Author: Alkasti

Mental Health Crisis

Alkasti

“Don’t be hard on yourself, you’re doing okay!”

The text that called my attention the most from the New York Times link provided was “Is Teen Mental Health in a State of Crisis?”. The reason why this article called so much of my attention was because I myself as a young adult worry about others’ mental health more than my own. Mental health is something very big to me because I have lost two very important people in my life due to not having enough support and not being able to handle certain situations on their own.

This article begins with statistics indicating that teenagers in the United States are experiencing a mental health crisis. From my personal standpoint yes this is something that I have observed throughout my own life. As a teenager, I have struggled a lot to stay on task. I get easily distracted as a young teenager I get easily influenced into doing things I am not used to doing. After I do these actions I get into a panic stage, where I doubt my actions and I feel like I lost myself due to peer pressure. In my opinion, I think that teenagers are struggling with mental health because we as teenagers don’t have a strong mental capacity to deal with certain things or situations. Factors like the pandemic have made a difference because the pandemic has caused a lot of trauma to a lot of us. Other factors that we should pay attention to are our family treatments and the support we get from our loved ones.

 I think that the advice in this article is beneficial for teenagers experiencing anxiety and depression. No, this advice isn’t in line with how my friends and I support each other. We have our own method of understanding and advising each other depending on the situation. From my standpoint, I would add putting myself in other people’s predicaments to find the best way to support them and find a safe way to guide them to the correct decisions. I am a very conserved person I cope with anxiety and depression on my own. I don’t like to talk about my problems with anyone if it’s not my mother. I cope with anxiety, stress, and stress challenges by writing down my problems on paper and finding a solution within myself. I do this because the more you retell your problems out loud to others the more it concerns you and the more you think about it. I think adults in power should pay more attention to mental health among young people, especially in school environments. Some changes I would make in my life, are the way I go about certain situations. I tend to take things very personally I take everything to the heart!

Armand

Alkasti

Armand sat with the letter in his hand, unable to move, unable to think. As he gathers his thoughts he begins to dread who he is and what he is worth. He loses sight of any reason to continue living now that his identity and value have been tarnished with the biggest betrayal he can imagine. He slowly begins to walk away from the plantation leaving everything behind and never returns. He leaves without looking back, and with no thought. Upon finding out that he is black, Armand will feel self-hatred and betrayal for being lied to his whole life.  He may even be in denial and pretend like he never read that letter. Continuing the existing tone of this story I would have him write a letter to Desiree to apologise for the way he treated her and their baby out of embarrassment and shame. 

Chopin

Alkasti

I think the writer’s race does matter when dealing with race. I feel that it matters when speaking from the perspective of another race. When writing for another race you are either writing from your biases or stereotypes or from a 3rd party. A writer may write about what they see but I don’t think the writing will capture the thoughts and emotions of that person for the most part. I also think it may help someone really understand just what that person of a different race is going through. I also don’t believe one should be limited to talking about their opinions on a particular subject matter just because they aren’t in that particular group, whether race or any other minority

Marxism in the Thirteenth Night

Alkasti

This meeting is also interesting through the lens of the Marxist Theory because while both men are extremely similar in personalities, the way they are viewed in society is different. This is because of their social status, as Isamu is viewed as “someone” in society and Oskei is told to bare his behavior because he has a positive influence on their family but Roku has been abandoned by society and his wife. He is now someone that is looked down upon by everyone in society and this shows how money leads to people accepting terrible treatment just to be viewed favorably by the rich or at a higher level than others. Oseki tries to get a divorce because she does not feel comfortable with the way her husband treats her for being from a lower class, she meets again with Roku, the one Oseki thought she would get married to because they liked each other when they were younger.

Feminism In Ichiyo

Alkasti

In the story, “The Thirteenth Night”  there are two characters Isamu and Roku, which have no similarities in terms of their social class, as one is a rickshaw driver and the other is someone known and important in society. However, the differences in the social ranking are made up for with the similarities in their characters and personalities. As both men have little respect or care for their love partners and family, making them to both be miserable husbands and fathers. When Oskei runs into Roku and he tells her his life story and what he is doing recently, this was an important reconnection because it shows Oskei that she is not the only woman suffering and that the problem isn’t because of the higher stats of her husband but his character. Much like many parts of the world at this time, the status women had in society was extremely limited. If a woman wanted to leave a life of maidservant or cleaner the only option she had was to marry into a family of wealth and higher status. Tied to the wealth of the man she married, her life no longer mattered as much as his.

The Horror of Frankenstein

Alkasti

Independent reading Alkast Grullon

The particular reason why I chose this shirt story was that I like things that have to do with horror. Some factors in my decision-making process were social factors, past experiences, and my interest in horror. Another particular reason why this story called my attention was that the story taps into fear, by combining the unnatural and exposing terrifying acts.

I don’t agree that only the privileged are good enough to enjoy the horror genre. I strongly disagree because to feel fear for fun you don’t have to be the richest in society nor have the freest time of all. Horror is a genre of speculative fiction, which is intended to frighten/scare. Horror turns psychological fears and trauma into a real external presence.

I believe that horror movies have become so popular over the years is because individuals find it enjoyable to pay to feel fear. Horror movies became more accessible, allowing a genuine fan base to form. The VCR grew in popularity, allowing a new marketplace for horror movies. Horror is pleasurable to many people because it lets us play with negative emotions and develop coping strategies. We learn what it feels like to be truly afraid, and we learn how to handle negative emotions.

Government

Alkasti

After reading and understanding “The Trial of Thomas Builds-the-Fire” and “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” by Sherman Alexie two clear characteristics in this reading are inequality and discrimination due to race. While Thomas was at trial he was trying to experience himself and tell stories that had affected his life and are the reason why he is the way he was. “The judge was red-faced with anger; he almost looked Indian. He pounded his gavel until it broke. “Order in the court,” he shouted. “Order in the fucking court” (Alexie 146). This goes to prove the discrimination towards Thomas because he was a native African American, the judge refused to listen to his story as he repeatedly said “Your Honor, if I may continue, there is much more I need to say. There are so many more stories to tell” (Alexie 144). Thomas was treated with neglect and wasn’t charged ruefully he had extra charges against him.

Alkasti Grullon

Influence of Families and Elders on Children

Alkasti

In my judgment, I believe that parents and elders in families should be very attentive to what they say around young children. The particular reason for this is because while a child is going through their developmental stage, children intake everything around them rebel words and behaviors whether they’re good or bad, they take it as normal because they are yet not capable of differentiating what’s good or bad. Families and elders should always attempt to tell the truth to children and be as clear as possible. They should always teach children not to lie, but not in a brutal way. When a child is shielded by only saying nice things, they develop a concept of life always being perfect and nothing bad ever happening, which always affects them when struck by reality when older. When dealing with children we should always try to be as genuine as possible. We should teach our own children and children around us the reality of life in a way that their little brains can understand. We should teach children the value of words and actions. 

Where I am From

Alkasti

By Alkasti Grullon

I am from sunshine,

From cold water and rocks.

I am from the loud truck sounds, loud but very significant.

I am from the top of the mountains, where fruits shine bright.

I am from celebrating New Year with a broken family.

I am from one who is always forgiving but never being forgiven.

I am from believing that people change and deserve second chances.

I am from love.

I am from honesty.

I am from loyalty.

I am from a broken home but caring and supportive parents.

I am from Manathana with a Dominican family.