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Amnesty International: Sign Up! by Pineapple

What I wanted to talk to you about is something I participated in with people out there who are doing some fundraising work around gun violence prevention. These last few years we have lost too many lives to gun violence. There are so many different ways it shows up in our communities!

Where I’m from in Boston, MA, you’ll definitely see a lot and hear about a lot of shootings. I even lost a loved one due to gun violence. It had an effect on my family and me. I am a proudly signed up person at Amnesty because of what I had to go through because of having a loved one pass away due to gun violence. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone or want anyone else going through it.

Every time I turn on the news or hear people talking about close shootings around their neighbors, it makes me want to make a change. That's why I am here supporting Amnesty International. Have you heard of Amnesty? Amnesty is the largest and oldest human rights organization on the planet. They work in 150 countries and fight Corporations, Governments, and even the UN when they violate human rights or ignore these violations. So the problem we are facing right now is gun-related deaths. The CDC reported that last year EVERY DAY 100 people in the U.S. were killed by gun violence.    

When you think/hear about gun violence: what comes to mind? When I think or hear about gun violence I think: why are people doing this? What is the purpose of this?  A lot of people have their stories for their reasons but why do their responses have to be so violent? Why do other people have to be a victim to what’s going on with the person who wants to be violent? Amnesty has been helping states across the U.S. ban assault rifles like the ones that were used in the Highland Park and Buffalo shootings last year. 

With this ban (proposed by California Senator Dianne Feinstein), the ban would limit ammunition, have people register weapons state by state and expire background checks. Is this something that sounds interesting to you? It sounded very interesting to me. I support this fundraising team because gun violence has been something that has been going on for years. It’s causing families/ friends to suffer as they are losing their loved ones and it seems like it’s becoming something normal.

It’s very dangerous because innocent people can get hurt. So by me doing something and getting the word out it’s helping save lives each day. Would you like to see that change and have a non gun violent community? This is where you can help by becoming a monthly member with Amnesty. You can sign petitions, call local representatives, join in marches but most importantly: give small monthly donations which fund our lawyers who are getting these bills passed right now. In case you want to contact the Senator, contact Dianne Feinstein (204-224-3121).

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Boston Public Schools students have plenty of opinions! Applebees is far better than TGI Friday's apparently. Time to Listen to the students!

TGI FRIDAY-NAH REVIEW

Hello, so today I went to TGI Friday’s located at 2 Hawes Way in Stoughton. Don’t get me wrong, the wait isn’t long at ALL! 

Once I got seated, the waiter came and asked if my teacher and I wanted drinks to start off with. I got water with slices of lemon and my teacher asked for some tea even though they don’t sell it. The waiter hooked my teacher up.

Like I said it was fast. The waiter came back with our drinks within seconds. It seemed like she just left and came back and the restaurant was kind of packed that day with big tables with a lot of groups. I wished I knew the lady's name again. The vibe I was getting from her was that she was very spiritual. Once again shout out to that waiter.

When I looked at the menu, I really didn’t care for it. I’m a chicken broccoli alfredo queen! Once I saw they didn’t have that I was like “Ughhh” and all my teacher got was mozzarella sticks. My last pickings was the spinach and cheese dips with the chips and it was supposed to be grilled chicken and shrimp with mashed potatoes and broccoli because that’s how it looked in the picture.

Again the food came VERY fast but once I saw my food I was confused on how there was marinara sauce and cheese under my shrimp and grilled chicken. I’m not going to lie. I've tried it just to see if I’ll like it but it was disgusting. The only thing I liked was my broccoli and water with a slice of lemon.

Personally if you are big on wings and bbq ribs you should really go because they do have a lot of different types of new sauces.  

So, what I can say about TGI Friday’s at this location is that it has fast service. Also, I give it a 4/10 stars. 

APPLEBEES SHORT AND SWEET REVIEW

I enjoyed my appetizer but my main dish was too spicy for me so they took it off my receipt. I found that to be very nice of them and they went above and beyond for me, great service!

I would go there again and tell all of my friends of how I was treated with great service and respect. I did enjoy being there. I do thank them for all of their hard work and how polite they were to me. 

When I got another main dish which was the chicken broccoli alfredo, it was so great and I enjoyed it. 

