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Cramped living conditions, lived in the dark with brothers and sisters. In the corner of my house, I was carrying my little sister who was crying for food to eat, she had not eat for a day. I used a dirty, moist piece of cloth to wipe her tears. I looked at my only piece of bread and gulped, I slowly handed it to my starving sister reluctantly. After so, I glanced at my family, the walls, beds everything that barely exist in our house and my tears soon flowed out like an opening tap. I made my mind clear and stood up to express my opinions, I decided to go out and test my luck........

What kind of story will it progress?

Sad, humor, adventurous? Comment on this blogpost, answer will be reveal soon......

Credits to: Google Images

Settings of Stories

1) The first story is set at a stairwell. The second story is set in Watson's room shared by some bachelors in the Baker Street. The third story ( also the last ) is set in the neighborhood of a town.

2) The time period of the first story is set in a rainy morning, in the modern days. The second story is set in the 1983 April, in the early morning, quarter past seven. The third story is set in the early 19th century, England.

3) The setting of the first story is going to be gloomy or sad and some emotional feelings going around as the story progresses. The second story's settings suggest its story is going to be filled with mysteries and suspicions. Besides, it also seems like a detective investigation story. The third story's settings gives a very warm loving feelings and comfort to the readers.

4) The settings of To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the Maycomb County, where the Finchs’ live. Maycomb is a town, twenty miles away from the Finch Landing, was the county seat of Maycomb County. The story describes Maycomb as an old, quiet town. Everyone is not in a hurry, and hours in Maycomb seem much longer than a day, which clearly shows that Maycomb’s life is somewhat live in peace and bored. There is also descriptions on the Finch’s neighbours, where it was customary for every hostess to invite her neighbours for a cup of tea or refreshments. Overall the story shows the living of Maycomb people in a boring, peaceful life. And everyone is close to each other.

Discrimination on Jews

1) Discrimination against the Jews is classified as religion discrimination.

2)Concentration camp are were camps that the Jewish, Gypsie were forced to go. The camps were intended to hold prisoners or opponents of the regime They were abused, tortured, force to work, ill treated or the worst, killed. The Nazis even killed them using poisonous gas and used them as an experiment of curing diseases. Eventually most of the prisoners were died of suffers of starvation, heavy loaded works and abusive treatments.

3) The term "genocide" exist after 1944. It is a term referring to the violent crimes committed against groups with the intent to destroy the existence of the group. Human rights as laid out in the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, concerning the rights of individuals. Holocaust however generally known as the systematic prosecution and slaughter of two thirds of the total European Jewish population, around 6 million Jews. It is quite a tragic historical mass destruction of the Jews, where millions of people were killed just because of the hate and racism. It is hard to believe that such inner-feelings could cost millions of death. And this also marked a deep remembrance of the cause of racism.

4)Mein Kampf is a book written by Nazi Politician Adolf Hitler. It is a book sort of an autobiography with some expose to Hitler's political ideology. Volume 1 of Mein Kampf was published in 1925 and Volume 2 in 1926. It is also known as "My struggles" in English.

LA 1st Story Draft

Art. It seems like a simple 3-letters word. But for me it represents my life. For me it's a word that express a lot of wonderment and where imagines and dreams came to live. It's a place where we could inter connect almost everything and bond them together to present on that platform. It is an energy boost and my source of life, where I seek happiness and express my inner feelings and imaginations. It is a stage for me to display my thoughts and ideas to everyone. 21^st of February 1997, is the time when the “egg” of art was hatched and brought to life. The “hatchling” eyes were sparkling with amazement of the world he was at, a journey of the “art life” then began.

At the age of four, I was still staying at home as always playing with my only boring and unattractive toys, just tried to consume my time as much. At that particular stage, I was lonely and I had no partner to share my happiness, wearies and all sorts of feelings. I was just on my own, filling secrets and thoughts in my heart, sealed from the outside world. I had brothers but they were not willing to play with me as they had proceeded to a youth stage or perhaps the “school boy” stage. Darkness was my only companion ,hiding me from the truth of life. I sat at a corner, glancing at the world outside me, wishing a light would shine at my paths, bringing me happiness and wonderment. Finally one day, my hopes had brought me to an end. That day, my parents introduced art into my life and that’s when my life was completely changed.

I was sent to an art class situated not a long distant from my house. My parents did this because they notice my lonely presence so they decided to let me go for a try in the art lesson. At the class, there were different age of students maximum reached to seventeen. I could consider as the youngest in the class. In fact, I was the only youngest in the class with my two brothers. Stepped in the class was as same as stepping into an art gallery displaying art works of different mediums used. I was amazed and started to find my interest in art.

