What makes a novel "a classic"?

A novel is a classic when it is often referenced and seen in other medias of art or expression. Often, classics are made into films or referenced in modern-day medias. A novel is classic when it is remembered and referred to. If a novel makes an impact in society during the time it was written, then that also makes it a classic. Furthermore, if it changes the societal view or structure of the time, it is classic. Any novel that makes an impact, enough so that it is referenced in the future, time & time again, then it is a classic. If people of all generations are familiar with the novel, then it is classsssic.

My Comments

aw J,
this is a great post. Because your family doesn't do so badly in the money department of things :) and it shows your understanding that money is worthless (well, unarguably unimportant) compared to the other values in the world, including love, relationships and work ethic. I agree 100% that it is unfair that some people are born into a life already facilitated for them, as they naturally inherit wealth, while others struggle to afford a comfortable living. It is a shame that rich people are sometimes snobby and selfish. However, I don't think there is a direct correlation between money & snoody. Some rich people are generous and genuine. Those are the kind I like :) like you.

Jen,
I agree with this post. Obviously, a man who has money is a lot better than not a man who doesn't have money. I don't believe it is shallow for a woman to look for and to feel secure with a prosperous man. Only naturally, a woman would feel more comfortable with a man who has the ability to support a family, and a man who isn't stingy and limited in the things to do as a family for fun. It often feels embarrassing to admit that a man with money is more attractive than a man without, but in actuality, I think it is an important quality that determines the future of a relationship and family.

Jamie,
I agree with you. I think that the quality of your friends comes from things of more value than merely the amount of time you've spent with them. I believe that a certain amount of years doesn't guarantee loyalty in a friendship or relationship. I believe that relationships are deeper than that, and time is not the indicator of who will/will not stand by you. However, I think it is true that some friendships in your later life will be created out of interest, not out of pure desire for a friendship. But, in the childhood years, interest (money, fame, career) is really not relative, and therefore, childhood friendships are initially genuine most of the time. But, the initiative of a friendship doesn't determine the future of the friendship. Thanks Jamie.

Revenge

I believe that revenge is justified when someone beats you or insults you on a daily basis. Actually, really, I think that any form of revenge is justified. Because what is the definition of revenge? Isn't it the punishment or harm inflicted on somebody whose actions are despicable? Whose actions are less than desired? And, in some extremes, disgusting? Therefore, I believe that anyone whose conduct is deserving of hatred is deserving of revenge. For example, in the case of the typical nasty bully girl continuing to bully and to torment others, the revenge she will receive from the victims of her torment is justified. This bully deserves a little taste of her own medicine. It would be completely vulgar if the bully was able to act horribly, without any consequences in her disfavor. Why would she ever stop? Unless some pain-inflicting circumstance is forced upon her, the bully would continue to bully in the belief that she has nothing to lose. Revenge, in this case, would be necessary to stop her. Not always is revenge necessary (rarely - if you're a good person who likes to take the high road), but I think that it is always justified.

(JJ's Comment:
Hey shayna, Im not sure about this one. I think committing revenge is just as guilty as the person who committed the task. For example using your bully scenario. If the girl who was getting picked on went back and got revenge on the bully wouldn't she be steeping as low as the bully? I think for the most part taking the high road is the best bet. You show that you can handle things as a mature person and not everything should be put into payback or revenge but sometimes it is unavoidable.)

uh, after looking at JJ's comment, I want to specify. I don't mean that "bullying back" at the bully or hurting her physically is justified. But if the bully received an awful reputation and image among others, it would be completely justified. Wellllll maybe then, hm. Maybe then, deliberate revenge isn't doing this to her. Maybe it's her own actions that lead to a result in her disfavor. And, that is justified.

My Comments

Kimberly,
I totally agree about the effect reading has on people. This was a very good choice by you to decide to blog about this. Clearly, it has attracted so much feedback and so many comments. People can blog very passionately about reading's impact. Personally, I haven't always read like I do today. And reading is truly a life changing revelation. I feel so much more involved, cultured, intelligent and interesting when I have a book at hand. I love reading because it is so healthy, and also because it is just so relaxing. It's nice to connect to somebody else's experiences, and be able to disconnect at my leisure. Unlike the real world, books give me a sense of complete control. When I no longer want to be a part of the story, I can simply just snap the book shut. I wish real life were that easy: just slamming shut the pages when I no longer want to deal with reality. Wouldn't that be nice? I feel that books provide that sense of a) escape & b) the decision to stay or go whenever desired. There is no information that can not be obtained via reading. I love that, that we are not confined to anything. With libraries and books, the sky is the limit. Clearly, Malcolm experienced that. Without books and his determination in self-educating himself, his life would not have been turned around like it was.

