Cyber-Response
Today we met in Literature Circles to discuss Chapters 2 and 3 from Dreams from My Father. The early class, while small seemed really engaged and all discussion groups said they liked the synergy between the participants and asked if they could stay together. So if you weren't present, you might have to find another group (smile).
Bridgett has a biblical reference for Obama to share. It is in Judges, the section on Rebecca.
I asked students to talk about the themes in Chapter 2-3 which overlap those expressed in Chapter 1, the Intro, and Preface, and then continue with the prescribed roles.
The homework is to continue Part 2 in Pidd, and complete page 32. You can complete the entire section if you have an hour. We will, as stated below, complete the essay in class Tuesday/Wednesday in groups and individually.
Post a reflection on the Literature Circle experience today here. Discuss today's highlights, what you covered and what you left out.
There are a lot of great events this weekend:
The African American Celebration through Poetry, 2/7, 1-4 PM at the West Oakland Branch Library, 1801 Adeline Street, (510) 238-7352.
The Black Choreographers Here and Now opens their season at Laney College Theatre, 2/6-2/8.
The Black Health Summit Free Family Day, 2/7, 8-6 at the Marriott Convention Center, 12th and Broadway. Visit www.babuf.org
Harriett Tubman opens at the Malonga Theater, 1428 Alice Street, Oakland, 2/13-2/15.
The Museum of the African Diaspora is free this month. It is located on Mission Street near Third Street in Oakland.
The Black Summitt is next weekend at Foothill Community College. Talk to me if you are interested in attending. I am presenting.
Today we met in Literature Circles to discuss Chapters 2 and 3 from Dreams from My Father. The early class, while small seemed really engaged and all discussion groups said they liked the synergy between the participants and asked if they could stay together. So if you weren't present, you might have to find another group (smile).
Bridgett has a biblical reference for Obama to share. It is in Judges, the section on Rebecca.
I asked students to talk about the themes in Chapter 2-3 which overlap those expressed in Chapter 1, the Intro, and Preface, and then continue with the prescribed roles.
The homework is to continue Part 2 in Pidd, and complete page 32. You can complete the entire section if you have an hour. We will, as stated below, complete the essay in class Tuesday/Wednesday in groups and individually.
Post a reflection on the Literature Circle experience today here. Discuss today's highlights, what you covered and what you left out.
There are a lot of great events this weekend:
The African American Celebration through Poetry, 2/7, 1-4 PM at the West Oakland Branch Library, 1801 Adeline Street, (510) 238-7352.
The Black Choreographers Here and Now opens their season at Laney College Theatre, 2/6-2/8.
The Black Health Summit Free Family Day, 2/7, 8-6 at the Marriott Convention Center, 12th and Broadway. Visit www.babuf.org
Harriett Tubman opens at the Malonga Theater, 1428 Alice Street, Oakland, 2/13-2/15.
The Museum of the African Diaspora is free this month. It is located on Mission Street near Third Street in Oakland.
The Black Summitt is next weekend at Foothill Community College. Talk to me if you are interested in attending. I am presenting.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 9:31 AM
20 Comments:
Hong Tang
Carmen Truong
Bianca Chouteau
Donnovan Jiles
Muno Munkhbaatar
English 1A 9:00-9:50
Theme for Chapter 2
. - The chapter basically talks about their relationship between Lolo and the son
“So it was to Lolo that I turned to for guidance and instruction. He didn’t talk much, but he was easy to be with. With his family and friends he introduced me as his son, but he never pressed things beyond matter of fact advice or pretended that our relationship more than it was”.
Overlap those expressed in Chapter 1 and 2
- We compared Obama’s father in Ch. 1 to Obama’s step father in Ch. 2. We all
agreed that Obama’s step father was better than his real father. In Ch. 1 his
Father was really aggressive over a pipe; pg.6.
“ Your dad thought about it for a minute, and finally agreed, and as soon as the fella took his first puff, he started coughing up a fit, Coughed so hard that the pipe slipped out of his hand and dripped over the railing, a hundred feet down the face of the cliff. The man took one peek down this ninety degree incline and told Barack that he’d buy him a replacement”.
