Salvation

Salvation

               Langston Hughes’ essay “Salvation” explains an experience he had with his church as a young boy. Hughes’ was only twelve years old when he was compelled to see Jesus and be saved or become a lost lamb.  Even though he did not see Jesus or a bright light, he lied and was saved therefore leaving his belief in God.  Hughes learned the guilt of lying not only to his family but to his church, simply because of the pressure of the congregation. I believe it’s better to follow your own heart and beliefs since the pressure of peers or family can at times make us do things we will be ashamed of shortly after.

               I was around the age of fourteen, when I started to hang out with a crowd of friends that were not entirely of my place. They were the girls that everyone wanted to be around and all the boys wanted to date. That summer going back to school, I was accepted into their group and felt excited. One afternoon I was walking out of class side by side with one of my friends from Elementary school, Veronica. As I left her side I can hear laughs behind me. The laughs were loud and made me have chills. I heard a girl’s voice saying “Ewww, she is so nasty look at her shoes” as another girl responded “she is poor and nasty”.  When my head turned I saw it was my new group of friends making fun of her, their heads turned to glance at me with an evil stare. They wanted me to say something but I didn’t because I was afraid. I felt terrible that day for not defending her even though my heart knew it was wrong what they had done. That entire week they called her “Nasty” and I saw her cry, my guilt than came and I defended her. I learned that week that sometimes it’s best to stand up for what you believe in.

Cell Phones and Social Graces

      Charles Fisher’s article is not in opposition to cell phones being used, but against the way society uses them today. His statements simply state how the public has evolved without the same social graces it had 5 years ago. Today it’s completely all right to be rude and use cell phones in church, stores, carnivals, and many other places. He states that many offenses have been made ever since the use of cell phones began to spread. They do have their features and help in many forms of emergency, but are they truly necessary, is what the author is trying to explain.

      I agree with Fisher to a certain extent, I do believe the general public does not have the same respect to the community as it had many years ago. There have been many occasions in which cell phones have disrupted important situations. For example in my cousins wedding, my uncle was giving a toast and as a tear was falling down his cheek, the tune “I know you want me” played. As heads turned to see whose cell phone was ringing, the brides’ father’s face turned completely red. In my perspective that was completely rude to the bride. Sometimes it is a great idea to not have your cell phone on full volume in certain occasions.

      I carry my cell phone everywhere; however, I always make an attempt to turn it off when in church or any other place it could be discourteous to have it ring.

Darkness at Noon

Harold Krents’ purpose is to show that everyone is equal. He explains that even when he was just a boy being blind never stopped him from doing something he wanted to do. Although being blind is a disability, it was never one to him. Being treated different and not being given jobs because of his blindness was unfair to him. I absolutely agree that Krent is no different and can do the same or better at any job, as someone who is not disabled.

I grew up with my two brothers one of which has a disability. The truth is I never realized he had a disability, and to me he was always my big brother whom I followed around. He would take care of me and taught me things I never would have thought of on my own. It was not until I turned 16 years of age when my mother told me that he had a disability. Even though everyone else treats him different, I never have because he does everything better than I do. Just because he is disabled many people have assumed he’s unable to play sports but he can beat me at any sport hands down.

"What's So Bad About Being So-So?"

            Lisa Wilson’s Strick’s intention in writing “So what’s So Bad about Being So-So?” is to show how our society today has many interests they would love to pursue but in actuality won’t even try for the fear of being mediocre.

             I strongly agree that children today are being denied the satisfaction of being able to play without any requirements. As I was reading, I began to have flashbacks of events in which I had once wanted to try something that brought happiness to me but was shot down by others who had already mastered it. I recall having the opportunity to try theatre arts my freshman year of high school but not being able to pursue it for the fear of looked down upon. I remember going for three days and leaving. Every other teenager who was taking the same elective had already years of practice, and as I recall they told me I was “good” but not “put into practice”.

Amy Tan’s article has many different subjects the most important being shame. Tan’s article is to learn to have pride in our culture, it makes the readers remember their youth or anytime they've ever felt ashamed of themselves.  Everyone has their own customs and beliefs and it’s what makes us who we are therefore nobody should feel ashamed of their culture.

I personally understand Tan's purpose because I faced a similar experience in which I was ashamed and hurt people around me. Know that I see life in a different angle and I am ashamed of myself and the way I reacted to certain occasions. When I was 14 years old I remember feeling ashamed of my culture and I felt I needed to hide it. My father knew how I felt before I could even explain it; he then took me on a trip to our hometown and showed me how important it is for me. I am now very proud of my culture and our customs.