The Hate U Give - A life scarred by inequality

Welcome to my blog! In this unit on banned books, we dove into literature that’s been restricted, exploring why some works were labeled as too “immoral” or “offensive” for readers. For this project, we each selected a banned book to research. Having the freedom to choose gave me a real sense of responsibility—though, as an indecisive person, picking just one book wasn’t easy! I debated between The Color Purple by Alice Walker, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and Native Son by Richard Wright. In the end, I settled on The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas because of its powerful take on issues that resonate deeply with today’s world.

The Hate U Give challenged me to confront and reflect on my own experiences and biases. As someone passionate about public service, I was especially drawn to how the book voiced real-world injustices, giving readers a chance to understand struggles often overlooked or dismissed. The story felt urgent, relevant, and incredibly important, especially for those of us who feel a responsibility to change the systems around us.

Thomas, Angie. The Hate U Give. 2018

In conclusion, I gained valuable insights into why books are banned and why some works continue to face censorship. I believe banning The Hate U Give is a mistake; its message is crucial for young readers and adults alike. As my teacher pointed out, the story’s setting could be any city—Chicago, Los Angeles, New York—all places that mirror our everyday lives. Until the issues it highlights are truly addressed, this book needs to remain accessible. Writing this research paper gave me a chance to deepen my understanding of these topics, and I hope you find this post meaningful as well.

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Heroe's Journey: From Kamala Harris to T'Challa

In the final unit of my Humanities class, "Stories," we delved into the Hero's Journey, exploring how both real and fictional heroes undergo transformative journeys that shape them and leave lasting impacts. Our focus was on understanding how different art forms narrate these journeys and the unique ways in which we each walk our own Hero’s Journey. We watched The Goonies , visited the American Writers Museum, and explored the colorful "Ofrendas" at the National Museum of Mexican Art, each of these experiences giving us fresh perspectives on storytelling. The exhibit "Our Stories, Our Voices" at the Field Museum stood out to me personally, providing a powerful look at personal histories and identities. For my Action Project, I chose to map out the journeys of two heroes who have profoundly inspired me: Vice President Kamala Harris and T’Challa, the Black Panther. Below, you’ll see a collage showcasing the paths of these two icons who represent courage

Walters impulsions

In this drama unit, we focused on defining the concept of a "matriarch" and explored its role in perpetuating inequality. We read A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, which tells the story of a Black family struggling to improve their lives in 1950s Chicago after receiving a $10,000 insurance check. Alongside our reading, we visited the Goodman Theater, where Kelsey introduced us to various archetypes of Black women in theater. While reading the play, I found myself resonating with Ruth, especially as her husband Walter faced significant challenges. Walter’s grave mistake stemmed from the immense pressure he felt to provide for his family, as he assumed the role of the head of the household. Living with strong, independent women who often belittled him contributed to his struggles. My engagement with Walter's character allowed me to glean valuable insights about his humanity and motivations. The turning point for Walter came when he grappled with the weight of his

Redefining Queenship: Gender, Power, and Ambition in Shakespeare's Macbeth

Welcome to my blog, In our first Drama unit, we tackled the question, "How do we respond to gender norms and stereotypes?" To explore this, we dove into the works of William Shakespeare, examining how theater can inspire social change. We focused on Macbeth , using the play as a lens to question traditional gender roles and the evolving concept of what it means to be a queen. This was the perfect foundation for the unit, letting us dig deeper into our own ideas of strength and duty. To me, a queen is someone who puts her role before herself, making difficult choices—even ones that might be considered morally complex. While we didn’t have many field trips, we had inspiring guest speakers. Regina Taylor, known for her role as Michelle Obama's mother in The First Lady and her work in Lovecraft Country , shared her insights on how storytelling can bridge divides of race, gender, and class. She likened the influence of media to the civil rights movement, reminding us th

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