Kaniyah’s English Blog

  Judith Ortiz Cofer says, “The Island travels with you.” What part of your culture, family, or identity do you feel “travels” with you everywhere you go? Response For me, the part of my culture that "travels" with me is definitely the music and the specific way my family jokes around. No matter where I amwhether I’m at school or hanging out with new people—I still listen to the same songs my parents played when I was little, and I have that same sense of humor. It’s like a little piece of home that I carry in my pocket; it makes me feel like myself even when I’m in a place where I don’t know anyone yet. Summary Judith Ortiz Cofer is basically saying that you can’t really leave your roots behind. Even if you move to a new city or start a new chapter in your life, the things you grew up with your traditions, your family’s personality, and your background stay inside you and influence how you act and see the world. Reflection Thinking about this, it’s cool to realize ...

Reponse

Prompt: In “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, the mother provides her daughter with numerous expectations about how a girl should behave. Reflect on a specific gender expectation within your culture that has been challenging for you to navigate. Then describe one clear example of this expectation and explain why it has been difficult for you. Keep your response concise, vivid, and focused on your personal experience.  Response : In high school, there is a huge pressure for guys to act like they don’t care about school. If you study hard or get excited about a grade, people call you a “try-hard” or a “nerd.” It’s difficult because I actually want to do well, but I’m constantly worried that if I show how much effort I’m putting in, my friends will think I’m weird or uncool. Summary The “effortless” expectation makes students feel like they have to hide their hard work to avoid being judged by their peers. Reflection It’s frustrating that we’re taught to value success but punished for showing...

 This is the poem that I created my "I too" Response: This poem is about being fashioable as I am starting to learn more about it and how I am starting to express myself through my apearance Reflection: Presenting my poem to the class was good I  and I felt heard. 

  Write about a time when you did something out of the norm. What was it and how did others react?   Response I decided to go a whole week without my phone or social media, using a paper map and a notebook instead of Google Maps or texting. Summary I wanted to see if I could actually survive without being glued to my screen 24/7 and focus on what was happening right in front of me. Reflection My friends thought I was being super extra and were honestly kind of annoyed they couldn't reach me. It made me realize how addicted we all are to our phones, and even though it was weird at first, it was actually kind of nice to just disconnect for a bit.

 Describe a time when you felt completely lost. Response: A time I felt completely lost was when I lost my papa in 2023.  I was going into grade 6th around the time I got the news and was devastated. My papa was one of the people I love the most. Him passing made me feel sad and depressed at a young age. My grades started slipping, I started to not care anymore. I knew I couldn’t live like that and at me point raised my head up and got my life together for him and I plan on doing the best I can at anything I do for him .  Summary: The passing of my papa caused me to feel lost and sad . Relection: After a while I decided to do better for my papa and myself 

  Prompt: If someone tried to understand you using only your race, what important things would that person miss? Describe at least three other parts of your cultural identity that help make you who you are. If someone only looks at your race, they miss the whole person . They overlook your unique personality, your life experiences, and the specific choices that define your character. Three other parts of your identity that make you who you are include: Your Upbringing: The specific traditions, values, and family dynamics you grew up with. Your Personal Interests: The hobbies, passions, and skills that you have chosen to pursue. Your Beliefs: The moral, religious, or principles that guide how you see the world and treat others. Summary: Relying on race to define someone ignores their true complexity. A person is shaped by their unique life story, not just their physical appearance. Reflection: Identity is apart of our upbringing, personal passions, and core values. To truly unde...

    Prompt:  Think about the different people, cultures, experiences, communities, interests, and traditions that have shaped who you are.  What parts of your identity have had the greatest influence on the person you are today? Have you ever felt pressure to change, hide, or emphasize a part of yourself in order to fit in? Response:   As a teenage Black girl, my identity is deeply rooted in the resilience and rich cultural legacy of my ancestors, which shapes my worldview and fuels my drive for excellence. However, I often navigate the exhausting pressure to "code-switch" or conform to society standards whether through my speech, my hair, or the expectation to project constant,the strength to fit into spaces not designed for me. Ultimately, I am learning that my true power lies in rejecting these pressures and embracing my authentic self, transforming what society once labeled as "different" into the very strengths that define my unique voice. Summary- By ...

  Prompt:  Describe a meaningful family tradition unique to your culture and explain how it mirrors or contrasts with the cultural identity themes of expectations.    PR:  A powerful family tradition that my culture does is Watch Night Service on New Year's Eve.Where our families gather in churches or homes to give thanks and eat, dance to bring in the new years. This tradition mirrors the cultural theme of endurance and collective hope,while contrasting with expectations of despair by celebrating freedom and resilience. Not all cultures celebrate new years due to their religion or culture. S:News years eve is a well celebrated tradion in my culture. R: I sometimes wonder how new years eve is for other cultures .

 3 Goals for this year Get my drivers permit and license  Keep a grade of 80 and up  Figure out a career that you’ll like and a good college to go to