Utube video - reflection

Cornell s: Night of Poetry at the White House Joshua Bennet Joshua Bennet delivers a highly emotional explanation of the reasons behind the distance that he and his sister Tamara once had. He accepts all responsibility for what happened because he did not want to learn sign language. However, he has seen the error of his ways and is now trying his best to reconnect with his sister.
Reflection:
I admire Joshua Bennet for admitting that he needed to work on his relationship with his deaf sister. It takes a strong and special kind of man to admit when he is at fault. His rap poetry also brought to my mind that I too am at times, at fault for some instances of distance between myself and my own family members. Unlike Mr. Bennet though, I never bring myself to admit that in public. Rather, it is a distance that i allow to fester until it destroys the relationship I have with the family member. Now I realize that it is never a bad thing to admit guilt for it can help to build or rebuild relationships instead. I am happy that I heard his message. It has helped me to change my outlook in life.
Cornell Notes:
Spoken word Poetry at the White house Jamaica Orsorio
Jamaica Orsorio speaks of how the immigrants of America have forgotten their homeland roots so much that they no longer even recall their parents original names. She speaks of the pain of losing ones heritage forever as the immigrant becomes more Americanized in look and language. With their adaptation of the American way of life, their roots shall die because no one shall be left to remember how their race once lived.
Reflection:
Immigrants are people who come to the United States for a better life. Unfortunately, the better life means having to let go of their past. Ignoring their heritage and adapting the new one for their benefit. As I listened to Ms. Orsorios words, I could not help but wonder about how her message did not apply merely to her race, but to all the immigrants living in the United States. Heritages die out because of the Americanization of immigrant families. It makes me wonder if their immersion into the American way of life is a bad or good thing. After all, culture and heritage are the ways by which civilizations continue to grow and evolve. Once people forget their roots, their culture and heritage dies. I am quite sad as I sit here imagining a world with with only culture and heritage which is what will happen to the United States as the immigrant families continue to adapt to the American way of life. However, maybe, just maybe, it is a necessary evil that in turn helps the American way of life evolve.