- In Ch.2 Lolo treated Obama like his own son.
Pg.42 “Lolo had welcomed her warmly and gone out of his war to make her fell at home, proving her with whatever creature comforts he could afford, His family had treated her with tact and generosity, and treated her son as one of their own”.
Nely Ruiz
English 1 A
9:00 am – 10:00 am
We had a great group discussion today. Everyone read the chapters. We connected many themes that seem to run through the book so far; family, world events and places. It was interesting to hear everyone’s comments on the visit from Barack’s father in Chapter 3. Everyone had different views and opinions about the father showing up after so long, and the fact that he already had a family in Africa. We also spent time discussing the changes young Barack seen in his own grandparents due to the financial stress, and the time they were living in; the ideals and fads of that era. We also commented on the well traveled life he was already experiencing at a young age, Hawaii, Indonesia, New York etc. I think this environment helped him to become a very well rounded individual.
Bridgette Copprue
Eng1A 9-10
5 February 2009
Correction on name of "Rebecca in Judges.."
Sorry, I am not sure why Rebecca was on my mind, but Judges 4:4 says"And Deb'-o-rah, a prophetess, the wife of Lap'-i-doth, she judged Isreal at that time. Then verse 6 says: "And she sent and called Ba'-rak the son of A-bin'-o-am out of Ke'desh-naph'-ta-li, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Isreal commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Zeb'-u-lun?
Sorry for the misstatement earlier in class, so I asked my Bible class who was Rebecca and why did I mention her name instead of Deborah, and they showed me in the Bible where Rebecca had been Deborah's nurse! I can't say that they are one in the same, just don't quite know why I was so sure of speaking her name in class today. Read all of Judges chapter 4 to understand, or better yet, begin at the beginning of Judges.
Jeremy J. Kerby
English 1A, 9-9:50AM
I find Literature Circles to be very useful. Today we were very productive in my opinion. We have a great team that is very easy to work with. We are all very hard working and easy going people who get along in and out of the classroom. I find Jennifer a very good partner as she is willing to help me on term I do not know. Both Hassan and Jennifer came prepared today to work with resource to make our discussion a better experience, like the use of a laptop with Internet access and a detailed dictionary. Azra and Cesangary were very good at breaking down the text we were discussing throughout chps. 1-3. I feel very confident in my group that we can complete any task well you assign us.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eng 1A 8-8:50am
Response to Literature Circle
Today was a lot better with the literature circles, everyone in my group read and everyone had something to say. I was the discussion director so I felt that I brought a lot to the group, but everyone responded to the questions I asked with a lot more than I expected, and helped me to look at other things that I didn’t originally think about. The themes through out the book seem to be the same so far—race, family and Obama finding his identity. One section in the book I was having trouble with was Obama talking about his mother looking at him and Lolo and as she was observing them she began to feel afraid because Power was taking over her son. Our group came up with some really good explanations to help clarify what he meant by this but I would be interested to see what other people thought about it; the paragraph starts on page 45 and continues to page 46 so if anyone can post their thoughts I’ll be checking them. Thank you!
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Andre Stephens
English 1A – 9:00 – 9:50
Literature Circle Reflection
We talked about influential people who had an impact on Barack’s life and him being able to bond with his mother and trying to do the same with his dad, but it didn’t seem to go too well. Barack’s mother came from Indonesia to visit him in Hawaii and his father came from Kenya. Barack’s father tried to take control of him by insisting he study instead of watching television and this caused conflict with the grandparents. The other thing we discussed was the grandfather’s job status. He had been in the furniture business when it went belly up, and he was now selling insurance and it wasn’t going well at the time. This was causing tension between the grandmother and grandfather. We also covered how Barack was teased in school when he returned to Hawaii.
Jennifer Gonzales
English 1A 9-950a
Everyone in our group was present and I thought that our discussion went well. We added a new member to our group named Hong Le. His job is to be the investigator. I think everyone else is doing a good job at keeping up with discussion.
