When I finished this Autumn term, I felt that the time passed so fast. However, this term was very meaningful for me. What I think to be most meaningful is learn and know about racism. Before I started reading the articles about race in the ELP reader, I've been interested in racial problems, so I enjoyed reading them. In the articles, I agree to the idea that the variation of climates or customs produces the differences of appearance. I really think that the difference of race is trivial. I'm satisfied to notice that.
Thank you for your kindness, Mark!!
2011年11月13日日曜日
2011年11月10日木曜日
Diamond
According to Diamond, "race" should not be defined in one way, that is to say, it possibly has a lot of definitions, depending on different perspectives. Moreover, Diamond concludes that "the racial classification is arbitrary"(11-3). Therefore, the definition of race should be determined by people's arbitrary viewpoints.
Next, Diamond states that human beings really have no clear ideas about races (sub-species). This is because if we try to classify humans into races, we will face a lot of contradictions, for example, we cannot categorize humans in "one" specific way, because each human has various characteristics so the classification of humans varies depending on which trait we choose as a standard of the category.
In conclusion, as mentioned above, Diamond emphasizes that the racial classification should be determined by the arbitrary judgement of individuals. By the way, he thinks that the variation of skin color plays a role in humans' sexual and social choices.
Next, Diamond states that human beings really have no clear ideas about races (sub-species). This is because if we try to classify humans into races, we will face a lot of contradictions, for example, we cannot categorize humans in "one" specific way, because each human has various characteristics so the classification of humans varies depending on which trait we choose as a standard of the category.
In conclusion, as mentioned above, Diamond emphasizes that the racial classification should be determined by the arbitrary judgement of individuals. By the way, he thinks that the variation of skin color plays a role in humans' sexual and social choices.
Shreeve
In this section, many experts show their opinions about human variation or classification.
First, Norm Sauer, a forensic anthropologist states that "race" is one of the bases to support the reconstruction of a specific human identity, and its meaning possibly varies, depending on the different viewpoints, such as biological and cultural.
Second, Jonathan Marks says that "race" should not be cultural but biological, however, human beings think of it as a mixture of a cultural category and a biological one.
Third, Richard Lewontin, a geneticist notes that the differences of genetical attributes are not equal to the differences of races, but the ones of individuals.
Fourth, Vincent Sarich points out that there are no races but there are cultural markers or assumptions that divide humans into races, and also he adds that a certain distance between races created the pattern of human variation.
Fifth, Loring Brace, an anthropologist says that "human variation is the result of a seamless continuum of genetic change across space." In addition, he explains that the concept of race came into existence accidentally because of the invention of oceangoing transport in the Renaissance.
Sixth, Douglas Ubelaker comments that "race" is no longer biological because it has been used in so many different ways.
Seventh, Alice Bruce, a physical anthropologist emphasizes that there is something to divide humans into any groups, though that is not "race."
Eighth, George Armelagos, an anthropologist states that anthropologists cannot help using racial categories because they are asked to by law enforcement agencies.
Ninth, Randall Tackett and his associates reported that humans possibly have a physiological mechanism, which could classify people.
Tenth, Peter Smouse, a population geneticist says that it is true that there are genetic differences between groups of people, but the differences are trivial, compared with differences between humans and other speices.
Finally, in the past, most anthropologists accepted the concept that races were pure and distinct, and believed that interracial mixing could not decrease the purity of the racial ideals without questions.
In conclusion, the author Shreeve might stress that the meaning of "race" could vary, depending on words, conditions, and criteria to make separation or division.
2011年11月6日日曜日
Gould
I think scientists tend to assume that their researches or studies are reasonable because they believe the results of their researches are derived from "objective" observation. However, their researches are actually influenced by their personal experiences or ways of thinking, and the social context or dominant trend. For example, in the age of Blumenbach most European people liked the ideas of progress and the cultural superiority of European ways, so the reseach of racial taxonomy was regarded as a way to prove the superiority of Caucasian or European. Thus, the results of their researches are likely to be favorable for only scientists and majorities. In other words, science is advantageous for intellectuals and dominant people, but it is unfavorable for uneducated people and minorities.
