Golden Gulag, written by Ruth Wilson Gilmore, analyzes the rapid growth of California’s prison system. It tries to unveil the reasons behind the Prison boom in California. Between 1852 and 1964, the state only contained 12 prisons. By 1984, the state had built 43 more correctional centers, making it the largest prison building system in the world. One might make…
When the Emperor is Divine
The novel “When the Emperor was Divine” by Julie Otsuka explores the journey of a Japanese American family forced to leave their home and relocate to an internment camp during World War II. These camps were established in remote areas of the United States, such as Washington, California, and parts of Arizona, where Japanese Americans…
Stop and Frisk
Have you ever experienced being approached by a law enforcement officer while walking on the street? Were you ever subjected to a search for potential illegal items due to their suspicions? Interestingly, this practice is permitted under a law in New York City known as stop and frisk. However, it raises concerns regarding its impact…
Brothers and Sisters
Alice Walker’s essay Brothers and Sisters is about the obstacles a woman has to face. It immediately caught my attention when i first read it. This is a very tragic and realistic narrative. The essay clearly addresses feminism and sexism, revealing the aspects of how women are considered to be the weaker sex and men doing things…
The Bat-Poet
The Bat-Poet by Randall Jarrell is a story of a brown bat that stays awake during the day and discovers more of the world than his fellow bats. The book explores the development of a poet. The story begins on a porch where the bats currently lived and then they all begin to move to the…
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll is a story about a little girl named Alice who falls into a rabbit hole and emerges in the imaginative world of Wonderland. There, she discovers that the rational law of science no longer applies. The author utilizes an odd style of writing that emphasize the…
Glass Ceiling Discrimination
The concept of the “Glass Ceiling” was initially identified by the Wall Street Journal in March 1986. According to the Oxford Dictionary, it refers to an unofficially recognized obstacle that hinders professional advancement, particularly for women and minority individuals. Essentially, the glass ceiling represents an invisible barrier that obstructs women from obtaining promotions or attaining…
Reflection on “What to The Slave Is the Fourth of July?”
What to The Slave Is the Fourth of July? is a speech written by Frederick Douglass that expresses his view of Independence Day and what it means for African American slaves. Douglass starts by affirming that he’s an escaped slave which gives the audience a sense of his point of view. He strongly feels that the Fourth of July is…
Dark Obsession
Love, It can sweep you off your feet Make you feel like you’re on cloud nine Those sweet memories never fades away But when it’s all over You get the feeling that It was all just a dream Your meaning of love was different For him it was merely an infatuation Without any affection That’s…
Did You Know About Rikers Island?
Lots and lots of horrifying, gruesome stories has been written, told and heard about this tiny Island which is called the Rikers Island. This research was executed to learn about the ins and outs of this place. This is a 400-acre Island floating between Queens and The Bronx, located in the East River across from the…