Reflective Final

1. Explain one or two ways my writing has improved (or not). Include a few examples from my posts over time, with analysis and links to the original posts, to illustrate how the improvement(s) happened.
2. Choose one post. (My favorite? My least favorite? The one that surprises me the most when I reread it?) Analyze it in detail. Explain the "behind-the-scenes" of how it was written, what it truly means, where its inspiration came from, etc.
3. Where do I get my ideas for blog post topics? What inspires me to write?

Over this year I can’t say the techniques and methods of writing did not improve over the years. For I found that my writing over the year focus’s more to facts, quotes, and non fictional or more like supported ideas. I’m not complaining this type of writing, for it is the type that most colleges love to see in students. However I feel like all these methods over time have taken out my creativity as I like to call it. For my writing can now be recognized whenever as before it was an on going mystery where my limit to writing styles was endless.

For I find where I right opinionated instead of supportive or agreeing completely dominant over the others. For my point is more interrogated, and I feel myself through out every word. Here is an example of this:

“The main point of my post here is a response/argument against Stan's Re:Facebook Post about how Facebook can (sometimes) be truly addicting. My response post here is to rebuttal against Stan's thoughts and ideas towards what the power and effect of the social network facebook has towards people in general, and people of ASTI.

I will admit, in the begging of the year facebook had been a certain type of study hall for me and several students that formed some homework/study group. Towards the end of the first semester (and mostly now). This is mostly due to the point of were facebook has become more interesting. I tend to have more friends who would go on now, so it wouldn't be an-hour-a-day thing, it would result to being and over 3 hour a day process, where no homework is down. I agree one hundred percent with Mr. Sutherland's idea/theory, where the amount of homework we achieve wouldn't be so high in hours, if we were to do homework if a certain amount of hours straight with no breaks (especially facebook).”

http://sha2owzblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/facebook-harmful-or-not.html

In this argument I found my self arguing through out the whole post, for I had felt every single word of it and I was determined to express every point in my mind regarding the topic. The aggression in this post represented what I wanted to point across in this post. For when I right without concern of it being a fact or proven correct, I find myself in the argument not just me supporting. Although I seem to represent quite much in arguments or when it comes to getting defensive against a topic, when I’m writing about my life or experiences I find my self gettin creative with ideas and I begin reliving these moments, so as I’m writing I remember it part for part.

Example of this improved writing:

http://sha2owzblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/free-post-my-spiritual-awakening-part-1.html



Another that I have also no clue is about, although it relates in a post once due a while back... Here it is: http://sha2owzblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/development-or.html

“I come from an universe unique and never there to be seen. Best part about that is it shows the Earths true colors are among with my favorite colors. They say most of the Earth is made out of water, and I say the way I drink it's water it might as well be made out of me. My hair consists with a trendiness amount of deep color. However, that not being the color of blue,night, and green like the Earth's center and even the mighty “Crust”! The dreams that come out from beneath me seem to conquer most lies when perhaps bluffing. Traveling has always been my theme; however, it never seemed like traveling suit out to be my most major or popular thing. The extra particular material of my body is not a relative term. It's not even a proper adjective. Perhaps it is just the material accumulated in my body from consuming those extra calories. I don't own my own car or maybe you can say I already may have, but not that soon? Although, I somehow have this car I am still not in the age of properly driving this “jeep”. Perhaps up in maybe 2 more years I'll most likely be past my permit and holding onto my drivers license. It may seem to look like I love to wear all these colorful colors, although I am highly seen with blue jeans and black sweaters. Can you guess who am I?”

My peer Review Comments

Here are the comments I left for my tablemates' rough drafts...

For Eric:

Yeah I Agree with Victor about the adding more quotes, not just to complete the word length, but also to support your summarized views. You can also sort out your post a little better, although it's not one whole chunk of words.. it gives off that appearance. And it wouldn't hurt to support your opinions with quotes from the book.

For Justice:

It looks like you got the draft organization parts under control and all. You don't seem to meet the expectation of word length, although this draft does look quite complete and well thought out to me. Your quotes are valid and supported, just be sure to cite your sources; other than that great work.

