http://www.good.is/post/hug-a-hoodie-what-the-u-k-teaches-us-about-making-a-sweatshirt-a-symbol/

  I recently read this article. It had to to with the death of Trayvon Martin. Because of this sudden flair of Trayvon's death, people have used hoodies as a way to synbolize avengance, feeling, and sympathy towards the death of Trayvon. However, in the UK hoodies are seen as a "ghetto" characteristic. Especially since in the UK riots of 2011 most of the young people there were wearing hoodies.Because of that, the UK thinks that the death of Trayvon was because he was wearing a hoodie.
  Some people that commented on this article were infuriated with what Geraldo Rivera said. He also thought that Trayvon's clothing had to do with his death. People thought this was messed up and thought it targeted Trayvon's ethnicity and minority group. He specifically made his point more towards Black and Latinos. I am offended by this coming from a Latino family, because everyone has worn a hoodie at some points in their lives. Referring only to Latinos and Blacks in their clothing is parrtially racist as he does not include other minority groups in this (Asians, Whites).
  Overall, I believe that there could be some racism hidden through all of this. As i said before Rivera thought that the problems with hoodies were the ones who are wearing it and targeted Latinos and Blacks. People who commeneted on this article were enraged at how he said that. What i liked best though, was that his own son talked against his father and his beliefs on hwo clothing and ethnicity is a part that can lead to death.

Esteban Orellana                                                                                            804

            In the book, “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling the idea of heroics really stands out to me. The reason it stands out to me a lot is because there are so many heroes in this book. There are more than the main key characters that we know of. Most of them died. But they died bravely. The first topic I want to talk about is what makes a hero? The second idea I want to talk about is who the heroes in the series are. Finally, the third and final idea I want to talk about is, are heroes born, or are they made one? I feel these questions really relate to what I have read in this book.

            First, I would like to start off by saying my idea. My idea is: what makes a hero? I believe that there are many things that make a hero. In Harry Potter’s story, I believe that I can answer the question through him. I feel that he doesn’t it when people risk their lives. This was easily proved when The Order of the Phoenix told Harry of the idea of people drinking the Polyjuice potion to confuse the death eater’s. He didn’t want his friends and the people he loved to go out there and die for him. I think one thing that can make a hero is to care for the safety of others. I also think that the absence of pride is something that makes a hero. Harry Potter didn’t go around boasting about how he survived all these encounters with the most dangerous things. He kept to himself. And he knew that the one time he could use pride, was with Quidditch, because that was the only few times he felt happy and safe. Courage, Bravery, and Pure Nerve also makes a hero. It also makes a Gryffindor as said by the Sorting Hat. Love is another… as it saved Harry from death itself.

            Second, I would like to State one of my other ideas. This idea is: Who are the heroes in the series? To this question, I have many answers. I will start off with the main Heroes. Snape is one. Why? Because he betrayed the most feared man in the entire world, to protect the woman he loved. Love is a powerful thing that not all can feel, especially Death Eaters. But Snape was different. He had feeling, and love, something no others had. He even had the same patronus as her, Lily. A man who has suffered from evil, love, and much more things, deserves to be called a hero, why? Because a hero cares for others, something he did that was unique. Another is of course, Harry Potter. He cared for the people around him. He fought for the people around him, and ultimately led one of the hardest lives in the book. I believe he deserves to be called a hero. Another one is Dumbledore. This man has suffered a lot. From being a friend to one he never was expecting to kill. To eventually lose his family. He lost everything except his brother. I believe that a man who has gone through this suffering deserves to be called a hero. There are also many other people who are heroes as well. Lupin, who’s son will know him as a father who fought for his future, Same with Tonks. Fred, who was a comical character, who everyone loved, fought for a better world. Collin, who went back to help everyone, even if he was hated for being Muggle-born. These people all had courage. Something a hero has to have.

