Beat Poetry links

Great introductory website to the Beat Writers. http://www.rooknet.com/beatpage/index.html

The literary landmark, City Lights Bookstore: http://www.citylights.com/

It's time to reach out and help someone

The Virginia Tech tragedy really disturbed me especially after hearing that nobody expected it. It’s really hard to understand the point of view of someone depressed enough to take so many lives. It seems scary that despite his actions, nobody even suspected any rash action from the shooter. As hard as it is to think about, no one does anything thinking that they’re a bad person. The shooter probably views himself as a sort of martyr. It is unfortunate that there are so many people in the world are lonely and feel ostracized enough to lash out so radically. We should all make a grander effort to reach out to people who appear lonely and depressed. It sounds corny but a little friendliness and compassion can make a difference.

-Mickey

Editor's Note: This is a Buddhist symbol for compassion.

Wrapping up the Bees!

I thought that Sue Monk Kidd added a lot of different critical issues into this book, like Civil Rights and also religion. She also brought in the fact of mother/daughter relationships and others.

Could she have done without the side stories and worked around the issue or were all the issues necessary??? What else would you have added/ how would you have changed the novel if it was yours??

What was your opinion about the book, good/bad what parts did you like and dislike???

Michael L.

Editor's Note: Here's Sue Monk Kidd's personal website address, starting with a link to the page that has her musings/reflections on the book. If you've wanted to ask her some questions, you might find them answered here. http://www.suemonkkidd.com/reflections.asp?t=b&i=18

Her second fiction book, A Mermaid's Chair, has been made into a movie for Lifetime. And, as many of you have heard, Dakota Fanning is being slated to star as Lily in the 2009 release of the Bees movie version.

Savage Inequalities

Over the past several weeks in Ms. Zimmerman’s elective, we have been learning and looking at different types of protests. In our last elective we had to read an excerpt from the book Savage Inequalities: The Savage Inequalities of Public Education in New York by Jonathon Kozol. We then had a long discussion about how the wealthier children in the nicer schools are not aware of how fortunate they are, and how it takes them sometimes until they reach high school to see the large gap between the rich and poor. Although it’s strange that on the other side of town there is a child that knew his/her life was nothing compared to the rich. They are brought up looking at children who are spoiled causing them to think about the things they don’t have in life.

We then saw parts of the movie that was filmed in Ohio; it showed how the schools are very different from one another. Some children have to walk outside just to go to the bathroom; other kids by the time they have reached high school have never used a computer, and in one school if they didn’t provide the children with free food they would go without eating (the whole day). Other schools have advanced technology, very expensive chemistry and physics labs, and nice gymnasiums with pools and good work-out programs.

By reading the article, having the discussion or watching parts of the movie, did it have a lasting affect on you? What were you thinking during all of this?
- Have you gone to Birmingham schools your whole life, in which case were you aware of the inequalities? Do you think (educational inequalities) will ever change?
- If you went to another school before coming to Groves, was it a major change for you?

Katie G.

A quote from Savage Inequalities: "Anyone who visits in the schools of East St. Louis, even for a short time, comes away profoundly shaken. These are innocent children, after all. They have done nothing wrong. They have committed no crime. They are too young to have offended us in any way at all. One searches for some way to understand why a society as rich and, frequently, as generous as ours would leave these children in their penury and squalor for so long -- and with so little public indignation. Is this just a strange mistake of history? Is it unusual? Is it an American anomaly?"

United States of Disney?

We have been learning about the Media and its affects on the world in Mr. Barry’s elective. I find the thought of Disney one day owning every other company in the world a little bit scary, what about you? It seems that you have to be important and have money to get anywhere in this world. Do you agree and if so why? If you don’t agree, tell why.

Another major issue we have talked about is violence in the media. Every time you turn on the television, it’s always about violence. This is not a good thing and it is having many effects on the younger children watching it. Children are becoming less caring about the world's problems and are starting to think violence is acceptable in everyday life. Do you agree or do you have your own opinion? Please explain your thoughts…

Erin.B.

Mike says, "violence? What violence?"

Weight Problem in America?

Hey Excel-ers!
I was wondering, do you guys think (over) eating is a big issue in America? Do you feel a lot of America is overweight? What are some healthy ways to start a good lifestyle?

I just started Weight Watchers, and it's a really good plan and it's not hard either. There are plans to choose from and you get to eat what you want! It's great!

I think everyone should be happy and healthy at the same time. What do you guys think?
THANKS!
JOSH F. :)

Effects of stereotypes?

In Excel, we learned about how men and women are portrayed in the media. Through the videos we saw, we were able to learn that women are made out to be sensual in the ads in order to help sell their products, and that they are usually showing off their bodies, which has a negative effect on children today. In the movie “Tough Guise”, we saw how men are supposed to be tough and gain respect through violence and intimidation, as the media portrays "true" men as strong and buff.


My question for you is this. What is your view on men and women that are being portrayed in the media, and how do you think we can change the way that men and women are shown in the media? What kind of effect do these stereotypes have on the next generation?


Zach Y.