There is only one thing about it: if you're into a lot of the alfredo being saucy you should ask for extra sauce. I liked the broccoli so I asked for more broccoli.  So in conclusion: I would rate APPLEBEES an 8/10 stars!

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Hidden Love And Abuse in A Jazzman's Blues by KC

I know you guys know who Tyler Perry is. If you don’t, let me remind you or let you know who he is. Tyler Perry is an American actor, filmmaker, and playwright. He is the creator and performer of ‘Mabel “Madea” Simmons’. She plays the role of a tough elderly woman, and also plays her brother Joe Simmons and her nephew Brian Simmons. 

Tyler made a lot of movies, shows, plays and so on. Every show, movie, or play communicates something about life whether it be real events that could happen or something that already happened in life. Tyler experienced some serious events in life as he suffered brutal physical abuse at the hands of his father and severe sexual abuse at the hands of several adults. His movies feature events people go through in life. For example, African Americans went through slavery which is the topic of ‘A JAZZMAN’S BLUES’. 

‘A JAZZMAN'S BLUES’  shows the struggles of African Americans while being enslaved and how the white people and Black people have communication difficulties. It’s so crazy because the little girl who acts in the movie as ‘Hattie Mae’ was African American but she was lighter skinned than the other African Americans because her mom was white and her dad was African American. At that time, they weren't calling the people African Americans.... they were just saying "blacks." Hattie Mae was trying to talk to this boy, Bayou, who lived down the hill from her. She was living with her grandfather during this time while her mom was living in the city working. 

Hattie Mae was so in love with Bayou and he was so in love with her but they couldn’t be together even though they were able to. Once they became older, Hattie Mae couldn’t kiss Bayou for some reason. I was just as confused as him... just wondering why. When Hattie Mae's grandfather saw that she was talking to Bayou, he lost it...but he had already lost it because he didn’t want her talking to any boy. 

When he saw Hattie Mae and Bayou together, he grabbed Hattie Mae by her arm and was basically dragging her. Bayou went back into the house and they already planned to meet up the next night. Also, Bayou wanted to ask her to be his girlfriend. Later that night, when he was waiting for her, he tried to go to her house window and see where she was but once he passed the kitchen window, he saw that she was getting molested by her grandfather. Bayou started to think and was worried at the same time but then he realized,“That’s why Hattie Mae wasn’t trying to let me hug her or open up to me.” 

The next day Bayou saw Hattie Mae’s mom coming to pick her up and bring her to the city so he tried to run up the hill as fast as he could to tell her mom but unfortunately it was too late. Then once he gotten up there, Hattie Mae’s grandfather told him, “Boy, you should’ve left her alone, I told her mother what you did.”

I'm not going to say a lot about the movie... you guys should watch it. It's on Netflix. Tyler Perry doesn't disappoint.

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The Hate U Give By CP

Police Brutality, Murder, Manslaughter. All of the above. But never “just an accident.” So why does it get an okay? Especially when it’s a white officer.

This movie mapped out our present, our current past. It summed up what happens all too often in two hours and 13 minutes. It didn’t just show the after. It showed the before, the during, the cause, the pain, the fear. It made you feel.

This movie gave an incredible message. Even without sound, you'll feel it. The innocence that was presented in Khail’s eyes right before his murder that was connecting to recent events.

George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright. This movie showed real life things. It showed what has to be done to get to justice and how you still don’t get the deserved justice. The second officer pulled the trigger on an unarmed person just should have been served. This movie definitely got plenty of attention but it should have gotten way more.

The systems aren’t the only corrupt thing anymore. Our whole society is. This movie had an approval rating of 97% based on 223 reviews. An average rating of 8.10/10. So 4.3 out of 5 stars. But everything is a 10/10 in my book.

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Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief: A Plot Summary by C

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief centers on the trials of Percy and his colleagues at Camp Half-Blood, a uncommon camp for demigod children of the Greek divine beings. Percy (child of the ocean god Poseidon), Annabeth Chase (girl of goddess of intelligence Athena), and Grover (a satyr) who frame the three of the book, must return Zeus’s (ruler of the divine beings) stolen lightning bolt to anticipate war on Mount Olympus. Equipped with blessings from the divine beings and a confusing forecast, the three travel over the Joined together States to stand up to Hades (god of the Black market), experiencing beasts from Greek mythology along the way.

