I remember it as clear as daylight: I walked into the movie theatre - you know, when those were a thing people went to - with my sister as we sat near the front rows to watch Michael Green's Murder on the Orient Express (2017) based off of the 1934 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. I was in awe of the costumes, its elegance a stark contrast to the characters' more "feral" acts; the dialogue, one wit after another; and perhaps most of all, the "whodunnit" element that remains eponymous to all classic mystery storytelling. After leaving the movie theatre, I became sort of obsessed with this genre. I realized that I always had a knack for mystery, starting with my childhood filled with watching my sister play low quality detective games where they task you to find objects in a room within a certain amount of time. I had not known about Agatha Christie, unfortunately, up until that moment, and from then on I became fascinated with her works and her as a person. But, perhaps I will write more about her another time.
Nowadays, amidst the chaos and stress that is the pandemic, I have gotten into the habit of listening to podcasts during my downtime. I listen to them during drives, while I go to bed, or while I mechanically put on my makeup for rehearsals. It has become second nature to me to click on the "Podcasts" tab on my Spotify, only occasionally listening to music when I am in a certain mood. I came across "Criminal" hosted by Phoebe Judge, where she examines and interviews those who "have done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle" (taken from the Criminal's website). Ironically, I couldn't stand Judge's rather airy voice, but gradually, it has become my comfort zone. To hear her describe the events regarding the episode's topic, ask uncomfortable and personal questions while still respecting the interviewee's agency and privacy, and now I anticipate her tagline, "I'm Phoebe Judge, and this is Criminal" in each episode, almost like a chant. So, why choose the gore? Who would willingly sit through the detailed descriptions of mutilations, violence, wicked villains or sick serial killers? (Granted, some episodes are less or not at all violent). Having gotten to Episode 36 of Criminal within the span of a week, I suddenly take the time to ask myself what it is that draws me or others to what is obviously traumatic and intense for many others. At first, I blamed it on my "maturity" which is often synonymous with boring or stiff, particularly in the college setting. Maybe something about being more "serious" in opposition to my more lax and cheery peers equated to my sense of being interested in mystery and thus, enabled me to withstand and find interest in American crime podcasts. However, I know that itself was not enough to explain what attracts me to this genre because virtually anyone can express interest without having a certain "personality" attributed to them. So, then what was it? Perhaps it was the idea of going on an adventure with the ethereal voice who seeks to uncover the subtext for America's crimes. It is similar to that feeling of stepping into a movie theatre to watch an Agatha Christie film, thinking that you immediately know who the culprit is, and having to wait to find out at the end. Except, Judge does the exact opposite: revealing those involved, victim and perpetrator, and asking the question we are all thinking--why? Or maybe we feel like a bystander to these stories. Each detail after another gets us hooked into an endless spiral of wanting to know more, but we are paralyzed in the reality that this could have been any of us. While that itself is hard to fathom, Americans, especially cis, white, male-presenting Americans, are undoubtedly privileged to feel "safe": that despite most of these events happening in the past or happening in neighborhoods we only have preconceived notions of, they all happen in America and could happen right next door. This is not meant to scare you, but as an opportunity to reflect on our ability to not live in fear or to have the confidence to say: "this would never happen to me". I thought my family lived in a pretty decent neighborhood, that is, until my family spent two years in a row being robbed around Christmas time and never finding justice from those criminals. I cannot call myself a "true crime junkie" just yet, as Criminal remains the current and only podcast I listen to of that genre, but I have watched enough shows and films to know what I would be searching for during a Netflix binge. But even after writing this post, what has changed about me? Am I to watch my back more often than I do already? Must I interrogate every single one of my relationships and see if they have ulterior motives? Goodness, no. But many people do not have that option. And oftentimes, those are the stories we end up hearing in podcasts. They become memories of tragedies that happened once upon a time. Times are changing. Our generation of youth has the power to protect one another from the atrocities that happen at every level of the horror scale. And when all that is done and you are looking for some way to relax, perhaps kick back and tune into Phoebe Judge's Criminal. I'm Kimberly Le, and this is Why I Choose Mystery.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness do not be afraid. There is hope, solutions, and help for you. Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 NAMI (for long-term solutions): 800-950-NAMI (6264) “Wow! You are able to deal with things so much better. The old Meghan could have never dealt with this like you are now!” The last few years have not been easy for me. I’ve moved from Michigan to Indiana to Washington DC to Colorado and then from Colorado to Seattle. I’ve dealt with racism, difficult and traumatizing work environments, job insecurity, an international pandemic, and my husband’s serious illness, and yet, I’ve dealt with all of these things better than I did the mundane things of life a few years ago. For me, the regular comments from my family are kind, yet, it is a little bit like saying, “Wow, after chemotherapy you’re a lot better able to deal with that cancer.” It is National Mental Health Awareness Month and during an international pandemic with staggering rates of depression, anxiety, and addiction, there may not be a better time to talk about mental health. I have suffered from a concoction of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder since childhood. I don’t really want to go into any specifics about what this series of disorders did to my mind, body, and overall health. A few years ago, after medication, therapy, changes in diet and exercise, and other attempts at feeling better, I underwent nine rounds of ECT or electroconvulsive therapy. It came after a time in which I had given up, I thought there were no more options remaining for me, that I would have to live with this constant pain for the rest of my life. ECT is basically a series of minor surgeries where a patient is put under anesthesia and doctors use electric shock to introduce a controlled seizure which can cause changes in the brain chemistry. It can be a bit painful, inducing strong headaches, lethargy, and an overall forgetfulness for the first