"from Letter From Birmingham City Jail" MLK Jr.

     This week in class we read many letters. Letters are meant to keep people in touch. Letters are usually informal, spontaneous and intended for only a single person. "Letters from Birmingham City Jail" written by Martin Luther King Jr.(Speaker) on April 16, 1963 from Birmingham Jail(Occasion). This piece of literature was written as a retaliation towards a newspaper article that degraded African Americans. MLK wrote it to inform, persuade and explain his situation. It is no secret that the African Americans were subjected to segregation and harsh treatment. MLK was preaching civil rights and equality.(Subject) His methods were calm and encouraging(Tone).
     I enjoyed this letter especially because it has become a part of history that shows the story of a group of people. These group of people will fighting for a cause that they were determined to win. I admire that because it reminds me of a similar minority that are determined and have a cause, the Armenians. He has left a memory of him behind that will never be forgotten.

"Gulf oil spill claim payouts reach $5.5 billion"

      The BP oil spill around a year and a half ago is barley fading out of peoples memories. The damage done was irreversible and many businesses are feeling its effects even today. BP had taken responsibility and has paid nearly five and a half billion dollars in claims. The article written in the Los Angeles Times "Gulf oil spill claim payouts reach $5.5 billion" by Richard Simon discusses the situation with the claims. Although there have been many claims that were truly concrete and believable, there have also been numerous claims that were suspected to be fraudulent. "A number of claims are suspected to be fraudulent and have been referred to the Justice Department." A representative said that he continues on receiving  about two thousand claims a week.
     Should one who made such a great mistake be given a second chance? "The hearing was held the day after BP won federal approval to drill its first exploratory oil well in the gulf since the April 20, 2010" BP has affected the lives of many people and possibly even the lives of future generations. The United States must do its duty and make decisions that will protect the interests of its citizens.

Speech Presentation

     This week, we spent much time on our speech presentations. All of them were done exquisitely however one stood out. The "Oklahoma Bombing Address" by William J Clinton was presented to the class by Andre Dzhambazian and Armen Safarian. The presentation was done in a smooth manner that was easy to understand. The presenters also did a great job of explaining and analyzing the speech they chose. At the beginning of the presentation the class was in its regular state with around half of my classmates paying attention, once the subject was introduced one was able to hear a pin drop. You could have seen the expression on peoples faces change instantaneously. Another factor that really touched me was the pictures they included in their presentation, hearing something and seeing something are completely different.

     The Oklahoma Bombing was a terrorist attack that caused many Americans to loose their lives and leave many families incomplete. The speech given by Bill Clinton was very heart warming and touching. Although it was part of his responsibility to give the speech, one could feel the words rise from his heart and roll of his tongue. Overall the project was perfect and I would rate it a ten out of ten. Good job.

"President Obama criticizes Republican approach to jobs crisis"

     It is no secret that the nation and its' people are going through a very difficult time economically. It is harder for one to find a job, receive an education, pay off loans, and thousands even struggle to keep their current jobs. It is the responsibility of the leaders of the United States hand in hand with the people to provide citizens with jobs and secure their future.
     "President Obama criticizes Republican approach to jobs crisis" by Peter Nicholas in the Los Angeles Times. In this article the author discusses what President Obama is doing in order to increase the number of jobs and boost the economy. "President Obama suggested that Republicans were adopting a "No, we can't" approach to the jobs crisis." The President is touring in order to urge the citizens to demand the republican members of congress to pass his bills and increase jobs. It seems like Obama is trying to create more jobs in fields that would be beneficial to the betterment of the future as opposed to making the wealthy wealthier. He is proposing bills that would allow more teachers to teach,construction workers to build, and so on. By doing so he is pumping money into the economy, which in return will slowly increase. The only problem that he is facing is getting these bills passed. The article included a quote which was very powerful and logical. "I think more teachers in the classroom is a jobs plan. More construction workers rebuilding our schools is a jobs plan. Tax cuts for small-business owners and working families is a jobs plan.That's the choice we face. And it's up to you to decide which plan is the real American Jobs Act."

Five Virtues

     Not one person in the world can honestly say they are perfect. Individuals may strive for perfection and may never reach it. It is important for one to acknowledge the mistakes of themselves and continuously work on them to minimize them. Self-awareness is key. If I was  able to set up and follow five virtues they would be:

(1) Tolerance - Make people around you comfortable with who they are and were. Acceptance                                of people.

(2) Sensitivity - Be aware of the people surrounding you and their emotions. Look at life from their perspective. Sensitive people are often more thoughtful, appreciative and loving.

(3) Humility - acknowledge the special talents and traits of those around you. Help your friends, family, and people around you feel special and appreciated.

(4) Ambition - use any opportunity big or small that is presented to you. Have goals and make sure to reach them weather they are being a millionaire business tycoon to being a owner of a small coffee shop. Set your goals and work towards them.

(5) Exploitation - do not use anyone for personal gain. The person can be a friend of sixteen years or an acquaintance met sixteen hours ago. If you are profiting while hurting people around you, do not do it.

     Working on these virtues is important to me. It is quite simple because these concepts have been instilled in me and my sibling since the day we were born. I admit that sometimes I do not follow them. I do break these virtues and realize what I have done seconds after. To me it is important that I was aware of myself being in a wrongful situation and it indirectly affects me. I believe situations like this become a reason for me not to repeat my wrong doings in the future.

"Straw Into Gold: The Metamorphosis of The Everyday"

This piece of literature is an autobiography written by Sandra Cisneros. She is writing about her life, struggles and achievements. The autobiography is written to show that success is nearby even if it is blocked by clouds, it is also an introduction. The audience is whoever would like to read about her life. She introduces herself at the beginning of the autobiography by telling a story of a past experience. She explained how she did not know how to make a certain food but she gave it a try and was complimented on the taste by her friends. She was trying to tell her audience that nothing is impossible to achieve as long as one puts their mind to it, hence comes the title "Straw into Gold".
     Throughout the story she discusses the obstacles she faced in life, which became a reason for her to start writing. The writer remembers her parents. She was emotional like her father and strong willed and smart like her mother. She feels as if she was not a normal girl according to her family because she had left home before any of her brothers had. She states that her parents had always been there for her, they had birthday and graduation parties, her parents tried to provide the best they could. She loved her parents because they molded her into who she was today. Towards the end of the autobiography she lists all the places she has been to around the world and states her successes. Living through poverty and seeing the negative side of life has made her success that much sweeter.