By the way, I agree to the Gould's theory that the racial diversity arose as a result of the differences of climates and topographies. This is because in my experience, though my skin color was yellow when I was little, it is brown now because probably I would often go outside and have been exposed to sunlight. Therefore, I think the racial diversity shows only the differnces of environment.
2011年11月1日火曜日
Racism in Soccer ~Fall Term Essay~
What Should be Done More or Differently Against Racism in Soccer?
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| Fig.1 "Anti Racism Campaigns" The Advertising Archives. 2005. TV Advert. <http://www.advertisingarchives.co.uk/en/pages/image_map.html?selectedLevels%5B0%5D=Celebrities&level=2&search=TV+Advert+(Grab)&page=73> |
In the final game of the World Cup 2006 in Germany, Zinedine Yazid Zidane, one of the French soccer players gave Marco Materazzi, one of the Italian players a butt with his head and then Zidane was sent off the field. Later, Zidane admitted that he suffered a harsh remark of Materazzi, which is said to be related to racism (BBC SPORT Football World Cup 2006 I'm Sorry but No Regrets - Zidane).
Soccer cannot make the world united, but rather soccer has the danger of making the world divided. This phrase is seemingly strange, but this does not necessarily miss the point. This is because there are a lot of racial problems in soccer now, and many soccer players have got damaged owing to them. Statistics On Football-related Arrests ＆ Banning Orders by Home Office illustrates that from 2002 to 2009 more than 300 people were arrested on charges of racist chanting in the stadia. However, these figures show only the arrests perceived generally. Moreover, this statistics was compiled only in England and Wales. This means that this statistics did not include the arrests in Spain, which is known as a racist and xenophobic country. According to the European Commission, “the number of everyday situations in which foreigners face discrimination (in finding a place to live, for example) is rising” (Responding to Racism in Spain 2) in Spain, that is to say, many problems related to racism have happened also in Spain. On the whole, a lot of racist incidents have existed not only in England, Wales and Spain but also all over the world. Therefore, every soccer association including the international governing body of football, FIFA and Japan Football Association, should change their policies against racism in soccer more or differently. That is why two ways to remove racism from soccer are that, 1) every association including FIFA should create stricter regulations on eliminations of racism in soccer, and 2) managers and teachers should require children to take the education of the abolition of racism.
In the first place, it is necessary to inquire into the causes of racism in soccer before looking for the solutions for eliminating racism. There are three causes of racism in soccer. The first cause is relating to psychology, that is, when hostilities of players and spectators towards the opponent gets higher, they are likely to violate the opponent by racism. Moreover, when people’s frustrations get bigger, people become more aggressive impulsively, and they tend to try to find a target, such as the black people or the yellow races for the white people, and attack it to dissolve their frustrations. These two theories could be explained by the idea of Michael P. Levine, a professor of philosophy at the university of Western Australia, and Tamas Pataki, an honorary senior fellow in the Department of philosophy at University of Melbourne. According to that, people often displace their aggression onto scapegoats such as black and Jewish people (Levine and Pataki 193). In other words, people tend to reflect their hostility on a certain group of people who have different characteristics, for example, colors of skin or facial structures when they become aggressive and frustrated. Therefore, the racism results from their aggressive state of mind. Also the low educational level can cause the racism. Many soccer players all over the world grow up without a satisfactory education since they were children. Namely, there are a lot of soccer players who are not taught a moral education against racism. Moreover, not only soccer players but also lots of spectators at soccer games do not receive enough education against racism. According to one of the Brazilian soccer players, Daniel Alves, racists spectators are only uneducated about race, so it is the best way to have no relationship to those racists to be against racism (Dani Alves: Racism in Spanish Football Will Never Go Away | Mail Online). On the contrary, there seems to be some countries that take it for granted. For example, in Spain, the issue of discrimination has been settled so the pubic does not point it out (Responding to Racism in Spain 2). Thus, when people’s sense of moral is missing, their resistance to be racist weakens. As a result, racism strengthens. The last cause is inaccurate perception toward other people. Some people regard other races as inferior to them and they carry out racism just because of it. For instance, some radicals in the Russian club, Zenit St Petersburg stated that they did not want black players to belong to their team, and also one of the employees of the club told that they did not have any problems if they did not have black players, that is to say, “No black players –no problem” (BBC SPORT - Zenit St Petersburg Fined for Roberto Carlos Race Abuse). Now the question is why inaccurate perception causes racism. The answer is, “the manic defense” (Levine and Pataki 129) is functioning when they become racists. Specifically, people are likely to become racists because they share common stereotypes, prejudices or preconceptions about people who have different backgrounds (129). Thus, regardless of state of mind or the educational level, an inaccurate perception can cause racism. To sum up, when people are mentally unstable, the sense of morals is lacking and they become judgmental about other races, racism happens.
