Today in clsss we read a poem by Alice Walker, "Each One, Teach One," did some writing on themes that arose from the reading then talked about it. The second class was a little more expansive than the first class. However, both discussions were insightful. We then exchanged homework assignments so that students could give each other feedback on the homework. In the first class we ran out of time; the second class had a bit more. I hope the exercise was useful. Some students asked if they could revise their essays and turn them in the next day. I told them yes.
Homework was to read the handout: "The Civil Rights Movement: What Good Was It?" Students will respond to a question tomorrow in class. We are meeting in the Writing Center (both classes).
Homework for Thursday, January 24, is to finish the MLK Jr. Cyber-Assignment. I won't dock you if you need to get it in Friday after 12 midnight. Get it in by 5 p.m.
Homework was to read the handout: "The Civil Rights Movement: What Good Was It?" Students will respond to a question tomorrow in class. We are meeting in the Writing Center (both classes).
Homework for Thursday, January 24, is to finish the MLK Jr. Cyber-Assignment. I won't dock you if you need to get it in Friday after 12 midnight. Get it in by 5 p.m.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 4:32 PM
6 Comments:
English 1A 8-9am
Prof. W.
By Joe Ganong
The multicultural event I was fortunately able to attend was held on Sunday at the Oakland Museum of California. I was surprised to find a more divers arrangement of both people and culture. Even though the event was not highly attend, there were people from every ethnic group I could think of and I was happy to see multiethnic couples with their children in toe. I was not expecting the worm welcome I received from so many people. The highlight of the day for me had to be the choir that preformed music the likes of which I have not heard even after eight years of choir and honor choir. I found my self wandering around to the different booths, and following a large group of children in the process. After a while of wondering and talking to a few people about Bob Marley, my favorite civil rights activist, I found my self directed toward an area of some interest. I was directed by a wonderfully open man of the Muslim faith to a speaker that held my attention with an invigorating speech about many people of many faiths reaching out together for the dream that is almost a reality. I found myself standing with the entire room for the most hart felt standing ovation I have been apart of for some time. I did not participate in any crafts, due to my short availability with time, but I did have the chance to talk to a few younger kids about the henna tattoos. The were very excited to see some one with “really real” tattoos, and with a smile I explained what each meant as a symbol, and personally to myself as representations of my life, and what is most important to me. I was really sad to leave early from the museum, having spent most of my time with the people around me; I had overlooked the many pictures hanging from the ceiling. I how ever plan to return to the museum to view these interesting pictures, as soon as possible.
Laraine Gurke
English 1A 8:00-9:00 AM
In the Oakland Tribune I found a story on a celebration and shoreline clean-up in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Katy Murphy. The stretch of shoreline, located near the Oakland Airport and named for King, is often cluttered with trash and human debris. On Monday, high school students from around the Bay Area pitched in to clean the area and honor King at the same time. The event was organized by Oakland’s Save The Bay and Berkeley’s Earth Team.
These are the type of events that I personally like to support because not only were these people honoring a great man and all he stood for, but they were also doing something positive for the environment. While I enjoy parades and celebrations of that nature, I often think about the amount of waste they produce, something everyone should be more conscious of. Not only were the participants in this clean-up activity picking up trash, some were also planting native plants along the shoreline to assist animals that inhabit the area.
While Dr. King may not have been an environmentalist in his time, I’m sure he would appreciate the generosity showcased here. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a reminder to step back and take a minute to remember who he was and what he stood for, in any way. This event certainly fits that bill and it contributes to the community, something Dr. King definitely valued and promoted. I’m sure he would be proud to be honored in this way.
Thanks for posting your essays here also. This is certainly an option for students who don't mind their work being public. I found your statement about Bob Marley great. The musician was certainly a "civil rights activist." I am reflecting on Will Smith's character in his latest film about the virus, The Legend, I think it's called. He named his child Marley and played the man's music. His character says at one point, "Bob Marley said, 'Evil doesn't take a day off, so how can I?" This was in reponse to Marley's quick return to the stage after being shot.
Larine, I went to the Shoreine Clean-up a couple of years ago at MLK Jr. Shorline Park. It was really fun. I wanted to go this year, now that I live closer, but I also wanted to hear Angela Davis speak. Your reflection on their intention and King's response was also great.