For Bassam:

I think you need to add more questions to expand not only upon the word length, but also upon the understanding of the book. I can't say i don't agree with whom ever it may be, but you don't even have a well putout introduction atleast include TAGS. It wouldn't hurt to elaborate and explain things either.

BOOK REVIEW: Rough Draft

1. Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

2. What was the author's purpose(s) in writing this book, and how can you tell? How well was this purpose achieved?

3. How would you describe the author's style of writing? What's your opinion of the style?

• You must include a passage or two from the text if you choose this question.

“Neal Shusterman’s novel “Unwind” explores the aftermath of just such a division. In an undated future, far enough away for iPods to be sold at antique stores, the Heartland War has devastated the United States. To negotiate a peace between the Life Army and the Choice Brigade, the federal government has outlawed abortion but instituted the practice of “unwinding,” or retroactive pregnancy termination. Before the age of 18, any teenager, at the discretion of a parent or guardian, can be killed and disassembled, with his or her organs going to the sick and injured.”

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

"...One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have-people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light."

This quote is also a reason to why Neal Shusterman writes the novel Unwind. In opinion, Neal's relationship with this quote seems to reflect more on Neal's understanding and view upon what is known as the present is a shadow/light covered moment.

Also another reason why Neal wrote this novel is in his brief and quick interview about the book. This interview can be located in the first link below.

Sources:

http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/19564.Neal_Shusterman

Basic Book Review

1. Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

2. What was the author's purpose(s) in writing this book, and how can you tell? How well was this purpose achieved?

“Neal Shusterman’s novel “Unwind” explores the aftermath of just such a division. In an undated future, far enough away for iPods to be sold at antique stores, the Heartland War has devastated the United States. To negotiate a peace between the Life Army and the Choice Brigade, the federal government has outlawed abortion but instituted the practice of “unwinding,” or retroactive pregnancy termination. Before the age of 18, any teenager, at the discretion of a parent or guardian, can be killed and disassembled, with his or her organs going to the sick and injured.”

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

"...One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have-people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light."

This quote is also a reason to why Neal Shusterman writes the novel Unwind. In opinion, Neal's relationship with this quote seems to reflect more on Neal's understanding and view upon what is known as the present is a shadow/light covered moment.

Also another reason why Neal wrote this novel is in his brief and quick interview about the book. This interview can be located in the first link below.

Sources:

http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/19564.Neal_Shusterman

Vignette Project Review

Strolling threw these wonderful Vignettes one that really stood out to me was a Vignette that Fermin Carrera had done, the Vignette that I choose out of the other was Fermin's post about the subject of Gangs, thier colors, actions upon others, and classification between each other, this Vignette is "Pandillas en East Oakland."

East Oakland is where I stay. Home to three Latino gangs, Border Brothers (BBs), Nortenos (chaps, Nortes, X4) and Surenos (X3). Yea I Know about this. I’ve been around Nortes and Border Brothers before, but I’m not gang affiliated. Yea I know the gangs signs, but won’t throw em up where I stay at. I might get shot and killed.

In this first CD that Fermin accomplishes, I figured that the symbol in his Vignette is Gangs and how they classify them selves to differ than the other gangs which are Border Brothers (BBs), Nortenos (chaps, Nortes, X4) and Surenos (X3). The following inflected symbol in this Vignette does not connect to anything in the other Vignettes. So I figured this wasn't a symbol for the following vingettes, however I figured that this symbol may only reflect to this Vignette in particular.

Reading more deply and clearly into Fermins Vignette, I Found that thier is indeed a connecting symbol that applys to all of Fermins Following Vignettes, and no these vingetes aren't Guns, or Gangs, it's not even about sketching or even ovens and bass. The following Vignettes are examples or more like clues of the Vignette symbol.

Gunshots at night or even in the plain day. Yes this Is tough living in a city where all this shit happens. Drive bys near my house and all I can say is “DAMN”. Gangs shoot and kill to prove a point. That point is states to not mess with them. This ain't a surprise for me, This is just East Oakland, and I got to deal with it.

When it comes to playing bass, my godfather is a beast. I’ve seen him play before and sometimes, I don’t even know what notes he’s playing because he’s just so fast. But soon, I’ll be just like him, I’ll be the toddler running, skipping, and jumping everywhere.