few months. I don’t remember anything that happened the summer I got ECT no matter how hard I try. ECT isn’t the right choice for everyone with major depression, but for me, it was life-changing. It became clear to me that this is how “normal” people feel all of the time. My whole life I had been struggling to be okay, and suddenly I was okay. I had so many mental tricks and exercises that I did to keep myself high-functioning. After ECT, it was like I didn’t have to continuously work hard at my depression, my OCD, my anxiety. My mind could relax into happiness as opposed to constantly focusing and putting effort into feeling happy. So many times, we blame the person suffering from mental health for their problems. In my own family, we didn't talk about mental health and when we did, it was steeped in judgement. When I got treatment and started opening up about my journey I realized how common it was in our family, and how not sharing had led to a system where we were all battling the same monster on our own, afraid of retribution. It was also clear how absolutely genetic our problems were. After ECT treatment, my father gave me repeated warnings not to tell my friends or anyone at work that I had a mental illness. This wasn’t out of shame for my condition, but out of the genuine desire to make my life easier, and avoid any potential discrimination. However, I know what hiding can do, so even in this small way, on this blog post I just want to say that you are not alone. Trust me. Even if you feel like you have tried everything, if you’ve exhausted the list of medications, therapies, diet changes, exercise regimens, support groups, and books, there are always more solutions. I had given up, thinking that my mental health was something I would battle every day for the rest of my life. Yet, once I found what worked for me, my whole life changed and I was able to live my life without its weight. Despite my father’s advice I did tell my friends and some coworkers about my struggle, particularly why I wasn’t responding to their texts and phone calls the entire summer I received ECT treatment. Their reactions were mixed. Some were supportive, asking me if I was okay and if there was anything they could do to help. Others displayed an uncomfortable desire to change the topic or had questions that were judgemental and a bit invasive. For them, it felt like as soon as I mentioned the word “hospital” in conjunction with mental illness, that was when I became too crazy for them. These people have shown me how important it is to not remain silent, to share about mental health, and to acknowledge the damage that not treating this like any other medical chronic condition can do. As a result of being outspoken, however, I’ve also gotten three other people ECT access and this makes all of the sharing worth it! I know what it is like to live in darkness with no hope of escape. I know what it is like to eat for years and never feel hungry. I know what it is like to feel like you have to lift a weight just to get up off the couch. However, I also know what it is like to feel the first rays of sun after years of darkness. I know what it is like to eat your first meal and feel hungry. I know what it is like to not have to fake a smile again. You are not alone. You will not feel this way forever. Even if you think you have tried everything, there is always hope. In honor of mental health month awareness month, I want to share some of the books that have helped me in my journey. I hope they bring you some comfort and make you feel less alone. EVERY DAY: When I told my friend about ECT, at first she didn’t understand. She looked at me perplexed and didn’t say much. When I came back to school she told me that she had read Every Day by David Levithan over the summer and really helped her understand what I was going through. This book tells the story of a soul that is born into a different person’s body every day. One of the bodies that the soul inhabits is someone experiencing a major depression. I read the book after her and felt that it shows the medical side of depression in a real way. I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER: This novel by Erika L. Sánchez is phenomenal. I didn’t pick up this book looking for a “mental health book.” In general, I was looking to widen my Mexican YA selection in my classroom. After losing her sister Olga, Julia tries to move on with life, but is crippled by what she calls “the darkness.” She not only has to deal with her own pain, but the difficulties of poverty, her sister’s secrets, and the mental health of her two parents. This book is relatable and really describes mental health accurately. COUNTING BY SEVENS: This novel by Holly Goldberg Sloan tells the story of Willow Chance as she starts a new life after losing both of her parents. She has a unique mind and with OCD counts by sevens to calm herself down. This accurately portrays what it is like to live with OCD and depression. I didn’t love reading this book at the time, it is not a page turner that you can’t put down; however, it stuck with me years after finishing the final page. Its messages are important and really make the reader think about what is really important in their lives. EDUCATED: This autobiographical novel by Tara Westover really dives deep into the world of Bipolar disorder. Tara grows up “uneducated” receiving no formal schooling. Her parents are strict Mormons (so strict they think that the Mormon Church as an institution is corrupted) and her father suffers from untreated bipolar disorder and believes the end of times is coming. Slowly Tara understands the abuse that she has been suffering from and breaks free. Eventually she becomes an author and attends school at Harvard, Oxford, and BU. Though I did not suffer the horrors that Tara did, I do understand what it is like to grow up in a very strict Christian family and to feel like you don’t know the “common knowledge” shared by everyone else. I also know what it is like to try and convince those close to you that mental health is real and serious and be dismissed. TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN: This novel by John Green, really talks about OCD in a realistic and human way. While the story starts to be about a mystery of the missing billionare, it turns into a battle between Aza and her mental health. I love all of John Green’s books for their ability to authentically engage with mental health issues. When I was at my sickest, his YA books helped get me through. I have shared information about using language that is inclusive of all gender identities in worksheets in the past, particularly pertaining to gender pronouns. However, I have not addressed the occasional resistance to it very much outside of how some do not believe that using “they” as a singular pronoun is grammatically correct. The work that I put into writing about such topics isn’t to control the language of others, but rather to share information in hopes of everyone having a better understanding of why and how more people can be better included in common language. With that said, I do try hard to see where other people with different views are coming from when these responses to gender inclusive language do occur.
