Journalism in Verse- Poetry #3

Thinking through our eyes 

 

I awake with my mind in a whirlpool,

feeling overly anxious and confused,

my view of society is still cruel.

Tired of people’s opinions weighing me down,

picking myself up,

just wanting to go work downtown.

Not always as capable as some think,

I’m not always okay

given my weekly time with a shrink.

my disability clear as mud,

there is no on or off switch,

my emotions are like a flood.

I wish people understood,

I try my best

and all i want is to do good.

 

 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-disability-system-pamela-valentine-1.5367913

 

Blog Log #1

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/dollar24k-bronze-sculpture-stolen-from-outside-vancouver-gallery/ar-AAJTPUW?ocid=spartanntp

I found this article interesting because I’m a big fan of art. It also intrigued me because it is hard to imagine a person stealing a 160 kg piece of art, especially being in downtown Vancouver because it’s a very busy place and seems like it would be hard to go unnoticed when stealing something, especially when the item is not even inside of the store. Another interesting thought is that the art (as most) is original and unique, and assuming it was stolen to be sold for money, the man would easily be caught. Although in the article it is suggested the man may melt the bronze and sell it that way, it still is not very common for a person to own that. There are a lot of things people do that don’t make any logical sense, the man in this article included, but it is interesting to read about the stupidity that people are doing.

 

Introductory Project

Madelaine Schmidt

September 5 2019

1. How can I discuss something with someone I disagree with? Most people believe having a discussion with someone you disagree with is considered an argument. Although, it is not necessarily, because usually when two people disagree it is due to their different opinions, and you can either accept that you think differently, or try and look at things from the perspective they are presenting to you. People are often quick to defend their opinion, completely unwilling to even attempt at seeing things from a different point of view, which is usually how it becomes an argument. You have to try and understand what it is the other person is saying, and listen to it, not just hear it. The difficult part is when the other person is very close-minded, in which case there is no point in arguing or trying to get your point across. You can tell them your view and opinion, and it is their choice whether they choose to listen or not. In an attempt to not escalate the situation, leaving it at that is the best way to handle it.

2.  When do you write best? I do my best writing when I am alone in a quiet area, preferably in my own space at home. This is dependant on what it is that I am writing because sometimes I am able to work better in a more social environment when I am writing in a creative way (short stories, etc.). I usually like to save my class work for home because I find it makes it easier for me to do, which is the opposite of what most students would say. I like to write in sections, like I will work on writing for an hour or so then go and do something else for a few hours and start again after that. I can not just sit down and write for hours on end, because I run out of ideas or I just need to stretch from sitting for too long. After giving my brain a break for a bit, I like to re-read what I had written to see what else I need or want to add. This can sometimes cause me to be a bit slow with getting work done, but I would prefer to have it done well than just done on time.

3.  What do teacher sometimes misunderstand about you as a learner? I am a visual learner. It is easier for me to see examples, pictures, videos, or demonstrations. Sometimes, I also learn through trial and error or I just keep attempting at something until I can do it. This is usually for skills outside of school, but I do find it works for me. I also have trouble staying focused during long lessons, I prefer to have more work time in class and it makes me feel more productive at the end of the day, knowing that I got more work done. I will ask questions about assignments or projects if I have any, but not in front of the class.

4.  What’s the difference between fact and opinion? A fact is something that is known and can be taught. There is usually some type of experiment or test used to prove something as a fact. For example, the longest recorded (meaning that somebody actually recorded this) non-stopping swim that a polar bear has ever made was 426 miles throughout nine continuous days. This is a fact that had been proven through evidence. An opinion, however, is something you personally believe or decide. Opinions are neither wrong or right, they are just what you as a person think. For example, your friend does not like your shirt because it is blue. But you do like your shirt. This does not mean the shirt is bad or good it is just what each person believes. Opinions can sometimes be made through bias, like maybe your friend does not like your shirt because she does not like the colour blue. But, a person’s opinion can also change. Perhaps one day you think chocolate is the best thing in the world, and the next it is hardly mediocre. Facts do not change without proof or evidence. Every person is entitled to have their own opinion, but some are mistaken into thinking their opinion is the only ”right” one. A fact can be correct or incorrect, an opinion can not (despite some people’s stubbornness on saying otherwise).

5. What’s worth understanding deeply?  You are not the only person with opinions, feelings, and thoughts. Your life will not last forever. Things that you find boring to do right now, could benefit you in the future. Also, making decisions based solely off your emotions is never a good idea. Taking care of the people and things that you care about will benefit you greatly, as well as the planet which is slowly dying. Some people don’t seem to be too concerned about global warming and pollution etc., because they believe they wont be around during the time when it gets even worse. What they don’t realize is their children will be living in a world like that, and their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren, etc.