Animation is my thing. I hope to major in it. I know that I can because I just love to draw. My inspiration was Dragon Ball z, my all time favorite cartoons. Considered to be epic animation. Drawing is my favorite thing to do and someday, I’ll be famous for my work.

His Symbol is staying alive and surviving. However, in other words, his symbol is learning and benefitting from others, so he can build on and become even better. I believe Fermin has strong potential and will become famous for what ever it is he decides to do. Whether thats animation, bass, or even some type of force against gangs and teaching youth that a neighborhood of gangs shouldn't motivate a person to join one, it should teach them that they must become stronger and learn from others mistakes.

Gender differences?

Sally's father isn't just a sexist, strict, and unequal character in the book "The House on Mango Street", however, he's more of a symbol Cineros uses to show the non equivalence between what we know as differences between boys and girls within the novel. Instead, she uses Sally's father as a pro-figure of what she believes should be in her own expectations.

Table of Contents

November................................................................................................................................... 1

Unforgivable.............................................................................................................................. 2

The Room with the Puppets and Dolls.................................................................................. 3

Life within Regrets................................................................................................................... 4

Low Profile................................................................................................................................ 5

November

It's that time of the month where your average serial killer comes out to play. Knifes, guns, or even with unknown killing techniques, your killer walks and watches his pray. November.. November what a slaughter day. We close our banks, and few even close their schools, all for a man who slaughtered day and night claiming what isn't rightfully his. And we cheer him on, living out his legacy for he was a murderer on the month of November. We say live on Columbus, however some say.

November holds the two of the only four seasons. November holds the peaceful and dreadful days in every available month. November brings the blast,then the leaves are whirling fast.

Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons, between spring and autumn. At the summer solstice, the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day-length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice. The date of the beginning of summer varies according to climate, culture, and tradition, but when it is summer in the southern hemisphere it is winter in the northern hemisphere, and vice versa. In areas of the tropics and subtropics, the wet season occurs during the summer. Tropical cyclones develop and roam the tropical and subtropical oceans during the summer. In the interior of continents,thunderstorms can produce hail during the afternoon and evening. Schools and universities typically have a summer break to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days.

Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climates, between autumn and spring. At the winter solstice, the days are shortest and the nights are longest, with days lengthening as the season progresses after the solstice.

"How silently they tumble down

And come to rest upon the ground

To lay a carpet, rich and rare,

Beneath the trees without a care,

Content to sleep, their work well done,

Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly

Until they nearly reach the sky.

Twisting, turning through the air

Till all the trees stand stark and bare.

Exhausted, drop to earth below

To wait, like children, for the snow."

- Elsie N. Brady, Leaves

Low Profile

Don't look up, don't even look around. Keep your eyes down and on the ground. Your almost there, don't give up now. You turn around, your identity is for sure found.

"An identity isn't a dam thing at all, if your just a tool awaiting the government." That's what she would say whenever we were alone.

You see, growing up in the projects has never been quite easy. My mother was never home, she had been hardest worker I knew growing up. She worked 3 jobs, and double shifts included in all. Days when my sister had to stay late after school due to her.

Unforgivable

I plead and plead for forgiveness and understanding, but she just simply nods with an it's o.k. Deep down inside it burns knowing the responds are lies, that every word is followed with hidden hate and unforgivable feelings. Deep down inside an unknown emotion seems to be eating me up. Regret, fear, sorrow, and the need of apologies doesn't seem to be the conflict. Although the only solution to this feeling of right and wrong doing seems to be forgiveness which in this case is inaccessible.

The Room with the Puppets and Dolls

Entering the front door, I notice the darkness and cold surroundings of what was once considered my grandmothers “fun house.” Momma always told me stories of how her mother had continuously tried and tried to encourage her to adapt to what I called “the mysteries and wonders” of the fun house. Momma always gave me the same answer once I asked what her reply to her mother was. My moms fear of her mothers hobby maker was far greater than real; I would ask her what frightens her so much about what she describes a room full of plain old dolls.