With the current topics regarding trans people generally being focused on whether or not transfeminine people should be able to participate in sports, that is sometimes all of the exposure some have to the trans community. While I unabashedly support transfeminine people having fair and equal rights, I will acknowledge that transmasculine, nonbinary, genderfluid, and gender nonconforming people generally receive less attention in mainstream media, for better or for worse. They are often erased from the narrative when people who do not understand who is included in the term “transgender” alone. This was recently the case on Twitter when actress Rose McGowan responded by United States Representative Cori Bush’s tweet advocating for better reproductive care for “Black birthing people.” McGowan claimed that she was “virtue-signaling to trans women,” among a few other claims about how the term was erasing the experiences of cisgender women. Though not only nonbinary people benefit from gender inclusive language, we are often the most blatantly affected by this confusion. Unfortunately, one source of the resistance to gender inclusive language comes from some trans people who identify with the gender binary. Trans people who identify with the gender binary sometimes assert that people who are nonbinary, genderfluid, or are otherwise gender nonconforming are “not really” trans, further erasing any real need for gender inclusive language, even in relation to the trans community. This is false for a few reasons. As I have shared in previous posts, to be trans is to not fully identify with one’s gender that was assigned at birth, which can be to varying degrees. Secondly, anyone can use gender inclusive pronouns, regardless of how they identify, whether they are cis or trans. Lastly, using inclusive language can even affirm people who do identify with the gender binary and allow them to be less polarized in some spaces. A couple of examples include if a cisgender woman is in a field that has mostly men or if a trans man chooses to carry and give birth to his own child. The first probably wouldn’t want to be referred to as a “businessman.” It’s also unnecessary to single her out by saying “businessmen and businesswoman” when referring to her and peers when other language can be used that includes all of them. I also know that transmasculine people often experience discrimination and gender dysphoria due to often being misgendered when receiving reproductive care. While gender inclusive language may affirm some people more than others due to past and current disparities in societal structures, everyone can benefit from it being used. One can never force others to use or accept certain forms of language, but people who do use gender inclusive language as a way to better include either their own identities or that of others in discourse have a few choices in how they handle situations in which they receive pushback for doing so. One way is to ignore it. This can be easier said than done, but as I said before, language is a choice and it isn’t really anyone else’s place to correct yours if you have decided to use gender inclusive language. Secondly, one could investigate the source of why a particular use of gender inclusive language upset someone if they are willing to have a respectful conversation about it. If not, it is fine to excuse yourself and no longer engage them on the topic. However, if they are willing to talk about it, really take the time to listen and see if there was a misunderstanding or another underlying reason why they disagreed with it rather than jumping to conclusions about them as a person or their personal values. Lastly, if it is specifically regarding how you or someone else identify, such as using the singular “they” as a gender pronoun, one can choose to set a boundary ahead of time. Boundaries differ from rules as they pertain only to the person who sets them while rules apply to others. For this reason, consequences are much easier to enforce for boundaries than for rules, as we can each only really control ourselves. A personal boundary in this case could simply be, “I do not engage in conversation with people who intentionally refuse to refer to me by my pronouns or misgender me in other ways.” A consequence of someone violating that boundary could be simply stating that and then disengaging from the conversation. Some may interpret the last suggestion as a way to control the language of others, but I disagree. It is one thing if people are learning and genuinely trying their best, but if people do not respect your personal boundaries, it’s not unreasonable to stop engaging with them for your own well-being. It is fine to share the rationale behind why you use gender inclusive language, either for yourself or others, but at the end of the day people are always allowed to choose for themselves. It is my hope that people who do oppose the use of gender inclusive language would read this post or other writings with similar messages and not see it as an attempt to control them, but rather as a way to embrace our differences. Being nonbinary myself, I don’t want to erase anyone’s identity or assert that they have to be just like me. I would much rather ensure that everyone is included in my language. - Bek Further reading and Works Cited: Darwin, Helana. "Challenging the Cisgender/Transgender Binary: Nonbinary People and the Transgender Label." SAGE, vol. 34, no. 3, 31 Mar. 2020, pp. 357-80, doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0891243220912256. "Good Practices: Inclusive Language." University of Maryland Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity Center, University of Maryland, lgbt.umd.edu/good-practices-inclusive-language. Johnson, Bek. “How to Use Inclusive Language: Gender Pronouns.” Seattle University Writing Center.https://www.seattleu.edu/media/writing-center/worksheets/Gender_Pronouns_Worksheet.pdf Johnson, Bek. “How to Use Inclusive Language: Respecting the LGBTQIA+ Community in Your Writing.” Seattle University Writing Center. https://www.seattleu.edu/media/writing-center/worksheets/Respecting_the_LGBTQIA_Community_in_Your_Writing.pdf. @rosemcgowan. “Birthing People? I’m empathetic to your painful & unfairly traumatic experience @CoriBush but why are you smearing bio-women to virtue signal to trans women? Why can’t we rise together? Your language is creepy. You are gaslighting. What you are doing is dangerous.