This Edition's Theme: PerspectiveThe Senior British Literature classes recently finished their study of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, with a special focus on the danger of a single story, a concept that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains in her famous TED Talk. In their analysis of the novel, students studied the main character's complex perspective on his experiences of imperialism in the Congo, and they discussed the limitations of offering only one viewpoint of a place, event, or group of people. To consider this topic more deeply and exercise perspective taking, seniors were asked to choose a topic that has more than one side, or a voice that is not always heard in the dominant narrative, and explore it in a creative way. Students had the creative space to determine whether they wanted this topic to be their own story, a societal story, a story of a place, an event, or an object in their own world, or in another. This is just a small selection of the lovely work that was submitted for this assignment. Enjoy! Table of Contents
A Partner Who Commits the Crimes People who care, help, and love A time filled with laughter To hold you above Always forgive you after To listen in bad times To support you always A partner for all crimes In all of your days Cheer you up when you’re down To always make you smile Best and favorite clown Awake whenever I dial “The power of friendship” Everyone always said But their mood can quickly flip Love turns into dread This faithful fondness Can turn to toxicity A heartbreaking bond Loss of simplicity Was it worth it I always ask myself A feeling in my stomach's pit To reflect on themself If anyone asks They'll blame it on me They wear so many masks Don't come running back to me - Anonymous
i i was born in a house made of zinc behind nothing but closed doors i was born to conquer the shores As i set for a life-changing voyage across the ocean with nothing but oars i set out with fear of never returning My head was twisting and turning My hope for a better tomorrow is slowly burning... i cried as my journey became more and more concerning -- From a young age living a life of poverty, i was taught to improvise And let the heavens above me control the night skies i was born to nothing but hope i asked, "would this ever end," as my past ancestors said, “no worries, it only looks more and more like a negative slope” -- You were born to the Statue of Liberty A beacon of hope You were born to land of the free and home of the brave -- As my ancestors came across the shores, You said, “Welcome! you fit right in as a slave.” -- i -Rafael Mejia
Click below to read Nikolas King's original screenplay titled, The Story of We
The single story of … Silence, all I hear is silence No, all I hear is the voice in my ear telling me to stay silent. “Don’t make a move,” “Don’t say a word,” “Don’t help because you could be next.” A bystander, I am As I stand and see something I’ve only seen on a screen: A cop. A boy. No, not just any boy, A black boy. A gun. A camera. A phone. A group of people, Who seem to be screaming A mother? No, not just any mother, A crying mother. A father, Who seems like he’s trying to hold himself together. A scene Where another black boy is gunned down By the same society that always tried to keep him down I never thought it would come upon me Where I see such a tragedy Of the reality, of the place That holds high their liberty But not for everybody. Just a minute ago Childish Gambino, was talking about staying woke Which translates for black people to not stay comfortable In a place where our ancestors were dragged by their collars And forced to stay smaller, when they could’ve been bigger than what they were perceived to be It’s crazy how I see this scene before me. It’s hard for me to breathe. It’s hard for me to stay silent. - Angelique Lazard
The Problem There is a problem with being born in the U.S but not being white, You’re smack in the middle, Hispanic ethnicity and all, but just not quite. Seen as ‘una gringa’ in the family, but that Hispanic girl in your class, Not knowing where you stand in either setting, they always contrast. Being first generation comes with high expectations, Something that many might not think requires much dedication. You’re told you can do anything you put your mind to, Yet something holds you back from being able to achieve your dreams through. Constantly being told you have everything you need in life, They don’t understand why you have trouble seeing it, it’s in plain sight. I am aware of the opportunities I have. I am not blind, But there are different struggles I do deal with, whether it is shown or on my mind. Belittling my problems makes me feel worse, not expressing myself like I desire, Feeling like I cannot vent without being judged, I am too tired. Two entirely different cultures being mixed together, And not knowing where I belong does not make it better. I know perfect English, but not perfect Spanish. I am seen as a whitewashed girl, But it is clear to see that I am not a part of the ‘American’ world. -Anonymous
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June 2023
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