This movie was intended to be made not only to show the situation back in 1994, but to convey the message that people would deeply feel, so they would act upon their convictions when they actually face these kinds of events in the future. It is a lesson not to use the phrase, “History repeats itself.” Being aware of the issues around the world is a hope for every individual who is in desperate need of help. The cries and the looks of the people in the movie should have been motivating for all of us not to withdraw, but stand up for what is right. It was shocking to see the result of strong aversion towards the other: slaughtering one another unmercifully. Not only the internal conflicts, but the external conflicts between Rwanda and the world were well portrayed in the film. They were many scenes where foreigners felt ashamed that they had to leave behind the Rwandans at the battle of hell. Also, racism and ignorance, which are issues that people encounter everyday, are shown through conversations. The relationships between countries were ridiculous because it seemed UN was wearing a mask striving for peace, when it was only for their own protection.
The movie in general was very poignant because of the graphics and the storyline. It was a great opportunity to remind ourselves again about the obligation we have to think, so the deaths of the innocent lives wouldn’t be a waste. Hotel Rwanda is not an action or thrill movie people should enjoy for their leisure time; it’s a movie to inform people about the gravity of the situation that had happened in a country and a lesson that we should absorb to live our lives correctly.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Hotel Rwanda reflection
About 800,000 people died in 100 days. According to the Atlantic.com, “It was the fastest, most efficient killing spree of the twentieth century.” How could nobody knew about this traumatic event when 80000 people were literally butchered everyday? Watching the movie and reading the articles relating to this issue amazed me of the state of ignorance that the world had. Just because the majority doesn’t know or rarely visits Rwanda, it’s unethical and inhuman-like to neglect the gravity of the situation. This wouldn’t be the case if other countries like China or India had this problem; because it was a small country that no body cared about. The Media was delivered to the audience had dearth of information with scarce correct facts in it. They were certainly forgetting the stuffing in the sandwich. Not only that, but pulling all the armies out of the countries for their own protection was a dastardly act and a stupid movement to show their low quality of reputation. There is another genocide going on in Darfur, Sudan. What are we going to do? This time is the perfect opportunity to regain the shameful act we have shown and give full attention and support to stop this incessant catastrophe.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sick
Sick
by Shel Silverstein
"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay,"
I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash, and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is--
what?What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is---Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"
There are somedays when I really don't feel like going to school. Sometimes, I had fights with my friends, a test, a huge presentation or just feel cranky. When I have those feelings automatically, I would think of some excuses to convince my parents why I shouldn't go. Obviously, everytime I try, it doesn't work. This poem is really cute and easy to read because of the rhymes at the end.
Silverstein, Shel. "Sick." poets.org. 2003. HarperCollins Children's Books. 23 Jan 2008.
by Shel Silverstein
"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay,"
I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash, and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is--
what?What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is---Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"
There are somedays when I really don't feel like going to school. Sometimes, I had fights with my friends, a test, a huge presentation or just feel cranky. When I have those feelings automatically, I would think of some excuses to convince my parents why I shouldn't go. Obviously, everytime I try, it doesn't work. This poem is really cute and easy to read because of the rhymes at the end.
Silverstein, Shel. "Sick." poets.org. 2003. HarperCollins Children's Books. 23 Jan 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Whatif by Shel Silverstein
Whatif by Shel Silverstein
Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my earand pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!
Shel Silverstein is my favorite poet because I grew up with him and Dr. Seuss. Unlike other boring poets, his poems are very entertaining and intriguing. They are more like bed time stories that are really light. His poems also include different figurative languages and themes that make other people think and make connections to real life situations as well.
Specifically in this poem, I can personally understand what message the author's trying to deliver. In life, there are many times where I doubt myself. What if I don't get a good grade on my test? What if my parents get mad at me? What if I don't make any friends when I go to a new place? What if? What if? These "important" what ifs build up and creates tentions between other people and I if it continues on. So to prevent myself from any troubles, I would have to try to be optimistic and see the bright side of these questions.
Poem: Silverstein, Shel. "Shel Silverstein Poems." Famous Poets and Poems. 2006. Famous Poets And Poems. com. 17 Jan 2008 . <http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/shel_silverstein/poems/14819>.
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