Danielle,
I liked the points you chose to highlight about the trip to Harlem. I agree that Billy was so animated and so full of character, and just altogether very entertaining. I hadn't known why they kept calling Neil, "Neil Shoemakers", so I'm happy I read your blog to be enlightened in that regard. It is very interesting that those nicknames stick like that. I wonder if Neil minds, or if has any preference at all. Like you, I, too, was comforted & moved by Neil's persistence in calling us his family. I thought he was so sweet, and his appreciation for us was clearlyyyy conveyed (because he really just kept repeating it). It's so great that he is so appreciative that we come to tour Harlem and he is able to shed some light to people interested in a topic he knows especially well. Ok, that's all. Nice blog!

(To Napoli)
Gab, I loved your choice to write about love. The situation between your parents is adorable. And because I know them, I know exactly what you're saying. They still seem to be very much in love. I love when that exists between married couples of several years. Mine are the same. I wouldn't want it any other way. It would make me so sad if my parents fell out of love with each other over the years, due to lack of understanding and acceptance of each other's flaws, likes and dislikes. I believe that love cannot exist if it is based solely on appearance. One can only truly be in love once outward appearances are disregarded. Thank you for writing about this, and for incorporating the Beauty & the Beast comparison. This blog was really well written and its content was very refreshing and made me smile.

(To Grskovic)
Gab, you are such an insightful writer. It's obvious that you don't just jot down 100+ words to get the assignment done, but instead, you write about what holds significance to you. I love that about your writing. I agree with your assessment about the evolution of Harlem from Malcolm time to present day. I think it's sad, in a sense. Although it may be improving for the better, it is definitely losing its character as traditional Harlem. The 60% reduction rate of crime is a fantastic improvement, in addition to several others. However, Harlem wasn't what I had expected. It didn't think it looked very far off from the rest of the city. It seemed pretty cleaned up and urban to me. And, although I felt safer there than I had anticipated, it was a little disappointing to be in such an evolved Harlem. It seems to me that old Harlem is just becoming a distant memory...

Harlem #5

Yesterday's trip to Harlem was great. I feel really lucky to have been able to see, in a more up close & personal way, what Malcolm's life was like. It was really moving to walk the same streets that Malcolm X once walked. My least favorite aspect of the trip was the amount of time spent in the bus, rather than experiencing the walk of the New York City streets. I guess, though, that it was healthier for me (who is still getting over the flu) to sit in a heated bus rather than walk in the freezing cold. My two favorite aspects of the trip were the experiences in the Apollo Theater and in the Mosque. Our tour guide at the Apollo was so animated and such a pleasure to spend time with. He put on a great show and kept his audience very captive. It was also a lot of fun to watch our very own students get up and perform. I also enjoyed the experience at the mosque because the Brother was so forthcoming and so concerned with answering our questions and with making certain our uncertainties. One of my favorite things about his "speech" was when he said that in Islam, the practicers NEVER aim to convert or attract others to their religion. Instead, Islam is about treating others with the same love for and care for as you would yourself. I love this about Islam, because I feel it is unlike Judaism and Christianity in this sense. I constantly feel that Jews and Christians are trying to recruit more people to "their" side of the spectrum. Although Jews and Christians get along, I feel that there is a subtle rivalry between the two. I, myself, am not at all religious. My parents never forced me to follow any religion. My father is Jewish and my mother is Lutheran. I do not attend either temple or church. I made this decision to not attend either when my parents gave me the choice of making my own decision. I believed then that if I had decided to be a church attendee and not a temple attendee, that I would be insulting my dad. And vise versa. Throughout my life, I have felt a lot of pressure and guilt for the decision I made not to become religious in either direction. I feel that people use my lack of religious knowledge against me, to belittle me, and to make themselves seem more educated, superior and "loved by God". I have never really talked to a Muslim before yesterday about his/her religion, like I have with Jews and Christians. I feel that yesterday's Muslim Brother took a different approach than most do when speaking about religion. I wasn't turned off or intimidated by what the Brother spoke about. Instead, he conveyed such respect for each individual before him. I love that he was able to be such a strong believer in his own belief, but also be fully accepting and understanding of those whom don't share his beliefs. I felt entirely welcome and respected as I sat there in the mosque. I often wonder about the communities within religious centers, including mosques, temples and churches. I think it would make me happy to be a part of something so tight knit; to be involved in some type of group with common beliefs and with uplifting spirits and souls. I wonder if it would give me a different bounce in my step. I think it would give me a feeling of comfort, worth and belonging. I found this blog of a really enthusiastic Church attendee. He seems to be really intrigued by of the retreats and workshops at his church.
http://socscc.blogspot.com/
It is awesome that he posts a blog and expresses his fervor for his religion with anybody interested in reading. This is kind of what I feel that I'm missing by not at all being a part of a religious community. Had I been, maybe I would fervently be excited and enlightened by similar beliefs as this other blogger. I think that would be nice - really nice - and even better to share the passion with other believers!

