Broken Chains

Langston Hughes's poem I, Too tells the story of the mistreatment of America's African American people and proclaims that this mistreatment will become a thing of the past. Although Hughes wrote the poem in the 1920s, I,Too is written from the perspective of a black man who is still bound by the heavy chains of slavery and oppression.
 With an optimistic and almost high and mighty voice, this poem establishes the theme that the sweet taste of freedom will come for the African Americans and that African Americans are a part of America's foundation. In addition to this, Hughes's poem warns the people who discriminate against him and his people of the shame that they will feel once they "see how beautiful [he is]."

Verisimilitude fosters these themes because of the way Hughes musters up a sense of hope as a slave even though he himself has never been one.
"They send me to eat in the kitchen," suggests that the white owners of the slave want him to be unseen while they have company over. However, instead of being discouraged, he "eat[s] well," and "grow[s] strong." Hughes reveals the truth that African Americans can beat down discrimination if they keep their heads up and advance. All of this is done without telling a truth of his own experience.With this story of a slave, Langston Hughes unveils the truth that suffering will end and African Americans are also America.

Dreams of My Childhood

An artist was what I wanted to be. An artist was what I wanted to be when I was little. Every second of the day I wanted to draw and create. If I had to do one thing for the rest of my life, I would choose drawing. However, my dreams have been crushed or have changed since time has passed.
As I grew up, reality hit me like a speeding bullet train. Pursuing a career in the arts is a risky and often unrewarding feat. On top of student loans that have be paid off, art commissions are barely enough to pay for rent and other living expenses. The limits of my abilities have also held me back. While an average person might think that I am a very talented artist, I am nothing compared to the Picassos that I would face in an art school.
Despite all this, my mind is always wavering. My passion for art is always burning but my brain is telling me to choose wisely. The dreams of my past still coerce me even though I am aware of the circumstances and harsh consequences.

In this way, I can relate to Dexter Green in Winter Dreams by F.Scott Fitzgerald. Dexter's desires dictate most of his life. While he wants luxury, his financial instability is an obstacle (which he later jumps over). He also knows that Judy Jones is not a girl he should be with but he can't help but desire her when they meet at the University Club.
After many years have passed, Dexter mourns because he had his past taken away from him. He regrets ever loving Judy Jones and dreaming of being with her.

These regrets are what scare me. I am afraid of regretting my childhood dreams if I do not succeed as an adult. If my hopes of the past ruin my life I might end up hating myself. I also might end up hating myself if I don't do what I love.

How easy it would be if, in the words of Cinderella, "the dream that you wish will come true."

The Changing Meanings

Thanksgiving started out as a meal between the Native Americans and the pilgrims as a peace agreement; for Americans, it is a representation of being thankful .
Yesterday, at a Thanksgiving gathering, I was sitting on the couch after consuming a large meal of turkey, mashed potatoes and more pumpkin pie than can be imagined, when I saw some of the kids sitting in front of the fireplace. As I looked closer, I realized that they had clasped their hands together and were praying to God about what they were thankful for. I then took a look at the adults. While the kids were praying, their parents were laughing and eating. To my surprise, the children embraced the true meaning of Thanksgiving better than their parents. As time has passed, the meaning of Thanksgiving has changed.
Thanksgiving has turned into a time for people to eat and socialize instead of a time to be thankful. This is not necessarily a bad thing. However, this goes to show how what something stands for can transform.

This phenomenon is also evident in a book I am reading called The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald. What wealth meant to Jay Gatsby when he was poor changes when he finally becomes wealthy. To the once poor Gatsby, wealth was the one thing that he needed to have in order to be with the lovely and affluent Daisy. After gaining his long anticipated wealth, Gatsby still does not get the girl. In the end, nothing has changed and his dream is crushed. Therefore, wealth loses its meaning of hope and Gatsby is a miserable man despite his wonderful fortune.

The Illusion of Luxury

The human obsession with having luxuries isn't really that luxurious. When a new iPhone model is out on the market, crazed Apple fans of all ages scramble to the doors of Apple stores. Even though another model isn't very different from the newest and was released very recently, people flock to stores because having the next best thing is all that matters to the buyer. Such luxuries are not necessarily bought for their wonderful functions. They are more like trophies out for display.

