Immigrants in Our Homeland

Immigrants in Our Homeland by Jimmy Santiago Baca, in this, he describes his own experience in prison. Going to this "new land" shattered many futures of the immigrants coming there, as well as their hopes and dreams, with only a few coming out with desire of turning their life around, like how they once hoped for when they first arrived to this undesired place. At the age of 21, Baca was convicted on charges of drug possession. Having to serve 6 years in prison, his eyes were opened and decided to change for the better. During this 6 years, he enduringly taught himself on how to read and write, spending the hard years of trying to learn while sparking his never-before enthusiasm for education. This eventually led him to writing poetry, giving it to his fellow cellmates, which often in return of cigarettes, helping him and the others get through the hard times. All and all, this poem was trying to convey that anyone can change, it is the matter of the will. During all of the years he spent in prison, he stayed strong even in desperate times where many men would have been left broken. He rose from the dirt he once was buried, proving that he can change and that anyone can change.

Emerson's Child

Last week's presidential election was a phenomenal for many of us. It sparked endless reactions, some with grief, some with disbelief. Despite that I believe Emerson would approve it. He's a man who believes in people like Trump. He believes that people should not be afraid of speaking their mind, regardless of how rude it might come out. But this very reason might be the why so many dislike Trump.

Some might think of Trump to be a child. But to Emerson eyes, children, that are not affected by any outside influence, are geniuses. "Do not think the youth has no force, because he cannot speak to you and me. Hark! In the next room his voice is sufficiently clear and emphatic. It seems he knows how to speak to his contemporaries," If Emerson got to have his ways he would probably want everyone to be more like Donald Trump, like self-reliant individuals. He would have wanted for our education to be just this, teaching of how to express our opinion freely. "What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think."

Some of Emerson's teachings are "be yourself," and "trust yourself," Emerson wants people to act the way they are, not because society demands, because that is what you are. He wants you to be yourself whether people are watching or not, the same when your at home and when out in public. Basically, Emerson does not want your choices of acts to be affected by what others consider "acceptable." It is about what you want, not theirs. Following someone's guideline to which is right and wrong limits our potential. That is why Emerson believe we should let our mind loose and forget those who are outside.Let a man then know his worth, and keep things under his feet. "Let him not peep or steal, or skulk up and down with the air of a charity-boy, a bastard, or an interloper, in the world which exists for him."

Emerson for the Young Buck

"Self-Reliance" by Emerson is basically a lecture for us youngsters to be ourselves. He is telling us to ignore other people's thoughts and be who you truly want to be. Speak up when you have something to say, whether it will cause someone to be uncomportable or cause conflicts. He believes that people like these are geniuses because they don't let others hold them back. When you have something to say, they say it without any hesitation and concern. They aren't afraid. They aren't afraid to be wrong, judged, hated. All they care is to deliver what they have in mind. And by doing this, they had become so far ahead from us, they become so much productive, compare to us who still have the thoughts of what others think of us, preventing from unleashing our truest potential.