#DemCult.”Twitter.6May2021. https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1390451128324837376. Writing research papers can be a difficult and tedious process. I am currently writing a literature review for one of my psychology classes. With this being a difficult and time consuming process, I thought I would share some things that I have learned about my own process of writing this paper. First, doing basic Google search of topics can be a good place to start when thinking of research topics or questions. It helps to get a sense of some of the information that already exists on the subject. Conducting basic Google searches also helps you to get excited about the topic at hand. I personally like to see if there are any TED Talks on YouTube that might relate to my topic to try to ease into finding articles about the research. In this search some valuable information to look for might be reputable newspaper articles or information from websites that are also reputable in the field of study. Depending on the assignment, information from a basic Google search should be further explored and proven to be accurate through academic sources, such as peer-reviewed articles or studies. Again, an internet search is mainly to explore basic information about the topic and to get ideas about how to proceed in the search for academic sources. Second, finding academic articles from educational databases sort of goes without saying. This is going to be critical to proving your thesis and citing what academic research or literature exists on the topic. It is important to use good search terms in the search boxes to narrow down your topic. For the type of research paper that I am doing, I prefer using the EBSCO database because they provide abstracts on the topics so you get a better understanding of what the article is before having to read the whole thing. This feature saves a lot of time because then I can decide if I am going to incorporate that article or not into my paper. Third, I find it really useful to take detailed notes on the articles that I am going to be using for the paper. I was first introduced to this idea of taking detailed notes by a professor who made this an assignment for the class. Typically what I do is read and highlight the article while creating almost an outline of the information that I learned from the article. I use bullet points to organize the information by introduction, hypothesis, method, results, and discussion. This method helps me to summarize, paraphrase or write direct quotes that might be useful for me later on. These outline notes usually are full sentences with correct citations so that way I am able to pull direct quotes from the text easier. I also can keep track of any information that I might be paraphrasing or summarizing. In creating these detailed notes I can also take the full sentences I already created in the notes and use them for my outline or paper. This makes writing the paper less daunting and I am also able to play around with the organization to see what information fits where. If creating these notes seems like a helpful idea, I recommend finding or trying different systems that work for you. Fourth, I personally like using citation generators. They are a good resource to keep all of the articles in one location and to have the citations ready for the final reference or works cited page. The Seattle University library has an article storage service that is free for students. It keeps all citations and links to the various articles that you use for the paper in one website location. The website is called Proquest RefWorks and if you attend Seattle University this service is a great tool for research. It is pretty simple to organize and attach academic sources from databases into different folders on RefWorks. With using this software you are able to upload pdf documents of the articles and it then creates a citation. Always, double check that the citations are correct once you place them in the reference page. I have been using RefWorks and it is a great way for me to keep all of my articles in one place and I am able to easily copy and paste my citations for the reference page. I highly recommend using this service when writing a research paper. Finally, creating an outline is helpful for organizing your thoughts and seeing how the paper flows. Creating a very detailed outline is helpful for determining where to place information from the articles. An outline is also helpful when writing the first draft because you can play around more with the flow while not becoming disorganized in changing paragraphs. For me, I have always had a love hate relationship with outlining. However, after trial and error I finally found systems that work for me when writing different papers. Creating an outline is a tool for you to be more organized in your writing, so find something that works for you. If you would like more information about outlining, there is another blog post called Outlining: Finding What Works For You that has some helpful tips about the different methods and formats of outlines. Hopefully this post provides some helpful information about the process of writing a research paper. by Maddy Over the past academic quarter, I have been learning more about APA style for one of my psychology classes. I have always been familiar with writing in APA style, however, the class I am in now, is designed for the student to become more knowledgeable about the rules and formatting of APA. I have been more accustomed to writing in MLA style which is different in terms of rules, formatting, and structure. Now that I am predominantly writing in APA style, it has been a learning curve to remember all of the various rules of citations and formatting. Another thing that has been more difficult is trying to incorporate a more active voice in my writing. Writing in this style is more challenging for me because it takes another level of being aware of individual writing style and sentence structure to become proficient at detecting this. I also find that typically I just write in a passive voice which worked for me up until this point in my academic career. In this blog post, I am going to discuss the various tricks and tips that I have learned that helped me to become more familiar with writing in APA style. These are resources that I have been using and while they work for me, they might not work for every writer. In learning a new writing style, it is important to find what works for you and in sharing some of these resources you might find something that helps you in APA writing. For this class, it was required to purchase the APA Publication Manual. In this manual, the different rules of citations, formatting, grammar, etc are all written out so it is easy to find answers to questions. If you write in APA style frequently, the publication manual might be a good book to purchase. I like being able to type on my computer and then be able to go through the book to answer small questions or check references. A peer in my class pointed out that there is actually a free version of this book online. The website version is a little less dense than the printed manual, but it serves as a quick way to search for questions that you might have. Check out this resource if you have questions about formatting or referencing. Purdue Owl is a great online resource. I have used this tool to quickly look up questions about unfamiliar citation rules or references. This is a good resource for quickly getting examples of citations or formatting. They also have a sample APA paper with all of the correct rules implemented and the rule itself annotated in the margins. This sample paper is great for people who like seeing examples of how to implement various formatting requirements. When using Purdue Owl, be sure to check if you are looking at APA 7th edition and not APA 6th edition. Sometimes, I have been looking at the 6th edition rules without realizing. Also, the APA Publication Manual always has the final say on any