Reverse Racism #4

Does reverse racism really exist? In class, we briefly spoke about how it doesn't for the following reason: One cannot be racist if he/she is not in a position of power. However, this doesn't mean he/she cannot spit racial slurs or something of the like. But his/her submission of derogatory remarks are nearly harmless to the race of the higher power.

This article really covers the ins & outs of the myth of reverse racism. While it restates everything that Mattessich broadly stated in class a couple days ago, it also goes into more depth and detail with each component of the theory of reverse racism.

http://www.raceandhistory.com/selfnews/viewnews.cgi?newsid1024893033,80611,.shtml

I chose this as a topic to blog about because I agree that reverse racism doesn't truly exist. I just recently experienced an encounter with a black woman wherein I felt I was being treated a certain way merely because of the color of my skin. I was in the mall with a couple of my girl friends. The black woman was initially talking to a group of black teenage girls, and she seemed to have a great energy and friendliness about her. But when she saw my white friends and me, she became cold and kept yelling at us for the littlest things: she was saying that we were talking too loudly in the store and that we couldn't sit in some places in the store. I don't believe that she would have had a problem with our behavior had we been the group of black teenagers whom she was especially nice to just a few minutes prior. However, it is true that I was totally unaffected by the rudeness that the black woman executed - I think because I knew that I had every right to be in that store, speaking freely, at the volume of my choice, and to whom and where I wanted. I was entirely secure in my skin. This personal experience coheres to the analysis of reverse racism that I have now heard spoken and written about.

Everything Is Written #3

Everything is written. Oh my gosh, I couldn't adhere to this belief any more so than I already do. Malcolm used this phrase to describe that life's events are planned out and predestined. My personal experiences have only led me to uphold this belief with more confidence and absolute certitude. I believe that some people are luckier than others. Although I like to believe otherwise, I think that some people are naturally blessed with fortune, while others, whom are not any less deserving, are deprived of some fundamental fortunes, like healthiness for example. Last year, my younger sister became so extremely ill. We had never seen any signs in her early life that she was going to become sick like she did. I can't really express last year's experience for my family and me in any other way than to simply say that our lives SUCKED last year. My poor sister was diagnosed with so many rare diseases, which she didn't deserve in the slightest. I don't believe that anybody really deserves to become so uncomfortable and so unhealthy like she did, but especially not my sister. She was too good a girl to deserve the pain that she received. Luckily she is better today (this year). She's doing so extraordinarily well. It's scary to think about how quickly our lives crashed last year, and how quickly they bounced back this year. This is how I know that everything is written. She wouldn't have gotten sick in the first place if she wasn't going to be fully recovered & even stronger in her return. Why she needed to experience the misery and agony that she did, I still don't know. But I do know that I will never fully forgive the force that inflicted her (and me) with such a scary, life changing experience.

