Author: fahmida (Page 2 of 5)

Why do people behave the way that they do, and how does it affect them? 

I am interested in this question because it is something that I always think about! I am a very observant person, so I tend to always look around and observe people and wonder different things. I see different people every day, I see people on the trains, people walking on the streets, and everyone acts differently. Some are so rude for no reason. Some are so obnoxious, embarrassing. Some are the nicest people ever. But I especially always think to myself why people are rude/mean, why do people bully others. Why do kids bully other kids, where does this behavior come from. What do they get out of being rude or being a bully. What makes them this way, and how does acting this way do to them, do to their mind? What makes people so nice and calm, what are they doing to find this happiness amongst themselves and how does it help them to become a better person? Does the way you act even play a role in self- esteem? In my research, I expect to find some answers on all my questions, on what makes people act these ways, is something from their past, something that happened during their day, or if they are just like that in general. But how does it all work out? Is there something more deeper to it. How come some people are super nice and some are super mean? Does It connect to your emotions? What makes them this way? If I find information that goes completely against what I expected to find, then I will still continue to write it and dig deeper. I believe there are a lot of answers and different opinions on this topic. I believe it is an important topic to research, because maybe if we find the root of the problem, we can become better nonjudgmental people. We can even help others.  

When James Baldwin stated, “I would try to make [the student] know that just as American history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it, so is the world larger, more daring, more beautiful and more terrible, but principally larger – and that it belongs to him. I would teach him that he doesn’t have to be bound by the expediencies of any given administration, any given policy, any given morality; that he has the right and the necessity to examine everything.” He meant that America has so many accomplishments and is such a great country yet people are suffering. He is saying that there is a lot more to Americas history, no matter what anyone says about America, you cannot describe Americas history in one aspect. James Baldwin is also saying that everyone should be able to do what they want freely, learn as they please without anyone holding them back. They should not live through someone else’s eyes or minds. Everyone should be able to do as they please, without being shut down. 

In school I wish they would teach us more about life skills, self-defense, money management, etc. These are things that will help us in life. Having life skills is important, it will teach us how to be a better person and be better at decision making, problem solving and much more. Crime rate has gone high, something is always happening, nyc does not even feel safe anymore and with self-defense, there is a better chance we can help ourselves. Students need to learn money management because they go to school, then get a job, but they do not know how to save up or manage their money or even write checks. 

Annotations: 

Paragraph 3: “…that his past is nothing more than a record of humiliations..”  

It shows that America is like such a great country, people have so many hopes and dreams, America has so many accomplishments, yet the African American race yes gone through so much and they were kept form everything, they were not able to do anything. They could not go to school or vote. They were living through someone else’s mind. It was unfair. 

Page 5: “That is up to him to change these standards for the sake of the life and the health of the country.”  

This quote means that only you can change standards, do not wait for anyone else to change it, it is all on you. It is your ability to push yourself and be your best self.  

It was a cold breezy morning going to school, I could feel my hands freezing in my pockets. On top of that my sat scores just came in, and I was feeling nervous. It was my first SAT score. I was very curious to see what my score was. However, I had to wait until third period, my English class. After hours of hours of waiting and staring at the time, it was finally time for English class. Once I received the paper, I could hear all the students around me asking each other, “what did you get” and “did you open it yet?” But, even through all the noise, all I could focus on was opening the paper. My friends and I who sat at the same table as me agreed to open it together. Now, my friends were good students, they always received good grades on their report card, and always did extra credit work. However, I, on the other hand, never cared to do the extra work. Finally, when it was time to see the test score, we all noticed that I had received a higher grade than everyone else at the table. When I looked around, they all looked confused. They began to ask “how” and they kept looking to see if what they saw was correct.  

Although I loved my test score because it was on a higher percentage compared to everyone else, seeing their reactions to my score really made me feel mixed emotions. I was super excited, yet my head was burning. I was angry. They had this image of me in their heads where I am not as “capable as them.” All because I do not have grades like them. I explained to them that, “your grades do not reflect on what test score you will receive” and I live by that. I mean there is lots of evidence to support this. Grades do not reflect intelligence.  

Your grades are based on how much homework you do, if you are attending your class, and if you are doing classwork, as well as getting good grades on your tests. Grades show that a student is organized, and are on top of what is due when, that they have time management skills. Students who want to get high grades put a lot of time and effort into it. Meanwhile tests are based on how much time you put into studying that topic and how much knowledge you have on it. Test scores show students strengths and weaknesses, what topics they excel on. Test scores correlate with your IQ not your report card grades. 

The education system judges students based on the grades they receive. They decide what class the student should be in by looking at their grades. I believe that the education system should not use grades to judge students. It is unfair. Grades do not show how smart a student is. In school, I have witnessed a lot that makes me think that. A lot of my classmates who participated and were not afraid to participate were average students. The ones with good above average grades barely participated. Grades do not show how creative the students are, it does not show their true skills. Or how innovative a student is.  

My experience with test scores and grades showed me that I should not stress my grades. I will continue to work as much as I can without stressing myself. I know how hard I work and how much I can work, because at the end of the day, I know how talented I am. But the education system will not show that.  

 Students stress themselves so much over grades, stay up late at night to finish their projects or homework. Now, I am not saying that it means that students should not continue doing their class work or homework. I believe that they should. But they should not keep this idea in their head that if they do not get their classwork or homework in, in time that they are a bad student. I believe schools, teachers should not say a student is “good” or “bad” because of their grades. Students are much more than just a number or letter on a paper. Focus on doing your best.