Beautiful Words by https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr Make sure your name is shown, and your quote is your title, properly cited. en-us 2020-10-20 10:37:36 UTC 2025-09-25 07:52:50 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f499.png Tyler Borack tborack24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844919580 Internment By Samira Ahmed
"I clench my left fist. I raise the bullhorn to my lips, “We demand that the gates of Mobius be opened...We are Americans” (Ahmed 358). This quote was told by the main character, Layla during a protest by the internees demanding for their freedom. Layla uses the bull horn to make sure her words are heard not just by the director but EVERYONE.  It provides a symbol that the truth can't be hidden or else it will crumble between your hands. This quote spoke to me because this part of the novel is one of the critical rising actions in leading up to the climax. If Layla and the other internees didn't speak up, then nobody would realize that what they were doing to the Muslims was wrong. This part of the novel also informs me that all discrimination and violence that is happening in the US currently can't be stopped unless we speak up. Furthermore this shows that Layla is breaking her barrier between her and fear. Without her breaking that barrier her powerful words would have never been heard.]]> 2020-10-20 14:09:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844919580 Internment sargiropoulos24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844926009 "Is it possible to feel seasick in the desert? Because I do..." (Ahmed, 225).

In the moment, reading this line didn't really make too much sense to me. This line was said right before the Red Cross was coming to the camp, and Layla along with her group of following protestors were going on a hunger strike. It was a really deep metaphor that took a while to understand, especially when said in those circumstances. However, as I thought about it and scanned the words over and over again, I realized the power this single sentence carries. The desert is a metaphor for a barren place, nothing is happening, good or bad. To me, this symbolizes the mimicked normalcy that most at the camp tried to create. When in fact, there was no normal. Layla felt like she was drowning in it. Drowning in the false reality that was established for them at Camp Mobius. Although on a much smaller scale, I feel like it is possible for not only me, but anyone to relate to the words she spoke. After an important loss or big event that negatively impacted you, have you ever felt like the world should stop for your pain? Do you ever see everyone continuing like normal and think they're crazy for not stopping to think or react to whatever might have just happened? I know I have. This line in the novel completely engulfed my attention, and made me relate that much more with Layla. ]]> 2020-10-20 14:10:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844926009 rbrennan24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844940179 Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
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A quote that stuck out to me that was super important was "I said no" (Anderson 195).  This quote was said by Melinda near the ending of the story when Andy Evans had cornered her in the closet at school where she would go to feel safe.  It was about to happen again, but this time out of pure hatred.  Melinda was able to push him off of her with everything she had.  She never had the chance to say no to him the first time he did it to her, and she finally had her chance.  It really spoke to me because of the greater meaning behind it.  The power it takes from someone to not only stop a rapist but then look them dead in the eyes and say "no" is truly inspiring.  Melinda may have been a victim a second time to the same boy if she didn't unleash her inner anger.  Rape is a real, awful thing that needs to end.  It will demolish a person mentally and physically.  Everyone's story deserves to be heard, and these stories are what will make the difference.  Melinda hit her breaking point.  As do real victims.        ]]> 2020-10-20 14:13:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844940179 Long Way Down amatarazzo24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844943815 In the book, there are many quotes and conflicts that opened my eyes to  new situations I never had to experience. Yet, I did relate to an issue in the book when Will has an aha moment about his brother. "And even though his face was wet with tears he wasn't supposed to cry when he was alive, I couldn't see him as anything less than my brother, my favorite , my only" (Reynolds 299). This aha moment happened around the climax and was a major conflict, Will's brother Shawn joins him and some of their dead friends and family in a metaphoric elevator and after explaining what happened to his brother, Shawn starts crying. It made Will realize that witnessing his brother cry didn't make him view Shawn any different. Although I never have hid my emotions or felt I couldn't cry, it is almost like a society rule that men don't cry. Most guys don't really show their emotion, and I've witnessed many people face this. There are also many men and boys that have toxic masculinity because they think they need to be some tough guy, showing no emotion, and dressing like the typical man would. Recently I have seen guys breaking these society rules and they are dressing how they want, wearing skirts or using makeup, this is a good step in the world, because what you wear or act like shouldn't define your sexuality or gender. Most of the book was more of window for me, but in this instance I saw it has a mirror because I've witnessed societies rules about masculinity, so this quote spoke to me.  ]]> 2020-10-20 14:14:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844943815 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘺 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯 jaynasass24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844944938 Out of the many quotes I could choose, I think this quote can speak to a lot of people. "That nothing in this world is deserved except for love, that love is both how you become a person, and why" (Green 285). This quote is referring to Aza's relationship with Davis, but could be taken as a platonic relationship as well so that it applies to more people. The end of the quote says that love is how you become a person, and why. People will go to great lengths to feel loved, but unless its really true it doesn't help you. People change themselves to be loved. In this book, Aza learns that she doesn't have to change herself or try to hide her problems to be loved. When you are really loved, you know you can be yourself and not change. Even in a platonic way, friendships shouldn't rely on a fake personality. The reader learns a valuable lesson, that everyone deserves to be loved, and to love no matter what.]]> 2020-10-20 14:14:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844944938 The Hate U Give mrauffer24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844945193 A quote that stuck out to me in The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas was "What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in the moments you shouldn't be?" (Thomas 252). This quote was said around the middle of the book when Starr and Maya form their "minority alliance" after talking about some of the racist things Hailey has said. I chose this quote for many reasons. The first reason is because one of Starr's biggest problems is that she struggles to speak up and make her voice heard. This quote stands out to me because it shows that she's finally starting to use her voice to get justice for Khalil. Another reason I chose this quote was because it shows the change in personality that Starr has. Towards the beginning of the book, she talks about how she has two personalities for when she's in Garden Heights and in school. After finding out that Maya has dealt with similar problems, she begins to realize that she doesn't have to be those two people because there will always be someone that supports her either way. Because of this support, she finally beings to stand up for Khalil and wants to make a difference in the corruption minorities face. This quote stood out to me because it shows the confidence that Starr builds and the change in personality that occurs.]]> 2020-10-20 14:14:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844945193 lludwig24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844946173 Speak
"There is no avoiding it, no forgetting"(Anderson 198)
This quote was said at the end of the novel towards the resolution when Melinda found her voice. This quote stuck with me because it shows that Melinda has grown and that she isn't letting her past define her. This is so inspirational because considering she's had such a traumatic history and she can still grow from that, it shows that you can do the same. This quote also shows that you can learn from many experiences. She can never forget her first experience with Andy Evanson, however, she can learn to never let it happen again. Melinda's first time alone with Andy she couldn't find the strength to say no. However, when it happened again she realized she didn't want that to define her as a person, or her past and screamed and put up a fight to save herself. This is powerful because many victims are too scared to stand up for themselves. However, through this novel, the author shows the readers that you are in control of your own body and should always say no when you are uncomfortable. Laurie Halse Anderson used this novel to show that even if you are suffering in silence, you can still make a change.  ]]> 2020-10-20 14:14:54 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844946173 Speak kmichigan24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844946590 Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. 

