DIRECTIONS:
Write a 7 paragraph essay to the following question using standard paragraph / essay format. All essays are submitted online in the comment box. When you have your response make sure you write your name, then subject and period you have class.
Ex.:
Jane: CAPS, P3 & 4
QUESTION:
Based on what you have read and analyized in class through the above reading, write about an experience in which you faced a barrier that took extreme determination on your part to overcome.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Write a clearly written introduction paragraph to the best of your ability.
2. Write a clear thesis statement.
3. Quote "Before The Law" two times in your essay (one line at a time is necessary).
4. Each paragraph must be 5 to 7 sentences.
5. Indent your paragraphs.
6. Must contain a clearly written conclusion paragraph.
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Tyler Mathurin 9-11-09
ReplyDeleteNewark Tech Mr. Avery
Being your own gatekeeper
Were you ever in a situation where someone told you that you cannot accomplish something? Do you know what it is like to be your own gatekeeper? To begin with, there was one time in the fifth grade when one of the students in my class told me I would get a good grade on my world history exam. At First, I had agreed with him, seeing that I haven’t studied that Tuesday night. However, that was not an excuse to fail this exam. That early morning I took my notebook and our world history text book and started speed reading.
I scanned through as much of the important notes as I can and when the bell rang I immediately put the books away and sited patiently for the test.
The teacher gave out the test papers according to alphabetical order. I was sitting in the middle of the class alongside the student that told me I would fail this exam. I did not want to sit next to him but because his last name began with the letter M, I was stuck with him until class was over. The teacher handed me the exam and I began the test silently. The questions on the exam seemed difficult and a little bit challenging. However, I wasn’t about to let that stop me from getting a excellent grade on this exam.
Next to me was the student that told me I was going to fail this exam. He looked kind of nervous and panicky and was anxiously waiting for the time of the exam to be over. He didn’t demonstrate any signs that he concerned about the test. He would put any response that came to his mind on the answer sheet. I always thought he was brainless and no intelligence what so ever when it came to learning. It seemed that he was putting me down just to make himself feel better.
The bell rang and all students were insisting to put all writing materials away while the teacher was assembling the paper together.
I was confident of the work I produced that day. I have been so confident in my life until that day. The student besides me was still nervous and tense, but that was not my business to worry about student. The teacher brought the exams to her writing table and began marking the test papers. She didn’t worry about the quality of work the student’s produced, but the quantity of work they produced. She took a deep breath and handed one of her bright students the exams to return them back to the students.
It became the moment of truth for everyone that class. Everyone became nervous and was wondering what score they got on their test. As the student handed the other students their papers, the results were shocking. Some students had a score of 54% and 68% and they weren’t too pleased about it. Other Students had a score of a 74% and 88% and their faces were at least satisfied.
It was the student’s turn who sat besides me. He got a score of a 48% and that was the lowest score in the class. He was disappointed, but no one really paid any attention to him. It was my turned and I received a score of a 98%, the highest score in the whole class. I was proud of myself and that experience showed me that only I can be my own gatekeeper.
If someone tells you that you cannot accomplish something, go ahead and still do it. Only you can prevent yourself from doing what you really want to do. If I had listen to that student that day I wouldn’t have gotten a passing grade on my exam. In order to do something, you believe in yourself that you will succeed. I believed in myself that I can accomplish something and in retune and succeeded.
Christopher Keil
ReplyDeleteWorld History
Period 5
GateKeeper In my path
A lot of people have had a gatekeeper standing right in their path everytime they were trying to succeed. Like Micheal Jordan before he could dunk a basketball in the hoop he couldnt shoot,dribble,or make a foul shot to save his life. He was once told who would never play in the National Basketball Association. But he kept practicing day and night to prove everybody wrong and eventually he made it to the NBA,and is the most talented basketball player ever. Now let me tell you about a time when there was a gatekeeper in my way.
It was almost the end of the eight grade school year and we were all preparing for graduation and High School. Many people thought that I was going to wind up in Central High School,since they thought I would fail all my entrace exams. Which is something I disagreed with to the fullest extent,the high school I have been dreaming of was Essex County Vocational also known as Newark Tech. But I always liked to keep my options opened so I also filled out an application for every other magnet school. I was determined to past the exam and get accepted.
When it was time to be dismissed from school I went to see my teacher Mr.Anderson to play him in a game of chess since it really gets my brain cells pumped. To me the chess game was like a minature test since when you make a move it gives a question to your opponent. But when your opponent responds to it they might make the right move and solve the question. Or the wrong move and skip the question, which was kind of my strategy for thinking. And when you win the game thats kind of like gettting an A on the exam.
After the chess game I went home to go study everything I needed to get into Newark Tech. I had to get rid of all the negativity and study so I can pass and get accepted. I took out my literature books,Math books,and Science books and study every subject for at two hours and thirty minutes. Suddenly I fall asleep on one of the books and was just in my own world for the time being. Until I heard my mother yelling at me to get up, I looked at the time and it was 7:00 am I took the quickest shower known to man, brushed my teeth and tossed on my clothes., and ran in the car while the car was traveling I fell asleep again until my father shook me awake.
I was at Newark Tech the home of the Terriors. As I entered I saw some of my friends that were also taking the exam there were a billion kids all bunched up in the area. Finally the after a good twenty minutes the security guard told us to line up to get our room number to take the test. As soon as I got my number I rushed up the stairs and took the test. When I came out of the classroom I felt like a champion since I thought I was going to attend Newark Tech.
A few weeks past since the exams were taking and the whole student body was at static. Some were still saying that I wasn't going to Newark Tech. While other students were planing on what their gonna do when graduations over.Then Suddenly our Guidance Consuler comes in the class room giving out letters which I received three. I had got accepted into North 13th Street, Central High School, and Newark Tech I was in amazement that I got in and the gatekeepers were dissapointed.
In conclusion it just goes to show you when somebody says you will not succeed in anything. Be like Barack Obama and yell Yes I Can! Since those gatekeepers always want to ruin your fun. And never be in doubt always stay dtermined because you will accomplish and demolish that obstacle.
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ReplyDeleteCarlos Reyes
ReplyDeleteperiod 8
World History
Do u know what’s it like to be your own gate keeper ? Do u understand how it feels beging told u cant do it ? This issue that I thought would be a fair tail came and hit reality . It was around my 7th grade year just a few months into it . My former teacher basically despised me because of my humor and me having conversations while in class . Then every thing went down hill he told me I wasn’t making it out his class to go on to the 8th grade and he would make sure of it . That exact day he looked me dead in my face and said “Carlos you will never amount to any thing in life “ .
I was in shock this wasn’t a game any more . Those words stuck in my head day and night and playing over and over so I decide to prove him wrong . I come into class the next day ready to work hard and strive for a good grade . But it just wasn’t possible at all . I studied hard I took it to the extreme I went back to my old 6th grade math teacher for help . But there was no savvier I got the cold sholder in every math period I was kicked out I felt like the guy from “Before the law “ at times .
I seen no point in this I didn’t just want to give up on it I went back something similar like the story “Before the law “and was lost because he had explain the work while I had to wait in the wall way for no apparent reason .I was in shock because my own teacher was destine to make me stay in the 7th grade . I went after school to other teachers in the building and took mini math test to prove to my self I can pass them . In which I did so I took the exact same test my teacher gave me and I passed it .But yet I failed it in his class that’s just not possible .
I thought to my self this is the year that counts the most 7th grade year in which my high school will be looking at to judge me upon I didn’t want to end up in barringer nor central so this was becoming a problem . I told every one I can that this issue was happing to me but no one believed something this curl can happen so I was on my own . I was still trying to make and impact and make it out this grade and move on .
Later that same year my mother shines some light and states we are moving meaning I get to start fresh and I was given another opportunity but I was still trying to prove my old teacher wrong and do the right thing and make it beyond his words of never amounting to any thing and not passing . So I kept working hard even in my new school . Went from D’s to C’S in in math making my self and average student in about 2 weeks .
As the last month of school came around I felt the pressure and butterfly’s in my stomach having that feeling like what if I didn’t make it ? was he he right all along ? was it meant to be ? But little did I know I passed the 7th grade I couldn’t stop smiling for nothing . I went to visit my old teacher and showed him the report card he was in disappointment . I proved him wrong and now I made into Newark tech he still amazed to this day .
This proves no matter what any one says . Don’t let them pull u down do not go by what they tell u and hold u back to that u will never succeed and be there taking every thing they sa y. Just try to accomplish something, keep trying . Only you can can yourself from doing what you really want to do if I would of stuck to his word I wouldn’t be here today writing this essay I would of just now been entering the 8th grade . Luckily I sir passed it and i over came this obstacle .
Marlon Andries 9-11-09
ReplyDelete9th Grade
Overcoming a barrier can be very diffult but rewarding in the end.Barrier have a way of stopping people from achieving their goals. When you have determination and motivation,nothing cna stand in your way.The passage "Before the law" is a great example of what most people endure in eveyday living.My experience as far as overcoming barrier happened just the other day when i walked home from school by myself.
I've never been without an arms reach of my mother. She's never allowed me to do anything by myself.On friday i was to be picked up by my grandfather after school. When the bell rang and school let out. i stood outsidefor two minutes and then decided to stat walking.
Although it was definity against my mother's wishes to walk home by myself, i did it anyway. Have you ever felt like your own mother was a gatekeeper? Who continously said "no don't do that." No, you csn't do this or you shouldn't go there. I guess i felt a lot like the man in "Before the Law."
I understand now what he must have felt when the gatekeeper, even after years of of telling him no. What he must have been thinking. At that point in my life i realized that i had two gatekeepers. My mom and myself. I was always afraid of the consequences i wouldn't faced if i obedied her.
I can understand my mother's point of view. Her idea of keeping me close is a way of protecting me from harm. The way the world isnowadays you can never be to cautious.Everyday you here about horrible events taking place rather on the news or on television. The way the world is, my mother has a strong grip on me and is afraid to loosen that grip.
I finally took that chance on friday, when i decided to walk home by myself. I had no idea what would have been the outcome. Never in my wilders dreams would walk home alone. I know it really doesn't seem like a big deal, but if you lived in my shoes, you would understand. I have been told so many times by my mother. "You can't" that other family members had to intervene. They say things like, "Cut the apron string", or that's a shame, he can't do nothing.
My mother won't even let me play football. She has all kinds of excuses as to why I can't. She always say, "I the mother i make the decisions, or until you become of age. You can do what you want to do. Somehow i don't belive that's all together true.
In conclusion as i stated before overcoming a barrier can be very difficult but rewarding in the end. Barriers have a way nof stopping you from achieving your goals.
Michael Bennett 9/13/09
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
9th Grade
Living in New York id expect to have to overcome barriers like trouble,grades and poverty. But id never expect to have to face something like moving to another state. My Mother may have thought it was best for me but i thought otherwise. New York was my home and to move was a huge problem for me because of my friends. So how was i going to get used to this i dont know. So this is Like My own "before the law".
It was the summer of 06 and i was in New Jersey. I thought of better ways to hangout and Jersey surely wasnt one of them. Every Morning iWould Complain To My Mother about the the move. But Everytime the same thing would pop up ."Its whats best for you" she would say. It was a pain to hear this but she would win everytime.
A few Weeks went by and still no hint of her giving in. My sister would often cry but not even that changed anything. It was a week of moping and the only one unconcerned was my mother. Later i would ask why but now was not the time. I felt like she was giving in but the looks on her face had me stay my distance.
The next week my father came in. Now i felt like she would soon give in. Every Night was an argument about whether or not the kids stay. Although i hated their arguements i never butted in to stop it. It was a back and forth fight between them sometime my father would say "I would have no way of contacting the kids" And My Mother Would Say "if you really wanted to see them then you wouldnt be complaining". i dont know how i could not cry guess i was immune to it from all the years.
For the First time in weeks my mother let us go to New York. Me and my sister were excited we havent seen New York in Over Month and we missed it so much. We spent the weekend over at my dads.
While we were there he constantly told us what a bad decision my mother was making with the move.I tended to ignore because that was the only thing he would say.My Friends Would constantly say how much of a bother summer school is and that its mandatory for middle school. This made me relaxed because i didnt have this problem and it was the only thing that made Jersey cool.