Regardless of what she told me about the place, she would send me in there anyways. Whenever it came to the point of were the place needed a dusting, I would have to go and face it. The first day I was told to take care of what is suppose to be her dirty work, I encountered the mystic fun house for my self. I walk threw the front door but nothing is in site. Afraid to close the door, I do it anyways for the feeling of Adrenalin rushing threw my veins. As soon as I close the door a single light bulb flickers back on and forth until a final flicker occurs and lets out an intensive but very weak light. All across the room dolls with fancy old dresses lay sitting down with eyes wide open. First thing I noticed was how they were all aliened to face the door, making it seem like the dolls were all face to look at the unexpected someone. Behind the shelves of the spooky dolls hung even creepier ones with ropes around their necks. What made the situation even more intense was the stuffed dolls that had their eyes and mouths sowed looked different then every other doll, indicating in my opinion tortured puppets and voodoo dolls.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter

The Symbolic Significance of "Names"

The symbolic significance of names in the book "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros has a very strong and powerful meaning that in most cases isn't noticed by the reader. Compared to the most popular and noticed symbols Sandra has written, the symbolic of names is much more meaningful in my opinion. In the book, the narrator Esperanza. expresses how her name had such a significance and how it resembled a wild, free and loose horse girl. However, just like her grandmother had been spirit broken and forced into marriage looking through a window all her life Esperanza had felt like her name shifted a negative meaning rather than show its true colors.
In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing." ( My Name" pg.10)
This is the solid proof of how much Esperanza down shifts her name. Comparing her name to Spanish negative meanings and relation terms. She even describes her name as a song sobbing song that her father plays on the radio, giving it a despicable taste. Not signifying what her name truly means it and not describing it as it should be; Sandra takes the significance and symbolism from Esperanza's name, removing any attention from the readers.

Comparing Sandra's express of the symbolism of Clouds/sky, Rats, Bicycles, The color blue, The colors red/pink, Trees, Falling, and many others to the symbolism of Names. I noticed how every symbolism (especially windows and feet) is expressed and spread in noticeably spots throughout the whole book.It was my great-grandmother's name and now it is mine. She was a horse woman too, born like me in the Chinese year of the horse which is suppose to be bad luck if you're born female...... My great-grandmother. I would've like to have known her, a wild of horse of a woman, so wild she wouldn't marry. Until my great-grandfather threw a sack over her head and carried her off..... And the story goes she never forgave him. She looked out the window her whole life, the way so many women sit their sadness on a window. ( "My Name" pg.10-11)
Here is even a different meaning of what names means in terms of book significance. However, in this case the name is the first given its more about the last name which in many cases relates to identification.

And he was just someone she danced with. Somebody she met that night. That's right......That's the story. That's what she said again and again. Once to the hospital people and twice to the police. No address. No name. Nothing in his pockets. Ain't it a shame. ( "Geraldo No Last Name" pg.65)

wergfyujyjjgffffffffff

Low Profile

Don't look up, don't even look around. Keep your eyes down and on the ground. Your almost there, don't give up now. You turn around, your identity is forsure found.

"An idenity isn't a dam thing at all, if your just a tool awaiting the government." That's what she would say.

The Color Purple Final Essay

The Color Purple, written by Alice Walker was one of her third novels, published in 1982. The Color Purple is about the story and the experience of religious faith and sexual discrimination towards two African American sisters that are having to face throughout youth and premature adult hood. Celie, the protagonist and narrator of The Color Purple, is a poor, uneducated, fourteen-year-old black girl living in rural Georgia. Celie starts writing letters to God because her father, Alphonso, beats and rapes her. Although the both of these sisters witness these life changing moments, only one of the sisters truly lives through it, while the other experiences it through her sister and her stories.

In their experiences of religious spirituality, sexual discrimination, and gender inequality Celie and Nettie share a connection of differences and similarities. Nettie is more privileged, educated, and luckily escapes the worst of the abuse and awakening which Celie faces.

The Color Purple, Alice Walker's third novel, was published in 1982. The novel brought fame and financial success to its author. It also won her considerable praise and much criticism for its controversial themes. Many reviewers were disturbed by her portrayal of black males, which they found unduly negative.

