Picture Book Author's Note

           There are many kids who are gay in the U.S.  Most of them get bullied, which leading some to take the plunge.  Not only are the gays hurt mentally, but also physically.  In high school about 20% of gays are reported to be physically assaulted.  Middle school can also be a harsh time for gays.  It is like a time "everyone trying to figure out who they are in middle school." The people turn into vicious people, making them insecure and exploring the people's privacy.  The average coming out age is 13.4 years.  Which is really bad for the gays because they can get tortured a lot.  There was a case where a girl got a can hurled at her and was called bad things.  Later she killed herself, and was discovered by her little sister.
           When I went to choose my topic.  The topic that stood out to me was gay bullying.  It is a huge topic that led some gay people to take the plunge.  In school we had a assembly and watched a film about the life of a gay person.  It was a very depressing film about how a man tells a bunch of students about his gay life.  How he got beaten mentally and physically.  He had many thoughts of suicide and ran away from home twice.  Also he got beaten up so badly that he had to go to the hospital.
           Only people who are gay knows how it truly feels.  There are many strategies trying to lower the number of gays who get bullied.  But I think everyone deserves a chance, a chance to be like everybody else.  A chance to have friends.  Gays shouldn't be bullied just because they are different.  Everyone is different and different isn't always bad.  One day gays would have freedom and would be treated equally.

Work cited:
-Noveck, Jocelyn. "For Gay Youths, Middle School Can Be Toughest Time." The Call (Woonsocket, RI)
           12 Oct 2010: n.p. Web. SIRS Researcher.
-Bennett, Jessica. "From Lockers to Lockup." Newsweek Vol. 156, No. 15. 11 Oct 2010: n.p. Web. SIRS
           Researcher.

Research Assignment Topic 2 # Civil Rights

           The rights that every citizen in the United States being taken away from them.  Some people think they are superior because of their race.  While others are treated with servile attention just because they are different.  School officials are starting to get jumpy that a student will do something bad because of their skin color.  In some states gays and lesbians aren't allowed in the military.
            The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" rule a very hard rule on gays and lesbians.  In order for them to be in the military they have to keep their secrets secret.  Now there are arguments that are deciding the fate of the policy.  For now gays are accepted openly in the military.  A federal judge in California refused to postpone the policy.  He says, that the government failed to prove the policy would disrupt the system of the military.
Many lawyers said that the policy would cause harm to the country.  Also the ending of the policy would actually improve combat.  It denied the rights of citizens to be in the army just because they are gay.  Just because they are different doesn't mean that they shouldn't be denied the right to be in the army which would be a good thing.  They will be serving the community.  Roughly 13,500 gays and lesbians have been discharged under the policy.
             There are many officials that are going overboard with the suspicion because of their skin color.  The kids that go through this are having their rights getting mistreated.  Many people complained to the Department of Education's office of Civil Rights.  There were about 7,000 complaints.  The Department of Education is starting to develop stuff that would help kids who have trouble learning and those who get in trouble a lot.  In some states they are deciding for kids with disabilities would have a shortened school day according to the transportation schedule.
             To check these interesting articles go to : http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=S44-4241-0-8550&artno=0000308184&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=Civil%20rights&title=No%20Delay%20for%20%27Don%27t%20Ask%2C%20Don%27t%20Tell%27%20Ruling%2C%20So%20Pentagon%20Takes%20Gays%2E%2E%2E&res=Y&ren=N&gov=N&lnk=N&ic=N
and http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=S44-4241-0-8550&artno=0000308091&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=Civil%20rights&title=Number%20of%20Ed%20Civil%20Rights%20Complaints%20on%20the%20Rise&res=Y&ren=N&gov=N&lnk=N&ic=N