A theme that Hassan and Jeremy brought up that they felt overlaped from Ch. 1 to Ch. 3 was about Barry's grandparents changing into what Barry seemed was just like the old man that lived in his apartment in Ch. 1. How they felt the grandparents were ending up just like the old man. Just living life with no desire and accepting it for what it is. Not everyone completed reading Ch. 3, including myself so our discussion didn't reach that far. But I enjoyed working with my group, like always.
Rebecca Evans Eng. 1a response to literature circles 2/7/09
In the preface and introduction Obama highlighted his main themes: innocence, racial inequalities, family values, family influence, the process of creating himself, and education. Throughout chapters two and three he expanded on these topics as well as adding new important and influential new topics to be carried throughout the book.
In chapter two, Lolo, Obama’s step father was introduced. He brings forth the theme, power and family influence in his lifestyle and teachings. His ethics and inputs on Obama were influential. Lolo was masculine and aimed to turn Obama into a “hard” man. Power thus becomes another large topic of discussion in “Dreams from my father”. In Indonesia, Lolo’s home country, the socioeconomic status is distant. There is a large gap between the wealthy and the poor, the haves and the have nots. Lolo’s power was stripped away from him, “power was undisguised, incriminated, naked, always fresh, in the memory. Power had taken Lolo and yanked him back in line just when he thought he’s escaped” (Obama ch.2 pg.45). Upon his return to Indonesia from Hawaii Lolo was thrown into the war in New Guinea. He had come from visiting a free nation, Hawaii, a place full of possibilities, new ideas, and contemporary movements. However, his ideas, and goals were extinguished when thrown into the harsh yet true cruelties of his homeland. He saw destruction, lies, death, and poverty. He lost friends and hope. Lolo was determined to better himself and remove himself completely from the impoverished lifestyle.
A family friend of mine is from the Filipeans. She has told me many stories that relate to Lolo’s. The poverty is ghastly, the economic status and environmental degration is horrible. She came from a middle class family, which are few and far between, usually one falls into the poor or the wealthy. However, upon meeting her new American husband and being introduced to the “golden” lifestyle of America she was transformed. In some was she has created a monster of herself. She sees power as the ultimate goal. She desires to be so far removed of her previous lifestyle that she craves the newest and best: technology, foods, cars, and home. Lolo resembles this insatiable appetite for power. He also desires to move far away from his destitute lifestyle. He lands a job in an American oil business, buys a new home, car, and all the luxuries of an “American” lifestyle.
Ann does not understand Lolo’s inner struggle thus creating confusion and mixed lessons to Obama. Ann grew up in a balanced home with progressive parents, she always had enough to eat, a warm place to sleep, and a guarantee for an education. After talking with Lolo’s cousin she began to understand the hardships he endured over his life time and thus comprehended why he could not interact with the poor let alone give in fear of returning to that lifestyle and status himself. Ann however, was steadfast in teaching Obama the values passed down from her family, the values that lead her to his father.
In chapters two and three Ann practices her teachings to influence Obama connecting to the theme of family values. She not only teaches him the history of African American scholars and important individuals but also of her beliefs of equality and acceptance.
Protection also enters as another topic. Barack feels the need to protect his mother and grandparents. He is unsure and doubtful that they have been introduced to the harsh but true aspects of life surrounding racism. “I noticed here was nobody that looked like me in the Sears, Robuck catalog…and that Santa was a white man. I kept these observations to myself, deciding that either my mother didn’t see them or she was trying to protect me and I shouldn’t expose her efforts as having failed” (Obama ch.2 pg. 52).
Rebecca Evans Eng 1a 9-10 2/7/09chapter two connecting to today
A large topic I thought was important in Chapter two was the economic and social status of the people and the individual countries. We are currently facing a moral war with our economy and the well being of U.S. citizens.