formatting or citation rules. Make sure you are double checking the APA style guide website or Publication Manual to answer specific questions that you might have. Reference generators, like EasyBib, are also great resources. There are so many out there that can be useful for organizing references for a major project. While these references might be really helpful for organizing for generating a future reference page, always double check that the reference is in proper formatting and not missing any small details like a comma or period. Something that has also been difficult is being more aware of and trying to write in an active voice. This type of writing is more difficult because it demands that the writer be paying more attention to having agency in their sentences. For me, I researched examples of active vs. passive voice on Purdue Owl and I was able to learn from and apply those rules in my paper. This was definitely a learning curve but once you get the hang of it, you are able to write in an active voice and correct passive to active. Also, creating multiple drafts will allow you to look over the paper for active voice. APA style demands so many technical skills and it is important to always set aside time to complete these papers. You do not want to rush the formatting or anything like that for these sorts of assignments. Allowing yourself time to create outlines and multiple drafts allows you make sure that proper citations are used and sentence structure and organization are the most effective. APA style is difficult and it is definitely a learning curve adjusting to the new style and rules. Be sure to be kind to yourself in this learning process. A Mental Health Check-in:
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1. AKATA WITCH: (Nnedi Okorafor) Looking for the African Harry Potter? This is your book. It is magical, creative, full of friendship, adventure, and is one of my favorite books of all time. Sunny is an Albino African American expat now living in Nigeria. However, when she finds friends, Orlu and Chichi, she discovers that she has powers she never could have imagined and embarks on an ultimate battle of good versus evil. Nnedi Okorafor is a Nigerian-American author. |
2. BORN A CRIME: (Trevor Noah) Late night host Trevor Noah writes the autobiographical account of his life, growing up in Soweto during Apartheid in South Africa. It is titled Born a Crime because Trevor is half white and half black, something that was illegal at the moment of his birth. It is a well written, heartfelt story of intense humor, joy, and perseverance.
3. I WILL ALWAYS WRITE BACK: (Martin Ganda, Caitlin Alifirenka) This is the autobiographical account of pen pals Caitlin and Martin. They first become friends when Caitlin is given a choice of country for pen pals at school. Martin and Caitlin exchange letters far past the assignment and into adulthood. This is a true story that models a strong friendship between two very different people. In the end, their story is strong, funny, and heartwarming.
4. SMALL COUNTRY: (Gael Faye) This book of historical fiction tells the story of the Rwandan Genocide through the eyes of Gabriel, a child in Burundi. It is informed by Gael Faye’s experiences growing up in Burundi with a Rwandan mother and ultimately moving to France. What this book does so well is it highlights the culture and happiness that was lost through the conflict. Gabriel goes from a carefree child to someone who has witnessed unimaginable trauma. This book is entertaining, informative, and helped me better understand a conflict I sadly hadn’t learned much about.
5. SPUD: (John Van Ruit) A historical fiction novel about a boy who goes to an all-white, male boarding school in South Africa during Apartheid. This is sometimes called the “African Catcher in the Rye.” It shows his journey from a care-free, ignorant schoolboy to someone who understands the growing conflict in his country. It is partially based on John Van Ruit’s experiences living in South Africa and graduating in similar circumstances. |
6. THE BITTER SIDE OF SWEET: (Tara Sullivan) This is a book that shows the dark side of the chocolate industry. While the book sounds depressing, showing the journey of Amadou and his brother from Mali, to child-labor chocolate pod harvesting on the Ivory Coast and his attempts at freedom; it is so well written, it is hard to put down. The hundreds of middle schoolers who have checked this out from my classroom can attest it is as addicting as it is eye-opening. It was a difficult choice between this book and Golden Boy which goes through the trade of albino Africans and one boy’s journey to escape capture. |
7. A LONG WALK TO WATER: (Linda Sue Park) I cannot tell you how many people I’ve handed this book to, who later told me it was their favorite novel. This story goes back and forth between Nya and the true story of Salva Dut, both are children in Sudan in different time periods who have to deal with very difficult circumstances. Having taught many students from Sudan and South Sudan who have touched my heart, this book captures the perseverance and absolute joy of this culture while also honoring the loss, tragedy, and hope for the future of the region. |
8. YES, CHEF: (Marcus Samuelsson): This is the autobiography of American-Swedish-Ethiopian chef Marcus Samuelsson (a frequent judge on the Food Network’s show Chopped). During the famine in Ethiopia in the 1980s, Marcus and his sister were adopted by a Swedish couple. It shows Marcus’ fight against racism as he works his way through the culinary industry. Eventually, Marcus reconnects with his family in Ethiopia and is now known for his work with African cuisine. (Highly also recommend his cookbook The Soul of a New Cuisine which shows Marcus’ travels through Africa and different recipes that go with each. The pictures are awesome and the recipes uniquely flavorful).
9. THE WHITE GIRAFFE: (Lauren St. John): This book is maybe the easiest read on the list, however, definitely the fun, fantastical book you want with you on the beach! The author, Lauren St. John grew up in Zimbabwe. This book is about a girl, Martine, who is living with her super strict grandmother, and has a unique relationship with the animals on a reserve. Martine discovers her powers to communicate with animals and learns to ride the legendary white giraffe. When she discovers an ancient prophecy, she has to make difficult decisions about her destiny. (Also wonderful and also highly recommended is the second book in this series Dolphin Song). |
10. COPPER SUN: (Sharon M. Draper): If you have not read anything by Sharon M. Draper, you absolutely should, she is amazing! What this book does so well is show the real futures and cultures that were lost by the slaves who came from Africa to America against their will. It shows the story of Amari, a girl about to be married, who loves her village and their rich culture and customs. She has a beautiful life and family until she is captured by pale-faced strangers and forced to come to America on a slave ship. This book is heartbreaking, while it dives into the trauma and violence of slavery, it also shows the unique person that Amari is and the future she wanted stolen from her.