The first day of school was fast approaching and i was displeased. I thought if Jersey was starting then New York Cant be far behind.I still havent convinced her. So i GAve up i Knew i was gonna go anyway. No hope in convincing now that school going to begin.
On the first day of school my moms gave me a speech that i can always remember. She told me "if you want you can always go to new york but this school will help You get what ever New York Didnt give me. I was on the verge of giving in and have us go back to new york but what kept me together was knowing the good education you guys will get." Just Then i noticed Just like in "Before the law" i had a gatekeeper and it was my self. I was the only thing from getting used to Jersey not my mom. So at that moment i Got ready for my first day of Truth Middle School.
Nyshayah Sulpha
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
World History
Imagine this, you just graduated out of highschool and your planning on going to college. Well after that you would like to become a pediatrician. You may have to go to school maybe almost for 10 years. As the years pass by, you try to get into this school but its a wall blockng you. So all of a sudden you just give up. That's what you shouldnt do, you should be very determined because like in "Before The Law" you are your only gatekeeper.
Well I, Nyshayah Sulpha has once been in a situation similar to this. I would like to tell you how it went. It was last year in 8th grade, I was just determined to get the honor roll. At first I was trying as hard as I could but for some reason my grades would just not be what I wanted them to be. Then it was like once I got the good grade my other ones had dropped. Everything just seemed so hard.
After a while I felt as though there was no purpose of me to keep trying if I was going to fail. Then I realized that wasnt the right thing to do. I thought about it and just kept trying. I just could never get it. It was either I missed it by one grade or my grades would just drop. I was wondering what was stopping me.
I was just blaming it on everyone but myself. Then at the end I figured out that it was just me stopping myself the whole time. Just like in "Before The Law" I was my own gatekeeper. Everyday I would do my work , hand it in on time, and make sure it was completed. Then I started slacking because of the fact that I didnt get what i wanted. Days went on and on, still was no honor roll.
I told my mother that I was trying to get the honor roll. When she asked "Well what happen?" "Why you stop trying?" I told her that I tried and tried but something seemed to be stopping me. Once again it was no one but me stopping my own self. Which means i didnt push my self into doing it. I just thought that maybe if I would mention this to my teachers they would tell me where I messed up at.
With this in mind, I thought it would work. When the next cycle came up, I still saw NO HONOR ROLL! Now i was just fed up. I felt like I was working hard for my health. I also did think a couple of times that it didnt even matter because i was just in middle school.
That really wasnt right because hardworking is never just doing it for your health. One way or another all of your hard work will pay off. I know that its 8th grade to but that matters as well because you will be soon going to high school. I really do regret the times when i gave up. Its ok though because everyone learns from their mistakes. Im glad to say that i really did learn from mines and it won't happen again.
Zaniya Wilson 9/13/09
ReplyDeletePeriod 8
9th Grade
Transitioning into another barrier or facing different obstacles can be very challenging . Even though, it may take a lot of time at the end you will be proud of your self for what you have accomplished.In the passage,"Before The Law" A man had to ask permission if he may get through the law by a Gatekeeper , but the gatekeeper replied ,"No". The man asked again , "may he go through later that day , but gatekeeper replied , "it may be possible." The man begins to wait for ever until he dies. So , in the passage he tries his best to accomplish his dream to get through the gate ,but he dies.
Everyone has to face a barrier in life whether thick or thin. Its a part of transitioning into the real world. But as I think of it, it becomes a game. Your changing into different stages and bigger things to make your dream come true. When you have passed a grade thats one level your finished with.You may have many more to come depending on how you may want your life to become.In the next paragraph i will explain to you the changes that i had to deal with, In order to make the changes that I made.
When I was in the fifth grade, my grades was dropping and my behavior was getting out of control. I wasn't thinking of my life and how I wanted it to be or to accomplish my dreams . I got put out of my school and ended up coming to New Jersey. As I went into seventh grade I decided to change my life because i thought of the possibilities that would've happened if I didn't change. So, by the beginning of the eighth grade i had everything planned. It wasn't easy because of my past and I didn't think that I would be excepted into a good school , but I tried my best.
My first report card I had got all C's and one B. So I just knew that i had to try harder. The more I tried the more my grades kept getting better every cycle. Applications came out and I was ready to give applications to any school . I applied to f different schools including Newark Tech. I was just hoping for the best that I would just get a chance to be accepted to one of these talented schools. Later ,May I started thinking that it was no hope and that I would be going to Malcolm X.Shabazz High. Which was a place that i dearly didn't want to go to. Later that week I got my letter explaining that I had got accepted to Newark Tech .
I was so happy. I felt as though I had made it into a new chapter, which I did. It was so hard getting to the level that I went through. But I made it and was proud of it. The day of my graduation, June 26,2009, my mother gave me a big hug. Then she began to tell me that I can be anything that I want to if I just put my mind to it . Even though she always tells me that. That particular day I knew that i was true. That you can be anything you want to be whether thick or thin. To me mines was very thick and I made it to one of the top schools in the country.
In conclusion, I now know that it is possible for your dreams to come true even if you die trying, such as the man in ,"Before The Law".
Shimei Hawkins 9-12-09
ReplyDelete9th grade Mr. Avery
Have you every had somebody tell you that you can't do something? Well I had and it is not a good thing to hear. Let me tell you about the time when somebody told me I couldn't do something and how it almost cost me doing something I really loved doing. It all started when my dance group and I had planed to d an audition for a talent show.
One day my group and I were practice at our practice spot. We were practicing for a competition that we had heard about on Myspace. Everyone was talking about this competition. People from all over the Tri-State area were coming over to audition for this competition. It was the biggest show of the year. So my group and I thought this would be a show to get our name out there so people could know about us.
A few days went pass and people were still talking about the competition. So we decided to start practicing for the audition. We practiced crazy high flying stunts, beat catching routines, old routines, we made up new routines, and some of us even chipped in to get new outfits. We did everything to get ready for this show. We were one day from audition.
