Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin

The essay Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin. Baldwin relate the story of his relationship with his father to the story of the relationship between black and white America to cover the helplessness of African people in order to make them more like white people and therefore, more worthy of redemption. While not having that close relationship with his father at a young age, the author compares his father to the era of discrimination between whites and blacks. The author gives me the reader a thoughtful commentary on the social environment in the era of the Civil Rights Movement.

This essay by Baldwin I could not relate too because of the era that he was in and the era that I am in. Through the eyes and mind of Baldwin the essay had great comparisons between racial discrimination and his father.

Describing "The Code"

I’m describing the essay "The Code". I could relate to the author because of the reason that the author gave details, and descriptions, and a real life story about her passed. First I thought to myself what should I motion first about the essay? In this essay, there was no set pattern in the paragraphs. The essay was easy to read and follow.

Nevertheless, the sentences in this essay was very detailed and made sense. The descriptions in the essay was organized so that I the reader can imagine myself there in the story because the essay was very detailed. The imagines that the author gave were very detailed that I could have imagined that myself were part of the story.

The arrangement of details in some of the paragraphs was very descriptive paragraphs on the subject. The description of details that the author gave were great. I could relate to this story very will that I had read it to my mother and she even loved it. The author did not hold anything back while writing this essay about her passed. That’s why I believe I could relate to this essay.

My Reflection on Another Blog 2

“Turning Your Virginia Lemon into Lemonade”, by Andrew Flusche A.K.A. "Legal Andrew". He described his first car, by the color of the inside and outside of the car. He was very detailed and gave his readers a picture of his first car then gave a another detailed picture of his car looking beat up, and very old. Andrew blogs gave a detailed picture and his opinion and point of view about everyday life. He's very realistic and understanding when his writes about cars or about other country's and especially he gives legal advice about his topics that he brings up, because he's a lawyer. So, he's not a teacher, he's a lawyer writing about topics that society don't look at because society is scared of the outcomes and conflict, and Andrew points them out and gives legal advice about every topic he writes about on his blog. If you want to read some of Andrew's blogs go to www.legalandrew.com

My Reflection on Another Blog

The site that I’ll be commenting on is, “Good Luck With Bar Exam Studing,” by Andrew Flusche A.K.A. “Legal Andrew.” I do agree with Andrew, about paying attention when I start taking my bar study courses, and study on my own. By reading more than one blog on Andrew's opinions on the bar exam gave me more confidence then I needed. Andrew is a very good writer, he gives me insight about the exam and how to study and stay focused. Just reading the material that Andrew put on his blog made me learn more about the law courses and other informative information that I found useful.

Ladies and gentlemen please read more blogs about Andrew Flunsche. If your interested in becoming a lawyer or even going to law school, you can get great input by reading his blogs. The legal advice he gives is great, just by reading his blogs you can get a positive and helpful background of the bar exam and legal field. Andrew gave his opinion on things and his experience on issues that happened to him in graduate school. If you have any questions or want legal advice email him or comment on his page at www.legalandrew.com

Falling in Love is...

Falling in love is my title I felt that I needed to talk about this love thing since my Mexican male friend was supposedly going to take me out on a date on Tuesday night and ending up not showing. He left me wondering, why is it so hard to fall in love with someone that I might have feelings for though. Okay, maybe he was very tried and fall asleep early. That whole time we were supposes to go out, maybe he did not want to go out, or forgot. Me still wondering at the time, since he did not call me, text me back telling me what had happen to him. The next day comes and I near from him. He told me he was very tried and took a nap and did not wake up till he next morning for school. Then we rescheduled another date together and that day came, and he told me he was tried again so I just said, "forget it I'm done with me and you dating and going out", and never called or texted him again. My heart dropped to he floor because I thought we had a connection but I realize it was just a joke to him.

