Reflection ( 23/412-27/4/12)

  In class this week, we watched interactive videos on Youtube that are called "The Hate Game". In the video, we are guided through a hate-themed situation where at a critical situation, we are given two choices, usually a positive and a negative one. The character then chooses a choice and we are able to see the aftermath of the selected choice in the video. I was really surprised to know that the videos were based on real situations that happened in the past. I was engrossed with a particular incident about Stephen Lawrence; who was murdered in a gang beating in England.


  When did all these discrimination start? Is it worse today as compared to the past? Why is is still happening? Those were just some of the questions that ran through my mind as I watched the videos and read up on a couple of those incidents. And during the last lesson of the week, I was inspired to pick up books on Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass (who were both notable human rights activists during their time) to research more on my Hero essay. I believe that reading on the case of Stephen Lawrence sparked my curiosity and passion towards human rights issues more than before as it made me ponder on the issue of discrimination.


 We also explored more Heroes on the My Hero website through the station exercises and learned about the different categories a hero can fit into. This expands my idea of a stereotypical hero image with red capes, inside out red underwears and the works. There are so many unsung heroes out there to be discovered and admired yet, so many still obsess over people like Justin Bieber. The website is a great portal to discover new inspirational figures like Abraham Lincoln to Dian Fossey, each a hero in their respective fields. It's important to seek these figures and LEARN to be inspired by their actions rather than to simply obsess over idols who you think are simply 'cute'. It's time to open a book, go onto Wikipedia and read inspiring bibliographies of amazing human beings because the chances are, we'll learn more than memorising lyrics to a song with an incredibly limited vocabulary range ( Baby by Justin Bieber *coughs*).

Reflection (24/4/12)

  We can learn a lot by observing the decisions a person make. Decisions are made everyday in our lives no matter how small nor big and often impacts the people around us in positive or negative ways. Some decisions could be as effortless as choosing the clothes you want to wear for the day, and some, could lead to the massacre of millions. 

Millions who had hopes and aspirations. Millions who had answers that we seek today. Millions who simply wanted to lead a peaceful and happy life. 

There are also some decisions that save lives. Decisions that give people hope. Decisions that present people with another chance. Decisions that catalyses a new generation.

 When you're faced with a decision that challenges your instinct with your logic, it's all a blur. I personally think that the instinct is doing what is right, and logic is doing what you think right. And a hero would be a person that follows their instinct whatever the cost may be. In today's case, we watched a few inspiring Youtube videos that are themed on hatred. Out of these videos, the heroes were simply people who took the initiative to help others. People who stand up for themselves and others. And most importantly, people who listen to their instincts. I believe that this is a valuable trait that also defines heroism and stands as a valuable addition to my previous definition of a 'hero'. 

 "An eye for an eye makes the world go blind" as Gandhi once said, and with the greatest sacrifice of our voice, our strength and our compassion for others; will the world finally be a better place.

Reflection (16/4/12-20/4/12)

  Over the holidays, I did another small article for the My Hero project on Maya Angelou. I've read some of her poems and felt that her struggles in life was also relatable to a movie I've watched during the holidays, which is The Help. As I'm interested in American History, it was interesting to research on Maya Angelou as her past acquaintances with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the time of the Civil Rights Movement was a significant time period in American History. These people were the catalyst of their time, risking everything for humanity and often, becoming martyrs for their beliefs.

 Back in school, we also cleared the confusion between an 'idol' and a 'hero'. I realise all these while I've misinterpreted the true meaning of a hero and by writing on my own definition of a hero after a session of interactive class activities that includes using the Venn Diagram and a small debate, I was really able to see the fine line that separates a hero from and idol. I am happy to be able to write eloquently on the matter and I see an improvement in my writing. All I need was simply concentration and by putting my head in it ( and a little music on itunes), I was able to analyse the lyrics and the poem better too.

 In my literature circle, my group members and I had a thorough discussion on the chapters that we've read over the holidays. We all agree that the book is indeed getting more interesting as the protagonist; Winston, is acting towards his instinct and not merely living his fearful life under the orders of Big Brother anymore. As we are closing in towards the end of the book, we are also discussing on the literature circle projects that we will do once we've finished reading the book.

