Discrimination

     Today I chose to do the do the IAT tests, and listen to the 9/11 stories. As I was taking the test, i felt the questions were very blunt (I'm sure that's the point) and they were uncomfortable to answer. You were forced to choose black people or white people (there was a choice for either, but that isn't the point of the study) then answer the questions and categorize different words and pictures. The things the test required us to do were about things that aren't usually talked about in an every day conversation because it is uncomfortable to do so. In the 9/11 stories it shared the point-of-view from Americans, Arabs, and other ethnicities. Americans were hurting and scared more devastating things would take place, Arabs were made fun of for being the ones who terrorized the united states, even though the specific people had nothing to do with it. Its really sad to hear their stories and about their feelings.

   Everything we did today was based around discrimination of some sort. The things talked about in the websites we were on were all about the way people are treated or viewed as.

Book Review 3: Hunger Games (Continued)

                Previously, I wrote about reading the hunger games again. I enjoy reading books more than once because I tend to pick up on things that I hadn't the first time I read it. It’s fun to catch innuendos, or little facts that you didn't catch before.

                I left of in my last review with Katniss remembering a slight memory of her and Peta when they were younger. They are getting ready to leave for the Capitol to the Training Center and Opening Ceremony. The two are accompanied by their mentor—the lone surviving winner of the hunger games from district twelve—Haymitch, and their escort, Effie. When they arrive for the opening ceremony, they are wearing designed outfits with fake fire trailing behind them. Katniss is then referred to as “The Girl on Fire”.

These are the outfits the two wore to the opening ceremonies. They were so extravagant, the capitol and the rest of the nation were sure to remember them.

                The two are putting on a show for the capitol. They’re supposed to be madly in love. As they fool the Capitol, they’re winning them over. Who wants the star-crossed lovers to die? The more people who favor Peta and Katniss, the more sponsors they receive in the arena, assisting them to stay alive. “Remember, we're madly in love, so it's alright to kiss me anytime you feel like it.” Peta said to Katniss as she was hostile to everyone. I love this quote because it explains how Katniss needs to be reminded that she “loves” him (implying that its fake) and it shows how Peta is cooperative by just reminding her.

                The next day in the capitol, the tributes from each district must perform their best survival skill/talent in front of the judges. Peta showed his camo painting skills and Katniss showed her talent with the bow and arrow. Because district twelve is the highest district (in number) Peta and Katniss were last. By the time it was Katniss’ turn; the judges were restless and didn't pay attention. She didn't put up with it. Katniss shot her arrow straight through an apple up in the judges’ box. This got their attention. (This is as much as I finished in the book so far.) 

Reading Response 2: Hunger Games

            With everything I’m involved in, I don’t have very much time to just pick up a book. However, I have been able to pick up and read the Hunger Games a little bit here and there. I read the book a couple years ago, which makes it easier to read and makes things go faster.

            The plot of the story is in future America. America is split into 12 districts with each district doing a different job of production. There is also the capitol, where the president and rich people live. Every year, a handful the capitol come to each district and draw the names of one boy and one girl under the age of 18 (this is called reaping). The two are sent into a game where they fight for their lives against 22 other kids from the other 11 districts.

            Prim Everdeen and Peta Mellark are the two names picked out of a hat. Suddenly, when Prim’s name is called, her older sister, Katniss, steps in and volunteers to take her spot. District twelve put three fingers in the air as a sign of respect to Katniss. Katniss and Peta are then taken for preparation of the games.

            Peta and Katniss knew each other, but had never really talked. This had to change in order for them to work together in the games. Katniss had remembered a time when they were younger, “The boy took one look back to the bakery as if checking that the coast was clear, then, his attention back on the pig, he threw a loaf of bread in my direction. The second quickly followed, and he sloshed back to the bakery, closing the kitchen door tightly behind him” this memory of Katniss’ really explains how scarce the food is in district twelve. (So far, this is as much as I’ve read)



The picture I have chosen is America in the day of the Hunger games. It is divided into twelve districts and the districts are labeled.