Speaker Mark: The Documentarian Experience

The day I learned about documentaries from this man was the day I truly learned about documenting something or someone's life. I thought that it was simple as asking questions and getting answers, but I fully realized that it is about capturing someone or something all the way down and letting their voices or work be heard. I learned about students from South Dallas getting an once in a lifetime chance on going to another country. It was truly remarkable that this man captured all of that with one camera! It was also very informative about the way our flood system works underground. Who would've known that was right under Uptown? I realize it isn't just b-roll or close ups on the face it is about catching the little stuff that you weren't really supposed to see. It is about being invisible for the moment. That is why I really now see I love documentaries. The are the closest thing to reality.

Four Years: Graduation

As the time for my graduation nears, I search for something similar to how I feel. Anxious, nervous, and nausea are all the feelings I am experiencing. I feel like a finally succeeded and I need to be sure that I make it to that day. The dropout rate may have decreased from about 25% in 2007 to 12% in 2011, but we still have that high amount and I personally understand how hard it is to actually make it to the end, especially without a strong support system.

The past four years have probably been the worst four years of my life and the most rewarding. "anything worth having ever comes easy." has been the life lesson I have followed and that is why I still try and make it. It has been a long journey and honestly I have not waited this long for something to be over ever in my life. I need it to finish, so I can be done with the storm. I am ready for the rainbow. Metaphorically of course.

Fourth Year

by: Nobody's girl

Four years have gone
And something's well done
It's not just the book
but the courage I took....
To have come this far
and winning the war
Of sleepless nights I battle
with my notes I patiently handle....
Through the rain and the sun
my school life's been fun
For the friends I made
half the weather is paid...
From the guards on the gate
and the bus drivers who wait
To the instructors who inspire
my grades got a little higher...
I'll come to acknowledge
for you all have given me advantage
To learn my lessons either ways
For both hard and easy pays...
I was neither disobedient
nor a student that obedient
But school life will be a miss
Along with people I used to tease...
Now I'll go and be on my own
Four long years I have grown
To be someone worthy of recognition
So now, it's time for my graduation.


Four Years
By: LaDarria Arnold

The years pass by slow
and many times
I have anticipated death
I wish those dangerous years
Have been a better time
But if they were
then what would I be proud of
The struggle to success
has been empowering
and I am glad
It has not been a breeze
because now I can honestly say
I am ready to take on the next journey
COLLEGE!

As the new chapter approaches, I feel the need to reflect on the years that I have overcome and conquered. It has been my goal since birth to make it this far and say"I did it". I'm almost there now.
This poem has been a reflection of my four years and why I am glad to have made it thus far. I plan on succeeding in college, but one never knows what the future holds. It is a quiet mystery I want to be apart of because once that peaks reaches I will be able to make another poem about the experiences to come. LaDarria Out.

Into the Abyss: Texas vs. Death Penalty

From the story of Jerry, a person convicted of a crime he did when he was young, is facing death penalty. Ten years later he is suffering the consequences of a juvenile mind. In the story Jerry and his friend attempted to steal a car, red Camero, from a local guy by manipulation, but due to the guys absence a new plan was conjured up. They decided to kill the mother and take the car. Modern day grand theft auto one may say. The crimes they committed were horrific and due justice, but the death penalty has never been something I've agreed with. My reasons are:

1. Two wrongs never makes a right.
2. The anticipation of death is worst than the actual killing of a human that didn't know.

Jerry and his friend killed multiple people, 3 to be exact, mainly because they knew they could get away with it. In small towns youth have little to do and that would make youth go mad. It is crazy, but the city is, in most opinions, safer than rural areas.  I noticed from looking at the boy's interview he seemed pretty calm and relaxed about his sentence that would take place thirteen days later, but I know he is as scared as anyone could be in that situation. Jerry's attitude demonstrates emotionlessness to what is to come which suggests that he is trying to come to terms with what is to come in less than two weeks. 

The death penalty has been used by Texas judicial system since the dawn of time, and we have yet to get rid of it like other states. Why? Because Texas is full of hubris leaders that make rash judgment calls that don't really help us become better, but continue to oppress us. This kid should not get the death penalty, but be reformed into a healthy individual. Jerry's look suggested a since of mental instability which should not be taking lightly. Again, Jerry is and will forever be wrong for the hurt he caused to families, but the death penalty will never be a solution to the crimes he committed, only teach people the "eye from an eye" concept that has been outdated for centuries. Therefore, the death penalty will always be immoral in my mind.

Tragedy+Time= HUMOR

A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

In the historical notes, the professors from the future of the society, which is no longer a dystopia, tend to make fun of or mock the past society. "The Underground Female Road since dubbed by some of our historical wags, The Underground Frail Road (laughter, groans)" suggests the feel of "humor is tragedy plus time". An understanding is revealed through this shorter quote because these professors freely joke about the past demonstrating apathy. Any moral human would not be able to joke about something that horrific unless it happened far back in time. Even through the voice of the professor speaking can a perceive a mocking tone or low hum of laughter in what is being said by the professors.

The abrupt switch in ideas reflect on the idea that they are mocking the past. When a person typically makes fun of something, a person typically switch topics in height of the joke to not feel like a "jerk"  which is being demonstrated and suggested by the professors in the historical notes by the third and forth paragraph. Also the quote "I hesitate to use the word document." gives a sense of  doubt or disbelief to what is being said by the professor. The continuation of mocking and doubt suggest that the words coming out of their mouth is similar o that of a "tall tale" or a "old myth" rather than "true tragedy which allows them o be insensitive and uncaring of their behavior.

Many people tend to forget and not fully comprehend the severity of the past. These handmaid's paved the way for the future generations, like the professors, to not have to endure suffering. People joke and laugh, but the insensitivity of the scholarly people is rather insulting since the maturity level and intelligence level of the professors should be higher than most. I, being a person from the outside looking in would think that they were not as smart as they really are/ or supposed to be. All in all the quote "humor is tragedy plus time" is an incorrect source of reasoning for people to be apathetic to past situations rather than accept and come to terms with it. People rather block something out than actually face it.

Also another reason why people make fun of history is to try to jade people's mind into thinking, that situation is not as serious and should not be taken as seriously. It is the way to keep people unaware of what happened to keep them oppressed. Maybe the professors want the society to come back. I am not sure, but not knowing your history or not fully understanding will always keep people ignorant and not in control of themselves fully. I know this argument seems weird, but when people do not know where they came from, they tend to not strive to be better and that is when oppression rises. That is why one should never joke with the past because it truly does affect one's future. Enough said.

(I do not think this is right, but I feel like this is the attitude of the professor's in the historical notes!)