It was audition day and we were so anxious to audition that we all stayed the night at my house the night before because we didn’t want anyone to be late. We were up all night talking about it, until my mother made us go to sleep with her good times in the 80’s stories. We walked into the building and looked around. We saw people that were like 18 years of age and older. My group and I were age range is from 12 years of age to 16 years of age. We went to g register and group asked us “did we get lost, shouldn’t we be playing in a sand box or something”. We ignored his ignorance and kept it moving.
It was our turn to audition. We approached the room with apprehension in our hearts and adrenalin flowing through our bodies. Suddenly the man in charge looks up at us and says “what is this Apollo Child Stars of Tomorrow”. He said he was looking for mature adults that know what they are doing. Then he tells us to leave and come back when we turn 18. We convinced the man to let us audition and we made on the show. Sadly when the actual competition came around we only placed in 2nd place which had a grand prize $250.
Nadrea Simmonds
ReplyDelete9-13-09
Mr.Avery
Have You ever had a gatekeeper, or someone who told you you couldnt do something? Well I've experienced having a gatekeeper. Let Me tell You My story and how I over came the fear of not being able to do something.
This year, around June when I was graduating My friends deceided to go to district schools to be with all of there peers which are also mines. I chose to go to Newark Tech because it had strict rules and those rules can keep Me in check and in line and I wanted that. My friends said that Newark Tech was a difficult school to pass and that I couldn't survive in there because of My old ways and how I use to act in middle school.
Deep down in my heart I knew I could make it far in this school because I was committed to make a change and to achieve academic exellence. But deep down in my heart I also knew that I wanted to be with the peers I knew well and grew up with but I also knew that if I was with them my future wouldn't be so bright.
My friends told me I couldnt do it but My mentality was I can do whatever I want, so I did. Now I'm a freshmen at Newark Tech and I will graduate from here with honor roll and I will achieve all of my goals that I've set.
Over-coming these gatekeepers wasn't easy. It bugged Me all of the time. Like why would they tell Me I couldn't do something if there My real friends. Maybe they'd miss Me terribly or maybe things wouldn't be the same. Those were the answers to my questions and I found that out a couple of days ago. This was My story and I hope You enjoyed it. Hotep.
CAPS/US World History
ReplyDeleteReginald M. Clark Mr. Avery
Grade 9 September 13, 2009
There have been many obstacles I have faced that I overcame. Who was the “gate keeper” in my life? One of the times I may have been doing something wrong or something bad. But, when it was done, I had to figure out why it happened. It may not be people there to support me, but it was a gate keeper.
It was a time when I was in Elementary School. There, I wanted to play football. I wanted it so bad; it was like food in my mouth. One day, I went to practice and all I could here was gate keepers teasing and talking about me. It really didn’t bother me because it was just words. Everyone looked down on me and thought I couldn’t catch the ball.
When I was back in my old school, I was thinking that I wanted to be a SWAT Police Officer because of all the great things they teach you and how they show you how to help others. So as I told my 1st grade class this they said you can’t, you have no discipline there I going to make a change.
When I was working my summer job this past summer, I use to have to perform plays but that was something that I didn’t like to do because I was shy. The next performance was going towards our last paycheck of the summer. So my supervisor said to me, what’s wrong, I told him, I was shy and didn’t want to do the play. He told me, you might as well go home and gets yourself together because you had no chose but to either does the play or only get half of a paycheck.
It was September 3, 2006 we us to have Basketball Games at school with the 5th graders. I never got the ball and people always use to say to me that I was to slow to get the ball. It didn’t bother me because being slow on the court doesn’t make you a good basketball player making the shots is what counts.
In 2008, me and my friends use to compete on who could make the most basketball shots. I always would lose until one night I started going to the local recreational center to practice. One day I won and my friends were amazed and said who helped you on your shots. I said no one; I just started practicing and was tired of losing all the time.
In conclusion knock down the obstacles and barriers in front of you so you can get somewhere in life. I knocked down all my obstacles to get to where I am today. You can get this accomplished by believing in yourself and you will be able to achieve your goal.
Asia Moses
ReplyDeleteWorld History
Period 8
September 13, 2009
There will always be someone better than you at something. You can't win at everything. Quitting is not an option. Facing your fears is a reward itself.
After reading and discussing the story "Before the Law", I realized I have similar experiences that are similar to the man in the story. One situation that comes to mind is when I was on a track team in my neighborhood. I was amember of this track team for 3 years. I began in the cross country season running long distances. As the indoor season started, I began running shorter distances.
I didn't think I was a good runner. I actually looked like a duck running. Just like in the story "Before the Law" I never gave up. I kept trying harder to improve myself. At my first track meet I was nervous, but I felt good once I stepped on the field. As soon as the race started I became scared, which caused me to come in last place. I was mad at myself.
Some of the other runners were laughing at me. I heard someone say I didn't deserve to run track. I started to cry, but made sure no one saw me. Once I got home, I packed up my uniform and I was going to quit. But there was a little voice in my head that said, "Don't quit, you're better than this."
With this in mind, I was not playing or fooling around during practice. I wanted to show the other girls that I deserved to be on the track team and that I could run. I worked very hard at practice. My coach knew that I was serious. At the next meet, the same girls were there and they were still laughing. I ignored them and remained focussed. Once the gun went off, I was gone!
I left every one behind. The same girls were shocked and wasn't laughing. Now I was the one laughing. I felt so good about myself. I improved my time and I was on my way. I was in first place for the 1st time.
The next track meet was in North Carolina and I had to run a certain time to go to the next level. I was so scared. The girls at this meet were very fast and much bigger than me. Standing at the start line bought back that nervous feeling. The gun went off and we started down the field. I was running my best. I didn't give up or stop. I came in second to last. I was okay with this.
That day I didn't reach the time needed, but I was happy with myself. In the story "Before the Law" the man wouldn't stop waiting by the gate until the gate keeper let him in. The man in the story was determined to get in that gate and he keep waiting until he was let in. I too was determined to prove to all that I could run and I wasn't a quitter. As stated before, Quitting is not an option. Facing your fears is a reward itself. Although I didn't reach the needed time to advance to the next level, I was proud of myself for continuing strong in the race.
