Class Summary 11.28.12

Yesterday, we continued to divulge further into the topic of slavery, taking a look at the Dred Scott versus Sandford case. I found it surprising how compliant or non-volatile the north quickly became about slavery. I would have thought as more information surfaced, the abolitionists would have been empowered and continued their work, but it appeared that people had become wary and support was waning.

Today, we watched a you tube video from an old movie displaying the debate between Steven Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, as the two were running against one another in the 1858 Illinois election for US Senate. Douglass, a democrat, had developed the idea of popular sovereignty through the Kansas & Nebraska Act. Lincoln, a republican, was against the expansion of slavery. And like the rest of the world at the time, the debate and the election was centered around the issue of slavery.

Class Summary 11.26.12

Last week, we continued our discussions on the topic of slavery. Reading Uncle Tom's Cabin and a part of Fredrick Douglass's speech, along with some other documents we began to receive a broad and multi-sided view of the issue.

Today, we learned about the Kansas Nebraska Act (1854) and the rising tensions throughout the country. This act repealed the Missouri compromise and divided the Nebraska Territory be divided into two territories, Kansas and Nebraska; and settlers living in each territory would decide the issue of slavery by popular sovereignty. Due to the new territories being surrounded by slaves states, both states became slave states. The unrest from this conflict multiplied as proslavery and anti-slavery forces sent settlers pouring into Kansas to physically fight for the territory. Two rival governments sprang up, creating havoc throughout Kansas. The state quickly became known as "Bleeding Kansas." Tensions came to a head when Andrew Bulter from South Carolina beat Charles Sumner, an abolitionist Senator from Massachusetts with a cane. Slavery was vastly becoming an extremely volatile issue.

Class Summary 11.19.12

Last Friday, we dug further into the topic of slavery, while focusing on the new Fugitive Slave law that was passed in 1850. We read an except from Harriet Beecher Stowe's, "Uncle Tom's Cabin." This was a revolutionary piece, that revamped abolitionism in the north.

Today, we once again looked at Stowe's piece and discussed what was happening in the scene and also, how the new law was effecting the whites. The slave catcher's job was to capture the slave in a way that would still allow them to work. On the opposite side of things, the new law made indirect assistance to slaves illegal and punishable by jail time and heavy fines.The whites were instilled with fear which in turn made them turn their backs on the slaves. It was a heavy time of conflict, but Stowe's novel helped re-energize the campaign to abolish slavery.

Class Summary 11.15.12

Sadly, I missed history class, due to a field trip in Environmental Science. However, in my depravity of history, we stumbled upon the cabin that inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, on our walk. A major coincidence as Stowe was my historic figure featured in my VoiceThread. Goes to show, history is all around us!

 Today, after reviewing the Missouri Compromise, we focused on the tensions that rose after the Mexican War and the dispute over what would happen to the land they had gained from Mexico. There were many options and many opinions. I sided with the group that thought that the land should be returned back to Mexico. Since no agreement could be made nothing was done and the festering issue of slavery was left to worsen, and a country even more divided. In 1850, the country faced a crisis. California wanted to become a free state but that would upset the balance in congress, thus the Compromise of 1850 was presented. Once again no conclusion could be reached, but later on each of the provisions were passed as separate bills. 

I am back to my previous dilemma of possessing large amounts of positivity towards others and their abilities but straining to find the same for myself.

Harriet Beecher Stowe Voice Thread 11.14.12

Class Summary 11.13.12

Last Friday, we spent the class discussing the Underground Railroad. We started by reading segments of different newspaper articles discussing the topic. Overall, the Underground Railroad was said to have been less successful then it is portrayed to be. A common definition for the Underground Railroad, is that it was organized by abolitionists and it was a series of safe houses and stations that aided runaway slaves in their escape from the south to the north (usually Canada). Conductors were mostly black, but some were white. Harriet Tubman was frequently highlighted as one of the main "conductors" of the railroad. In conclusion, it was described as a somewhat effective method, that aided runaway slaves escape to the north. Today, we went to the lab in the library and worked on the computers to form a basis knowledge base of the Missouri compromise and the nullification process. In regards to my 30-day challenge, I have recently squired my own positivity coach, Tritons own, Camille Milhalikic. I am finding that positivity does go a long way but is challenge to break my ways.

