Most recent public comments by Jackie Sweat https://nowcomment.com/users/94409 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627538 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627538 Although she uses eye contact during the entire talk, I think it's easy to see here. This is her main point, so she's really looking at them so they hear her. You can also see her looking at the audience when they clap for her and she thanks them. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:11:34 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627527 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627527 She adds life in the speech when she says something sarcastic or funny. It makes a 20 minute talk seem not as formal when there's something to laugh about. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:11:34 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627521 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627521 Cain has been walking across the stage the whole time, but not for no reason. It lets her access all parts of the audience so she can connect with them better. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:11:34 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627515 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627515 She has this suitcase full of books which is a gesture, but it also shows how her personality is still the same. It connects bag to her summer camp story as well. She's still the girl who loves books even as an adult. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:11:34 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627504 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627504 She makes this big hand gesture to reference the title with the word greatest in it. The gesture gives the book life. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:11:34 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627498 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627498 She pauses after saying there's no correlation to having a good idea and being a talker. She makes her point with some humor. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:11:34 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627495 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627495 Moves her hands off to the side to show how these religious figures went off alone. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:11:34 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627472 https://nowcomment.com/documents/295851?scroll_to=2627472 Cain does the cheer for the audience so they understand it. She compares camp to a keg party, so a r-o-w-d-i-e cheer helps emphasize the craziness of it. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:11:33 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/288499?scroll_to=2562827 https://nowcomment.com/documents/288499?scroll_to=2562827 I love this message from the video because being open to everything means seeing the world in a different way. There's so much stuff we miss out on because we aren't open to new thoughts, new ideas, or new activities. Also, Sister Corita helped so many people see like an artist and create things they never imagined they would. She made them go to carwashes or just people watch to get inspiration. Her art is evidence that everything can be inspiration. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:14:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/288499?scroll_to=2562758 https://nowcomment.com/documents/288499?scroll_to=2562758 The biggest component of collage art is using everything you see as inspiration. Sister Corita used ads, magazine articles, religious figures, and even nature in her art. Most people say abstract is the most expressive form of art and even though this isn't abstract, it does compel emotion. I wonder if using common materials is used to further her message or if that's just where she found inspiration. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:14:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/288499?scroll_to=2562721 https://nowcomment.com/documents/288499?scroll_to=2562721 I think this artwork really represents Sister Corita because everyone in the video was singing her praises. She seemed like a genuinely kind and caring woman considering some of her art is political and protests what was happening in the 60's. She used her devotion to religion to make art that mattered to people even if this got her into trouble with the church. Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:14:43 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530395 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530395 I feel like every one of these habits comes back to getting out of one's comfort zone. How can anything get done if people are unwilling to learn and try something new? Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:06:37 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530236 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530236 You cannot succeed or fail unless you try. If worst comes to worst you can always say you did it so at least you have that. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:04:10 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530230 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530230 I agree with this and I do it too. Why would people want to do something they don't like or aren't good at? The most important thing to learn is that you reap what you sow, with hard work there is something to be gained. You might not get what you expect, but walking away because it's too hard only hurts you. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:01:09 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530227 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530227 I believe that everyone is creative in some way. Creativity is not limited to art, defining creativity is almost like taking creativity away. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 08:57:56 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530208 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530208 This is true in all areas of life, not just school. Often times we find a way of doing things that works, so we stay there and never move. It's like if it isn't broke don't fix it, but we need to do things differently to see things a new way. There's more than one right way so collaboration is key. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 11:10:21 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530204 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530204 I do this quite a bit, but now I can catch myself when I do it. I think people like to hear themselves talk and we think what we have to say has more value. I took a psych class over the summer, but I took away that one of the most important things we can do is listen to others and learn from them. It isn't always about us. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 08:46:52 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530199 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2530199 I love this quote because I agree with it 100%. Intelligence is great in itself, but we have to know how to apply it in our everyday lives. What good is it to have information and then not use it? If you learn something share it, form an opinion, and act accordingly. Mon, 30 Aug 2021 20:05:00 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231819?scroll_to=2529381 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231819?scroll_to=2529381 I totally agree with you, how does Nanny think marrying her off to an old man is a good thing? How can he be a good man if he's asking about a little girl? I want to know if this was Nanny's plan all along or if the kiss over the fence put her into action. It seems odd to me that she is so eager to get her married and out of the house. Sun, 29 Aug 2021 18:01:09 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231819?scroll_to=2527187 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231819?scroll_to=2527187 Nanny explains that "colored folks" don't have roots. This is because of slavery and people being taken from their homes, so there's no way for them to know their family. Also slaves couldn't legally get married, so husbands and wives could be separated from each other and they couldn't fight it. Children were also sold and could grow up not knowing their parents at all. Fri, 27 Aug 2021 11:00:01 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231819?scroll_to=2527182 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231819?scroll_to=2527182 How is it okay for Janie to get married at 16 to a man much older than her, but he can't go off with a younger man? No one was saying anything about her getting married off, but now they have a problem with it. Do they have an issue with Janie or are they jealous she left with Tea Cake and they didn't? Fri, 27 Aug 2021 10:53:29 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231819?scroll_to=2527175 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231819?scroll_to=2527175 I find this line funny because the women are all talk until she confronts them and then they want to be nice to get the inside scoop. They aren't talking to her to be nice, they want information. Fri, 27 Aug 2021 10:50:07 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377414 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377414 As a white person I've never had trouble picking up a book and finding myself in it. I can't imagine being black, latinx, asian, etc and not being able to relate to anything. Literature from different perspectives is crucial for students to see things from a different perspective. It's unfair for students to not have books with characters that look like them at their fingertips. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:49 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377410 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377410 The hidden curriculum is to give kids a space they can have fun and feel safe. There can be work and play in the same space. There has to be a balance between teaching kids to learn and teaching kids to live. It can't be expected of second graders to sit still all the time. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:48 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377401 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377401 People often see themselves through labels whether self given or forced on them. Labeling students as "problems" instantly throws them in into a position they shouldn't have to be in. No child is a problem, they're just kids who might need more guidance than others. Once someone learns there's a problem child they aren't even given a chance to be something other than that. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:48 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377396 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377396 I really like this description and the visual it provides. Normally the person being killed would have the ski mask, but Harris flips it back onto the police. It paints a different image for sure. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:48 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377392 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377392 We Made it to School Alive is a lot deeper than I originally thought. When you think about it black people have fought for everything and Harris brings this idea home through his poems. They fought to go to school, children fight to stay alive in school, and fight to stay alive outside of school. If you watch any tv series featuring black characters they have the police talk. It's deeply saddening that parents have to teach their kids how to not die. I think Harris pushes this point with his Tamir Rice poem. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:48 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377371 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377371 Harris speaks about a poster in his son's classroom in a critical manner. He says "It won't move us out the hood" which is understandable because a positive poster won't make a difference to him. It can make a difference for his son and it is evident he does everything for his child. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:48 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377359 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377359 It's strange to watch videos now during COVID times and see how people dealt with it. There are issues with mics, cutting out, and it's a very real look at the reality right now. This is the world we live in and have been living in for a year now. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:48 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377004 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2377004 Black holes suck everything up and nothing ever escapes. Black voices are often silenced even if they have knowledge and experience. I think it is an interesting look at education and commentary on the social climate if that was a point he was trying to make. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:47 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376989 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376989 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:59 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376969 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376969 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:46 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376950 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376950 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:46 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376936 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376936 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:46 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376929 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376929 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:46 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376909 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376909 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:45 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376895 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263250?scroll_to=2376895 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:59:45 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373944 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373944 I do think there is a vast difference between American and French culture. Americans live fast paced lives and in Europe they slow down and go with the motions. Do you think there was no competition because they were all struggling? There also might not have been competition because they were scared of their teacher and scared to be wrong. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 11:02:45 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373941 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373941 I totally agree with you here. The teacher seems to take every moment she can to knock her students down. It seems odd that a teacher would want to get rid of students, but it might just be how she is. I wonder if her ridiculing had any effect on the students learning and understanding. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 10:55:13 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373932 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373932 This line shows that Sedaris may understand French, but his speaking is not the best. He says " Understanding doesn't mean that you can suddenly speak the language.", so this acts as foreshadowing for what's to come. He tries to show his teacher he understands and still messes up. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 10:45:36 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373928 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373928 I'm not sure if this was intentional, but I find it amusing that he used a) and b) in this line. Sedaris has revealed that he doesn't know the alphabet and then uses it in his response. If it was intentional it's a pretty clever way of throwing it in there. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 10:37:27 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373925 https://nowcomment.com/documents/263224?scroll_to=2373925 This line highlights the humor and sarcasm throughout the piece. These students have little knowledge of French so you can't get a sense of the whole person. It adds humor to a moment when students are being ridiculed over things they like and dislike. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 10:33:20 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/262700?scroll_to=2370741 https://nowcomment.com/documents/262700?scroll_to=2370741 Throughout his TED Talk, London hones in on the idea of separation in schools. The regulars are separated from honors to thin the heard. We are taught AP and honors are the way to college, but no one stops and asks what you want to do. He says "A recurring cycle built to recycle the trash of this system" which hit deep. Students learn about important people who really aren't that important, but not how to live in the day-to-day. Our lives are controlled by the American Dream, but we are closer to poverty than we are to being millionaires. In America you can be anything you want to be, but not really. This is not saying you cannot start from the bottom and make it to the top, but that there is always someone standing in the way. "You have to step on someone else to get there" is shown everyday, capitalism is built on it. This is evident with most of the one percent and nepotism because you'll always be stepping on someone else to advance whether malicious or not. It's like the saying about glass ceilings for women in business, you can see everyone else, but can never get there. It is tiring and stressful with the homework, college, scholarships, and no one is helping. School and education are luxuries to have, however the current system is beyond flawed. Kids get left behind and test scores determine their worth, so what's left? Obviously everyone has different experiences, but from reading these comments Malcolm London's view seems pretty accurate. Mon, 08 Mar 2021 10:50:26 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260957?scroll_to=2356385 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260957?scroll_to=2356385 Lines like this put the time period into perspective for me. Frederick had to be worried about what he said to people and how it would be interpreted. If these men were looking for a reward his words would be taken out of context and punishment would ensue. He could not even engage in the idea of freedom because of the consequences. If you are the only person who can read and understand the value of freedom it must be lonely. Mon, 13 Sep 2021 13:02:09 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260957?scroll_to=2356367 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260957?scroll_to=2356367 This paragraph highlights Frederick Douglas's learning to read. The question here is would he have been better of not being able to read? Ignorance is bliss and by reading these texts on slavery he tormented himself. He learned about the slave trade and the greed that drove it. Once he read the books he couldn't stop which led him to some grim realizations. If other slaves were forced to live that way for their whole lives, who was to say Douglas would get out? Knowledge in this case is a double edged sword. Mon, 13 Sep 2021 13:02:09 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260957?scroll_to=2356354 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260957?scroll_to=2356354 This text seems to show how the roles have been reversed. Frederick Douglas seems to have the upper hand when he normally has no power at all. He gives bread to poor white children and converts them "into teachers". He controls these children by giving them bread in exchange for something he wants. This could be categorized as manipulative, but clearly there was no ill will since he did not name them. Mon, 13 Sep 2021 13:02:09 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260283?scroll_to=2351884 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260283?scroll_to=2351884 "Eleven" presents the idea that age is not something new, rather it is a buildup of things. Every experience does not go away when you turn eleven, it just brews inside. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, and one--are pushing at the back of my eyes." This shows that emotions are not linear, each experience helps us lean into an emotional response. What it all boils down to is that she's still a kid trying to act older to forget how awful her day was. It's an interesting piece on the though of age. Wed, 24 Feb 2021 11:09:56 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260279?scroll_to=2351817 https://nowcomment.com/documents/260279?scroll_to=2351817 Instead of turning the boy over to the police, she invites him in to wash his face and eat dinner. This is her way of serving justice, but also shows a different side of her. Mrs.Luella Bates Washington Jones is a large woman who drags this kid down the street but turns around and displays kindness. She even gives him money for shoes which would be uncommon if this were to happen today. She knows what it is like to want something you can't have so she turns this into a lesson. She kind of plays a maternal figure as well when she tells him goodnight and that she wishes he would behave. Tue, 20 Apr 2021 19:01:28 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/258458?scroll_to=2334879 https://nowcomment.com/documents/258458?scroll_to=2334879 I agree, but maybe the garden represents her mind. A garden is a collection of flowers like Meredith said so this could be a cultivation of thoughts and dreams. The memories stay but ambitions change all the time. Fri, 12 Feb 2021 10:41:33 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/258111?scroll_to=2334865 https://nowcomment.com/documents/258111?scroll_to=2334865 I think this line addresses the violence against women. The author speaks of gang rape and abuse through police officers. She says "Celebrity-Rich-Hero" which to me references people who seem like they're good but in reality are cheating and beating their wives. I like how she adds black and white in parentheses to differentiate. I feel like people don't just beat on their white wives or cheat on their black wives, it goes both ways but may relate to her situation. It implies that men proudly do these things with no worry for repercussion, normally someone being abused won't share it. Fri, 12 Feb 2021 10:33:58 