With the current economic recession heading into a possible depression our country is facing one of the worst misfortunes in history. I won’t begin to deduce the ways the strongest nation of the world has reached this place but more so how we are responding to it. As people loose jobs, homes, and businesses one develops a “look out for me, myself and I” attitude. With the government aiding the recession over the past eight years it is obvious why citizens react in such a way. There is no trust in the government and out economy. Last year Wall Street CEO’s were given a collective of over $20 billion in raises, without the country consent or approval. Billions have been spent on the war in Iraq again without sanction or support from the majority of American citizens and voters. We continue to labor in an attempt to create a balanced budget. Oil company CEO’s are making millions while school districts are threatening to cut back days of instruction and eliminate jobs. The threat of loosing programs such as: music, sports, and physical education.
Today commercials on T.V. advertise cheep and easy ways to feed one’s family. Heavy discounts at department stores, grocery outlets and ample car deals flood televisions, newspapers, radios, and billboards. We are fooled in to the illusion that we as citizens can take care of ourselves, we conclude that we can balance our budgets and provide for our families. However, consumers do not recognize that we are far from independence. We are enlisting our lives and trust into major corporations such as “Wal-Mart” and “Kohl’s”. These large monopolies take over smaller true independent businesses. As Lolo articulated in Dreams from my Father, “sometimes you can’t worry about hurt. Sometimes you can worry only abut getting where you have to go” (Obama ch.2 pg. 40). Lolo is blatantly describing the ethics of our American culture. We do not worry about how our actions affect others, our environment, the heath of our country, or the health of our world. The objective concern is ourselves. “Men take advantage of weakness in other men…the strong man takes the weak man’s land. He makes the weak man work in his fields” (Obama ch.2 pg. 40). Lolo distinguishes the cruel truths of human arrogance.
Companies in Alameda are suffering from a fraudulent business system. Between 2008 and 2009 we lost two privately owned car dealerships to larger corporate owned dealerships in Oakland, San Francisco, and the Silicon Valley. This brings the revenue down in Alameda and families begin to struggle to survive. Obama’s mother had a good heart; she wanted to help others, for her living meant giving back. Giving back to the community at large was ingrained in her as a way of life. “Everyone else around her would be too busy trying to survive to notice; when it counted she had plenty of sympathy but no one beside her who believed in fighting against a threatening fate” (Obama ch. 2 pg. 49).
In a country where there is a huge distance from the rich and the poor the ones better off chose not to see the struggles of those less fortunate. “Better to be strong, or be clever and make peace with someone who is strong, but always better to be strong yourself, always” (Obama, ch. 2 pg. 41). Lolo invokes that power and strength in one’s self is of utmost importance, because you never know when someone might stab you in the back. Today, this is the mantra of so many Americans, always worried that someone is out to get them, and that lending a hand might mean they owe something back. I volunteer regularly at an elderly care facility and when passing out small Christmas gifts one lady said, “No, I don’t want it, if I take it there will be strings attached”. Even after I explained that it was simply a gift for her, no strings attached she was weary of my courtesy and would not accept the token. As a society we are creating an independent nation not from the world in a sense of oil or fossil fuels but from ourselves.
Rebecca Evans Eng 1a 9-10
connect to today chapter 3 2/7/09
In chapter three Obama is visited by his father. He encounters the fact that his family is not traditional. His father is a distant stranger, Lolo is an influential memory, and his grandparents are traditional suburban inhabitants. His mother is now the key person and teacher in his life. Single parenting is an abundant topic in today’s world as well.
On January 26th in San Francisco Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets. She is a single mom who already had six children all under the age of eight. Many are feeling judgmental of her decision while others feel supportive and optimistic. The support and vengeance toward single parenting has been in debate for a long time. (Dillion)
Obama grew up in a single parent household, while he did have the support of his grandparents, his mother was the main source of parental guidance. Today there are many single parent families either by choice, divorce, or unmarried relationships. It is indeed more difficult to provide for one’s family and participate in the simple aspects of day to day living, but not impossible.
Single parenting has proved to be controversial. Many people are against it and can associate negative behavioral, social, and emotional outcomes of single parent raised children. Parents who were never married have a lower base of education and are typically below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Divorced parents have typically higher educational bases and thus larger incomes.
