When I came into class this morning students were seated in a circle, Dreams from My Father out, students in the middle of a discussion. Anthony invited me to join them and we shared interpretations of the women in Obama's life and their impact on the man he is becoming in the story, and the man he has become in real life. Students also shared favorite sections and spoke about other topics and themes covered up to chapter 14. We did have a chance to talk about Pidd briefly, and decided we would spend Thursday, March 5, on Pidd pp. 124-141 in the early class.
Monday, March 9, both classes will review the exercises on pages 144-152 and write the error paragraphs from "Ignacio Pistachio" (154).
When I walk around a look at student's books many of you have not completed the exercises. You really must complete the exercises before you can complete the essay. It doesn't help you to have the answers, yet remain clueless on how we got to the solution. If you are having trouble with any of the grammar, come see me, get a tutor...don't get behind.
It is not rocket science and Pidd is really user friendly and not meant to take a lot of time to complete. One of your classmaes told me it was too simple, yet that same student hasn't turned in any essays....we shall see is all I can say to this observation. The books are in the library on reserve and upstairs in L-234: Writing Center. You have no reason to not have your assignments.
There are a lot of exercises in Pidd, you might complain, but doing exercises is the way you build strong composition muscles. You've got to sweat for the A.
Even for the most brilliant among you, and I am serious-- some times the glare makes me speechless or at least blind (mixed metaphors), I have given students who are great writers failing grades because they were careless with the details. Pidd helps you sharpen your skills so that you can shine that much more brightly. Sloppy work might not adequately reflect your capabilities, but sometimes first impressions are hard to erase.
Do your best. We only have 5 more essays left after essay 3.
We decided in the second class to review spend just a hot few minutes on Synthetica so that the bulk of the time can be spent on Dreams. We isolated the seven case errors today and will write the error paragraphs in the morning. If you are absent keep moving forward in the book. Absence is no reason to get behind. I hope Paola and other students who are under the weather feel better and return soon.
9-9:50 AM class, bring in the error chart complete in the morning (126).
Continue reflecting on Obama and the values he gleaned from the women in his life. As we move forward in the book, up to chapter 14, continue, if you like with some of the same women and introduce new characters who share similar values or different ones than the women already highlighted in your exploration.
Over the weekend, post a 4-6 paragraph analysis of these values as reflected in Obama, the Obama in Dreams and the one in the White House.
Monday, March 9, both classes will review the exercises on pages 144-152 and write the error paragraphs from "Ignacio Pistachio" (154).
When I walk around a look at student's books many of you have not completed the exercises. You really must complete the exercises before you can complete the essay. It doesn't help you to have the answers, yet remain clueless on how we got to the solution. If you are having trouble with any of the grammar, come see me, get a tutor...don't get behind.
It is not rocket science and Pidd is really user friendly and not meant to take a lot of time to complete. One of your classmaes told me it was too simple, yet that same student hasn't turned in any essays....we shall see is all I can say to this observation. The books are in the library on reserve and upstairs in L-234: Writing Center. You have no reason to not have your assignments.
There are a lot of exercises in Pidd, you might complain, but doing exercises is the way you build strong composition muscles. You've got to sweat for the A.
Even for the most brilliant among you, and I am serious-- some times the glare makes me speechless or at least blind (mixed metaphors), I have given students who are great writers failing grades because they were careless with the details. Pidd helps you sharpen your skills so that you can shine that much more brightly. Sloppy work might not adequately reflect your capabilities, but sometimes first impressions are hard to erase.
Do your best. We only have 5 more essays left after essay 3.
We decided in the second class to review spend just a hot few minutes on Synthetica so that the bulk of the time can be spent on Dreams. We isolated the seven case errors today and will write the error paragraphs in the morning. If you are absent keep moving forward in the book. Absence is no reason to get behind. I hope Paola and other students who are under the weather feel better and return soon.
9-9:50 AM class, bring in the error chart complete in the morning (126).
Continue reflecting on Obama and the values he gleaned from the women in his life. As we move forward in the book, up to chapter 14, continue, if you like with some of the same women and introduce new characters who share similar values or different ones than the women already highlighted in your exploration.
Over the weekend, post a 4-6 paragraph analysis of these values as reflected in Obama, the Obama in Dreams and the one in the White House.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 3:35 PM
2 Comments:
Rebecca Evans eng 1a 9-10 response to woman in Obama’s life
Obama shows respect for the woman in his life. He has been touched throughout his live by various woman and has highlighted his experiences in “Dreams from my Father”.