For me, falling in love is hard because when i meet a nice guy they turn out to be all the same, wanting that one thing, ladies you know what I'm talking about. I had my share of guys but they turned out to be all the same "hell", but I started to realize that in my friends relationships, they basically have the perfect man in their life's and are happier then me. I always wonder why is that? Yes ladies, I read the books about "How To Keep Your Man In Check", and the articles " How Can You Make Your Man Happy in the Relationship." Their millions of books at the bookstore and articles on the Internet but which one works for me? Okay let me think... mmmmm. None work for me and I have not read them all but I figured if the book about " How To Keep Your Man On Check", did not work on my past relationships soon I figured that non work for me. I don't know why this is? To the women who wrote these books and articles about their relationships, I have one thing to say, I'm so jealous.

Falling in love is harder then riding a bicycle, cause the men I meet only want that non-educated, jobless, and easy female. Example: hoes, sluts, whores, and dumb ass girls. I have not might a man that wants a educated, has a future, a career woman, romantic female like myself. While, I'm an African American woman that wants African American male as a partner and my chances of that are slim to none, I believe. Because I'm starting to date outside my race which is okay but I find the same motile on this end. I'm not saying that I don't want to get married to a person outside my race I just prefer getting married to my own race, because I feel that I'll be more comfortable. Don't get me wrong ladies I'm so attracted to the thugs and gang banners. The question is are they men that I want to get involved with?

Me Too

Wishing I can be loved too

Wishing he cared about me too

Wishing he can put a smile on my face too

Wishing I can be the one for him too

Wishing I can fly right now too

Wishing I can pursue my happiness too

Wishing for this nightmare to end

Wishing for the pain to go away

Wishing and Wishing and Wishing....

The Words I Call My Life

Wishing for my first BF (Ralph)
to come back to me...

Wishing for those memories to rush
though my body
and set me on fire in a heart beat...

Wishing for my prince charming to
jump in front of a moving bus
to save me...

Wishing for my happiness
and not others...

Wishing for life after
death in Heaven...

Wishing for my life back
to be mys for once in my life
and not yours...

Wishing I can delete my pain
and hurt and feelings away

Wishing I can be Oparh
and have billions
instead of pennies

Wishing I can fly to space
and walk on the moon
and drink milk

Wishing is beyond my brain

Importance of Writing

Writing is a skill that I planned being great at. My field requires writing styles, and the reading styles to be on top. I plan on becoming a lawyer, and that field requires reading and writing. Hopefully, I become my own boss, by having my own law firm. The other reason that writing is important to me is I plan to teach my baby sister how to read and write before she starts school. Writing and also reading is very important to me and my future and hopefully my baby sister as will. Writing can help me get though college, only by learning the proper way to write a prose will help me to succeed in my field. Increasing my vocabulary can help me in all my college courses and outside of school. Also, fight the stereotypes that I face on a day to day basics because of the color of my skin.

I've always wanted more out of life...

I’ve always wanted more out of life…
I expect more out of life the minute I knew how men treated women. I was able to see this with my parents. They would fight and get upset over the littlest things which were: food, bills, clothes, work, money, and even my sisters and me. Growing up in a house with anger and disrespect was hard. I always knew that they didn’t have love or respect, but a continuous fight. As I grew up and learned to make my own decisions, I decided to never argue in future relationships.

However I couldn’t help it; I argued with my boyfriend all of the time. The reason was because I felt I needed a genuine man that could take care of me, support me, and love me. The minute I felt I did not receive that, I felt unwanted. As simple and as honest as I can be I felt that fit wasn’t my way, he would hit the highway. If a man it’s not ready for me, I would let him try to change and if he doesn’t tell him to get out of my life.

I’ve always wanted more out of life because I was always pushed down. Therefore, I want a perfect man for me, even if that means that feel I’ll be single the rest of my life. I really feel that I deserve the best out of life, and never letting a man put me down. This is my choice, I want to be happy with myself and with a man that deserves me. I really want to make a huge difference in the world. Choosing a good husband would not make a huge difference in the world, but having the strength to know that you deserve better can encourage women to appreciate themselves.

