9.11

On September 11, 2001, I remember sitting in class. One by one the class got smaller and smaller. The teacher was called out of the classroom and seemed devastated when she returned. She wouldn't tell us what was wrong. Since the classroom was so empty, she did not even attempt to finish her lesson. We were all eager to know what happened. Then one of the older kids at lunch finally told us what happened. News spread quickly around my school. All the students were calling their parents from their cellphones telling them to pick them up. I kept hoping my parents would come get me. I didn't take the bus home from school that day, my dad came and picked me up. Instead of going straight home, he brought me over by this lady's house where we could see a full view of the city. The smoke was incredible, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. We finally went home and all my friends were hanging out outside and everyone was telling stories about people they knew who were at ground zero. I remember going to sleep that night being afraid a plane would crash into my house.

"black men and public spaces"

A few years ago, when I was younger I went shopping with one of my friends who was a little bit older than me. She told me how she would go to the mall and steal things because she had no money, and it was fun. Although I did not agree with her and told her it was wrong, I went to the mall with her anyway. After walking into a store, she picked up something and I told her to put it back. I walked out of the store and headed toward a different store.

The store's security seen her take something and automatically thought I did too. Unfortunately, we both were taken into the security office. I pled my case and told them I would not do something like that. I know better not to steal, thats just not me. I also told them they can check my bag, pockets etc. After checking through my things they still told me I could not leave because I was "guilty by association". I was so mad at my friend for getting me into this kind of trouble. She told the officers she didnt take anything but they didnt believe her. After an hour of being in the security office for over an hour, they found nothing in her bag or her pockets. She didnt take anything after all and we were both free to leave.

we wear the mask poem

While staring at the facade
I thought about all the accomodations,
that I have done for others.
I am distressed.
I have concealed my internal feelings,
meanwhile a porter approched me,
asking me if everythings "okay".
I reply slowly and softly "yes".
Although a myriad of oppessed
hurtful feelings were running throught my mind,
Everyday I would walk around withantipathy.
On my own time I like to express them in lyric form,
singing myself to sleep,
I wish to be liberated!

we wear the mask

In the poem, We Wear the Mask, Dunbar's reflection on american life is everyone in the american society is very introverted. Everyone hides their true feelings and keeps to themselves, hense, "the mask". The particular conditions and situations Dunbar had in mind was slavery, and harsh times during the 1800s. The theme of this poem is still relevant today because people still don't reveal their true selves because it's easier to fake a smile, then to show someone your hurt. A movie that embodies the theme of this poem is Mulan because in the movie she makes herself look like a boy, to hide who she really is in order to fulfill what she set out to achieve.