Obama was raised by a single mother and while he often feels lost in terms of his black manhood and standing he is thankful for his mother’s guidance, love, and strength. Ann was well educated and passed her inelegance and studious habits on to Obama. She understood that while she could not teach him how to “be black” she could educate him in areas such as the civil rights movement and of famous black women and men who had come before him. Obama found himself inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, W.E.D Dubois, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks.
Throughout Obama’s travels he meets other inspiriting woman. During his educational career at Occidental he met Regina. She proved to be an individual with radical views. Regina did not so much care what others thought of her but more of her intelligence and moral standings. After Obama’s rally to “preach” black movement and acceptance he felt downtrodden and selfish in his self demise because the rally had not gone perfectly. Regina lifted him up, sparking for the first time, a sense of a larger world that deserved attention and focus more than his own sorrows.
During his organizing in Chicago Obama met many special women including: Mona, Angela, Shirley, Mary Bernadette, Dr. Martha Collier, Linda and Bernadette Lowry, and Sadie Evans. The first women he met, Mona, Shirley, and Angela, cuddled him like a new born baby. They were all single mothers who were looking forward to bettering their community and lives. They gave willingly and gratefully with no reservations or expectations. Obama held high expectations for himself and these women helped to lesson his worries and instead see the good he was constructing in Altgeld.
Linda and Bernadette Lowry were two sisters Obama met on his quest to assist the schools. Both single mom’s they were working to better their lives, taking turns at community college and attending to their children. They saw the answers in public education and worked diligently with Obama to set up counseling, tutoring for the public school system.
Sadie Evans however has touched Obama perhaps the most thus far. A meek church lady striving to become minister stepped up when hope and progress were desperately needed. The threat of asbestos in the homes of many in Altgeld was present and while people were considered no one expect for Sadie stepped up. She gathered the community to come together to fight for something they all agreed on, their health. Though in retrospect the issue itself wasn’t groundbreaking the process of community organization nourished Altgeld and promoted further hope.
Obama renews his vigor for community organizing thanks to Sadie. He learned along the way that even when things don’t completely execute the process is perhaps the most important gift of all.
Other important woman include the following:
Mother- Ann represents kindness, compassion and the roots of many of Obama’s values. Ann taught Obama the values of: honesty, fairness, straight talk, and independent judgment. Lolo had taught Obama values of putting one’s self first, lying to get ahead and not respecting or considering others. Ann showed discipline and commitment in raising her son with proper values. She also instilled no racist claims on anyone. From a young age Ann was taught to be respectful and excepting of all people despite race, religion, or decent. She tested her values on racism when she decided to befriend a black student in her class despite the negative remakes and jeers she received from other students.
Grandmother- Toot exhibited love. She provided for her family and her grandson when the need arose. Her diligent mothering was out of the kindness of her heart with no regrets or expectations. Toot stuck by Gramps even when she did not agree with him and in turn Gramps stuck by her. This relationship showed true and honest love, unlike the relationships Obama had seen with this father and mother and step father and mother. Toot however also showed fear. When Toot decided she did not want to take the bus to work anymore Obama was befuddled. He later learned of her fear, a panhandler had harassed her, this was a normal occurrence. However, the difference this time was that the man was black. Obama was introduced to truth and a realization of the hurdles he would face in his adult life.
Regina- Obama met Regina while attending Occidental in Los Angeles. After Obama’s rally to promote knowledge of black culture, participation, and injustices Regina complemented Obama on his speech. While she saw hope and promise in him Obama could only focus on the negatives. He focused on the small turn out, laughing students, and uninterested audience. He could not see his work as a larger stepping stone for the black race as a whole. Regina called Obama out on his folly and he continues to remember her words in his later life. Regina sees the whole picture and introduces the concepts of truth and dedication. She reminds Obama that the world is not about him and if his goal is indeed to help others and the black community than he needs to let go of his selfish expectations. She reminds him of the truth and strength he can exhibit to help others and in turn, though he did not become aware of it until later, help himself.
Auma- When Auma and Obama finally met they were both well established adults. Obama however quickly discovered his morals and self knowledge were was less grounded than he thought. Auma shared the truth of their father. She had grown up with a different father than Obama knew. When Obama Sr. came to visit Obama he had “seen the light”. Obama Sr. he was thankful for living after a rough car accident and had decided he needed to renew and appreciate his life. However, growing up he had many wives, children and problems. He was blacklisted from the any government professions, drunk, and demanding. Auma showed Barack true honesty and the importance of honesty in one’s life. Now that Obama knew the truths of his father he was forced to look at himself and his expectations.
