Gaokao Essay

Christian Rodriguez      808

MS51

Test after test, so much studying! The gaokao in China is a test that basically determines your future in China. If you fail or don’t score high enough you will be put to factories like many other Chinese workers. Only the best of the best who score the highest seek the brightest future. With each Chinese student thinking about this it makes many Chinese students try there hardest studying or taking the test. All the stress that lays on this test makes students do crazy things in order to be able to keep studying. If you do bad on this test you will become apart of another statistic in China. This isn’t fair that so much stress is put on teenagers, and even if they score high it doesn’t always mean they will become extremely wealthy, this just means they will be at least middle class with a good job.

According to the article, “China’s Cram Schools” states the following, “Teenage suicide rates tend to rise as the gaokao nears.” Another unfair disadvantage these students are applied to is that people who live in rural areas are at a severe disadvantage such as Yuejin have poor schools and few well trained teachers so how are they supposed to rely on not trained teachers to give them a good future? According to a student in China he states, “ There’s nothing to do but study,” since most forms of entertainment and even dating is banned. Here in the United States there are several tests that makes Universities also look into test grades to see if you get in or not but its that severe because most Universities here are good and even the good Universities in China aren’t very good, not mentioning the pricy costs.

When schools don’t have trained teachers schools result to other things of punishment in order to push students such as Maotanchang high school, “ Maotancahng is different than a typical Chinese high school only in the extreme degree of its harsh rules and long hours, but its curriculum is essentially the same; Everything taught in 10th and 11th grade is focused on what the gaokao tests Chinese language, math, foreign language (usually English) and either social studies and literature or sciences. In 12th grade, students typically just review and memorize what they’ve already learned. Teachers dole out lessons and frequently punish students with military rigor; their job security and bonuses depend on raising their students’ test scores.” As you can see even other peoples’ pay depend on what the students place on the test which I believe is outrageous because what does security have to do with the students placement on the test? Aren’t security guards just supposed to protect students/the school from harm? Here in the United States all students go beyond their own road and decide how much they are dedicated to placing on tests. We don’t force anyone to do anything, you choose your own path.

Not taking into mind not only do the students suffer but the parents also suffer because they have to work long days such as Cao’s parents having to work 12 hour  days building high-rises in eastern China in order to pay for his High School expenses. Even when they do bad or tank on the test sometimes they don’t have enough for a repeat year so they are forced to go do manual labor at factories or construction sites. Here in the United States everyone has the option to work in places no matter what type of skills you lack or have. With China’s economy booming ever since China fell the fact that schools are being treated like this isn’t the helping the country at all.

Animal Farm

Christian Rodriguez                                                                                                                     3/27/15
MS51                                                                                                                                                 808

     Animal Farm by George Owell

         Animal Farm by George Owell is an allegorical and dystopian book written to depict the idea of the Russian Revolution. Throughout this story we find out that each individual animal leads a 

different role in the Russian Revolution such as the horses being the middle class workers, Squealers 

the pig being the media. Animals wouldn't only represent these people but they would also represent 

bigger and more known characters such as Snowball the pig represented Leo Trotsky who was oneof 

the original revolutionaries. Throughout the story of this book we find how fair or unfair this book seems from both perspectives humans and animals. One of the main characters Mr. Frederick represents Hitler the leader of Germany at the time who attacks Manor Farm several times to try to regain territory even though the animals still won.

      As the story carries on and we discover more and more animals such as an important line said by the sheep, "four legs good, 2 legs bad!" we would find that this would represent sort of an "army" or a large amount of people. The animals in this story believed that they shouldn't be mistreated and that they should run their own farm and not be forced around. What unfolds after this is the animals take over the farm and rebuild the farm such as building a mill and working together to get food, water and all their supplementary needs. As time goes on more and more issues begin to appear such as Mr. Frederick than one day decides to attack Manor Farm to try to re take it. This represents how Hitler wanted to capture everything and sort of expand out and grow bigger, the animals would represent Jews being mistreated having several examples present. A quote that showed this was the following, "Moreover, terrible stories were leaking out from Pinchfield about the cruelties that Frederick practiced upon his animals. He had flogged an old horse to death, he starved his cows, he had killed a dog by throwing it into the furnace, he amused himself in the evenings by making cocks fight with splinters of razor-blade tied to their spurs. The animals' blood boiled with rage when they heard of these things being done to their comrades, and sometimes they clamoured to be allowed to go out in a body and attack Pinchfield Farm, drive out the humans, and set the animals free." In Animal Farm, the overthrow of the human oppressor Mr. Jones by a democratic coalition of animals quickly gives way to the consolidation of power among the pigs. Much like the Soviet intelligence, the pigs establish themselves as the ruling class in the new society. In the beginning of the book we found that the dogs acted as military/police officers by protecting everyone and sort of making decisions. They voted against the rabbits and rats being known as "comrades" after the revolution they than stole pups from another dog. Jesse and Bluebell are the mothers of the pup and serve as Napoleons body guards. So as an assumption the animals serve as the Jews in Animal Farm trying to live a free life without issues while Mr. Frederick representing Hitler is denying their rights and is trying to manipulate them to giving him the farm. After the revolution drinking alcohol was banned because it was a sign of abused power but the pigs decided to keep drinking.

