Table of Contents
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Revision Piece
Karen McMillan
Professors P. Shen and L. Smith
Eng 101
May 11, 2007
An Ever Changing Community
Feeling comfortable in a community comes from history and change. Our communities change as time changes. There was once a sense of stability in a community where people tried to go and build their lives, a life that is secure and successful. Now there is a longing to return to the roots of our ancestors and to a place that is secure and is defined as our home or community.
Our longing for heritage comes from knowing our history and wanting to be where our roots are from. In the essay, Reclaiming Our Home Place, Angelou refers to her black community, “…our people’s bodies and sweat and tears and blood have enriched this soil, and thought, wait a minute maybe I belong there too.”( 137 ) Does our sense of belonging come with age and understanding of our heritage? In “The Ending Poem, Morales and Levins Morales also indicate this. “All the civilizations erected on their backs.”(96) Their backs are the strong backs of their people coming from many different cultures. Both of these quotes are indications of hard work for the cultures and communities they are from. They have established roots and heritage from these places of their birth. Many never leave this stable community. They feel at ease knowing they are accepted there and have a history there as well.
We all try to “fit in” to the communities in which we live. But, sometimes there is uneasiness as we try to settle. It’s possible we are not welcomed by the small town people or the community may be too large and we don’t know where we fit in. Angelou states, “The move in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries to the place Robert Hayden called “mythic northern city” was caused by people who hoped they could find a better place.” (136) “However, if the North did promise that, it never lived up to its promise,” (137) There is a movement from the North to the South in the black community. Angelou indicates, “They began to look south again and see it as they want it to be.”(137) Morales and Levins Morales state, “History made us. We will not eat ourselves up inside anymore.”(97) People are looking for a sense of belonging which goes back to the heritage they are from and the history of the community which was built. They want to be comfortable in their community.
We can not assume that all that have left their roots to join other communities are unstable. Morales and Levins Morales state, “A product of the New York ghettos I have never known.”(96) The people they speak of as products to the ghetto were never in the New York ghettos but, there is a history there because of their heritage coming from the ghettos. They have chosen to not be in the ghettos. An assumption is made as to what life would be like in an unknown community. A picture is usually painted about how wonderful the new area will be. A great community, nice neighbors, etc. Or, an assumption is made how awful it will be, drive-by shootings, graffiti and gangs. But, Angelous states, “Our people are coming home. The South is rich with memories of kindness and courage and cowardice and brutality. It is beautiful physically and spiritually rich.” ( 137) This is where Angelou indicates her people, being black, are returning to the south, their “home”. These “people” may not have even been born their but, want to return where they are from.
Many communities are stable. There are those that have had generations before them live there. Some have left and settled elsewhere. But, there are those communities that are transient that never settle. Many people try to find the better community which, they think will bring them to a better life. But, as time goes on they will see they belong with their original community for that stability in their life. Angelou sums it up by saying, “Wherever home is, the closer one gets to it, the more one relaxes...I think this is true for all people.”(135)
Professors P. Shen and L. Smith
Eng 101
May 11, 2007
An Ever Changing Community
Feeling comfortable in a community comes from history and change. Our communities change as time changes. There was once a sense of stability in a community where people tried to go and build their lives, a life that is secure and successful. Now there is a longing to return to the roots of our ancestors and to a place that is secure and is defined as our home or community.
Our longing for heritage comes from knowing our history and wanting to be where our roots are from. In the essay, Reclaiming Our Home Place, Angelou refers to her black community, “…our people’s bodies and sweat and tears and blood have enriched this soil, and thought, wait a minute maybe I belong there too.”( 137 ) Does our sense of belonging come with age and understanding of our heritage? In “The Ending Poem, Morales and Levins Morales also indicate this. “All the civilizations erected on their backs.”(96) Their backs are the strong backs of their people coming from many different cultures. Both of these quotes are indications of hard work for the cultures and communities they are from. They have established roots and heritage from these places of their birth. Many never leave this stable community. They feel at ease knowing they are accepted there and have a history there as well.