The book opens with Percy at a boarding school for vexed kids. Percy battles with both dyslexia and consideration shortfall hyperactivity clutter (ADHD), which have gotten him kicked out of school. Yancy Foundation isn’t very distinctive but Percy likes his companion and the instructor Mr. Brunner.

Percy’s lesson takes a field trip to the Modern York Metropolitan Gallery of Craftsmanship to see a show of old Greek artifacts. Mr. Brunner inspires Percy while explaining the significance of the ancient myths. Amid their lunch break, a bully pushes Grover around. Percy guards his companion by unwittingly controlling a water wellspring. One of the instructors calls Percy back into the exhibition hall to talk about the occurrence. Once they are alone, she morphs into her genuine shape of a Wrath (flunky of Hades) and tries to slaughter Percy. With an offer of assistance from Mr. Brunner, Percy routs the Wrath and returns to the exterior to discover no one recollects the other instructor.

Poor behavior afterward within the school year gets Percy ousted from Yancy Institute. He returns domestic for summer break, where his mother shocks him with a trip to the sea for the end of the week. When they are there, an awful storm hits, and Grover arrives to caution Percy that he’s in awful peril. Percy must get to Camp Half-Blood to be secure. On the way, Grover is harmed, and Percy’s mother is assaulted by a beast. Percy can ponder what happened to her.

At camp, Percy learns around his demigod nature which as a child of Poseidon, he could be a taboo child. When he is blamed for taking Zeus’s lightning bolt on sake of Poseidon, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover set out to discover the genuine cheat. They fight beasts and get offered assistance from improbable sources along their travel, all while holding both as friends and as a group. When they at last reach the Black market, they learn Hades didn’t take the bolt... something much more capable and evil pulls the strings. Kronos (Titan father of the divine beings) recaptures his quality in his jail and works to turn the divine beings against one another. He affected one of Percy and Annabeth’s individual campers to take the bolt. Back at camp, Percy transfers the data to the advocates. Peril hides on the skyline. With the risk secured for the time being, Percy and Annabeth go domestic for the school year, knowing more prominent dangers anticipate them.

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Emphasize Positive Experiences By C

Joy comes not from what goes on outside of you but  

 maybe in how you see life from the interior.

The solid tendency to center on and 

 emphasize positive experiences

and recording them away for visit recall

 while darkening memories of troubling times is one

 of the major components of a cheerful life.

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Importance of Justice by A

        The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 during the Salem Witch Trials. The play has many subjects such as hysteria, nature of authority, guilt, and hypocrisy. Despite the many subjects in The Crucible, the single most important subject is justice, or the lack thereof.  Justice is the concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, religion or equality; unfortunately for all of those involved, these concepts were not portrayed in the court of Salem. The courts in The Crucible not only allowed the liars to be set free, but worse, they accused the innocent. A proper display of justice is crucial in every society; without one, it can lead to mass hysteria. While many injustices are demonstrated throughout this play, the actions speak loudest from those willing to fight for what is morally right.

        Although the court system was created as a way to fight for justice, the actions from the court in The Crucible were, unfortunately, contradictory. Those involved in officiating include: Judge John Hathorne, Reverend Samuel Parris, Reverend John Hale, Ezekiel Cheever, and the leader of the court, Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth. An example of the courts abusing their power and not being just is by assuming the accused are guilty until proven innocent. All it takes is an accusation for an individual to be arrested for witchcraft; you do not even need to provide proof. Unfortunately, John Proctor was a victim of this injustice. When John was arrested, it was from an accusation made by Mary Warren. She stated,  “He wake me every night, his eyes were like coals and his fingers claw my neck, and I sign, I sign… Marshal! Take him and Corey with him to the jail!”(Miller 119, 120). After hearing Mary’s plea, Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth arrested Proctor immediately. Even though Mary did not have any proof to provide to the court other than her word, it was enough for Danforth to make his decision. He was so determined to find witches that it blinded him from using proper judgment. As Mary Warren retells the court proceedings she says “Aye, but then Judge Hathorne say, “Recite for us your commandments!” - leaning avidly toward them - and of all the ten she could not say a single one. She never knew no commandments,” (Miller 58). She explains to John and Elizabeth Proctor that since Sarah Good could not recite her commandments, she must be guilty of witchcraft. She can not be innocent if she does not know her commandments and so she is immediately condemned. This is just another of many examples that demonstrate the corrupt ways of the court as she is not questioned further. There is no way to prove your innocence if you are assumed guilty, and without evidence, there is no opportunity to provide an explanation.