     In conclusion, as you've noticed Animal Farm has many analogies that can be analyzed very easily according to the time of the Russian Revolution. This book represents the struggles that Jews faced against Hitler and how they tried their best to survive and fight against them. Not only does it show that but it shows how power hungry others can be. This wasn't there only attempt to try to fix problems, they would constantly be trying to make acts or peace treaties to try to fix their issues which were shown in the book such as the giving of wood to Mr. Frederick. Even though they tried nothing ever worked but they were able to hold back Mr. Frederick and his troops.

Sonnet by Christian Rodriguez 808

Christian Rodriguez      808

Soccer

Hot weather makes practices exhaust me.

Stressful drills leave teams down and sorrowful.

During rest, we get shade under a tree,

Afterwards we all feel more powerful.

The coaches encouraged and reassured,

As games start, player's energy released.

Score becomes tied and needs to be increased,

Another point is scored and win secured.

The other team is sad and defeated.

We celebrate this great, wonderful sport.

If all goes right, it shall be repeated.

Feelings of joy and triumph fill the court.

This phenomenal sport is very fun.

Through hard work and dedication the game is won.

Fahrenheit 451

Christian Rodriguez                          808

MS51                                                                                                                                     2/16/15

Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury shows many issues going on at the time and represents political and familiar issues and possibly government oppression issues. Throughout this story we find out that the government is keeping secrets from the citizens, not knowing they are being brainwashed by their government which are people who are suppose to be keeping them safe really aren’t helping them at all. This story represents how things can be unfair or places can become unfair due to issues that are ongoing. Sometime in the 24th century there have been two atomic wars since 1990, right after things seem to have been going better more things have been uprising and more issues begin to happen more frequently. As time goes on we find this out by the author giving us more and more clues about this.

One obvious way we find out this book is unfair and not just is the government has people named, “fireman” which work burning books in peoples houses and will stop at no will to be able to burn their books. As we read this book we find out about a part where a woman stored all her books and forced the fireman to burn the books along with her, but in a way she chose to kill herself because she stayed in the fire and didn’t run away. "You're one of the few who put up with me. That's why I think it's so strange you're a fireman, it just doesn't seem right for you, somehow." This quote shows how some people who are fireman also don’t want to be doing what they’re doing and the author reveals this to us by then showing a rebellion Montag begins to lead. Another quote that shows and tells us this is the following; “He felt his body divide itself into a hotness and a coldness, a softness and a hardness, a trembling and a not trembling, the two halves grinding one upon the other.”

In addition to this, once Montag begins to lead a rebellion he sets a prime example as an “anti-hero” reason being is because he is also working for the government burning books but he has knowledge on what they are doing, but at this time we realize that an important lesson the author is trying to show is that sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do in order to be able to keep on going or take a step ahead. "Surely you remember the boy in your own school class who was exceptionally ‘bright,’ did most of the reciting and answering while the others sat like so many leaden idols, hating him. And wasn't it this bright boy you selected for beatings and tortures after hours? Of course it was. We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy, for there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against. So! A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it. Take the shot from the weapon. Breach man's mind. Who knows who might be the target of the well-read man? Me? I won't stomach them for a minute.” This quote represents the change people are finally taking in order to take a stand against the government and finally fight back. This shows how Montag has finally made an impression and people are following in his footsteps on the rebellion. Because a rebellion is occurring this sets an example that the story is unfair because the government is obviously doing something wrong or hiding something or else there would be no need for a rebellion.

The issue revolving around this story can convert to our issues or other countries issues such as Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, he sets a prime example for a federal government. Reason being no one really knows what hes doing or what he has been doing over this current time. There are many other countries that follow Russia, such as China and Venezuela. A prime quote that led Montag to his rebellion is "Let me alone," said Mildred. "I didn't do anything." "Let you alone! That's all very well, but how can I leave myself alone? We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?"