On the first lesson, I was taught of some basics and asked to colour a picture of fruits with crayon. It was actually a test of skills to determine the students ability and strength or weakness in certain areas, as well as gives the teacher a brief idea on how he should guide us and that's how my teacher taught me exactly. Before starting to apply the colours , I first imagine of the fruits’ colours and textures, and so I started and finished the piece of drawing. As I was small, I really did not expect any complimentary from anyone. I was just did it with passion and importantly enjoy the experience of finishing an artwork. After the completion, my teacher take a look and said: “Not bad! Just manage carefully with your toning, they are a little off the track.”. At that age, I obviously did not understand my teacher’s comments. But now, I knew he was giving a starting motivation to me. It was like the sounds and cheers on the track field, motivating the athletes to perform better. I was happy and from that time onwards, I started to concentrate more on lessons to keep honing my skills.

Under my teacher’s teachings of five years which I was then nine years old, my skills had reached the level of a thirteen years old boy. I could colour a beautiful and magnificent picture and sketch perfectly. I could also even sketch a portrait seventy percent alike which considered a very good achievement for me. Despite so, for so many years my teachers did not even use a superlative to describe my works, at most “not bad” or “Ok”. Although saying so that teacher wanted me to keep improving but I felt that the willpower of keep going on improving and improving was fading and the burning passion in my heart was weakening down. I felt that I was lacking something and it was like anything I do was ignored by people and was not significant at all.

Annually, an inter competition was held for all students taught by my teacher, on that day everyone would gather together and present an artwork on live at a specific location. We were given limited time and topics are set according to age. Every year, I would participate and got first prize at the end. Of course my family was proud and celebrate my victory with joy and congratulated me during it. Me too was happy and proud of my achievements. Until one year, which was when I reached ten years old. That year’s competition was my greatest downfall, I got consolation prize. It hit me when the teacher announced my position, my mind went blank like my head was hit by a coconut. The reality of losing in a competition and the pain inflicted to me was unbearable as if my last bit of life was drained away. I cried. I cried in front of the audience, tears dripping out of my eyes. The crowd was in silence, hundreds pair of eyes locking on me, I grabbed my prize and rushed out of the location which was at the McDonalds. I found a dark corner and sat down weeping, I tried to control my emotions but it just burst out, uncontrollable. Tears and tears on the floor drenching my pants too. Five minutes later, my teacher found me, he approached me slowly looking me with sympathy and sat beside me. The first thing he asked, “Why were you upset?”. I cried even more. He examined me awhile and said, “Jun Neng, life is unstable at all times, sometimes it can be very good, sometimes it can be very bad. We must be prepared for all odds in our way. We must learn to accept things the way they are, this is the principle of life. I know that you are upset of your results, but have you think of what is the purpose of you creating an art piece, is it for me and your family? Or is it for you in the way that you loved art. Most of the people who learn art is for the sake of results and names they possess and this is what misleads the journey of an art learner every time. Performing an art piece is not just about results, but is the journey and experiences from it. Learning art can be fun if you just think of drawing things you like, but what about learning art while thinking of getting the first in all areas?”

That day, my teacher woke me up from my unconsciousness, I finally knew what was learning art about, and from that onwards I face art with a smile on my face. I did not matter the prettiness of it but just did it and enjoy it as much as I liked. With my views and aims changed, I also did not forget to continue improving as much. And so after, I of course took part in various competitions and won as well but I always bear in mind that position was not important. I also joined AEP in Hwa Chong secondary school and not forgetting to enjoy the journey of art. The conflict within me and my teacher’s advice changed my life completely and until now, I continue to perform well in art in school.

Art is my life.

Mok Jun Neng 26 2o2

CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

a. When did the civil rights movement begin?

The civil rights movement begin on December 1 , 1955 when Rosa Parks refused to cooperate with a segregation law.

b. What was the civil rights movement about?

The civil rights movement refers to the new aim that the united states outlawed to against racial discrimination on African American and recover the voting rights in the Southern States. The civil rights movement also enlarged to target racial dignity and freedoms from American whites, social equality and respects among races.

c.Significant incidents

The first event was The Little Rock Nine case where nine black students were allowed to study in a public high school in Little Rock and there were guards sent to Little Rock to protect them.

The second incident was a guy called Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968 and his death inspired the Civil Rights Movement. Robert Kennedy also a supporter of Civil Rights was also assassinated.The third event was a landmark law that outlawed the segregation in schools, workplace, facilities and transports provide for the publics.

d.Which American president supported the civil rights movement?

President John F. Kennedy

e. What was the outcome of this movement?

The civil rights movement outlawed the racial discriminations against blacks and racial segregation among blacks and whites.

f. In what way the Civil Rights movement related to the novel?

