Freewrite #2: Concept discussion - Parable of the Sower

What parts of the book did you discuss? What do you find that most fascinating in this story so far? Why?

I discussed about the concepts of “being proactive vs. being reactive” and “violence”. For the first concept I talked about Lauren’s reaction about the issue and her eagerness to spread awareness. A quote that I chose was when Lauren has a discussion with her father about the issue. Her father tells her not to make assumptions and jump to conclusion right away, but instead educated and give knowledge to the community about the issue. However, Lauren is stubborn and sticks to her opinion. For the concept of violence I chose the quote about Keith’s murder – the description of it. In addition, I also chose another quote regarding Lauren’s father survival of the fittest strategy to keep their natural resources safe from thieves, which includes violence.

What I find most fascinating about the story so far is that it mostly everything revolves around surviving– survival of the fittest. This is somewhat astonishing and sad because I believe it can actually happen within the human race.

Freewrite: My Utopia World

My utopia world would look very green – eco friendly –but also very vibrant at night. In terms of community I would want every one to actually build relationships with each other and not let materialistic and competition come in between. Everyone would be unique in his or her own way so there won’t be any jealousy or violence. In my utopia world there would be NO poverty because natural resources would not be privatized and there would be enough supplement to survive forever.

After sharing out ideas with our groups I noticed:

·      No borderlines

·      Health benefits for everyone

·      Equality

·      No money – trading instead

·      Freedom – to explore

Unit 1 Final Essay and Reflection

What is the relationship between the individual and the community? Why does this relationship matter?

The relationship between the individual and the community is when the community reaches out in a positive manner. The community provides the individual with safety, programs, activities, entertainment, resources, etc. It should provide positive things to grow as one. However, in reality communities do not always provide this type of relationship. In most cases the relationship between the individual and the community is either a positive or negative relationship. There are two types of relationships because it depends on the nature of a specific community. It is known that communities are formed by the people that reside in it, the atmosphere and nature of it, because they contribute all of these things. However, each community differs from one another based up the terms mentioned above. There are communities that are established in wealthy areas, which are mainly the fine and productive communities that contribute positivity. Then there are the developing communities, which are the opposite of the wealthy area communities. It is common that communities established in particular areas such as, wealthy, middle-class, and lower-class will contribute their aspects, which is what builds either a positive or negative community. 

With that said, the relationship between the individual and the community is important because it will determine the person we will blossom into, which can be a positive or negative one. Ultimately, it is based  upon the community to create a healthy relationship with the individual to mold him/her into a well rounded person. 

Unit 1: Revision Plan

Did your peers guess your thesis correctly? Yes

Did you peers believe your thesis is an arguable one?  Yes

What, if any, revisions do you think you need to make to your thesis based upon the annotations and comments your peers made?

-I feel I don't need to make any revisions to my thesis because I mention my claims and they are all arguable. 

Choose TWO comments from your peers that you believe are the most helpful to you. Then explain how you will use these comments to help you revise your essay.  Indicate the name of the person who made that comment in parenthesis. 

Comment 1: Natalie Orozco

Your response: Natalie shared a couple ideas that I should use to elaborate further on one of my claims. I will most certainly take it into consideration.  

Comment 2: Zeenat Alli

Your response: Zeenat suggested to elaborate further in my intro for the "they say" part. I will take that into consideration. 

Are there any other important ideas you have about how you can improve your essay?

- Not for now. 

Unit 1: Building Community/Facing Violence- Thesis Revision and Body Paragraphs

In order to address the problem of violence in the community, we need leaders, parents and authority figures to possess of the correct values, to initiate the help that the young people need to create a new life for themselves. Communities need to change the way we approach and judge our young people. We need to establish vital  relationships between adults and young people to be able to get through to them. In addition, we must provide community centers that allow the youth to express themselves, discover their creative abilities, and practice spiritual development so they can attain control over their lives.

Body ParagraphTopic: Spiritual Development

Today's society does not provide the youth with [trusting metaphors] nor spiritual development guidance that can help them develop initiation. Instead, society creates mythic images and representations for youth to look up, which can effect them negatively. Likewise, in most cases youth turn to gangs, violence, etc., because they lack of a mentor or role model to guide them. Having such can help the youth in transforming and discovering themselves. 

Free Write

After reading the book Hearts and Hands by Luis Rodriguez I have noticed that Rodriguez has several claims about the causes of violence and his possible solutions to help cease violence, help the troubled youth progress as individuals. With that said, this has impacted me greatly because I now know how the system work, which I believe it does not do put in all the effort in ending this issue nor fully helping the youth.

Unit 1: Building Community/Facing Violence- Chapters 6, 8

Chapter 6 


"The key is to know what to turn over and what not to help at different junctures of a child's growth." (79)

This quote says that parents should have control over their child's actions, but to a certain extent. My understanding of growing up has its parts, which are experiencing things half of the time on our own. I believe this takes huge part when building one's character. However, having parental guidance is a must as well. I believe it is most definitely needed to provide control of certain aspects that young people are not ready to control. With that said, this quote is important to me because I most definitely agree with it. I believe that as young people grow up to be adults one has a higher possibility of turning out to be a well put together individual. Because morals and values are created upon oneself experience and decision making and also by our parents wisdom.

Being a teenager myself I have had the opportunity to live by my own decisions as well as by my parents (mother), which is something that I am very happy about. Although there have been times were I've felt suffocated by my mothers protective actions she eventually loosened up and decided that it was time to make decisions for myself. I am content and relieved that my mother understood her limit and did not suffocate me any further. This has demonstrated that my mother trusts me and respects me, which brings a sense of ease to my mind and soul.

Chapter 8


"But just because most people agree to something doesn't make it right. Likewise, this society should empower the powerless to enable them to solve their problems. It's better to stand with a few and be right than to stand with millions and be wrong. Under most circumstances, this is a true hero's stance." (103)

This quote explains right from wrong about how politicians/government choose to handle the troubled youth. This quote explains the comparison between slaves years ago and the troubled youth today. It explains that these youth are not given the opportunity to help solve their problems in other words, they are not given hope. Because the government goes by their personal opinions and the majority vote, which leaves the troubled youth without a say about how they should be helped. The author ends the quote by giving his personal opinion saying that it is best to stand with a few right people rather than standing to a million wrong people. Meaning that instead of drowning the troubled youth he would much rather help solve their issues because doing so could change lives for the better and that to him is the definition of a true hero.

This quote is really important to me because I believe that troubled youth and people in general have the possibility to improve and be changed into better people. To me this leads to having a growth-mind set, which means that there is hope. I strongly believe that people can change for the better with the right help.