Hey Hey!

I got through most of "Hunger of Memory" and I enjoyed it. Rodriguez reminisces about his childhood and his experience in the American school system in the first part of his book. He talks about the struggle he and his family had learning English and how learning English changed his home life drastically. Its almost similar to an invasion in the sense that English took over as the main form of communication in their household. The school system "americanized" him and his family. The second part of the book focuses on the importance of religion in his family and affirmative action. More specifically, he draws from his experiences of being a "minority" in college. From what I've read it seems as though he felt that he was getting financial help and special attention because of the color of his skin rather than his academic performance. Rodriguez's reasons from disliking affirmative action still remain unclear to me but I'll be sure to further elaborate when I finish the book completely.

On a lighter note, I finished reading Watchmen which is a great comic book. It tells the story of two superheros who set out to find the person that murdered their colleague. I've picked up Death Blossoms by Mumia Abu Jamal. Speaking of Mumia..The Philadelphia DA is trying to reinstate the death penalty on him. There will be protest this Saturday in Philadelphia at the district attorney office. It starts at 12 noon. You can find out the full details here. http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/jaysyro/dec6.jpg.
Thats all for now. Peace.

...what happened to the League of Libro Junkies?!

we've completely fallen apart haven't we?!
I'll own up to it... I never got past page 20 of that Richard Rodriguez book...

I recently started reading "Lessons in Becoming Myself" by Ellen Burstyn
It's an intimidatingly thick book... but it's proving to be a worthwhile read.
It's really funny - and interesting - and I am learning a lot..

...I thought I would share that with the league - or what's left of it : )

I've started reading... I'm on page 20

Richard Rodriguez really does not play around.
He gets right into it from the beginning.

I specifically enjoyed the way he discussed the mispronunciation of his name
( "Rich-Heard Road-REE-guess")

And it's interesting so far.
He's already presented his stance on bilingual education:

Here's some basic background and definition of bilingual education:

Bilingual education involves teaching all subjects in school through two different languages - in the United States, instruction occurs in English and a minority language, such as Spanish or Chinese, with varying amounts of each language used in accordance with the program model.

Transitional Bilingual Education involves education in a child's native language, typically for no more than three years, to ensure that students do not fall behind in content areas like math, science, and social studies while they are learning English. The goal is to help students transition to mainstream, English-only classrooms as quickly as possible, and the linguistic goal of such programs is English acquisition only. The overwhelming majority of bilingual programs in the U.S. are transitional.

He believes that it actually hinders learning... I think he is specifically speaking on Transitional Bilingual Education.

what are your thoughts on the subject...?

2nd Book People of the World

Hunger of Memory by Robert Rodriguez

25th of October will be the Free for all day.


Now get reading.

October!!

Ah, what a great read! Jorge, you're up! What's your pick for October?!

Questions, Comments and Discussion Alert! Oh My!

Ok! Let’s kick of the Free For All! Come on in – the water is fine!

Question about Snowball’s Attack: When I read about how they were all so sure that Snowball had returned during the giant storm to knock down the windmill….part of me (and maybe it’s the post “Bin Laden did it! Err…but Sadam is who we will executed!” part of me) Felt like the STORM did it…But then later in the book, they talk about other Animals admitting that they had seen him the night the Windmill first came down…I still felt like this is propaganda. Being afraid of a storm, which an individual has no control over what so ever, is hardly as powerful of feeding the fear of a sole enemy that can be stopped at some point. Now, if I’m just being stubborn, let me know – but do you guys think really happened here?

Question about The Return of Moses: I felt like I was missing the “bigger message” of his return to the farm to tell the Tales of Sugar Candy Mountain. Part of me thinks that before the revolution the tales of the “Promised Land” were silly, and the revolution a reality. But when the revolution turned to a worse situation for the majority of the animals, why would the Party in Power allow these tales to be told then? I feel like I’m missing something…even if it’s obvious or small…help?

Question about Molly’s Draft Card Burning of sorts: First, I thought that Molly was kind of a punk when she left the revolution for the life of ribbons and sugar cubes….which I still maintain is superficial! But in the end, she knew we wasn’t going to fight in the battle – whether is was won or lost…she didn’t agree with it. She made her choice. One that I might not agree with, but she made it and walked away. For me its one of those “I judge her…but I get it…” kind of things – what do you think?

Comment about ‘Ol Drunky – Remember when they thought Napoleon was dying? When really he was just hung over…but they changed the law, made more liquor and started it all over again? I think the reason I brought this up - is the line of creditability that happens, and how powerful the forbidden is to even those who have made it thus. I think this is one of the best examples of hypocritical and tainted power in the book.

Discussion Alert!
Do you think any of the Animal’s in Animal Farm deserve the readers sympathy?

Time left on the Clock

Okay Kids... The 25th is FAST APPROACHING!!!

We've all agreed that on the 25th of Each month we have a FREE FOR ALL
about the book we're currently reading...

So on Thursday, September 25th of 2008 we should be having a FREE FOR ALL about
Animal Farm!!!

Come with your questions!
Come with your comments!
Come with your thoughts!

You ALL better entertain me with good conversation...