My favorite classes this year were AP United States History taught by Mr. Cryer and AP English Language and Composition taught by Mrs. Sword. What made these two classes phenomenal was the teachers. They viewed teaching as an art which assisted discovery and constantly engaged their students by bringing modern scenarios and real world problems into the curriculum. Unlike my on-level teachers (I will not name names), these teachers took time out of their way-too busy schedule for their students in need. To let you in on a little secret, Mr. Cryer and Mrs. Sword’s positive attitude towards their students is what encourages me not to skip class. The influence these teachers had on me can never be erased. So if you are reading this, thank you.

Moreover, I want to improve my eating habits next year. I have a tendency to not eat meals from stress. Next year, I want to take more time to meal prep and expand my culinary skills. Since next year is Senior year, I won’t be under the same pressure to succeed academically. Of course, college and scholarship applications will apply pressure to my life. However, it will be a completely different type of stress. After all, sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax!

American Activist, Rodney King, is best known for asking the question “can we all just get along” on national television. This broadcast was made three days into the six day rioting in Los Angeles in April of 1992 where 66 citizens died. With over 1 billion dollars in damage, this was known as the most devastating civil disruptions in American history. When he delivers this statement followed by “can we stop making it horrible for the old people and the kids” you can hear the sincerity derived from fear in his voice. 

King’s Statement of social harmony is so simple. Almost every religion strives for it and preaches it. So why is it so hard to achieve? Well, humans were wired to be logical, rather emotional. So when core values are threatened, humans tend to get defensive as a way of self-preservation against an irrational fear. Moreover, the less defensive we get, the more we appreciate other perspectives. Taking into account others opinions and outlook is critical to today’s globalizing world. 

In all honesty, when I first read the blog prompt, I thought King Kong was a brand of durable dog toys. However, after further investigation, I found out that Godzilla is an enormous prehistoric Japanese fictional reptile whos might was empowered by nuclear radiation and King Kong is a gorilla who weighs 20,500 metric tons. Both creatures will face off for once and for all to determine who will reign supreme in the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong. 

King Kong stands as a warning against humankind’s desire to exploit natural resources and take advantage of the weak for personal gain. He represents the fall of the American dream and serves as an allegory for racial tension. Even though the symbolism of King Kong is profoundly esoteric, Godzilla is a reptile and I LOVE dinosaurs! So, in a battle for my liking, Godzilla would win simply because he resembles an allosaurus with facial features of that of a stegosaurus. Not only can Godzilla withstand nuclear bombardment, but his atomic lizard breath could take out King Kong in a heartbeat. In the end, I stand by my belief that Godzilla would reign victorious in a battle due to his epic dinosaur capacity.

MLA Citation for Article 1: Genetic Modification Of Agronomic Traits in Fruit Crops

L. Baldoni-E. Rugini – Fruit and Vegetable Biotechnology – 2002 Summary of Article 1: This article, published by the Food And Drug Association, begins with providing the reader a simplified definition of traditional crop rotations, genetic engineering, and then genome editing. The article then goes on to explain the primary uses of GMOs in agriculture; to prevent crop loss by building resistance to insect damage, plant viruses, and resistance to insect damage. The article closes with a call to action: The Agricultural Biotechnology Education Initiative. Supported by the FDA, this Outreach Initiative was developed to share science-based information that educates and broadens understanding about agricultural biotechnology for consumers. 

MLA Citation of Article 2:  Klümper W, Qaim M (2014) A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops. Summary of Article 2: This article presents an investigation into impact of genetically modified crops. The study reports genetically modified crop impact in terms of one or more of the following outcome variables: yield, pesticide quantity (especially insecticides and herbicides), pesticide costs, total variable costs, gross margins, farmer profits. It contains a detailed statistical analysis with a myriad of calculations. The analysis confirms that yield and farmer profit gains are higher in developing countries than in developed countries. Moreover, the article is presented in the following order: materials and methods, results, conclusion, and acknowledgments.

Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her; 

If you can bounce high, bounce for her too, 

Till she speaks “Lover, gold hatted, high-bouncing lover, 

I must have you!” 

The preface to The Great Gatsby is a four lined poem written by Thomas Parke D’Inviller, a character from Scott F. Fitzgerald’s’ first quasi-autobiographical novel, The Side of Paradise. The epigraph above not only mocks Gatsby’s undignified and desperate approach to winning over Daisy, but also serves as advice to the reader; to impress someone, you must first flaunt your wealth. The use of “She” in the preface refers to Daisy: a prize that must be won or objectified as opposed to a person with actual feelings and ambitions. In addition, the preface to the novel echoes the novels plot; the absurd obsession Gatsby has towards Daisy.

The poem I wrote is a Found poem, created by selecting and rearranging words I found meaningful from the preface of The Great Gatsby. My poem is written in the perspective of Jay Gatsby to his one true love, Daisy Buchanan. In this poem, Gatsby is trying to win over Daisy by comparing her heart to gold. He uses repetition of similar sounds, alliteration, and stressed syllables to enhance his poem. 

To have a heart of gold 

Is to have a mind untold,

A stardust soul

To say more than you speak

Rather than speaking more than you say.  

A soul as old as Ancient Greek. 

To keep bouncing even when you are incredibly weak. 

Your empathy is undeniably unique. 

The dignified search far and wide for your kind 

Only to behold 

Your heart of gold must not be controlled. 

Upon reading the prompt “what grinds your gears” I fell into a deep writer’s block. I felt as if I should not waste Mrs. Swords’ precious time by making her read an extensive rant about slow walkers or the linguistic evolution of the filler “uh” and “like” in daily speech. And then, while looking around the room in my seventh period, it hit me: my topic was right under my nose this whole time. (Well, covering my nose) The anti-maskers of A&M Consolidated High School. I simply do not understand the reasoning behind choosing not to wear a mask when countless research shows that cloth coverings reduce viral transmission by 70%. Face coverings not only reduce viral transmission but prevent asymptomatic spread. In my humble opinion, those who refuse to wear a mask, are the ones who need it the most (#SorryNotSorry) After all, wearing is caring. 

Learning from other countries’ strategies to combat Covid19 is vital in responding to a global pandemic. If masks were mandated earlier on and contact tracing had started with the first known cases, there would not have been such a massive shutdown, extra unemployment benefits, stimulus packages, and such a devastating loss of life. I read an article that said anti-maskers in East Java, Indonesia were ordered as punishment to dig graves for the victims of Covid19 in hopes of creating a deterrent effect against mask violations. While this is a little on the extreme side, and might violate the Eighth Amendment, I am not TOTALLY against it. The sooner we all wear masks, the sooner we can all party again. (Safely, of course) So, as for now, cheers to wearing masks!

The pattern of segregated neighborhoods first started in the Jim Crow era, where policies passed by the Federal Government would dictate where African Americans could live. Housing segregation is still evident today through weak enforcement of federal civil rights. Before reading the Washington Post article Segregated From Opportunity, I knew that decades of government sanctioned housing discrimination is what ultimately leads to racially segregated neighborhoods. However, after reading Segregated From Opportunity, I learned about the ongoing effects of The Federal Fair Housing Act. This innovative act, passed by congress in 1968, introduced a federal enforcement law which prohibited discrimination based on race, sex, religion, or national origin in regard to housing. The Federal Fair Housing Act encompasses a wide range of discrimination such as bias towards minorities who are seeking housing assistance or a mortgage. However, despite the efforts of the Federal Government to facilitate integration, African Americans still remain the most segregated community in the United States. 

