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First Draft

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What it means to be an American M. Harper

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  What being an “ african american” means to me, an african american means “negro”  “ghetto” “thug life “  “black”  to me . “

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  What being an “ african american” means to me, an african american means “negro”  “ghetto” “thug life “  “black”  to me . “

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Mlea Harper-Tuner

11/20/17

English 1

the color of the pits of hell, coffee that spits out, cats that bring misfortune, rotting food that has been abandoned, and the storm clouds that bring destruction.

African american believe in they’re culture and religion .

Black is the color of depression.

Being black in America is not being guaranteed clean water.

Being black in America is being killed while attending Bible study by a self-proclaimed white supremacist who, even after being convicted, is defended by some media sources.

Being black in America is being compared to the very hate group responsible for lynchings of blacks for simply protesting a penal system designed to disproportionately affect and enslave people of color.

Being black in America and being conscious of institutionalized racism is “to be in a rage almost all the time .

Being black in America is like looking through a kaleidoscope.

You are made to decipher, be and not be all these different personalities, ideals, histories, and stereotypes

. You’re proud and ashamed to enjoy ‘black’ things. You’re proud and ashamed to enjoy ‘white’ things.

You play a rigged game with your white counterparts in housing, education, and employment.

Being black in America means you most likely have a loving family, but a broken one – broken by a history of oppression and separation .

One of the hardest and most heartbreaking things a black parent or guardian will ever have to do is explain to their child that there is this mindset and system in place to hurt them, kill them, oppress them, and there’s not much they can do about it.

It looks like there’s not much hope for someone who is black in America, but that’s simply not true.

It hurts knowing there are people out there that don’t like me just because of the color of my skin.

When I was younger, I was ashamed of my color, but now, as an educated African American female, I’ve molded myself to be proud of who I am.

I strive to go above and beyond to prove that I am worthy of the same respect and equal rights of those around me.

I am black in America, and I am proud.

I once had an administrator tell me to ‘get’ over the racist comments that were being made in one of my classes.

He told me that he was doing me a favor by refusing to switch me to a class where I would be more comfortable.

He said that I would just have to become accustomed to the reality of being black in America.

Black Americans inspire me.

They give me hope that America will not always be this way towards people of color, and we will be the ones to change it.

Black is the color of resilience.

Black is the color of hope.

-Mlea Harper-Turner

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mleaharper-turnerRespect essay  Mr. Neumeyer
| November 10th , 2017‘RESPECT ESSAY’I think respecting  the classroom is way  more important than anything inside of school. Respecting the classroom will make people respect you the way you want to be respected  . Respect is a very broad term when people use it. What is the definition of respect? When I looked it up on the computer (google), I found out the  definition is: to show regard or admiration of something or someone. I see respect as a universal characteristic. Respect to me, is a way of showing someone that you think highly of them and well, respect them! Respect is a very important part of life. If a person is respected, it makes him feel good and in return, he or she respects you. Respect is important to me because if a person didn't respect anyone, he himself would not be admired, and over time, he would grow up to be a very rude and be a considered person. Rudeness and kindness are also two very big components of respect. If you are rude to people or a person, you are disrespectful. If you are purposely mean or nasty to people, you are disrespectful. Respecting teachers such as Mr. Wellman is a very important part of education and life. Teachers feel good when they are respected and tend to be less grumpy and nicer during the day. Respect is also important in today's society. If you want a job and go give an interview for one, and you are rude to the boss and are throwing beanbags at people while he is addressing you, you will never get the job. Bosses like respectfulness because they know you will be a good member of their company by helping others and working with others. This is also the way it works with teachers. Just think about it. If you were teaching a class, and no one is even paying attention to you, if kids are throwing stuff around in the corner, will you not feel frustrated? More than frustrated, I would feel quite upset and very angry. I would feel like I am wasting my time teaching a bunch of disrespectful, rude people at the bottom of society. What does the teacher have to lose? He still gets his paycheck whether you learn or not. If you don't pay attention and learn, you're at loss

Mlea ,

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MLEA HARPER-TURNER

10/30/17

ENGLISH 1

GIVE ME FAMILY OR GIVE ME DEATH!

I feel like without family it wouldnt be no love , no joy , no happiness . I feel like family is the key to (anybody) that feel the way i do about having family is the heart to the key .

How else would you enjoy your time everyday ? hanging out with somebody from school or a friend from awhile ago ? i know you would want to spend time with you family sometimes and not just friends .

Sometimes you would wanna be at home all day with your family . sometimes people would not wanna be around they’re friends all day everyday …..

So give me family or give me death !

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what being an african american means to me 

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what being an african american means to me 

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Mlea Harper-Tuner

11/20/17

English 1

What being an “ african american” means to me, an african american means “negro”  “ghetto” “thug life “  “black”  to me . “

the color of the pits of hell, coffee that spits out, cats that bring misfortune, rotting food that has been abandoned, and the storm clouds that bring destruction.

Black is the color of depression.

Being black in America is not being guaranteed clean water.

Being black in America is being killed while attending Bible study by a self-proclaimed white supremacist who, even after being convicted, is defended by some media sources.

Being black in America is being compared to the very hate group responsible for lynchings of blacks for simply protesting a penal system designed to disproportionately affect and enslave people of color.

Being black in America and being conscious of institutionalized racism is “to be in a rage almost all the time .

Being black in America is like looking through a kaleidoscope.

You are made to decipher, be and not be all these different personalities, ideals, histories, and stereotypes

. You’re proud and ashamed to enjoy ‘black’ things. You’re proud and ashamed to enjoy ‘white’ things.

You play a rigged game with your white counterparts in housing, education, and employment.

Being black in America means you most likely have a loving family, but a broken one – broken by a history of oppression and separation .

One of the hardest and most heartbreaking things a black parent or guardian will ever have to do is explain to their child that there is this mindset and system in place to hurt them, kill them, oppress them, and there’s not much they can do about it.

It looks like there’s not much hope for someone who is black in America, but that’s simply not true.

It hurts knowing there are people out there that don’t like me just because of the color of my skin.

When I was younger, I was ashamed of my color, but now, as an educated African American female, I’ve molded myself to be proud of who I am.

I strive to go above and beyond to prove that I am worthy of the same respect and equal rights of those around me.

I am black in America, and I am proud.

I once had an administrator tell me to ‘get’ over the racist comments that were being made in one of my classes.

He told me that he was doing me a favor by refusing to switch me to a class where I would be more comfortable.

He said that I would just have to become accustomed to the reality of being black in America.

Black Americans inspire me.

They give me hope that America will not always be this way towards people of color, and we will be the ones to change it.

Black is the color of resilience.

Black is the color of hope.

-Mlea Harper-Turner

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MLEA HARPER-TURNER

ENGLISH 1

MR.NEUMEYER

WHAT BEING AN AMERICAN MEANS TO ME

BEING AN AMERICAN MEANS ALOT TO ME BECUASE WE HAVE SO MUCH IN HISTORY SUCH AS US BEING A SLAVE AND ETC . IT MEANS THAT I CAN SAY THE “PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE “ AND THAT I CAN VOTE FOR THE PRESIDENT . IT MEANS THAT WE ARE FREE TO WHATEVER WE WANT NOW WITHOUT BEING HARASSED OR ANTHING ELSE THAT USED TO HAPPEN TO US IT ALSO MEANS TO BE FAIR , FREEDOM AND JUSTICE . BEING AN AMERICA..