The most difficult things for a single parent are the practical implications of life such as grocery shopping, finding affordable child care, and balancing household responsibilities and works schedules. Parents often have older siblings take care of younger sibling thus eliminating the chance for individual growth of the older child. Parents often leave their children home alone for long periods of time causing chances to get into trouble and develop loneliness and psychological complications. Children whose parents are divorced often suffer from psychological effects such as feeling worthless or guilty for their parents split. Children of choice or unmarried parents often feel that they somehow “scared” the father or mother away. (Richardson)
Children typically fall into two categories in response to a single parent household. Children who have grown up without a parent either the mother or father experience many mental struggles. Divorced parent children typically suffer more mental complications verses that of a choice or unmarried parent’s child. “In the first few years after a divorce, the children have higher rates of antisocial behavior, aggression, anxiety, and school problems than children in two parent families” (McLanahan and Sandefur).
“In mother-only families, children tend to experience short-and long-term economic and psychological disadvantages; higher absentee rates at school, lower levels of education, and higher dropout rates and more delinquent activity, including alcohol and drug addiction”( McLanahan and Sandefur).
Children who live in a single mother households are apt to struggle more than those of a single father, woman typically get paid less and are expected to do more. This creates a low socioeconomic status and thus, “Children in single-mother homes are also more likely to experience health-related problems as a result of the decline in their living standard, including the lack of health insurance” (McLanahan and Booth 1989). Studies have also shown that, “as children from single-parent families become adults; they are more likely to marry early, have children early, and divorce. Girls are at greater risk of becoming single mothers as a result of non-marital childbearing or divorce” (McLanahan and Booth 1989).
Most single families consist of only a mother. Without father or male guidance children lose structure. Boys especially, need their fathers or a male counterpart to instill values and to model acceptable behaviors. Boys typically respond better to males and are more apt to follow their guidance. However, “Fathers often become disinterested and detached from their children; in one study more than 60 percent of fathers either did not visit their children and had no contact with them for over a year. The loss of a father in the family can have implications beyond childhood” (McLanahan and Booth 1989).
However, there are many positive effects of single parenting. While difficult it is not impossible. I babysit for two single mothers whose children are both well behaved, intelligent and well disciplined. Both these single mothers are teachers, not making a large income but they make up for financial restrictions with their excellent resolve, discipline, patience, and attention. Any family can function if each child is provided with adequate and equal attention and aid.
Some of the most recognized positive qualities of single parenting follow.
By spending time with children a closer bond can developed between the parent and child. This bond offers a trusting relationship in turn enabling children to come to parents for advice and help versus battling on their own. Children of single parents also begin to recognize the importance of a community. Well raised children in single parent homes are often raised by a group of supporters be it friends, relatives or community groups. Children become apt to rely on the community and believe that change can happen if we work together. Children also recognize responsibilities possibly more than that of a conventional family. Their contribution to the family is necessary. They also see how their parent functions to pay bills, keep up the household and remain employed. Children of single parent homes are more independent and can in turn handle conflict. Finally children of single parent homes can balance priorities more readily. They recognize the importance of family and commitment to each other. Parents might have to choose a day at the spa or a day helping with homework. The committed parent who chooses homework instills a sense of responsibility, ethics and commitment in the child. (family)
Single parents have often been the focus of public policy debate. The debate revolves around the considerations of the role of government and moral implications such as the decrease of the “traditional family”. The moral debate tends to divide between liberal and conservative positions with liberals welcoming or accepting the changes in family structures, while conservatives oppose the “different” family structures. The policy debate also tends to split along similar lines with fiscal conservatives emphasizing a minimal role for government and an employment focus, while liberals tend to support more government involvement in an attempt to minimize poverty. (wikapedia)
Basically, the main goal is to produce and foster happy, healthy and confident children be it in a single parent home or duel parent home. All children can succeed and prosper if they receive adulate love, care, attention, and involvement.
