NHD was the single most stressful project I have ever had to do. It was a test of my patience, and research and writing abilities. I was pulling my hair out and screaming at the top of my lungs at times, but I am glad that I did it and I'm proud of my paper.
I came to this school for a challenge and I got what I asked for. This is the biggest project I have ever done and the most detail oriented. The bibliography was the bane of my existence for this project. All of the information and the specific way it had to be written, it was maddening! Next year, I willing make sure to cite my sources as I go so I don't need to go back later and find them.
I learned a lot about myself during this project. I learned that I a capable of more than I thought. I only had a vague idea of what I was doing, and I'm still going to city's! I was able to find useful, valuable resources and write a good, interesting, information filled essay that gives all the facts. I also learned that I am a great organizer and that I can get things done right and on time with very little effort.
As much as I whined and complained during this project, I am glad I did it.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Ida B. Wells: Civil Rights Leader
Ida b. Wells may be one of the most important and influential women of our time. She was a strong, powerful figure during the Civil Rights Movement. In this essay I will introduce you to her early life, major accomplishments, and how she has affected me today.
Ida B. Wells was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1862, just six months before the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. She was the oldest of eight children. She and her family were enslaved prior to the Civil War. She went to Shaw College, now Rust College, but had to leave to take care of her siblings after her parent’s death during the 1878 yellow fever epidemic. She became a schoolteacher to support her family. Between teaching and taking care of her brothers and sisters, she went to summer courses at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She died on March 25, 1931.
She was a very active desegregation leader. One of the things she is most well known for is her court case after she was nearly forced to move on a train. This was the first case after the Jim Crowe laws became legal. She lost, but only because the government wanted to stop other African Americans from following her example. She also was a part owner and reporter for Free Speech, a local newspaper in Memphis, Tennessee before she was run out of town for reporting on the lynching of three black men. She was a key founder of the National Association of Colored Women. She led a march to President McKinley to protest the lynching of a black postmaster, helped found the NAACP, organized club movements for black women, and promoted political activism for African Americans. She worked with the Negro Fellowship League, the Alpha Suffrage Club, the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Community League in response to Marcus Garvey’s ‘Back to Africa’ movement. She wrote her autobiography called ‘Crusade for Justice’.
She is memorialized in Tennessee’s Hall of Fame for Heroes, as she should be. She played such a large role in such an important time. Without her, thousands of African Americans could have been without hope. She stood for something bigger than herself. She stood for every African American woman who ever knew slavery and oppression. Despite everything she had been through, she stood firm in her beliefs. She never let anyone stop her or change her mind. I admire her for that. I want to help others as she has and make a difference in this world.
As you can see, Ida B. Wells was an astounding person. Despite her trials during the beginning of her life, she persevered to fight for what she thought was right and influenced many people, even today.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Should Parents Be Allowed To Beat Their Kids?
Threats, beatings, and other harsh punishments, these are a few example of what some parents do to get their kids to obey them. Can they do that? Yes. Is it right? No. This is wrong because they only rule by fear, set a bad example as a parent, and make their children more prone to violence.
First, their abuse does not make the kids listen to them. It is the fear that comes from it that makes them obey. The parents gain no respect from their children, only hatred. At the beginning of chapter 6 in Huckleberry Finn, Pa threatens to beat Huck and makes him get money for beer. This only makes Huck hate him and run away.
Second, it is just setting a bad example as a parent. They are showing their children the wrong way to treat their future children. It’s the whole ‘monkey see, monkey do’ thing coming into play. Children learn from their parents and act the same way because that is the way things were done in their house. They’re teaching them that it is okay to use violence over any little thing. Inflicting pain is the only way they think they can make someone listen.
Finally, it makes the children more prone to violence. They don’t learn to stop and talk things out. By causing them pain, they get angry. In order to release their anger, they get into trouble and get beat again. It’s an endless, vicious cycle.