Research Assignment Topic 1: Bullying

           Have you ever been bullied?  If not then you haven't felt the pain, the humiliation, the dangers of being bullied.  Imagine a boy got picked on at school.  Not just emotionally but also physically. Got beaten up in the bathroom and was cursed out by the bullies just because he was gay.  If you could decide what punishment they would get, what would you choose?  Now if you found out that the boy committed suicide.  Which punishment would you give now?
           No one know the dangers of getting bullied more than a person who gets bullied.  Try putting yourself in the shoes.  How would you feel?  Many teens get bullied in the USA.  Many of them commit suicide.  The bullies pick on them because they are different, but everyone one is different from someone else.  So why should gays be treated harshly that they have to take the plunge. Some people get bullied by people that they didn't even do anything to them.  But in middle and high school any little thing can lead to getting bullied.  Middle school it like the time when everyone is trying to figure out who they are.  High school is when stuff gets personal and everyone wants to be "cool".
           Schools and the government are trying to develop ways to stop bullying.  Sometimes the work and sometimes they don't.  In some state there is something called R-time where you talk to other kids in your class on who they are and what they like.  Basically, the point is to make everyone get along so there won't be that much bullying.  I think first you should try to hide it as much as you can that you are gay.  But when It is time to let it out you should first tell your parents, principal, and teachers.  Eventually word would spread quickly so if you get bullied you should tell adults first.  But  when things get physical you should file a lawsuit.  No matter how much they threaten you.  You should never keep it a secret because things are going to get worse.  Tell someone, don't go to school, but don't keep it a secret.
           Bullying is a serious matter, and there should be more measures to protect kids.  To learn more go to the following websites: http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=S44-4241-0-4903&artno=0000308284&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=Bullying%20in%20schools&title=For%20Gay%20Youths%2C%20Middle%20School%20Can%20Be%20Toughest%20Time&res=Y&ren=N&gov=N&lnk=N&ic=N and http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=S44-4241-0-4903&artno=0000307887&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=Bullying%20in%20schools&title=From%20Lockers%20to%20Lockup&res=Y&ren=N&gov=N&lnk=N&ic=N.

Poem responding to Social Problem

Lurking in the Shadows

Lurking in the shadows
staying away from my fear
my fear of bullies
waiting, waiting for me

humiliation
is what they do
physically
mentally
they hurt me
they hurt me hard

they say I'm different
different
I don't see the difference
the only thing I can do
is lurk in the shadows

Identifying and Analyzing Social Problems in Independent Book

            The book I am currently reading is City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare.  This book is part of the Mortal Instruments trilogy.  I think there are many social issues in this book.  Some are like a metaphor to social problems in reality.  One example is that Jace and the other Shadowhunters treat Clare like a mundane (human) instead of a Shadowhunter which she really is.  Also they treated Simon like a monster just because he is a Downworlder (more specifically vampire).  I think this is a metaphor of how people treat other people differently just because they are different.  I say everyone is different from each other and everyone should be treated equally.  Racism a very big social problem.  I think they are stating it metaphorically to show how big this social problem is in an interesting way.
            Another thing is that you hide something very important.  In the book Alec a Shadowhunter is gay but hasn't told anyone.  But his friends found out by his actions when he sees Magnus a warlock.  His friends haven't asked him and by his actions I think he doesn't want anyone to know about him.  There are social issues everywhere from reality to books.

Responding to a Poem about Social Problems

By Dimitri Shostakovich. Sequenced by J. Marques

Bullies like to pulverize their pain, Unleashing torrents of humiliation. Love can little do but bide its time, Letting go the currents of the crime, In bitter knowledge finding consolation. Eventually, all must turn again, Stripped of all but fear and adoration.

            This poem describes the position of a person who gets bullied and how they feel and what are their emotions.  I really think it was emotional because it shows the danger of getting bullied.  It still it is kind of saying that there isn't a permanent way to stop bullying and it says how wrong it is.  I think bullying is like a crime because it hurts people both physically and mentally.  No one knows more of the dangers of getting bullied except if you  know from self experience.  Only the people who get bullied knows the true pains of getting bullied and how it can change their life's.  The poem it states that bullies do it for fun or social status it bring s humiliation to the person who gets bullied.  I say bullying is wrong and there should be more measures of protections.  Just telling an adult won't help because you have to live in fear thinking that the bully would plot revenge on you.  You can read this poem at: http://www.poemsforfree.com/bullie.html

