SamanthaBeattie

CopperStream

CBand

                                    AutobiographyOf A Broken Tongue

It’s hard to say what my main language is. I speak inso many different ways. What I speak now is different then what I spoke when Iwas a child. How I speak with my friends is different from how I speak withfamily. What I speak with people I hardly know differs from family and friends.When I pray to God, I know for sure I speak much different than I do withanyone else. And lets not forget the way I talk when I’m with my boyfriend. Ialso speak a complete different way when I’m around him. I guess I’m torn apartwith people.

 I guessI let people influence the way I say what I say, and what it is that I say. Butno one can take away from one language. The language my heart speaks. I guessit wouldn’t qualify as a language to both, but to me it is. It is what stuckwith me since I was little. It is what plays in my mind no matter what fallsfrom my mouth. Its not always stuck inside of me.

I guess you’d say it shows a little bit when Ifinally become close with people… or at least when I feel as if I am. The onlyplace it doesn’t show is home. Home is all-together a different language. Athome, its not that I don’t want to share who I am with them, it’s just whatwould happen if I did. With friends, my tongue is free, but at home is whereit’s stuck inside of me.  Maybeexplaining would help.

Ever since I was little, I have grown up in a housewhere everything is overshadowed by religion. I have always been forbidden tocurse and using certain inappropriate words was unacceptable. I had also beenin catholic school at the time, which was just as strict as home life. I hadn’treally noticed the oppressed language inside of me, until we had moved to thehouse that I am at now. I became open to new words, new languages, and newpeople.

I started learning little Spanish words that I usedwith the Spanish kids in class, I started cursing with people who seemed freespirited, which didn’t turn out so well. I had gotten so used to being freeoutside of the gates of my house… that I almost slipped within the walls of myhome. I remember it so clearly. We had a puppy and since my mom didn’t want itgetting upstairs and making messes, we put up a baby gate preventing him fromgetting up the stairs… and causing an annoyance when I had to make it to myroom. “I’m going upstairs, momma.” I said in a calm, innocent voice, which Iwas used to switching to while I was around her.

“’Kay baby, love you.” She’d say, with her accentthat always seemed to drag out sounds in words that weren’t normally meant tobe emphasized. I went to walk up the steps, when I had to climb over the babygate.

“Ugh! This gate is f*ckin annoyin’”. I froze, almostparalyzed with fear, hoping she hadn’t heard me as I slowly started to go upthe stairs.

“What did you just say?” The “T” seemed to be sodistinguished from the rest of the sentence. She always seemed as if she wantedthe “T’s” to be heard, but I knew she didn’t really love “T” THAT much. I frozeand thought of what to say when I finally came up with an excuse.

“I said fudgin’, mom. I know better than to curse.”My voice seemed to crackle, but she didn’t noticed.

“Good. I don’t wanna catch you cursing or I’m goingto wash your mouth out with soap.” It wasn’t proper the way she said it, yeteverything was always being said. Every vowel, consonant… just every letterseemed to be included as she spoke. I guess years of standard English inCatholic school kept her speaking the way she did. I agreed with her as I mademy way upstairs with a sigh of relief, yet I still felt fearful.

I didn’t know what was happening to me. I knew whatlanguage to keep within the home and what to keep outside. Why was I slipping?Then I noticed, the proper words and the innocent language wasn’t me. What funwas it to speak as if I was a mindless robot?

Yet, there was nothing I could do. Using the languagethat helped me express everything much better was also the type of thing mymother would never approve of. I hated the fact that I was going against mymother’s wishes whenever she wasn’t around, but at the same time… that languagewas mine. It was free, full of change, and what helped me to expresseverything. Why should I stop all together the thing that made me feel less ofa robot?

But this wasn’t the only part of my language I seemedto change when I was out of the house. I also picked up on words thatsubstituted for things. My friends and I called them insiders (little thingsthat only we would understand). My tongue seemed to be growing wild. Not onlywas I speaking proper with family and all together weird with my friends, butthe internet seemed to be a totally different language, too.