The below article discusses a different spectrum of the study of predestination. This article doesn't take the religious or soulful approach, but instead, the study of criminal tendencies. The author of this article wrote about how the "dangerous notion of misconduct is hereditary":

http://www.city-journal.org/html/eon2007-02-06td.html

Some argue that predestination doesn't exist, and that only people themselves can control their fate. Others argue that predestination does exist, and that some misfortunes can simply not be avoided. The above article is balanced cocktail of both arguments: genetics contribute to behavioral conduct, but there isn't an inhuman driving force behind crime. The various theories of life's predetermination and predestination are very compelling to me. I believe that EVERYTHING IS WRITTEN!

Kinky Hair #2

Malcolm and his friends "conk" their hair in order to appear more "white" and to tame the kinky consistency of their natural hair. Being that Malcolm is a man, I think his incentive for "conking" his hair is, in full, just to appear more white - he doesn't conk his hair in the interest of making his hair more self-manageable to comb and to style, but instead only for purpose of appearance. However, women encounter more severe complications with their kinky, curly hair. Having super curly hair myself, I know the range of predicaments it delivers, from the inside, out. Not only does it physically become a pain to manage and to maintain, but it also fiddles with my self esteem from time-to-time. My hair does not always cooperate, and it certainly requires a lot more care than naturally straight hair does. Within the last week or so, I have been contemplating getting my hair permanently straightened. It's a more difficult decision than it seems, because it actually goes beyond the physical scheme of things. For one, I would love for it to just be straight and no longer a burden to me. I think that having straight hair would expedite its growth and activate the distribution of natural oils. However, I am faced with the emotional and mental issue: Do I really want my concern with my "physical beauty" to defeat my "inner beauty"? Do I really want to "give in" to the challenge of having curly hair? These questions I am faced with are inspired by a "This I believe" article that we read as a class a few months ago, about a woman who struggled to accept the way her hair looked, and then finally came to realize that it has been and will always be a part of her.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95726758

Toya Smith Marshall came to accept and embrace her hair as a token of individual and unique beauty. Because of this, she is extremely inspiring to me. But! Don't be surprised if I have straight/processed hair in a couple weeks! hehehe! 0:]

Cocaine #1

"Cocaine produced, for those who sniff its powdery white crystals, an illusion of supreme well-being, and a soaring over-confidence in both physical and mental ability. You think you could whip the heavyweight champion, and that you are smarter than anybody. There was also a feeling of timelessness. And there were intervals of ability to recall and review things that had happened years back with astonishing clarity" (Haley 137-138).

This quote illustrates the high that Malcolm gets from the use of cocaine. Malcolm's inactivity and passiveness is really threatening to the rest of life, and to whatever potential he has left in him. While reading this, I realized that Malcolm needs to radically turn his life around or else disintegrate to nothing. Malcolm has grown numb, losing feeling and emotion in his life's fundamentals. The use of drugs is only further harming Malcolm's behavior. He needs to restore a sense of self-awareness for his own well-being. 

Furthermore, I could relate to this quote. Although I have never (and will never) use cocaine, I have experienced  similar feelings of invincibility. There were all time lows in my life wherein I felt emotionless and numb, thus leading to self-degrade and self disrespect. Luckily, I realized then how important (essential, really) it was to re-prioritize my life; my relations, my image and my values; and to turn it around for the better. I am so grateful now that my emotions and sense of humanity have been restored. Now, I feel like I have been infused with tons of emotion. I could never again imagine myself feeling "numb" or incapable of making the best/healthiest decisions for my own well-being. In my life experiences, I have learned that feeling invincible only leads to devastation. I would advise Malcolm to turn his life around now, before it's too late! (And I know he does!)

I wonder if there is an easy method that reprograms one's view of himself. I researched the psychology of changing oneself.

http://www.psychologycampus.com/social-psychology/self-esteem.html
Clearly, there are several aspects in regards to the psychology of self-esteem and feelings of self worth. I think that it is complicated and more difficult than most people know to have a constant and healthy balance of all of the outside forces that contribute to the way one feels about himself. Between the people you surround yourself with, or the aura of the home that you were raised in - there are several contributing factors to one's self esteem. I think it would be extremely challenging to perfect all of the outside components in order to raise my self esteem. It is far too involved for that. I guess that's why they say nobody is perfect. And really, it would be artificial if everything was. Right now, I am pretty competent. I have good self-esteem and feelings of self worth. I suppose there is always room for improvement, and always room to learn something new about myself. I love the psychology of it all!