Hood Terms/Englishes

English is not my strong point, especially in school. Growing up in Watts California, the schools I attend was not the best in the world. Learning proper English was hard for me, because I had a controlled childhood. My father never let me and my sister speak without being told to do so. Around family and friends my father would not let us, even speak with are cousins, and the rest of are family members. My father felt that his children should behave around people period. He felt that people he knows would judge him and talk about his family that his little girls are “bad ass kids” and he did it want that. As his children he wanted us to understand that speaking is only for adults to do so.

My father is a controlled freak, but over the past years in prison, he’s a cool person then before. All the visits going to go see him, it does seem like he changed a lot. I guess that’s just the prison walls talking for him. Growing up with my father was hard life to live but know seeing change is crazy. I just can’t believe how far I become. To look back on the life I lived as a child it’s funny now, because now I’m paying for it. What I mean by that is, not to be able to speak with pride, and with my head up high is ridiculous. In all this years of going to school, I never let my voice be heard. I was always shy to read out aloud or even get involve because of my lack of words I used to try to speak out. Sometimes I never know what the teacher was asking in a form of a question. Just looking back I feel responsible for not knowing the basic skills of English that is required in a four year college.

Now that I’m in college, from left to right I hear professors, and others telling me that I need help with my writing and even in math as will. Do I feel bad, and responsible? Yeah, but life goes on. I just know now that I have to work extra hard to be successful in college.

Life Style

Identifying with Brent Staples was not because he’s African American, in view of the fact that I can relate to him. The beginning of the essay started off with him getting mad at people because they felt that they are doing the right thing by thinking that he’s a criminal. Towards the end he realizes that he cannot be mad at people for thinking the way they do about his race, therefore he forgives them and moves on with his life. I identify with Staples, in that you cannot be upset about what people say about you, because you will always be depressed, and mad at yourself for nothing.

Relating to the story was not complicated in a way, for the reason that people seem to assume you’re a party of a stereotype they have in their mind. The only reasons why people think that way are because of the media and people were raised to hate other races or even their own race. However, we all do it and I believe we can stop it or even help it. The only thing I can think about is that people should be more open minded about others cultures and backgrounds. I believe that if I become more aware that every individual is not identical to one another, then I am helping to reject stereotyping. For example, while walking down the street to school; most men look at me and say I’m a hoe, slut and other pigeonhole terms. I feel that men should be more respectful and careful about what comes out their mouths.

Reading the story made me relate to the examples of tribulations as well as Staples did in his essay. Just by reading about the challenges that he went though was eye-opening. Knowing that everyone would be judged by the color of their skin and of their culture is a problem in society as lived today.

My first grown-up job, the first one...

My first grown-up job, the first one...
My first job I remember it like it was yesterday, in the hot sizzling summer waiting for my Regional Occupational Program teacher to show up for our class. In this class my teacher was a cool teacher, she told us about everything to know about getting a job and keeping one. She showed us the real goals of getting a good job.She showed us how to dress, how to write a resume, how to find a good job, and even had us act out an interview for a job. She even told us how to speak and shake hands with the boss or manager. She basically taught us everything to know about getting a job.

My first job at Footlocker was the best experience I went though as a sixteen year old. That job showed me the real meaning of hard work and the skills I needed to know. I learned how to fold shirts, how to find a section type of shoe and time management was the hardest to handle. The bus did not run on the same time I need to be at work. But working at Footlocker was a great experience. I thank Ms. Wilson for that great experience.

In His Shoes

The life of Fredrick Douglass in his autobiography Learning to Read and Write was an extraordinary story of his life and his accomplishments that he made as a child. Fredrick Douglass was born a slave in 1818, and he taught himself how to read and write. In the 1818 that was not expected for slaves to learn how to read and write or even be seen with a book in their hands. While learning about Douglass, I feel that I experienced the same painful times as he did as a child. The challenges that Douglass faced as a child, I too have experience similar challenges.