In the second place, solutions should be discussed. In order to change the current situation that the racism still exists, the regulations on eliminations of racism in soccer should be stricter. Fortunately, the tendency to be against racism is increasing in the last 5 years. This is because FIFA has been taking racism seriously, and in 2006 it implemented some regulations, such as deduction of winning points or a penalty. As Blatter, a president of FIFA says, “I can tell you the new rules for racism are immediately applicable” (BBC SPORT Football Racism Rules Effective Now - Fifa), these regulations are making progress to some extent. In fact, according to the statistics by Home Office, the number of racist chanting at stadia had been decreasing in from 78 to 20 during 2002 to 2009. However, as mentioned above, this statistical data is limited information and the issue of racism still remains strongly. Therefore, soccer associations including FIFA should apply the stricter penal regulations against racism. For instance, possible ways of regulations can be a raise in a penalty, a forfeit of qualification of the entry for cup competitions and winning points, relegation to the lower league, disapproval of candidacy as a host country for the world cup. These regulations are extremely serious for soccer clubs, because they can earn some money by taking part in cup competitions or by ranking higher at league competitions, and those money can be a big source for the management of the clubs. Moreover, the clubs can be damaged by limiting to the number of spectators or by getting rid of the privilege to invite opponents to home stadia and replacing them with the third stadium instead, because of the decrease in sales of tickets. As a result, racism would be weakened since the players and the supporters do not want a loss on their club. These regulations seem to be too severe, but actually the players who are racially violated are surrounded by severer circumstances.
As shown above, the stricter regulations can weaken racism forcibly. However, they cannot eliminate racism fundamentally because racism happens privately unless the racism remains in people’s minds. Thus, every soccer associations should require children to take the education against racism continuously. In fact, some measures have been taken against racism, for instance, soccer players pledge not to be racists before some games. Nevertheless, they do not get dramatic results, as an illustration, though the players pledged not to be racists before the final game in the World Cup 2006 in Germany, one of the Italian players made a discriminatory remark towards the French player. However, even if children take a lecture about racism with textbooks in a classroom, it is difficult for them to understand what on earth racism is. Thus, the concept of “the Green Circle Elementary School Antibias Education Program” by the National Conference of Community and Justice of Northern Delaware should be introduced into soccer. This concept is to foster the respects to the others and the recognition of humanity that every single person shares by the managers and the teachers helping different groups of children to join together (Esqueda 125). Thus, no matter the size of the soccer organizations, they should welcome children from different backgrounds and help them playing soccer under the same condition. As a result, children can realize that the difference of races does not mean anything as they play soccer. Besides, not only children playing soccer but also those who will be spectators can find it nonsense to discriminate racially by applying this concept to the education of kindergartens or elementary schools. Therefore, if children all over the world come to get rid of the incongruity of other races and respect each other since they are little, they will not be racists when they become adults and the racism will be weaken naturally.
