Martin Espada Essay THIS IS LATE BECAUSE BLOG WOULDN'T POST EARLIER

Roman Mueller 802

In the world recently, many people have been manipulated and been victims of the idea of power. The author Martin Espada exploits these ideas through his poems “The New Bathroom Policy,” “Revolutionary Spanish Lesson,” and “Two Mexicanos Lynched In Santa Cruz, California.” In these poems he shows many ideas about power and how power affects people and how people with power make decisions. Martin Espada explores the theme of abuse of power and connects it to racism which is often something that comes up when looking at power. Overall, throughout these three poems by Martin Espada, he shows how racism and unethical ideas can be a cause of abuse of power and how its effect is negative towards others.

First off, Espada illustrates abuse of power for not only him, but others too. For example, in The New Bathroom Policy, he writes “The boys chatter spanish/in the bathroom/...The only words he recognizes is his own name/and this constipates him/so he decides to ban spanish/from the bathrooms.” This proves that because the principal has power means he can take anything away from someone. This principal thinks these students are gossiping about him and takes away something that is probably important to them because he has more power which is unfair. Another example is from the second poem Revolutionary Spanish Lesson where Martin Espada is talking about how his name is mispronounce and how he doesn’t like it. His name is something that represents him and is something he values and he feels like it defines him. For example, he writes “Whenever my name is mispronounced/...I want to...hijack a busload of Republican tourists from Wisconsin.” This shows how Martin Espada feels like he is being forced on a name. Espada doesn’t want to be conformed into others standards and wants to be someone he can be without judgement.

Lastly, Espada shows how people in the late 1800’s were abused of their power in his poems. Two mexicanos were lynched unfairly after no trial. These mexicanos were not treated fairly because of peoples abuse of power and that was most likely a cause of prejudice. For example, in Espada’s poem Two Mexicanos Lynched in Santa Cruz, California he writes “when forty gringo vigilantes/cheered the rope/that snapped two mexicanos.” This shows that these mexicanos were cheered as they died and how they have little power against others. Also, Espada writes “...two mexicanos...remain the faces of the lynching party faded as pennies from 1877.” This illustrates how these people were treated unfairly because of abuse of power. They could have had a trial but they were hung and they did not have enough power to do anything about it.

Overall, Martin Espada exploits the ideas of power and abuse of power. Also, how that power can be taken away or used against you unfairly. These simple things can become very problematic and can be effects of racial issues and unethical people.  

China Gaokao test Roman Mueller

In our world today, students in China face a very important test, called the gaoka. This test is extremely tiring, difficult, and long. It is somewhat like the SAT, ACT, and other American standardized tests but it's more different than similar. The gaoka test in China overall is very different than American standardized tests.

First off, one reason the gaoka is different from the ACT, SAT, and other American standardized tests is because students rely on it. Chinese universities base the students level only on the gaoka test. On American standardized tests, this is not the case. In the article China's Cram Schools, it's says "In some ways, the gaokao is like the SAT or ACT, but it's more than twice as long and the stakes are much higher:Given every June over several days, the test is the only thing that matters for admission to Chinese universities." This illustrates how the gaokao test is extremely stressful and important. If a student fails it, they will not be able to go to a Chinese university and they will have a hard time supporting their family without a high paid job. Another way the gaokao test is different from the ACT, SAT, and other American standardized tests is that they are not studies for as much. For example, it says "Maotanchang is different than a typical Chinese high school only in the extreme degree of its harsh rules and long hours, but it's curriculum is essentially the same. Everything taught in 10th and 11th grade is focused on what the gaokao tests..." This shows how the gaokao test is extremely important and studied for. Students taking this test have strict rules and can't do things they want so they have to study. This proves how the gaokao test is different than the ACT,SAT or other American standardized tests.

The gaokao test is also different from American standardized tests because it changes the students social life and puts an extreme amount of pressure.