"A sound explodes from me. NNOOO!!!" (Anderson 194). Melinda  found her voice as she was trapped with Andy Evans in the closet and finally said no. She was in a situation with him before but was afraid to say no until that moment where she took control and pushed him off her.  She was raped and didn't tell anyone, not even her friends who were at the party. She felt scared, helpless and lonely. She ended up losing all her friends which lead to depression. She wasn't doing well in school and didn't care that people didn't like her. Until the end of the book where she spoke up. This quote was important to me because this was the moment where she spoke up and made sure her voice was heard. She was raped which is an awful thing to go through. This book showed me to never be silent and to speak up. Never be afraid to say no. Its not to late. 

]]> 2020-10-20 14:14:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844946590 Turtles all the Way Down efierst24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844947091 Turtles All the Way Down by John Green 
"...no one ever says good-bye unless they want to see you again" (Green 286).

     This quote was in the final sentence of the novel moments before Davis left her. To Aza, this quote made her realize that she will one day see Davis again.  This gave her hope in life.  To me, this quote was truly beautiful  because it makes the meaning behind a simple "goodbye" so much deeper.  It makes the word not an end to a conversation, but a pause to which you will later continue.  In my personal life it helps me realize that goodbye is not forever and that eventually, we will all connect back together.  We have all suffered due to loss.  Whether it was a loved one or a friend, but this quote makes our loss easier to handle.  Knowing that we will see all of our loved ones again, gives us the encouragement to move on with our lives, as this is just a temporary loss.]]> 2020-10-20 14:15:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844947091 Turtles All the Way Down lyoung241 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844948649 Turtles All the Way Down by John Green "Spirals grow infinitely small the farther you follow them inward, but they also grow infinitely larger the farther you follow them out" (Green 284).

