My reservation though

In the absolutely true diary of a part time Indian, Junior's home becomes a place where people have become to comfortable with their conditions and stay there forever. However, Junior knows to achieve to success he has to get away.
       Throughout my short life, I have had to flee places of comfort in order to find my potential and better myself. The first time I can recall would have to be in 6th grade. I remember being taken out of class with a few of my fellow peers. I remember being a little on the fence because when you're a sixth grader you kinda always have something to be worried about. Did they hear me swear? Did they saw me hit Cindy? Did she actually tell? Well, none of this had to do with me being taken out of class that day. I was told due to my high test scores, I had the ability to test my way into a better school to have the chance to get into a selective enrollment. I had forgotten to say my dream was to go to Whitney Young, just because the kids there were the smartest of the smart (now I know the real truth buuuut, anywho...). Well, it turned out I was the only one interested in taking said test. None of my good friends wanted to take it with me and it really hurt me. I would have to start a new social life in a different school, every child's worse nightmare, that is, if I was even accepted. My mother had said it was up to me to decide, and so I did. I took that test and honestly, I did horribly and didn't get accepted into any school, the first time around. Once the second round began, I had been accepted to Lenart and Kenwood Academic centers. Despite my uncertainty, I decided to go to Lenart and leave behind my friends. (I am lowkey really happy I left because afterwards everyone got really ratchet and tried to be ghetto. Like pah-leez stop, you're not cool.)
      After 8th grade, we were forced of the new comfortable living we got used to in 7th and 8th grade. Once again, I had to choose where to go for high school. I luckily got into Whitney Young and decided to go there. However, I left behind my entire clique except for one. Out of 32 students, only 7, including me went to Young. I only talk to 3 now.
     After high school began I could no longer hide my raging homosexuality. I mean, lots of people were very good looking at Young. I had to leave behind the disguise of being a heterosexual male to both my friends and my family. Luckily for me, I was surrounded by people who loved me no matter what. However, the moment I came out was so heart stopping despite how anti-climatic it was. (I kinda just came out at a restaurant and then the food came and everything was cool.)
     I can't compare myself to Junior and his limitations because I have been very privileged and lucky. But I guess there is darkness in every bright situation.

Twerk Some Bigger: Native Son

      The introduction of Max as a character towards the end of Native Son was quite refreshing to me. I was sitting there and as I read the argument presented to the courtroom in attempt to save Bigger, my views on Bigger were swayed. I feel this is because Max was able to say things that Bigger himself said had confused him. He was able to basically sum up the entire argument one had based on Bigger throughout the book in some pages of the book. The justifications presented for Bigger's crimes were quite solid and very thoroughly explained. All the reasoning there could be is presented and is placed there for both the jury and readers to elaborate on. However, in the end I felt that he still indeed did do the crime (murdering anyway) and justice was served. Did he deserve the death penalty? Honestly, I would say so. Bigger Thomas is not a changed man. If he were to be given jail time and released, he'd go out and do more crimes. I find the whole theme of excuses very irritating as I read the book. Call me the bad guy or think whatever you want, but to me oppression should fuel determination not hatred and bitterness.
     I feel like Native Son was the best books we've read in English class as it brings up questions that we can all relate to and see in effect today. It had many plots twists that I was blind to and the end had me a bit confused, but still an interesting read.

The light, the yellow halo and Church Steeple

"There was nothing to look at from under the tree except Gatsby's enormous house so I stared at it like Kant at his church steeple, for half an hour."

I never really got to express my ideas on this quote to anyone besides Mr. McCarthy and not like anyone reads this but here I go. Now the irony in my analysis is I am agnostic, yet I always seem to interpret literature through religious allusions I see fit. As we have discussed in class, the quote is positioned in such a way that one could easily brush over it with little thought as it seems to be Nick daydreaming outside. However, this all changes when Kant is alluded. When Kant stared at the steeple, he was thinking very deeply about morality and realty. This means that Nick too is not just looking at the mansion, but he is so enraptured in his thoughts he can't look away as the mansion invokes a symbolic representation. The representation is ambiguous of course. Basically, The mansion relates to that of a steeple where Gatsby is God, often rumored over and sought to find the truth laying behind the man. However, the advocate for god or Gatsby is Gatsby himself, lowering his credibility that much of the author, Nick. Getting back to Nick. This quote is an important development of the character as he is questioning something like Kant has. What that is exactly, not quite sure maybe industry and capitalism during that time period or whether he should do something in the situation of the love triangle between Gatsby, Daisy and Tom. And finally once again, the quote is placed in an odd position in the story as we are more intrigued about Gatsby and Daisy getting together. However, adultery is a sin and while the reader is very tempted to continue reading about the lovers, we are taken to Nick and sort of brush over this quote. While this quote is pure, to an extent, as it alludes to a God like figure. So the author used a clever mind game that most of us probably fell for. #TemptationGotMeLike

That's basically it. Hope you had your mind blown or something along the lines of that.