In the end, this story shows how things can be unfair and not willing to change unless a citizen 

or someone similar to a hero which can become a hero takes a step forward and finally says 

something. Montag has set a prime example to modern day issues maybe helping people overcome 

similar issues not just worldwide but personal issues. I myself have learned several things one being 

not to let things get out of control before everything goes spiralling downwards and we can’t do 

anything about it. In order to change something and make it fair we have to fight for it and show the 

government what we deserve whether being the government or just something that you need.

Dear Mrs. Berner Essay

Christian Rodriguez                                                                                                                        7/1/15

MS51                                                                                                                                                   808

                                                      

      Why Books Shouldn't Be Banned

    

 Dear Mrs. Berner,

Have you ever had an encounter with a school that has a limitation to what books they can read? I certainly haven't because I believe we should be able to have the freedom of reading anything we want without anyone being in our tracks. Reading is one of our greatest accomplishments we have discovered in the world, without it,who knows where we would be. In several states in the United States this isn't the case. Schools are now banning books because of the constant use of drugs, sex, violence, and anti-religion focuses. Many popular books have been banned for these reasons. Many parents get frustrated at these books and send complains to the American Library Association. There are many reasons I believe books shouldn't be banned, many other people believe this as well.

As you may have read people don’t agree with some authors writing because of their thoughts such as anti-religion focuses or things like drug users, things like these could teach teenagers and children all over the world and could influence them on what not to do and what to do. Not only that but it could teach them lessons that they need for future purposes or help them with current issues. In many parts of the world there are many writers, and all of their books have different creative plots which some people do not understand or agree with the way it is written because of its blasphemous content. People don’t understand that many of the things that are in these books represent current world issues that people can relate to but don’t take the time to understand because of ignorance. Many of these books relate to people who suffer from issues such as depression, or problems that are occurring within their family. I believe that the determination about which books should be restricted from children depends on their level of maturity. Someone who doesn’t understand these issues could misinterpret the book and think negatively about the books meaning. In the book “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton can teach you worthy life lessons, even though this book has blasphemous and inappropriate content, these are the things that many teens are doing in the country from another time period in the United States. This book could teach you that friendship can survive anything, it also tells us that we have to live our lives to the fullest because life isn’t as long as you may think it is.

            What people don’t realize is that censorship leads to conformity. This limits the range and variety of expression which our culture depends on. Without certain books which help us tremendously help us with creativity, research, and technological advances. Without books all of this would be limited and who knows where we would be right now. The publishers’ responsibility are to give the full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of expression coming from books. The world and our country would be limited without books or even certain books. People don’t realize that if books were banned even our history would be taken away because there were many historical issues that happened in the past, not only that but history shaped our world and is still shaping our world as we are a part of it. The First Amendment guarantees our freedom to decide what we choose to read and think. If people keep thinking that books are becoming inappropriate thoughts have been coming to peoples’ minds to add ratings to books showing if the book is inappropriate or not sort of like a coding. I gravitate to literature that depicts reality and many others do the same because it helps us and the confused, not only that but it also helps the suffering cope with issues they are having. Reading is an important freedom that I am grateful for and so are other people that will fight for it if it is taken away.

            However, some people argue that banning books is good because some books contain blasphemous dialogue, religious affiliations, sexual content, racial discrimination and even more things that shouldn’t be discussed about in public. The people of the United States argue that the reason why books get banned are because they want to protect others, which are frequently children. Parents state that their children aren’t ready to handle this content and that it could traumatize them or affect them emotionally or mentally. People also say that these books can teach them bad habits and even possibly lead them into the wrong direction leading into social issues. An example of why these books are wanted to being banned is because many books are profane and teach kids for the most part but also adults how to kill, do crimes or how to even build things that will do crime.

            In conclusion, as you’ve noticed banning books has a bigger impact on society in a bad way then not banning books because it helps our culture grow and grow together and makes us be able to express our knowledge in the world. The positives outweigh the negatives and shows us how books are a big part of our society. Drugs, sex, and violence are touchy topics that no one wants to talk about, however, authors manipulate and help people cope with these issues by reading about them. The world is changing, and books have helped us shape this world and expand in knowledge. As you see books are an important  part of our world and should not be banned.

