Evaluation

This blog was just another homework item on my list of to-dos. I liked it back during the transcendentalism and I didn't mind it overall. The part I just about hated was the Harlem Renaissance blogs. I just didn't want to put in the effort to actually do the virtual walk through Harlem. I honestly did the minimum when I did not like the blog topic, but on the ones I did like, you can tell were good because there are pictures. I feel like everything I learned was from class, and not really my blogs. So, I will probably shut it down after this year. I think next year should have to do it because they are lazy and this is just another way for them to actually have to do work and learn something for a change.

Stephen Crane Poetry

A man said to the universe:
"Sir I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."

This shows me that man is trying to prove it's existence to the universe, but

no matter what man does, says, or proves, the universe is unaffected. The universe has

a set way of running and it's processes are not changed for a small man. We may change 

and ruin our earth, but the universe continues even after we are gone. 

Mark Twain Quotes

"Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured."   -Mark Twain

 

           This quote brings up the topic of forgiveness for me. Anger can stew and rot within a person for a very long time, and it only ever does harm to them. People who hold anger have a mental list of every wrong anyone has ever done to them, and this is a fuel to the fire. To me this quote is a reminder that forgivness frees the mind, and it is the only way to go. Not only do we need to forgive to help ourselves but giving forgiveness frees the person you hold accountable also. Anger builds, forgiveness frees.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv50xrsFNdU

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mark_twain.html#ixzz1HwnbPIa3

Little Known Civil War Era Story

http://www.rrstar.com/carousel/x1070017359/For-those-who-didn-t-know-that-s-Ms-Peterd-s-street

 Elizabeth Peterd-Standfield was an African American of the civil rights era. She lived in Rockford with her husband and children until her husband died in the 1940's. She is a significant person to the black community because she was not only help to one, but to many. She herself had fallen on hard times after her husband died, and her landlord kicked her out. She worked as hard as possible to buy a home no one else wanted, and fixed it up. She then opened her doors to anyone who needed a helping hand or a place to stay. She was honored on her 100th birthday with a street named after her. She is a hidden gem in the community of Rockford and I appreciated reading her story and what she did for the local community and those less fortunate.

A walk through harlem

In the story Having Our Say, Bessie's dental office is on seventh street. In the virtual walk through Harlem, I believe it would be located accross from the church in the red brick building.
One of the links also connects us to the african american yankees baseball team. The sisters talked about how they enjoyed a game when they could later in life, and how they thought it was fun. This same website talks about W.E.B. Du Bois, whom the sisters knew and were offend visited by. He was a prominant spokesperson for black rights, as was Bessie. She was the outspoken one of the two and believed in what he had to say. They both protested in a civil manner and were proud to be black. Both Delany sisters speak highly of him.

Art

This piece shows many different sides to the story that is slavery. In the center, we see these slaves as the normal human beings they were. However, these people are surrounded by the terrible images that made up thier everyday lives. One image is of a slave auction and the terrible, emotional moment of a family being torn apart. Another image is of a slave being whipped, like they were nothing but an animal. This piece is a heartbreaking group of scenes that I am sad to admit was part of my country's history.

There is hope though, portrayed on the other side of this art piece. The family is seemingly reunited and there is punishment for the slave driver. This was not the normal case however, but a dream. I can only hope a few families got this satisfaction at one point during the slave days.

Anti-patriotism

    I live in the United States of America. Soldiers fight for me everyday to live in a country where I can do whatever I feel like doing, and even write my opinion freely in this blog. Looking at other countries I feel we are all very lucky to have this privilidge. So, I don't understand why so many people feel that veterans are just old people, the national anthem is a last minute chance to get your texts out before the game, and patriotic parades are just annual events that block the roads. People hate our government and are completely detached from any sense of nationalism, because it isn't part of thier agenda or doesn't really effect thier daily life.
   I believe the protests at the funeral of fallen soldiers are illegal. What would compell you to go to a funeral and yell at how their life was wrong? About how the way they died was not worth it? How dare they even have the kahones to show up and even think it would make a bit of difference. I think they should go to jail.