Hungry for Attention

Is young Richard alone in his cravings? The answer is no. Even though the book doesn't tell us much about Richard's brother, he is always there whenever Richard commits a wrongful act. His brother observes and serves as a bystander when Richard sets the curtains on fire. When Richard tries to look for comfort, his brother had already tattled to their parents about the fire. His brother preys on Richard's wrongdoings and use it as a way to grab the attention of the adults in the house.

It is no surprise for a four year old to crave for attention. Without the food provider of the family (Richard's father), the mother has to work in difficult conditions and long hours to get barely enough to feed her children. Because of her long work hours, the children would most definitely be deprived of parental love and lacked attention from their parents. Using brutal methods, Richard's mother is trying to teach her two boys to survive in the society more independently. She is trying to tell them that there is no longer a father behind them protecting their backs. From this, Richard gets exposed to the society's influence at an early age. He wasn't certain of the consequences of the things he did. Craving for attention and curiosity, Richard always find himself in trouble.

On Being an American Journalist

Steve Bell's stand in this article is to speak out for journalism. There shouldn't be a barrier against certain viewpoints of information. He is trying to say that only a good American journalist can accurately report information for all sides of the story. To keep the "democratic engine" of the U.S.A. running, everyone should have the right to report everything that they can obtain. However, this involves a certain level of risk. The truth sometimes can offend leaders and institutions internationally. An approach to worldwide stability is to learn more about ourselves (Americans) in other people's eyes. We will need to know how and why so many around the world seem to hate us and why we seem like an "insensitive bully in the global village".

I very much agree with this article. In the world of journalism, we shouldn't be masking ourselves to the positive views. Americans have to face reality and understand how our institutions truly operate. This reminds me of the recent WikiLeaks. Julian Assange, the founder and editor of WikiLeaks faced charges and his websites are being blacklisted in the U.S.A. His release of confidential information reminds us about the freedom of press and speech and national security. Even though the government considers the Constitution highly, they are also trying to protect us by limiting information. So it goes hand in hand. The government hides the facts for our public safety while we deserve all the rights from which the government provides us with.

King Still King?

Do we still see traces of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words in 2011? The answer is yes. Throughout our country, we are all trying to establish laws that will satisfy both the majority and minority. Many protests ignited from our current restrictions. Civil disobedience is occurring every single day all over the world. In the "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" from Martin Luther King Jr., he states that the "Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself,". This expresses how inequality in this world feels. They start to develop ideals of rebelling and reform. When a law is just, it has to agree to the moral of all kind and when a law is unjust, it breaks the harmony between mankind.
A prime example of a struggle of civil rights that is going on right now is gay marriage. Even though I don't take a stand on this, I still do believe that everyone should have the freedom and right to pursuit happiness. Oddly, gays are looked down upon in our current society. Most of the older generation finds it unacceptable and inhumane. Protests and court rulings are always going on in the news. Every single person should have the right to strive for anything they want unless in this democracy.

There Was a Child Went Forth

Writing it in a free verse style, Walt Whitman wrote about the identity and individuality of a child. As he goes through his childhood, the child gets deeply influenced by his surroundings. "And the first object he look'd upon, that object he became", this quote explains how he will imitate whatever he sees. The "field-sprouts" and the "early lilacs" compares to the start of a new child. The metaphoric language in the beginning means that children have the purest and clearest mind before it gets contaminated with school and the society. The child starts off noticing objects, then nature, then animals, then people, then machines. As he starts branching off into school, he begins to differentiate people by their age, gender, race, and behavior. The negative influences of the society starts drilling in as he gets expose to "the old drunkard". Moving to the descriptions of his parents, he expresses his gratefulness for the mean strictness of his father and the mild love of his mother. As he gets older, the child begins to think about all things he viewed in the past and moves on to the "horizon's edge" of his life (college). With the closing line of the poem, "These became part of that child who went forth every day, and who now goes, and will always go forth every day", each experience of the child shapes his identity and character slowly in each day of his life.

Secrets by One Republic

Secrets is the second single released from OneRepublic's second album. Even though "Secrets" was released in June 2010, this is still a nice song that not many take notice in. I decided to review this song and relating it to the recent WikiLeaks news. These two lines, "Til' all my sleeves are stained red/From all the truth that I've said" are prime examples for consequences of the recent releases of diplomatic cables on WikiLeaks. I visualize the red sleeves as a sign of blood and the act of terrorism. Also, the honesty and sincerity of our modern society is questioned through his song. On the other hand, others portray it as a man with a boring life who is starting a new "life". It is rare in our modern-day music to find a song that encourages the audience to find their own inner meaning. The narrator of the song no longer pay attention to the "perfect" set of guidelines and decide to reveal the secrets inside of him.
The song starts out with a moderate conversation and turns in a full vocal composition with a powerful chorus. Ryan Tedder, the writer and lead of the band, did a good job encouraging the public about following their ambitions. This songs can be simultaneously funky, symphonic, inspirational, and meaningful.

Friends or Not ?

Nick Carraway is presented as a quiet and reflective part of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s personality. On the other hand, Jay Gatsby is portrayed as a wealthy celebrity who is willing to do anything to pursue his goals. At first in Nick's perspective, Jay Gatsby almost treated him like a real friend/acquaintance. In chapter three, Gatsby started to approach Nick quickly by inviting him to one of Gatsby's parties. This allowed him to get more familiar with Nick. Later on, in a very truthful and friendly attitude, he drove Nick around in his Rolls-Royce and opened up his background to Nick. After when Jordan Baker revealed the past about Gatsby, he decided to take initiative to ask Nick about inviting Daisy and him over to Nick's house. Knowing that Nick was Daisy's neighbor and her cousin, Gatsby only used him as a way to get closer to obtaining Daisy. Personally, I think that he planned everything out so carefully from the start by first buying a house near Daisy and then approaching Nick in a extremely sociable way. After discovering that Gatsby used him to assist his own affair with Daisy, Nick felt that he was remotely forgotten and abandoned. Their relationship has grown incredibly distant when Gatsby reunites with Daisy. Gatsby treated Nick like a friend before his reunion but after, the true side of the friendship was revealed. He no longer finds Nick necessary and abandons him while he redevelops the relationship with Daisy.

A Flake of Snow

As I flutter on a chilly day
Where the sight bring sleighs
Kids smile to our delight
I float on top of Christmas lights
Jammed into one packed crowd
We get smashed onto fleshes of the proud
Wars are formed by our brisk conditions
Being a part of the old planet's traditions
A man can be made from our flurry
But they usually melt in a hurry
We are unappreciated by adults
And get pushed aside as a result
Some find it annoying
While others think it's enjoying
The ground is covered by blankets of us
Yet nothing grows out of our abundant success
We warm mankind's hearts
With a reminder about winter's start
I am a flake of snow