            Sincerely,

                        Christian Rodriguez

            

Looking at the World Through a Lens of Justice and Fairness

Prompt 1:

I consider the Ferguson case unjust because the officer shot Mr. Brown and that if it was anyone else that had any other skin color such as whites, or hispanics this wouldn’t of had happened. Mr. Brown was only running from the cops having no reason to shoot at Mr. Brown. However, one thing that happened that is also unjust about this case is that the grand jury aloud the defendant to have a testimony on what had happened which is unusual in cases like these, in cases like these other information is searched for such as photographs, medical reports and more. I consider this an example of injustice and makes me think in my life personally that some cops aren’t properly handling situations well because of sentimental issues that are becoming present to them while sorting out an issue going on such as a store robbery or a typical thing for cops such as stopping someone to give them a ticket.

Prompt 2:

Some of the point of views my friends have that think some things schools do are unjust go from teachers giving too much homework, unfair detentions, you are pushed to your limit in PE, and having to get up early for school when you are already exhausted. Not only that but there are even some unjust issues at homes from parents giving too many chores for their children to do. Adding on to this not getting paid above minimal wage can also be unfair to your human rights.

Prompt 3: (Interviewed my father)

“I believe there are many good things about our world at this time but there are still many things that are unfair about our world, one being there is still slavery in many parts of the world which may seem absurd to us but not to them, this meaning it is not just showing that people are still being forced to work for someone else with no pay and hard labor and possibly even being hit to do even more work. Another problem that exists in our world and in our country that is unjust is poverty, poverty is a huge role in the way our country is developing and not a good one, everyone deserves to have shelter and food to eat every night. Some things that are just about this world is the way we are using technology which is becoming a daily part of our lives now since we depend on it so much. Not only that but many people around the world have jobs that pay but doesn’t mean they get paid well so this could go both ways to either being unjust or just to this cause because some people could be getting paid under the minimal wage at the time.”

I agree with the things my father says are positive going from technological advances to having jobs but I strongly agree with the fact my father stated that it is unjust that some people don’t have jobs and that some don’t get paid above or the minimal wage which shows jobs aren’t truely comitted to their employees, this being a fact showing that many protests have been formed because of this. I do in fact know the government is helping get people of the streets by moving people into buildings where people can have shelter and not only that but there are certain places only for homeless people which allows them to stay there for a night giving them food, not only that but some people are helping the homeless find jobs around cities causing me to disagree with the point my father has stated on poverty being a huge issue when the government already has many things in effect to reduce homelessness.

Prompt 4:

My brother named Edwin Rodriguez has a big impact on my life because he changes the way people live literally which means a lot to me making me look up to him a lot, he has gone to several countries to help feed the poor and built them shelters at times, they had built over 50 houses for homeless people and had given food to more than 1,000 people in Haiti. Not only that but my brother is also a Software Engineer which allows him to help many people daily with any issues they are having with technology, as it is after all a huge part of our life at the moment.

Prompt 5:

Again back to the Ferguson case which is something I saw on the news, if I were the person in that situation I would be quite scared because knowing something bad happened around the area where I constantly go through just demonstrates how things like these could happen anywhere if they happen around my neighborhood. This would tell me in this situation that I would need to take more precautions of when I’m going somewhere outside.

Prompt 6:

Zimbabwe

by Bob Marley

Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny,

And in this judgement there is no partiality.

So arm in arms, with arms, we'll fight this little struggle,

'Cause that's the only way we can overcome our little trouble.

Brother, you're right, you're right,

You're right, you're right, you're so right!

We gon' fight, we'll have to fight,

We gonna fight, fight for our rights!

Natty Dread it in-a;

Set it up in;

Mash it up-a in-a Zimbabwe;

Africans a-liberate, yeah.

No more internal power struggle;

We come together to overcome the little trouble.

Soon we'll find out who is the real revolutionary,

'Cause I don't want my people to be contrary.

And, brother, you're right, you're right,

You're right, you're right, you're so right!

We'll 'ave to fight, we gonna fight

We'll 'ave to fight, fighting for our rights!

Mash it up in-a;

Natty trash it in-a;

Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe;

I'n'I a-liberate Zimbabwe.

Brother, you're right, you're right,

You're right, you're right, you're so right!

We gon' fight, we'll 'ave to fight,

We gonna fight, fighting for our rights!

To divide and rule could only tear us apart;

In everyman chest, mm - there beats a heart.

So soon we'll find out who is the real revolutionaries;

And I don't want my people to be tricked by mercenaries.