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246973?scroll_to=2301967 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246973?scroll_to=2301967 It is clear in these lines that Charlotte misses being alone with her husband. Morrie is dying, but is constantly surrounded by people. She doesn't say anything though because she loves him and thinks it gives him purpose. Morrie is such a tender person and I doubt he would push people away even if he wanted too. Soon he won't be able to speak so Charlotte sacrifices her own time so he can share with others. If Morrie didn't have a sense of purpose I think he would be lost. The best way he knows how to deal with dying is to share his ideas with others. Fri, 29 Jan 2021 11:07:17 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246973?scroll_to=2301843 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246973?scroll_to=2301843 Children have a sense of immortality. There's no fear, no embarrassment, only pure unbridled joy. I'm not sure if children don't fear dying because they don't understand or if there are just more important things to do. This memory seems to be happy and sad for Mitch because he doesn't speak to his brother anymore. This memory is included because it reminds Mitch of the good times with his brother, when cancer and jobs didn't matter. Mitch piled up a lot of worry over things he shouldn't have, maybe he would be happier if he didn't. Fri, 29 Jan 2021 10:46:04 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2266524 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2266524 I agree with you Brianna. I feel like I didn't focus on other countries dealing with COVID as much as I should have. It puts into perspective that other people in other countries are suffering too. I couldn't even imagine how much healthcare in Venezuela has been depleted. Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:42:42 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2266521 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2266521 I agree Flora, I think a lot of people lost hope in 2020. Despite the troubles in the U.S, other countries are going through it too. I think everyone collectively is hoping 2021 is better, anything is a step up from last year to be honest. Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:39:45 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2266503 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2266503 Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:32:41 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2266495 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2266495 Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:27:34 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2261673 https://nowcomment.com/documents/246060?scroll_to=2261673 Wed, 06 Jan 2021 14:30:06 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2184849 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2184849 I agree with how similar both situations are. I wonder if by saying "Life works like that sometimes", Jack is setting it up for when he leaves. It could be a stretch, but when they ask why he's leaving he can refer back to this situation. Thu, 09 Sep 2021 07:50:43 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2179077 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2179077 I think this scene acts as a break from the chaos that ensued moments before. The new neighbor comes to the door asking if they've seen her sons hamster. I'm not sure who goes door to door looking for a hamster, but to each their own. Unbeknownst to her, the boys killed it thinking it was a rat. The point is really pushed when she asks if they could help "flush him out" since they flushed the hamster down the toilet. Although slightly mortifying, it provides a sense of comic relief from a heavier topic. Barry and the others begin to sign songs of mourning while Lucien starts to cry. I thought it was funny, but it's a look at real life. What happens happens and there's nothing to be done about it now. As Jack says "Life works like that sometimes" and "You gotta rock n roll." Fri, 03 Sep 2021 06:47:16 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2179071 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2179071 This is one of the more powerful scenes in the move so far. Lucien is struggling to speak of his friends and home and then it switches. It isn't real obviously, but gives insight into his life. Maybe this is what really goes on inside his head, he just doesn't have the ability to say it. The senate members are bored an annoyed, they treat him like he has no worth. Lucien says "I will not go away", no matter if people act like he doesn't exist, he does. It shows how people who suffer from mental illness and disability are overlooked and how they are treated like they don't exist. Just because you act like something or someone doesn't exist doesn't mean they disappear. Fri, 03 Sep 2021 06:47:16 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2179049 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2179049 The dilemma in this scene is that Jack wants a new job, but doesn't want to leave. He feels responsible for the guys he takes care of and that puts a strain on his marriage. He has bonded to them and even tells the counselor "They'll never not need me". The fear is that no one can take care of them like he does, but the new lady seems willing and ready to do it. Maybe after Jack leaves he won't know what to do, maybe he'll see how unhappy is. I'm not sure if quitting is going to give him the fulfillment and happiness he craves. Another theory is that he wants to be needed and taking care of them gives him a sense of purpose. Fri, 03 Sep 2021 06:47:16 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238756?scroll_to=2173631 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238756?scroll_to=2173631 I agree. Society says men can't be sad/have feelings and women can't be angry. We live by rules placed on us by people who experience the same things we do. Everything is so gendered,feelings are considered weak and displaying toxic traits is good. I also agree with Emily's point about the author sharing his experience and emotion. By sharing his journey with mental health he can inspire readers to do the same. Thu, 29 Oct 2020 11:09:39 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238756?scroll_to=2173611 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238756?scroll_to=2173611 I think the poet does this to be more relatable to the audience. There aren't any huge words or crazy deep meanings, it's just out there. It's a raw, real take on mental illness that isn't wrapped in meanings people can't decipher. Mental illness isn't presented in one way and I think he wanted to show his experience but make it fit for someone else. This might also be how Olunsanya writes, however I haven't read any other work to know for sure. Thu, 29 Oct 2020 11:01:05 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238756?scroll_to=2173603 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238756?scroll_to=2173603 This poem is directed at young men because societal standards tell men they can't be sad or feel down. Therapy is a scary thing, letting someone see the deepest parts of you, but the author is pushing the audience to do it. Akin Olusanya writes on line 24 "Let's all speak up, rise, seek help", kind of saying if one person does it more will follow. The key to making mental health less taboo is to talk to people about it, let them know it isn't something to be ashamed of. The first step is starting a converstion. Fri, 30 Oct 2020 17:45:10 -0700