11. THE RED PENCIL: (Andrea Davis Pickney): The Red Pencil is the poetic story of Amira whose life in a peaceful, Sudanese village is ripped apart. Amira is forced to go with her family to a refugee camp where they stay for years. When she gets the gift of a red pencil, her educational journey begins. This new opportunity offers a whole new set of possibilities in a new life she creates for herself. |
12. SOLO: (Kwame Alexander, Mary Rand Hess): This book shows what can happen when celebrities get involved in causes to improve their public image. This book takes the story of Blade Morrison, son of the famous rockstar: Rutherford Morrison, who has become addicted to drugs and fame. He has not been there for Blade as a father. Everything changes when Blade discovers he was adopted and heads on a journey to Ghana to find his birth mother. I love how this story highlights the need to ask communities what they need, and not just waste resources on what we as Westerners think they need.
13. THE POISONWOOD BIBLE: (Barbara Kingsolver): This was the first book I read about Africa as a high-schooler. It captivated my heart as it shows the difficult relationship between white missionaries who are well-intentioned but don’t always meet the needs of the communities they serve. It is a powerful story about a family that experiences loss, love, and hardship in the Belgian Congo. |
14. ENDANGERED: (Eliot Schrefer): This book explores the story of Sophie who is visiting her mother in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her mother is a Congolese woman who runs a Bonobo reserve. When conflict erupts, Sophie has to learn to live with the Bonobo monkeys and become accepted among them to survive. With her companion bonobo Otto, this book is fun to read, informative, and full of adventure. It helped me better understand the conflict between human rights and animal rights in the Congo.
15. HOME OF THE BRAVE: (Katherine Applegate): This explores the story of Kek, a refugee from Sudan who has moved to the strange, new world of Minnesota. As someone from the frigid temperatures of Michigan, Kek’s first experiences with ice and snow are relatable. It shows the difficult journey that many refugees make and how we as Americans can and should welcome these hardworking, amazing people into our lives. |
By Maddy
In my whole academic career I never really enjoyed doing an outline. At least for me, many of my outlining experiences stems from it being a requirement from teachers throughout middle and high school. I never saw the point in doing them, and I always just wanted to start writing and make revisions later. However, once I got to college my thoughts on the traditional outline changed. I now view this as a tool for myself, and not something that is simply required of me. While I do not create an outline for every assignment, I notice that creating a simple set of ideas to follow helps me to stay organized and cohesive while writing my first draft. There are many different techniques that can be used to create an outline. Personally, I find that creating a less formal handwritten outline works well in my writing process. It is mostly about finding what works best for you and the assignment that you will be working on. If you have had similar thoughts on the outline or are seeking ways to enhance your outlining process, I am going to go over resources or ideas that might be helpful to you.
According to Purdue Owl, there are a few things to consider when creating an outline or outlining process that works best for you. Purdue Owl has labeled separate categories for considering the purpose of an outline. The categories are “Brainstorm, Organize, Order, and Label” (Purdue Writing Lab). In the Brainstorming phase, it is a rough outline of some beginning ideas of what you want to focus on in the paper. This phase does not have to be completely coherent yet, because it just serves as a way to write down initial ideas or questions about the topic. The Organization phase is where you are going to start thinking about how the ideas from the brainstorming phase relate to each other. Next, the Order phase allows the space for you to start thinking about the totality of the paper and how the related ideas are going to flow. Labeling, the final phase, gives the writer a chance to go through all of the ideas in the outline and assign sections to those ideas. This part might look different depending on the style of writing. For example, when writing in APA format you might consider creating labels based on headings and subheadings in the paper. When considering labels, there are a few different styles of outlines to consider for organization.
There are a few different types of the “traditional” outline that you might recognize. First, there is the most common, Alphanumeric version. This style of outline is first divided up by Roman numerals which show the main topics, followed by capitalized lettered subtopics. Within those subtopics are numbered and lowercase letters with smaller concepts that further elaborate on the subtopic ideas. The second type of traditional outline is called the Full Sentence Outline. This style has a similar organizational pattern to the Alphanumeric, but it includes the use of full sentences instead of brief statements. These sentences could be divided up by thesis statements, topic sentences, and main arguments within each paragraph. The third type of outline is called the Decimal Outline. This style of organization is more unique, in that it uses a numbered decimal system to display the progression of ideas. For example, the first concept would be labeled as “1.0” below that it would continue as “1.1” or “1.2”. You would then continue to add a new decimal after each new concept you are writing under. Each of these outlines have their own way of displaying progression and elaboration of main ideas of a paper. As a writer, it is important to find a system that works for you and how you would perceive a paper.