Being Privileged/Greg

Hi, today is February 12th. Today's class discussion was incredibly intense. The bell rang too quickly! I would have liked to continue to hear what everybody was thinking and feeling. I feel that the study of race and privilege is so incredibly touching and moving, that it could be discussed for extensive amounts of time. Today's discussion, especially, was very heartfelt because our classroom is filled with a mixture of races. And thus, people voiced themselves angrily, passionately and ruthlessly. For a few minutes, I was frazzled at the amount of emotion radiated from us students. Furthermore, I was very proud of the way we conducted the conversation. We not only outwardly and honestly expressed our views, but we helped each other to verify other concepts. Thank you Greg, for being so confident and persistent in your argument, providing us with a bold foundation to take off from. You, Greg, really provide thought-provoking ideas for the rest of the class. I appreciate it. I'm glad that you are in my class because you are one of the best-spoken and most mature boys (should I call you men now?) that I know.

Anyway, it amazes me how deeply analyzed the topic of privilege and race can be. So many of white people take for granted being white. It is undeniable that white people are given special treatment and outstanding opportunity. However, I sometimes feel that white people can never entirely do "right". We talked about how ignorance is bliss. This means that white people feel better if they are "aloof" to or "unaware" of the denied rights of the minorities. In a sense, it is much easier to ignore these issues and not take responsibility for any. Therefore, some argue that race should be entirely ignored and its issues within should be disintegrated.  However, others argue that because white people have the fortune and capability, they should use it to advance the people less privileged. But do the minorities want the help of the whites, or do they want to feel equally as capable and dependent as the white community? I feel that these questions/possibilities inflict more uncertainty and pressure on white people than most minorities recognize. I, for one, have not stopped thinking after reading that article today in class. As a white woman, I have a lot to consider. A lot of responsibility. And a lot of power to apply it to where ever I so choose. Stimulating! 

"How ridiculous I was! Stupid enough to stand there simply lost in admiration of my hair now looking 'white,' reflected in the mirror in Shorty's room. This was my first really big self toward self-degradation: when I endured all of that pain, literally burning my flesh to have it look like a white man's hair" (Haley 56). 

Malcolm desperately wanted to look whiter and more attractive, and thus decided to allow his friend, Shorty, to perm his hair to take out its kink. This signifies Malcolm's desperation to be accepted in society and to look less black. What was more interesting, though, was that Malcolm admitted to indulging in self degradation, as he somehow let society and his "less desirable" appearance defeat him. By stripping his hair of its kinky consistency, he also, in a sense, stripped himself of his dignity and security as a black man. It is interesting that, in spite of his knowledge of doing that, Malcolm proceeds to make himself appear more white and more appealing to white girls. I am curious to see how Malcolm continues to grow and transform throughout the book. My initial understanding of the legendary Malcolm X was that he was a man of tremendous black pride and a leader of several "fights for equal rights" movements. Thus far in the book, all that has yet to be told. Instead, I have only seen Malcolm accept and be defeated by the racial inequality. I hope that my initial understanding of Malcolm turns out to be true, and that he rises to a position wherein he voices his beliefs to better the black community (and the white, too,) as a whole.

Mr. Ostrowski - Malcolm X

A particular conversation that Malcolm X had with his teacher, Mr. Ostrowski, really touched me. Malcolm's teacher was always supportive and accepting of him. Earlier, Malcom quoted, "'I had gotten some of my best marks under him, and h had always made me feel that he liked me'" (Haley 37). However, one day a conversation concerning Malcolm's future and career path was sparked. Mr. Ostrowski was quick to put down Malcolm when Malcolm expressed his aspiration to become a lawyer. Malcolm recites, "Mr. Ostrowski looked surprised, I remember, and leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. He kind of half-smiled and said, 'Malcolm, one of life's first needs is for us to be realistic. Don't misunderstand me now. We all here like you, you know that. But you've got to be realistic about being a nigger. A lawyer - that's no realistic goal for a nigger'" (Haley 39). Here, Mr. Ostrowski, a man who had always treated Malcolm so righteously, smacked him so far down. This passage broke my heart because already Malcolm knew that so many people had such little faith in him, and he had never expected his genuine and fair teacher to be another. This passage truly depicts the reality of the time: inequality was undeniable. Even the kindest people knew better than to believe that a 'nigger' could ever achieve the same success as a white person could.