In this scene at the end of the book Aza realizes how she can deal with her anxiety. Throughout the entire story Aza struggled with her thoughts spiraling. While her and Davis were looking at the stars she finally realized how she need to climb out of the spirals. This really spoke to me because it was really hard to watch Aza go through everything during the story. It was nice to see her come to a realization on how to help herself. This also shows how much Aza grew through the story. For awhile Aza didn't want to help herself because she felt like nothing ever worked. She either tried really hard to find a solution or she didn't try at all. In this moment she was happy and that's how she got this solution. All Aza needed to do to get to this realization was to finally be happy and I think that's beautiful.]]> 2020-10-20 14:15:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844948649 Long Way Down jshin241 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844949036 Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
"Beef gets passed down like name-brand T-shirts around here. Always  too big. Never ironed out" (Reynolds 27).

This quote stuck with me because we as people hear rumors everyday and I always wonder if they are true and what actually happened after the rumor. Will, the main protagonist, says this when talking about his brother, Shawn, and his death in the beginning of the book. The quote is talking about how rumors spread around the town like old T-shirts, always big accusations and never resolved. I think the rumor he is talking about is that Riggs killed Shawn. I feel like this quote is very true to life because in the real world people always make these grand rumors and then we never hear about what actually happened.  Nobody actually realizes the consequences of the rumors either. One rumor could completely destroy a persons life. Have you ever heard the phrase "Words are stronger then actions"? Well in this case it is true.]]> 2020-10-20 14:15:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844949036 Speak rlapp24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844949343 "I am Outcast." (Anderson 4)

In the book Speak, a lot is written that means a lot to me, but this sentence is the one that means the most. The reason that is, is because for basically all of middle school I was either in toxic friendships, or I had no one. One thing about toxic friends, even if you have them you feel that no one is there for you. So even though Melinda was outcast for other reasons, for calling the police at a party, it still means something to me. Since this was in the beginning of the book when they were introducing everything you do not have a really good idea of everything going on at the time. Now knowing what happens it makes sense why Melinda pushed everyone away and didn't talk anymore. Now I can not connect something to that severity to my life, but her being outcast and left behind is a yes. I have always been a kid with a big personality and I know a lot of people do not like that about me because I am brutally honest a lot.  A lot times people do not like hearing my opinion because of that. That is the reason I have been outcast so much because I do not get pushed around and I just have overall strange hobbies to some. So knowing that being outcast can happen even with simple things and not just because you "make it happen" in some way, like pulling yourself away. I am definitely a lot happier now so sometimes, being lonely or being outcast can be a good thing you can take the time to find yourself and what makes you happy, and that is what I did. ]]> 2020-10-20 14:15:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844949343 The Hate U Give " I can't change where I come from or what Iv'e been through, so why be ashamed of what makes me, me?"(Thomas 441) iderosa24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844951728
In The Hate U Give throughout the whole book there are meny meaningful quotes and many words that stand out to me. One in particular is when Kenya and Starr are talking and Kenya says to Starr about how Starr was ashamed of Garden heights and she was ashamed of Khali etc. Starr says she had to face the ugly truth. In her head she thought " I can't change where I come from or what Iv'e been through, so why be ashamed of what makes me, me?" (Thomas 441). This quote really stands out to me and kind of makes the whole book, because in the beginning of the book Starr explains how she has her Garden Heights self and then she has her Williamson Prep self. She was ashamed of herself and the town she came from which is why she never wanted anyone to know she was associated with Khalil. A little into the book we learn that one time in 6th grade Starr has her Williamson friends sleepover (Hailey and Maya) and they get picked up in the middle of the night because they felt uncomfortable being there. I feel like that is partially one of the main reasons Starr stared to act different and had her two "personas". When something like that happens it doesn't just leave your head it stays with you forever. You think upon how your friends didn't want to stay at your house because it isn't the rich preppy big house/life they were used to. In chapter 16/17 Starr and Chris are at prom, Chris asks Starr to take pictures and she asks why he was being weird lately and Chris asks why she has an attitude. Starr storms out and then we quickly get to a point where Chris asks Starr why he never told him she was the witness. Starr did not want Chris to know because he was this white boy from a rich family and Starr was a black girl from a poor-ish family with not the same lifestyle as him. She didn't want him to know because she didn't want him to see how bad her life was and how it wasn't even comparable to his. Chris ends up being very understanding and meets her dad and Starr feels better because she knows now that there was nothing to be ashamed of and her life was just different than his. These examples show everyones life is different in one way or another and there is not hinging to be ashamed of no matter who you re or who/where you come from.