People are constantly trying to one up each other and have been doing so for as long as the human species has existed.  In the 1920s, young people were taken over by their compulsion to flaunt wealth in any possible way. If the young man living next door had a nice car, it was time to go buy a nicer one; it would also be accessorized with some luxurious(?) car-curtains. Advertisement successfully convinces consumers that they need a product that is not necessarily useful or lasts a substantial period of time. While it is a genius business strategy to harness society's materialistic ways for profit, it keeps the cycle of blind desire turning. With Thanksgiving coming around, it is ironic that on Black Friday, the day immediately following the celebration of being thankful for what they have, people rush to stores to buy the next electronic toy. Although the demand for such luxuries promote innovation, they are not luxuries if people do not appreciate how lucky they are to have them.

Punctuation's Mark

By abiding by the laws of punctuation, a writer’s thoughts can be clearly translated to the readers through a form of common communication .While it is true that punctuation’s use has been changing since its initial creation, the punctuation rules from which the countless new changes branched out from are important to acknowledge. The ultimate rules of punctuation are “vital for clear, effective and consistent communication,” (Source A) in addition to “clarify[ing] meaning,” (Source A).

As exemplified with the overload of parentheses Lewis Thomas uses in Source D, it is clear that with the improper use of it, punctuation can turn into pointless symbols that do not build up the writer’s point; instead, it will hinder a reader’s ability to interpret the meaning of the piece. Some may argue that with the passing of time, the rules of punctuation have been outdated and that the rise of social media has revolutionized stylistic literature that serve as a “testing ground,” (Source F) for developing writers. However, after looking through a plethora of tweets, I can assume that social outlets such as Twitter were not meant for the greater good of writing. Sure, some tweets fashioned by poets and esteemed academics carry meaning. However, the majority of the Twitter population consists of people who could care less about rhetorical value and expression in what they are tweeting about.

  The rules of punctuation can prevent people from using punctuation inappropriately. Consequently, change isn’t always for the better if it entirely diverges from everything it was based off of. 

Screw Mascara

Just as Deborah Tannen reveals in There is No Unmarked Woman, men and women are not judged in the same way. When it comes to appearance, the looks of a man are much less cared about than the looks of a woman. Take Hollywood stars for example. Male actors step out onto the red carpet and they all wear suits that more or less look the same. Yet, they are still considered fashionable. On the other hand, the female actors try to be as fashionable as possible by drowning in an onslaught of sparkling jewelry and vibrant, flowing gowns that will be raved about in next issue of every fashion magazine in existence.
It's a bit unfair. A woman is so much more pressured to care about her appearance than a man is. Everyday, thousands of women struggle to look decent by curling their eyelashes, styling their hair, and swiping on some lipstick. It's a struggle that I surely do not want myself or my future daughter to go through. If a girl wants to wear sweats, cut off her hair, and not wear a single smidge of makeup, she should be able to without it becoming such a big deal. Comfort and peace is much more important than worrying about the next day's outfit. So I encourage all of the ladies out there to start wearing whatever makes you relaxed. If looking cute makes you feel relaxed then that's great! However, as for the girls like me who like warming up in a huge hoodie and fuzzy socks, join my fight against high heels and short skirts.

Guilt's Sting

While taking responsibility and looking over your mistakes is the right thing to do, punishing yourself is not a healthy way of dealing with problems. Sometimes, blaming oneself can only hurt a person by preventing them from learning from the hardships and moving on. Reverend Dimmesdale suffers greatly because of his guilt in the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Not only does his guilt disturb his moral conscience, but it also takes a toll on his body. One of Reverend Dimmesdale's biggest issues is that he has kept his secret of adultery hidden for such a long period. It also doesn't help that he is an admired minister of the town. This is why the guilt keeps growing bigger to the point that it engulfs his life in shame and pain.
My mother used to have this problem as well. She would blame herself for a long time and would not forgive herself. Even if someone forgave her she would not be able to do the same. Unlike her, I try to forget about the problem once it is solved. She envies that I can do this so easily. However, recently my mother has been changing her way of dealing with guilt. Just like me, she is starting to move on more easily and it has made her happier in general.
Letting something such as guilt take over your life will never help you. The better way to make up for your mistakes is to learn from them and try not to make history repeat itself.

