Thursday, March 6, 2014

Class Work

Share your personal experience of being "walled in" by a physical barrier.

Questions to consider:

• Was the location given/described?
• Were there other people involved? Were they introduced?
• Was there any conversation? Could more be added to enhance the "story?"
• Was there a resolution to the situation?

How do people get rid of or "break down" walls? What other situations result in separation? Does the barrier always need to be physical?

Is money a barrier? Could you live in poverty? Could you survive in wealth?

Let's read the following essay by Marcus Mabry who lived in both worlds.
"Living in Two Worlds" by Marcus Mabry
http://www.theprepschoolnegro.org/2010/06/marcus-mabry-the-lawrenceville-school-class-of-85/

Think about a time when you tried to escape one world and exchange it for another. How successful were you? At what cost did you make the change. Perhaps you are still in transition. Describe the journey. (Quick Write - submit on Canvas - 25 pts.)


Homework: Read the following essays. Answer the question(s) following each. Post in Canvas. (75 Pts.)

"Terra Firma - A Journey from Migrant Farm Labor to Neurosurgery" by Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp078105

Write a brief letter encouraging or discouraging someone to come to the United States. You may include details from the essay and/or use experiences of others.

"An Identity Reduced to a Burka" by Semeen Issa and Laila Al-Marayati
http://www.mwlusa.org/topics/dress/burka.html

Question: Remember a time when a clothing code was imposed on you-for school, work, or for a social event within your peer group or family. Describe how you felt about the requirement and whether you rebelled or conformed. Are identities reduced or enhanced by clothing regulations?

"Hidden in Plain Sight" by Zaiba Malik (You will need to read between the ads on this one! The article is two pages long. Be sure to go to page two to finish.
http://articles.latimes.com/2006/oct/25/opinion/oe-malik25

Question: Write a brief narrative of a time when your choice of clothing or an other's choice of clothing drew unintended attention. Be sure to include the emotional as well as situational impact.

Happy Spring! Enjoy the break. There are no classes next week.