We all try to “fit in” to the communities in which we live. But, sometimes there is uneasiness as we try to settle. It’s possible we are not welcomed by the small town people or the community may be too large and we don’t know where we fit in. Angelou states, “The move in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries to the place Robert Hayden called “mythic northern city” was caused by people who hoped they could find a better place.” (136) “However, if the North did promise that, it never lived up to its promise,” (137) There is a movement from the North to the South in the black community. Angelou indicates, “They began to look south again and see it as they want it to be.”(137) Morales and Levins Morales state, “History made us. We will not eat ourselves up inside anymore.”(97) People are looking for a sense of belonging which goes back to the heritage they are from and the history of the community which was built. They want to be comfortable in their community.
We can not assume that all that have left their roots to join other communities are unstable. Morales and Levins Morales state, “A product of the New York ghettos I have never known.”(96) The people they speak of as products to the ghetto were never in the New York ghettos but, there is a history there because of their heritage coming from the ghettos. They have chosen to not be in the ghettos. An assumption is made as to what life would be like in an unknown community. A picture is usually painted about how wonderful the new area will be. A great community, nice neighbors, etc. Or, an assumption is made how awful it will be, drive-by shootings, graffiti and gangs. But, Angelous states, “Our people are coming home. The South is rich with memories of kindness and courage and cowardice and brutality. It is beautiful physically and spiritually rich.” ( 137) This is where Angelou indicates her people, being black, are returning to the south, their “home”. These “people” may not have even been born their but, want to return where they are from.
Many communities are stable. There are those that have had generations before them live there. Some have left and settled elsewhere. But, there are those communities that are transient that never settle. Many people try to find the better community which, they think will bring them to a better life. But, as time goes on they will see they belong with their original community for that stability in their life. Angelou sums it up by saying, “Wherever home is, the closer one gets to it, the more one relaxes...I think this is true for all people.”(135)
What's Taken So Long?
I have returned to school after 22 years of being a housewife and mother. I don’t know why I didn’t finish my degree when I had originally set out to do it. Now I am in a quandary as to what career I should choose. I know that I can be anything when I grow up but, what a decision to make. I did choose to be a Christian, wife and mother. So now where do I see myself? I had originally wanted to become a nurse or a teacher. I took all those wonderful science classes for nursing but, now I am told I will have to repeat them. Yuck. So, I am deciding on a Nursing career or becoming a Teacher. I am taking an English class now because my counselor recommended getting brushed up on both English and Math. So my math classes will follow in the next few quarters. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to handle more than one class a quarter because of taking care of my family and working part time. I am going to have to take my time as I continue with my classes.
This College Writing class has been a good one for me. I have found that I am not a good writer. It’s hard to understand that I run a successful business and I have parented for all these years and can’t be a good writer. I guess I haven’t had to have anyone critique my mothering skills or how I ran my business. I know what I want to say in my head but, I have a hard time getting it down on paper properly. I enjoyed the topics we had to read and write about. I particularly enjoyed the unit on community. I loved the readings we had and the movie I chose. I now look at all the things I am involved with as a community. This is actually funny to me because I try to figure out what communities are within different communities and who is involved in that particular community. Just a little quirky, I know. With the traditions unit I enjoyed reading our blogs. It was great to see how diverse they all were. The same holiday meal can be celebrated in so many different ways and be called a “tradition”. The identity unit brought me to an understanding that there is so much more to an individual than meets the eye. It is hard not to prejudge someone and this unit just confirmed this for me.
I guess I really did enjoy the community unit. I have chosen three pieces from this unit. I did my timed writing on “Akeelah and the Bee”; I chose this for my critical thinking piece. My revision piece will be on the paper #2. I’ve also included “The Ending Poem”, by Morales and Levins Morales for my voice and audience piece. My writer’s choice is from my blog about tradition.
The Intermission was a great break. I enjoyed being able to take apart the movies and see what it is actually all about. I saw something new with each time I viewed the movie. I have a teenage son who liked taking apart "The Whale Rider". It was great to see how he saw some of the great symbolism in this movie. I probably watched the movie ten times. "Akeelah and the Bee" was as enjoyable. To see how her community came together and made her feel safe as she learned how to spell and become a success. I also watched this movie at least ten times.
I have enjoyed the convenience of the on-line class. It is great to sit and do your work at anytime of the night or morning. I’ve also enjoyed the fact that I was able to travel while in this class. I have learned about identity, community and traditions and I am able to “read” between the lines on essays, poems and be able to find the true meaning in films.