Conclusion
In conclusion, racism in soccer happens because of people’s mental instability, a lack of the sense of morals, and inaccurate perception towards other races. Fortunately, the movement against it has been pervaded more and more these days, but many people are still suffering from it. Primarily, soccer should be a tool of making an opportunity for various kinds of races to stand the same stage under the same condition. Therefore, all soccer associations should implement the stricter regulations on abolitions of racism, and educate children not to be racists.
(1628 words)
Works Cited
"BBC SPORT Football World Cup 2006 I'm Sorry but No Regrets - Zidane." BBC News - Home. 12 July 2006. Web. 28 Oct. 2011. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm>.
"BBC SPORT - Zenit St Petersburg Fined for Roberto Carlos Race Abuse." BBC News - Home. 7 Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/12998953.stm>.
"BBC SPORT Football Racism Rules Effective Now - Fifa." BBC News - Home. 17 Mar. 2006. Web. 28 Oct. 2011. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4818680.stm>.
"Dani Alves: Racism in Spanish Football Will Never Go Away | Mail Online." Home | Mail Online. 9 Feb. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2011. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1354944/Dani-Alves-Racism-Spanish-football-away.html>.
Esqueda ,Cynthia W. Motivational Aspects of Prejudice and Racism. Lincoln: Springer, 2008. Print.
Home Office. "Football Disorder." The National Archives. 08 Apr. 2010. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.<http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/football-disorder/>.
Michael, P. Levine and Tamas, Pataki. Racism in Mind. New York: Cornell Paperbacks, 2004. Print.
“Responding to Racism in Spain.” The European Commission. Directorate-
General Employment Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.
2011年10月31日月曜日
My experience of the 20x20
To be honest, my presentation was not so good because I could not manage the time appropriately. So I think timemanagement is the most difficult. Thus I want to be careful of the speed and quantity of speaking in order to manage the time. Also I want to have confidence in my presentation. By the way, I was satisfied with my slides because I think they are simple and clear to understand the contents.
I really think some of my sectionmates were very good at presentation, and I realize what they commonly had was confidence. Therefore, confidence is a really important facter of presentation, I think.
I really think some of my sectionmates were very good at presentation, and I realize what they commonly had was confidence. Therefore, confidence is a really important facter of presentation, I think.
2011年10月17日月曜日
ARW Fall Term Essay rough draft
What should be done more or differently against racism in soccer?
In the final game of the World Cup 2006 in Germany, Zinedine Yazid Zidane, one of the French soccer players gave Marco Materazzi, one of the Italian players a butt with his head and then Zidane was sent off the field. Later, Zidane admitted that he suffered a harsh remark of Materazzi, which is said to be related to racism.
Soccer cannot make the world united, but rather soccer has the danger of making the world divided. This phrase is seemingly strange, but this does not necessarily miss the point. This is because there are a lot of racial problems in soccer now, and many soccer players have got damaged owing to them. Statistics On Football-related Arrests ＆ Banning Orders by Home Office illustrates that from 2002 to 2009 more than 300 people were arrested on charges of racist chanting in the stadia. However, these figures show only the arrests perceived generally. Moreover, this statistics was compiled only in England and Wales. This means that this statistics did not include the arrests in Spain, which is known as a racist and xenophobic country. According to Directorate-general Employment Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities by The European Commission, “The number of everyday situations in which foreigners face discrimination (in finding a place to live, for example) is rising” in Spain, that is to say, many problems related to racism have happened also in Spain. On the whole, a lot of racist incidents have existed not only in England, Wales and Spain but also all over the world.
Therefore, every soccer association including the international governing body of football, FIFA and Japan Football Association, should change their policies against racism in soccer more or differently. That is why there are two propositions to remove racism from soccer, 1) the regulation on eliminations of racism in soccer should be stricter, and 2) Children playing soccer should take the education of the abolition of racism.
