Social Awareness Writing Project - Choice 4; Write a reading response on a social issue in a literary work (on independent reading book)

'Burned' by Ellen Hopkins

 

In the book 'Burned' by Ellen Hopkins, the main character Pattyn is a part of a Mormon family. But Pattyn doesn't believe in the Mormon religion anymore. She doesn't want to be forced to have numerous babies and not have any say or control in her own house when she becomes married. In other words, she doesn't want to end up like her mother. Who is always being beat by her husband (Pattyn's father) because every baby she has is a girl. Pattyn's father is so upset at her decision to not want to be Mormon anymore that he beats her just like he does to her mother. He then disowns her and sends her to live with her Aunt J. When Pattyn's there, Aunt J teaches Pattyn about the true meaning of love.

 

I think that the issue in this book is child abuse and disowning. Because during the whole time Pattyn was living with her father, he would always beat both her and her mother. Even if they didn't do anything wrong.

 

The message in this book is to find the true meaning about yourself. Because her family is Mormon and pushing Pattyn to marry a "good Mormon boy" and follow the Mormon religion, etc. But she doesn't want that for her future. But when she moves in with her Aunt J, she learns about the true meaning of love and that God won't hate her if she doesn't choose to follow the Mormon religion.

 

This book makes me think a lot about child abuse because that seems to be what Pattyn's father does a lot. I also came to the conclusion that the father believes that men control women and also that women must completely obeh\y their husbands. I think that is sexist.

Social Awareness Writing Project - Choice 3; Find a true story about someone who changes the world every day (even in a small way). Interview and write about the person.

Person who changes the world everyday: My stepfather John Morrissey; Police Officer - Sargent

Interview:

 

ME: Hello John.

 

JOHN: Hello Tatianna.

 

ME: I hear you are a police officer.

 

JOHN: Yes. I am a Sargent.

ME: Would you say that you change the world everyday?

JOHN: I guess I would.

ME: How do you change the world everyday?

JOHN: I protect people and try to make the city safer by arresting murderers and rapists, etc.

ME: I see... And how long have you been a cop for?

JOHN: 16 years.

ME: What's your favorite part of the job?

JOHN: It's something different everyday. You're not stuck in an office.

ME: Why did you want to become a cop?

JOHN: So that I could help people. And try to make a difference. Also, the pension and benefits are good.

ME: Interesting...

JOHN: Do you have any other questions?

ME: No. And thank-you for your time.

JOHN: Your welcome.

Social Awareness Writing Project - Choice 2; Observe your surroundings (school, home, neighborhood, media).

On a daily basis, I see/witness:

• People rummaging through garbage
• People (both adults and teens) smoking
• People (both adults and teens) drinking
• Car accidents
• Hurricane Sandy victims; families are living without heat, food, light, etc.

I think that the Hurricane Sandy victims are the people who need the most help because some people are still living without heat, light and some are even living in shelters because their homes were completely destroyed. I also think that the shelters are helping some families, but that isn't enough for everyone who has highly affected by the storm.

During the storm, 253 people died. Even though the storm was a Category 2, it caused a lot of damage. Hurricane Sandy caused havoc in 24 states in the United States. The most affected states were New York and New Jersey. Hurricane Sandy flooded streets, subways and tunnels. The storm also caused cell phone lines to shut down for a few days.