What is an American?

Lately, we've been reading so much about how much being an American means to certain people. Whether you transformed into one or born a different color, we're all the same. We are Americans. It seems as though every one of these stories we've read, are trying to explain to us how certain races are discriminated even though they're American, or tell us their past/ journey to becoming an American. While reading these stories, I realized that I would never have to experience even a 3rd of what some of these people have experienced. I was born as an Asian American. It felt more like a given other than a privilege. In "American Dreamer", she stated "I am an American, not an Asian American. My hyphenation has been called race treachery, but it is really a demand that America deliver the promises of its dream to all it's citizens equally". I've never considered being called Asian American as to just American offensive or inequality. It could be because I never had to work for my citizenship, I had it ever since I was born. But honestly, what is the big deal? Sure I guess you can say that it separates you from "The Crowd". However, I see it as adding unique touch to the fact that you're American. I'm proud to be American but I'm also proud to be Asian. So why does one feel degraded or separated when they're addressing you as who you really are?    

King Still King?

 I am so glad that we get to write about Martin Luther King Jr. day because in World Studies, the class brought up the question "Why do we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. day?" My teacher told us that because Chicago is so diverse that they want to give everyone have a "Holiday". For example, the polish usually celebrates Pulaski day. Someone asked, "Then why do we celebrate/ have a day off school on Washington's Birthday?" My teacher couldn't provide us an answer...But my point is why do we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. day? I have never really put much thought into the reason why we take these days off, I am usually just glad that I have an extra day added to my weekend. Now that I have been prompt to think about, Martin Luther King Jr. day is worth celebrating because he was the man that fought for equality between white and black. Come to think of it, why did anyone have to fight for that to being with? Shouldn't it be a given?
  After many years, some people still have the mentality that Blacks are inferior to Whites. I totally disagree because being black, white, red or even blue only adds to our unique personality. Just because a certain group of a race misbehaves or portray themselves badly, it shouldn't mean that the WHOLE race is the same. 
  For those that have never thought about why we celebrate/have a day off from school for Martin Luther King Jr. day, one should really find out. But for whatever personal reason, the main reason should be because he spoke up for himself and many that was too afraid to.
 

Children Of The Sea

As a class, we started to read Children Of The Sea and we were to finish it on our own. In the beginning of the story, I thought the story was going to be boring. However it turned out to be really interesting. The story was based on two characters. Both of them write journals about what they have experienced. Because I'm a journal writer myself, I was able to really connect with this story. In the story, the boy was on a ship to Haiti and the girl is at home. Almost everyday the girl has to face home invasions from the military. Because of all the chaos, her family is very disorganized and unhappy. They wait for gas to be on sale so they can drive to a safe place. While all of this is happening to the girl, the boy has to deal with hunger and the possibility of  the ship sinking. He even gets to see a woman give birth. While all of this is going on, he has to think about life or death. Life is so treacherous on board that death isn't the worst idea. Death in this story is portrayed as a sacrifice to god, not a stupid mistake like we think of it now. What made the story even more interesting was boy's ship sunk and we're left with thinking that he's dead.

Overall this story was confusing at the beginning, but as I continued to read, it became clear. I really like how the author didn't hold anything back. He didn't try to make the situation worse/good. He left it to the reader to decided how they should feel. Like he didn't try to make the situation seem more sad than it really was. When I was reading the Boy parts, I imagined myself as one of the riders on the ship. The story was very touching and interesting. I would love to finish it.