In the first place, it is necessary to inquire into the causes of racism in soccer before looking for the solutions for eliminating racism. There are three causes of racism in soccer. The first cause is relating to psychology, that is, when hostilities of players and spectators towards the opponent gets higher, they are likely to violate the opponent by racism. According to one of the spectators, (Under construction). In other words, (Under construction). Moreover, based on psychology, when people’s frustrations get bigger people become more aggressive impulsively, and they tend to try to find a target, such as the black people or the yellow races for the white people, and attack it to dissolve their frustrations.（Evidences）Therefore, the racism results from their aggressive state of mind. Also the low educational level can cause the racism. Many soccer players all over the world grow up without a satisfactory education since they were children. Namely, there are a lot of soccer players who are not taught a moral education against racism. Moreover, not only soccer players but also lots of spectators at soccer games do not receive enough education against racism. （Evidences）On the contrary, there seems to be some countries that encourage it . For example, in Spain, （Evidences）Thus, when people’s sense of moral is missing, their resistance to be racist weakens. As a result, racism strengthens. The last cause is an inaccurate perception toward other people. Some people regard other races as inferior to them and they carry out racism just because of it. For example, （Example） Thus, regardless of state of mind or the educational level, an inaccurate perception can cause racism. To sum up, when people are mentally unstable, the sense of morals is lacking and they become judgmental about other races, racism happens.
In the second place, solutions should be discussed. In order to change the current situation that the racism still exists, the regulations on eliminations of racism in soccer should be stricter. Fortunately, the tendency to be against racism is increasing in the last 5 years. This is because FIFA has been taking racism seriously, and it implemented some regulations in 2006. For example,（Under construction）As Blatter, the president of FIFA says,~~~~~~~~, these regulations are making progress to some extent. In fact, according to the statistics by Home Office, the number of racist chanting at stadia had been decreasing in from X to X during 2002 to 2009. However, as mentioned above, this statistical data is a limited information and the issue of racism still remains strongly. Therefore, soccer associations including FIFA should apply the stricter penal regulations against racism. For instance, possible ways of regulations can be a raise in a penalty, a forfeit of qualification of the entry for cup competitions and winning points, relegation to the lower league, disapproval of the candidacy as a host country for the world cup.
These regulations are extremely serious for soccer clubs, because they can earn some money by taking part in cup competitions or by ranking higher at league competitions, and those money can be a big source for the management of the clubs. Moreover, the clubs can be damaged by limiting to the number of spectators or by getting rid of the privilege to invite opponents to home stadia and replacing them with the third stadium instead, because of the decrease in sales of tickets. As a result, racism would be weakened since the players and the supporters do not want a loss on their club. These regulations seem to be too severe, but actually the players who are racially violated are surrounded by severer circumstances.
As shown above, the stricter regulations can weaken racism forcibly. However, they cannot eliminate racism fundamentally because racism happens privately unless the racism remains in people’s minds. In fact, some measures have been taken against racism, for example, soccer players pledge not to be racists before some games. Nevertheless, they do not get dramatic results, as an illustration, though the players pledged not to be racists before the final game in the World Cup 2006 in Germany, one of the Italian players made a discriminatory remark towards the French player. Thus, every soccer associations should make children take the education against racism continuously. However, even if children take a lecture about racism with textbooks in a classroom, it is difficult for them to understand what on earth racism is. Thus, the concept of “the Green Circle Elementary School Antibias Education Program” by the National Conference of Community and Justice of Northern Delaware should be introduced into soccer. Thus, the National Conference of Community and Justice of Northern Delaware “the Green Circle Elementary School Antibias Education Program” This concept is that adults help children to
As a result, children can find out that the difference of races makes little difference.
Besides not only children playing soccer but also those who will be spectators can find it nonsense to discriminate racially by applying this concept to the education of kindergartens or elementary schools. Therefore, if children all over the world come to get rid of the incongruity of other races, and look up to each other since they are little, they will not be racists when they are adults ,and racism will weaken naturally.