I can say that I too had a gatekeeper who was keeping me from moving on, her name was Asia. I learned that I was the only one standing in my way, not the people laughing at me. I was scared to run. Once I realized what was holding me back, I was able to overcome that feeling and move on.
Asia Edmond
ReplyDeleteWorld History
Period 7
Its not easy being a 14 year old girl having to deal with school,parents,teachers,and peers. And of course people have doubted me like all the time! Ive had many gatekeepers in my past,at times i had been my own gate keeper. Some times the gate keepers kept me from doing what i wanted until i got older and learned that i can do anything if i set my mind to. I believe everyone has had gate keepers,but here's my stories.
In the story "Before the law" the man from the country asked the gate keeper can he gain entry into the law. The gatekeeper said he cannot grant him entry at the moment.The man from the country asked would he be allowed to come in sometime later on. The gate keeper responed it is possible....but not now. The gatekeeper was not holding the man back from going thru the gate. The man from the country was just afraid of the consequences.
The man from the country reminds me of me when i went to New Zealand. I was terrified to repel off a medium sized clift.The first time when it was my go i told myself i couldnt do it. I was being my own gatekeeper. I had to convince myself to do it. It was a once in a life time chance, i was in New Zealand like not many people went here. I wanted to face my fear so i can say i accomplished something. So i did it and it was quite fun and i felt good afterwards because not many people could say they did what i did.
Also the quote reminds me of the time when i was 5 and i wanted to join the dance team at my church. My grandmother told me i couldnt because i was too young. So i waited two years to become a dancer. I was so excited to be at pratice! I saw dancers of all ages and when i went to one of the younger kids and asked their ages i heard 5 and 6. I was kind of hurt because 5 was the age i wanted to start. I asked my grandmother about it and she said that she didnt know i could have started at that age. I was still a little mad but i got over it because in the end i still became a dancer. My randmother was my gatekeeper but i still reached my goal.
In the story "Before The Law" The man from the country waited years to get into the law. He's dying. Before his death the gatekeeper says:"What do you still want to know now?".."You are insatiable." "Everyone strives after the law, so how is that in these many years no one except me has requested entry?" Replied the man. The gatekeeper sees that the man is already dying and, in order to reach his diminishing sense of hearing, he shouts at him. "Here no one else can gain entry, since this entrance was assigned only to you. I'm going now to close it"
My grandmother always told me that God gives you a gift. A gift like the voice to sing or the rythm to dance. If we dont use that gift he will take it from us. To me that is what the quote above means. The man waited too long for his entry, then it was too late.
The quote reminds me of the time when i was younger. When i was younger i use to be in the choir. My grandmother told me she use to always hear my voice when we sung. That was back in the day when i could really sing. Once i stopped going to choir pratice and stop singing i couldnt sing no more. Now my voice sounds like God knows what! And its all because i stopped singing, God took away my gift. I was my gatekeeper because i was too lazy to go to pratice. Maybe sometime in the future i will get my voice back but im still facing this gatekeeper....
Sakeenah Blackmon
ReplyDeleteSeptember 11, 2009
Newark Tech.
Homework
Mr. Avery – World History
I’ve faced many challenges in my life. For example a difficulty I always had trouble facing was when people attempt to hold me back from something I was striving to accomplish. At times I just felt like I couldn’t do it, but I kept trying anyway. I tried not to let anything hold me back. Which gives me memories of a time I wanted to play volleyball but a friend told me I wasn’t good enough.
It was the beginning of 8th grade and volleyball season was just two week away. I always pictured myself on the volleyball team but I was to nervous to ever try out. Until this one time I came up with the courage to attempt to try out for the volley ball team. I first asked my friend if it was a good idea but all she did was make me feel even worse about trying out for it. My friend told me that I wasn’t that great at volleyball and that I was be too lazy to play anyway.
I spent the rest of the whole day thinking about what she said. Her advice was really stuck in my mind. I tried to play it off like I really didn’t care about the sport when I was in front of her. Inside of me, I knew that I really wanted to play volleyball but I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to play volleyball and make a fool of myself but I didn’t want to go without playing volleyball at all. I was real lost at this point.
By the next day I had my mind all made up. I was not going to play volleyball at all. I had figured that the best thing for me to do would be for me to not play. Even though I thought that I shouldn’t play I had still had a little bit of doubt in me. Now that I think about this point of time in my life, it kind of reminds me of the story “Before the Law” because it’s about a guy who held himself back from entering a gate but blamed it all on the gate’s keeper and that was sort like what I was doing. I was holding myself back from playing volleyball but I blamed it all on my friend.
By this time, volleyball season was only a week away. The doubt in me was increasing even more. So I went to my mother and told her my situation. There was a big difference from my mother’s advice and my friend’s advice. My mother’s advice was comforting and my friend’s advice was less comforting. Basically my mother told me to go for it and be on the volleyball team. So that was exactly what I did.
A couple of days after, I had joined the volleyball team. I wasn’t able to start until the second season though. I also had confronted my friend about what she had said to me as advice. She told that what meant by it was that she only wanted me to practice more so that by the time I’m on the volleyball team I can be playing to my best ability. She also apologized for me taking it the wrong way.
Now that I’m thinking about my experience, I also believe it was different from the story “Before the Law” because in the story the man never took action for what he wanted and actually died never being able to do what he wanted. For me, I took action and did what I wanted to do. It maybe took me a little while and I had to suffer for it but I had still gone after what I wanted. Well that was one of the challenges I face. But it won’t be the only one.
Jada Clyburn
ReplyDeleteMr.Avery
Period 7
Sept. 13,09
Everyone has lost someone in life that was close to them, but to live life blaming yourself for the their lost is very heartfelt.
Approximately 2 years ago I lost my grandmother, Susie Daniel Sneed, The most powerful women in the world in my eyes. She was my rock of life and I seen history through her stories. I can remember her telling stories of the south when we wasn't called African American, but colors and negroes. My favorite story is the day Martin Luther King got killed and she left her job and never looked back. She will say "baby, if you don't stand for nothing, you will stand for anything". I have always been in awe at the stories she tell. However, the day of my grandmother passing who wpuld believe that her wisdom and history will live me forever.