If traditional outlines are not for you, there are some unorthodox techniques that might be helpful. The Reverse Outline is a great tool to use for after a paper is written to self-reflect on the organization, content, as well as cohesion throughout the whole paper. I use this method a lot to make revisions and edits after my paper is completed. To do this you may start by writing a one sentence summary of each paragraph. Next, reflect on each of the sentences and ask yourself if you are satisfied with the organization, thesis development or content. Overall, this type of outline serves as a way for you to check different aspects of your paper during the final draft process.
When creating a system that works for you, it is important to consider the assignment, the content, and organization. For example, some people might like a very rough outline that just covers the general points of their thesis and main body paragraph. This person might want the outline to be less detailed to serve as a way for the student to follow a general flow of ideas. On the other hand, a writer might prefer a very detailed outline in which they consider the content and organization of every paragraph. Some might prefer a typed outline, while others might like to handwrite a more free flowing outline or brainstorm initial ideas. It is important to remember that with some exceptions, an outline is a tool to help you be more organized as a writer. I always used to think that outlining is one-dimensional, there was only one way for it to be done. After learning more about the different types of outlines, there are so many ways to create an effective system that works for you. If you would like more specific information about each of these types of outlines, you can go to Purdue Owl’s outline overview and outline style pages.
Last week, I had the rare opportunity to go out to dinner in Seattle with a few close friends. Fortunately, we have all been fully vaccinated and went out in public with ease. As we seated ourselves in the restaurant, one of my friends pointed out that we have not been out in public together since the state-wide lockdown, which was approximately one year ago. After my friend had mention this, we spent the entire dinner reflecting about what life was like before the pandemic and how much we have changed in a span of a year. Now that the end of the pandemic seems to be in the horizon thanks to vaccine rollouts, talking about the return to “normalcy” has been slightly easier. While this topic of conversation has been the go-to talking point in many conversations today, something about the conversation I had with my friends exhibited a certain anticipation that I had not felt since the first two weeks of the pandemic—when I thought that we would be back to “normal” sooner.
I want to take this time and reflect on some of the things my friends and I talked about during our first outing together. I want to acknowledge that my sentiments about certain aspects of “normalcy” may not be the same as yours. I simply want to share my own perspective and how I feel about nearing the end of the pandemic. I also want to acknowledge that the pandemic is a collective trauma. We all have undergone challenging situations that were brought about by the pandemic. While our challenges may not be the same, know that you are not alone in this.
In-Person Classes
If there is one thing I am most anxious about, it is the in-person format of our classes. Throughout my virtual learning experience, I certainly took advantage of the option to turn off my camera and remain muted throughout a lecture. This gave me the opportunity to take frequent breaks and catch up on other assignments that I might not have completed at the time. This was done all while listening to the professor teach new content. I know that one of the biggest challenges that I will have to face when we are back in-person is doing more prep-work. This was something I used to do prior to class last year. I would consider it as one of my main daily routines. Prep-work often consisted of reading up to two days-worth of class material to stay ahead of schedule, finishing work that would be done in class the night before the class meets, and studying for future quizzes and exams days prior. With everything being converted online, it I have found myself falling into the trap of procrastination at a much higher degree. The bottom line is, I need to remember how to hold myself accountable for my class work.
Additionally, in-person classes entail more collaboration with fellow classmates. Collaboration has been one of the most difficult aspects of virtual learning, as many students tend to keep their cameras and microphones off for the entire class, including breakout room activities. The idle nature of each Zoom square has given me so much anxiety throughout this past year. I’m always uncertain on whether or not I should unmute myself when a professor asks a question or wait for another student to answer. The latter is always a rough process, as it usually takes a whole minute (sometime two) for another student to jump right in. The awkward silence has been something I dread since we started virtual learning. However, I’ve grown to appreciate the silence, as it has given me space to think. It also serves as a reminder for me that we are all going through the same circumstances. We are all struggling in one way or another. When we’re back in-person, the process of getting into a group and working with group members under the supervision of a professor is something I will have to get used to again. In other words, I have to be a bit more productive rather than passively sitting in silence. Otherwise, I will have to figure out a way to express intentionality in my silence.
Taking Quizzes and Exam
In my virtual learning experience, I was rarely assigned quizzes, exams, or major projects that were not open notes. Most, if not all, of my professors since Spring quarter of 2020 gave students the ability to have access to their notes and class material during midterm and finals week. Because of this, I am not well-equipped with the necessary test-taking skills that I would have gained/developed during in-person learning. Upon reflection, I have only had one exam that required me to memorize class material—that was Winter quarter of my first year. Granted, my major often entails more essays and presentations rather than short answer/multiple choice exams and quizzes. Nevertheless, I am aware that most of the papers that I have written this past year were traditionally done in class without access to notes or class material. When we return to in-person learning, test-taking is definitely something I want to work on. The bottom line is, I want to learn how to study again.
Making Friends and Socializing
Like many people around the world, I was robbed of a full year of networking and socializing. I was robbed of the opportunity to deepen my current friendships and develop new ones. For me, socializing is one of the things I was good at. I would even go so far as to say that I was a social butterfly. However, with an entire year in isolation, I feel as though there is a bigger disconnect between me and the people around me. I seem to be more distant, reserved, and shy. I’ve been more reluctant to meet new people and reach out to the friends I made last year. My social bubble now is so small that I can practically count the number of people I actually talk to on a daily basis with one hand. Nowadays, I can’t even have a conversation with someone on Zoom or in person without feeling a sense of unease and awkwardness. When someone starts a conversation with me, I find myself devising ways to end the interaction as soon as possible. It’s not that I dislike people or don’t want to make new friends. Rather, I just forgot how to interact with others in the most human way possible. One of my main objectives after the pandemic is to rediscover my inner social butterfly. I know that it’s not going to be easy to get back to my old ways, but all I need is a slight push.