 Red lining, a form of systematic denial, contributes to the cycle of perpetuating racial and economic inequality within segregated neighborhoods. Based on community demographics, Red Lining is a discriminatory practice when a landowner refuses a loan to someone who is at financial risk. Discriminatory practices such as these limit the buying options of African Americans.  In 2015, The Texas Legislature passed a law that would prohibit cities from adopting ordinances that would have barred landlords from denying renters based on income source. This is only made worse by the persistent wage gap between White and Black households. In addition to redlining, current day residential segregation is caused by exclusionary zoning practices which lead to higher concentrations of poverty. These neighborhoods are exposed to greater volumes of crime and policing. Children raised in these neighborhoods are more likely to be zoned to poorly funded and performing schools. Thus leading to lower academic achievement and a lower probability of higher learning. 

Possible solutions for affordable housing is to offer incentives and promote local neighborhood revitalization. State incentives, which are supplemental to federal ones, issue credits to developers for the construction and rehabilitation of rental housing targeted to lower-income households. Neighborhood Revitalization is when the government focuses their energies on areas such as safety, transportation, health, education and economic opportunities.  Not only do both these options increase employment, but they also attract private investment. Combining incentives with revitalization change will change the socioeconomic characteristics of segregated communities for years to come. 

The criminalization of African Americans is not new. It is just as old as America. Except now, it is just getting filmed more thanks to the rise of technological advances, George Floyd’s death was to be broadcasted to the entire world within seconds. Once public attention shifted to Mr. Floyd, the United States would never be the same. His death served as a wake up call for the world. When he died, millions did not just mourn for him, but they fought for him. The widespread circulation of videos of African Americans suffering harm by the people who are meant to protect is ever present in today’s society. I believe that if the initial video of Mr. Floyd had not been released, his story would not have been told and the outrage and protests that followed would not have experienced the same turn out. His death empowered one of the most influential non-violent civil disobedience movements known as Black Lives Matter. Moreover, his death did not just start or shine light to the ongoing movement, but exemplified the principles they stand for.

George Floyd’s case is drawing comparisons and bringing condemnations to other cases of police misconduct and brutality. There is a growing scrutiny of violent tactics used by police forces at peaceful, nonviolent BLM demonstrations.  Black people are being shot and suffering microaggressions in the United States at a disproportionate rate compared to other ethnicities. The solution? Police Reform. I do not mean abolishing the police system, that is simply unrealistic. We can start reforming the system by training police to address their racial bias. Everyone has some sort of bias. (For me, admittedly, I am biased towards men) Having the courage to admit that you have a bias is the first step to achieving impartiality. Once bias is addressed properly, we can start improving commutative strategies that hold police accountable for misconduct transparently. This begins with opening police misconduct records to the public, improving data collection, and reporting practices that use force. Currently, as of October 2020, there is no federal database tracking the use of force, stop-and-frisks, and people killed by law enforcement. There must be a higher standard established by the federal government for qualifying to be in the police force. In Texas, it takes forty weeks and 1,600 hours to become a licensed cosmetologist. Meanwhile, to become a police officer, a trusted position in society where lives of civilians are in your hands, it only takes eight to twelve weeks, or 723 hours of basic law enforcement training. This explains (but does not excuse) why police have high rates of implicit bias. There is an insufficient amount of training focused on racism, age-appropriate reason, cultural competency, non-violent problem-solving, and mental illness which in turn leads to brutality. Systematic change can only be done through collective action. You can do your part to end police brutality by spreading awareness, advocating for what is right, and exercising your right to vote. 🙂

My jamadoo is and will forever be Saturn by Sleeping at Last. Words could not even begin to express how much comfort and pure alleviation this song grants me upon listening. To put it simply; it is my anthem of healing. The melody is so incredibility ethereal that whenever I listen to it I can hear my life unfolding before me. This song is what I imagine I will hear when the day comes when the abstract truth of everything I have ever known will become completely undone. This song is the first star being born and the last dying ember of light all at once; it’s the whole story of humankind, forwards and backwards and paused all at the same time all in four minutes and thirty-seven seconds. The chorus takes me to a dimension of tranquility. Saturn is so enchanting that it somehow makes melancholy and peace coexist. 

