Reflection
(Hooray, no more blog post!!!)
I am currently thinking about my experience blogging about reading this year and about what it means to have an 'online identity'. I can't believe that it's finally the end of the school year and it's even harder to believe that I've actually done like 30 blog posts this year.
As a reader and a writer, I've learned a lot through blogging. This experience helped to make me more confident in what I say. I was able to express the thinkings that I usually would not be able to say through the blog posts. It's different from writing in a notebook because first of all, one is on the computer and the other is on paper, and secondly, I have more to say when I type than when I actually have to write out the words. Something I don't like about writing online is that everyone sees when you are writing, and so sometimes it may limit when you can write about and it also has to be written in a formal way.
I 'm staying neutral about the thought that teenagers abuse the freedom that being online gives you on sites like facebook because they are able to do whatever they want to do. What does "abusing the freedom" means? Does it means that just because you say mean things behind someone's back through online resources that you are abusing the freedom? We often exercise our freedom of thoughts by thinking about mean things behind their backs so does this means that we are abusing our freedom because we aren't being good people who always help one another over obstacles? I get the whole idea about cyber bullying and that people often commit suicide because they are bullied online, but does that means that in order to stop these incidents from happening, the internet should be shut down and the economic pace should be slowed down? I mean, seriously, I often say horrible things behind people's back just to get the conversation going. I think it would be fine as long as you don't go over the board.
Honestly, I can't imagine myself blogging ever again about the books that I'm reading. I only blog because it is a homework assignment, and I've done too much that I'm getting annoyed by it. I feel that I get the point about how blogging can do more benefits than harm and such and such, but blogs are starting to frustrate me. I believe that I shouldn't have to blog just to complete the assignment before the due date.
But overall, I'm proud of myself for the 30 posts (31 including this) that I've done. We should all celebrate the fact that this is finally our last blog post!...But wait now we still have the memoir due...
Friday, June 15, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
When is it Right to Feel Guilty?
When is it Right to Feel Guilty?
Ending the Philosophy Unit...? Probably second to last blog post~
According to the book, "Willow", by Julia Hoban, Willow blames herself for the deaths of her parents in a car accident because she was the one driving the car. Even after seven months, she still feels guilty because she believed that she was the root of all the tragedies. She tries to hide her pain by constantly cutting her body. I feel that this is not the right way to solve a long-lasting problem. Why can't people think about the consequences before they make a decision? Why do people, especial young teens, always choose to hide their emotions away and not discuss their issues with someone they trust? Does keeping secrets always result in a good ending? When is it right to feel guilty and when it is right to let it go?
Willow in the story starts cutting herself with a razor after she accidentally caused her parents to die. She believes that it's all fault for everything and that her older brother hates her for what she had done. I don't think this is necessary because like I've mentioned, it was an accident. An accident is "an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss". Willow had no intention in really killing her mom and dad. She could have died too if she wasn't too lucky and so if that did happen, who would then take the blame? Willow blames herself because she was the one driving the car but it was actually the car's problem, not hers. She's not guilty until proven so. The accident occurred naturally, not on purpose. And yet, she chose to cut herself to make herself "stronger". If it was the other way around and her parents were driving while she was sitting in the back seat, then would they have to take the blame if they got into a car accident causing Willow to die?
I feel that she should think about the consequences before she make a choice. Why would she choose to cut herself? There are many other better tortures she could have done to herself like eat a bunch of deserts, run a long marathon, get into a college, or something else that she could do to get her mind off of the accident. Just get over it! Hurting your body only creates more problems, it doesn't do anything to solve it. Really, young teens should try to free their minds by talking to adults that they are comfortable with and discuss their issues and have them make advices. Kids tend to think they know everything which is not true. They still need help with adults because of their lack of experience. Keeping secrets can sometimes lead to bad consequences. If she hadn't talk about her issues to somebody else and continue to take the blame, she might have ended up committing suicide and just die off like her parents.
In conclusion, I feel that Willow should try to let everything go and just think about what is happening in the future. Looking back will only may her trip even more. It's no longer alright to blame yourself when you're not the one at fault. Luckily, she gets help at the end and stops cutting herself. In real life, when students face a difficult problem that they cannot fix by themselves, they may choose to talk to their parents, guidance counselor, and their friends. Unfortunately Willow is left without her parents and her dark personality has cost her many friends but she could have still talked to her guidance counselor first before trying to solve her emotional trauma by herself. Finding help can do more good than harm.
Ending the Philosophy Unit...? Probably second to last blog post~
According to the book, "Willow", by Julia Hoban, Willow blames herself for the deaths of her parents in a car accident because she was the one driving the car. Even after seven months, she still feels guilty because she believed that she was the root of all the tragedies. She tries to hide her pain by constantly cutting her body. I feel that this is not the right way to solve a long-lasting problem. Why can't people think about the consequences before they make a decision? Why do people, especial young teens, always choose to hide their emotions away and not discuss their issues with someone they trust? Does keeping secrets always result in a good ending? When is it right to feel guilty and when it is right to let it go?