 After that, we also did a small game of charades and I was partnered with Afifah. We were given funny situations to act out and in the end, Afifah and I did pretty well as we were able to guess out most of each other's acts. I realise I was being really self-conscious while playing hence, I wasn't giving my best efforts to be in character whereas Afifah went completely out of her shell and performed really well. I was blessed with another opportunity to improve my acting in the group performance with Rizq and Victoria. We tried to be as spontaneous as possible and had fun performing our short skit. In my performance rubric, I was mostly 'Keira Knightly' as I didn't stay in character as I've forgotten to maintain my facial expressions. I hope that I would maintain my composure and be fully in character the next time in the next acting to achieve the 'Kevin Spacey' level.

 Overall, it was an exhilarating week in school after two weeks of holidays as I've really enjoyed the practical activities in class (especially the activities that we did to differentiate idols and heroes) as classes were not boring and I was able to write efficiently after a long streak of bad writing.

What is a Hero?

"I was in uniform for four years, and I know that heroism doesn't occur from taking orders, but rather from people who through their own willpower and strength are willing to sacrifice their lives for an idea."-Thor Heyerdahl

 As a child, I was often imbued by the world of cartoon superheroes such as the Powerpuff Girls, Rogue and Jean Grey. As I grew, I became fascinated with the works of John Hughes, the music of La Roux and the acts of Carey Mulligan. All these fictional and non-fictional icons; were all my heroes. Until I realize the true meaning of a hero today.

 A real hero is someone like Gandhi, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Erin Gruwell, to name a few. Why are they heroes? They all share a similar quality of compassion towards the weaker, strength to stand for righteousness and courage to sacrifice themselves for the better of others. And all of that, without the lust for fame or notoriety. That; is what a real hero is made of.

 In the song, "Superman's Song" by the Crash Test Dummies( Ms. Abena you've killer taste in music), the lyrics portrayed a sense of self-sacrifice, compassion and non-superiority as Superman acts in his noble ways through pure initiative and not for the limelights as seen in the chorus paragraph:

"Superman never made any money

For saving the world from Solomon Grundy

And sometimes I despair the world will never see

Another man like him"

 Whereas in the poem "First They Came for the Jews", it clearly contrasted with the lyrics of Superman as depicted acts on the opposite end of the spectrum. In the poem, the poet says of himself as someone that lacks of initiative. The speaker does not speak out for anything that is relative to himself as seen in these 3 stanzas:

"First they came for the communists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew."

 The speaker in the end succumbed to his own act of selfishness in the end when he is said to be taken away, and this time, no one will speak out for him as well. The speaker finally takes a sip of his own poison in the last stanza as nobody also wanted to take a stand for him in his most dire moment:

"Then they came for me,

    and there was no-one left to speak out for me. "

  Many of us today are still often too engrossed in our egos to see that the essence of humanity is merely to see ourselves as neither superior nor inferior to anyone. We all live on the same planet, breath the same air hence why should humanity be divided according to our race, religion or even beliefs?

The blood of martyrs have been shed countlessly in the past, yet, we still live in a materialistic world where books are judged by their covers. And in the midst of the norm, there will be a handful of people who will storm out with a voice, a purpose and a fight for a better tomorrow.

And these are, heroes.

My Hero 2 ( 4/4/1928- Maya Angelou)

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 


Mary Angelou's life; documented eloquently but informally as dates and time-charts blur out of vision in her biographies as said by her biographer once, portrays her famous quote well. Though details of Mary Angelou's life were inconsistent, she captured the important essence of her trials and tribulations while growing up in difficult times ( Great Depression and World War 2) and losing close friends (Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, who were both assassinated). Her continuous strive to bring up her son as a single parent and will to live brought her through different phases of jobs from working as a prostitute up until becoming the established poet that we all know today.


What is life without a purpose? What is love without passion? Through Maya Angelou's biographies, especially the highly-aclaimed "I Know Why The Caged Birds Sing", teaches us to persevere. Maya Angelou is  not an iconic person that can be recognised through the term 'hero', but she's an amazing individual that lived her life to the fullest. We here today, complain about the slightest things such as exams and being bored at home whereas Maya Angelou in our age persevered through high school and later earning a scholarship to study in the California Labor School; one of her earliest accomplishments in her life.


I end my short essay on Maya Angelou with another amazing quote from her that once again emphasises on perseverance;

All my work, my life, everything I do is about survival, not just bare, awful, plodding survival, but survival with grace and faith. While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated".