Heavy Weight of Guilt

In this image, the leaf is being "weighed down by guilt [water]" which represents the guilt Amir feels for betraying Hassan years ago. Amir has lived with guilt for many years of his life after making a mistake that alters his friendship with Hassan. The leaf represents how guilt [water] will always be there and bring you down. The leaf is Amir, and Hassan is the water weighing him down. In a way guilt is weight on one's conscience, which leads to a longer lasting feeling because it's hard to get rid of the feeling. It is scientifically that when someone experiences emotional guilt, it can be felt through your body. So, guilt can physically weigh you down. Amir is longs to be freed of his guilt and take the weight of guilt off his back. 

Youth Unemployment

Caroline Schachter

Ms. Bennett

World Lit Honors 2nd Period

15 March 2016

Youth Unemployment

“For 30 years, 45 percent of most African countries' population has been below age 15. So, a constantly rising number entering the labor force ages is one of Africa's biggest challenges.” Currently in Africa, almost one in three people (about 297 million), are between the ages of 10 and 24. This means that more than half of the population is from the most current generation. The youth generation is increasingly becoming more skilled, and are also more likely than other age groups to move from rural to urban areas. This means that jobs in Africa are becoming more and more in demand. Youth unemployment is not only happening in Africa. In fact, it is a global issue that is causing thousands of people to live in poverty, but what is causing it?

Although the new generation is becoming better educated than older ones, this is not always a beneficial to the economy. “Estimates show that the proportion of 20-to-24-year-olds who complete secondary education will increase from 42 percent to 59 percent over the next 20 years” (reducing). Consequently, because of this increase in education in the workforce, the potential for economic growth and development in overwhelming, and many countries are not taking this opportunity for granted. The increasing amount of educated youth individuals entering the workforce is creating more potential for better, skill required jobs, that simply do not exist. This problem does not only affect the unemployment rate, but also, “causes young people to settle for less-than-ideal employment, such as jobs that are low-paying, temporary, or unsafe, or ones for which they are overqualified” (Growing).

Sub-Saharan Africa has the one of the fastest population growths projected within 40 years, and the highest youth population in the world. Because of this rapid population growth, there is a surplus of qualified, skilled, workers in Africa. “Estimates show that the proportion of 20-to-24-year-olds who complete secondary education will increase from 42 percent to 59 percent over the next 20 years” (Reducing). This means that the issue of not having enough jobs for the current youth generation will continue to be a problem because the population is still rapidly growing, and will only continue to get larger.

Africa is one of the largest continents in the world, and compared to many other countries, the unemployment rate is not unusually high, but because of it’s immense size, there are still millions of people unemployed. A majority of these people are part of the youth generation, one of the most important parts of our society. Unemployment isn’t the only issue, but also underemployment. It is time for Africa to step up to its rapidly growing population of skilled, trained, future workers.

Works Cited:

"Growing Their Own Jobs? Agriculture, Unemployment and the Threat of a 'Lost Generation' of Rural Africans [guest column]." Africa News Service 23 Nov. 2012. Global Issues In Context. Web. 4 Mar.

"Reducing Youth Unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa." Reducing Youth Unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.

水牛 (Buffalo)

"The creature halted, then heaved from side to side, trampling the muddy bed with vigor, as though intent upon crushing the submerged spectacles with it's hooves or the lurching ploughshare" (47).

"It was exceptionally long, and no doubt once belonged to the unfortunate buffalo responsible for breaking capital Four-Eyes's glasses" (105).

These two quotes relate to the symbol of the buffalo because of how Four-Eyes interacts with it. The buffalo symbolizes and illustrates an idea of coming to age, shown through its relationship with Four-Eyes. In the first quote, Four-Eyes is seen struggling intensely with the buffalo, with the buffalo trampling his glasses and whipping his tail into his face. The buffalo is dominant. However, in the second quote, time has passed and Four-Eyes is now returning home. The buffalo is slaughtered in celebration for his returning home, and almost like a trinket or trophy, Four-Eyes decides to keep the long tail of the very same buffalo that had trampled his glasses and caused him so much trouble so long ago. This shows the change in Four-Eyes and how he has now "come to age," and is now dominant over the buffalo. His more figurative "aging" has caused him to become more powerful over the buffalo. The buffalo acts as an obstacle for him, and his coming to age leads into his overcoming of the buffalo.

By Frank Zhou
Akhil Jakatdar
Caroline Schachter
Christy Torres

One or The Other

One may say that a glass is half full,

while the other would say it is half empty.

There can be nothing in the glass,

but its function rests in its emptiness.

This space can be filled with what ever we choose.

The first person can see greatness in the future,

while the second may only revel in the past.

These two people can fight over their thirst,

but the Taoist will drink the water.

Four Ways Your Mindset Changes Your World