sports

Sports are a big part of my life.  My daily activities basically revolve around the concept of sports.  I’ve played basketball since I was in the 7^th grade so I take it very seriously.  During the spring of my 7^th grade year I started playing for a traveling team to improve my skills.  During 8^th grade I got really good so I was able to make a couple all-star teams and I was able to play on one of the best traveling teams in the state of Illinois.  I think that was what catapulted me to improve my skills even more to play for Whitney Young Magnet High School.  Once I came here, I realized that these people, by people I mean the coaches, take the game very seriously.  I loved the game before, but I knew then that I had to eat and sleep the game to insure that I play at a high level at all times.  Anything short of perfection at Whitney Young is considered a failure.  Sports have taught me a lot about life as well.  One major lesson I am still learning from the game of basketball is how to be punctual.  You always have to be on time, weather it for practice or for a game.  If you’re on time you’re late and if you’re early you’re on time.  Sports play a big role in our society as well.  We always feel somewhat of a connection towards our team and if they lose, we feel the pain as well.  So I think sports in my life, and other people’s lives, are very important because it creates a bond, companionship, and on a professional level, revenue.

Giving Thanks

For Thanksgiving, I think I would like to thank a group of people other than just one individual.  I’m really thankful to be a part of such a unique brotherhood such as the Whitney Young basketball program.  During the school year, you see these select few of people more than you see your immediate family so these young men become family to you.  I’ve acquired the majority of my closest friend through basketball in some kind of way and I am really thankful for that.  From me being a part of a community such as this, you learn to gain trust for other and learn how to work with people through adversity and these are essential tools you need in order to succeed in life.  It’s kind of funny because it seems like when someone from the outside is messing with one teammate, you’re messing with the whole team so everybody feels affected.  So besides of having one problem you have 15.  It’s kind of nice to know that a group of people have you back like that.  I’m thankful for this group of people for giving me the competitive drive to do better in life and strive for greatness in whatever I do either its on or off the court.  I felt the need to address such thanks for this group of people because sometimes this brotherhood is overlooked so I wanted to pay homage to my brothers.  Thank You.

Letter to Cormac

If I were to write an open letter to the author Cormac McCarthy, I would ask him what were his motive and or vision.  The overall plot took a more pessimistic outlook and I was wondering why he chose such directions.  Don’t get me wrong, The Road was a great novel, but at times it was difficult to detect the theme of the story.  One theme that I could come upon with the story was the concept of trust.  The son trusted his father that he would never leave his side no matter what.  That’s a hard promise to keep in an apocalyptic world, but it was a promise that the son expected his father to keep.  In beginning of the story, the son asked the father, “What would you do if I died?”  The father simply said, “If you died, I just would want to die too.”  The son took this statement by his father as a commitment from him (the father) that he would never leave his side, or die before him.  Another thing I would like to commend McCarthy on is how well is implemented the concept of protection in this novel.  Throughout the whole story, whenever the father found something, weather is was food, a hygiene utensil, or something for warmth, he always made sure that his son ate, or reaped from the benefits first before him.  I think that said a lot about the father’s character under such gruesome circumstances. 

defend the poet

I kind of can agree with what Charles Bukowski is talking about in his poem, "Dinosauria, We" simply because he talks about how we are born into what we are going to become later on in life.  It almost goes with the pre-destination theory that says God already set in line what we're going to do in life before we are even born.  Charles Bukowski doesn't go in depth with the pre-destination theory, but he explains how if your family is well known and wealthy, most likely when you are born you will become successful as well.  If you are born impoverished and your parents live in a bad neighborhood, the child will most likely be influenced by such negativity and do what the people in the neighborhood do.  In the poem, Bukowski says, "Born like this, Into this, Into these carefully mad wars, Into the sight of broken factory windows of emptiness, Into bars where people no longer speak to each other, Into fist fights that end as shooting and knifings."  This direct quote from Bukowski's work tells me that this world has gradually and gradually become more violent as the years went on, and this violence is like a gas that our countries youth has been inhaling.  So overall, I think Charles Bukowski is trying to tell the reader that we should try and change the world from what is has become and make an attempt to enshrine quality into all individuals, and not just life with what is given to you. 

