In “remembering my childhood,” the story is based on comparing and contrasting between the lives of the author and Hugh the author’s childhood life was duller compared to Hugh’s appealing childhood. . The author was some what jealous about Hugh’s life, but he also learned that you should be jealous or mad that someone has or can do something that you can’t do. The message of this short story is to be grateful for what little you have, and not to envy anyone.
While reading “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr, it felt as if he’s mad, and fighting for justice and for his and Americas rights. His speech was very straight forward, he spoke in an elegant way, with a lot of power. He also spoke about a lot of racism. It stated “instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has giving the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “inefficient funds.” This check that they received did not work. Checks were something missing in there community, and it was time for them to fight for there rights.
I wonder what made Martin give this speech in the first place. What influenced him? Did he think twice before giving this speech? Did he think what will happen after?
Ann-Marie Totaram
Does grammar really play a big role in individuals lives today? In July 2012, the New York times initiated a discussion on grammar called “is our children learning enough grammar to get hired?” John Mc Whorters wrote an article known as ” good applicants with bad grammar.” In response, both authors clearly had different perspectives on whether or not children should get hired based on there grammar skills. John Mc Whorters shouldn’t judge an individual based on one grammar mistake. that individual may have the skills that hes looking for. Just because someone made a mistake, doesn’t mean anything. Were all humans, and its normal to make a mistake because no one is perfect.
Ann-Marie Totaram
Times Square – city lights, yellow cabs, tourist bus, traffic jamming, and people dressed up as Sponge Bob, Elmo, and Mickey Mouse trying to make some fast money. Crowded area where tourist are constantly stopping and looking around, taking pictures, while people from the area are rushing trying to go home from work. Area is always crowded and bright. With all the billboards around, clothing stores, restaurants, movie theaters and other attractions catching everyone’s attention. Guys at every block trying to get people to catch some comedy show. Streets are pretty clean, loud area, lots of buildings.
My neighborhood- living in Brooklyn between Bushwick and Broadway. The block is usually quiet, during the afternoon you’ll hear cars honking because school buses are causing traffic. Elementary school and two high schools 2 blocks away. J train line , and B38 bus running. Friendly people, everyone that passes you says “hello” or smiles. Not much too do around here though.
Ann-Marie Totaram
Mother Tongue
“Mother Tongue”   was first published in Threepenny Review in 1990.
Amy Tan is the daughter of immigrants which fled China’s Cultural Revolution during the late 1940’s.
Within this essay, Amy explains that language can be expressed in several ways. She states that language is power, language evokes emotions, visual image, ideas, and simple truth. But not everyone is set out to speak proper English. Language plays a big role in life. If you don’t speak proper no one would take you serious.
Amy’s mother is unable to speak proper. Whenever she says something everyone acts as if they don’t hear her or understands her. I personally don’t like the fact that no one bothers to help her. Just because she doesn’t know how to speak properly, individuals shouldn’t be rude to her and ignore her. Everywhere she goes, Amy has to accompany her. It was mentioned that at fifteen years old Amy had to make phone calls for her mother, and pretended it was her speaking. It’s nice that Amy looks out for her and helps her out.
As much as Amy brags about how much she admires language, and how much she helped her mother out it turns out that English really isn’t her best subject after all. Toward the ending of the essay, it was mentioned that Amy is better in math and she should look into accountant management rather then being a writer.
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