When it comes done to the connections and differences of the two sisters from the book “The Color Purple”, Celie being the older, "experienced” sister, and Nettie who supposedly is the brains and confident one is one of the most touchiest and dramatical books ever to be written. They have many themes that connect and separate the sisters, however what mostly stands out is the relationship these sisters have with the all mighty “God” they seem to speak of.

But deep in my heart I care about God. What he going to think. And come to find out, he don't think. Just sit there, glorying in being deef.” (pg. 194)

Celie's belief and regards toward god is only as a protector and sign of hope. Faith only seems to remain in Celie because of just for two reasons. For one, she has an opinion of Nettie loving her for who she is and she finds that a reason to keep looking into answers beneath the inspiration of both Nettie and God. However, Celie's view toward god and his existence changed during the time Shug presented courage upon her. On top of that she found out that Mr.___ took away what she most cared about and felt was loved by the most.

Nettie unlike Celie had a stronger belief of God's presence and existence. Although Nettie truly didn't feel hell like Celie did, she still saw it through Nettie and knew it would once come to her. This in particular experience shaped Nettie to the aspects of her views in life and religion. She seen more beauty of the world, she seen powerful connections and bonds between family and friends. She took in Religion as a career. She got an opportunity to follow and understand her nephews as they returned to where their ancestors once lived and spread the teaching of their tradition and spiritual souls.

Dear Nettie, I don't write to God no more. I write to you. What happen to God? Ast Shug. Who that? I say. She look at me serious. Big a devil as you is, I say, you not worried bout no God, surely. She say, wait a minute. Hold on just a minute here. Just because I don't harass it like some peoples us know don't mean I ain't got religion. What God do for me? I ast. What God do for me? I ast. (pg. 193)

This happens to be the best solid proof of Celie still having thoughts about God concerning his existence. She may not seem to rub it in that she has a religion, but deep down inside when all her hope appears to be hell and lost to her, she still remains to have the faith and hope that she once looked up to as a child. The hope of God and all of Celie's inspirations.

Although Nettie is more educated and understands the life behind fields and work. It could never be a excuse for why Celie is less educated and fearful. Even if Nettie never had an education, she would have still fought for her rights and equality of her equality. Celie's fear and doubt towards everything held her back of continuing to fight and urge to her freedom as a child, that is until the arrival of Shug and the discovery of Nettie's existence and love for her sister.

Well, next time you come you can look at her. She ugly. Don't even look like she kin to Nettie. But she'll make the better wife. She aint smart either, and I'll just be fair, you have to watch her or she'll give away everything you own. But she can work like a man. (Pg. 18)

“Us both be hitting Nettie's schoolbooks pretty hard, Cause us we got to be smart to git away.” (pg. 9)

“I know I'm not as pretty or as smart as Nettie, but she say I ain't dumb.” (pg. 9)

This is the best proof available that supports my idea of Celie giving up her freedom to her fear of men. However, I don't blame her, being abused and raped since she was 14 gives her a pretty good dam reason to fear men. Although, I don't understand her plans of brain and escape. She had the same smarts (however not education) as Nettie, so why didn't she escape?

conclusion:

• Restate (rephrase but don't repeat) your thesis statement.

• Summarize the main points of your analysis.

• Don't add new evidence/analysis.

• What can we learn about religious faith/gender discrimination (or whatever points you used in your comparison) from these characters in this novel? In other words, what do you suppose is Alice Walker's "point"?

Sources:

http://www.enotes.com/color-purple

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on The Color Purple.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2003. Web. 24 Feb. 2011.

Rebuttal: Is Wikileaks overall more harmful or more beneficial to society?

First things first, this subject of rebuttal is toward Elizabeth's WIKI Leaks Arguement post.

One of the arguments against what Wikileaks is doing is that it could be considered treasonous and a threat to national security. It is not considered treasonous because technically the Wikileaks team doesn't even operate in the United States. That's right, they don't live here! It is also not a threat to our national security because 1) there isn't actually any strategies of upcoming battles that the military uses churned into the cyberspace, and 2) if terrorists were going to attack America using information that Wikileaks releases, wouldn't they have done so already?

Okay, so here's the thing with your opening statement towards wiki leaks. Your debate questions, topics, and concern points towards what wiki leaks has caused is excellent, even beyond words. However, the only thing holding your points, and arguments back is the EVIDENCE!!!

You have no proof that terrorists are not planning some big surprise attack against America. after all the 9/11 incident was said to be hidden within the governments and Presidents knowledge. If you can pull up some article on why terrorists would be holding back against some big attack would be great for your backup evidence. Also, the same goes for your main points towards national security issues with wiki leaks.



However, if you focused on how you plan to back up your plans regarding the anger that the people of America will release if the truth remains hidden from the people. Then you would be going further into the debate rebuttal ( a level 3 concern and point towards wiki leaks).

You don't want a government lying to you right? If the government does something and doesn't tell it's people what's going on, you can imagine how peeved off people would be when they found out. Especially if it's not the actual government that tells them.

Just image the riots, protests, and conflicts that will be let out if the Government keeps up his crap of concealing documents from what he calls "the people" of America. Prove this point, and your debate will be off the hook! Not including the rest of the proof and evidence I recommended that you include. For the record, I totally agree with you, and will have your back when the debate upfront finally comes.

PROMPT: COLOR PURPLE

Prompt:

- What do Celie's letters to God tell you so far about

1. Her character traits 2. Her beliefs about and relationship with God?

1.) As a young girl, Celie is constantly subjected to abuse and told she is ugly. She decides therefore that she can best ensure her survival by making herself silent and invisible. Celie’s letters to God are her only outlet and means of self-expression. To Celie, God is a distant figure, who she doubts cares about her concerns. [1st link, First Par. ]

So far, this analysis of Celie is absolutely correct. She too does feel that the only way to bypass the cruelty in her life, is by avoiding everyone (with the exception of Nettie) and ignoring the comments of others by seeing her self as an invisible figure. However, I don't understand why Celie tends to keep relying and confessing to God about her problems, if she's came to the idea that God doesn't have a care in the world for what happens to her. Releasing her feelings and expressions of self understanding to God, I guess that I can understand. After all that she's been through, I don't blame her if she feels that she is alone in this world, and see's God as her personal Diary.

2.) Like her voice, Celie’s faith is prominent but underdeveloped. Celie relies heavily on God as her listener and source of strength, but she sometimes blurs the distinction between God’s authority and that of Alphonso. She confesses that God, rather than Alphonso, killed her baby, and she never makes any association between the injustice she experiences in her life and the ability of God to overturn or prevent this injustice. [Last Par. (analysis), 2nd link]

Celie's Faith is undeniable, her will to urge forward in my opinion can not be questioned. The courage that surpasses her fear, and act of coward-like behavior is superior compared to her doubts. Her outer beauty may be in doubt and questioned by her and others, but her inner beauty is priceless and undeniable. The only characteristic that halts her personality backwards is her blindness to reality and God. Her turning point towards her beliefs and independence makes her the Shug she want's to be.

"Well, next time you come you can look at her. She ugly. Don't even look like she kin to Nettie. But she'll make the better wife. She aint smart either, and I'll just be fair, you have to watch her or she'll give away everything you own. But she can work like a man." -pg. 18

"Yeah, I say, and he give me a lynched daddy, a crazy mama, a lowdown dog of a step pa and a sister I probably won't ever see again. Anyhow, I say, the God I been praying and writing to is a man. And act just like all the other mens I know. Trifling, forgetful and lowdown." -pg. 175

Sources:

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/purple/canalysis.html

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/purple/section1.rhtml

Discussion: Is Wikileaks overall more harmful or more beneficial to society?

Opening Statement:

Too start this debate off, Wiki-Leaks hasn't truly done anything wrong. Yeah, so what. Wiki-leaks released never before seen footage of hidden government documents that a couple of white men in suits hid from the people of United States. If there is gonna be an achievement for peace, not one person can be above the law. If we ever wanna learn how to be come an independent and wise nation......................................................................................................... and to do this:

We must first start with putting our trust into our people. Hiding the truth from the state is like den eying there freedom.

All wikileaks has done is expose the truth hidden up with all of the Governments lies. It presented better evidence against the argument of what have we done, and are still doing in all these wars. For example; Afghanistan, what the hell have we been doing in Afghanistan for about 10 years or maybe so?!!! If you were to ask me, I don't buy the purpose of Governments hiding these documents was all to avoid riots, protests, etc. It was all just a a way to hide America/ Governments dirty work.