In conclusion, racism in soccer happens because of people’s mental instability, a lack of the sense of morals, and inaccurate perception towards other races. Fortunately, the movement against it has been pervaded more and more these days, but many people are still suffering from it. From the very beginning soccer should be a tool of making an opportunity for various kinds of races to stand the same stage under the same condition. Therefore, all soccer associations should implement the stricter regulations on abolitions of racism, and educate children not to be racists.
2011年10月10日月曜日
Fall Term Essay Formal Outline
Fall Term Essay “Racism in soccer”
Outline
Research Question
What should be done more or differently against racism in soccer?
Thesis Statement
1) Every association including FIFA should create stricter regulations on elimination of racism in soccer.
2) Managers and teachers should make children take the education of the abolition of racism.
Ⅰ. Introduction
A. Soccer could make the world divided.
B. Racism in soccer existed in the past
C. Racism in soccer still exists in the present
Ⅱ. Causes of racism in soccer
A. The extremity of ethnocentrism or nationalism turns into racism.
B. The low educational level causes for racism.
C. Racism in soccer happens because of high anxiety and aggressive frustration.
D. Inaccurate perception of foreign people gives rise to racism.
Ⅲ. One solution: Every association including FIFA should create stricter regulations on elimination of racism in soccer.
Ⅳ. Another solution: Managers and teachers should make children take the education of the abolition of racism.
Ⅴ. Conclusion
2011年10月2日日曜日
Fall Term Essay Research
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| nowpublic.com |
1) Racism within soccer
2) These days, soccer has become popular and popular, and many people around the world play soccer. However, there are still a lot of incidents related to racism even in the world cup. In my opinion, soccer should be a tool to make the world united, but rather soccer could be a cause of a separation of the world…but what should be done to ban racism?
3) I like to play and watch soccer. I believe that soccer is supposed to unite the world, but I have seen some incidents related to racism within soccer, so I wonder what the causes are.
 |
| zimbio.com |
4) I want to know 1) the history of the racism within sports especially soccer, 2) the interrelation between racism and psychology, 3) the characteristics of soccer related to an excess of excitement, 4) the difference between racialism (nationalism) and racism and 5) the relation between racialism and racism.
5) “Race. Ethnicity and Football : Persisting Debates and Emergent Issues (Routledge Research in Sport. Culture and Society)”
Author : Daniel Burdsey
Year : 2011/4/28
‘Race’. Sport and British Society
Author : Benjamin Carrington, Ian Mcdonald
Year : 2001/6
Race, racism, and psychology : towards a reflexive history
Author : Graham Richards
Year : 1997
 |
| thisdaylive.com |
2011年9月22日木曜日
ARW Fisher
I am interested in this text because it is easier to imagine what the author says clearly. The most interesting thing is "Context" among 5 elements. Context means that one perception can change the meaning it has, depending on the environment. I realized this kind of phenomenon, when I was a child. "In my house, there are two dolls, which look real. During the daytime, I did not feel fearful for the two dolls at all, but at night I was really frightened to see them. Maybe the darkness made the two dolls look scary. I showed the example of 'a kitchen knife' in the class, and finally I will cast one question on you. "If you are in the scene of the crime and found a little cute doll there, what do you think of?"
I'd be happy if you make a comment on this question.
I'd be happy if you make a comment on this question.
2011年9月16日金曜日
ARW 5-Barna
Today, I discussed Barna's six stumbling blocks with my sectionmates.
I think that almost all statement of Barna is reasonable for me, but I could not understand one point.
That point is that why Barna regards "High Anxiety" to be equivalent to the rest of stumbling blocks.
In my opinion, anxiety is a basis of the difficulties in intercultural communication, so I don't think that Barna should count "High Anxiety" one of the stumbling blocks, that is Barna should put the explanation of "High Anxiety" before the rest of the stumbling blocks. However, in the class, according to Mark, the problem in intercultural communication could occur without anxiety. In other words, anxiety is not always a basis of the obstacle in communication with foreign people. I agree to Mark's opinion, but I think it better not to categorize "High Anxiety" as one of the stumbling blocks because I was confused to read the part of "High Anxiety" which could compound the other stumbling blocks.
