Nobody's Fault

The people involved in the Titanic crashing all deserve to be forgiven. They were all convinced that it was an unsinkable ship. And the people who told them that were convinced of that, too. Some people don't deserve to be forgiven (yet they should be forgiven because it is morally right), but these Titanic people do. It's not like they had any intentions of killing anyone. They all pretty much just felt safe, laid back, and comfortable because they weren't worried about anything bad happening. That's completely understandable. There's a reason for everything that happens, after all. Yes, it was tragic. But in time, everyone is forgivable.

The Murderer and the Tramp

     What exactly is a "bad" person? What is a "good" person? Can someone be pure evil with no reason behind it? These questions are often overlooked in this society. According to Steinbeck, good literature goes beyond the foggy, superficial perceptions of people and reveals the good and bad qualities-the "human strength [and] human weakness-of humanity"(P6). Although people are known to be "good" or "bad" as a general perception, Steinbeck's characters in the novel Of Mice and Men bring to the reader a deeper view of these stereotypes and the human heart and mind.
     Good literature makes the reader aware of the fact that humans make mistakes but learn from them, causing them to become better people. In Steinbeck's speech, he states that good literature "[exposes] our many grievous faults and failures"(P7) and emphasizes the "human heart in conflict with itself"(P6). Besides the faults, though, good literature also shows the good in humanity. For example: the reason or reasons behind the bad qualities, thoughts, or actions. These reasons bring understanding to why the person is this way and, possibly, a more positive opinion about him or her.
     Lennie, for example, was mentally challenged and, as a result, made a lot of mistakes. Did he ever once have any bad intentions whatsoever? No, he didn't. His heart was the purest of the pure, and, besides his problems, so was his mind. Suppose that all the reader knew about Lennie was that he tended to kill little, cute mice, killed a poor, innocent puppy, and eventually, a grown woman. He was accused of rape, and crushed someone's hand into pieces. Knowing only these things, the reader would most likely assume that Lennie was just a messed up, mischeivous, evil-doer. That is where the judging and stereotyping takes place. This reader now thinks Lennie is a "bad" person with "bad" intentions, but someone who knows this character and has read into him will know he is the exact opposite.
     Curley's wife is another example. She is constantly trying to talk to the men at the ranch, so they call her a tramp, a "bad" stereotype. There is no evidence showing that she sleeps around or even wants to. It seems like the men are so attracted to her that they had to make up a reason to avoid her. Otherwise, they would most likely get a beating and some choice words from Curley. She did not try to seduce any of the men, as far as the reader knows. She does seem to crave attention, though. She said herself that she "don' like Curley. He ain't a nice fella."(pg.89) and she "coulda been in the movies"(pg.89) and made something of herself. There are no other women at the ranch, and she is not allowed to go into town, so the only people she has to talk to are the men. No girl in her right mind has the ability to never talk to anyone and expect to keep her sanity. Curley, her husband, is obviously not nice to her, so, most likely, she is not just going to settle for him. After the reader thinks about all of Curley's wife's situations and predicaments, he or she should not think as negatively of her as he or she did before.
     Lennie and Curley's wife are or could very well be "good" people. Mostly everyone knows the saying, "It's the thought that counts". Many don't realize that the intentions are more important to know than just the actions. Literature shows the readers these intentions, though. It delivers a deeper understanding of the human heart and its conflicts. Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men perfectly fits his definition of good literature. It is almost as if he wants to say, "before labeling a person, take a trip in their shoes for a while".

Home Is Where the Heart Is

My first memory of the Mississippi River was in fourth grade when I went on a G.A.T.E.S. field trip and got to ride the Sweet Olive down the flowing river.  The cool wind was blowing my hair all around as I watched the sandy side banks slow go by on each side. Above the bank on the right is the city of Vicksburg.  To the left is Tallulah, Louisiana.

The river is always beautiful, but it is most beautiful when the sun is setting and the hot, humid air turns cool and relaxing.  Around the river you'll see flashing casino billboards that are vibrant along with the setting sun against the quiet river.  During the evening, you can sit in the Riverfront Park and smell the fancy casino food that fills the atmosphere.

Further down the river there is another park, Catfish Park, which is lined with remarkable murals that tell the story of Vicksburg.  Painted images of the war show the sorrow that we have conquered.  During the summer, children run around in the cool water cleverly shooting from the ground like rockets in this colorful park.  Catfish park is filled with art that kids from all over Vicksburg have shared, including a small collage that my friends and I created. Being near that bridge that creates the illusion of tiny cars going to and from Vicksburg brought me hope that if I go across it, one day I'll be able to come back. As they say -  Home is where the heart is; for me , Vicksburg, Mississippi is that home.

Osama Bin Ladin's Dispatch 9/11

      I think Bin Laden was trying to trick the terrorists into thinking he was going to die with them. When he said "we" would meet in heaven after the attack, I noticed that he could have meant him and the others.  In his mind, he may have meant something different, but in the terrorists' minds, they might've been thinking he was going to die too.  This may have been a part of Bin Laden's plan.  The terrorists are naive enough to think that, and he knows it.  When they think they're leader is going to die with them, it causes motivation to go through with the plan.

I AM

I am a quiet girl who loves to sing
I wonder if I'll become big one day
I hear crowds cheering and singing for me
I see thousands of people, excited and full of energy
I want to be a role model for people across the country


I pretend I'm famous sometimes
I feel like I'm flying when I perform
I touch my hairbrush, pick it up, and use it as my microphone
I worry that someone will walk in and see me being so silly
I cry when I can't hit a note, but I keep trying
I am a quiet girl who loves to sing


I understand that it is hard to become famous
I say, "Maybe I will be that one in a million."
I dream of the day that I'll step onto stage
I try to remember to never give up
I hope my gift brings glory to God in some way
I am a quiet girl who loves to sing