When we buried my grandmother I can remember looking to my mother for answers. I felt so depress and lonely that I blamed everyone including god for my grandma not being here. My grades started slipping, I was crying all the time, and I just didn't care no more. My mother seen the change and decided that it was time for an explanation. She tried to explain the trials and tribulation of death the best way she knew how. My mother will say "only your grandmother shell is being buried, not her soul". "Always remember the good times you had with your grandmother and she will be here with you forever and remember time will heal all wombs".
Yes it took some time for me to over come the shock of my grandmother passing but I miss her very much. I had to realize that god put people into our lives for different reason and my grandmother was put on this earth to touch many people with her wisdom. And what my grandmother touch me with I now realize that she wanted me to pass it on.
I will always be in appreciation of my grandmother. And everything that she had taught me I put it in my everyday living. And the most important life lesson that my grandmother taught me is to treat people with kindness. "How you present yourself to people is how people will present themselves to you" is what she would say. So I guess to understand death is just like trying to understand life. It could be confusing. I think my grandmother for her time with me, and I hope I can take all that I learn from her and give the same wisdom to my children and grandchildren. We will see!
Kasib Jones
ReplyDeleteWorld History
Period 7
9/11/09
An experience in which I faced a barrier that took extreme determination on my part to overcome was when my parents tried to get me into a catholic school. In my past I had a lot of bad days. I had a bad record in one school that was unbelievable. I was expelled from my first catholic school and had to go to another.
It wasn’t anything illegal. When I was a little boy I was never bad. I was the “king” of the family. I then said to me, “This is not how the king of a family is supposed to act.”
I noticed how my family, mostly my mother, was disappointed in me. I knew it was time for me to change. I then was sent to summer school. It wasn’t really entertaining but it was alright.
I did what I had to do in summer school hoping that they could put in a good word to the school I was trying to get into. So far, I was doing well, until I got into a fight. I was terrified because I was afraid that this one fight would mess up my chance of getting into the catholic school, but it didn’t. Everyone in the class saw that the boy tried all that he could to get me in trouble, but it didn’t work until he smacked me up side my head twice; given me a reason to fight.
Fighting wasn’t my hobby, but when I needed to fight I would get the job completed. After that day I started to believe that I was lucky because I didn’t get in trouble and the summer school gave the catholic school a great report about be. Two weeks later the school sent my grandmother a letter stating that I’m now being accepted into the school. I then began to get tears of joy.
As the author stated, the man still tried to get pass the gate even though he knew the gate keeper wasn’t going to let him get by. Just like the man I didn’t give up. I was told that I wouldn’t be allowed in the school because of my school records. That didn’t stop me I still did what I had to do to impress the school.
Darelys Madé
ReplyDeleteWorld History P8
Have you ever heard someone said that you can't do something or you are going to fail at it? How do you feel when someone tells you that you can't do it? There's about a 65% that people are scare to do something because other people said "that you can't do it." I have overcome many obstacle, but the one I had gate keepers around was when I wanted to be talented just like my sister. Well, this is how everything started.
It all started when I wanted to play an instrument in fourth grade. I asked the music teacher "how can I play an instrument?" So, I took the paper that he told me that my mother had to sign. When, my mother was about to sign the paper, she asked "what was the paper for?" I told her "that I wanted to play an instrument." She told me, that she will think about it, and I had to take the paper another day.
I thought to myself, why did my mother had to think about it?,maybe she thinks I would quit the easy way. So, I asked my sister, what she thinks about. After I told her, she started laughing, and told me that "I couldn't do it or I'm was going to fail." My mother and my sister doesn't believe or trust in me anymore after I told them that I wanted to play an instrument. After a while, I felt depressed and confuse because I didn't know what to do.
So, the next day came, and my mother told me "that I could play if I wanted to." I was so happy as a kangaroo because it was something that I wanted to do. The girls that where playing violins, started laughing and telling me that I wouldn't make it to the team, that's when I got very but very worry. I first went to my homeroom, so the teacher could know I was in class. The time got closer and closer, and I was getting nervous.
It was 8:35a.m, and the music teacher gets at 9:00a.m. Since, he hasn't got here, I could practice a little bit at least. "Ring...ring...ring" the bell rang and that meant that it was 9:00 a.m. After the bell stop ringing, somebody open the door, and it was the music teacher. So, he told all of us "that who ever doesn't try, will feel that you are the person who will fail."
Before it was turn, I heared the girls played, and they sounded fantastic. Finally, it was my turn and I felt nervous. After I played, the music teacher clap and said "it was nothing I had heared before. I felt much better after he said that and I felt like I was a professional player. At least, I try it and I didn't know I was going to make it.
When someone tells you that you can't do something, never listen to them. You never know when you can do something, until you try it. Hearing what other people have to said, sometimes is not the right thing to do. Everyone could at least overcome one obstacle in their life.
Allysa Alexander
ReplyDeleteMr. Avery
CAPS/World Hist.
Period 5
9-16-09
Before The Law Essay
Have you ever felt that you couldn't do something because of a barrier? Was there a time when you had to experience a barrier that took extreme determination on your part that you had to overcome? Mostly everyone has. I have faced alot of barriers and me facing them , I achieve so much. There was this one experience when I experienced a barrier that took extreme determinate on your part to overcome. This how it goes.
It all started when I got into NJLEEP in which a program for grades 8-12 and you first start off wit the Summer Law Instute when you get accepted. Well I first heard about this program at my old school and I applied. I had no doubt that I was going to get in. And after all the essays and applications and interviews, I got in.
So, hear I am doing the Summer Law Instuite with no problem. Then after the hard long 1 month was over, Our "guider" told us about the College Bound Program . And so I applied. But I got very nervous and I really didnt think I would get in because of my behavior in SLI. It wasnt up to how it should be. I would always qet money taken away from our stipend that we would get at the end of SLI. And I was always in trouble wit the "guider" Mr.Crawford and some of the instructors as well.
So when I had look back into how I behaved in SLI I got really nervous and I really didn't think I would get in. Now normally I would have determination that I'ma get in dont matter what I do as long I get in. I didnt feel like that. The main obstacle was my behavior because it determined if I can get in the College Bound Program. And I had let that be my barrier to think that I wasnt going to get into the College Bound Program.
