https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3 Learning new perspectives on different aspects of life allows one to gain a new outlook, comprehension, and better response to events. en-us 2018-12-08 06:06:02 UTC 2018-12-14 01:54:14 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Watchclock.png purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312522918 The character of Troy in the play Fences with his signature baseball bat.]]> 2018-12-08 16:29:35 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312522918 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312545643 The book/play is set during the segregation period, and tells us a story that begins with racial injustice. Reading this novel helped me see what it was like for a black man during this time period. Seeing examples of how racism impacts African Americans, such as Troy's dream of baseball being crushed, makes me open my eyes more to the struggle for black people. Since I am a white woman who was born in the 90's, and I did not directly grow up around racism, sometimes it is hard for myself to fully comprehend the difficulties for black people. This play is about more than racism though, it is about masculinity, friendship, parenthood, relationships, heartache, marriage, family, dreams, hopes, disappointments, betrayal, and this play is about life. The story of Fences is a very deep one, can teach a lot about life's struggles, and is worth being read/watched multiple times. ]]> 2018-12-08 19:17:40 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312545643 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312548132 During an interview, President Barack Obama stated about literature: "And perspective is exactly what is wanted. At a time when events move so quickly and so much information is transmitted, the ability to slow down and get perspective, along with the ability to get in somebody else’s shoes — those two things have been invaluable to me. Whether they’ve made me a better president, I can’t say. But what I can say is that they have allowed me to sort of maintain my balance during the course of eight years, because this is a place that comes at you hard and fast and doesn’t let up." 

This statement resonated within me because reading allows you to enter a new world where you can visually imagine the words of an author, making a movie in your mind. Creating these "movies" within your own mind is better than actual films because it allows your imagination to work, unlike movies where characters, setting, etc. is given to you. Gaining new perspectives is important because the world we live in is constantly changing, and it is vital to be able to adapt with the advancements of society. With today's growing technology it is essential to slow down for our health, and reading is a way to pause the busy lives we live and take a moment to enjoy the little things life has to offer. ]]> 2018-12-08 19:36:31 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312548132 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312548460 2018-12-08 19:38:58 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312548460 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312548508 2018-12-08 19:39:20 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312548508 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312548823 This poem is about the author looking back on his life in the form of regret. He now as an adult realizes all of what his father did for him and the rest of his family, and also sees that his father was never shown appreciation for his hard work. The author's perspective changed as he grew, when he was young he was more concerned about himself and blindsided to the hardships of others, and as he got older he is able to relate to others more and think of more than just himself. This read is directed to readers of all ages because any age can relate to this, however the young are able to change the present from Hayden's experience and show their parent's appreciation, so that one day they may not look back and feel the same regret. ]]> 2018-12-08 19:41:44 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312548823 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312655078 2018-12-09 16:15:10 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312655078 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312655882 McKay's poem "America" offers the insight into the life of an immigrant in the United States. Two identities being that of a foreigner and an American citizen make up an immigrant, according to Claude. The perspective I gained from the author's own is that obviously the life of an immigrant is challenging, but it is these obstacles that makes leaving behind a home country worthwhile. The need to find the strength to overcome any and all obstacles in the way is what makes it possible for an immigrant to prosper living in a foreign country. Reading this poem makes me feel like some foreigners could have more drive to reach goals over American born citizens because they gave up their whole life to come to America, unlike a lot citizens who were born here who take opportunities in this country for granted. ]]> 2018-12-09 16:19:38 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312655882 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312664162 This novel also gives the insight to what it was like for a black man during the segregation period, however it is about the death by electric chair of a wrongfully convicted innocent black man. Even though this is a fictional story, events similar to the predicament in this book actually happened in real life. Growing up, I've always been told about segregation and how horribly African Americans were treated during that time period, and I of course see what is going on in today's life. Reading this novel put me into the story, I felt as if I was actually in the book experiencing the pain. I felt the sorrow of all of the characters, I felt the frustration of being treated wrong just because of the color of black on skin. This book put me into the perspective of being a black person, and the feeling knowing that people of my race did such horrible things to people of color disgusts me. Even though I never will be able to fully comprehend the feeling it is to be black and the struggles that come along simply with the unchosen color of skin one has, from reading the book "A Lesson Before Dying", I understand a little more about the struggle of the strong, black men and women. 