Class Summary 11.7.12

Continuing our work in our Slavery Unit, yesterday we spent the class looking at the Constitution and debating whether or not it was a document supportign slavery, or against it. In the worksheet we had to display the cases for both for and against, then adding your opinion. Overall, majority rules and I believe that the Constitution was in support of slavery. We also did an in school election, with our results imitating those of the real presidential election; GO OBAMA! Today we took notes from a powerpoint displaying an overviw of slavery in early America. This was followed by the reading of documents and then a partner sharing of our findings. I am continuing my quest for positivity but I am finding it isnt easy. However, I remain hopeful and will not relent!

Class Summary 11.5.12

Second quarter is now upon us! With the new quarter comes a new unit, slavery. I find this topic very intriguing and enjoy learning more about it. For the past two classes, we have read two accounts of children claves, and spent the class today comparing the two. We reached the concensis that, after many slaves were writing about similiar accounts of abuse and mistreatment from their masters, we can form a general idea that these acts are occuring everywhere, and must hold ruth it multiple people are accounting them. Also, Fredrick Douglass is shaping to be a very inspiring and heart wrenching auto-biography. Positivity is still in check, in regards to my 30-day challenge.

Intriguing updates about my challenge

I am a big advocate for going green and appreciating nature, so on this brisk Sunday morning my mother and I found ourselves at the Newburyport farmers market, (I recommend it, it's awesome!) continuing our Sunday rituals. One of the vendors we met previously and always make a stop at, is Amy Sophiella's jewelry company, Journey Gems. Here is an excerpt from her bio on her website, "There is a story of creation behind Journey Gems based in healing, growth, expansion, teaching, balance, love and so much more!  From a desire to heal my own space and my own life, I rediscovered my love for crystals and their healing powers. Since childhood, I have been picking up stones and playing with rocks. With perfect synchronicity, I discovered my natural affinity for playing with fire and all sorts of tools to birth my beautiful metal creations!  Marrying the two together brings me such joy and I am so lucky to be able to share my creativity, love of all things holistic and interest in energy and the way it plays in the world through my artisan creations to truly empower my journey and yours!" (see, there's that positivity!) I was immediately struck by the positive engery she emanates, and while browsing through her items I came upon red selenite. Which is known as the master cleanser crystal. It is very calming, and a loving stabilizer of erratic emotions, often installing a sense of deep peace. In addition to bringing clarity of mind, selenite facilitates draining of physical and emotional stress and tension from the body. It also transmits lower vibrating energies such as fear, anger and NEGATIVITY into higher vibration, along with many other things. Although I am not totally convinced about crystal healing, I believe fully in the power of nature, so I'm willing to take a chance and see how it goes. In fact I, very hopeful about it's success. The positivity is taking some steps out of the shadows!

November 30-Day Challenge

In class on Friday, we watched a snippet of a Ted Talks video about 30 day challenges, and Mr.Boyle gave up the assignment of establishing and fulfilling our own challenge. Later that day I had a long conversation with Mr.Boyle in which we addressed that one of my weaknesses is self confidence and a lack of positivity. However, the negavivity is focused more on myself, whereas I have ample amounts of support and positivity for others. So, with the help of the best (a.k.a. Mr.Boyle and Ms.Scott) I have made my 30-day challenge all about me, in the most unconcieted way, of corse. I made decided to try and embrace positivity and begin each day by looking in the mirror and exclaiming, "I will be the best person I can be today." And to conclude each day I will gaze upon my reflection and say, "you were the best person you could be today." Hand in hand in that, is accepting that perfection is an unachievable ideal, and acknowledging that our flaws are what make us, us. So here it goes, and may the odds be ever in my favor!