My painful challenges faced as a child growing up, are similar to Douglass’s challenges. While growing up in the ghetto of Watts, a mostly single parent home, I faced plenty of challenges becoming a woman of color. I was always told that I was not going to make it out of the ghetto and I was even told by my own family members that I will become pregnant at the age of fourteen years old. Nevertheless, I proved all my so called friends and family erroneous. Basically, I have no support from my family, for the reason that you can expect that from a family of all males. By graduating from Montebello High School and to be the first in my family to attend an eminent college.

The pain that Douglass indulged as a child, I have felt all my life and still do today; just knowing that your family does not support you, or even acknowledge that you are present is similar to being invisible. Do I extremely dislike the way they treat me, certainly. Sometimes I do get off my life goals and accomplishments, because of them but I learned how to deal with the pain instead of leaving it bottled up inside I let it out. While reading about Douglass’ life story, I find similar feelings and emotions that he felt at a young age. I feel that no one should feel that way at a young age, when your family does not acknowledge you as a child and you are just trash to others.

My schedule

On the way to school, I take the bus from Montebello to Los Angeles. I get off on Venice Street and walk straight to school because I cannot be late to school. I walk a little faster to be on time for school. Sometimes I do stop by the store to get a pack of gum or something to snack on when I have breaks during classes. Everyday I pass by ‘mom and pop’ businesses and wonder how they become so open to others around them. They all work hard and are grateful for every penny that comes out of their pockets. I wonder how their success grows, by owning and expanding from one business to owning multiple businesses. So, everyday on my way to school I think about what I am going to learn today at school.

Everyday I learn something about life and the different choices that affect my life and even others. I feel that I’m a down – to earth person. I wait for others then I accomplish a lot everyday of my life, because I don’t like people being behind me so I feel that it is my job to help them on a day to day basis. Some of my family members think that I’m lazy but I do not think that at all. I’m just that person who does not like to make mistakes in my life so I take it one day at a time. Also, I learn from others’ mistakes and disappoints that they made in their life. I love to learn new things that catch my eye and that I love to hear about. So, on my way to school I think how I can make a difference in my life and others that are around me. Then every night I feel great about myself and my accomplishments that I make everyday of my life.

My vacation

Winter break was fun this year for me, because I was with my family and friends. All the exciting things my family enjoyed while on our vacation were fun. The time we had together, made my family closer and happy to be together with each other. To be honest, the fun was not always there. There was one disappointment when my family got in a fight the last day of our vacation because of money. The other disappointment was when my baby sister had got the chicken pox. She was in bed all winter break. Since my baby sister was sick, she could not go with us on our family vacation. My disappointment this year was a learning experience to go though so hopefully in the future I will not have to go through the same disappointments that I been through the beginning of this year. Overall, my family and I enjoyed ourselves on our family vacation to Florida. Basically, the good times out weigh the disappointments that my family and I had through on our vacation.

During the beginning of the year, my family and I had been on a vacation in Florida for 2 weeks. Coming back to Los Angeles from our family vacation, my family had got in a big fight with my uncle and his wife about money issues. The fight started when my uncle and his wife got in an argument with each other about money that my uncle said that his wife had taken away from him. So, the lovebirds started yelling and screaming at the airport at each other in front of other families that were there. Embarrassing the rest of my family members, me and my family members started getting upset and mad at my uncle and his wife. My family and I started yelling and basically making fools of ourselves. Since, that happened my family has not communicated with my uncle and has wife for a week. We are waiting for an apology for my uncle and his wife. These disappointments always happen this time of year. I’m glad it’s over and I look forward to a New Year.

Disappoints during Winter break are learning experience. I learned a lot the pass few weeks I learned that I can look back and laugh. I learned that families fight for the dumbest reasons, but they will always love each other no matter what happens in the family. Whatever happens no family is perfect, or better then each other.