"A Lesson Before Dying" was my favorite read from this semester because I feel like I gained the most from this work. I really got into the book, and even cried a little when Jefferson died. ]]> 2018-12-09 17:02:03 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312664162 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312668056 This poem gives the perspective from a black person during the segregation period and begins with saying that when company is over they have to eat in the kitchen. They keep their head up, stay happy, full of laughter, and continue to become stronger. The strength that African American's have throughout the hardships they have had to endure is commendable at the least. The statement "They'll see how beautiful I am" tells me how people of color have chosen to see themselves even though they were being beaten down. It is this perseverance and positive outlook that made it possible for their culture to remain so strong to this day. It makes me want to strive to have a positive outlook at life no matter what comes my way.]]> 2018-12-09 17:21:26 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312668056 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312675401 One main point that Judith makes in this poem is the limited opportunities for women. She compares the blood in her woman body to that of a man's blood, calling her blood "shameful" and blood of "men in battle: beautiful". She wonders why men and women are considered different even though it is the same blood of the Christ that flows through both sexes. This woman has no control over being born into the culture where at the age of 15 is given the rites of passage that lead to adulthood. The girl sounds scared of becoming a woman, rather forced and is not ready to leave behind her life with dolls to trade it in for the obligations of a woman. Being a woman I can relate to the author and the feelings of fright to the change from a girl to woman, it can be scary trying to live up to standards. Time heals all, and the feelings of fright will be released eventually and womanhood will be embraced. ]]> 2018-12-09 17:55:43 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312675401 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312682427 This story, which is based upon a the real event of Jing-Mei's life when she met her half-sisters in China in 1987. Heritage, identity, appearance, and reality is what makes up this story. Jing-Mei is Chinese but has always lived in America, so even though she has the looks of a Chinese woman, she only feels American. She felt at home when she made it to China, which shows me that there will always be something for each culture about one's home country, even if they were not raised there. When Jing-Mei met her half sisters, she was frightened by how much they looked like their mom, but then realized looks had nothing to do with it. The realization is that they all shared qualities of their mom, from mouth, ears, to nose, all three of them make up their mom together, regardless of the country they were raised in. The lesson here is that there is more than what meets the eye.]]> 2018-12-09 18:27:32 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312682427 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312699229 The novel by Sandra Cisneros is very relatable to the audience who reads it because it is about a young person who is embarrassed by different things about her life. I did not grow up exactly like Esperanza, but I do relate to her because I have felt ashamed/embarrassed by aspects to my identity. Esperanza faces a lot of obstacles throughout her life, and she is given hope by the three old sisters that she will be successful in life but cannot forget her past. They also tell her that she must come back to help the people, not to live behind her loved ones. The main message that I get from this story is that you can rise up no matter where you come from, but your past is what makes you who you are. You have to accept yourself along with the good and the bad in your life, and embrace everything to prosper. ]]> 2018-12-09 19:44:21 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312699229 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312724389 In this story, there is a Mama and two daughters, Maggie and Dee. Dee is very accomplished and is trying to understand her heritage, even changed her name to "Wangero" and wears clothing and jewelry from Africa. When her and her boyfriend visit, Dee is rude to her family, rummages around her moms items in search of some items to show her heritage, and tries to take some quilts that are meant for her sister. Her mom does not let Dee take the quilts, she will only hang them on the wall for display, not use them like they should be used. The meaning behind this story to me is that this generation cares too much about the outside, or looks, instead of the true meaning of things. Dee wanted to understand her heritage, but really was running away from it.]]> 2018-12-09 22:06:06 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312724389 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312725918 This poem, in my opinion is dated in a time older than todays time, where woman didn't work and only did housework. The whole poem consists of a list of advice to the young lady, which is mean to guide the girl and scold her at the same time. To me it seems that the young girl is constantly being bombarded with lessons, never really getting to enjoy her childhood. Her mother feels that this general advice will save her daughter from a life of promiscuity, and make her daughter a respectable lady. What I take away from this story is that children sometimes have too much put on them, and some parents need to let their children be a child while they are young. ]]> 2018-12-09 22:18:00 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312725918 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312728407 2018-12-09 22:38:04 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312728407 purplebrit95 https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312728593 The man in the suit judged the man sitting in front of him, thought he looked homeless, and assumed that he was eating his donuts. He was making judgement based upon selfishness, did not even once think that the other man could have bought his own donuts. The man who looked homeless, however, shared his last donut with the man in the suit, and never showed anger or frustration towards the man in the suit. In life, it is important to not judge people and not be selfish. If the man in the suit was not just thinking about himself, he may have realized he did not even set his bag of donuts on the table. It is important to be able to look at situations through other people's eyes and feel empathy for others, otherwise you will be selfish and make others feel weird.  ]]> 2018-12-09 22:39:21 UTC https://padlet.com/purplebrit95/pjiwmoky8ac3/wish/312728593