Conclusion
When things get back to normal, whatever that may look like for you, know that everyone around you will be just as discombobulated as you. We were isolated from the world together, and now we must rediscover the world together. Once we all have taken our first steps towards “normalcy”, I hope that we could express to each other a new type of kindness and grace. How do we do this? We do this by acknowledging our traumas, remembering what we all went through, sharing our stories, and catching up with those who have yet to hear back from us. Let others know that we are all in this path to recovery together. Better days are ahead. It is all a matter of time and willingness to exhibit kindness.
Happy Writing!
-James
I want to take this time and reflect on some of the things my friends and I talked about during our first outing together. I want to acknowledge that my sentiments about certain aspects of “normalcy” may not be the same as yours. I simply want to share my own perspective and how I feel about nearing the end of the pandemic. I also want to acknowledge that the pandemic is a collective trauma. We all have undergone challenging situations that were brought about by the pandemic. While our challenges may not be the same, know that you are not alone in this.
In-Person Classes
If there is one thing I am most anxious about, it is the in-person format of our classes. Throughout my virtual learning experience, I certainly took advantage of the option to turn off my camera and remain muted throughout a lecture. This gave me the opportunity to take frequent breaks and catch up on other assignments that I might not have completed at the time. This was done all while listening to the professor teach new content. I know that one of the biggest challenges that I will have to face when we are back in-person is doing more prep-work. This was something I used to do prior to class last year. I would consider it as one of my main daily routines. Prep-work often consisted of reading up to two days-worth of class material to stay ahead of schedule, finishing work that would be done in class the night before the class meets, and studying for future quizzes and exams days prior. With everything being converted online, it I have found myself falling into the trap of procrastination at a much higher degree. The bottom line is, I need to remember how to hold myself accountable for my class work.
Additionally, in-person classes entail more collaboration with fellow classmates. Collaboration has been one of the most difficult aspects of virtual learning, as many students tend to keep their cameras and microphones off for the entire class, including breakout room activities. The idle nature of each Zoom square has given me so much anxiety throughout this past year. I’m always uncertain on whether or not I should unmute myself when a professor asks a question or wait for another student to answer. The latter is always a rough process, as it usually takes a whole minute (sometime two) for another student to jump right in. The awkward silence has been something I dread since we started virtual learning. However, I’ve grown to appreciate the silence, as it has given me space to think. It also serves as a reminder for me that we are all going through the same circumstances. We are all struggling in one way or another. When we’re back in-person, the process of getting into a group and working with group members under the supervision of a professor is something I will have to get used to again. In other words, I have to be a bit more productive rather than passively sitting in silence. Otherwise, I will have to figure out a way to express intentionality in my silence.
Taking Quizzes and Exam
In my virtual learning experience, I was rarely assigned quizzes, exams, or major projects that were not open notes. Most, if not all, of my professors since Spring quarter of 2020 gave students the ability to have access to their notes and class material during midterm and finals week. Because of this, I am not well-equipped with the necessary test-taking skills that I would have gained/developed during in-person learning. Upon reflection, I have only had one exam that required me to memorize class material—that was Winter quarter of my first year. Granted, my major often entails more essays and presentations rather than short answer/multiple choice exams and quizzes. Nevertheless, I am aware that most of the papers that I have written this past year were traditionally done in class without access to notes or class material. When we return to in-person learning, test-taking is definitely something I want to work on. The bottom line is, I want to learn how to study again.
Making Friends and Socializing
Like many people around the world, I was robbed of a full year of networking and socializing. I was robbed of the opportunity to deepen my current friendships and develop new ones. For me, socializing is one of the things I was good at. I would even go so far as to say that I was a social butterfly. However, with an entire year in isolation, I feel as though there is a bigger disconnect between me and the people around me. I seem to be more distant, reserved, and shy. I’ve been more reluctant to meet new people and reach out to the friends I made last year. My social bubble now is so small that I can practically count the number of people I actually talk to on a daily basis with one hand. Nowadays, I can’t even have a conversation with someone on Zoom or in person without feeling a sense of unease and awkwardness. When someone starts a conversation with me, I find myself devising ways to end the interaction as soon as possible. It’s not that I dislike people or don’t want to make new friends. Rather, I just forgot how to interact with others in the most human way possible. One of my main objectives after the pandemic is to rediscover my inner social butterfly. I know that it’s not going to be easy to get back to my old ways, but all I need is a slight push.
Conclusion
When things get back to normal, whatever that may look like for you, know that everyone around you will be just as discombobulated as you. We were isolated from the world together, and now we must rediscover the world together. Once we all have taken our first steps towards “normalcy”, I hope that we could express to each other a new type of kindness and grace. How do we do this? We do this by acknowledging our traumas, remembering what we all went through, sharing our stories, and catching up with those who have yet to hear back from us. Let others know that we are all in this path to recovery together. Better days are ahead. It is all a matter of time and willingness to exhibit kindness.
Happy Writing!
-James
SUWC Blog Authors
Any posts on the SUWC Blog are authored by current consultants working to improve, refine and perfect our practice as peer tutors.
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