For example, the article states "Maotanchang stepped in to fill this need. Located in the Anhui province, two hours from the nearest city, the school prides itself on eliminating the distractions of modern life. Cell phones and laptops are forbidden. The dorms, where about half the students live, have no electrical outlets. Dating is banned...this may be the only town in China with no video arcade, billiards hall, or internet cafe." This shows how the gaokao test is changing these students lives immensely. Also, in the article it states "Number of Students Taking College Entrance Tests Annually-China:9 million students taking the gaokao/USA:3.5 million taking SAT/ACT." This proves that Chinese students are under a lot of pressure  because so many people take the test and the chance of them getting into the university they want is smaller. The gaokao test greatly differs from other American standardized tests.

Overall, the gaokao test taken by Chinese students is extremely stressful, difficult, and tedious. This tests affects the students lives immensely and that is why it makes it different than the ACT,SAT, or other American standardized tests.

Speak Essay

Roman Mueller 802

In the world recently, many people have been manipulated and been victims of the idea of power. The author Martin Espada exploits these ideas through his poems “The New Bathroom Policy,” “Revolutionary Spanish Lesson,” and “Two Mexicanos Lynched In Santa Cruz, California.” In these poems he shows many ideas about power and how power affects people and how people with power make decisions. Martin Espada explores the theme of abuse of power and connects it to racism which is often something that comes up when looking at power. Overall, throughout these three poems by Martin Espada, he shows how racism and unethical ideas can be a cause of abuse of power and how its effect is negative towards others.

First off, Espada illustrates abuse of power for not only him, but others too. For example, in The New Bathroom Policy, he writes “The boys chatter spanish/in the bathroom/...The only words he recognizes is his own name/and this constipates him/so he decides to ban spanish/from the bathrooms.” This proves that because the principal has power means he can take anything away from someone. This principal thinks these students are gossiping about him and takes away something that is probably important to them because he has more power which is unfair. Another example is from the second poem Revolutionary Spanish Lesson where Martin Espada is talking about how his name is mispronounce and how he doesn’t like it. His name is something that represents him and is something he values and he feels like it defines him. For example, he writes “Whenever my name is mispronounced/...I want to...hijack a busload of Republican tourists from Wisconsin.” This shows how Martin Espada feels like he is being forced on a name. Espada doesn’t want to be conformed into others standards and wants to be someone he can be without judgement.

Lastly, Espada shows how people in the late 1800’s were abused of their power in his poems. Two mexicanos were lynched unfairly after no trial. These mexicanos were not treated fairly because of peoples abuse of power and that was most likely a cause of prejudice. For example, in Espada’s poem Two Mexicanos Lynched in Santa Cruz, California he writes “when forty gringo vigilantes/cheered the rope/that snapped two mexicanos.” This shows that these mexicanos were cheered as they died and how they have little power against others. Also, Espada writes “...two mexicanos...remain the faces of the lynching party faded as pennies from 1877.” This illustrates how these people were treated unfairly because of abuse of power. They could have had a trial but they were hung and they did not have enough power to do anything about it.

Overall, Martin Espada exploits the ideas of power and abuse of power. Also, how that power can be taken away or used against you unfairly. These simple things can become very problematic and can be effects of racial issues and unethical people.  

Roman Mueller 802 Scarlet Letter Essay

In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the protagonist, Hester Prynne faces different obstacles and shame from society in her Puritan village in the New World. Hester has committed adultery against her husband, Chillingsworth and has a baby girl named Pearl. Hester is sent to jail for her crimes but the “Black Man” who she made a child with is unknown. Hester’s husband, Chillingsworth wants revenge and this is shown throughout the book by certain symbols. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many symbols make the reader better understand the characters and the themes in the book.

From the beginning of The Scarlet Letter, there are multiple symbols. In the first chapter, “The Prison Door” a group of men and women are huddled around a gigantic oak door studded with iron spikes. This door is in between the village and the prison. It represents the idea of sin and evil. For example, in chapter 1, the narrator states “The founders of a new colony, whatever Utopia of human virtue and happiness they might originally project, have invariably recognized among their earliest practical necessities to allot a portion of the virgin soil as a cemetery, and another portion as the site of a prison.” This means that the people who first came to this new land understood that the world is already filled with sin and evil. Some people will commit crimes and go to prison, or some will be killed and must be buried in the cemetery. This quote opens up the idea of sin and evil to the reader which will prepare them for the next chapter. This proves how the author is including symbols to help the reader better understand the story overall.

