Identiy-- "A Small Place"

I did a little search for my benefit and relate more on what Jamaica Kincaid wrote in her book, "A Small Place", I did it because I wanted to find out more information about the identity of Antigua. I found that Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1493, and called it: Lady of Antigua.In the year 1632 the British arrived on the island, then the French took possession of it and later the English managed to reconquer it. Antigua remained under the British regulation until it achieved its independence.

The first chapter describes how the island is in a geographical and tourist way. You enter in the environment and atmosphere since you're flying on the plane until you reach the hotel. Consequently, you are transported to our neighboring island and have a clearer idea about what Antigua is, in a general way, describing houses, cars, buildings and poverty.  It focuses more on the tourist and vacation. On the other hand, the second chapter describes it more clearly as the face of the real island, where Kincaid grew. It shows us its British colonialism and racial problems. Without doubt these initial chapters talks about national identity, neo-colonialism. The objective is to show us the real identity of Antigua, despite the past whereby the island went through, including the resistance and the imposition of a culture, language and customs by the colonizers, searching their own identity.

The identity has own traits and is what characterizes us against others. I liked very much when she mentions: “But some natives--most natives in the world--cannot go anywhere. They are too poor. They are too poor to go anywhere. They are too poor to escape the reality of their lives; and they are too poor to live properly in the place where they live, which is the very place you, the tourist, want to go--so when the natives see you, the tourist, they envy you, they envy your ability to leave your own banality and boredom, they enjoy your ability to turn their own banality and boredom into a source of pleasure for yourself”. This is an example of which I wrote in the previous paragraph. See the impact that has its past in its present and questioning it.

All discomfort comes from suppressing your true identity". - Bryant H. McGill

A General View-- "A Small Place"

"A Small Place" is a book written by Jamaica Kincaid where talks about the small island located in the Caribbean, Antigua. It describes about how tourists see this small piece of land, compared with which she lived, and makes it to taking into consideration only their point of view. The style in which Kincaid wrote it I really liked, because I was always in the expectation that what is going to happen while continue the reading.

As soon I started to read the first chapter, the first thing I did was transported to Antigua. I had the opportunity to go in many occasions, because the times I've traveled on cruise ships, there are some who make a stop on this Caribbean island. The most I remember of this island is the beach is so crystalline and the sunset is spectacular. As she recounted, made me feel in Antigua, or imagine things as she described it. I imagined people, cars, buildings, history that island have, definitely captured my attention. The way in which she narrated it made me feel a part of history and enjoy the journey of the author wrote. Even, motivated me to search more information about the island's history.

I found very interesting the first two chapters. I would like to continue reading and see how just the narration end. By hers manner of writing, I understood that he speaks in a tourist and resident way, the history and the political aspects. But I liked it, because it does not in a bad  or in personal way . Also, I really liked the way that Kincaid described the things and how realistic she was. Finally, in general my reactions about these initials chapters was positively. I felt comfortable while I was reading it, and motivated me to continue the reading.

My Home

            As the document of Peter Roberts said: "The identity" can be specified by using, singly or in combination, many different universal criteria: sex, age and religion". Similarly this article which talks about the identity also mentioned language and as this is related to the cultures of each country, and that sometimes works as a barrier. He also mentions the notion of home, because many times it is not territory, sometimes is that emotional connection, people and memories. As the article mentions as well: "the human being does not necessarily remain in one place through a lifetime, home is variable and may be place of birth, place of residence or may be defined by the popular notion where the heart is".

            In my case, Puerto Rico is my home. So I think it because here I was born, grew up and live. I have the best memories in this land with my family and friends. Moreover, if in some future, I had to get out of this 100 x 35, my heart will always be here. Since I've lived here all my life, I can speak as the perspective of a resident, and not of a tourist. Without a doubt, Puerto Rico is a beautiful island, and has different historical places for the enjoyment of all. The problem is that those who live here don't know take advantage of the natural beauties that are found here. This owe it to that we don't put on our part to take care of the areas as required, clean. To not respect our neighbor to decrease the violence and deaths that overstocks our country. Depending on the others to do the things, instead of start with ourselves. But we also have things that identify us also as our culture, customs, traditions and solidarity to help our neighbor. Make visitors feel comfortable as at home and wanting to teach them our best corners of our little island for their greater enjoyment.     

            I am very proud of my island, in addition to all the talents that this piece of land has seen grow; they have been represented and identified with dignity in all parts of the world and in all environments, such as sport, music, beauty and literature contests. Puerto Rico, like anywhere in the world, have their good things, such as his not-so-good things. The important mechanism is to learn how to deal with all the situations and every day improves as people to make this island a better place both for us and for those who visit us. It is not an easy process, but is a job that involucrate all of us and if as individuals we cooperate with great effort we can start re-routing the country we all want.

