Most recent public comments by Meredith Antz https://nowcomment.com/users/94564 https://nowcomment.com/documents/253210?scroll_to=2306582 https://nowcomment.com/documents/253210?scroll_to=2306582 Back when the narrator was still enrolled in his college, we as readers experienced a church service led by Reverend Barbee. During this chapter the narrator describes the excitement and unity projected by the audience as Barbee talked about the history of the Founder. Now during this performance the narrator describes the audience becoming one and enjoying the show. Similar to the church service, the narrator notes the audience repeating phrases. During this chapter they repeat, “no more dispossessing of the dispossessed” and “John Brown’s body lies a-mold’ring in the grave.” During chapter five the narrator does not provide exact examples, but claims that people shouted out during Barbee’s speech. They shouted out in unison and seemed to shout the same thing. It is incredible how moved people can become when given the appropriate speech or performance. I feel like the book does a good job portraying an audience buying into a speech and how motivating they can be. Mon, 01 Feb 2021 17:52:42 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2299053 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2299053 Throughout the past seven days, and basically my whole life I have been practicing the habit Finding Humor. Whenever I become frustrated, I either become angry or start making fun of myself. Both sound like terrible options. Yet when I am doing calculus homework, I would much rather make myself laugh than slowly build up a mound of anger. When I do say I make myself laugh, I mean I am making self-deprecating jokes directed at myself. Is this healthy in any way? Probably not, but it's either tears of joy or sadness when it comes to calculus. Now as I am reading about this habit, I am quite proud of myself for choosing humor over anger. The section Finding Humor talked about all the benefits of humor and how laughing is extremely beneficial in provoking higher-levels of thinking. While my jokes are destroying my self esteem, it is good to know there is some benefit to the laughter. Besides using humor against myself, I do use humor in many other ways. While these scenarios did not pop up in the past week. I used to use humor to help people feel better if they weren’t having a good day. I decided way back in fifth grade, 2013, that laughter is more enjoyable than crying. For this reason, I try my very best to make people laugh. I am quite pleased to discover that I am not only helping people feel better, but also improving their thinking ability. Thu, 28 Jan 2021 12:26:33 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2298999 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2298999 Last Friday our class read articles posted by Margaret Wheatley. In these articles she talked about the importance of listening to what others are saying and becoming more open to others' thoughts. In today’s reading, this section talks about how the human brain works to solve problems. It was mentioned that some people do not use this ability, and how a reason could be that people are choosing not to take that extra time. This section also talked about metacognition and provided an explanation of what it was. Stating how it means “becoming increasingly aware of one’s actions and the effect of those actions on others..” More examples were provided, but this line had me thinking about Margaret Wheatley’s articles. In today’s society many people will never agree with each other and this is okay. The problem is that those same people will begin to passionately despise each other because they do not see eye to eye. As a result, when one believes something the other will decide to believe the opposite. Only because the idea of agreeing with that person seems disgusting. I found that today’s reading was providing insight into why that was. Because many people choose not to achieve metacognition; therefore, they do not generate a “reflective consciousness.” While I’m sure there are other factors playing into our society’s inability to consider other people’s point of views. I thought it was interesting how this section provided some reasons behind it. Do you think that people disagree because they aren’t capable of using their reflective consciousness? Wheatley, Margaret J. Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future San Francisco: Berrett-Koshler Publishers, Inc., 2002. https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 12:00:32 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/252045?scroll_to=2294646 https://nowcomment.com/documents/252045?scroll_to=2294646 “We were the heathens, but needed to be saved from them..” In her comment, Elizabeth Boes talked about how she interpreted the quote as talking about the white settlers wanting to keep the Native Americans as part of the country. While I can see where she got this from and respect her opinion. I had a different opinion regarding the quote. When I was reading this poem in class, this line made me pause and think differently about the rest of the poem. Now as I read it again, I am finding myself thinking a little bit more deeply about the poem. Personally, I read this line as Joy Harjo stating that the white settlers called her people savages. However because of the actions of the white settlers, Joy Harjo’s people needed to be saved. I see this as Joy Harjo stating how ironic it was that her people were labeled “heathens”, yet the white settlers acted more aggressively. As a result of the white settlers actions, her people needed saving then and continue to need saving. My interpretation of this line goes along with Jon Hurley’s understanding than it does with Elizabeth’s. All this being said, I find it super ironic how even now Joy Harjo’s people need saving. While history books still exist depicting them as the savages and villains in the great origin story of America. Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:09:51 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/252045?scroll_to=2294632 https://nowcomment.com/documents/252045?scroll_to=2294632 As I was scanning the map, I found myself selecting poets whose names appear closer to Indiana and ignoring the rest. The only reason I have for this method is maybe I was hoping to feel a sense of pride in the fact that Joy Harjo thought a poet from Indiana was worthy of being mentioned on her map. However, I ended up selecting Elizabeth Woody. Whose name pops up over by Washington and Oregon. Elizabeth Woody’s poems take inspiration from her family, the natural world, and her people. She is enrolled in the Confederate Tribes of Warm Springs Oregon and is a Navajo/Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakamaan. While both Joy Harjo and Elizabeth Woody speak about their people and their culture. Joy Harjo explores feminism, politics; whereas, Elizabeth Woody speaks more towards sharing her culture and bringing awareness to their people’s history. Both poets speak on how their people have been impacted by recent and past events. However, it seems like Joy Harjo takes a more direct approach compared to Eliazbeth Woody. In the poem “The Girlfriends,” Elizabeth Woody references nature multiple times and hints back towards her culture. Personally, I feel like this has a different connection to Joy Harjo’s poem “An American Sunrise.” In “An American Sunrise,” Joy Harjo seems to compare her culture to that of the white settlers. It is subtle compared to Woody’s poem, but Joy Harjo does seem to talk elaborate upon her culture. The same happens in “The Girlfriends.” In Elizabeth Woody’s poem she talks about nature and how her culture respects nature and all it has to offer. Where Joy Harjo’s poem lashes out towards the white settlers' culture, Elizabeth Woody’s poem offers reasoning behind Joy Harjo’s emotions. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53419/girlfriends (a link to the poem "The Girlfriends") https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/elizabeth-woody (Poetry Foundation overview of Elizabeth Woody) Tue, 26 Jan 2021 20:51:57 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286842 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286842 While it is helpful to accept everyone's views. We also need to learn to be accepting of people's counterarguments. What good is it to let someone hear your opinion, if you are just going to yell at them for their's? Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:55:39 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286840 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286840 You’re right. We don’t always have to agree, but it is important to recognize others views. Mainly because everyone has lived a different life and may know more than you do on certain topics. However, sometimes when people find out they have been wrong their entire life they do get defense. As a society we need to learn to listen to others and also not make the argument worse by being offended by someone's counterargument Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:53:43 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286823 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286823 It will be a peaceful day in the world when people finally accept that everyone has different opinions. Just think how peaceful it out daily life will be without dealing with people who are appalled by our different opinions. Hopefully this day comes soon, and that students 18 years from now aren't shocked how relevant this paper is. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:51:25 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286820 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286820 This is something that everyone should listen to. Which still makes it remarkable that this piece was written in the early 2000s. Even now people seem to fail to give others their full attention. Many times people start to hear an opinion that differs from theirs and they shut down and stop listening to the conversation. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:49:53 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286818 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286818 Every time I remember when this article was written I am shocked with how much this advice is needed for the present. It feels like as we get older, we start forming bigger walls around our opinions. Which makes it hard to let anyone else give their opinion on the matter. Everyone is always on edge and aggressive in situations where they really don’t need to be. Social media sites are home to thousands of conversations of people disagreeing but not trying to listen to each other’s viewpoint. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:49:00 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286816 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286816 I to hate change. When we went into quarantine and my daily routine completely changed it freaked me out. It caused me to basically shut down. I have since gotten over that because we have gone back to school. But now I am dealing with the biggest change of our life. Like you said, I try to avoid conversations about anything related. Especially where scholarships are concerned, talking about them makes me panic just because all the due dates are coming up. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:47:55 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286814 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286814 You are absolutely right. Most people don’t even let a conversation start before an opinion on them has been formed. This basically stops a relationship from even beginning to form. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:47:22 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286812 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286812 I agree with everyone’s views and statements. I too have fallen victim to staying quiet when teachers ask questions. Many times it is because I am scared of what others think, and because I feel like I’ve disappointed the teachers when I answer wrong. What I hate even more than answering wrong is asking questions. I don’t know what it is, but when nobody else asks questions I feel stupid. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:46:40 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286810 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286810 This paper was written in January 2002. A whole year before I was born, and the sad part of this observation is that things haven't changed. In my opinion our divide has only grown with the events that took place in 2020. Back when Margaret Wheatley was writing this, she basically begged society to start listening to each other. She asked us to think about what others said and actually contemplate their opinion. I personally feel as if we have failed Margaret Wheatley some way. Sure we attempted to come together to fight COVID-19, but in the end we failed to fix the problem together. Think back to what Margaret Wheatley seemed to ask of us back in 2002. Now think about how we have ultimately failed to do this. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:45:50 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186788 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186788 Jon, your point is proven later on in the scene. While waiting for Barry to hit the golf ball, his father yells at him about how he just wanted Barry to do one thing that we could be proud of. For a few moments Bob thought there was something he could finally be proud of his son for. So his attitude has laid back and sort of happy. Obviously thing changed because Barry was so stressed out he couldn't hit the ball. Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:47:20 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186773 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186773 The same thing happens at the golfing range. Barry's father lashes out at Barry asking him if he could do one thing that would make him proud. Upon seeing that request won't be fulfilled, he launches himself at Barry and makes him hit the golf ball. Then storms away without a single word to Barry. However, he takes the time to tell Jack he'll be in the van waiting. Personally, I feel like this further proves Mr. Hankins' thought about Barry's father's respect for Jack. Fri, 06 Nov 2020 12:57:25 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186754 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186754 The whole movie has been building up suspense to this scene. Through the characters constantly refer to it and Barry's personality slowly changes. In the beginning Barry seems confident and sure of himself, but the minute he got the letter saying his father was coming into town a shift happened. He started getting anxious and worried and began twitching a lot more. Which is all understandable once the scene plays out. Personally, I had no hopes that this scene was going to end positively. When Barry's father did arrive, I was prepared for the worst. The first red flag I noticed happened right as Barry opened the front door. While Barry said hi to his father, his father just stood there staring Barry down. From that moment the mood was set for the visit and I was sad to see that I was correct on how the visit would play out. Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:47:20 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186674 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186674 I agree with you Makenzie. I feel like in this moment standing up to the clerk is more important than getting his money back. While technically speaking he didn't win, it was nice to see him celebrate his little victory. The music and his dance brought a smile to my face. As a result, I may have watched the scene one to many times just because it made me happy. Mon, 09 Nov 2020 19:30:34 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2175568 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2175568 Amidst the corona virus outbreak, many people have felt dejected and lost. Yet this poem gives readers a chance to recognize they are still here pushing through. They are “still dancing and singing” (line 13-14). “Resilience allows this space for people to feel proud about the subject in the poem. While also recognizing they too have managed to persevere. Fri, 30 Oct 2020 12:48:23 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2175567 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2175567 The poet, Alex Elle, takes the topic resilience and maintains this theme throughout the entire poem. Out of every line within the four stanza poem, this line “still growing” (line 7) sticks out to me. The poem seems to be based around cheering someone on and letting that someone know they survived their struggle. While as readers, we are never introduced to the struggle. This just allows for more creativity to blossom. “Still growing” (line 7) possesses multiple meanings, and the meaning can change with its location in the poem. Its current location gives this aura of being a miracle. Within the second stanza, the narrator expresses disbelief that the subject of the poem is still capable of growing and succeeding. Being “picked and plucked and prodded” (line 9-10) and “defeated and disassembled” (line 16), it should come as no surprise that the narrator would be in disbelief. However, what truly captures one's attention is that each stanza is being directed at the reader. With the use of “you”, Alex Elle allows readers to not only feel empowered reading about someone succeeding. But discover themselves being the subject of success. Fri, 30 Oct 2020 12:48:23 -0400