Media/News Immersion Response

           I have watched the news and noticed a lot of problems like racism, child abuse, and bullying.  These social issues are big problems because these can major consequences.  Such as gays who get bullied are committing suicide.  Also people being racist to other people and some die because they don't like being made fun of.  These are big problems.
           One issue I heard was that gay teens and adults are committing suicide because they are getting bullying on because they are different.  One person committed suicide because some stupid people put a camera in his room and made fun of him because he is gay.  Bullying is becoming a big social issue that can cause the loss of life.  The bullies do it for fun.  They think that making fun of other people is fun but it is not.  I hate it when people pick on people.  Why can't everyone get along and there won't be any bullying?  Well that is not reality.
           Another issue that I heard is that there is a kid who gets beat up by his family.  He doesn't want to go back and rather go to a foster home.  When the reporters went to talk to his family they answered with violence.  The kid told the reporters that they hit him with sticks and other painful stuff.  I think it is very wrong for child abuse.  It is not the child's fault he/she made a mistake.  People should teach them through kindness not hitting them with sticks.  I know how it feels to be hit by a stick because I got hit by sticks plenty of times.
           This experience was very helpful because I became more aware of what's going around the world and how tough some people's life's are.  Now watching the news is more interesting and helpful.  It gives me more info about the world and the effects of social issues.  You should be more aware for social issues.

"Mother to Son" Response

           Mother to Son is a very inspiring and awesome poem by Langston Hughes.  He was an African American poet who wrote many poems.  Also this poem was wrote in 1922 and that was long time ago.  I really like this poem because it describes life in a visual way.  It creates an image in your head to describe how hard life is but you still have to keep on going
           I like how she describes life to a staircase.  She was telling her son about her life.  It wasn't easy for her and I like her describing her life.  When she says the stairs have tacks in it and splinters I think those represents some problems she faced in her life.  Also when she says she kept on climbing and reaching landings I think those represents how she never gave up and faced her problems head on.  She is teaching her son never to give up and face problems.
           I think that the son can be Langston Hughes and the mother maybe is his mother.  I think that his mother was a slave and I think she wants to teach him about facing life.  Also something that I noticed is that the language is southern so I infer that they are probably southerners.  Another thing that I noticed is that this line: "life for me ain't been no crystal stair." is repeated.  I think that she is saying that slaves had tougher life's than the white southerners.  Maybe the white southerners had a "crystal stair" life.
           In conclusion, I think "Mother to Son" is a very good poem that demonstrates an important theme never give up.  This poem is like a big metaphor describing life to stairs.

Appreciation for Freak the Mighty

           What do you think when you hear friendship.  Well in dictionary.com it says "the state of being a friend; association as friends; a friendly relation."  In Freak the Mighty there are many examples of friendship.  The main example is the friendship of Max and Kevin which is the biggest friendship in the book. 
           This is a part from the book that I think demonstrates their friendship: "Freak is still holding tight to my shoulders and when they ask him for his name, he says, "We're Freak the Mighty, that's who we are.  We're nine feet tall, in case you haven't noticed."   That's how it started, really, how we got to be Freak the Mighty, slaying dragons and fools and walking high above the world."
          Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick is about a boy named Max who meets a boy named Kevin and they become friends besides their differences.  By working together they overcame many obstacles in their path.  Even though, they both are different but when they become Freak the Mighty they are unbeatable.  One's weakness is the other one's strength.  Like when they were chased by Blade and his gang.  Max used his big legs and Kevin used his superior intelligence to run away and they were able to escape.
          Friendship is created when people become friends and they form a bond.  Most people have something in common with their friends.  Even though, Max and Kevin are different they both have something in common.  They both have family problems and are outcasts.  Friendships can be strong and some can be fragile.  When you lose a friend it is very painful.  Like when Kevin died Max just went crazy.  There are other friendships in the book such as the friendship of Max and Iggy and Loretta.  Their friendship isn't what some people consider a friendship but it still is.  I noticed it when Loretta tries to save Max and when she gave advice to Max which made him write this book.  Another considered friendship is of Max and Grim how they help each other and when they give advice that helps them out. 
            A connection that I can kind of relate to Max and Kevin because they both are outcast and I think I am an outcast when I play with my friends near my neighborhood.  When I don't know understand what they are saying, so I feel left out.  Another connection that I can make is a text to text connection with the Mortal Instruments Series.  Like Max and Kevin, Clary and Simon are treated like outcasts or feels like one.  Clary and Simon are friends even tough they are different.
          Max is very lucky to have a friend like Kevin.  Kevin died of a big heart which has two meanings.  One meaning is literal because he really died of a big heart.  The other meaning is figurative because he was so helpful that he changed Max's life and you must have a big heart to do that.
          It is very inspiring how the author was inspired to write this book.  He saw a little boy getting carried by a tall friend of his.  It is cool how authors get inspired even the slightest thing could be inspiring.
          I liked this book because it demonstrates friendship and no matter how different you are you still can have friends.  I think the theme is very important because it can relate to many people and their friendships.  No matter how different you are there will be a friend just for you.  Such as if Max and Kevin were destined to be friends.  Then there will be a friend waiting for you.