Willow in the story starts cutting herself with a razor after she accidentally caused her parents to die. She believes that it's all fault for everything and that her older brother hates her for what she had done. I don't think this is necessary because like I've mentioned, it was an accident. An accident is "an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss". Willow had no intention in really killing her mom and dad. She could have died too if she wasn't too lucky and so if that did happen, who would then take the blame? Willow blames herself because she was the one driving the car but it was actually the car's problem, not hers. She's not guilty until proven so. The accident occurred naturally, not on purpose. And yet, she chose to cut herself to make herself "stronger". If it was the other way around and her parents were driving while she was sitting in the back seat, then would they have to take the blame if they got into a car accident causing Willow to die?
I feel that she should think about the consequences before she make a choice. Why would she choose to cut herself? There are many other better tortures she could have done to herself like eat a bunch of deserts, run a long marathon, get into a college, or something else that she could do to get her mind off of the accident. Just get over it! Hurting your body only creates more problems, it doesn't do anything to solve it. Really, young teens should try to free their minds by talking to adults that they are comfortable with and discuss their issues and have them make advices. Kids tend to think they know everything which is not true. They still need help with adults because of their lack of experience. Keeping secrets can sometimes lead to bad consequences. If she hadn't talk about her issues to somebody else and continue to take the blame, she might have ended up committing suicide and just die off like her parents.
In conclusion, I feel that Willow should try to let everything go and just think about what is happening in the future. Looking back will only may her trip even more. It's no longer alright to blame yourself when you're not the one at fault. Luckily, she gets help at the end and stops cutting herself. In real life, when students face a difficult problem that they cannot fix by themselves, they may choose to talk to their parents, guidance counselor, and their friends. Unfortunately Willow is left without her parents and her dark personality has cost her many friends but she could have still talked to her guidance counselor first before trying to solve her emotional trauma by herself. Finding help can do more good than harm.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Social Classes
Persepolis
Social Classes
In the book, "Persepolis" by Marjiane Satrapi, there is a quote, "The reason for my shame and for the Revolution is the same: the difference between social classes" (30). If you reverse the sentence, it basically means that the difference between social classes is the reason for her to be shameful and the reason for the country's revolution.This excerpt is pretty simple to understand and it made me wonder why is this the case. Are we still considered equal when people are not in the same social classes? Why do people in higher social classes get more opportunities? Why are people categorized for their values?
In the story, Marji's friend, a maid, was unable to marry another guy that she loves because he was in a different social class. When that guy found out that she was a maid, he didn't want to be with her anyway. I can't forgive this guy. You love someone for who they are, not based on their values, their job, or their living conditions. Everyone should be given the same chances and the people from the higher social classes should lend a hand and support the poorer ones to improve the economy. But of course, it was a good that that he dumped her because now she knows what a bastard he is.
We can apply the same concept in life today also. Let's just say in a job recruitment, there is a rich guy with a nice suit and clean shoes along with a poor guy wearing torn jeans and flip-flops. Even if the poor guy is slightly smarter than the other one, the manager will mostly likely employ the rich dude because he will give the company a better reputation. This is unjustifiable because he was biased when making his decisions. People shouldn't be classified in certain groups because of how much money they have. Some people may have just been born in a really good family, while some others just aren't too lucky. But, we are all humans. We deserve the same rights as others. We should be viewed a certain way not because of our social class but because of our ability. But sometimes even this wouldn't be as fair because children at richer families tend to have better education.
As you can see, I feel that social classes are sometimes a limiting factor. Personality and ability should be more important than how much money your family earns, which is quite unfair. If I had to employ a worker, I would absolutely select one based on their working ability and not on their values.
Social Classes
In the book, "Persepolis" by Marjiane Satrapi, there is a quote, "The reason for my shame and for the Revolution is the same: the difference between social classes" (30). If you reverse the sentence, it basically means that the difference between social classes is the reason for her to be shameful and the reason for the country's revolution.This excerpt is pretty simple to understand and it made me wonder why is this the case. Are we still considered equal when people are not in the same social classes? Why do people in higher social classes get more opportunities? Why are people categorized for their values?
In the story, Marji's friend, a maid, was unable to marry another guy that she loves because he was in a different social class. When that guy found out that she was a maid, he didn't want to be with her anyway. I can't forgive this guy. You love someone for who they are, not based on their values, their job, or their living conditions. Everyone should be given the same chances and the people from the higher social classes should lend a hand and support the poorer ones to improve the economy. But of course, it was a good that that he dumped her because now she knows what a bastard he is.
We can apply the same concept in life today also. Let's just say in a job recruitment, there is a rich guy with a nice suit and clean shoes along with a poor guy wearing torn jeans and flip-flops. Even if the poor guy is slightly smarter than the other one, the manager will mostly likely employ the rich dude because he will give the company a better reputation. This is unjustifiable because he was biased when making his decisions. People shouldn't be classified in certain groups because of how much money they have. Some people may have just been born in a really good family, while some others just aren't too lucky. But, we are all humans. We deserve the same rights as others. We should be viewed a certain way not because of our social class but because of our ability. But sometimes even this wouldn't be as fair because children at richer families tend to have better education.
As you can see, I feel that social classes are sometimes a limiting factor. Personality and ability should be more important than how much money your family earns, which is quite unfair. If I had to employ a worker, I would absolutely select one based on their working ability and not on their values.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)