        An additional example of injustice shown in The Crucible is the court’s refusal to accept all forms of evidence. When Mary Warren, a key witness, gives a deposition stating she was lying, Danforth does not accept it. He says to Proctor, “No, no, I accept no depositions.” (Miller 88). Even after admitting her claims were false, the court still did not listen to her. Despite innocent lives at stake, the court only hears what they want to hear to get their desired outcome. All it takes is one accusation, true or not, and the future of the accused lies in the hands of the courts and their agenda. There are also many outbursts by the officials of the courts, such as Reverend Samuel Parris. He often yells out and interrupts the court saying manipulating comments like, “Excellency, you surely cannot think to let so vile a lie be spread in open court!” (Miller 82). This goes to show that some of the biggest influencers in court can yell, scream, and speak out of turn to sway the judge’s opinion to make their own personal opinions about the case known. What happened to allowing others to speak their side of the story uninterrupted? The court should not be a public debate.

        However, throughout all of the corruption, there is still hope. Reverend John Hale began to realize the flaws within the court. He questioned Danforth and his reasoning. Hale argued, “But this child claims the girls are not truthful, and if they are not-” referring to Mary Warren and her deposition. He knows it is only right to take all evidence into consideration in order to truly be just. Furthermore, he puts himself out there with Danforth, not only showing how much he cares about justice, but how seriously he will advocate for it, even if it means risking it all. Hale additionally suggested the court should get lawyers involved in order to make for a fair hearing. Hale states, “I cannot say he is an honest man; I know him little. But in all justice, sir, a claim so weighty cannot be argued by a farmer. In God’s name, sir, stop here; send him home and let him come again with a lawyer”(Miller 99). Towards the end of the court proceedings, after none of his suggestions are granted, Hale quits as he is so fed up with the court. Hale proclaims, “​​I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!” (Miller 120). After doing everything he can throughout the hearing, he knows, morally, that he can no longer stand to be associated with this misconduct.

        The other most prominent character fighting for justice is John Proctor. He sees the court for what they truly are from the beginning. He first vocalizes this by saying, “And why not, if they must hang for denyin’ it? There are them that will swear to anything before they’ll hang; have you never thought of that?” (Miller 69). He sees that if people deny the accusations they will be hanged, and if they lie they are still guilty just for something different according to the Bible; it’s a lose-lose situation. When you are accused, no matter the situation, if it does not align with the opinions of the court, the outcome is decided. Proctor says this to Hale, who at the time is still a member of the court. His concerns ultimately convince Hale to question the court proceedings and ultimately try to fight for justice. Proctor additionally fights in court when his wife is accused of witchcraft. He is the one that went with Mary Warren to give Danforth her deposition. He also gave Danforth the deposition, which ninety-one people signed, showing their good opinion of Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Martha Corey. In court, Proctor says, “These are all landholding farmers, members of the church. If you’ll notice, sir - they’ve known the women many years and never saw no sign they had dealings with the Devil.”(Miller 93). Proctor is trying to prove innocence by using the deposition as his evidence. It is not not just his wife that he is fighting for in this play, and he proves that by saying, “These are my friends. Their wives are also accused -”(Miller 92). Ultimately, he is given a deal to save Elizabeth’s life for one year, but denies it in an effort to help everyone else as well. Proctor wants justice for everyone and he is doing everything in his power to fight for it.

        Despite all the daunting flaws of the court of Salem, there are individuals doing their best to rise above the noise, defying the norms, for justice and change; John Hale and John Proctor being the most prominent. However, the change has to happen from within. With representatives such as Thomas Danforth and Samuel Parris in charge of the courts, injustice is all but inevitable.  Being fair and treating everyone impartially are of the utmost importance for every society. Without courts abiding by these principles, innocent lives will continue to be threatened.

Miller, Arthur, and Abbotson Susan C W. The Crucible.