Freak the Mighty Research Entry#7

           To deepen my thinking of Freak the Mighty.  I researched about the author and the reviews of the book.  Researched has helped me discover more details I didn't notice before.  It gave me background information about the author and know what other people think of this book.  So if you find a book you like go on and research about it because it will tell you more.
           I went on the internet and found a website about Rodman Philbrick the author of Freak the Mighty.  (http://www.rodmanphilbrick.com/info.html)  I have learned that Philbrick was inspired by seeing a boy that suffers from the same disease that made him short.  He was carried by a friend who was tall.  Many of the characters such as Kevin, Max, and the Fair Gwen were inspired by real life.  Also we learned about the disease that Kevin suffers from.  It is called Morquio Syndrome.  I also learned a lot about his life and things he like to do.  Also he was a screenwriter for the movie but they thought it was too much like the book.
           I found out little information about the setting and why the author put it in that setting.  I f you want to check it out follow the following link (http://www.enotes.com/freak-mighty/setting).  I have learned that Philbrick wanted it to indicate Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  It is where he went to college.  But in the book there much goegraphical description.  So it will be hard to identify the setting.  So thats why you should research.  Now I learned many stuff that I look at the book with a different perspective.

Freak the Mighty Entry

            A note that I found interesting in Freak the Mighty is that how Freak and Max are friends and they are really different.  They both put aside their differences and learned to work together and become friends.  Friendship is a very strong bond..  But sometimes it can be very fragile.  Freak and Max share a very strong bond.
           Freak and Max are very different but they became the best of friends.  Freak is a very, very intelligente boy.  But he has growing problems.  Max is a very tall and strong boy.  But he has learning problems.  They may be different but one's strenght is the other one's weakness.  So when they combine and become Freak the Mighty nothing can stop them.  They are tall, smart, and fast an ultimate human being.
           Their friendship is very powerful and they both help each other out.  Like when they were chased by Blade and his gang.  Max used his big legs to run fast and Freak used his big brain to navigate the way.  With their combination they were able to escape.  If they work together they are unstoppable.  But when they are alone they are weak.  Friendship can help you in many ways.

Charlotte's Web Entry

               

           

       Have you have been an outcast?  Neglected by everyone because the way you act and how you look like.  Also they despise you because you don't like to do some stuff that the other people do.  Also have you ever been robbed of the credit you really deserved.
       The note that I thought about was that how Templeton gets neglected by everyone else.  Everyone despises how Templeton acts.  Everyone thinks that he is dirty, smelly, and deserves to be an outcast.  But Templeton can't help it because it is his rat way.  Wilbur was new to the barn but everyone accepted him as a member of the barn.  But no one wants to accept Templeton as amember of the barn.
        Templeton seems like the character that is the outcast and no one likes him.  But he will help out Wilbur in some way.  He is not really a bad guy.  He is the guy who helps the main character in a way that the other barn animals can't do.  Templeton has been helping Wilbur.  The time when he stored the rotten egg under the trough and Avery broke it.  It saved Charlotte from getting captured by Avery.  The barn animals gave the credit to goose who laid the egg.  But I think Templton really deserved the respect because he is the one who saved the egg and placed it under the trough.  The goose would've discarded it if she didn't give it to Templeton.
         I feel bad for Templeton because he was the messenger boy.  He brang the words from old newspaper clippings.  When Templeton didn't want to do something the barn animals will tell him something that will change his mind.  Like when the old sheep told him that if Wilbur dies how will he get his food.  But how did Tempeton survive before Wilbur came to the barn.  I think Templeton should be treated more fairly even if he is a rat.