Life's Helper

Nothing comes from nothing. This is a motto that I live or at least try to live by. It pushes me to work hard in everything I do or else nothing good will result. Of course, this motto is one of the many mottoes that I try to integrate into my daily life. Mottoes are inspiring and melt beautiful concepts into a simple, concise phrase. Thus, I think that more people need to set up a motto for themselves. Just as setting goals helps a person get closer to achieving them, establishing a set of mottoes to abide by can determine the kind of attitude that a person has towards life.
A motto can embody a huge idea into something much smaller. This is evident in an important motto to me: "Start now, worry later." When I was in elementary school, I was very shy and afraid to do anything out of the ordinary. I simply tried to do what "cool kids" were expected to do. I was too worried about what others would think of me if I started to be myself. However, in middle school, I reached a turning point. I had been constantly bullied by my best friend to the point that I would come home in tears until I had a eureka moment at the 7th grade dance. I just decided not to care about her antics anymore. That was it. All I had to do was not give a crap. The uneasiness and worry that was cooped up inside me were demolished. This single moment opened up a part of me that has made me into who I am right now. If I hadn't started to have this new perspective on life, I would be miserable. So for anyone who is afraid to take a leap into something new, just remember, to start now and worry later. You might end up doing yourself a great favor.

The Declaration of Independence*

*applies to wealthy white males only



George Washington owned slaves. You heard it right ladies and gentlemen! The father of our country, the patriot of all patriots, the leader of freedom owned people. While the Declaration of Independence serves as a symbol of the natural rights of man, it was not written for all people. If that were true, then black slaves would have been free from their iron chains and the women's rights movement would not have been a thing. I don't think that the Declaration of Independence has really lived up to its name. Over the years, even with the fast-paced progress of technology and information, the progress of civil rights has yet to catch up with the rest of the world. Take women's rights for example: women still earn less than men even though they have the same capabilities. It took hundreds of years until women could earn rights equivalent to men, yet, they still can't provide for their families in the way men do. Are we really equal when men are worth more than women? The same thing goes for gay rights. In no way should a person be discriminated against because of who they choose love. Gay people are people just like you and me. They should not be treated like second-class citizens just like how women were treated for hundreds of years. It's okay if people don't necessarily approve of who they are. However, trying to restrict and hurt them is foolish beyond compare. The golden rule is not something that only applies to a certain group of people. Treat people like you want to be treated. And people means everyone.

Watch Out for the Crazy Ones

I have come to the conclusion that some girls can be absolutely crazy. Just take a look at Abigail Williams in the play The Crucible! Her main goal in life becomes sabotaging John Proctor's life after they shared an intimate moment just once! John Proctor never should have done such a thing with Abby; it is what ultimately brings an end to his life.
The obsession that floods a young girl's brain when she is blinded by infatuation is very dangerous. What is worse is that Abigail completely convinces herself that John Proctor is in love with her although he pushes her away many times. Even in the 17th century, teenage girls with raging hormones were just about the scariest things to ever exist. If you thought that Justin Bieber's fans were utterly delusional, then you haven't witnessed the horrors of a girl who tries to get your wife killed by accusing her of witchcraft. Clearly, Abigail Williams takes "love" to a whole new level. Her kind of "love" is the kind that starts out small and then transforms into an unforgiving monster. What Abigail has is a stone-cold desire for revenge. Abigail has the semblance of an innocent young girl. Therefore, it is not surprising that people still believe her senseless bickering. This is a warning to the unknowing gentlemen out there: beware of beautiful but crazy young girls who always want to get their way.

Simon Says...

In a state of mass hysteria, the majority opinion of the public and biases of the media can blind bystanders into thinking the same, despite the lack of evidence or the defendant's side of the story. People who are running high on emotions tend to muddle their sense of rationalism and justice. In the George Zimmerman vs. Trayvon Martin trial, George Zimmerman was deemed to be not guilty. As a result, the public was absolutely infuriated, sending out death threats and violently protesting in the streets in the name of Trayvon Martin. Despite his dark history, Trayvon Martin was seen as a saintly young man, further destroying George Zimmerman's already-soiled reputation in the case. What really happened remains unknown. However, George Zimmerman was already labeled as a criminal in the eyes of many Americans.
It is evident that logic in the law of justice can be compromised in times of hysteria in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Left and right, women are accused of being followers of the Devil; many are hanged without a fair trial. As fear ensues in the town, the peoples' sanity is obscured and the nooses are readied. Like sheep that flock towards the same direction as a herding dog approaches, people develop a mob mentality when they are moved by fear.

