Blacks against Blacks

By Chamira Bennett:

Why do we fight our own kind? You don't see whites killing and fighting their own. Is it possible that this is what some whites want? For us to fight until we're extinct? We have so much anger towards each other, but should that anger be directed elsewhere? We're even being racist to our own people, calling each other offensive names.

SPECIAL EXTRA CREDIT BLOG

Happy Holiday, Everyone. Complete this blog, and we'll drop your lowest blog grade from MP2.

Okonkwo's fictional suicide in Things Fall Apart is upsetting, but it's much worse that suicide is the THIRD leading cause of death for people between 15 and 19, and the SECOND leading cause of death for people aged 25 to 34. What do you think should be done to stop this calamity? Why do you think people consider suicide?

REMEMBER that your words appear on a public blog, and remember NOT to use any names other than your own.

While you're at it, take a look at this recent NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/us/30bully.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=teen%20suicide&st=cse

Special Blog Opportunity

Hello, All. On Monday, Ms. Thompson and I will post a special extra-credit blog that will replace your lowest MP2 blog score.

In the meanwhile, did you miss the clip of President Obama on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart? Here is a permanent link: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-october-27-2010/barack-obama-pt--1

Words of the Wise

Words to live by often come from our favorite celebrities. What is one of your favorite deep statements by a rapper, actor, or other major public figure? How has it affected the way you view yourself, others, the world, or life? How does it relate to literature you have read? If the quote contains curse words, edit them out to receive credit.

No ideas? Try this one by Jay-Z from "Guns and Roses":

You know the saying, sombody's loss is another's gain
The sun comes out when the water goes down the drain
A rainbow, then the clouds come out we do it again
Everything evens up, you just wait--even a garbage can gets a steak

Meet the President

Before last week's election, President Obama went on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Stewart took the chance to ask some tough questions (watch the interview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIMgenYf-Tc). If you could meet the President, what would you ask and say to him that could make a real difference? Don't just praise him, rebuke him, or ask for help without a specific message. Feel free to respond to talking points from the show.

FDA 2030

FDA 2030: The folk tales mentioned in Things Fall Apart are part of a tradition that passed on crucial values and lessons. If you could leave a message in a bottle to future generations of students teaching them vital lessons, what would they be? Or, what would you want them to know about 2010?

RACE PROBLEM 2010

We're coming to the part of TFA when whites arrive and begin to colonize Okonkwo's homeland. Considering past racism and oppression, do you think blacks deserve special treatment or acknowledgment? For example, do you think American blacks should get reparations (money paid as an apology for slavery)? Do you believe so-called "reverse racism" against whites is acceptable? How much of a problem is racism today?

The Race Problem 2010

Africans and Black Americans

Is it more important for black Americans to learn about African societies than people who aren't black, or should American blacks think of themselves as totally separate from African people? What could African cultures teach us?

REGRETS

Killing Ikemefuna hurts Okonkwo so much that he "did not taste any food for two days" (p 63). What mistake in your life do you regret more than anything else? Why did you do what you did, and how did it affect you? Keep in mind that you are posting to a public blog!

YOUR DESTINY

How much do you think your destiny depends on what type of people your parents/guardian are?  Do you think how you were raised controls your future or is it more about you taking the wheel?  (Due by Wednesday, Oct 6 no later than midnight) *Entries arriving after midnight or not meeting the 350-550 word count will not be graded*

WHAT'S WRONG??

Among other successful countries, when it comes to education the United States is far from first place. What do you think is going wrong with American education? How could it be fixed? (DUE WEDNESDAY 29th @ midnight)

TEENAGE LOVE

Do you believe that teenage love can be just as real as adult love? Why/why not?

BLOG RULES

Blog Guidelines--each week "a question of the week" will be asked to the class. All students are required to respond by using the criteria below.

1-Each scholar must take a decisive stance/opinion and provide accountable reasons to support your position.

2-Each response must be at least 350 word count but cannot exceed 550 word count. (no profanity, slang, texting abbreviations, grammar mistakes--USE SPELL CHECK). **Hint always type your response in Microsoft Word first, highlight your entry, then go to TOOLS>WORD COUNT to make sure you are in the 350-550 word count.

3-Scholars can only post once per topic.

4-All responses must be submitted by Wednesday midnight EST each week (unless otherwise instructed by Mr. Jordan/Ms. Thompson).  Late entries will be read, but they are not counted towards homework or classwork points.

5-The class will critically & RESPECTFULLY analyze the responses of their peers verbally in class each Friday during the FDA water discussion.

6--Please avoid random tangents. Be concise..GET TO THE POINT.

7--DO NOT include any real names of people in the entries.

8-New topics will be announced each Friday in class for the upcoming week.

9-Even if you are absent you are still required to electronically respond.

10-Blog entries are part of your classwork and homework grades.  Failure to participate could greatly affect your overall grade.