            Finally, my last idea is: Is someone innately a hero, or do they become one? I believe that everyone is a born hero. They can’t be made a hero. I believe that all heroes are destined to do good to a person or place. I think that no one can just put good inside someone and make them a hero they will never forget. I believe Ron was born a hero, destined to rise out of all those remarks about his older brothers, to help fight with Harry to make a better world. I believe Hermione was born a hero and destined to team up with Harry, even if she was Muggle-Born and was taunted and bullied because of it. All of these born heroes stand for something that they believe is right. And I think that those beliefs are made and born when that Person first comes to the world. These people fought for what they thought was right and that I believe shows true heroics.

            In conclusion, I believe that heroics are one of the main ideas that I achieved to think while reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I believe that the reader should learn from this. I believe that this book can teach people to fight for what is right. To say what they believe in, and to let no one stop them. I believe the world can learn from this. To not let people bully them. To stand up. To fight. To show them that you have courage, That you ARE a hero.

http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/163792/Woman_in_Gray_Femme_en_gris

  This picture was made by Picasso. This picture seems special to me because i think it represents something to no, not human beings, but to maybe people that don't know us. this picture makes us look alien. It can sort of relate to how animals may see us. exotic in a way i guess. i guess the colors can represent the harsh ways we treat them. All in all, i believe it has to do with how we look at eachother, whether alien or familiar

  I gotta say that Cassidy's blog really stands out to me. Mostly because he is always staying on topic which is one of my problems. This means i can use his blog as an example.  I also like the topics he discusses within his blog posts and that keeps me interested into reading his blogs. I honestly don't like blogs that are plain bland and boring and Cassidy's is the complete opposite of what i just mentioned. So um good job Cassidy! 

Cassidy's blog link: http://cgmreadinglife.blogspot.com/

Let the Games Begin!

  The Hunger games have begun. Ever since they began i have noticed a change in the character. she doesn't seem firece anymore. she seems fragile. Almost lonely, mostly because she knows how her mother will feel, she will feel panic and shock and she wonders how her poor little sister would handle that. Also the fact she has no hope of surviving, her mentor is an old drunk who gives almost nearly no help at all.
  In the beginning she shows how she is a leader (not said: BETWEEN THE LINES), and how she had to work hard to survive. She literally had to bring up a family herself. her mother was too sad, too carried away from her husband's death in order to support the family. On the last few days before a show to the death, she shows loneliness. Mostly because she wonders if her mother will react the same way her mother reacted when her husband died. What's worst is that the boy chosen for the games from her district has just embarassed her in front of the whole country.
  If she gets lonely it can affect how she does in the games. it can lead to a quick death. Or a slow death. It can lead to how she survives. But i believe she was born a leader and will keep living one. I believe her fierceness and boldness are the key things to her victory.

A mysterious plane!

I have just started reading the book: "left behind" in which people are boarded on a plane and are randomly leaving the plane... with no trace of them or anything. The weird part is that they leave leave all their belongings behind. Even the clothes they were currently wearing. I have just read what that has happened in the book so far. But I believe i can still infer about what's happening next
  So far, the pilot of the plane knows of the problem. he has sent a team to investigate. i believe that what is going to happen is thaat they are found. maybe dead. maybe alive. but in someway i believe they will find other people on the plane. a mystery i guess.
  So far, i also believe that there will be action. death. and maybe even romance. i eblieve most stories have some type of romance in it. i have rarely read books like this, but i believe that this book wilol be great!!

The Zombies have taken over!

 I have started reading "Hollowland" by: Amanda Hocking. I feel that the female protagonist is different than what I was expecting. She is fierce, bold, and brave... and nothing seems to stop her. Right now in the story, she just escaped from the zombie infested quarantine facility. She escapes with a friend she made and is looking for her brother in the closest quarantine she knows of. Along the way, she helps a lioness escape from zombies, and is greeted by a former rock star and a "Doc". Right now she is currently staying in a safe-house that is run by women. So far, she is kind of freaked out about the place, but she can't quite put her finger on it.

 The main character is a lot different than what i was expecting. She was fierce, brave, and bold. She is also determined. This is shown because she is desperate to find her brother and survive the mad, scary world. Luckily, she has the help of her... partners i will say for now. She doesn't exactly know them that much, so I guess we can just say that for now until i get more info on them. Overall, I think this will make a great read, as I have just barely begun it!