classroom direction

I would say that the class is going into a good direction so I don't really believe that there should be some drastic change to our style of learning.  I do believe that at times we tend to get off topic on the task at hand but that doesn't really determine whether or not we understand the material.  I think since I've taken this class that I've grasped a better understanding on how people think and how i should think out problems and conflicts rationally.  I do believe that you can grasp a concept on a topic without taking an assessment and in this class we have proven this opinion because for the most part, everybody in the class knows what's going on at all times.  We do enough projects and type enough papers to understand what we're supposed to be learning about.  I'm also happy that we read the books before the movies simply because usually the book is drastically better than the movie (hence The Road).  One direction that comes to mind now that we might need to implement in the classroom is the understanding that every individual in the classroom is different and we tend to not give students a chance when they suggest or have an opposite opinion than what you have on a topic.  We should learn to be more open to other peoples beliefs....That is all :)

father son, mother daughter

I think that the relationship between a mother & daughter, and father & son are very different.  I believe that there are certain things a father can say to a son that a mother can’t say to a daughter.  I believe that a father son relationship is more of a “tough love” relationship because I think I father would want to make sure the son knows how to provide and defend for himself when he becomes older.  Even though a mother raises the daughter to be the best woman they can be, a mother has to be cautious as to what she says to a daughter because most of the time women are more sensitive to constructive criticism.  Even though a father son relationship is usually a tough love relationship, the father in the novel, “The Road,” doesn’t go about things in this manner because his son is really young and the son doesn’t really know what to believe or what is going on around him.  The son is very confused in the world because he was born when everything in the world was destroyed so he doesn’t really know what to believe.  At times he questions his father about the things he does or says.  So it’s probably safe to say that is depends on what kind of situation you’re in and what your morals are to determine how your relationship is with a father and a son, and a mother and a daughter.    

How do you know what you know?

I believe that I know what I know through my experiences and from the present.  I can be sure of what happened in the past because it happened to me and my mind has the capability to remember things.  I can be sure of the present because the present is happening right now; and I can be sure of things that are happening as we speak because I have all of my senses.  I think the only thing we can’t be sure of is what we hear.  I say this because somebody can say anything they want to say but that doesn’t mean it’s true.  You also don’t know what state that person is who told you any kind of information or facts.  You can believe half of what you see only because you’re using your sense of sight to make a judgment.  On the other hand, even if you see something that doesn’t mean that what you see is actually what it seems.  One thing you can be sure of is your existence.  I think that’s the only thing you actually are sure of.  I say this because you can be certain that when things are happening to you that they’re actually happening.  The only people in this world that might not have an assurance of what they know are the people that are mentally ill or the elderly.  The people who are mentally ill sometimes don’t have a grasp of that is going on around them and the elderly lose memory once they get a certain age.

Poodie'sBASEDGODmeaning

Someone’s meaning, or purpose in life is a very controversial topic.  I believe that a persons meaning for existence is to experience as much as one possibly can.  You never want to become older and regret that you didn’t do certain things, or travel to different places. I think that traveling the world is also important because you should be able to see how other people around the world life their lives so you can become more appreciative of the one you have.

 If one can achieve such goals, there wouldn’t be any regrets once you get older.  Another purpose or meaning of existence is to positively influence others.  I think this is important because influencing other people to do the right thing would make the world a better place; and most people, when they die, what to be remembered, so its important to leave an important legacy once you’re gone.

Some people might agree with the face that one meaning in life should be happy.  I can also agree with this concept simply because if you’re not happy with whatever you’re doing, you can’t life live to its fullest.

Another meaning I would say is vital in life is to reproduce.  I believe this is important because you should want to carry on your tradition, customs, and family blood line.  Your stories should life on forever through your children and their children.  

So I think the meaning, or purpose for ones existence consists of experiencing as much as you possibly can in life, traveling the word, influencing others, ensuring happiness within yourself, and reproduction.

God....in the HOOD?

There are some individuals that believe that there is no God in our society.  I, on the other hand, believe that there is a God in our society.  I’m a believer in that everything happens for a reason and that God pre-determines our destiny.  This theory of mine is kind of based off of Rene Descartes believe on how there has to be a driving force other than ourselves that is motivating to do what we do to function; implying the fact that there is a God.  Some people only believe there is a God when something good happens to them.  Or sometimes people on believe there is a God when their facing turbulence, or adversity in their life’s and they need to turn to a higher figure.  It only makes sense that there is a God in our society because something’s that happen to us we can’t explain; things that only God can explain.  Even when unfortunate events happen in our society, it’s all in the work of God.  Sometimes God wants to teach us a lesson, and the only way to teach us a lesson is through pain.  I’m not saying that there is just this one specific God in our society, because or world is very diverse and different people worship a higher power in different ways.  I do believe that there is some sort of “God” in everybody’s life’s that is guiding us in the correct path.

Candide's punishments, do they fit the crime?