The author is emphasizing the racial equality among blacks and whites and show how pity they are. The novel shows that Civil Rights law should be implemented.

MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT AND SCOTTSBORO TRIAL

a. State the specifics of each trial and why they were significant

The Montgomery bus boycott is about a African women because she refused to give up her seat to a White. Besides there were also several incident happened such as that before. Because of this unfair treatment on blacks and and some other unpleasant factors about the discriminations against blacks, finally the US Civil Right Movement won the first time as the society is starting to look into these problems and try to outlaw racial dignity and freedoms on blacks. The Scottsboro trials caused Roy Wright to be sentenced to death and four out of nine to drop charges. All but two served prisons and the rest were killed. The trials were significant as it shows how the miscarriage of justice could bring the end of all white juries in the South.

b.How is the Scottsboro trial related to the trial in the novel?

Both trials are about the same as they were judged according to racial issues and skin colours. Although Tom Robinson was innocent by the fact that it was Mayell Ewell who pounced on him, he got accused and failed to get the supports from the public because of the prejudice on blacks at that time. Same as Scottsboro case , the blacks were misjudged by the miscarriage of justice on them.

c.In what way are these trials similar?

Both were carried according to skin colours and race.

TRIALS OF A TRUE SOUTHERN BELLE AND SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN

a. What were the rules of etiquette for Southern gentlemen and ladies?

Southern ladies must follow a few rules which are knowing how to cook, sowing dresses, sit in a lady-like posture and be gentle when doing things example: lifting a cup of tea, talking etc. Besides, they must expose to more girlish games and toys when they were small to promote the lady image in their mind( According to TKAM). Southern gentlemen whereas must be kind, honest and respect the female genders and present in a mannerly well suits.

b.What did the southern ladies do to pass their time.

They sew clothes and do needle work.

c.Picture of gentlemen and ladies

d.Identify characters in the novel that fit the mould of true southern belles and gentlemen and those who don't? Explain why they fit the mould and why they don't?

Calpurnia is a true southern belles as she knew to cook and act as a lady all time. Atticus, Scout's father is also a true gentleman as he respect all ladies and everyone around him. Bob ewell do not fit the mould of a southern gentleman as he raped a woman and accused Atticus when Atticus confronted him.

HARPER LEE

a.About the author

Nelle Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926. She is an American author that wrote the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which the content is about racism in southern states and a girl living with the racial issues in Maycomb, Alabama. After her book was published, it won the 1960 Pulitzer Prize and also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom of the United States for her novel that made a significant contribution to literature in 2007.

b. Biodata of Harper Lee

Harper Lee grew up in the small Alabama town of Monroeville. Her father was a former newspaper editor and was a lawyer. Harper Lee was a tomboy and also a keen reader as he always read with her father at night when her father came back from work. She also appreciate the friendship of her schoolmates and neighbor. Harper Lee studied at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama and then went to University of Alabama, spending one year at Oxford University, England. At first of her career, she worked as a reservation clerk for Eastern Airlines in New York City. Later she devoted herself to writing novels. So Lee published her first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, it was popular and selling more than fifteen million copies. President Johnson made Lee to the National Council of Arts in June 1966, since then she continues to live in New York and Monroeville prefers a private life and barely had interviews and giving speeches.

c.Novels written by Harper Lee

"To Kill a Mockingbird", "Love in other Words", "Christmas to me", "When Children Discovers America", "Romance", "High Adventure".

d. Awards Received

She won the Pulitzer Prize (1961),

Brotherhood award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews ( 1961 )

Alabama Library Association Award ( 1961)

Bestsellers Paperback of the Year Award ( 1962)

Member, National Council on the Arts ( 1966)

Best Novel of the Century,Library Journal ( 1999 )

Alabama Humanities Award ( 2002)

ATTY Award, Spector Gadon and Rosen Foundation (2005)

Los Angeles Public Library Literary Award ( 2005)

Honorary degree, University of Notre Dame ( 2006)

American Academy of Arts and Letters ( 2007)

e. Why was TKAM a significant novel to her.

Because it was instantly successful winning the Pulitzer Prize and became a classic of modern American Literature .