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Patience is Key by R

When I was 5 years old, my family and I  moved from Wichita Falls, Texas to San Antonio, Texas because my mom was in the Air Force and she was stationed in San Antonio. Fast forward a couple years to when I was 7 years old...I learned how to make eggs and bacon.  Usually, I have adult supervision and at that moment I was in my home.

 The backstory is when I was little, I used to ask my parents to make breakfast for me, my brother and my two year old sister. When they would say they would make it, they take forever to come downstairs. For example, I would ask for breakfast and they would say yes, take a shower, brush their teeth, and I would be starving. Then they would go and make breakfast. That’s when I decided I wanted to learn how to make breakfast because I was very impatient. 

After I was taught, I tried to make breakfast. I took out the pan and turned on the stove. I waited patiently until the pan oil started to crackle. I laid down the bacon gently, and the pan was cracking fiercely. I got burned by the oil a little bit because the bacon was ready, so I put it on the napkin. The oil in the pan was still sizzling, mind you the pan was on high. I put the eggs on the stove and it started to cook immediately. I got up and went to the bathroom and when I came back it was smokey. The smoke detector came on, and then my dad came downstairs. My dad turned off the stove and put new eggs on.  In the end, I learned that you can’t rush things, you have to have patience. Also, I learned not to turn the stove on high and to turn the stove down when the eggs got hot. At last, you should never leave the stove unattended.

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Analysis of the Invasion of Afghanistan: Historical Perspective and Consideration of Reparations by R

The Soviet Union's Invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 marked a significant turning point in the country's history.

Various factors motivated the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. The Soviet Union sought to protect its interests in the region, assist the Afghan Communist government, and prevent the spread of Islamic fundamentalism from threatening its neighboring territories. The invasion escalated into a protracted conflict, with Afghan resistance groups known as the mujahideen fighting against the Soviet forces.

The invasion had devastating consequences for Afghanistan. The conflict resulted in the loss of countless lives, both civilians and combatants. It led to widespread destruction of infrastructure, towns, and villages, leaving a lasting impact on the country's economy and development. The use of indiscriminate tactics, such as bombings and landmines, inflicted further harm to the population, leaving behind a legacy of physical and psychological devastation.

The question of whether Russia was justified in its invasion of Afghanistan is a complex one. From a geopolitical standpoint, the Soviet Union's desire to protect its interests can be understood. However, the invasion ultimately had grave repercussions, contributing to the destabilization of the region and the rise of extremist forces that continue to pose a threat to global security. The methods employed by the Soviet forces, including human rights violations and disregard for Afghan sovereignty, further undermine the moral legitimacy of their actions.

Considering the immense damage caused by the invasion, the question arises whether Russia should provide reparations to Afghanistan. Reparations could serve as an acknowledgment of the suffering the Afghan people endured and contribute to their efforts to rebuild the country. They could also help address some of the lasting consequences of the conflict, such as the continued presence of landmines and the need for infrastructure development.

Personally, I believe that Russia should acknowledge its role in the invasion of Afghanistan and consider providing reparations. While it may not be a straightforward process, a sincere effort to assist in Afghanistan's reconstruction and development could contribute to regional stability and promote a sense of justice for the Afghan people. Such reparations should be accompanied by a commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and long-term support for Afghanistan's self-determination and sovereignty.

The Soviet Union's Invasion of Afghanistan left a profound impact on the country and its people. The damage caused cannot be easily dismissed, and its consequences continue to reverberate today. While the question of reparations is complex, considering the scale of suffering and destruction, it is vital to address the need for acknowledgment, support, and assistance in Afghanistan's ongoing journey towards recovery and stability.

Sources:

Britannica https://www.britannica.com › eventSoviet invasion of Afghanistan | Summary & Facts

Council on Foreign Relations at www.cfr.org

Timeline: The U.S. War in Afghanistan

Wilson Center Digital Archive https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org › ...Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Wikipedia

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Is Section 8 A Trap?: My Dream of Creating Affordable Housing for Single Moms in Boston by AR

Boston is among the most expensive cities in the United States. It’s sad to say that many head of households have to have help from the government because they can’t even keep up with market rent. And to the independent individuals doing the damn thing on their own... they need to be acknowledged.

This topic hits home for me because my mom is a single mom who pays market rent. All my life, I’ve witnessed my mom buss her tail to not depend on the system. I just feel as if it’s okay to get a little government help but over the years, it’s time to level up. I feel like so many individuals in the city have resigned themselves to their current situation and are okay with the bare minimum.