I felt so worried because it looks bad on your college application that you went to SLI and that NJLEEP has a College Bound Program but you didnt get accepted.So I had that in the back of my mind the whole time. I really didnt want to think that I wasnt going to get in but until you get that encouragement from your parents,friends,teachers etc. then you start to realize that maybe you do have a chance to be apart of the College Bound Program.
So then I started to get confident when it was like a week before they called me and said that I got in the College Bound Program.That isnt me that I dont be confident in myself to get in anything. Having confident in myself and yourself is a good factor to have because when your always down on yourself then you dont get anywhere in life and you arent gone be successful in life. Like in the Before the Law reading the man whoses trying to get into the law he didnt have any faith in his self but then later on he started to have faith and he got in. And he had to go through MANY barriers just to get into the law.
So at the end of the day, you must have confiendence in yourself and when somebody tells that you can do this and dat, dont listen to him because they dont want you to go anywhere and stay in their level in which isnt a very good level either. You should hear yourself and see if it makes sense to do instead of always listening to your friends or the haters that just want to bring you down. But like I stated before everyone has at least overcomed one or more obstacle[s] in their life. Why is that is because life isnt easy. Life is hard.
Nageeyah Coursey
ReplyDelete9/16/09
World history
9th Grade
Perception – My Gatekeeper
Living in certain areas of New Jersey you are expected to have to overcome barriers like trouble, killings and poverty. But I never expect to have to face the actual death and killing of my father. I also did not understand that if a black man gets killed why it is usually written up as drug or gang related killing. I wondered about all his planning on being successful and wealthy, and for what, to end up as another statistic.
With this perception, I sought of lost my determination, but I thank God for my mother and her strength, her success, and her ability to carry on even as she had lost her mother and father in her teen years. I learnt that you shouldn’t give up and that you should be more determined even if life deals you a bad hand. I gathered from “Before the Law”, that you could by your own perception of things make you, your own gatekeeper. Maybe in this story, the door with the least of the gatekeepers guarding it, represented my perceptions of a variety of injustice, caused by violence, and other bad things in the world. And that maybe just by sitting wishing and hoping does nothing, like the man in “Before the Law”, waiting for someone to come and fix it (gain entry), instead of just getting up and taking action.
So I got myself together mentally, and became determined to “go where no man has gone before” like in Star Trek. I work hard at getting good grades. I was determine to gain entry to Newark Tech., and was even accepted to Arts High School. I did not let my perception of injustice overtake my determination. I work hard at being the daughter my mother can respect, although I know she will love me no matter what. I work hard at gaining this respect and love and not just receiving it just because she is my mother.
I also learnt, more about perception, the more enlighten you become, the more you see, and more doors/gates will open (your mind) the more you gain (entry into). I also learnt that your environment can hold you back if you let it (your gatekeeper). That although statistics say that your environment reflects your ability to achieve or underachieve, I believe that it is your determination to overcome, your determination to prove the system wrong, and most important, the support given you by examples of others who come from the same or similar environments, and yet, have made it work.
An example of overcoming and succeeding was my attempt to gain entry to Newark Tech. Many people said there were no more applications at any of the schools, if some became available they would call, and if even if they found one, we would not get it completed in time. My mother contacted every facility known and one was found. She and I completed the necessary information in a timely-manner, dropped it off and that same day we were handed a letter telling me time, date and where to report to take the test. Determination was the key, and I am now a student at Newark Tech.
Our perception – no applications available, was like the gatekeeper, denying entry. We could have accepted none available, when on with our every day chores, hoping and waiting for some one to call, but instead, we called ourselves, and luckily, one was available. Sitting and waiting for approval to gain entry. Nothing is gained by sitting and waiting, without at least doing something on your part. If someone tells you it is impossible, and you accept it, then it will be impossible. But if you try and it doesn’t happen, at least you know you did something, and maybe the next time you try, it will happen.
Perception- my gatekeeper, determination, overcoming, action, will be my key to gaining entry, and not allowing my gatekeeper to hold me down, hold me back, and I hope, I will never lost my determination again.
Asia Moses
ReplyDeleteSeptember 22,2009
Period 8
World History
The reason why Ojiugo was at fault is because she was at an friends house getting her hair plait. Also cause she wasn't home on time to cook dinner. Okonkwo's reaction was typical because he kept on beating his wife over and over. It was "Peace Week" and he wasn't suppose to beat his wife and he did so the priest thinks that the gods will punish them.
Yes I do think so because in the quote above says that you have to obey the "Peace Week" law. That right there shows you that you have to obey that rule. If you didn't have to then it wouldn't be an problem for Okonkwo to beat his wife.
In this village they have rules when it comes to food. If they want something to eat they can't make the gods mad at them. Thats what Okonkwo did to make the priest mad at him.
Justin Period 6 WORLD HISTORY 9-24-09
ReplyDeleteOne experience that I faced that had a barrier that was holding me back was in school. In 8th grade I could not focus in class because I was so busy trying to laugh or make jokes while the teacher was teaching. I was not the only kid acting up in class so it was hard for me to pay attention in class. For me to focus I had to sit all the way in front of class. The barrier that was holding me back was myself and my friends. Just like in the story “The Gate Keeper” the gates were keeping the man from getting inside. Myself and my friends were keeping me from paying attention in class.
Once I started to focus more in class my grades started to go up. I also did not get a lot of lunch detentions and parent conferences. I just had to make it a goal to pay attention in class and not get distracted by anyone around me. Just like the man in the story “The Gate Keeper”, he made it a goal to make it inside the gates. So he waited outside of the gates till he was an old man. Once he reached an old age he accomplished his goal and made it inside the gates.
Another example of when there was a barrier holding me back was when I had a test. I did not have enough time to study. Since I did not have time to study I failed the test. The barrier that was holding me back was my attitude. I did not think I would have time to study for the test for the test so I didn’t. If I had a positive attitude I probably would have passed the test and would have had time to study.