Slavery, Civil War and Jim Crow's law

SLAVERY

a. When and how did slavery begin in the southern state?
Slavery in the southern state begins in the 1600. Slaves starting to evolve in the South where there were large plantations grew cotton and other crops. These plantations needed many workers and manpower to take care of the crops and farm thus they hired a of those in the southern states which are the blacks to work for them and they gradually named as slaves.

b.Which country were the slaves brought from?
The slaves were brought from countries like Africa and South America.

c.Who traditionally bought and owned the slaves?
The whites traditionally buy and own the slaves as they were born physically strong and they were very hardworking and low pay manpower. They were also not given educations so they will be loyal and not encouraged to run away.

d.Were there laws/rules that the slaves had to abide by? If yes what were they?
They could not gather in groups of four or more because they will be suspect to plan an escape from the employers.If they caught trying to run away, they will be beaten and cut off their body parts so that they could not run away.They were also controlled by their owner and could not own any forms of weapon as the owner scared they might shoot their owners. Lastly, they were not allowed to read or write as the whites feared that they might had the ability to think about freedom and planned to escape.

e. I understand now the feelings of being a slave. It is cruel and inhuman-like to treat other people as a slaves or animal because they too are humans and deserve the privilege to be equally treated like other normal humans. After doing research on slavery, I now learnt to respect others and hope that in the future I will not discriminate others based on their physical appearance or their historical past.The study of slavery also helps me to understand the novel better as it shows the discrimination based on slavery and blacks.

CIVIL WAR

a. Identify the southern states.
American south, Dixie, Down south, or just simply south countries.

b. Who was the president who proclaimed war against the South?
Abraham Lincoln was the president who proclaimed war against the South.

c. Why was the civil war fought?
Some thought that the civil war was fought over slaveries and that the Union forces were fighting to free the Slaves while the South fought to keep the slave continue working for them. But some they thought the civil war was fought over secession, if the south had not declared independence ,Abraham Lincoln might not have launched an invasion.

d. When was the civil war fought?
1861-1865

e. What was the outcome of this war?

The civil war had several outcomes, one of it was that slavery became illegal in the United States and the South or Confederacy failed to be an independent republic after the North Union won the civil war. Also after the war, it united them and resulted in accelerating advanced technology and creation and their strength was overpowering. And there was quotes about the United states now which are "The United States ARE" to "The United States IS".

f. The Civil Rights movement shows the discrimination on blacks and it may resulted in bloodbaths or some unfair issues like making the blacks to be slaves. Example in the civil war, it was fought because of the racial equality among the blacks and whites introduced by the Union, the South could not tolerate the fact and so fought the Union. In TKAM , Tom Robinson who was a black was accused by Mayell Ewell, a white of raping her. The case was settled by some juries, but the jury had already the answer in mind and mark Tom Robinson as a rapist as he was a black. They did not investigate properly the fact that Mayell Ewell was the one who wanted to had an affair with Tom Robinson. Because of the prejudice on blacks , the juries was convinced that Tom Robinson was the rapist. It was sad on how blacks were treated in the past, they did not have the chance to speak up right just because of the prejudice on them. Because of that also, it resulted a lot of issues in the public against the prejudice and thus resulted a war or something like Scout's father Atticus accused by the public just because he decided to help a black.

JIM CROW's LAW

a. What/Who is Jim Crow

Jim Crow is a song by Thomas Darthmouth "Daddy" Rice. Rice is a white man who was the first performers who wears black-face makeup. Rice discriminates black through musics and his performance. He was stereotypical and has alot of racial slurs.

b.What were Jim Crow's Laws?

Jim Crow's Law were the segregation of public schools, transportation, restaurants and other kinds of places where crowds gathered. They were forced to attend different facilities or section of places, like different school, different toilets, different seats in transportations to separate whites from blacks.

c.What was the response of the slaves and the blacks to these laws?

The segregation led to a lot of fights and discussions or debates on civil rights, especially some of the Jim Crow's law that segregated schools and daily transportation. Some of the slaves or blacks refuse to obey the law of segregation in buses. These problems gradually build up the tensions and anger in society and in some times, the Jim Crow's law finally became a major questions and problems to settle.

d.Do we see the Jin Crow's laws surface in the novel? If so then in which part of the novel?

Yes, when the blacks and whites go to different churches and they lived separately from the whites.

DO NOT PRANK!!

By Mokkymok | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

The plot is about a guy wanted to scared the pants off of his friend by setting a prank letting him to see something. And the ending shows how serious the prank can lead to.

I choose the background as a study room because theres the possibility of having a computer. The place helps me to set up the plot which is the prank through scaring people using computer. Also, the study room also provide a reasonable reason for the case to happen while the two friends were discussing homeworks or projects.

The character i chose is nothing special just two kids hanging around. The first comic picture consists of the "being pranked" boy concentrating on the screen while the "prank guy" asking him to look at the screen. This gives an imagery that something may happen when the guy look at the screen. The second picture shows the conflict of the theme which is where the prank happened where a ghost picture displays on the screen. The third picture shows the cause of prank which is the guy was scared to death. And the "prank guy" was crying in sorrows for the cause he made. The death emphasize the seriousness of pranks and the crying and sorry part also gives a brief description on how you going to feel when you did something wrong.

So my last advice is DO NOT PRANK!!!!!