In Massachusetts, we have something called Section 8 housing which often provides vouchers to help pay rent. “Eligibility is based on the family’s total gross income." At least 75% of all vouchers issued by a housing agency must be targeted to households whose total income doesn’t exceed 30% of the area median income.” Source: mass.gov  on the list of standards. With that being said, you can’t be successful on Section 8 and there’s just no way to climb up. They stagger you to only make a certain amount of money, which is sad.

According to the Washington Post, “A severe shortage of homes for working-class and low-income families is pushing up housing prices and rents across the country, putting home-ownership increasingly out of reach for many Americans." This is making rents so high that it is all but impossible for renters to save.

With the presidential election fast-approaching, the candidates should explain what they plan to do about it. Is this an issue in other states in addition to Massachusetts, which is the 2nd most expensive state in the country?

But they literally set you up for failure. This is unacceptable and that’s why I'm going to make my dream come true and turn foreclosed homes into affordable homes for single parents or any parent in need who doesn’t want to stagger their work ethic for the system. ◦

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Claudette Colvin: Montgomery Bus Boycott Trailblazer Claudette Colvin Is Living In New York and Should Be Given Her Overdue Recognition by CP

Claudette Colvin was born on September 5, 1939. She was born and raised in Alabama. She is currently living in the Bronx, New York at 82 years old.

Few may know the amazing  world changing  story of Claudette Colvin where she had an altercation with The Jim Crow laws (the name of the laws that mandated racial segregation of the Montgomery bus line where people of color were not hired as drivers, were forced to sit in the back of the bus and were frequently ordered to give up their seats to whites.) If not here’s a short context of it all.

Claudette was 15 and it was March 2nd, 1955. She was going home from school and sat in the “front” in a row that was clear with some classmates. She and the others were eventually ordered by the bus driver to give up their seats to a white passenger that got on after them. Her classmates got up and she remained seated and did not plan to get up. She resisted because she paid her fare and it was her constitutional right. Plus beyond that she felt it was ridiculous that they all had to get up just for one person to be able to sit. She felt very heavy on fighting for what she knew was right because at the time it was “negro” history month and she had been learning about people such as Harriet Tubman. She said she felt as if Harriet Tubman was pushing down on one shoulder and sojourner truth on the other. She couldn't and wouldn't get up. A white passenger shouted “you've got to get up it's the law” and one of her classmates replied with “she ain't GOT to do nothing but stay black and die” then two police officers came and put her in handcuffs. Claudette stated she was not going to walk off the bus voluntarily , “history had me glued to my seat”. They escorted her off the bus and arrested her.

But if you didn’t know of her and that shadowed historical story then you should definitely know of Rosa Parks and The Montgomery bus boycott. a social protest against racial segregation. The Montgomery boycott began the day after Rosa Parks arrest, which happened when She resisted to give her seat to a white passenger, which by the way she wasn't the first, Claudette Colvin did the same but she was one of the first to really challenge the law. She did Not receive as much attention as Rosa Parks because she didn't have “good” hair, she wasn't fair skinned and She was also very young.  Back then that wasn't seen as appropriate especially to be someone on a protest case, they had decided to not pursue her case because to them her case wasn’t strong enough and they didn’t bother to care because of how she looked.

  Claudette “disobeyed the order” of having to give up her seat 9 months before Rosa did in the same bus system. Claudette knew Rosa parks personally (on a family friend level) and felt she was fit to be the movement that started the boycott because she was aware that her being older would be a  better for the image they were trying to set , along with her experience but she also felt that few women that challenged the law in the supreme court before Rosa’s arrest and the boycott deserved their recognition as well.

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I Was Born By The River By IC

I was walking home from school and it was getting dark. 

As I was walking, I heard someone singing ...I  was thinking to myself! 

“I heard that song before.” It was “I Was Born by the River.” 

I looked back and it was me singing the song...

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American Anime Versus Japanese Anime by JS

The difference between American anime and Japanese anime is that American animations tend to use straight-on camera shots. They are less concerned with cinematic angles and dramatics than with clearly depicting the events although there are exceptions to that rule. Japanese animation often makes use of exaggerated angles, perspectives, and zooms to intensify the mood of a scene and show.