]]> 2020-10-20 14:16:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844951728 Turtles All the Way Down cfeliz24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844951894 Turtles all the way down by John Green
"I was so good at being a kid, and so terrible at being whatever I was now” (Green 25). 

On a canoe to a small island that will start her big journey, Aza remembers a time when things were much easier, her birthday party.  This quote really stuck out to me because I get what Aza is feeling and talking about when she said that.  It’s much easier to be a kid because there’s no worries and you get to be carefree, but as soon as you start to grow up and leave those things behind you, everything is almost thrown at you like a wave and you have to try and keep up.  Things are more difficult and people expect more from you since you're older now, but you're still a kid within which can make it harder. And you feel as if you're doing the wrong thing because of the people around you and the things that you encounter  which can make you feel as if you can’t do it. Throughout the book you can see the struggles Aza faces, that life issues and a bunch of other stuff added to her battle and how it affected her in many ways, it's hard to deal with all of that, especially what she was going through within her mind, you can see were the terrible part hit her. But she persevered through it all and learned some valuable lessons during her adventure that we could learn from too.

]]> 2020-10-20 14:16:02 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844951894 The Hate U Give cjohnston241 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844952685 The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas -

“A hairbrush is not a gun!” (Thomas 408). This simple but important quote occurred towards the end of the story. When Starr sees that the same attorney who was helping her with Kahlil’s case is protesting, Starr finally decides to take a stand on the problem at hand. This quote is said by Starr and the other protesters due to the fact that Kahlil was killed because the officer thought that his hairbrush was a firearm. This quote highlights the problem, that the officer assumed they were up to no good based on their skin color. This quote is important to the character arc of Starr as well as the story because when Starr joins her lawyer to protest, she finally speaks up, something she’s been waiting to do. She couldn’t stop holding it in, so she let out all of the issues she was facing. This is an Aha Moment for Starr because she finally learns that using her voice is her gift, and she can make a difference in her community depending on how she uses it. This quote spoke to me because it was an Aha Moment not only for the character but for me. This is concrete evidence that if you don’t speak up, change will never occur. After Starr went on live TV and talked to the police, Khalil still didn’t receive justice, but after Starr speaks out she wants to start a movement of exposing the racial injustice that happens in our society. This speaks to the reader because it is an inspiring story that shows why you should never hold your emotions and ideas in if you want to make a change and fix the problems that are present in the world today.


]]> 2020-10-20 14:16:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844952685 The Hate U Give apiperi24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844953070 The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas, is filled with creative writing and beautiful words and phrases.  "Daddy once told me there's a rage passed down to every black man from his ancestors, born the moment they couldn't stop the slave masters from hurting their families." (Thomas 196) Something about this line makes me relate to it somehow, although I never could. I can't relate to it, so I appreciate it. This quote was said after Starr's reaction to her father getting stopped by the police and getting pat down once, twice, three times. This rage that Starr is talking about is the very same rage that spawned in Africa that was carried over to America and surrounding nations from the worst disease in human history: slavery. Centuries of oppression and suppression built up so much anger in the black man that when they were allowed to release it; it was an eternal flame. The very same flame that we see today, and it's spreading like wildfire to people who aren't even black. Spreading to people who are tired of them being tired. Spreading to people who want to put out this fire for good, for all.]]> 2020-10-20 14:16:16 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/844953070 Internment sjenssen24 https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/845037513 Internment
“All these things that might happen next, that should happen- repealing the Exclusion Laws, closing the black-ops sites, impeachment- thats what people died for. So that others may live.” (Ahmed 373)

In internment, Layla looses many close friends in her battle for freedom- Soleil, Jake,  and nearly even her own parents. This quote is a sort of guiding hand from the now deceased Jake, a guard who put his life on the line to help her. While she finally exits the interment camp, back to David and her normal life, she remembers him telling her about a buddy of his who was a pararescue with the Air Force- “Others may live” is their motto. These words of wisdom are both comforting, and give purpose to her friend’s deaths, which she may have otherwise blamed on herself. These three simple words help Layla come to terms with what happened at the camp, and give her the courage she needs to keep pushing onwards, knowing they didn’t die in vain. They speak to me, personally, because they show the determination and grit a person needs to have to cope with these kinds of conditions. The simplicity of it is asstounding, and yet these three words can have such a big impact on a character. Though the atmosphere is solem, the motto “Others may live” brings meaning to Layla’s harsh reality. 




]]> 2020-10-20 14:32:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mmccourt5/rg71hftt9w0tibwr/wish/845037513