If you remind yourself that “Candide” is a satirical novel, you can easily come up with the conclusion that Candide’s punishments never fit the crimes that he commits.   The most miniscule thing that Candide did would turn into the worst crime ever committed.  On the other hand, you also have to keep in mind that things that we think are severe nowadays were normal consequences for those of the 16^th century.  Voltaire was satirizing the way people we’re persecuted in these times because everybody knew the punishments were rather extreme.  For example, in chapter two when Candied decides to go for a walk in the morning, the Bulgarian army captures him and calls him a traitor.  The soldiers took him back to the Bulgarian territory, tied him up, and whipped him 6,000 times.  You know right from the back this is an example of satire in the novel because even the more barbaric individual will agree that this punishment was a little extreme.  Even though Candide’s punishments don’t fit the crime, I can understand why some of the cruel punishments what were actually put upon people were established.  Having strict rules like that in those days was the government’s way of insuring order within the society.  If citizens knew that they would be sentenced to death for something stupid, they would probably make sure they’re on their best behavior.  There are a lot of ways Voltaire satirizes different punishments in Candied, but I think we all come to the general conclusion that Candide's punishments did not fit the crimes he committed.    

who is a modern gadfly?

It is quite evident that a relatively “modern” Gadfly(s) would consist of two people, Mohandas Gandhi, and Kanye West.  If you didn’t know, Gandhi was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader in India during the Indian independence movement.  Gandhi was best known for his countless acts of civil-disobedience.  He first showed civil disobedience when he was a lawyer in South Africa (during the countries struggle for civil rights).  He started writing articles for Indian newspapers about black people that were somewhat racist.  He also organized a lot of protest by peasants, farmers, and people who worked in the big cities about the extreme land tax and the discrimination.  These protests went against the laws of the country so this made Gandhi look foolish.  Gandhi (like Socrates) always questioned the authority of the state.  Consequently, causing some people in the state to despise them and label them as trouble makers.  Even though Gandhi (as well as Socrates) did a lot for our society that benefited all people, there were some aspects of their legacy that at times questioned their initiative.

Some people might also say that Kanye West is a modern Gadfly.  It’s kind of ironic that he mentioned him being a gadfly in one of his songs.  The line goes “I’m a modern Socrates but my skin more chocolaty.”  Even if you disregarded that line in his sound, Kanye West, throughout his career, has displayed some Socrates-like aspects in his personality.  Kanye loves to question higher political figures, such as George Bush, on whether or not their policies and morals are sane.  At times its not even political figures, he questions EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind (no matter how crazy it might be).  Weather its talking to the media, on a state (Taylor Swift incident), to his lyrics; Kanye West loves to let the world know what he’s thinking.  Don’t get me wrong, he’s BY FAR one the best lyricist in the game, but at times he needs to learn how to hold his tongue.

the unexamined life is not worth living

One of the greatest Philosophers’, Socrates, had one main principle in his teachings.  This principle was, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”  In modern terms, this principle means that life has no value if you never question your existence in the world.  Some people have different views on this principle on whether or not this statement is necessarily correct.  I believe that in order for an individual to attain greater and more profound knowledge about him or herself, they have to be able to self-evaluate both themselves and the people and things around them. In Socrates’ teachings, he once stated that to be completely human, each man and woman must subject his or her life and convictions to the test of critical self-examination.   This makes perfect sense because you can never know what u need to work on to be a better person unless u self-examine yourself and constantly ask yourself questions.  People who don’t question themselves limit themselves from certain accomplishments.  An individual should never question their existence on earth because most negative questioning turns into unhappiness and the meaning of life is to be happy at all times.  For example, if you’re an athlete, you should always question your reasoning of playing the particular sport or questioning what you need to work on.  If you fail to do such acts, you won’t be happy playing the sport you play and you’ll never get better because u don’t leave room for improvement.  So I think Socrates was right about his main principle that the unexamined life is not worth living.

Eulogy

There are a lot of things that Tyrone Hughes should be remembered by now that he is deceased. There are also some things that some people didn’t know about Hughes. He was a hard working individual; he always did things to the most of his capabilities. He was also a musician. Hughes loved all aspects of music and it was a very important part of his life. Either he was listening to an iPod, watching something music related on TV, reading an article on music, or he was reading his sheet music. He was a percussionist so he played multiple instruments. Hughes was also quite the comedian; he always kept people laughing. He believed that everybody should be happy at all times so one of his goals in life was to ensure happiness in everyone’s hearts by amusement. One thing that a lot of people didn’t know about Hughes was that he was a prolific poet. He loved writing about poetry of any genre. He thought that poetry was his getaway and he can let any of his emotions out on the paper in pen. Hughes also believed that poetry was his way of relieving stress and it worked really well for him. Hughes was a big basketball person. Either he was playing it, watching it, or reading about it. Most of his best friends are the people he met through basketball. Tyrone Hughes left a good mark in our society’s history because of his warm heart, versatile hobbies, and his personality.