Brother, you're right, you're right,

You're right, you're right, you're so right!

We'll 'ave to fight, we gonna fight,

We'll 'ave to fight, fighting for our rights!

Natty trash it in-a Zimbabwe;

Mash it up in-a Zimbabwe;

Set it up in-a Zimbabwe;

Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe;

Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe;

Natty dub it in-a Zimbabwe.

Set it up in-a Zimbabwe;

Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe;

Every man got a right to decide his own destiny.

Bob Marley a Jamaican reggae singer who died in 1981, wrote this song that says how there are many issues that were being faced at the time but that they had to be strong and fight through it together and find who truly was right in the end. This also says that they all need to be stick together and liberate all the people who are facing issues at the time and that everyone deserves dignity.

Prompt 7:

The movie “High School Musical” by Kenny Ortega portrays people my age according to Hollywood by telling them that normal teens usually have the top gear and look the nicest and have the most glamour out of everyone, they are generally white young teenage boys who have lots of money which portrays that anything they do in the movie is typically easy to get or to maneuver. This movie took place in Alburquerque, New Mexico, this movie portrays the way teens really are in a badly fashioned way because not all teens are this rich and, “snobby” because there are many teens in the real world who suffer through many more and severe issues that don’t have as much money and as much paradise as this movie portrays.

A Seperate Peace by John Knowles (Banned Book)

A Separate Peace - John Knowles

      A Separate Peace by John Knowles is about two young boys who study at Devon School in New Hampshire. These two young boys grow an unbelievable bond but stumble across problems along the school year as it is around the time of World War 2 around the year 1942. From Finny's astonishing athletic abilities coming to an end to Gene's envy rising even more problems occur during this time. Both Finny and Gene live life to the fullest until an accident who ruined Finny's athletic career, after that everything changes. A Separate Peace by John Knowles demonstrates how everyone needs comfort and the support of someone either from your family or just a friend to be able to go through tough moments.

      During the story both Gene and Finny realize how they need each others support to be able to go through all the tough moments they do go through. One of these examples is when Finny falls from the tree and becomes crippled, with Gene's support they are able to carry on with each others help one step at a time. Another example is when Gene is trying to study and Finny interrupts him to go have some fun and play a game they created, (blitzball) once Finny realized Gene was studying he wanted to do everything to help him finish studying to ace a test they were going to take the following day. Not only that but when they were drafting people into the army they realized they were entering adulthood and that they both needed support in case they got drafted as a form of symbolism that World War 2 represented in this book. A quote that shows this is the following, "Everyone has a moment in history which belongs particularly to him. It is the moment when his emotions achieve their most powerful sway over him, and afterward when you say to this person "the world today" or "life" or "reality" he will assume that you mean this moment, even if it is fifty years past. The world, through his unleashed emotions, imprinted itself upon him, and he carries the stamp of that passing moment forever.” The reason why this quote shows that everyone needs support of someone is because it tells us everyone has a special time in their life that they will impact everyone around them and that everyone needs help to get to that point, and when someone does need that support you will remember the time you had the support.

     In addition, during the story Gene becomes very jealous of Finny and tells Finny the truth that it was his fault he became crippled because he was the one who shook the limb of the tree causing him to fall. After this both of them become even further apart from what they were when Gene began to become jealous. After all this commotion, Finny falls again and breaks his leg once again and later on has a surgery on his leg dying while the operation occurred. Even though everyone needs someone to support them getting off on a wrong hand can cause serious problems as "A Separate Peace" shows us. Not only that but this book also shows peer-pressure because Finny calls everyone a wimp if they don't jump from the tree of where the accident occurred. This being the case Gene was basically forced to jumping off the tree. However, even though this may seem like a bad thing they became best friends after the first time they jumped and then became a continuous thing that they did. After the first incident that occurred all teachers try to help Gene cope with the situation that occurred and of what happened to Finny, Gene breaks down after this occurrence but has the support of the school teachers and help him get through it.

     In conclusion, everyone needs the support of someone to get through tough problems as one of the first ones in this book was Finny falling off the tree. Even though later on in the back they grew hatred towards each other after the death of Finny, Gene still felt remorse after him as they were after all friends. However, because of the first incident that happened on the tree Gene strived to become head of the class to cope with the jealous side of him he had towards Finny. Gene believed Finny was a show-off and that he had all the fame because of the astonishing athletics he had. In the end this book shows how everyone needs the support of a friend or a family member to help cope with any issues going on in your life or anyone else life.