This College Writing class has been a good one for me. I have found that I am not a good writer. It’s hard to understand that I run a successful business and I have parented for all these years and can’t be a good writer. I guess I haven’t had to have anyone critique my mothering skills or how I ran my business. I know what I want to say in my head but, I have a hard time getting it down on paper properly. I enjoyed the topics we had to read and write about. I particularly enjoyed the unit on community. I loved the readings we had and the movie I chose. I now look at all the things I am involved with as a community. This is actually funny to me because I try to figure out what communities are within different communities and who is involved in that particular community. Just a little quirky, I know. With the traditions unit I enjoyed reading our blogs. It was great to see how diverse they all were. The same holiday meal can be celebrated in so many different ways and be called a “tradition”. The identity unit brought me to an understanding that there is so much more to an individual than meets the eye. It is hard not to prejudge someone and this unit just confirmed this for me.
I guess I really did enjoy the community unit. I have chosen three pieces from this unit. I did my timed writing on “Akeelah and the Bee”; I chose this for my critical thinking piece. My revision piece will be on the paper #2. I’ve also included “The Ending Poem”, by Morales and Levins Morales for my voice and audience piece. My writer’s choice is from my blog about tradition.
The Intermission was a great break. I enjoyed being able to take apart the movies and see what it is actually all about. I saw something new with each time I viewed the movie. I have a teenage son who liked taking apart "The Whale Rider". It was great to see how he saw some of the great symbolism in this movie. I probably watched the movie ten times. "Akeelah and the Bee" was as enjoyable. To see how her community came together and made her feel safe as she learned how to spell and become a success. I also watched this movie at least ten times.
I have enjoyed the convenience of the on-line class. It is great to sit and do your work at anytime of the night or morning. I’ve also enjoyed the fact that I was able to travel while in this class. I have learned about identity, community and traditions and I am able to “read” between the lines on essays, poems and be able to find the true meaning in films.
Intro to Revision Paper
I did a revision of my second paper. We were supposed to write about community. I chose the assumption- Communities provide us with a sense of stability. I took the writings of Maya Angelou, Reclaiming Our Home Place and Rosario Morales and Aurora Levins Morales, the Ending Poem. These two writings I felt were contrary to the assumption of stability. My title of my writing was “An Ever Changing Community”. These two writings show how much history goes into a community. There is so much that contributes to it and it is always changing. You could be born into a community and take with you the history from that community even though you never actually lived there. There is so much to our history and roots. I did not do well on the original piece and I don’t know how well the revision is.
Original Revision Piece
Karen McMillan
P. Shen and L. Smith
Eng 101
May 11, 2007
An Ever Changing Community
Comfort in a community comes from history and change. Our communities change as time changes. There was once a sense of community or home where people tried to build their new lives. Now there is a longing to return to that secure place that was once defined as our home or community.
Our longing for heritage comes from knowing our history. Angelou says, “…our people’s bodies and sweat and tears and blood have enriched this soil, and thought, wait a minute maybe I belong there too.”( 137 ) Does our sense of belonging come with age and understanding of our heritage? Morales and Levins Morales also indicate this. “All the civilizations erected on their backs.”(96) Both of these quotes are indications of hard work for the cultures and communities they are from. They have established roots and heritage from these places of their birth. Many never leave this stable community. They feel at ease knowing they are accepted there and have a history there as well.
We all try to “fit in” to the communities in which we live. But, sometimes there is uneasiness as we try to settle. It’s possible we are not welcomed by the small town people or the community may be too large and we don’t know where we fit in.
Angelou states, “The move in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries to the place Robert Hayden called “mythic northern city” was caused by people who hoped they could find a better place.” (136) “However, if the North did promise that, it never lived up to its promise,” (137) There is a movement from the North to the South in the black community. Angelou indicates, “They began to look south again and see it as they want it to be.”(137) Morales and Levins Morales state, “History made us. We will not eat ourselves up inside anymore.”(97) People are looking for a sense of belonging which goes back to the heritage they are from and the history of the community which was built.
They want to be comfortable in their community.
