Fences.

     The play Fences by August Wilson takes place in 1957 during the difficult years of change with blacks. It takes place in a dirt-yard and porch of the Maxson family's house in Pittsburgh. In the time period of the play many things associated with blacks vs. whites were going on. There had been a Montgomery Bus Boycott because of Rosa Parks. Jackie Robinson broke the Gentlemen's agreement which kept blacks from playing in major leagues. Schools were being desegregated. The Civil Rights Act and the Voting Act was passed 8 years after the play. Blacks were free from slavery but were trying to  be cut off from society at the time.

Race & Racism

     Young people understand race as either a gift or a curse. In the video A girl Like Me one of the girls says all her sisters are lighter than her so she felt ugly. Many people grow up thinking that if they are not from a certain place or look a certain way they will not be accepted in society. The mentality of many young people is that if you aren't white you aren't good enough. It shouldn't matter how someone looks or where they're from because people can't change that, what matters is the way someone is on the inside.
     In my school I asked guys what they look for in a girl and many of them described a light skinned girl. Beauty should not be measured on whats on the outside but whats on the inside. Many dark skinned people are beautiful and not all of them are from Africa. Choosing one person over another because of their race and color of skin is racism.
     In the past blacks went through slavery and were seen as nothing. Whites dominated everything and even today that happens. We grew up thinking that whites are always going to be better than us. But that's not true. What makes you a better person is what you're willing to do for people. A color or nationality should never define a person.
     Our generation should learn from past mistakes and not let other people define who we are. Every individual is beautiful in there own way and we should not let someone tell us different. Its all about self confidence and what you believe about yourself. Not everyone will like you but you have to learn to like yourself. The only thing that matters is the person you are in the inside.
   

John F. Kennedy

     The negative impact that Kennedy believes science has had on the world is that he thinks it causes the opposite of peace. In his inaugural address he states, " ..the quest for peace before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction." This means he doesn't think science is helping keep things at peace because of weapons and other new technology. This is similar to what one of my teachers told me once that the more technology built, the more people are at risk because the more weapons and things like that are in the hands of people. Two ways Kennedy believes science can positively affect the future are in one bring us together to explore more things and two have people face problems together instead of on their own. In his inaugural he states, " Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors." This demonstrates that we should not fear science but have it help us. Many people are afraid that because of new technology other countries will attack on us with new weapons but we should trust people and work them and stay at peace like John F. Kennedy wanted.

St. Patrick's Day.

     St. Patrick's day is celebrated every year on March 17th. It is the Roman Catholic feast that honors Saint Patrick and now has to do with Ireland and Irish culture. Irish is the second most common ancestry in America. St. Patrick was an or English or scotch man from the 5th century who was missionary to Ireland. He is seen as a historical figure and someone who converted people to Christianity. Even though the day falls on the fasting season people are allowed to eat meat that day. The Irish dance, drink and feast on traditional meal which is bacon and cabbage. The parade for this day started in America because of Irish soldiers who served the English army. Over the years Irish people immigrated to America and many "Irish Aid" were founded to help celebrate this day. The parade for St. Patrick's Day is the oldest and largest parade.

Think Different

 
     People generally react in a disapproving way with people who are willing to step outside the box of comfortability and normalcy in a way that is considered unconventional or unacceptable. In the movie Glory Road the other people in charge of the basketball team don't like the fact that the Coach is letting black people play. This demonstrates how the Coach thinks different from the others, he doesn't see the color of their skin he sees their skills. It reminds of Rosa Parks who didn't want to give up her seat and was sent to jail because people didn't want blacks to step out of their limits. It was so important for Don Haskins to think different because he changed things. In the movie the coach tells a black guy that he does not see color he sees skill. This means that he didn't care what the person looked like what mattered was how they played. All over the world people get judged but it takes one person to see things different so they can make a change, just like Don Haskins. He thought different than others and made a difference.

My Marlin

    

     Starting high school the stress sets in. Thinking about what I want to be in the future and what college is right for me. Freshman year is the most important year and most of my friends didn't have classes with me. I'm a very shy person and keep to myself unless I know the person well. In middle school I had slacked off in school especially 7th grade. But I was determined to make honor roll freshman year. Coming in to high school I was scared of what would happen. I didn't want to get distracted and mess up. I wanted to have good grades in all my classes.

     The first few weeks of my freshman year I kept to myself.  I meet a few new people like Jonathan who was in my history class. He was tall and goofy. He had light brown eyes and wore braces. HE would get mad so easily but he was fun to be around. He made me laugh until my stomach would hurt. But I knew I had to concentrate in school. Every week I had quizzes and tests. But I would study hard for them something I normally didn't do I would just wing at them. I would study vocabulary words over and over again. Read through my notes till my eyes would close from my tiredness.

     In class everybody seem to think I was a nerd and too quiet but I didn't care. In my math class I would always be answering questions and in science as well. It came to a point where my teachers would ask a question and say except for Aydee. My science teacher literally would give me more work and I would be ahead of the class. A couple of times she would say "I don't know what else to give you." I didn't want people to dislike me but I couldn't help myself. My friend Allen always said "you're so smart Aydee, how do you do it?" Truth is it isn't easy.
     So far I had made honor roll first semester, my hard work was paying off. That when I meet Erica it's kind of weird how we meet. She just randomly went up to me and asked me a question and we talked about everything. After that we would talk all the time and we started spending more time together. This helped me become less shy around others as well. She would make fun of because I did all my work sometimes even before it was due. But I was willing to do anything to get honor roll all school year.
     Around May I had realized that I was actually about to reach my goal. Only a few weeks left of school and finals were coming up. The best part was I only had to take 2 finals because I had A's in my other classes. Gym was a final we had to take no matter what our grade was. And my other one was algebra because annoying teacher decided that because of a 92 I had to take it. One point from not taking it! After finals I didn't go back to school there was really nothing to do. I waited every day for my report card. That was the ultimate proof that I had done it. And finally it came. I caught my marlin.

Dia de San Valentine

     The story behind Valentine's day is about Saint Valentine who secretly married soldiers from Claudius II who forbid young men from getting married because he thought the soldiers would become to attached with their families and wouldn't make good soldiers. Claudius found out what Valentine was doing and sent him to prison. Valentine met a prisoner there who had a blind daughter and it had been said that Valentine had healing powers. And supposedly Valentine cured his daughter. Claudius was impressed but Valentine still disagreed with the marriage issue. The emperor tried converting Valentine to notice Roman gods but couldn't. Valentine tried to convert the emperor and that had consequences and he order an execution. Valentine had fell in love with the prisoners daughter and before he was killed he sent a message to her that said "From Your Valentine." It is said that Valentine was killed on February 14, 270 AD. We celebrate Valentines day because over the years it became about love and a man sending a message to his love.

 

 

 

     According to the graph the majority of break ups occur during spring break, and two weeks before Christmas. Most people break up because they want to have fun during spring break and want to be free and not have to worry about someone else. But you can have fun with that special someone to. You don't have to break up with someone to enjoy yourself because that's why you got with them in the first place to have someones company and to be loved. The majority of break ups happen because people make mistakes like cheat, stupid arguments or other problems. If you know you won't stay faithful don't get in to the relationship but you should try and control yourself because you wouldn't want that to happen to you. Sometimes money could be the problem because you have to buy presents but you can make things for the person, its the thought that counts.