Reflection of Dead Poets Society

This film is about a professor who teaches poetry in English, Mr. Keating. The first day of school when students await the presentation of the new professor, asked out of the lounge and quoted them a poem that Walt Whitman dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln: “Oh captain, my captain.” The objective of Mr. Keating was that the students would learn the concept of carpe diem. He teaches them to follow their hearts, their dreams and desires.  Mr. Keating’s way to teach was very particular, so the students were interested in knowing more about him. They discovered that he was involved in the Dead Poets Society. Seeing this, the students became interested in knowing what was this society and asked Mr. Keating. The Professor answered them that his group met in a cave and said to them: “Dead Poets Society were dedicated to sucking the marrow out of life. Was a bunch of guys reading poetry” “We did not just read poetry, we let it drip from our tongues, like honey.” They were romantics. Todd Anderson, Neil Perry, Knox Overstreet and Charlie Dalton decided to make a new creation of this group and meet at the same place, knowing that this was prohibited.

Neil Perry, one of the students of Professor Keating, was the most impacted. Neil's father, Mr. Perry, was in control of his son's life. He was always imposing what Neil had to do and never allowed him to choose what he wanted to do with his life.  He was afraid to face his father, therefore Neil always accesses to what Mr. Perry ordered. As the movie proceeded we saw how Neil wanted to take control of his life, but his father was preventing it. Starting with the part in which Neil quits the school annual, something to which he wanted to resign, but did so because Mr. Perry ordered him to do. Neil looked for help to get out of this situation and went to Mr. Keating. Neil told the professor that his passion was acting and that had auditioned for the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Neil receives the part as Puck, one of the main characters. But dared not tell to his father because he knew that Mr. Perry was not going to allow this, Although Neil tried to talk to his father, but it was in vain. Nevertheless the young boy did an excellent job on the play remembering the words of his professor: "carpe diem". Mr. Perry catched his son doing the play. The piece is finished, and Mr. Perry took Neil to the house. He told Neil that he would take him to a military school and that he would study to become a doctor. All this took Neil to a trap in which felt it would not be able never to leave.  He only saw one solution: commit suicide.

He didn't want to continue a life in which only his father would have control over. This leads us to reflect on its internal and external journey. See as everything what the father did, and the things he said affected Neil in a negative way. While the only thing that professor wanted was to show him to follow his passion and to deal with that fear, that problem with his father. Everything that happened on the outside, one way or another affected inside of him and took him to take off his life. Many young people live this every day and perhaps think of it, but for this reason we must see the opportunities that are presented to us every day and choose whether we take them or let them pass, but above all to find the true sense of carpe diem.

This is Me

My name is Débora M. Arroyo Ortiz. I am 21 years old and I live in the town of Yabucoa. I have always lived in the Sugar Town with my parents and two sisters, older than me. Ever since my childhood I participated in dance groups, and went to several competitions always winning the first three places. As I started to grow older my interests were changing, and I was at the time taking guitar lessons. Once I was done with the classes, I introduced myself to the world of modeling at Desiree Lowry’s Academy in Caguas. I also participated in activities of community work, and the children's choir of the church. Now I am interested in learning how to play piano and also I want to take salsa classes, I have never had this experience, and I want to do something different.

Some of my hobbies are listening to music, going to the beach, and especially watching series. The worst part about watching series is that it's addictive, once I finish a chapter, I can't stop and I want to keep watching the remaining chapters. Sometimes for me it is a little difficult to take control of that. I also like spending time with my family and friends, because they are people who have always been there for me. In the future, I see myself working at a pharmacy and being the leading pharmacist. When I was a kid I used to pass a lot of time with my mom in the pharmacy she works at. I like what she does, so I think that is why I’m interested in this area of health. I’m not so sure where to live in the future, may be in Puerto Rico, in United States or another part of the world. My decision depends on the opportunities that will be presented in my future. Right at this moment, I am focusing on finishing the studies of this profession.

I think that the situations and circumstances that I have been throughout in my life are what have helped me to be a better person and it has been my decision to learn from those lessons, or ignore them. Family, social, religious, cultural and emotional influences. Although many times society implants scripts on how we should live the life or dividing us as men and women. I think that this does not matter. The important thing is to be comfortable and be accepted as we are. I am in essence a mixture of what I have been taught and what I've been through. From these, I can gather the essential and important things that will help me elaborate my north in life and feel fully realized in all aspects. I am clear that I always give the best of me in all areas of my life; I hope to do this in both aspects: personal and professional.