We can not assume that all that have left their roots to join other communities are unstable. Morales and Levins Morales state, “A product of the New York ghettos I have never known.”(96) They were never in the New York ghettos. They didn’t leave that community. An assumption is made as to what life would be like in an unknown community. A picture is usually painted about how wonderful the new area will be. A great community, nice neighbors, etc. Or, an assumption is made how awful it will be, drive-by shootings, graffiti and gangs. But, Angelous states, “Our people are coming home. The South is rich with memories of kindness and courage and cowardice and brutality. It is beautiful physically and spiritually rich.” ( 137)
Many communities are stable. There are those that have had generations before them live there. Some have left and settled elsewhere. But, there are those communities that are transient that never settle. Many people try to find the better community which, they think will bring them to a better life. But, as time goes on they will see they belong with their original community for that stability in their life. Angelou sums it up by saying, “Wherever home is, the closer one gets to it, the more one relaxes...I think this is true for all people.”(135)
P. Shen and L. Smith
Eng 101
May 11, 2007
An Ever Changing Community
Comfort in a community comes from history and change. Our communities change as time changes. There was once a sense of community or home where people tried to build their new lives. Now there is a longing to return to that secure place that was once defined as our home or community.
Our longing for heritage comes from knowing our history. Angelou says, “…our people’s bodies and sweat and tears and blood have enriched this soil, and thought, wait a minute maybe I belong there too.”( 137 ) Does our sense of belonging come with age and understanding of our heritage? Morales and Levins Morales also indicate this. “All the civilizations erected on their backs.”(96) Both of these quotes are indications of hard work for the cultures and communities they are from. They have established roots and heritage from these places of their birth. Many never leave this stable community. They feel at ease knowing they are accepted there and have a history there as well.
We all try to “fit in” to the communities in which we live. But, sometimes there is uneasiness as we try to settle. It’s possible we are not welcomed by the small town people or the community may be too large and we don’t know where we fit in.
Angelou states, “The move in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries to the place Robert Hayden called “mythic northern city” was caused by people who hoped they could find a better place.” (136) “However, if the North did promise that, it never lived up to its promise,” (137) There is a movement from the North to the South in the black community. Angelou indicates, “They began to look south again and see it as they want it to be.”(137) Morales and Levins Morales state, “History made us. We will not eat ourselves up inside anymore.”(97) People are looking for a sense of belonging which goes back to the heritage they are from and the history of the community which was built.
They want to be comfortable in their community.
We can not assume that all that have left their roots to join other communities are unstable. Morales and Levins Morales state, “A product of the New York ghettos I have never known.”(96) They were never in the New York ghettos. They didn’t leave that community. An assumption is made as to what life would be like in an unknown community. A picture is usually painted about how wonderful the new area will be. A great community, nice neighbors, etc. Or, an assumption is made how awful it will be, drive-by shootings, graffiti and gangs. But, Angelous states, “Our people are coming home. The South is rich with memories of kindness and courage and cowardice and brutality. It is beautiful physically and spiritually rich.” ( 137)
Many communities are stable. There are those that have had generations before them live there. Some have left and settled elsewhere. But, there are those communities that are transient that never settle. Many people try to find the better community which, they think will bring them to a better life. But, as time goes on they will see they belong with their original community for that stability in their life. Angelou sums it up by saying, “Wherever home is, the closer one gets to it, the more one relaxes...I think this is true for all people.”(135)
Intro to Writer's Choice
Our Writer’s Choice is the Blog Assignment on Traditions. We were asked to post to our Blog site some common traditions our family or culture have that food is the “central activity”. Well, being of Irish heritage I had to write about our St. Patrick’s Day feast. We always have the same meal but, not always the same guests. There is always room for more at my table. I love to share what we do with others who don’t have St. Patrick’s Day traditions. Erin Go Braugh.
Writer's Choice Piece
St. Patrick's Day = Corned Beef and Cabbage
I am always amazed at the comments I receive when I am purchasing the fixings for my St. Patrick's Day feast. As I am in the check out line I hear: "You really eat this?", "I've never liked that stuff." or "That meat is horrible." I always reply with the same comment, "You've just never had it fixed properly. I continue on and purchase my corned beef, green cabbage, leeks, carrots, canned potatoes, real butter and if I am feeling energetic I get the ingredients for Irish Soda Bread. But, if not I usually buy the pre-made loafs at the store.