Janie

Janie, as we all know, is the main character in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Throughout the story she finds different men to which she hopes to find true love with. However, despite all the love and what not, I feel like Janie is looking or will end up finding her true identity within the story. One aspect could be in a spiritual way. There did happen to be lots of allusion to God in the beginning of the story. Another aspect is just opinion. Before Janie meets Tea Cake we see her taking a stand against Jody, signifying she is starting to formulate a voice of her own. SPOILER ALERT! When Tea Cake dies, Janie is able to carry on just fine, despite the small guilt. This shows that she isn't dependent of Tea Cake like she was with Logan and Jody and she now can be the aggressor. 

     While Janie doesn't find true love, she does her experience with men who are handsome (to some extent) and younger than her. Talk about a cougar! She better give me her secret! Anywho, in the end I don't think Janie will find true love because she was raised on the wrong fundamentals of love, but i could be wrong. We'll see

The lowkey baes in English

Every single day there are some people that help me get through my day in English. Do they know who they are or why? Probably not. So here we go:

Alexis: Shout out to my main heffa Batman. I cannot tell you how many times this girl my booty skin when it came to what happened in last night's chapter. I am very lazy man, and thanks to her I can go home and relax, do the notes later and still plot summary. She listens to all my commentary and although most time I get a sarcastic sigh or eyeroll, I know it's a form of love. So thank you. I highly appreciate and one day I hope your kid academically takes advantage of mine in the future. While i'm writing music and you draw the lyric video? And maybe we can duet again? ;)

Rivka: Just name is fun to say. So classy and smart. She really knows how to express herself but not too formally. I sense a underlying humor in her. Plus, she just she has such an inviting personality. I barely talk to her but sometimes I just can't resist saying hi.

Adam: Or should I say a-DAMN. As much you test my mental capacity and I test your patience, we always seem to make another laugh. You are honestly a dream come true. Don't know an answer? Don't put your head down, invest in a Flam! That's right, the thing literally pays for itself. Nah, but thanks for always being ready to answer a question when I'm too lazy to lift my hand or think. You're a cool guy.

Sally; Sally if you are reading this, just know I adore the way you are. The way you speak about any topic is filled with emotions and facts. You are so well educated and it really shows, I love it. You along with the other eager beavers in the class, always make some days too easy in English and for that I thank you.

Ellaina: I always mumble in class. Why? Because I'm too lazy to talk louder OR it's too "inappropriate" to share. However, Ellaina always giggles at my side comments. And I gotta tell you, it really helps boost my self esteem. So for that I thank you. 

Alex: Ms. Rogers if you are reading this I must commend you with a well deserved, "YAAAAS!" You are the real MVP. I love the way you express yourself in class.  Your words are so poised and fierce! I just adore it! I remember when we were talking about how anti-social the world is getting and how abbreviations are becoming normal speech and then you commented with such a vivacious response and I was like, "Wow, there's still hope for this world." Plus, you said about a week ago and we all laughed while Mr. McCarthy was so confused haha! Besides English, you are such a great friend outside of that class and on Monday we get back, those chips are mine! But thank you miss Rogers, I highly appreciate you.

Jefri: Senorita Jefri! You are actually a really cool person and I am grateful we became friends. I remember last year I hated you because you said you didn't like me even though we never met. then there was that one time  you were like "What's on your face?" And I had to respond, "It's a birthmark..." But now we on the level so turn up.

Mr. McCarthy: Thank you sir for failing to send me the email giving this assignment, and thank you Alexis for telling me. Mr. McCarthy you are quite the goof in class which I enjoy. Really glad I was put in your class. I hope you enjoy having me

It's the principle of the thing

When you have to choose one principle among thousands, it's really hard to give a confident answer. However, I believe the world must always stay true to the principle of taking action. While this a such a broad topic, it goes hand in hand with so many aspects of life, as well as other principles some would argue that are more important. Action distinguishes itself because it will always lead to change, which is crucial to everyday life. Whether an apocalypse has occurred or you're just tired of dullness in your routine, taking action will end with advancement. Whether that advancement is towards death or a new sense of living is none of my business. The only real failure in life is not taking action.

Hemingway

Had a long, meaningful and fulfilled life.
Eager to write every morning.
Married four different times, usually having an affair during any marriage.
Idolized by many school teachers and literature experts.
Nobel prize in literature winner.
Greatly known and loved by everyone.
Wrote from personal life experience.
An ideal symbol of a masculine man.
Youth of today still read his works.