As you can see, no good comes from it. The only things that come from beating your children is being feared, setting a bad example, and having your kids cause trouble. Stop, think, and try every other alternative you can think of before you lay a hand on them. You’ll all be happier in the long run. I know from experience.
First, their abuse does not make the kids listen to them. It is the fear that comes from it that makes them obey. The parents gain no respect from their children, only hatred. At the beginning of chapter 6 in Huckleberry Finn, Pa threatens to beat Huck and makes him get money for beer. This only makes Huck hate him and run away.
Second, it is just setting a bad example as a parent. They are showing their children the wrong way to treat their future children. It’s the whole ‘monkey see, monkey do’ thing coming into play. Children learn from their parents and act the same way because that is the way things were done in their house. They’re teaching them that it is okay to use violence over any little thing. Inflicting pain is the only way they think they can make someone listen.
Finally, it makes the children more prone to violence. They don’t learn to stop and talk things out. By causing them pain, they get angry. In order to release their anger, they get into trouble and get beat again. It’s an endless, vicious cycle.
As you can see, no good comes from it. The only things that come from beating your children is being feared, setting a bad example, and having your kids cause trouble. Stop, think, and try every other alternative you can think of before you lay a hand on them. You’ll all be happier in the long run. I know from experience.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Should Huckleberry Finn Be Taught In Schools
What is the big to do about this book? Why does everyone say it should be banned? It is full of very important lessons. This book teaches us about the South from a historic point of view, encourages individual thought, and shows people can change.
First, it’s historical because it shows what life was like back then, In one part, the book says ‘soon as the river begins to rise, here comes pieces of log rafts; so all you have to do is catch them and sell them to the wood yards.’ Another part talks about how slavery was acceptable. Life was very simple and different from what it is now. Reading this book, written by someone who was actually there, helps us to understand that.
Second, it encourages individual thought. Huck has a father who was a horrible influence and decided to escape by faking his own murder. ‘They’ll hunt the river for my dead carcass, get tired of that, and won’t bother me no more’ he thinks at one point. Jim, a slave turned friend, runs away from his owner when he hears that she is planning to sell him.
Finally, it teaches us that people can grow and change. Raised, practically in the woods, Huck learns to like school. ‘At first I hated school, but by and by I got so I could stand it’. He also befriends a slave, though it goes against everything he was raised to believe.
Obviously, Huck Finn isn’t as bad as everyone seems to think it is. All of these vitally important lessons are taught in it. We are taught to learn from mistakes, being an individual, and about the past. Would you really want to stop your kids from learning these? Check this book from your local library and give it a read.
First, it’s historical because it shows what life was like back then, In one part, the book says ‘soon as the river begins to rise, here comes pieces of log rafts; so all you have to do is catch them and sell them to the wood yards.’ Another part talks about how slavery was acceptable. Life was very simple and different from what it is now. Reading this book, written by someone who was actually there, helps us to understand that.
Second, it encourages individual thought. Huck has a father who was a horrible influence and decided to escape by faking his own murder. ‘They’ll hunt the river for my dead carcass, get tired of that, and won’t bother me no more’ he thinks at one point. Jim, a slave turned friend, runs away from his owner when he hears that she is planning to sell him.
Finally, it teaches us that people can grow and change. Raised, practically in the woods, Huck learns to like school. ‘At first I hated school, but by and by I got so I could stand it’. He also befriends a slave, though it goes against everything he was raised to believe.
Obviously, Huck Finn isn’t as bad as everyone seems to think it is. All of these vitally important lessons are taught in it. We are taught to learn from mistakes, being an individual, and about the past. Would you really want to stop your kids from learning these? Check this book from your local library and give it a read.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Bluest Eye By: Toni Morrison Personal Note
Hello my public,
This is my essay about the characters in Toni Morrison's book The Bluest Eye. I wanted to show that there are more to characters, and people, than what you see. You just have to stop and think. Why don't you give it a try?
