Be Yourself

For someone to tell you:

“Be yourself”

Would be like someone saying:

“Do not use your mind! Block every thought,

Because each one will bring two more insecurities.”

Those insecurities scrape and peel

Layer after layer of your skin away

until there is nothing

Nothing left of the person you were

The insecurities manifest themselves

They are like a ravenous pack of wolves

They devour every innocent morsel of flesh

Racing through your being, they never tire out

You are no longer yourself

In just the course of one night

“Yourself” is someone who has been torn down

And rebuilt

To look and act more like

The people around you

For someone to tell you:

“Be yourself”

Is like asking someone to plug their ears,

Close their eyes, Ignore the world

and stop breathing

Because the toxic air pumped out

By the entertainment biz

Can choke every living breath

Any shred of dignity

Everything that made you unique

The poison so lethal it can suffocate

All the things that made you

Yourself

Hassan's Docility

This image represents Hassan servile personality. He always wants to be there for people, accept people's trash, and make the trash into something good again. Hassan is a recycling vessel. First, he is a recycling vessel because he is always there for people who need him. He does not move, and he never ceases to help those who need him. Secondly, as a recycling bin, he is always getting taken advantage of. He is always accepting others' trash, especially Amir's. Over the years, Amir betrays him multiple times, but Hassan continues to accept whatever Amir throws his way. Lastly, he is even able to turn the abusive treatment back into something that is useful. As a recycling bin, he continues to make the best of every situation. Amir betrays him in many ways, but Hassan still wants to repair his relationship with Amir and maintains a positive attitude. Ultimately, Hassan is a reliable, good willed recycling bin.
 

Thirsting for Success

Thirsting for Success

In the whole world, “783 million people do not have access to clean and safe water. 37% of those people live in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Facts). The issue is not a lack of water itself, but a lack of money to fund better quality water systems, they call it an “economic water scarcity” (What’s). The lack of access to potable water in Sub-Saharan, is both caused by their economic situation and putting a strain on it. Sub-Saharan Africa is at a deficiency of clean water, causing poor health and educational issues. These poor health and educational issues lead to Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy being stunted.

First, Sub-Saharan Africa’s lack of clean water causes drastic problems for their health. A healthy community is a strong basis for a region’s success. An article brought out that the communities in Sub-Saharan Africa are, “dirty and unhygienic, increasing the risk of disease spreading” (The Problems). This is because they do not have enough water to keep things clean. These major health risks are detrimental to the future success because the more people that are sick, the less time they will have to work their way out of poverty (Why). With good health the people in Sub-Saharan Africa can focus their attention on the success of their economy. For this reason they need to stay healthy, starting with more access to clean water.

Second, in Sub-Saharan Africa clean water also has a large effect on their education. Many agree that education is very important in a region’s ability to grow economically. Children are often unable to get a good education for reasons that relate to accessibility of safe water. Young girls and their mothers are often the ones responsible for traveling miles to bring the water, that is available, to their families. But even this hard work does not pay off because the water often makes the whole family sick (Why). When the children get sick from the water they miss school, and are not able to do as well. Also, being so far from any source of water is quite time consuming, it was estimated by the United Nations that, “Sub-Saharan Africa alone loses 40 billion hours per year collecting water; the same as an entire year's labor in all of France!” (Facts). All of that time wasted on the parts of the women and children could be used in more beneficial ways. If these children did not have to bear this burden then they could return the classroom and get a better education. Their education could give them the needed start for success.

In conclusion Sub-Saharan Africa is currently unable to be economically successful, and lack of access to clean water is an undeniable factor. It is very important that they do better economically so they have the money to spend on water sanitation and systems. Water sanitation will go a long way in the lives of those that live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately one statistic shows that, “115 people in Africa die every hour from diseases linked to poor sanitation, poor hygiene and contaminated water” (Africa).

Work Cited

"Water For Life Decade, Africa.” UN News Center. UNDESA, 16 May 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

"Facts and Statistics about Water and Its Effects." The Water Project. 12 August 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

"The Problems and Solutions to Safe Water in Africa." Triple Pundit. 23 May 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

"What's Really Causing Water Scarcity in Africa South of the Sahara?" IFPRI Blog, 30 August 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

"Why Water - Access to Clean, Safe Water in Africa." The Water Project. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

Hidden Treasure

Sijie uses the symbol of the suitcase to express Luo’s and the narrator’s desire, yet previous inability to educate themselves. They constantly try to persuade Four Eyes to share the contents of his secret suitcase, but he always refuses, until Luo and the narrator decide to steal it themselves. This interaction with the suitcase represents Coming of Age because they yearn to take control of their education and future, but their plans are hindered by the Cultural Revolution. The narrator indulges in the book written by Balzac and falls in love with the idea of literature and storytelling. The suitcase full of books represents hidden treasure that brings them longing and desire, before turning into joy and fulfillment like treasure but was formerly unattainable.

“‘Are you weeping tears of joy?’ I said.

‘No, all I feel is loathing.’

‘Me too, loathing for everyone who kept these books from us’’” (99).

“We were beside ourselves. My head reeled, as if I’d had too much to drink. I took the novels out of the suitcase one by one, opened them, studied the portraits of the authors, and passed them on to Luo. Brushing them with the tips of my fingers made me feel as if my pale hands were in touch with human lives” (99).

Walk on Your Own Path

Walk on Your Own Path

We all must take our own steps

To the right or to left

forward, or backwards

Each person must decide where their loyalties lie

When they yield and when they fight

You cannot control others

And they cannot control you

You cannot the control the universe

Can it control you?

We are our own road blocks

And we must recognize it

You must unblock the path you blocked for yourself

You cannot move another man’s road block

They must walk their own path

Changing Memories