Author: jaiden184

The Growing Shadow Of Illegality

jaiden184 Uncategorized 2 Comments
The Growing Shadow Of Illegality

The poem “Everyday we get more illegal” by Juan Felipe dives into the controversial issue of immigration. Through its imagery, the poem captures the struggles, resilience, and humanity of individuals who find themselves in a constant state of illegality.

The title itself hints at a sad reality where laws and regulations fail to keep pace with the changing dynamics of migration. The poet sheds light on the daily lived experiences of those who are labeled as “illegal,” emphasizing their shared humanity and the impact that powerful figures have on their lives.

 

The poem empathizes with the misfortune of those who are marginalized, exploring themes of displacement, alienation, and the relentless pursuit of a better life. It makes us question the fairness and compassion of existing immigration systems and calls for a deeper understanding of the motivations and circumstances that drive individuals to seek a new home.

In its essence, “Everyday we get more illegal” prompts us to reflect on our own attitudes towards immigration. It reminds us that behind the label of “illegal” are real people with dreams, hopes, and aspirations, deserving of dignity and compassion.

Overall, “Everyday we get more illegal” prompts us to reflect on the powerful figures that contribute to the perpetuation of illegality and challenges us to approach the issue with empathy and understanding. It urges us to yearn for more inclusive policy that recognize the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their legal status.

 

 

 

Photo Links:

https://timesdelphic.com/2018/03/marginalization-within-an-already-marginalized-community/

https://theswaddle.com/how-social-exclusion-is-a-more-common-form-of-bullying-than-physical-verbal-attacks/

https://www.peoplematters.in/site/interstitial?return_to=%2Fblog%2Fwatercooler%2Fresponding-to-being-left-out-important-meetings-14994

 

Idealism Vs Realism

jaiden184 20-1D , , 4 Comments
Idealism Vs Realism

In the film Pleasantville, two siblings are transported into a 1950s sitcom world called Pleasantville, where everything is perfect and everyone follows a strict set of rules

Similarly In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, prisoners are chained to a wall in a cave and can only see shadows of objects cast on the wall in front of them. They believe these shadows to be the only reality, as they have never experienced anything else.

Both of these stories have the same concept around them. There is only one way of seeing things and one reality.

One day one of the prisoners are let out and they see the outside world for the first time. The prisoner is enlightened by what he see’s and goes to tell his friends. When the prisoner returns to the cave to tell his friends about the true reality, they are skeptical and resistant to his ideas. They cannot imagine a world beyond the shadows they have always known.

Similarly, Pleasantville explores the idea of discovering a new reality and breaking free from the limitations of one’s current perception. When color starts appearing and people start to change. However the people who haven’t been enlightened resist the changes and dislike them.

However, as the characters in both Pleasantville and the Allegory of the Cave begin to embrace their new reality, they become more accepting of change. They begin to see the world in a new lens .. This leads to significant changes in their values and attitudes.

Overall, the reactions to change in Pleasantville and the Allegory of the Cave highlight the power of new ideas and the importance of intellectual curiosity and freedom of expression. While change can be difficult and challenging, it can also lead to personal growth and a greater understanding of the world.

 

 

Images:

https://www.google.com/search?q=pleasantville&rlz=1C1UEAD_enCA1046CA1046&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjPmYOk-af-AhXCIX0KHd1jBzIQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1920&bih=969&dpr=1#imgrc=rqLFxp1aO9HM7M

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/platos-allegory-of-the-cave/

 

 

Overcoming Fear

jaiden184 20-1D, Personal Response, Writing , , , , , , , , 3 Comments
Overcoming Fear

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”

-Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K Rowling focuses on Harry’s journey competing in the Triwizard Tournament, a competition involving students from schools across the wizarding world. Throughout Harry’s journey, he learns self confidence is key to overcoming one’s fears, which restrains individuals from reaching their full potential.

This quotation, by Albus Dumbledore occurred during a conversation with Cornelius Fudge, when Fudge argued wizards were superior in comparison to humans. Dumbledore defended humans and responded with, “It matters not what someone is born, but who they grow to be”.  Individuals should apply this quote to their lives as it is important for one to focus on themselves and not let failures or comparisons cause setbacks. People are only able to reach life goals if their attention is focused on themselves, rather than what others are achieving or receiving. In addition, self-doubt and fear of not being able to improve shouldn’t stop you from trying to reach personal goals.

Who Put Harry Potter's Name in the Goblet of Fire?

This quote is meaningful to me because I frequently compared my successes to others, which limited myself before I could reach my full potential.  Learning that people aren’t born with everything is an important life lesson for individuals to learn. To this day, focusing on myself as well as my goals is a priority. When I first joined ball hockey, I compared myself to my teammates as they were able to control the ball much better than I could. However, I began to improve as I gained more confidence and I quickly learned comparing myself to others was doing more harm than good. 

“Now that I knew fear, I also knew it was not permanent. As powerful as it was, its grip on me would loosen. It would pass.“

-Louise Erdrich, The Round House

The plot of The Round House, by Louise Erdrich revolves around Joe Coutts, a young boy, who became frustrated with the lazy investigation of his mothers attack. He decided to locate his mother’s attacker with his friends help. The Round House is set on an Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota.

This is an important quote for individuals to live by as fear shouldn’t cause limitations in one’s life. Fear, just as other states of mind, is not permanent and will eventually pass. People should not make decisions based on something this temporary. When people allow fear to consume them, worst case scenarios fill their minds, increasing self-doubt. Confidence is gained through the acceptance of fear, as it encourages them to try new things.

The Round House,' by Louise Erdrich - The New York Times

This quote is relatable to my life as I believe people should never be scared to try something new. The more people allow fear to control themselves, the more they limit and restrict their talents from flourishing. Last summer, my family wanted to go ziplining in Whistler. However, I was afraid of the heights and was unsure of going. My sister reminded me that this was a rare opportunity, which I should take advantage of. I thought about what she said and I soon realized that I would appreciate my decision in going. In the end, it turned out to be a good experience and I’m glad I decided to go. I realized my fear was temporary and after the initial scare, I wanted to go again.

 

Overall, these quotations reflect my values and beliefs when it comes to perseverance and self-confidence. Reading novels that incorporate inspiring quotations such as these, allow myself to reflect on my life and find ways to better myself. Applying quotes to my personal life motivates me to reach my goals and stay on the right path.

Citations:

  • https://www.cbr.com/who-put-harry-potter-name-in-goblet-of-fire/
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/14/books/review/the-round-house-by-louise-erdrich.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Round_House_(novel)#:~:text=The%20Round%20House%20follows%20the,Cappy%2C%20Angus%2C%20and%20Zack.