Another symbol is the scarlet  “A”. It represents adultery of course, but throughout the book, it can be interpreted through other meanings. For example, in chapter 2, it says “On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter 'A.'” By embroidering the letter so beautifully, Hester takes control of the meaning of the “A” and takes responsibility of her punishment by owning it. Later in the story, Hester is so kind and helpful to people in the puritan village that everyone begins to believe it to stand for “able” instead of “adulterer.”

These are only some of the many symbols that represent themes and characters throughout book. To the townspeople, the forest is the unknown. It's outside of the town, it's full of American Indians and scary creatures, and worst of all, it's utterly lawless. The town is ruled by law and religion; the forest a place of passion and freedom. The townspeople are uncomfortable with that. This symbolizes Hester and how she is neglected by everyone in her society. For example, Nathaniel Hawthorne writes "She had wandered, without rule or guidance, in a moral wilderness; as vast, as intricate and shadowy, as the untamed forest.” This illustrates how Hester’s actions of adultery compare to the forest and are even symbolized by the forest. Also, another symbol in The Scarlet Letter is Hester’s little cottage on the outskirts of town. It is old, abandoned, and away from everything else. The novel states that Hester’s home is “out of the sphere of that social activity which already marked the habits of the emigrants.” This proves how Hester is isolated and how she stood out compared to everyone else. This helps the reader understand how different Hester is from all of the others.

All in all, there are thousands of symbols in this book that aid the reader to contemplate what will come in the future. These symbols represent themes and characters to help the reader relate to the book. Hester goes through many challenges and experiences which reveal many symbols. Without these symbols, the book would be very confusing and very hard to interpret.

Books read in second marking period

The maze runner, the outsider, the scarlet letter, crank, glass, Percy Jackson #5

Roman Mueller 802

Dear Ms. Berner,

Recently, you may have been considering taking out a few banned books from our library because of the negative exposure they give to us as students. However, we can learn from this exposure and choose to change the way it affects us. For example, if a kid never touches a book which involves drug use, they may not understand how common this issue is in the world and that people have defeated their addictions. You should not take away any banned books from our library because they can teach kids how to deal with personal challenges someday or that in life you cannot pretend these issues do not exist.

First off, kids should be able to read banned books no matter the topic because it can teach them positive aspects of life. Kids will not always take banned books in a negative way. For example, in an article by Maureen Johnson, The title states “Yes teen fiction can be dark-but it shows teenagers they aren’t alone.” This proves that banned books can have a positive effect on a teen because they realize that someone has gone through the experience they are going through. They also realize that someone was able to defeat the problem they have right now and it could encourage them. Also, without reading any slightly mature books, a teen can remain naive and think that problems around the world don’t exist and they will never face an obstacle. For example, in the article Banned Books 2010: An Anti-Censorship Manifesto the author writes “They do explore tough subject matter--addiction, abuse, thoughts of suicide, teen prostitution. But they bring young adult readers a broader perspective of the world.” This illustrates how by reading these books, teens will have a better understanding on the outcomes or consequences of different choices.

Also, an author’s reason to write a book is often to teach the reader a lesson and not frighten or negatively affect them. The purpose of writing these mature YA books is not to ruin a kid’s life experience, but rather to save or help it. For example, in the article Yes teen fiction can be dark-but it shows teenagers they aren’t alone by Maureen Johnson, it states “There isn’t a YA writer alive who is out writing books to corrupt youth.” This shows how the author wants the reader to benefit from the story and take it in a positive way. Also, in the article The Fault in Our Stars Has Been Banned in Schools by Joanna Robinson, John Green(author of Fault In Our Stars) responds to his book becoming banned “I am also sad because I was really hoping I would be able to introduce the idea that human beings die to the children...and thereby crush their dreams of immortality.” John Green is one of many authors who think this way and even though it may hurt a child by reading this, in the long run it will teach them to deal with issues (in this case it is mortality). All in all, banned books should not be banned and they will help more than do harm.

