"The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of Lower Niger"

At the end of Things Fall Apart, the District Commissioner decides to write a book about his experiences in bringing 'civilization' to the 'barbaric' peoples. He names the book The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of Lower Niger. By using the word pacification, he believes the Africans are an angry people whose warlike ways must be quelled and stopped. When the word primitive is used, it is implied that these Africans are less than people and are savages. The commissioner shows no respect for Okonkwo's death, besides the fact it would make interesting reading for the people back home. And he also believes his story just makes up a small part of his larger tale. He believes a paragraph or so is sufficient enough to tell Okonkwo's story. Saying the District Commissioner is going to use this title for his book, Achebe portrays the colonizing forces in Africa in a bad light. He shows they are inconsiderate and uncaring for the mess Achebe believes the white man has created in Africa. They are only concerned with glory for themselves back home and how they pacified these primitive people, how Achebe thinks the white man believes they saved the barbarians. 

"America has a responsibility to all"

1. The American government should intervene in the protests against the oppressive regimes and help the protestors. The author believes America firmly stands for liberty and justice for all and it's their duties as the facilitators of that to help these people.
2. The author assumes that the United States is the police force of the world and it's their responsibility to stop this. He also assumes that the United States has done nothing to stop the atrocities of President Assad.
3. I accept that the United States stands for liberty and justice, but I don't believe they should police the world. I also need more factual evidence from the author on how the United States has done nothing to stop Assad. I don't believe the author should assume all readers will believe these premises because there are differing opinions against them. He also needs more evidence to support his argument. I agree with his premises, but I don't accept them.
4. I agree with the author's position to a certain degree. Because America views itself as a defender of peace, they should help the Syrian people achieve liberty. But America should not intervene to the level that is harmful or destructive. Obama should help them out, but the Syrian people should be able to decide what's best for their country. If Assad is being a tyrant, he should be removed and the masses can choose the course of direction. 

"Blood is for the animal, words are for the man."-Chelsea Wu

Men should not use violent means to carry out their actions, but instead use words and peaceful means.

The evil dictator of the Republic of Wadiya was ruling their country with an iron fist. His country had a horrible economy, social injustice, and an overall lack of liberty. His punishments to the people were nothing short of criminal. Two men headed a group, the Freedom Fighters, to overthrow the evil dictator. Their names were A. Smith and B. Smith. B. Smith wanted to overthrow the government by assembling an army and having a revolution against the evil dictator. A. Smith was re-known journalist and wrote anti-government literature. He believed in throwing over the government by nonviolent protest. When A heard of B's plans, he told him "Blood is for the animal, words are for the man."

The Race

Just like everyone else, I have lost many things in my life. There are the everyday, mundane things people lose and there are very important, life-changing things people lose. This particular event I'm about to share is neither mundane nor life-changing. I'm not entirely sure why, but it just sticks out to me. It was a rowing race. It happened a couple months ago, in April, at Long Beach, California. I lost, and I guess, it made a deep impression because I'm a fierce competitor and I strive to win. It was a clear, sunny day and the water was nice and calm. Good rowing conditions. I got into my single shell and headed out to the starting line. I rowed to the warm-up area past the bridge and got my first taste of the competition. Big guys, but not too big. This didn't look too bad. I'm a little smaller, but my technique is solid. The boatmaster calls up the race and we all head to our respective positions on the start line. I look back at the course, only a 1000 meters. However, this would be a tough sprint. I hear the dockmaster, "We have alignment. 3, 2, 1, Row!" I head out, my heart racing. Right off the bat, I miss 1 or 2 strokes. Not good. But, I recover. With about 250 meters to go, I'm tied for 3rd. I look over, trying to pull ahead, but the other guys are going too strong. They start to pull ahead of me. As we pass the beach area, I see the 500 meter mark above me. I start to feel the exhaustion and fatigue in my arms. I know I'm not taking good strokes. I fix my technique, but now my legs are burning up. It feels like forever till it ends. Another guy passes by me. I still have one rower behind me, though. Not in last. I hear my team cheering for me, it gives me a boost. I row hard, sprint it out at the end. I pass someone at the end. I hear the horn. I've passed the finish line. I look behind. 3 out of 6 boats have finished. I came in 4th. I head back to the beach area to dock. I hear encouraging words from my teammates. I'm disappointed, but I know it's going to be okay. I'm young and I still have plenty of opportunities to win races. This isn't the last one. 

Music Therapy

The Ancient Greeks viewed music not only as an art form, but also as a sort of medicine with significant healing powers. I believe in a similar theory. Music can help heal, but not on the biological or chemical level. Playing and listening to music can both have a profound effect on someone, simply by making he or she feel better. Music provides an escape, a corridor for optimism. Music therapy may have more impact for psychological diseases, rather than sicknesses associated with blood or muscles. The sound of music gives a new wave or new thoughts for the brain to deal with. It can carry someone away from whatever might be making their life not so good. 

"If we truly know ourselves, nothing bad will ever happen to us."

I agree with this topic statement. I believe there is some sense to it. If we know ourselves, we know what actions and steps we should take and which is right or wrong. And which is either good or bad for us. But, there is a twist. I feel as though, we as humans, can never truly know ourselves. There is always some new twist, turn, or change life can make for us. Our lives would be perfect if we truly knew who we are. But they aren't. In that case, you can't know who you are. And therefore, bad stuff will happen to us. However, I believe this is a good thing. 'Bad' things may seem to be unfortunate in that specific circumstance, but may have some positive lasting impression. These 'bad' things teach us more about ourselves. Life is a learning process, where you learn more about yourself as you go on. You can never truly know who you are, but hey, that's life. 

Too Serious for Satire?

Recently, in my English class, we've been discussing satire and what one can satirize. Can someone satirize everything or are there certain things that are off limits? I believe certain things are off limits when it comes to satire. I feel that problems that are out of people's control should be off limits when it comes down to satire. Usually melancholy things such as death, disease, cancer, etc... Such problems should not be taken in a light way, and it's not even funny. People have no ability to change if people die or get sick, so there's no room for satire. Satire normally tries to evoke some sort of social change, and ill things previously mentioned cannot be changed. Even people's different perspectives on death or sickness should not be satirized due to seriousness of these topics and the way people feel about them. Satire can be very funny when it comes to other problems in our world, but it should stay away from these topics people simply have no sway over.