Cyber War Becoming a Big Thing

“Cyber war” by Patricia Smith is about the U.S. being attacked by China and Iran. Also, how the U.S. has been attacking them also. How China steals corporate and Pentagon secrets and how Iran wants to inflict damage to the U.S. by taking offline some of their largest banks. The U.S. however cyber attacked Iran and set them back several years on how to make nuclear weapons.

The article contains facts and quotes. A fact that surprised me was China and the U.S has conflicts with each other. It’s surprising because I did not know they were not allies. I thought they got along, being as though we always borrow money from them. But I guess that’s why they don’t inflict damage on us they just look at our secrets.

I think this topic is important, because we should learn that not only can there be a physical war but a cyber-war too. That not only can adolescents have cyber wars but countries can also. I think the U.S. needs to learn how to better protect their things. So in the future somebody from outside can never do real damage.

I can connect this with hackers. Hackers hack your computer and put viruses also. They hack your credit card information, and they can use whatever information they find on your computer. Some hackers want to do damage to you and your computer.

Suffering the Punishment for a Crime

Crime and Punishment,” by Patricia Smith talks about crimes teens have committed and that they now have to spend life in bars without parole because of it. The article points out how teens lack impulse control and is not fully mature yet. How they shouldn’t be judged on something they did when they were younger and when they had no control.

 The article has facts on Rebecca Falcon about her crime. A surprising fact was Rebecca was only 15 when she “committed a crime” with an 18 year old friend. The fact nobody never really figured out what happened is crazy. She spent 15 years in jail so far for a crime that was never sorted out.  And hopes one day she can make it out of prison.

 I think teens should get another chance if they commit a crime at a younger age. What they do at a young age should not determine their future. They should be able to get rehabilitated. Be able to have another chance in life after being committed of a crime.

 I can connect this article with my cousin. He made a mistake when he was 15 and now he is suffering for it. He got years in a prison and will probably come out regretting his decision later on in life. I just hope that while in jail he is taking classes, bettering himself, and is going to be able to see sunlight again soon.

Valentine Day Then, Valentine Day Now

“Historically Incorrect Canoodling" written by Stephanie Coontz explains how Valentine day has changed over time and why the holiday came about.

Valentine day was not always a day for love, it actually came about to replace a holiday of love and marriage. It came about because of a Christian priest named Valentine, he would marry Roman soldiers and he fell in love with his jailor’s daughter, wrote her a letter and at the end signed from your valentine.

People today though take the time on February 14^th to love one and another. To make time with that special person. To show their mate their romantic side.

The article has facts and quotes.  One fact that stood out to me was in a marriage back in the 12^th-century it was not allowed to have romance in a marriage. This is surprising because you’re supposed to have romance in a marriage, your spouse is supposed to be the person you get romantic with.

I think the 12^th century way of thinking was wrong. Your husband/wife is who you get pleasure and romance from because if you don’t have it there they will search for it. Your spouse is supposed to be the person that makes you the happiest. I don’t agree with arranged marriages. People should truly love each other and care for each other if they want to be married, no one should ever force someone to be married.
 

I can connect this article with Cinderella. The parents of the prince want him to find someone just like him, equally wealthy. But he falls in love with an average girl, she doesn’t have much but she makes him happy. Arrange marriages don’t always work the heart wants what the heart wants.  

Bans In Europe Oppress The Woman

"Unveiling Europe" an article written by Veronica Majerol she explains in the article how in France Muslim women are not allowed to wear their niqab in public. The government in France thinks Muslims wearing their niqab prevents them from fully participating in French society.

This article contains quotes, and facts. One fact that surprised me is in 2004 they banned students from wearing any religious garbs. This fact is surprising and sad because they should be able to express their religion. Show publicly what they believe in what they religion are.

People should be able to wear their niqab in public. It doesn’t prevent them from participating in the French society; they are just going to participate in a garb. Women should be able to wear what they choose to by now it is 2013. By having this ban, they are keeping people from coming to their country and coming outside to enjoy the French society.

I can connect this with the book we are now reading in school. The book is called Zeitoun, and in the book Zeitoun’s wife Kathy had to deal with problems being Muslim. The kids would try to pull off her hijab, and people would look at her funny. Her mom would even disrespect her by saying take that thing off her head.

I think with any religion you should be allowed to express it anywhere you go. If France doesn’t want people coming outside in a niqab why allow them to migrate to migrate to your country?

Minorites Becoming a Majority in the U.S.

"The New Face of America," an article written by Veronica Majerol talks about minorities starting to outnumber whites, by being born in the U.S. The article says by 2042 minorities are collectively going to outnumber whites. How many people are starting to have mix children and raising them in the U.S. or how some kids came to the U.S. at a young age and how their experiences were.


The article contains facts and quotes. Minorities are taking over. With us having our first African-American president Barack Obama, to us having our First Hispanic Justice on the Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor, and our first Indian American to star and write her own sitcom. This fact is surprising to me because I didn’t know we had so many first this year. I thought our only first was president Obama.

Before reading this article I did not know 63% of America was non-whites. I knew they were a majority I just didn't know they were as high as they are. I also didn’t know there were more Hispanics than Blacks in America. This is an important topic to people who like to read on America changing. Changing in size, changing all around.

I can connect this to when I see someone non-black and non-white. I ask them questions about their culture, how their household is different mines. How they speak in the house, and what they eat. I like to learn about other ethnicities. I like to learn other languages. I want to learn other things outside of my African-American culture.