Obama lost his mother Ann to ovarian cancer in 1995. He recently lost his mother’s mom, Madelyn better known as Toot, on November 2, 2008. Obama is blessed today to be surrounding by his wife Michelle, and two daughters Malia and Sasha.
Michele grew up in south Chicago has become an amazing woman, She is well educated graduating from. Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Barack was rewarded with her presence when they met while working at a law firm together. They fell in love over community organizing, righteous living, and welfare fro all.
Michelle is perhaps one of the most controversial first ladies. She has been criticized for wearing sleeveless dresses and cooking in the kitchen. Michelle is an inspiration for all women. She is not destined to the stereotypical roles woman are placed in today. I admire her for body and self acceptance. Michele is an excellent role model for her daughters as well as American women. Her plans as first lady include: being a dedicated mother and wife while still setting her own boundaries and goals, working on universal health care, and proper public education.
Malia and Sasha are blessing like every child. Their exuberance and youthfulness will no doubt be a welcomed addition to the tense white house atmosphere. Obama wishes and hopes for his children to, "to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world.”(Obama)
"Family of Barack Obama." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 28 Feb 2009, 15:06 UTC. 3 Mar 2009 en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Family_of_Barack_Obama&oldid=273891155
Nely Ruiz
English 1 A
9:00am – 10:00 am
March 8, 2009
Obama’s Female Inspiration
There are many women in Barack Obama’s life that made impressions on his character. One of the main influences on everyone’s life is a mother, whether it be biological, spiritual or just a mentor. A glimpse of his mother’s values and principles are shown in his memoir Dreams from my father. She was a freethinker and was well ahead of her time. As a young girl she makes friends with everyone and does not let any prejudices get in her way. Obama is the same way, he does not see color. He measures friends and people by their actions, way of life and their words. Obama’s mother had a very good work ethic, she was determined that her son would have the best education that she could provide. She wanted him to succeed in life and overcome racial profiling of his heritage. He attended prep schools during elementary, catholic school, and private colleges. His mother, at one point while they were living in Indonesia, woke up him up at 5:00 am every morning to teach him. She felt that her son was not getting enough education at the local school that he attended. The importance of education that his mother instilled in him is shown through his years at Harvard; a dedicated student and president of the Harvard Law Review.
Another figure that he learned from was Regina. She was a fellow college student at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Regina had a very straightforward on her role in life; she did not compromise her principles. Obama and Regina were two members of the Black Student Union that would hold rallies outside. They spoke about the struggle to excel and be accepted in the world and not be looked at in a different way just because of their skin color. Regina lived what she spoke about all the time. She did not put on an act for the audience during the rallies or the meetings. She rebukes him for cutting himself down on his speech. She tells him that it is not all about him that his speech might not have been perfect in his eyes, but it greatly benefited the audience. Regina explodes when she finds out the Obama is putting on a front and actually leaves big messes for the minority housekeepers to clean up. Obama goes as far as to sit with his friends as they laugh and watch the maids clean up their party disaster. Obama reflects many times back on this rebuke, and tries for the rest of his life to be honest and keep his life in perspective. All throughout his presidential campaign he never talked about how he wanted this for himself, his campaign was never about him.
Another person that taught him a life lesson was his half-sister Auma. She did not come into his life until after college. Obama had a picture of his father in his mind, like everyone who has a parent missing in action does. Auma destroyed that pedestal and told him how he really was on a day to day basis. His father became bitter and a drunk. Auma had to cook and clean for the family, she was almost unable to go to school because their father was unable to afford the private boarding school she attended. Obama learned that is it better to know the truth than to believe in a lie your whole life. Obama has been very open to the people of the United States, since becoming the 44th president. He has opened email links so people can contact him, or one of his staff, he speaks at many different events, not only just the state, and international events, but local schools and hospitals as well. He has admitted that he smokes and is not ashamed to drink in public. Obama wants to be accessible to everyone, this is a democracy without the voters and the support; he is nothing.
The most important female in his life today is of course his wife Michelle Obama, the first lady of these United States. She has made him a better man. Michelle has created a stable home life. She is his number one supporter and is always encouraging him to excel. She pushes him to do his best and to stretch his limitations. She is his rock.
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