Damien Jones
English 1A
9am-10am
Dr. King gave a wonderful speech called Love Your Enemies. This concept as he said is one of the most difficult tasks the Dr. could ask of the people all over the nation. This was a request that he himself did accomplish in all his years of freedom fighting. He knew the hard to believe truth was that love was the only way. He stated that,” love will cure our world and civilization”. He also called the people who lived their lives with hate in the heart “cursed”, which I believe to be true. Ones whole existence is truly cursed without the experience of unconditional love and not being loved oneself. Still, Dr. King preached his speech he gave all who listened and all who will future read, the keys to a peaceful life and healthy soul.
Throughout this speech sermon Dr. King made references to the originator of loving your enemies, Jesus. He explained why we should do so and the consequence on not. I know if I follow what they taught along with the rest of humanity this world would take an unbelievable turn. The wars and deaths happening all over the world would not exist. Love still has its place in the world but is exercised with prejudice which waters down its affect in my view. We do know it is real because the world isn’t in complete chaos. Not yet.
Dr. King pointed out how throughout history people have had to rise up over oppression. These oppressed people had choices in how to rise up over their oppressors, either through more violence which would ultimately cause more hate and violence. Or give in which nobody with any heart would do. Lastly to have mass nonviolent resistance, which proved to be very effective in Dr. Kings’ quest for peace. He gave his enemies a model of love and kept the fire of hatred from spewing over into the streets. As he said to his brother on the trip to Tennessee,”Somebody on this road has to have some sense”.
Damien Jones
English 1A
9am-10am
As Dr. King gave his speech for winning the Nobel Prize for peace he spoke on behalf of all the people in the struggle. In reading this speech it is apparent that Dr. King did not want to accept the award for his role, although positive and ground breaking, was part of an atrocity that is apart of our history. He accepted it as part of proof of better days to come and signs of change were at hand. Still recognizing the unfinished task of gaining equality Dr. King made sure nobody forgot that as everyone in the crowd sat there listening to him there were many outrageous acts of violence happening in the country. All committed by our fellow man onto each other.
Dr. King then in his Nobel Prize winning speech spoke on one of the most important points. One that is still seen but not fully believed today. That is one mans voice can change the world. That is what he did and is part of the reason why he received the Nobel Prize to begin with. One of the things that makes Dr. King a legend and forever remembered throughout time is the fact that his words his legacy and everything else he stood for lived on after his tragic death.
In closing Dr. King did what most humble of men do, acknowledged the true heroes of the struggle, which was the people. Everyone who made sure he didn’t march alone, the people who listened and the people who acted when it was needed. He said,” I accept this award in the spirit of a curator of some precious heirloom which he holds in trust for its true owners”. This was a great quote because he recognized and he wanted everyone else to recognize that the people won the Nobel Prize but they couldn’t give it to the people. Luckily for the people then and now we had Dr. King as the voice for the people.
Damien Jones
English 1A
9am-10am
In response to Dr. Kings Our God Is Marching On speech, I couldn’t help but wonder a few things. Firstly, did Dr. King really see an end in sight for the struggle that was going on at the time? One of the main actions for opposing the racist and indecent actions was to march. March tirelessly on for the hope of change which had to seem like a distant, almost unreachable task. He mentioned Sister Pollard and her comment on how her feets were tired but her soul was rested. It seems to me that nobody saw the end and maybe didn’t even think there was one but the journey had to be made regardless. Everyone can say that there soul was at rest because they decided to take whatever was coming head on, without fear. The free and rested soul is what allowed Dr. King and other freedom fighters to drag tired broken bodies for miles for change, continuously no matter the distance.
Secondly, I thought, as I read Dr. Kings saying of a quote by James Weldon Johnson saying,” We have come over a way. That with tears hath been watered. We have come treading our paths. Through the blood of the slaughtered out of the gloomy past, till now we stand at last. Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast”, if Dr. King would feel as though these hard fought efforts some how took a bad turn. Would he feel content with how the whole racism and civil rights movement turned out, and instead marching with the same intensity trying to change how his people turned out. Race is still a huge issue that has now become the elephant in the room. Dr. King marched along with countless others to end racism and he proved to be a powerful man, because although he did not end racism he certainly silenced it in a way that it has to be hidden. Dr. King helped expose the ugly face of racism, ignorance and hate so everyone recognizes it when it pops up. Last and shortly would Dr. King ask why we aren’t marching anymore.
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