In my opinion, I'd rather watch Japanese anime than American anime because I feel like Japanese animation has more emotional moments than American animation. Japanese has better graphics and more action. Anime teaches us a lot. You can learn how to chase your goals, relationships, how to deal with emotions, apologize and forgive. Honesty is the best policy and team work is key.

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Love Letter To Myself by Anastasia

Dear Anastasia,

Quite the name.

No one says it right and you don't care to ever correct them. You hate the name. It's complicated and the way it looks doesn’t match the way it sounds, but it's unique. There's not much meaning. I guess some uncle named Anthony died and your mom wanted a girl version of that. You never met him, but it seems like your family loved him. Hopefully they love you just as much, if not more.

Dad. You can't say he was a deadbeat because he was there… just not there. He has always been around but it's almost as if he was just a body. No emotion. No love. Only the bi-weekly forced company. But he was young when he had you and now he just works a lot.

Mom Grandma gave you everything your dad wasn't around for. Taught you how to bathe, taught you to not talk to strangers, taught you how to cook, the basics of course. 

You didn't learn what you really needed until your mom grew up. She taught you how to stand up for yourself and how to love. How to fight your own battles and how important school is.

School. It's been kicking your ass.

You've always been told that for the first 18 years of your life that's all that matters. Don't worry about anything but school. 

What about you?

You want to worry about yourself, but in the grand scheme of things there's no time for that. Genetics or whatever targeted you and caused all those mental illnesses. You have depression, anxiety, and bipolar dis— back to school. 

Burned out former gifted child. That's the best way to refer to it. For me, school was easy until it wasn't. 

Honor roll; I'm so proud. Honor roll; amazing. Honor roll; I love you. Honor roll; you’re the best.

Middle school was a long time ago, but I remember the love that came with being there. Everyone was always so proud of you. That's your favorite thing to hear. It inspires you to keep going because your hard work is recognized and appreciated, but it all stopped. No one is proud anymore.

The constant state of disappointment became your state of being. So, what does one do when they run out of external validation? You have to look for it within yourself. 

I’m not my own number one fan. I think that’s okay for now. As humans we all crave a bit of validation from those we care about, an “I’m proud of you” or a “nice job” could make or break a person if we’re being honest. 

The problem is that you only really have yourself at the end of the day. So, I know I don’t like you too much, but I hope one day I will. I just kind of have to stick around until that day comes.

It’s not only because I deserve it. I don’t think anyone deserves to be quite this upset with themselves. Regardless of what I believe right now, I know I'm no exception. 

It’s also out of spite. As a big “f*ck you” to all of the teachers who thought I was a lost cause. To all of the therapists who thought I wasn’t worth their time. To the “friends” who didn’t stick around long enough to see me succeed. I owe it to myself to be my best self, out of spite to the universe and everything it has put me through. 

I think you just kind of owe it to yourself to love yourself just as much as anyone else is capable of loving you. We’ll get there one day. Until then, I'll keep us alive, but you have to do the rest. Change for me, it’s the best way to grow.

~

Special note: This assignment was based off of Love Letter To Myself by Afghan feminist and human rights activist Noorjahan Akbar. Noorjahan has led protests for human rights across Afghanistan and launched the website called Free Women Writers.

All names and identities on CA GENERALS have been protected for privacy.

[cagenerals]

Remembering Gerda Weissmann Klein by A

Gerda Weissmann Klein was the sole Holocaust survivor in her family. She was only 15 years old when the Nazis invaded her hometown in Poland. She endured years confined in concentration camps, suffering through the infamous three-month-long death march. Over the course of six years, the Nazis took all but her life. She was a Polish-born American writer and human rights activist. Gerda is one of the bravest people you will ever hear of. Throughout her stay at the camps, Gerda must’ve questioned her faith more than ever before. How could God let something like that happen to such a young girl. “Behind us there were pistol shots. ‘“God!’” I said, “‘God!" looking up to the sky.” I couldn't even begin to imagine how many times she must have hoped and prayed. I can't even imagine how many people must’ve begged and pleaded for God and still died. Death is a natural thing but no one deserves to die how they did. It's believed that roughly 11 million people died in the Holocaust. Roughly 50% of people believe in God. That means around 5.5 million people must have prayed for release and life. All of those poor souls didn't make it out.

