Short Stories Reader Response Part 2

            I thought the rest of the assigned readings were all pretty similar to one another. Obviously each story is based on being an American or some aspects of American history, such as Martin Luther’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”. They all talk about what has already been done or what needs to be done. Majority discusses the topics of racism, discrimination, immigration, segregation, etc. In “On Being a Mexican American” the narrator talks about how he first experienced racial discrimination and how that changed his life. Mendoza had started off as a very cultural young boy. He was speaking Spanish, eating Mexican foods, being surrounded by his culture nearly every day.  A wake up call had signaled in during his time in Junior High. That’s when he experienced true segregation. The Mexicans and white people were divided by a “line”. The Mexicans had played one side of the playground and the white people on the other. As he grew older he had become Americanized. He lost his Mexican heritage. In my opinion, one can only choose on cultural path in life.                                                                                               “One Being an American Journalist” had also garnered my attention. The American journalists only want to do their jobs. They want facts not fiction or propaganda for the public. No, they want their American public to know the truth on what’s happening in foreign countries. But countries such as Cambodia and Afghanistan think the opposite. As if the journalists are working for the government. This assumption leads to innocent lives in danger.

King Still King?

Martin Luther King Jr. is without a doubt one of the greatest leaders in American history. Martin Luther King Jr. is the iconic figure of pursuing civil rights. I believe he is relevant in modern-day society. If Martin Luther King Jr. was still around today, he would be treated with the utmost respect. He would indeed be treated like a “king”. The power and hope that he has given to the people of his time was enormous. He is in fact a follower of civil disobedience. Martin Luther’s intentions were not out of violence. He wanted to settle the issue of racial discrimination and segregation. He wished for equality. Luther had spread his message through speeches and marches. But even that was not enough to persuade the stubborn ones. His gentle actions had led to violence from those against him.

            Although they might not realize it right away, King’s story and message is forever etched into the minds of people. For example, present-day schools are very diverse. Teachers, students, and other faculty don’t discriminate against another. People of different ethnicities hang out with each other. Another example is the CTA buses. One should ask themselves, “How did I get to sit on this bus seat?” Simple, Rosa Parks. People get to where they are because of one individual or a group standing up for what’s right.      

Short Stories Reader Response

“Children of the Sea” was my favorite story out of all that we’ve read so far. I like to read books, short stories, novels, etc. with an actual plot. That way I know the story will actually get somewhere. I also enjoy reading things that are dramatic or mysterious because it gets me wondering what will happen next. “Children of the Sea” was quite adventurous and scary and the same time.  This short story was a series of journal exchanges between two lovers separated from one another. Both the man and woman deal with difficult case scenarios that create much struggle in order to live. Although the story was fictional, it seemed like a first-hand account.

“Young Gifted and Black”, “I Hear America Singing”, “There was a Child Went Forth” and “This Sacred Soil” are all poems. I’m not really into reading poetry. So, I thought all of them were average. The poems weren’t as exciting as “Children of the Sea”. I feel like I could get more out of it than the poems. Plus, I gained a bunch of information about Haiti. I mean I know about the earthquake and everything. But I didn’t expect things to be that terrible in Haiti.  I think I’d like to read Krik Krak next.