direction on the way home. Another reason is because she put her own body in harm to protect herself.

1921 Legs

I actually read 1921 but I did not pass the quiz, once again. Maybe I should read with a group of people or read earlier than I do. Maybe I should highlight important topics in the book that I think we be on the test. I know I can do better than what I am doing. Adjusting to college life is a little challenging but it's never an excuse. It's like I know the information but when it comes down to actually putting it on paper, I lose my train of thought and it results as a failing grade. Sula is actually a interesting book but I get side tracked on things such as hanging with friends, playing basketball, and every other thing not concerning my studies. Now that I have already failed two quizzes, I came to realization that Professor Wesley is willing to give us an pop quiz at any moment. The questions are so simple but somehow it all floats away when it's time to write it down. I'll try my hardest to not fail another one because I know my grade has a bad reflection on me and that's not a good look.  

1920 Prostitution

In 1920 we found out that Nel's grandmother, Rochelle, was a prostitute and we had a huge debate on the topic in class. The whole class agreed that we wouldn't want our child to look up to someone of an bad influence. I wouldn't want that to happen because i wouldn't want my child following in the footsteps of someone who doesn't have anything going on with their life. We argued that we would keep our child away from that family member to limit the chances of them becoming their way. In some cases that is wrong but we should still teach our child not to follow that family member footsteps. Another discussion was if we would tell our parents if we were ready for sex. Personally, I've never told my parents but they already know and tell me to always protect myself. Other students said they did tell their parents when they were ready. I wouldn't know what to tell my child if i were a parent. Maybe I would say no because they are too young, but when I was their age I participated in sexual intercourse. I didn't do too well on the quiz because I didn't actually get deep into the book. Instead, I just read to say that I did finish and it showed on my results.

1919 Shell Shock

We discussed in class today on Shadrack and his mental illness. The class thought he was foolish because he thought his hands were growing I actually thought they were until I kept reading through. the class discussion was basically on his hands because we didn't know rather or not he had any. Professor Wesley and her wicked ways of getting into our heads led us to think that Shadrack did not have any. Trey, Rissel, Justin, and I were in groups and we debated on if he did or not. We all agreed that Shadrack did have hands, in exception of Trey, because we used context clues. Even Trey tried to demonstrate to the class that Shadrack did not have any hands by trying to pick up a pencil with his elbows. We actually went back in the book and debated with Professor Wesley that he did have hands. We asked how was he able to pick up his sheets without hands and even the spoon. It was funny that Shadrack started going around the town telling people that it was the day to kill themselves which was called "National Suicide Day."