[cagenerals]

Everything They Did Was Worth It By A

The Mirabal Sisters are some of the bravest women you'll ever hear about and everything they did was worth it. They were active and very dedicated members of an underground resistance movement against Rafael Trujillo, one of the most brutal dictators to ever rule. The girls grew up in the Dominican Republic where the family owned and operated a successful farm, along with a coffee mill and general store. As they grew older they became more aware of the injustices that were happening while Trujillo was in power. Instead of staying quiet and living with it they wanted to see change and be the cause of it.

Trujillo’s tactics of intimidation, imprisonment, torture, kidnapping and rape of women, and murder never scared these sisters. According to Time, one sister, Minerva, once dismissed her followers' fears for her life regarding the death threats Trujillo was sending, saying, “If they kill me, I’ll reach my arms out from the tomb and I’ll be stronger.” She fulfilled the promise. The murder of the sisters outraged the public and was a key trigger for Trujillo’s own assassination by a group of former allies six months later. 

After his death there was a transition to democracy. The "Butterflies", as Dominicans call the sisters, became symbols of both democratic and feminist resistance. The fourth Mirabal sister, Dede, who was less actively involved in the resistance, survived and helped continue her sisters’ legacy, setting up a foundation and a museum in their name. The U.N. even made the date of their death the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Everything the brave sisters did lead to a better Dominican Republic. 

Works Cited

[cagenerals]

Was Odysseus a Hero? By F

In Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus is often hailed as a heroic figure, renowned for his intelligence, cunning, and bravery. However, a closer examination reveals that Odysseus falls short of the true qualities and virtues of a hero. This paper aims to present an argument against Odysseus' heroism by highlighting his numerous flaws, questionable actions, and selfish motivations. By critically analyzing Odysseus' character, it becomes evident that he does not meet the criteria of a genuine hero.

One of the key qualities of a hero is strong leadership and unwavering integrity. Odysseus, however, displays a range of character flaws that call into question his ability to lead and his commitment to moral principles. Throughout his journey, Odysseus frequently resorts to deception and manipulation to achieve his goals. He deceives his own crew, exploits the trust of others, and often prioritizes his personal desires over the well-being of his companions. For instance, in the episode of the Lotus Eaters, Odysseus knowingly allows his crew to indulge in the addictive lotus fruit, demonstrating his disregard for their safety and welfare. A true hero should possess a sense of responsibility towards those under their command, acting as a selfless guardian rather than a self-serving manipulator.

Another crucial aspect of heroism is humility and the ability to recognize one's limitations. In contrast, Odysseus exhibits an overwhelming sense of pride and arrogance throughout his journey. His hubris leads him to make reckless decisions, disregarding the advice and warnings of gods and goddesses. For example, despite the counsel of Circe and Tiresias to avoid provoking Helios and his cattle, Odysseus succumbs to temptation and allows his crew to slaughter the sacred animals. Consequently, his actions result in the death of his entire crew, emphasizing his lack of humility and inability to acknowledge his own fallibility. Heroes should possess the wisdom to accept guidance and heed the warnings of divine beings, recognizing their own limitations and acting accordingly.

In addition to his shortcomings as a leader, Odysseus also proves to be an unfaithful and neglectful husband. Throughout his long absence from Ithaca, Odysseus engages in multiple affairs with various goddesses, nymphs, and mortal women. He spends seven years as a captive of the goddess Calypso, willingly embracing a life of pleasure and luxury while Penelope, his loyal wife, awaits his return at home. Odysseus' infidelity and disregard for his marital vows cast a shadow over his heroism, as a true hero should exhibit loyalty, fidelity, and commitment to their loved ones.

Despite Odysseus' reputation as a hero in ancient literature, a critical evaluation of his character and actions reveals a deeply flawed individual. His deceptive nature, lack of humility, and neglectful behavior towards his crew and family undermine his claims to heroism. While he possesses certain skills and abilities that contribute to his survival, Odysseus falls short of embodying the virtues and moral qualities that define a genuine hero. By examining the flaws and questionable actions of Odysseus, it becomes evident that he cannot be considered a true hero, but rather a complex and flawed character shaped by the circumstances of his journey.