I chopped everything, used slang, different symbolsto show didn’t words, and even used dots for pauses. I seemed to speak a lotshorter online then in person. I was slowly loosing myself with every new placemy tongue found refuge. It was like my tongue was adapting to everything aroundit.  “tee tee why el” I would sayfor talk to you later online, but in person it would be “bye loser” or “peaceit” depending on moods. My tongue just wouldn’t stop.

Then, when I finally hit the stage of falling forboys, it was if I was on another terrain. I couldn’t speak proper, because I’dseem preppy. I couldn’t speak the silly i/m way, because I’d seem like a child.I couldn’t speak the way I did with my friends around them, because I’d seemlike a dork. Silly phrases I used with friends was too embarrassing to speakwith boyfriends.

It was like my wild tongue was tied down in twoplaces-family and boys. My tongue just couldn’t win.

Proper with family. Silly with friends. Hesitant andshortened online. Nice, slang-free, with adults I hadn’t known. I couldn’thandle it. It was all smushing together until I finally grew silent.

Nothing I said would show the real me, so why speakat all? Then I realized something. Why suppress myself all together because ofthe way I was torn? My tongue went from wild to not even there, but which wasreally the way for me?

I guess, after writng this autobiography and afterall the years that my wild tongue grew and then vanished and opened up again, Irealize that the real language that came from me was not the i/m speak, theSpanish with my Spanish friends, the properness with my family, the sillynesswith friends, the shyness with adults, or the special way I spoke with whomeverI was going with at the time, but the language that I spoke with my heart.

I showed myself differently in every place, becausein every place there was a different emotion that showed up within me. Adifferently feel. A different mood. I wasn’t suppressing myself at all. I wasshowing different parts of me that grew with certain people. My wild tongueremains wild and untamed. Maybe one day I will put all the different sidestogether, but until then, I will keep the different sides that make me and Iwon’t silence myself anymore, because my wild tongue should be free. I guess inall the madness at the end of this paper is basically saying this:

All the types I speak are all me, just show me indifferent ways. It’s like when you look at a painting through a feminist lensethen you see it in a Marxist lense. Its always going to be the same language,but it will always come off in a different way with the same meaning it wasmeant for. 

The Fire

“Stop playing with me” I laughed as my sister told me the news. 

Out
of all the various assignments in Mr. Block’s History and English
classes this year, what I learned can be summed up into a few general
understandings. One example is that, Language is like a painting of
one’s identity but when appropriate, one should have the self-control
to camouflage it.  As we read Their Eyes Were Watching God, we also had
a unit on Language. We did many different activities and had many
different discussions about it. As a class, we then decided that
language is more than just a voice; it is part of one’s identity.

Ian Terway
Copper Stream
June 10, 2009

Humanities Portfolio

    Sophomore year in both History and English has taught me so many new understandings of life and has taught me about metacognition. I actually learned more overall about everything indirectly, than I think that I would learn from sitting in a class taking notes and listening to a teacher lecture. Before in all the things that we studied or simply came across we found some kind of theme and ones that in my opinion are deep and thought full as well as somewhat controversial. Now it is time to sum up all of these themes from very different aspects and lessons and now create my very own controversial theme about what is the most meaningful to me.

Kimberly Bush
June 10, 2009
In The End…

     This year of high school was unpredictable. Filled with its drama in the halls to whose relationship will last more, this year was loaded with uncertain possibilities and events hiding behind each corner. We students needed to vent our problems and feelings somehow and that’s where English and History class came in. Not only were these classes an escape to express ourselves but also at the end of this year we’re walking away from History and English Class with a new take on the meaning of life.

In my years of having English and history classes, they never really ever seemed to relate to each other. I never could ever raise my hand to say “this is just like in English when we read Othello, it’s like the old folk tale society relates to the medieval era where Hernando Cortez went on a conquest to basically rule the world.” Then I was in Mr. Blocks English and History class.  It changed the way I thought about both classes. In English I used to just think that the teachers were trying to make us learn about some old dead boring poets poems and read some old dead author’s books. In History I used to think that all I had to do was basically memorize some dates and basic summaries of what happened on them to get an A. Now I have a new perspective.