Some people think that banned books can influence kids to be racist, socially awkward, or change them in a negative way. For example, in the article Banned Books: Reasons for Banning Books it states why books should be banned...“Racial Issues: About and/or encouraging racism towards one or more group of people.” It also says “Blasphemous Dialogue: The author of the book uses words such as "God" or "Jesus" as profanity. This could also include any use of profanity or swear words within the text that any reader might find offensive.” However, a book with racial issues does not necessarily teach a kid to be racist nor compel a student to be socially awkward or use blasphemous dialogue. Quite the opposite.  Reading a banned book can have a positive effect on its reader. For example, in the article Yes teen fiction can be dark-but it shows teenagers they aren’t alone by Maureen Johnson, it states at the end “...those books you and those like you are so glibly dismissing...maybe you don’t like it. That’s fine. But that maybe a book that changes or even saves someone's life.” This illustrates how banned books, while they may have negative subject matter, in the long run, they can have a greater positive and helpful effect. Banned books can truly change someone’s life by showing them they aren’t facing problems alone or by giving them a perspective on how to deal with their problems. If banned books are taken out of the library, then teens will be missing out on this aid provided by those authors.

Overall, the point is proven that banned books, while dealing with the harsh realities of life, are for the greater good. They can teach a young adult that people go through problems and have to deal with them and defeat them. Also, they can comfort a naive teenager and help him/her understand situations better so when they do have to face challenges in his/her life, they can face them head on.

Roman Mueller 802

Reading and Writing for Social Justice

• “2 Men Walk Free After Nearly 40 Years Behind Bars”

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/prosecutors-drop-charges-men-40-years-27073057

Two Ohio men spend thirty-nine years in jail for something they never did. Ricky Jackson and Wiley Bridgeman, were accused of murder. There was much confusion on who was the murderer, but a twelve year old boy resolved the problem. He claimed that he had witnessed the crime and testified against Jackson and Bridgeman. After almost four decades in prison, Edward Vernon (the twelve year old boy witness), now 52, recants his testimony against the two Ohio men. He explains that the detective of the case had blackmailed him to testify against Jackson and Bridgeman otherwise he would arrest Vernon’s parents.

This is a perfect example of injustice in our world today. These men probably spent half of their lives behind bars and now they are finally free. And this is not only for these men, but all over the world this is happening. Amanda Knox was convicted of murder and there was no solid proof that she killed her roommate. Sometimes, the world today is incredibly unfair but no one realizes it. All these people did nothing wrong but are suffering severe consequences. These things scare me and make me think about my own life. Any of these things could technically happen to me or someone I am close to because all in all, the world is truly unjust.

• 1)Cashier in store pays kid less than he owes

2)3 months of detention for 3 spelling errors in French when I had to complete double the work of the other students

  3)Restaurant and stores treat tourist poorly and with less respect

4)Police use Stop & Frisk method racistly towards Latinos and Blacks

There were many things that were unfair or unjust to me lately, but one of the worst ones to me was when in french class, I got three months of detention. My teacher, Madame ______, assigned my class a project where we had to write fifteen sentences about ourselves. Because I was tapping my pencil against the table, thinking, I had to write thirty sentences instead. Already, I think this is unfair, because there's more room for error so I could have an easier chance at a bad grade. Also, it takes up more of my time than everyone else so I should be getting extra credit. After I turned in my paper which was double the work, Madame ______ decided to humiliate me in front of the entire class and point out every error. In the end, I was missing one accent, had one spelling error, and wrote something incorrectly grammar-wise. With three mistakes in total, my teacher decided to give me three months of detention. When I found this out, I was outraged. This was completely unjust and unfair. I had written double the amount needed and when I got three minor things wrong, I received three whole months of detention and realized that the world is not fair.

• I interviewed Ms. Cunningham

What do you think is good/fair about our world?

I like to see empathy-especially from children. It warms my heart when people think outside of themselves and do something to make someones life better. I also love acceptance-when people can love each other even when they have different points of view.

What do you think is bad/unfair about our world?