Just like the man in the story, he believed he could make it into the gates. So he waited outside the gates for his whole life. Once he got older the gate keeper told him that he had a spot inside the gates. I think he made it inside the gates because he believed he could do it. He did not have a doubting attitude so he sat in front of the gates.
I believe that if I would have had a confident attitude I could have passed the test. Since I doubted that I would not have time to study it really happened. I learned from this situation that I won’t have a doubtful attitude towards anything. If the man in the gate keeper can sit outside a gate his whole life I could pass a simple test. The next test I passed because I was focused and took time out to study.
One more time I can remember when there was a barrier that was holding me back was when I came home an hour later than when I was supposed to. My mother was extremely upset with me because I was not being responsible. I was holding myself back because I wanted to be with my friends. My friends were not helping me because they knew I had to be home a certain time and they tried to make me stay out longer. It worked so I paid the price for going home late.
As you can see my life relates to the story the gate keeper in many ways. There are barriers that hold me back all the time. All I have to do is stay focused. Just like the man in the story as I said before. He was focused on getting inside the gates, and did so.
sakyyah singley
ReplyDeletemr. avery
world history
My biggest challenge was when i had to sing a song in font of my whole middle school. I was very frightened. I didnt know what to do.I thought to myself should i sing in front of my school to show everyone that i could sing and that i wasnt afraid. Or should I just punk out and dissapoint all of my classmates and teachers. It was the biggest challenge of my life and i had to really sit down and think about this.
I had many wories. I didnt know whether i was going to be scared and freeze. Then everyone would laugh, then I would be the laughing stock of the school. I was scared that people wouldnt like my singing and they would laugh at me. Eerythng was just so complicating. Everyone kept telling me to just sing and that everything would be over before i new it. That was easy for them to say they didnt have to get in front of their whole school full of judgemental children.
I then made my decision. I was going to sing in front of my whole school. I made this decision because my grandmother told me that I shouldnt let my fears get the best of me. She said that the only thing that was stoping me was myself. I no longer wanted to be the gatekeeperin the situation anymore.
I practiced and practiced everyday until my throat fell apart. i new for sure that i was going to do well on my performance. I didnt tell anyone what i was singing. Infact no one knew that I even knew how to sing. I wanted them to be surprised. I was so serious about naiing this performane that I even had my friend deibreianna coach me everyday. Then the day came.
I was nervous the whole day. When I had gotten to school I was so nervous I couldve fell out. Everyone ran up to me and started talking. They were asking me what was I singing and everything else. I didnt tell them anything i wanted them to be really surprised. I was so nevous that i had to talk to some teachers in order for me not to be nervous anymore. The show then began.
Everyone was getting called and then it was my turn. when they called my name they announced that i was singing beyonce listen. Then everyone was screaming and yelling for me. then i started singing. Before i knew it I was finish. Everyonne was screaming and yelling for me and I felt very happy. I felt like all of my hard work paid off and I would no longer be afraid to sing in front of my school.
Through this challenge that i had to face i learned something. I learned that no matter if your afraid to do something you should stilldo it. You shouldnt let yourself hold you back. This challenge has helped me a lot through life. Now even if i'm afraid to do something i still wont let the gatekeeper hold me back
Cristian Salazar
ReplyDeleteMr. Avery
9/24/09
Period 6th
My gate keeper?? Have you ever thought of your grading angle that exists, but you also have a gate keeper by your side. Has ever someone brought your confidence down with a couple of words or sayings? Will this has happened to me in my life once when I was a 6th grader I use to be the most worst student imaginable. I was lazy, unprepared, and never cared about homework in my life I just took that zero like nothing. This was me in the past before the law came in to my life and changed me as a student, and also changed me as a new person. I had a teacher named Mrs. Love who was the sweetest teacher on earth and would give me advise about things. Then I had this teacher that didn’t like me at all for not doing his homework or anything his name was Mr. .Raven .
Mr. Raven hated me with all his guts because I would be rude, lazy, and never pay attention to him in class I think he would get very angry at me but I didn’t care. One day he gave detention after school for only standing up from my chair to get my pencil that I dropped on the floor. That’s when detentions from him started to pour in on me, from there I knew he didn’t like me for nothing in the world. I remember I talked back to him when he gave me detention, he was so angry that he came up to me and said “Cristian have fun and games no but you will end up on the streets poor begging for food”.
I felt so angry and upset when he had told me that, I could tell that he meant that from the bottom of his heart when I looked at his face. When I went to his detention I didn’t say one word to him after school that’s how much he made me feel like I was nothing and my confidence was being drained by a water hose of before the law. The twenty minutes of even being in his class with him was like a living night mare. His words always played back in my head each time I saw him, Mr. Raven the worst Math teacher I ever met. When my parents saw me get home on that day he told those words they saw how down I was and they tired to talk to me but I would just stay quiet.
They even began to worry because I haven’t even eaten my favorite food that my mom makes so they knew something was going wrong with me that day. My older sister who is very close to me was trying to figure out what was wrong with me that I didn’t even eat or said something since I came from school. I just looked at her with a half angry face and sad face but I just stood quiet in till she finally left me alone. My world felt like it was crashing down on me when I had a night mare about those words and I woke up sweating. The next day of school was way much better than I expected it to be.
My English teacher Mrs. Love saw how my face expression so she pulled me aside to talk to after school because she wanted to know why I was sad and down. I walked into her class not knowing what would happen or what would I say to her. I didn’t know how to lie to her because I was the worst liar ever in history so I felt scared. She looked at me and smiled so that made me feel a little better about what I was going to tell her. I told her that my teacher Mr. Raven told me that I am going to end up poor like the other people who didn’t make it in life or in school. She looked at me in disbelief to what I told her, I felt a tear coming out but I just held it in.
Mrs. Love touched my shoulder and said “ Cristian don’t let any one bring you down you have control over you own destiny not your Math teacher”. She looked at me with a serious face so I could tell that she meant what she had said. She also convinced me to do better in school after an hour of talking to her after school so my self esteem felt way better now. I was working real hard to get honor roll on the last cycle to make Mrs. Love proud and show her that Mr. Ravens words didn’t effect me anymore, so I did it for her that time. But now I learned that in life you have to do things on your own and be impendent on your school work.