Two Voice Poem Odysseus & Poseidon

What is it that Shapes Your Identity?

Jesus Colon is a Puerto Rican, negro who was put in a painful dilemma of assisting a white woman who had to deal with a suitcase,a baby and two small children or to stay quiet and not pursue his courtesy.


Back then racism was a big thing. A journalist named Jesus Colon had to encounter an experience linked to racism. On his way back home,using the subway Colon saw a lady who needed help,as she was struggling with a suitcase,a baby and two small children.

Colon is Puerto Rican and it is his courtesy to succor others when nescessary. However, he knew nothing about this lady,besides the fact that she is white. Therefore, Colon was intimidated of the outcome if he helps the lady. He wasn't sure whether the lady would accept the offer or think of him as a thug.

Colon did not want to cause a problem so he looked away and sealed his lips. This act of Jesus Colon is completely different compared to Aung San Suu Kyi's act as she took a huge risk and did not look away.

I believe this very experience tells us a lot about Jesus Colon. However, this experience was a turning point in his life,as he promised to not put his head down if he ever is situated in a position like this again.
 I have also encountered a situation of quandary,as I wasn't sure to stand up to injustice or to just stay quiet and safe.

So,your past and your previous experiences do impact and shape your identity,as it tells us what you did in a certain experience and what you may do in the future.

4 Letter Story

John Marsden: John Marsden is a famous writer who wrote great books such as

Tomorrow when the War Began and The Dead of the night.

He requested us to test our capability of word choice and condensing text.

Therefore, I made a story consisting of words composed of only 4 letters.

Four Letter Story:

The moon light was so small along with the dark, cold sky. I came to a road full of busy cars.

I had to stop in pain when I saw a dead dog, my dog full of ants and bugs.

A tear fell from my eyes. The moon light came out and the dark sky fell.

My dog’s eyes were open. The cold shrill on my back went

and joy came.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF INDECISION

I was just another ordinary kid in my old school. However, one day on my way back home I stopped at a general store to purchase a drink. When I was in line I saw two devious and notorius people from my class named Usman and Shayan hiding behind a shelf.

I wasn't quite sure what they were up to but I knew it was no good. It was then when they stuffed random candies and a tennis ball into a small bag. I opened my mouth ready to inform the salesman. However, I hesitated I knew those two were very clever and what they were capable of.

Many other people encountered them before in situations like this. However, they always had a backup plan a rational excuse, a persuading lie, anything that would get them out of trouble.

I then decided to look away and go with the flow and to not look like a halfwit in front of everybody. However, they looked back laughing at me. I felt the fury pump in my veins. I regretted not taking action and letting them aquire more power,more sense of superiority.

This experience of mine links to Jesus Colon's experience,as we both looked away from justice. We knew what was the right thing to do. We were aware of the possible consequences. Therefore, we remained silent.

"It is not power that corrupts but fear" , says Aung San Suu Kyi. Now I realize that those two are intimidated of losing power and therefore they do this. I looked away and did not perform an act of justice. However, due to this experience I promised myself that I would never repeat the same mistake again if I encounter a situation like this. These kind of experiences are turning points in your life. You know what you did in the past,yet due to a certain mistake you know that you won't do it again, you won't look away from justice.

OUR IGNORANT DECISIONS

                                                        

The poem,"No Man is an Island" by John Donne implements that every man has significance and is needed. The quote"Every man's death diminishes me" states that every man is needed, and that we depend on everybody.

An island is a body of land which is seperated from other big lands. Similarly, many people are isolated and ignored such as refugees or beggers. " The quote "every man is a part of the continent, a part of the main"  states that Donne wishes for mankind to live together and to be united,to be linked to one chain.

The video "Mankind is no Island" made by Jason Van Genderen informs us of our ignorant    decisions.We see people who are different from us
like a foreigner or a begger. However, we pass them as though they are not part
of our world.  "But is that true?" "Are they not part of our world?"
They feel like they are situated in an inevitable and interminable cycle of despair and isolation.
"So why can't we just perform a small act of kindness, such as a smile
or to drop a coin in a begger's empty cup, to make them feel that we do notice them
and that they are part of our world?"
 

The poem,"No Man is an Island" and the video "Mankind is no Island"  links to the story "THE ISLAND" , by Armin Greder as the locals of an island assaulted the foreigner and captivated him without realizing that the foreigner has significance and is in a way part of them, an element which makes them whole. "THE ISLAND" also links to our cruel acts today, as we don't realize that others who are isolated, are a part of us and we need them. Donne and Genderen suggest that mankind is all the same no matter where you are from, no man is an alien or an outsider, no man is not needed.


I agree with both Donne and Genderen,as nowadays we don't realize how isolated and lonely others might feel. We must realize the suffering of others and succor them to feel more like us and to not dwell in lonliness and isolation. I too have made an ignorant decision, as I have seen others who were alone,sad and isolated. However, I looked away and didn't do anything about it, just like many of us nowadays. Therefore, Donne and Genderen have motivated me to make better decisions and now I won't repeat the same mistake again.

  We notice the presence of others who are different and isolated. However, Genderen states that we make the decision to look away. Through the eyes of Gendren and Donne we must realize that we are making an immense mistake for isolating others and must know that all of us are linked to one chain,"No Man is an Island"