-Kris
This is my essay about the characters in Toni Morrison's book The Bluest Eye. I wanted to show that there are more to characters, and people, than what you see. You just have to stop and think. Why don't you give it a try?
-Kris
The Bluest Eye By: Toni Morrison
No one ever tries to see beyond the surface anymore. They take what they are given without question. Every person, every character, has more to them than what you see. Stop, breathe, and think. Is there more to these people than meets the eye? The answer is usually ‘yes’. Let’s take a look at the stars of The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
Claudia will be our first topic. When you look at her you probably see a small girl, dark skinned and wearing old clothes. She goes to school, comes home, does her chores, and gets sick. Truth is, she’s a hard worker who is eager to please. She works, without complaint, seeking approval from her mother. Easily hurt by her minor denouncements, she simply wishes for her mother to be proud of her.
Her sister Frieda is our next subject. You probably see her as a slightly taller version of Claudia. Even though she has only played the most minor of minor roles so far, she is still important. When she comes to check on Claudia, she shows how much she cares about her sister. The tears in her eyes, when she sings to her, indicates her empathy. She relates to her so closely it is almost as if Claudia’s pain is her own.
Now to the source of all this, the mother . Mother is the one who puts them through all this work and pain, but she doesn’t do it to be mean. They do not live a privileged life. Chores need to be done and she can’t do it alone. She needs help and is trying to teach her children how to take care of themselves. It is because she cares about them that she tries to teach them all these lessons.
Since we are done with our ‘heroes’, so to say, let’s move o to the ‘villains’, Rosemary and Maureen. These are two rich, beautiful, white girls. They both have things that Claudia and Frieda wants, such as clothes, food, cars, and other material goods.
However, there is a huge difference between them. Maureen is a harmless girl who minds her own business. Rosemary takes what she has and rubs it in your face to make you feel as though she is better than you. Rosemary is a snot nosed brat while Maureen is just passing through. Just because they are in the same categories doesn’t mean they deserve the same treatment.
Like I said before, there is more to everyone than what you may think. Claudia is a very sensitive young girl. Frieda is a caring, strong older sister. Mother is trying to guide her children to a better future. Rosemary deserves all the hatred they give her, but Maureen is innocent. Surprised you, right? All you have to do is read between the lines.
Claudia will be our first topic. When you look at her you probably see a small girl, dark skinned and wearing old clothes. She goes to school, comes home, does her chores, and gets sick. Truth is, she’s a hard worker who is eager to please. She works, without complaint, seeking approval from her mother. Easily hurt by her minor denouncements, she simply wishes for her mother to be proud of her.
Her sister Frieda is our next subject. You probably see her as a slightly taller version of Claudia. Even though she has only played the most minor of minor roles so far, she is still important. When she comes to check on Claudia, she shows how much she cares about her sister. The tears in her eyes, when she sings to her, indicates her empathy. She relates to her so closely it is almost as if Claudia’s pain is her own.
Now to the source of all this, the mother . Mother is the one who puts them through all this work and pain, but she doesn’t do it to be mean. They do not live a privileged life. Chores need to be done and she can’t do it alone. She needs help and is trying to teach her children how to take care of themselves. It is because she cares about them that she tries to teach them all these lessons.
Since we are done with our ‘heroes’, so to say, let’s move o to the ‘villains’, Rosemary and Maureen. These are two rich, beautiful, white girls. They both have things that Claudia and Frieda wants, such as clothes, food, cars, and other material goods.
However, there is a huge difference between them. Maureen is a harmless girl who minds her own business. Rosemary takes what she has and rubs it in your face to make you feel as though she is better than you. Rosemary is a snot nosed brat while Maureen is just passing through. Just because they are in the same categories doesn’t mean they deserve the same treatment.
Like I said before, there is more to everyone than what you may think. Claudia is a very sensitive young girl. Frieda is a caring, strong older sister. Mother is trying to guide her children to a better future. Rosemary deserves all the hatred they give her, but Maureen is innocent. Surprised you, right? All you have to do is read between the lines.
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