The recent leak of 90 thousands classified military documents relating to the war in Afghanistan by the website wikileaks.org has confirmed the existence of Task Force 373 - a covert U.S. military squad tasked with capturing or killing over 2,000 targets on a special list called the JPEL (Joint Prioritised Effects List).

Seem's like the Governments been creating groups that relate a little too much to Black Ops communities. None of these actions were taken into vote or even considered over any citizen with below money and wealth averages.

To my knowledge, Wikileaks has not actually caused much physical harm, especially in the last leak of the diplomatic cables. Indeed, the diplomatic cables merely showed that US diplomats held some negative views of other diplomats: I am sure that everyone realizes that no relationship is without its problems. The leak merely brought these views out into the spotlight, without actually changing much.

The most damaging harm, in my opinion, has come in the form of loss of trust within the US government. The US's inner workings are slowly being peeled apart and displayed to the whole world as a testament to the ineptitude of the US to keep its documents secret. Even though these documents themselves may not have led to much harm, the fact that they were released at all is a sign that the US government is not as secure as previously thought.

AND.......

Don't' even get me started on the arrest of Julian Assange founder of WikiLeaks. He unlike others, trully served his purpose and service to this country more than any other "solider" has.

Sources:

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/wikileaks-afghanistan-documents-task-force-373-afghan-hit-squad-2644190.html

http://www.quora.com/WikiLeaks/What-harm-has-WikiLeaks-caused

RE: Peace Talk

To be honest, I came across this post by looking threw Mercedes blog posts, and I noticed a post that she responded to. The post was just so interesting!! Also it kinda reminded me of another huge assignment about peace that I had coming up, so i said why not refresh and prepare my ideas for it

"The ignorance of people can sometimes be overwhelming. Sometimes it just hits me that we, humans, the animals that have an open consouis and can feel love are the same animals that can a drop a nuke and comit genocide on a people because religious sterotypes. We are the animals that can make industries like Pixar and the Red Cross, but yet, we can also judge someone based on thier skin color or have rich and poor." (Christian Cortez)

Yeah, you are right Christian, sometimes the ignorance of people can sometimes be overwhelming, but some just learn to adapt and get use to it. Just like you, it also gets to me how something as innocent as a child who can feel love and be loved can change with just the wrong motivation, the same child can conquer and commit genocide on innocent people because of things as simple as religious stereotypes brought upon him/her by teachings. I guess we are the animals who created Blue-cross, Red-cross, and I guess even an Animation Studio (Pixar). However, it seems every little good in this world is outdone with cruel behavior committed by "the animals" we are. It's funny, we are capable of so much good in the world. But we cover up the good with harmful government facilities that are hidden from the people of America, drugs for unwanted purposes and also the monsters who decide to judge and kill others over white and black. What really seems to tick me off is that were all fighting and arguing of money. Unless the urge for more is removed from this world, then and only then will peace be brought upon us. And well, if it remains......................... THEN PEACE SHALL NEVER BE PRESENT, ATLEAST NOT DURING OUR TIME.

Free Post: Inseparable Part 1

This is the sequences of a "story" that was put together by a group I was assigned to be in. This story was organized and written in an interesting way, items were constructed to my group and we were expected to create a story out of the items (a ring spider, toy tea cup, measuring tape, Sergent mask, and nail clippers). Hope you enjoy!!

In the summer of 1983, Dr. Hamman met Natalie. There were sparks, and before they knew it Natalie became pregnant. They soon wed.

Around the fifth month the happy couple found out that not only would the baby be a boy, they were having twins. They chose the names Sean and Sidney. However, when the twins were born, they brought an odd surprise with them—they were literally joined at the hip. There was a hurried operation as the boys were separated before being given to their awaiting mother.

Without warning, the arguments began. Dr. Hamman often stormed out of the house. It didn’t take long for Natalie to decide she was fed up and begin divorce proceedings. Hamman was devastated; this was probably the point when his mental decline began.

Each parent had custody of one of the twins. Then, when they were fourteen, Sean and Sidney were both enrolled in Phoenix High School.