I think that this text is easy to read because there are lots of clear and empathic examples.
That' it.
I think that almost all statement of Barna is reasonable for me, but I could not understand one point.
That point is that why Barna regards "High Anxiety" to be equivalent to the rest of stumbling blocks.
In my opinion, anxiety is a basis of the difficulties in intercultural communication, so I don't think that Barna should count "High Anxiety" one of the stumbling blocks, that is Barna should put the explanation of "High Anxiety" before the rest of the stumbling blocks. However, in the class, according to Mark, the problem in intercultural communication could occur without anxiety. In other words, anxiety is not always a basis of the obstacle in communication with foreign people. I agree to Mark's opinion, but I think it better not to categorize "High Anxiety" as one of the stumbling blocks because I was confused to read the part of "High Anxiety" which could compound the other stumbling blocks.
I think that this text is easy to read because there are lots of clear and empathic examples.
That' it.
2011年9月13日火曜日
Summer and Autumn
<Summer>
I went to New Zealand in order to study for 6 weeks in this summer and I spent precious time there. What I remember most impressively in New Zealand is watch the rugby game between the national team of New Zealand, All Blacks and the national team of Australia, Wallabies in Auckland. Of course, I cheered for All Blacks. I was very excited and satisfied. After the game, I got some autographs of members of All Blacks, and felt very happy.
I went to New Zealand in order to study for 6 weeks in this summer and I spent precious time there. What I remember most impressively in New Zealand is watch the rugby game between the national team of New Zealand, All Blacks and the national team of Australia, Wallabies in Auckland. Of course, I cheered for All Blacks. I was very excited and satisfied. After the game, I got some autographs of members of All Blacks, and felt very happy. After returning to Japan, I was so busy with the prepararion for the move to Oak House that I could do nothing special.
<Autumn>
I think that I could be very busy in this autumn because the level of ELP Autumn could be more difficult than the level of ELP Spring, but I try to keep up and study harder not only English but also other subjects. I think that I'm not good at speaking English, so I try to improve my speaking.
2011年9月12日月曜日
~To Kill a Mockingbird~ by Harper Lee
1) To Kill a Mockingbird3) When I stayed in New Zealand and browsed through a book store, I was recommended this book by a shop staff.
4) Scout Finch, who is a main character in this story lives with her older brother, Jem, their father, Atticus, who is a lawyer and their cook, Calpurnia,who is a black lady in the tired old town, Maycomb in Alabama.
Jem and Scout met a thin boy, Dill one summer, and they came to play together. There are many attractive neighbours near the Finch house, especially the Radley Place. Three children were interested in the place and they sometimes sneaked into there. Moreover, they often mocked Boo Radley, who lives in the Radley place, but they have never seen him. As Jem and Scout intervened in the Radley Place, some mysterious incidents happened around them. By the way, Atticus decided to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white woman. Although Atticus worked hard both inside and outside the court-house and showed some reasonable evidences, the whole jury convicted of Tom Robinson. Eventually, Tom tried to escape from the jail and then was shot to death. This cruel reality disrupted Jem badly. In spite of the verdict, the accuser, Mr. Ewell vowed to revenge Atticus and finally he attacked Jem and Scout at night. However, Arthur Radley called Boo came to rescue them. Unfortunately, Arthur killed Mr. Ewell by accident during the struggle, but that fact was hushed up in order to protect Arthur. After meeting Arthur, Scout noticed that she should not judge a person with discrimination and prejudice.
5) After finishing to read the whole book, I noticed that while I was reading it, my head was full of prejudices. I fell into despondency when I was reading the scene of the trial. This is because despite Atticus showed the apparently reasonable evidences, Tom was finally convicted. I think that the discrimination or prejudice could be a lethal weapon to kill an innocent person like the genocide of the Jews by the Nazis.
Finally, I think that a mockingbird is a symbol of innocence and weakness, because mockingbirds, which are harmless to human beings are categorize into the same group as harmful birds and are sometimes killed.
Work cited
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