'No News from Auschwitz'

In my perspective, I think that ‘No News from Auschwitz’ belongs in a section of editorial opinions. This piece was mostly based on opinions of the author, Abraham Michael Rosenthal. It seemed to be more of subjective reporting than objective reporting. Although this editorial is nonfiction, I think it lacked some facts to be in the informative section of the newspaper. This author used juxtaposition often in his piece by comparing two distinct things together. In the first paragraph, he wrote “the rows of graceful poplars were lovely to look upon, and on the grass near the gates children played.” He sounded optimistic and this piece seemed like a happy one. However, in the next paragraph, he wrote that “this [was] a place of unutterable terror.” The word ‘unutterable’ would be subjective reporting, and this was a word chosen by the author. Writing that the concentrations camps were ‘grisly’ and a ‘nightmare’ would be the author’s opinion. To other people’s perspectives, they may not thing of the camps as a horrible place. A.M. Rosenthal wrote this piece to pay homage to the people who suffered during the Holocaust. He stood up for the Jewish people and wanted people to remember the horrors they had to go through. Furthermore, A.M. Rosenthal was an editor of the New York Times, so this piece would be in the editorial section. He wrote this opinion piece to take a moral and ethical stand on events of the Holocaust. Because of his personal view, the Polish government expelled him. He also said, “We don’t try for objectivity, because there is no such thing as pristine objectivity.” Therefore, I believe that ‘No News from Auschwitz’ is part of the editorial section of the newspaper. Abraham Michael Rosenthal’s purpose of this piece was to inform people about the Holocaust and give his opinion about what had happened in the past to the Jewish people.

Daisy's Cloud

Tones of Malcolm X/Langston Hughes

“Hair” by Malcolm X and “Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes are both written based on racism and how the white status was measured above the black status. However, the tone qualities of the two authors were different. Langston Hughes wrote in a calm and playful tone. He wrote a poem to his white instructor for his English class and wrote about how the black people were not equivalent to the white people. He identifies the white status by addressing, “although you’re older-and white-and somewhat more free.” However, although there was racism, he also believed that the black and white people were equal. He wrote about individuality by saying “I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.” This sentence showed that he was just like any normal person. Langston Hughes was honest in his poem and proud to be himself. For instance, he wrote, “Being me, it will not be white.” Furthermore, he believed that everyone was equal no matter what skin color they were. He expressed equality by saying “yet a part of me, as I am a part of you.” That meant that the part whole was one. On the other hand, Malcolm X wrote in a disappointed and angry tone. He was unhappy with his appearance because he wanted to become white an took an effort to conform. The black people would “violate and mutilate their God-created bodies to try to look pretty by white standards.” Malcolm dyed his hair and went through physical pain towards self-degradation. He believed that the black people were inferior and the white people were superior. His tone used in the story seemed full of disgust. After he had dyed his hair, he felt regret and was angry with himself for his own actions. Overall, the two pieces both focus on the theme of racial discrimination and the social classes. However, they are contrasted by the tones where Langston sounded unperturbed and Malcolm X sounded hostile.

Why Fish Cheeks?

The memoir, Fish Cheeks, is a personal story written by Amy Tan and her experience as an Asian girl growing up in an American culture. She learns to overcome her embarrassment of her Chinese family.  I think one reason why Amy Tan named this memoir Fish Cheeks was because it was Amy’s favorite food. But although it was her favorite food, she pretended like it wasn’t because of her American crush. She described the meals with disgusting descriptions. But, she realized in the end to be thankful because her mom had cooked all her favorite foods for her. In addition, I think there was a specific reason why Amy Tan titled her memoir, Fish Cheeks, with a plural. In my opinion, she named the title plural to show the cultural differences of the two cultures, American and Chinese. There were two cultures compared and contrasted throughout her memoir. This story was about the coming together of two distinct cultures. The American family and the Chinese family sat together in one table for a holiday celebration that everybody exulted no matter what culture they were, which was Christmas Eve. However, Amy was mortified by her Chinese customs and wished that she could fit in with the Americans. The Chinese family had different table manners compared to the American family, and Amy was humiliated when her father burped after the meal.  They also ate different foods than the Americans. The Chinese family ate unique foods, like the steamed fish that the Americans didn’t eat. Although the American and Chinese cultures are very distinct, they also had similarities of eating a meal together and having family time. In the end, the memoir gave an important moral lesson about cultural acceptance. The Chinese girl was able to have pride in her heritage and appreciate the Chinese customs.  

Langston Hughes vs. Malcolm X

            Langston Hughes from “Theme from English B” and Malcolm X from “Hair” are two distinct characters that have many similarities and differences. One similarity is that they are both African Americans. The two stories both speak out their opinion against racism and discrimination. Hughes and Malcolm X are uncomfortable with their race and are uncomfortable with adapting who they are to become white, which was the majority at that time. In addition, another similarity is that they were impoverished and lived in a community populated with African Americans. For example, in “Theme from English B”, Hughes describes how far the distance is from his home and the school he attended. In “Hair”, Malcolm X lived in a shabby apartment that was six dollars a week. Overall, they did not have a high social-economic status. In both stories, Hughes and Malcolm X are fighting for a sense of commonality. However, Malcolm X goes through pain to become “white.” He wanted to straighten his hair like the white people, although the comb felt as if it was raking his skin off. He believed that the black people were inferior and the white people were superior. During this time, many people wanted to become white and thought that nothing was wrong to begin with. The African Americans tried to follow the white standards. On the other hand, Langston Hughes wanted to become white but did not go through pain. He was courageous to stand up for the African Americans, describing that the white people and black people were not different. Unlike Malcolm X, he said that although humans are born a different race, they are still the same. He goes on explaining that he enjoys the same natural habits just like everyone else. Langston Hughes stood up for his beliefs, but Malcom X feared the white people and wanted to fit in. 

Dual Personalities

      I think the author’s intention was to not support the idea of dual personality. She offered two perspectives that one’s identity remains the same regardless of the name given, and that one can create separate identities differentiated by name. However, Santha’s intention was to support that a person remains the same no matter what name they have. In the memoir, the author included quotes that meant that some things never change. For example “you can bury a dog’s tail for seven years and it still comes out curly.” The author also thought that dual personalities would not be possible and that if we are born a certain heritage, you would always have the blood from your heritage.

Personality is what distinguishes people from one another and shapes their character. In my opinion, I think it is possible for a person to have dual personalities, but it would very difficult. Everyone is born with distinct personalities and no one can change who they are. However, if a person tries hard to have two different personalities, I think it is possible. But, I think heritage or culture is the most difficult to change. No matter how much someone tries to forget about their culture, their culture is in their blood so they cannot forget about it.  For example, I think someone who is full Korean will always remember Korean customs. Although a person can have dual personalities, I think it is impossible to live a life with two personalities all the time. I think eventually everyone becomes himself or herself. If someone has a dual personality, I think it means that they are hiding part of themselves to not be in embarrassment. A person who has two personalities would not be true to themselves and others. Having dual personalities would confuse that person who they really are.  Having dual personalities is also stress because a person has to watch their actions and words most of the time. As a result, I think they would truly reveal themselves and their identity eventually.