Qianna Nelson
Copper
Final Portfolio

        This year in Mr. Blocks English and history class a topic that stuck out to me the most was Identity.  I don’t know but it seemed like everything we did led back to identity. Either it was finding out whom you are, losing yourself in different situations, or just not knowing who you are and trying to find yourself in this harsh world. In every unit I related identity to something we did.

Creation and Presentation

Taylor Tomasco
March 17, 2009
Op-Ed: Standardized Testing

Little Johnny Redfeild was 5 years old and had a broad imagination. His parents wanted to send him to school where, according to Rethinking Schools,  “Their classrooms would be places of hope, the students and teachers would gain glimpses of the kind of society we could live in and where students would learn the academic and critical skills needed to make that vision a reality.” Johnny’s mother, Mrs. Redfeild was very excited and confident; she could already vividly see Johnny’s ability and achievements soar.

Introduction
My names is Nhat Hanh, I was born October 11, 1926 in central Vietnam. I am a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist. When I was 16 I joined a Zen monastery and  studied Buddhism as a novice, and was fully ordained as a monk 7 years later. I am usually referred to as Thich Nhat Hanh. Thích is  a title used by all Vietnamese monks, meaning that they are part of the Shakya clan.

         Throughout the year attending my English and History classes has not been a difficult undertaking. Completing the assignments however, was very demanding of the skill and knowledge that I possess.  While rummaging through my thesis papers and journal entries I found many of my writings weak. As I read my papers I was cringing, ashamed of my works quality, but as I look through I became aware of the improvement that thankfully had transpired in my work. This year brought to me an array of topics that expanded my mind and gave me more insight on the world. I learned to track down the answers I needed on my own. I figured out the many ways too tackle a paper.

Introduction
Melissa Buchanico

Exhibit name: Madagascar
Goal: My goal is to show that Madagascar isn’t really free even after colonialism took place. They still go through the pain of having a “dictator” and they still go through the pain of following a strong set of rules.

Introduction:
160 million years ago, Madagascar broke off from the continent of Africa to become its own. As time went on, animals and people moved into the land to take over. (Show pictures of the land; Pangaea, animals, etc…)
On August 10 of 1500, Diogo Dias became the first European man to land on the island in the Indian Ocean after being blown off course on his way to India. He decided to name the island St. Lawrence. (Show pictures of Diogo Dias and his ship)
From 1810-1825, the first king Ramada I took over. He unified most of the country and allowed English Missionaries to come into the land to spread Christianity. (Show pictures of Ramada I)
Throughout the many rulings of kings and queens in Madagascar of the Malagasy tribe, the country was finally labeled as independent on June 26, 1960. There were years of instability within the government of Madagascar, but eventually Didier Ratsiraka took over in 1975. He turned the country into a “quasi-Maxist state” by becoming friends with Communist states. (Show pictures of Didier Ratsiraka and the country during his ruling.)
In 2001, the country of Madagascar voted that Marc Ravalomanana become president. Didier Ratsiraka refused to give up the position and went into haywire. He later fled in exile to France in 2002. To this day, Madagascar is still ruled by Marc Ravalomanana and is known as a Republic. (Show pictures of Marc Ravalomanana.)
Final thoughts:
Madagascar is finally an independent country after years and years of working hard to gain independence. They earned every ounce of freedom they have and they continue to help the world around them. Marc Ravalomanana has done a tremendous amount of work to get them where they are today and has done a great job in the leadership of this country. Madagascar is a great representation of how colonialism can be the rise or downfall of a country.