Introductory Project

Madelaine Schmidt

September 5 2019

Image result for bob ross meme

  1. If you could interview any one person in the world, who would it be and why? If i could interview anybody, it would have been Bob Ross. He was such a happy person, that he made it reflect onto others, and it is very calming to watch him paint. The way he shows and describes the way he does his art has made me grown more passionate about art (painting specifically) as well as his overall personality shows you a different, more positive way to interpret things not only with art but life as well. For example, in his painting videos he tells you not to worry about the small details, or making mistakes because mistakes are only “happy accidents”. My favourite part about his whole series is how he is not trying to show you how well he can paint, he is trying to show you how well you can paint.

 2. What are you passionate about? What do you ‘stand for’? How do you express your passion? Does your online activity support your passion, values, and interests? How so? There are a few things i am passionate about, the main things being: self expression, individuality and art. I find these things would go into the same category, being they are branches off of being who you are, and accepting yourself as that. I feel as though this has been a pretty big topic in the media recently; how brands and companies are trying to involve more diversity, but that does not necessarily make people feel more accepting of themselves. There are a lot of people with low self esteem, or people who are unwilling to accept who they know they truly are (Example, their sexuality, a career they may want that their parents do not agree with, etc.) mainly due to fear of judgement, ridicule, or the unnacceptance of others. For me, my onling activity does not show much of this. I do post what i want, and i am not concerned without the amount of ‘likes’ or followers i have, but i would not say necessarily that i am promoting self acceptance.

3. Do you believe you should have a say in how society works? Yes i do believe i (as well as other people my age) should have a say in how society works. Realistically, although kids and teenagers are not usually thought to be considered in most decisions like this, they should be. Because we will not be young forever and we are the future of our society. Every generation of people has grown up in different circumstances, which could contribute to the way society is evolved in the future as well. Things change quickly, technology is becoming more and more relevant, and things will continue to change as time goes on. As of right now we are not able to vote or have any say in things that we could end up needing to deal with during our adult lives, because the choices were made by the adults made before us.

4. What does knowledge mean to you?  Some people think having a lot of knowledge is the equivalent to being smart. This is not necessarily true, as knowledge typically comes with experience. You learn mew things every day whether you realize it or not, and it’s not just at school. Having constant interaction with different types of people can give you lots of knowledge over time. Your friends, for example, help you learn what qualities you like in other people whether it’s someone who can make you laugh or someone to help you stay focused on your goals. There are many positive things in your day to day life that help you learn. Even negative things that happen in your life end up being positive because you learn from them. For example, maybe you ended up taking the wrong bus to school and you were 20 minutes late, now you know not to take that bus to school. Or, maybe you have an interaction with a very difficult person (speaking from experience), this can actually teach you how to better your communication skills, or look at things from another person’s point of view to help you better understand the situation, and even find a solution or compromise.

5. What are your expectations for this course? I would like to learn better ways to write, like how to draw people into your writing or want to read it. Currently, i am not very strongly-skilled with media or computer programs, so i would like to get better with that as well.

 

 

 

Government Responsibilities

Why the Canadian Government should be blamed: Steven Harper, the man who apologized on behalf of the Canadian Government and Canadian people for the participates the encouragement of Residential schools in 1870. These schools have left a bad mark on Canada’s history and many people don’t agree with the use of them to assimilate young first native children. Though,  the Canadian Government had apologized to both the people and the communities that had been effected in any way by these residential schools many people still blame the Canadian Government for the mark that the schools have left on our country. Some people say to our government today is to be blamed for Canada’s past involvement in these residential schools. Usually, the Canadian Government is accused of permitting the killing and horrible assimilation of many first nations people and children. Due to being overall responsible for these cruel ideas and actions, as well as being aware of the residential schools and could have done something to stop them but didn’t, the Canadian Government should be to blame for the trauma of the first nations people and communities.

 

Why the Canadian Government should not be blamed: The government should not be blamed for the use of residential schools because they did not understand the culture that the First Nations people had, and were unaware the harm they were causing these communities and people. The government was not aware of the effect that these schools had on communities. Now that residential schools are no longer in use in the Canadian Government anymore, should not be blamed for past participation in these schools. Even though the past Canadian government allowed such schools the decision was not made by the Canadian leaders that we now know in that case the current government should not be to blamed.

 

My opinion: I believe that the government should be blamed for the participation in the use of residential schools in Canada. The government was the only reason why residential schools were used in the first place, and they could have easily stopped their part in residential schools and they could have understood how the first nations were feeling. Obviously the First Nations people were upset with the government when they had to allow their children to be taken from them and assimilated from their culture.