Growing Out of Religion

As revolutionary technology grows more advanced and scientific discoveries are made exponentially, does religion’s old-fashioned ways really stand a chance? How much does it have left in the future? In the past, religion has caused wars and movements that shook the world’s foundations. To this day, religion is still extremely influential, but many people are starting to have doubts.
Being a non-religious person, I have noticed that almost all religions follow one basic pattern: a moral and divine life must be lead by following a certain set of rules. However, as many religious people spread the word of their faith, the way that some extremists spew hateful nonsense actually repels potential followers. In Jonathan Edwards’ sermon called Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, he describes how people who do not believe and love Jesus Christ will burn in the flames of everlasting hell. He tries to instill fear into the hearts of his listeners and guilt the so-called “sinners” that have no chance to enter heaven. Basically what Edwards claims is that God loves us but he also hates everyone and will make people suffer eternal damnation for not loving him back. If that’s how it is going to be, then count me out. As a child, I was raised as a Catholic. However, as I grew up, I realized that the things that the Catholics called love also included lots of hate. While Catholicism teaches to love everyone (even enemies), many of its followers harass people who are different from them. Thus, I pushed Catholicism away from myself. Yet, I still admire the part of religion that promotes kindness and internal beauty; it is the only that is keeping me from being completely disgusted by it. 

Was it Instinct?

You may not be a racist bigot, but you would be blatantly lying if you say that you've never judged a person by the color of his or her skin and culture. I will admit that I was cautious when I saw a middle-aged black man dressed in baggy clothing come out of a gas station at 11 o'clock at night. However, this does not mean I have a bad opinion of African Americans at all. Just like Victor in The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie, the man was probably just craving a late night snack. Still, stereotypes exist for a reason; they are true to some degree.As judgmental as all humans are, Caucasians are always perceived as the supreme and most merciless racists. In American society, appreciating the heritage of a minority is celebrated but once someone says "I'm proud to be white," we shame the white man. It's almost like they are being accused of a crime. Minorities can be just as discriminatory as the majority and shouldn't have an exclusive pass to be racist. There is no excuse for racism that is fueled by hate and closed-mindedness. Yet, having eyes that are made to see and observe our surroundings, we as humans can’t help but to judge a book by its cover. Even before reading this post, any person can tell by the photo above that this would be about racism. If we would give each other a little break and stop making something that has little to do with race into a humongous issue, maybe people could focus more on the progression of humanity rather than dwell on insignificant things. Sometimes, what we contemplate about is all in our minds.

Join Me in the Depths of Terror

• How does fear fuel hysteria and mob mentality?

Like a spark that ignites a bonfire, fear, the unknown, and change fuels the hysteria that spreads as people become dragged into the same anxious mindset. Lured by fear, people become ravaged with emotions that are louder than their brains. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the lynch swarm displays that mob mentality emerges from the depths of fear. Following the murder of the heavily intoxicated Boggs, individual townsfolk remark that Colonel Sherburn “ought to be lynched.” Small whispers evolve into all-out yelling sprees. As the crowd submits to their ongoing terror, they grow rowdy and unreasonable. “Snatching down every clothes-line they come to,” the hysterical mob rushes towards Sherburn’s house. It is not the genuine care that the townspeople have for Boggs that causes them to resort to violence; their only goal is getting rid of a catalyst of fear. As humans, we are born with the tendency to imitate and follow. Our first words reflect the words that our mothers and fathers say daily. Therefore, humans are quite akin to the sheep in Animal Farm by George Orwell that bleat “four legs good, two legs bad,” and just go with the flow. Considering the analogous mental environments that people live in, society’s “fools” who go against the flow are humanity’s only hope for a turn-around. A different opinion can cause a part of the hysterical mob to convert their thoughts towards the right path. People must learn not to succumb to fear and smother the fire in order to open their minds to the sweet taste of psychological tranquility.