King Still King?

Ahhh... Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most important people in the history of America, for his issues with equal rights, integration, and freedom. Of course, we all know that he dealt mostly with the freedom rights of African-Americans, but many people do not know he also fought for other minorities and religious groups that were not treated fairly.

King Still King?

Uh-huh.
Yeah.
Definitely.

Just think- if MLK was born exactly one year later, the world might be an entirely different place right now. One year younger means one more year until college, which means he may have chosen a different path, like science or medicine instead of politics and civil rights. Which means--

Possibly no integration.

Think about it.

Interesting Fact- Martin Luther King Jr. led a march in 1966 in Marquette Park, which is literally a block away from my house.

Comments on the First Week or Readings

Children of the Sea- This one is probably my favorite so far. I liked how it was an epistolary,  a story composed of letters. Since they didn't know they were writing to each other, each passage was almost like a journal entry. The story displays the struggles back in Haiti and on the boat.

We are Ugly, but We are Here- the story of the murdered Queen Anacaona and the generations after. The murders, rapes, and imprisonments are heartbreaking. The story of Jean Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier was sad because it shows how desperate children and families were.

Young, Gifted, and Black- I have many similarities with Hansberry as told in the story. I like riding the train, I live on the south side of Chicago, and also that I have a big age difference between my oldest sister and I.

I Hear America Singing- This story shows how many different people and various different job areas can get through tough times by singing wherever they are. I liked the line, "Each singing what belongs to him or her and to no one else..."

This Sacred Soil- Written by Chief Seattle, "This Sacred Soil" mostly dwells on the idea of the Indian's gods and the "white man's" God, saying that "Your God loves your people and hates mine." and "Our God, the Great Spirit, seems to have forsaken us. Your God makes your people strong every day." and "The white man's God cannot love our people or He would protect them."

So, in conclusion, I liked the first week's passages for the most part. I hope this week's will be better.

Music Review

I have to say, it was REALLY hard to think of a song that I liked, and when I did, I always thought of another one that was better.

Simple Solution- Pick an Artist.

One of my favorite bands (well, person) is Bonobo. I say person because there is only one person, a British DJ by the name of Simon Green, but his stage name is Bonobo.

Bonobo's music is mostly instumental. Except a few songs on one of his albums. I first learned about him through a soundtrack on a snowboarding video game on Gamecube.

His first album, Animal Magic, was released in 2000...



... and the best songs would have to be "Shadowtricks", "Sleepy Seven", and "Terrapin".

His second album, Dial "M" for Monkey...

...would definitely be my favorite. Best songs from the album--- "Flutter", "Pick Up", and "Something for Windy".

Not too much of a fan of the third album, Days to Come...

 

...because of the frequent songs with singing, but nonetheless, I like "Nightlite", "Transmission 94", and "On Your Marks".

So yeah, I guess that's...

What? He has another album?

Yup, recently found out that Black Sands



was released in March 2010. I haven't had a chance to listen to any of the songs yet, but I definitely will soon.

Ok, that's it. I HIGHLY recommend at least trying to listen to his music, but if you don't, or if you don't like it, I don't care.

Really.

Nick and Jay (and Daisy)

Tsk, tsk, tsk, a love triangle... (kinda)
  
I must say, I was REALLY surprised in chapter 4 when I read that Daisy and Gatsby were lovers a while back. I would have never expected it, but hey, that's the magic of reading, right?

Right?

Jay is CLEARLY very nervous of whether Nick agrees to invite Daisy over to Gatsby's mansion, so he does all these things for Nick, such as take him to Coney Island, and for a swim in his pool, and even hiring someone to cut Nick's grass for him. I feel that Jay is kind of using Nick as a calming effect... or whatever. I don't really know how to explain it, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that Jay often feels better if anything he does, concerning Daisy, is okay-ed or approved by Nick.

Having read chapter 4, I knew that Jay had some feelings for her, but now, it's like he's CRAZY for her, like he malfunctions and the sound of her name. Jeez!

Winter Poem!!

Ugh, winter, the worst season

The one that does not approve of my pleasin'

Yeah, snow days are great

But they give me my fate

I know this might sound crazy

But I hate being lazy

People spend all day inside

Under blankets they hide

Or people spend all day outside throwing snow

Or do nothing with nowhere to go

I'd rather spend the day doing homework

On my face- a smirk

Knowing that my work will be done by the time due

And watch everyone else rushing to finish it through

Winter, oh winter

Why must you be here now?

That's it for this week's blog

I close this poem with a frown.

(BY the way, this poem is not about me.)

Modern Slavery

Do I believe there are modern slaves?

Sadly, but yes.

There are many children being forced against their will by being out at work in factories and fields. But because of some of their jobs, such as seamstresses and sewing, we would not have a lot of things, especially clothes. Made in Taiwan, made in China, made in Japan; it seems like that's all you see. Occasionally you'll find, "Made in the USA", which are three words that seem to make some people happy.

Sometimes I feel like that I'm indirectly supporting it when I buy things that say "Made in" a country famous for child labor. But when buying these things, does it make you a bad person?

You decide.

A child laborer in 1910, New Jersey

I Am A Plow. Yeah.

I Am a Plow.

It is sowing season
So must prepare to do my duty
I sharpen my blades when no one is looking
And go on a few practice runs in the night
So I can perforn perfectly when I am used
The time is now
The day is here
I finally get to do my job
After so long a time of drought
The farmers and horses pull me
And I pull new, fresh soil to the surface
And I am followed by children who plant seed behind me
Followed my more children who
Cover up the immature seeds
That I helped plant
I am used for hours at a time
Never getting a break
Until the night falls
When the people put me in my place in a dark, cold shed
Then I continue to sharpen my blades
Until the next sowing season...