Wikapedia:
Wikapedia. Jan. 30 2009. Wikamedia foundation. Feb. 4 2009 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_parent
Family : Single Parent Families. 2009.Marraige and Family Encyclopedia. Feb. 4 2009 family.jrank.org/pages/1577/Single-Parent-Families-Effects-on-Children.html
McLanahan and Booth 1989:
About.com. 2009. New York Times. Feb 4 2009 singleparents.about.com/od/familyrelationships/tp/raised_single.htm
Raquel Maria Dillion -
The Huffington Post. Jan. 31 2009. Huffington Post. Feb. 7 2009(www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/31/nadya-suleman-octuplets-m_n_162756.html)
Rebecca Evans 2/7/09 Eng.1a 9-10 In response to Bridgette
Last night I read Judges 4:4 and was somewhat disappointed to see that it was Deborah not Rebecca but never the less intrigued with the reading. It is very powerful that this story is written because it is the preface for the journey our president is faced with today. In the bible Barak was asked to come and to the mount Tabor and save the people, to rid them from the rain of Sisera. Barack Obama is faced with the task of helping the U.S. to rid ourselves of hate, destruction, and unfair power as well.
Hong Tang
Enlglish 1A 9-10
I personally love the literature Circle. I think it helps a lot on my reading becuase we get to discuss the theme of each chapter and not only hearing my point of view but others. I was very glad everyone in my circle participated. In our conversative, we talked about how agressive Barack Obama's father was and the comparison between chapter one and two.
Mesha Shavers
Eng 1A
02/05/09
Today in our literature circle, Bridgette, Gerrell, Andre, Cee Cee and I discussed Barack’s upbringing when he lived with his grandparents. CeeCee noticed that Barack watched a lot of television and Bridgette inquired “what was he watching on television” because he was a bright kid, those two went into their own discussion. Gerrell, Andre and I discussed how Barack’s dad came to visit him, which should have been a joyous occasion instead turned out to be a bit overwhelming; he seemed to upset everyone in the house. We also discussed what influences the men in his life had on him from his grandpa to his biological dad to Lolo. CeeCee brought up a good quote from Barack something to this effect “son’s and mothers will always be close, son’s and fathers need to bond.
Wow Rebecca you have made some great observations on chapters 2-3. I really like the way you connect the themes raised in the intro and preface to those in the chapters when you hear resonances. I also like the way you always connect the text to something contemporary, which shows how good literature is timeless--the issues Barack faced as a child trying to understand a world where individuals within one country could be so distant economically and socially, a world which has expanded in its inequities unfortunately over 40 years later.
It is almost as if, it is their destiny, but it isn't. The market system just favors the western nations and all others, especially those who are not the elite, suffer. Obama references this in chapter 1 when he talks about one's character and values, what he calls "respectability" (13).
I also liked your comments on the biblical passage--yes, if her name had been Rebecca, that would have been cool, but Rebecca is still there. She's not a judge, but still is a part of the cast...I think she's Debora's maid. As long as she's a witness, right?
Keep up the great writing.
Man Quach
Eng 1a
9:00-9:50
I love lit. circle it actually pretty fun and everyone participate. We discussed the theme of ch2-3 and compared it to chapter 1. In ch2-3 we talked about Obama's father, the mysterious figure to both Obama and us(the reader). As it turned out the father was not how Obama thought he would be. Then we discussed about Obama's mom and lolo's divorced and how it relate to today single parenthood.
Carla Poindexter
Eng 1A 9-10
Today in our literary circles we discussed several themes. Among the themes were sexism,world cultures,marriage,economic systems,world view,discrimination, fatherhood,motherhood,family relationships,rites of passage, and education. The themes in chapters 2 and 3 that are similar or the same as themes from the preface,introduction, and chapter 1 are as follows: family values, manhood,rites of passage,race, and education. I think my group covered the topics from chapters 2 and 3 throughly.
I really like my literature group, instead of everyone being shy we helped each other out when we didn’t understand what the paragraph covered. Words I had trouble pronouncing or didn’t understand I asked my group they didn’t judge me or laugh they simply told me and we moved on. Also everyone in the group were not in the same reading area so we started at the beginning of chapter two and read until class was over. I really enjoy the literature groups they are very helpful.
English 1A
Tipton
Thank you professor sabir!
I enjoyed reading your feedback. It is amazing how we can connect literature from years past to contemporary issues of today.
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