IB English - Journal 24

Journal 24

“Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions.” ---Edward R. Murrow

Journal #24:

   Edward R. Murrow quote can be viewed in different perspectives, however it's essence . Slogans are meant to persuade and motivate but those slogans are not the solution. The real solution is by taking action not just repeating the slogan. Words are just words until they are put in action, it's not about what you say it's about what you do. Slogans are used to spread a movement of change, a solution. However, just because a slogan widely spreads does not the problem was resolved, take for example the Black Lives Matter Movement. The slogan, "Hands Up Don't Shoot" was all over the news and the slogan spread like wild fire. Like all fire, the spreading ceased and it is assumed that the movement was resolved due to the wild spread of the slogan. The problem still is at large and the mistake was that the slogan was taken for a solution.

IB English - Journal 23

Journal 23

“Truth is powerful, and it prevails.”   ---Sojourner Truth

Journal #23:

   There is a saying that states that, "The truth always gets out." The quote by Sojourner truth correlates with that saying. A societal consensus of a subject is considered true. While there are people that disagree on the subject, real truth is true whether it is believed or not. Take for instance thousands of years ago when the societal consensus was that the earth was flat. While society considered it true the real truth was that the earth was round. Eventually, the truth prevailed and the earth was discovered to be round. This situation is the bases to all truth, real truth demands to be heard. 

IB English - Journal 22

Journal 22

One of Eddy’s favorite things to do is to work in the yard and listen to podcasts, which are kind of like radio shows, but they are full of really interesting stories. For this week’s journal, listen to one of the following podcasts. Then, link it in with your response, and write a brief reflection in which you respond to what you heard, what you found interesting, what surprised you, what you learned, etc.

The first podcast listed below is about the effects of the Muslim ban, and you’ll hear stories about people who have been waiting TEN years to come to the United States. It’s important, well-told, devastating, and inspiring. The second recommendation below has a chapter called, “Silver Mine” that is a CRAZY story. Just listen to it for the wow factor! Ok, and let’s be honest. If you want to get addicted to podcasts, the best one I’ve listed here is the last. It’s a murder mystery involving a high school romance, and it’s true. Just go to the page and read the description. You’ll be hooked after the first episode! :)

Serial: Season 1, Episode 1: The Alibi

https://serialpodcast.org/season-one/1/the-alibi

Journal #22:

   I am not someone that is particularly intrigued by podcasts, and so between the three podcast I chose Serial due to my interest in criminal justice, forensics, and CSI sort of things. Serial began with a missing person case that unraveled into a murder mystery. Jay and Adnan are the main suspects for the murder of Hae. The set up and leads that the podcast arranged helped with an eerie and unpredictable atmosphere. Music timing and audio recordings of interviews send chills down my spine and tensed my muscles. I did not consider podcast to be interesting, but after the first episode of Serial I was so entranced. 

IB English - Journal 21

Journal 21

“If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” ---Dolly Parton

Journal #21:

   Dolly Parton's quote is a metaphor for the struggles in life that must be dealt with in order to achieve a content destination. In life we are faced with serious and challenges that push us down into a contemplating state. Situations like, divorce, illness, death, heartbreak, bullying and so many other situations affect us whether or not we chose to express it. At time the pressure, the stress and the depression is too much to handle and is like being trapped in an inescapable tomb. In Parton's metaphor, she compares the distressing situations life faces us with rain. And just like rain, the amount and force of the situation varies. However after rain, comes sunlight and after powerful rainstorms comes something more beautiful than sunlight, a rainbow. As we face difficult situations we must remember that after rain comes a rainbow.

IB English - Journal 20

Journal 20

“I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”  ---Nelson Mandela

Journal #20:

Fear is a very powerful emotion and can be used very easily to manipulate. Fear can control us. Nelson Mandela does a great job at describing the conquered fear in courage. Media and society hold courage and bravery to a level of no emotion, particularly fear. However, as Mandela states true courage id the conquering of fears, and we can also witness that in movies about challenging ourselves. The two views on courage can be viewed in the movie, Batman that demonstrates little to no fear and the movie, Soul-Surfer which is a bout overcoming a challenge that the protagonist fears. Nelson Mandela's view of courage can be illustrated in that movie, and can very well be seen in our daily life. For example, there are people that conquer their fears on a daily basis wether that be from riding a bicycle or being on top of a building. Courage is the the triumph of fear.