-global warming has gone too far

-pharmacological companies seen to be out for profit & don't help those who need it(when they clearly could)

-mistreatment of our vets

-the teaching of hate

-racism, discrimination-the fact that we still marginalize and mistreat groups of people based on misinformation and general intolerance

There are many things that interest me in these two responses. For the first question, I think that this is something that is very rare. Many people are selfish and uncaring and not always sympathetic. However, when this does happen, people get along and there is a positive outcome. Also, there is not a lot of acceptance in our world today. There is much racism and discrimination. However, I think it is important to value these things when they do happen.

For the second question, I completely agree. There are too many things that are bad/unfair about this world and we need to fix it. Ms. Cunningham said two good things about our world and then FIVE bad things. I believe this list can keep going forever and that it is not something to be proud of.

•            I watched a news story about Ray Rice winning his appeal and being allowed to go back to the NFL. Originally, he was banned because he knocked his girlfriend out in an elevator and was considered to be abusing or torturing her. However, his girlfriend stuck by his side and he was allowed to go back to the NFL. If I were Ray Rice, I would have many emotions at the time. First, I would be very disappointed and ashamed because of what I did. Also, I would be grateful my girlfriend understood it was a mistake and stayed by me. However, the hardest thing would probably giving up my football career but after finding out I could come back, I would be very happy. Except for the fact that because of what I did, not many football teams will want to sign me and it may be very hard to get a job after my harsh reputation. Overall, I think I would be pretty worried if I were Ray Rice.

•          For my interview for someone who changes the world everyday, I chose my father, Matthew Mueller because he is an architect and I think he changes the world by building an environment for people and changing their experience in a small way, daily.

What is your occupation?

I am an architect in a 40-person architectural firm in New York City.

How do you change the world every day?

I don’t know if what I do for a profession changes the world on a daily basis, but I guess if you look at what I do, which is to change the built environment for a specific person or group of people, the result of my work can change their day-to-day experiences in small ways.

As an architect, I help people better understand how to use a property they may own to the betterment of their work or living.  Often a client will come with their own ideas or problems they want to solve, but part of my job is to look beyond the surface and dig a little deeper into who they are and how they live or work.  Then I have to take the knowledge I have in how to make a building here in the city, the budget that the client has available for the project,  and combine that with those ideas or solutions to produce a design that is both a solution to the problem and affordable.

After that, I have to produce construction drawings and work with a contractor, who will construct the actual building.   This process is very collaborative between the architect, the client and the contractor as unexpected problems or conflicts often arise during construction that must be solved.  In this way, I guess I act as a mediator between the client and contractor, especially during those times when they do not agree on the solution.

Overall, my goal as an architect is to create something beautiful, efficient, and affordable while addressing the client’s specific needs or desires.  Hopefully,  both the client and contractor are happy with the process and the end result.

•     http://www.metrolyrics.com/redemption-song-lyrics-bob-marley-the-wailers.html

    For a lyric that significantly expresses a social issue, I chose Redemption Song by Bob Marley. I chose this because to me, it shows one of the biggest issues of our world today, even if this song was written in the 1900’s. Redemption Song talks(or sings) about racism or discrimination as a whole. He says “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery…” and confronts racism with his lyrics. There are so many people in the world, who mentally put themselves above others for the smallest differences, such as skin color. Right now, we are facing so many problems of racism and discrimination such as Ferguson. This song portrays these issues and shows the world what is going on through an indirect message. This is why I chose Bob Marley’s Redemption Song as a lyric that expresses a significant issue.  

•         For my TV show or movie, I watched a show that used to be very popular called The Suit 

Life of Zack & Cody. When I watched this show with my younger brother a long time ago, I didn’t 

notice half the things I notice now. These teens are rich, spoiled and very well-treated kids. Just by 

watching this I get angry at them for being so bratty and selfish. However, 


Hollywood is making these characters seem cool, funny, and everything that a little kid wants to be. 

Another thing I noticed when watching this show is that all of the perfect and wealthy people are 

often white. The janitors, doorman, and others with less prominent jobs or imperfect people are 

latino or black. This showed me that this show is a little stereotypical. I think that they portray these 

teens terribly because almost all teens in real life are completely different. I know that this is most 

likely why parents say these types of shows are bad for you. I feel that this is just judging teens 

based on no evidence and giving them an image that is completely wrong.