To me, the artist is talking to loved one on their deathbed, thanking them for explaining the nature of the universe. These words inspired the writer to create art but he could never fully comprehend their meaning. He tried to write them down but he could never quite capture the words. The last lyric of the song is my absolute favorite “with shortness of breath, I’ll explain the infinite. How rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist.” In this line, it sounds to me like the artist is promising his loved one that he too will unravel the secrets of the universe and carry on his legacy. 

You taught me the courage of stars before you left

How light carries on endlessly, even after death

With shortness of breath, you explained the infinite

How rare and beautiful it is, to even exist

I couldn’t help but ask

For you to say it all again

I tried to write it down

But I could never find a pen

I’d give anything to hear

You say it one more time

That the universe was made

Just to be seen by my eyes

I couldn’t help but ask

For you to say it all again

I tried to write it down

But I could never find a pen

I’d give anything to hear

You say it one more time

That the universe was made

Just to be seen by my eyes

With shortness of breath, I’ll explain the infinite

How rare and beautiful it truly is that we exist

Have you eaten a strawberry, peach or carrot today? Maybe you had a glass of milk for breakfast or a delicious omelete. Or maybe, for an afternoon snack, you had french fries drizzled with ketchup. Whatever the case is, the food you ate was most likely neatly packaged, clean, and pristine. Even though there is a worldwide pandemic, the food you craved was convenient and fresh. Nearly seventy-five percent of the produce and diary consumed by Americans was farmed by someone from South or Central America who is in the United States illegally. According to the United States Agricultural Department, about half of the crop hands in the U.S. (around one million people) are undocumented immigrants. The essential workers that some Americans are trying to keep out of the country are quite literally the ones keeping them alive. Don’t believe me? Without the help of unauthorized workers, the United States’ vegetable, fruit, meat, and dairy industries would be at major risk as production would decline and consumers would see an incline in prices. A study commissioned by the USDA found if federal immigration policies reduced the number of foreign-born workers by fifty percent, more than three thousand dairy farms would close within two weeks, leading to a massive drop in milk production and a spike in food prices by around thirty percent. According to my calculations, a total elimination of immigration labor would increase the price of milk by ninety percent. But these “people” we speak of aren’t just secret integral chess pieces of our economy, they are actual human beings with incredible identities, passions, and dreams. 

My question is, how did in a country built on immigrants and a country who counts on the intensive labor of immigrants, the word “immigrant” become such a dirty word? Why is the American dream only limited to a selected few and not to others? I believe today’s root causes surrounding the issue of exclusive immigration reform strains from a single source; the growth in the backlog of immigration pending court cases. The increase in court backlog results in a decelerated process for those who need it most. Moreover, the demand for green cards has increased significantly in the past years and congress has not been able to keep up. Since 1998, the influx of immigrants has piled by the backlog so much that the vast majority of those over the age of sixty will die before they will receive their green card. 

This trend of backlog can be attributed to a number of factors such as the increase in identificating the rising numbers of unauthorized immigrants within the interior of the U.S. and ramped-up immigration enforcement activities that were not matched with commensurate increases in court resources. So what exactly does that mean? Basically it means that there is not enough funding towards appropriate resources such as legal representation for immigrants. I do not want to throw my man Obama under the bus (because I admire him oh so greatly) but the decisions made under his administration did not help necessarily help our issue. For example; his Federal Government spent 18 Billion (YES, you read that right… 18 BILLION) towards border patrol, detention facilities, deportation, and identifying non citizens for arrest. Furthermore, the of cases undocumented immigrants seeking refuge have quadrupled in the past decade as the backlog exceeds one million cases. This semester, I hopefully will be able to understand, research, and write about how we as a nation can achieve comprehensive immigration reform that will help this country thrive. 

Source: Department of Homeland Security. N.d. Budget-in-Brief. Budget data for FY 2003-18. Accessed September 29, 201