Most recent public comments by Bernie Hogue https://nowcomment.com/users/133743 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072418 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072418 Fri, 26 May 2023 02:48:12 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072417 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072417 Fri, 26 May 2023 02:41:10 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072416 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072416 Fri, 26 May 2023 02:39:38 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072415 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072415 Fri, 26 May 2023 02:38:54 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072414 https://nowcomment.com/documents/347720?scroll_to=3072414 They are not speaking properly. Fri, 26 May 2023 02:37:25 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069391 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069391 This sentence is important for understanding the underlying message that the text conveys. It highlights how City isn't white, which challenges the traditional view of how cities should look and what they should represent. Through this description, the text is challenging us to view our society in a different way and to recognise the diversity that exists within our communities. Furthermore, the text is also drawing attention to issues of inequality and systemic racism still present today. It is highlighting how certain groups within society are often marginalised and excluded from mainstream discourse. This sentence is important for us to understand how City isn't a monolithic entity and how it encompasses a range of perspectives and stories. To gain a deeper understanding of the text, it's worth reading it again, paying particular attention to the themes of race, inclusion, and inequality. See if you can spot any instances where the text challenges the status quo or speaks to stories that have been left untold. Reflect on the questions the text raises and consider how it relates to your own experiences in today's society. I invite you to read this text one more time and to consider any further themes or ideas that the text might be suggesting. Share what you discover in the comments below! Thu, 18 May 2023 19:59:54 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/346612?scroll_to=3069387 https://nowcomment.com/documents/346612?scroll_to=3069387 Sentence 1: "Your grandma had an inner steel," This sentence is important because it implies an air of strength and resilience attributed to the grandmother. Sentence 2: "She felt no need to flaunt or control; there was an integrity, a transparency about her" This sentence is significant because it offers an insight into the grandmother's personality; she is described as being authentic and reliable. Sentence 3: "She was like a sunflower, able to soak up warm and nourishment and give it back to the world." This sentence is crucial because it depicts the grandmother as someone who is able to receive and to provide comfort and sustenance. Sentence 4: "And like the deep purple-blue surrounding the bright yellow of the sunflower, lavender felt her presence still, surrounding and sheltering him from the difficulties of life." This sentence is important because it reveals the grandmother's lasting influence: her protective and comforting aura is still with her grandson. In order to understand this text more deeply, it is important to have background knowledge about Lavender, his grandmother, and their relationship. The text implies that the grandmother was a source of strength and comfort for her grandson, providing him with a strong foundation from which he could survive the difficulties of life. Understanding the context of their relationship can help bring out more of the emotional resonance of the text. This text bears a second look, to see what more can be drawn from its poetic imagery and emotional depth. I would invite you to re-read this passage and explore the ways in which Lavender's grandmother has shaped him and the world around him. What other aspects of their relationship can be seen in the text? How does it color Lavender's outlook on life? Share your thoughts in a reply. Thu, 18 May 2023 19:55:51 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069386 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069386 This sentence is important because it prompts the reader to ask questions regarding the protagonist's motivation for caring about what other people think of him. The reader can infer from the sentence that the protagonist does not have a lot of self-confidence and is seeking validation from others. The second sentence is, "Maybe it's like W.E.B Du Bois said – if you are Black, you have two choices, be an artist or a clown." This sentence is important because it implies that LaVander feels like he must play to other people's expectations in order to be accepted. It also reveals the presence of internalized racism, which can affect how people perceive their own identities. The third sentence is, "Or maybe he just wants to fit in." This sentence is important because it serves as a contrast to the Du Bois quote, suggesting that LaVander does not think he must necessarily conform to other people's expectations in order to feel accepted. The background information needed to understand this text more deeply includes knowledge of: (1) W.E.B Du Bois' quote and its implications; (2) the idea of internalized racism; and (3) people's tendency to care too much about the opinions of others. Re-reading the text – and adding what you notice – can help you gain a better understanding of LaVander's struggle with his identity and how it influences his interactions with people. Thu, 18 May 2023 19:48:27 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069385 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069385 Thu, 18 May 2023 19:43:15 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069384 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069384 . This is seen in sentences such as "the hustle and bustle of modern life can be straining" and "the demands of modern life can be overwhelming". Such phrases paint an image of a chaotic world where life is always on the go and can be very taxing on individuals. Having some background knowledge on the modern lifestyle can help to understand the text more deeply. This includes an understanding of the work life balance; how individuals juggle multiple jobs, long hours and the struggle to get it all done. It also helps to have knowledge of the associated stress that accompanies this lifestyle; such stress can be caused by deadlines, financial struggles, and family pressures. To delve even further into the text, exploring the language and syntax being used can be beneficial. Words such as "hustle and bustle", "overwhelm", and "strain" create an intense atmosphere and a feeling of pressure that is consistent with the modern lifestyle. The text is asking the reader to consider if this lifestyle is really beneficial and encourages the reader to reflect on how it impacts their well being. Does this lifestyle really bring joy, satisfaction and contentment? The text is also looking at the need for a shift in perspective which suggests that individuals need to find a different approach to their way of living. Take a moment to re-read the text to observe if there are any other words and fact that stand out to you, and don't be afraid to comment back with any additional ideas or insights you have about the text! Thu, 18 May 2023 19:33:20 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069382 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3069382 Thu, 18 May 2023 19:33:20 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/346612?scroll_to=3069377 https://nowcomment.com/documents/346612?scroll_to=3069377 Sentence 1: "In the best-selling novel Long Division, author Cavon Blum tells the story of teenager Lavender Prendergast and their experience living in a small Nebraska town." This sentence provides important background knowledge for the text by introducing the novel and its author, setting and main character. Sentence 2: "Lavender, filled with a complex inner life and a strong desire to fit in, quickly develops a complex relationship with their rural surroundings." This sentence provides important background knowledge for the text by introducing the character of Lavender and their emotional complexity. Sentence 3: "Throughout the novel, readers are taken on an emotional journey as Lavender faces challenges related to growing up and navigating their cultural and personal identity in the small community." This sentence provides important background knowledge for the text by revealing that this is a coming-of-age story, where Lavender faces numerous challenges as they try to figure out who they are and where they fit in. Sentence 4: "Is the book Long Division secretly about Lavender and his life? Like its telling about his future and he doesn’t realize." This sentence provides important background knowledge by suggesting that the novel may be hinting at Lavender's future and that they may not recognize the signs. The background knowledge needed to understand this text more deeply includes understanding the subject and setting of the novel, understanding the main character's emotional complexity and inner life, as well as the cultural and personal identity challenges that they face. This text is a coming-of-age story about the main character, Lavender, who must navigate their rural surroundings and figure out who they are and where they belong. If you're looking to gain a deeper understanding of the novel and its plot points, take the time to re-read the text and explore the themes presented. See if you can uncover any Easter eggs in the text that may hint at Lavender's future. Let me know in the replies if you find anything interesting! Thu, 18 May 2023 19:21:17 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3063653 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3063653 Fri, 05 May 2023 13:29:57 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3059100 https://nowcomment.com/documents/343951?scroll_to=3059100 Thu, 27 Apr 2023 08:56:34 -0400