Once the day arrives I am ready to fix my meal "properly". What would be the proper way for me to fix Corned Beef and Cabbage? That is a question I can answer. I now always fix it in a crock pot. I have tried many different ways but, the best for me is a crock pot. I put my corned beef in and fill the pot with water and some apple juice to just cover my meat. This will then cook for about 6 hours. After the 6 hours I add the carrots, leeks and chopped cabbage. These will cook for a good hour, just long enough to make them soft. Oh, the smell that is now coming from my kitchen is great. I've put the bread in the oven, I am roasting the potatoes in a pan with butter and I may have started on my Guinness. The table is set and the meal is ready to be put down. I usually put green food coloring in my children's milk just to make the meal a bit more festive. My family gathers and we say grace. This meal is one that never has leftovers. No matter how much extra I prepare it just disappears.
This meal has become a tradition in our household. I did not have this meal growing up because my father was one of those who never had corned beef prepared to his liking. Once I was married my husband and I learned how to cook corned beef for St. Patrick's Day. We've always had this meal on St. Patrick's Day. Our children look forward to it and several of their friends come around on that day for this tasty meal.
Corned beef and cabbage is an Americanized meal for this day. If you go to Ireland they look at you a bit funny in the restaurants when you ask for corned beef and cabbage. They know that you certainly are an American with that request.
One other meal on St. Patrick's Day that has become a tradition for us is breakfast. My children get to have Lucky Charms, a big treat for them. I don't otherwise buy this sweet stuff. A definite Americanized meal. I bet they don't even have Lucky Charms in Ireland.
Our St. Patrick's Day traditions have been with us for many years. And I am always willing to try something new or add another dish to the meal. I don't see that our tradition has to be set in stone but that it will change as our family grows and changes and others will bring their traditions to be shared with us.
Erin Go Braugh.
I am always amazed at the comments I receive when I am purchasing the fixings for my St. Patrick's Day feast. As I am in the check out line I hear: "You really eat this?", "I've never liked that stuff." or "That meat is horrible." I always reply with the same comment, "You've just never had it fixed properly. I continue on and purchase my corned beef, green cabbage, leeks, carrots, canned potatoes, real butter and if I am feeling energetic I get the ingredients for Irish Soda Bread. But, if not I usually buy the pre-made loafs at the store.
Once the day arrives I am ready to fix my meal "properly". What would be the proper way for me to fix Corned Beef and Cabbage? That is a question I can answer. I now always fix it in a crock pot. I have tried many different ways but, the best for me is a crock pot. I put my corned beef in and fill the pot with water and some apple juice to just cover my meat. This will then cook for about 6 hours. After the 6 hours I add the carrots, leeks and chopped cabbage. These will cook for a good hour, just long enough to make them soft. Oh, the smell that is now coming from my kitchen is great. I've put the bread in the oven, I am roasting the potatoes in a pan with butter and I may have started on my Guinness. The table is set and the meal is ready to be put down. I usually put green food coloring in my children's milk just to make the meal a bit more festive. My family gathers and we say grace. This meal is one that never has leftovers. No matter how much extra I prepare it just disappears.
This meal has become a tradition in our household. I did not have this meal growing up because my father was one of those who never had corned beef prepared to his liking. Once I was married my husband and I learned how to cook corned beef for St. Patrick's Day. We've always had this meal on St. Patrick's Day. Our children look forward to it and several of their friends come around on that day for this tasty meal.
Corned beef and cabbage is an Americanized meal for this day. If you go to Ireland they look at you a bit funny in the restaurants when you ask for corned beef and cabbage. They know that you certainly are an American with that request.
One other meal on St. Patrick's Day that has become a tradition for us is breakfast. My children get to have Lucky Charms, a big treat for them. I don't otherwise buy this sweet stuff. A definite Americanized meal. I bet they don't even have Lucky Charms in Ireland.
Our St. Patrick's Day traditions have been with us for many years. And I am always willing to try something new or add another dish to the meal. I don't see that our tradition has to be set in stone but that it will change as our family grows and changes and others will bring their traditions to be shared with us.
Erin Go Braugh.
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