Madagascar
Melissa Buchanico
May 11, 2009

1. Picture of "Radama I" the first king of Madagascar

Radama I united the country as one. He brought together all the people and ruled as king for quite some time. In 1810, he followed his father Andrianimpoinimerina as king of Merina, a small area in the central plateau of the island, around Antananarivo. Am ambitious ruler, he first took over the Betsileo area in the southern part of the central highlands, then the Sakalava. By playing off competing British and French interests, he acquired British aid for his military, which he then used to conquer most of the rest of the island by 1824. He officially abolished the slave trade in 1817 in Madagascar, although slave-dealing continued. Radama was followed by his wife, Queen Ranavalona  

2. Franco-Malagasy War (poster)

The Franco-Malagasy Wars) consisted of French military interventions in Madagascar between 1883 and 1896 that overthrew the ruling monarchy of the Merina Kingdom, and resulted in Madagascar becoming a French colony. Hova refers to a class within the Merina tribe structure. France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War, seeking to restore property that had been confiscated from French citizens. With the signing of the Treaty of Tamatave in January, 1886, the war ceased. Madagascar ceded Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) on the northern coast to France and paid a hefty fine of 10 million francs. The treaty included an 'Instructive Letter' which was to clarify the treaty, but which was never presented in the French Parliament when they voted to ratify the treaty. The treaty essentially gave France control over Malagasy foreign policy, and they used this to exert increasing control over the territy, but a Protectorate was not formally declared.
 

3. Picture of Didier Ratsiraka

Vice Admiral Didier Ratsiraka (born 4 November 1936 in Vatomandry, Atsinanana Region) is a former President of Madagascar. He led the country from 1975 until 1993 and from 1997 until 2002.Ratsiraka served as Minister of Foreign Affairs under Gabriel Ramanantsoa from 1972 until 1975. Known as the "Red Admiral", he was made head of state, as President of the Supreme Revolutionary Council, by the military leadership on June 15,1975.
 

4. Madagascar flag

One theory on the Madagascar flag's meaning states that the colors of the Madagascar flag represent Madagascar's history, yearning for independence, and traditional classes. Red and white were the colors of the Merina kingdom, which fell to France in 1896. The colors were used in the flag of Queen Ranavalona III, the last Merina monarch. They also represent the ethnic origins of the Malagasy people in Southeast Asia, and are shared by the flag of Indonesia. Green was the color of the Hova, a class of commoners who played a significant role in the independence movement. The modern day interpretation of the Madagascar flag colors believes that red standing for sovereignty, white represents purity and green means hope.
 

5. Lemur

There are over 50 different species of Lemurs in Madagascar. 15 of them have gone into extinction. Of the 17 families of primates in the world, five of those belong to Madagascar. Lemurs have an interesting evolutionary history and the only reason they still exist today is because of Madagascar's isolation. All lemurs in in danger of extinction.
 

6. Textile traditions in Madagascar

Malagasy people are once again returning to creating textiles for currency. Textile factories are a main part of Madagascar because it’s where most of their money comes from. Without textile factories, Madagascar wouldn’t be as wealthy as they are today. It has helped them rise to the top with becoming noticeable. It had to do with the culture because it all started out with the clothes that the people wore in the Malagasy. People came from all over the world to see Madagascar and became fascinated with the designs and colors, so then the people decided to move in and ask them to create textiles for all over the world to be sold.  

7. Marc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana is the current president of Madagascar. Before becoming president, he was the mayor of Tana (Antananarivo.) He took over in 2002 when the country of Madagascar ruled him over Didier Ratsiraka. He also took the role of president again to resume his second term in 2006. Ravalomanana is a practicing Christian and has been awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean from the Republic of Mauritius and the Special class of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2006. He remains president to this day of the Republic of Madagascar.
 

8. Madagascar Art
Not much is known about Madagascar art because not much of it could be found after large groups of humans moved into the land. The piece shown below is a carved statue of a tribal member. Madagascar was first inhabited during the 7th century by people related to the Polynesians who lived along the Swahili coast of Africa, but they were eventually driven away by Islamic traders. This type of art is known as Malagasy art and was made by the Malagasy people of Madagascar back in the 1500s.
 

My Blog:

riff poem ^

Copper and Iron streams are taking part in an incredible collaboration with Leah Stein, founder of Leah Stein Dance Company. Students took part in a two hour workshop at the Armory on 23rd Street where they were introduced to the process of “tuning” to a site, creating movement and sound that connect to a site, and using these elements to create larger performance pieces. The process was quite awe inspiring to watch.  

English
Copper
English
December 20, 2008