What creates a culture?

Bonjour all. Happy Thursday!

I hope you are enjoying reading Incantation. So far, feedback has been pretty good, which is encouraging. Now, as you continue to read, I want you to think about culture. What is culture? How do we create it? Is culture nececssary to our existence as humans? Does culture only exist when dealing with ethnicities?

What is necessary for a people to maintain their identity, their culture, and their nation? Now put yourself in a situation similar to Estrella and the other Hidden Jews, where to expose yourself for who you really are could mean imprisonment or, more likely, death? What would it take?

Lastly, I want you to think and give examples of minority groups in the United States who have maintained their unique cultures and have had to do so in a clandestine way. What are some of the things these people have had to do to maintain their cultural identities?

Although I graded the last blog in a very, very liberal fashion, I feel that the quality of the posts were substandard. Yes, this writing is very low-stakes (as I have said before), but that doesn't mean you should sacrifice quality. Think and put time into your response. Remember, your brain is like a muscle....the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. Don't have a weak brain.

Make the Connection!

Hello, dear ones.

There's a saying that goes, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." In very difficult circumstances some people do indeed get going. They have a spirit that pushes them ahead- pushing them to their limits and allowing them to do things they didn't think possible. What makes these people so tough, so strong in spirit? Why do they turn out to be so good? Why do others go so wrong, and lastly, WHAT TYPE ARE YOU? Be honest.

Now read one of my favorite poems by Langston Hughes called "Mother to Son":

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor-
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now-
For I'se stil goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Awesome poem, right? Now here's what I want you to do with it: Do you think Mrs. Jones and the mother in the poem have the same approach to life? Tell me why or why not. How about you? Do you have the same approach? If you want to tell me why or why not, that's totally fine, but due to the (maybe) personal nature of the question, you don't have to elaborate (for a change).

As always, I look forward to your responses.

What does the future hold?

Bonjour, Class of 2015! Following is the latest and greatest post. Keep in mind that there are several things I want you to discuss, but the biggest requisite is that you THINK DEEPLY and EXPRESS WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER. This writing is very low stakes; however, if there is no thought to your response, your grade will reflect this. If you are not sure whether your response is sufficient and to my liking, as always, consult your rubric.
And the post states:

Would you like to be able to see into the future? If you had this ability, whose future would you look at? Would you look into your own? Why or why not?

Pretend that you also have the ability to change the future. What things would you change for yourself? Would you change the future of others? If so, who and why?

What benefits could come out of having the ability to see and change the future? What consequences might come about as a result of this?

And lastly: Which would you prefer- to be respected or to be loved? What's the difference, and what is the reason for your choice?

As always, I look forward to your responses. Au revoir!

The Eternal Search for Ithaca

Hello, everyone! Below is your prompt to our first class blog, which will help tie up our reading of The Odyssey.

On page 711 of your literature book is one of my all-time favorite poems, "Ithaca." Take the time to read it, but as you do, keep in mind Odysseus's journey for home. Did he take a long time to get home after the Trojan War? Sure. Did he get a little sidetracked? Who wouldn't, when confronted with a goddess and an enchantress? After all, Odysseus is only human....but he never loses sight of his ultimate destination.

Read the poem in your literature book. What do you think "arriving in Ithaca" could mean for you? For all of us? What types of life experiences have you already had, which are mentioned in the poem? What kinds of life experiences do you hope to have in the future- 5, 10, 20, even 50 years from now?

Lastly, it is often said that "life is a journey, not a destination." Do you believe in this phrase? What journey do you hope to have, and where do you hope to end up? When you look back upon your life as an elderly person (yes, we ALL get old) will you be satisfied with your memories? How do you know?

I look forward to reading your responses.