Kayla's Corner

People are molded by the world around them–The people who raise them, their friends, the town they live in. All of these factors influence who they become, how they act, and how they see the world. For example a child raised in poverty is going to see the world differently then one raised in wealth. And someone raised with a loving family will not be the same as someone raised in a broken home. These are just a few of the many factors that can cause a change from one person to the next. In the book, The Nickel Boys, Elwood, the main character, was said to “talk like a white college boy” unlike the rest of the African Americans at the academy. Elwood was raised to strive for a good education, he went to school, and enjoyed learning. Whereas the other boys weren’t. This was shown when Elwood first entered school at Nickel, and all the other boys slept and goofed off during class instead of learning. This led to the difference in the way they talked and acted. Most of the boys at Nickel A...

Jesus Beneatha, life isn’t all pink elephants and once upon a times. I’m not going to use a bunch of pointless rhetoric to try and convince you otherwise, but I’m just going to tell you how things are—the truth.  Things will happen that you can’t let stop you from accomplishing your dreams: your brother, his actions, your  mother, and her actions. Nothing should define your goals.  Life is not a fairytale, and you need to stop living it as if it is. Although I hope you get your happily ever after, it won’t be a straight path. I know you want things to be easy, but that’s not how it works for everyone—especially for people like us. Bad things will arise as they did today.  So if  there’s a set back on your plans, you need to not give up  and continue on. It’s the way of Life. 

A stereotype is defined as a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. Stereotypes are constantly used in society today, but they  shouldn't be. Although they are partially true and were created for a reason, there are many exceptions to stereotypes, and they definitely shouldn't be used to classify groups of people.  There are women who can drive well, African Americans who aren't loud, Asians who aren't  geniuses at math, gays who have deep voices, and many more. Beneatha in the book, A Raisin in the Sun, was going to college, "listen,  I'm going to be a doctor"(Hansberry). Not  only was  Beneatha getting an education as  a woman, but she was also going to be a  doctor which at the  time was a male dominated  profession. Beneatha is one of the many examples where stereotypes  don't apply. She is an African  American getting a col...

It is sad to think that after so many years segregation is not over when it comes to where one can live. If someone asked, I would have never guessed that "the Detroit metro area remains, by some measure, the most segregated in the nation"(Wilkinson). Now as I think about it, I realize it is somewhat true. Living in Troy my whole life has been like living in a bubble. I never really think about how other communities just past the edge of Troy are so separated. Living in such a diverse city has created an unrealistic view on how the rest of the metro area and even the country is. I guess I've always known that certain cities have a large population of one nationality. Such as Detroit and Pontiac having a mainly African American demographic, but I always thought it was because they preferred to live with people of the same background. I'm starting to understand that there are other factors that play a role, and they can do nothing about it. In the article we read in c...

A lot of times I think that what I learn in school is unnecessary and that I will never use it. I constantly think to myself, how will this apply to anything in that future? and when will I ever need to know this in the real world? Even though I still think a lot of what we learn is pointless and a waste of time-especially math- I am beginning to realize and make connections from knowledge I have gained in classes with other things like the passages we read in english.  While reading queer analysis if the Great Gatsby,  I was able to apply things that I learned in psych to further understand where the author of the perspective was coming from. When the author shares how Nick repeatedly "goes out of his was to be sure we see him as an active heterosexual" he is using defense mechanisms. This is a term I recently learned in psych class. They are tactics that reduce or redirect anxiety by distorting reality. Nick is using two defense mechanisms to show that he is not gay, He ...

Gatsby is a mystery, and has been since the beginning of the book. At first, we didn't even know who he  was. Gatsby was just a man who starred out across the bay mysteriously, threw huge parties, and was  thought to "have killed a man once"(Fitzgerald 44). As the book moves forward, the reason behind some  of his actions are uncovered, like why he peers across the bay, the reasons for his parties, and how he  came to be, but a lot is still unknown about the real Gatsby.  Even the things learned may not be one  hundred percent true. Gatsby shares a lot about his  past with Nick like how he got his money, but his  story does not add up. He would not be living on  West Egg if he was telling the truth. Which makes on  wonder, what will be discovered about Gatsby next?  And how will one know with certainty that it is real?  I feel like in the 1920s not knowing someone truly was  very c...

Hagar is talking to Milkman in her head, as she puts on her new clothes and makeup. Why don't you love me? I have been here since the beginning, waiting for you and only you. What is it Milkman? Is it my skin? My hair? It must be. You know I can change right. I can be more like the other girl with the "Silky hair the color of a penny"(Morrison 315). I'll do whatever it takes. I'm putting all this makeup on for you Milkman. Do you like the sunny glow? There's not enough? I didn't think so either. It's okay, I'll put on more. How about the lipstick? Yes? I thought you would. I picked out jungle red just for you. I have to go show myself to my mother and grandmother now. Don't worry Milkman you'll get to see me soon.     After Hagar presents herself to Pilate and Reba and realizes how she actually looks.  How could you lead me on for so long Milkman? And make me believe I could possibly be good enough for you. You never cared for ...