* * *

High school was a real bore. Teachers’ droning, homework assignments, heavy textbooks—and, of course, detentions. Sidney slammed his locker in a burst of defiance. It really wasn't fair; he had only been a minute late, because his watch was broken.
Of course, you couldn't tell that to Mrs. Hamilton, the strictest teacher in the school district. She didn't supervise the detentions she handed out, but for all Sidney knew, the teacher in charge of that might be worse.

Running out of ways to stall, he finally headed to the dreaded door.

The room was surprisingly quiet, but it was an imposed silence. He headed over to a chair in the corner without looking at anyone and immediately started his homework. He certainly didn't want to offend anyone who had ended up in this dank classroom.
After a few agonizingly slow minutes, he felt someone watching him. Sidney glanced up somewhat nervously—and nearly fell out of his chair.
The face staring back at him was his own.

* * *

Does It Matter Where You Go to College? Discussion Responce

Prompts/Questions that where chosen to respond too......

-Will you have a better life if you graduate from an elite college or university? Why/why not?

-Does It Matter Where You Go to College?

After repeatably reading these articles from the assigned debate, noticing that the debated question of whether or not if it matter where you go to a college. In this following discussion/debate, almost all of the "men" speaking their minds about this topic focused on a completely different way of looking into it. Instead of focusing on the legitimate way(s) of getting into college with fairly earned scholarships or smarts. However, the assigned debaters saw this matter in different ways. For example, some of these debaters looked upon the answer to this question in ways regarding the need of an elite college, for advancement in after college experience with an "acceptable job" waiting on you. What seems to bother me the most is almost all of these debates seem to contain the same exact purpose of having a college. They all focused towards the idea of an elite college being nothing but a plan, or start..... for the building on of future success in terms of starting to make tons of money, and what in their minds is the "successful path" to life, in my opinion is just another word for "luck in life", instead of hard work building upon each other.

If you're among the small handful of students who have stellar SAT scores and parents with several hundred thousand dollars to spend, you should seriously consider going to an elite college or university.They're nice places to hang out for four years and you'll probably learn a few things.

In my opinion, this argument above "Skip the Admissions Game" by Kevin Carey was by far the least persuasive compared to the rest of the debates. Not only did it contain the most provided amount of bull, but it also included the most talk of money equaling a successful life, and the need of it in order to attain an elite college. On top of that Kevin Carey had the biggest opinion of this debate being a joke, and him using nothing but random answering plus sarcasm.

Even if you don't, you'll still get a piece of paper signifying that you were smart enough to get in and rich enough to pay for it. People care about stuff like that.

On the other hand, out of all the mischief about money and elite colleges. There happened to be only one debate discussion post that caught my attention to being the most persuasive. This article "What You Do vs. Where You Go" by Martha (Marty) O'Connell is truly magnificent and brilliant. Unlike the rest of her "good intentional friends" she focused more on a logical term then attending an elite college meaning a big time money-maker job. Instead of stating that the only direction in the way of a successful career is college and money, she smoothly pointed out that it's not college that gets you anywhere, it's the person attending it.

The key to success in college and beyond has more to do with what students do with their time during college than where they choose to attend. A long-term study of 6,335 college graduates published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that graduating from a college where entering students have higher SAT scores -- one marker of elite colleges -- didn't pay off in higher post-graduation income. Researchers found that students who applied to several elite schools but didn't attend them -- either because of rejection or by their own choice -- are more likely to earn high incomes later than students who actually attended elite schools.

Clearly stated by Kevin Carey that money and power is respect, I laugh at the actual proof stated by Marty against his opinion. Unlike most of the debaters (I'm not saying all of them), but most, did not state proof or even a logically argument towards their point. The way she starts off here debate is even more interesting than the others. She seems to be the only debater who stands for people being key to a happy, and successful life. Just as Martha claimed, College is just a life after high school. Money has nothing to do with elite colleges and it for sure shouldn't be the determination of where you go to school. For example, like the success of Bill Gates. He was a college drop out and he still went on with life having times two the amount of money these debaters are bragging about. Just because Bush went to Yale doesn't make him a mad genius, in-fact hes a mad idiot who brought this world down to it's knees, just because he had "money & power".