Highschooler challenges Senator
Posted by: bisiadjapon on: May 13, 2011
Now here’s what makes a teacher proud, a student who is passionate about her subject, in this case, Government. A highschooler is so confident about her knowledge of the constitution that she has taken exception to some comments by Senator Bachmann. Therefore she wants to challenge the senator to a debate; how about that!
Read the student’s articulate and respectful letter. Regardless of one’s political leanings, one has to admire a gutsy and refreshing girl.
How Ugandan law make the religious and non-religious evil
Posted by: bisiadjapon on: May 12, 2011
I don’t trust politics and I stay away from it, but this issue has got me.
The dilemma for most people is that to fight for the equitable and humane treatment of fellow humans makes them feel as though they’re supporting a lifestyle they object to. But let’s stop and think about this, shall we?
First of all, you can’t legislate everything. In many countries, abortion is legal, yet people practice it. Sodomy is illegal in Virginia, but I daresay people do it. What is the police to do, install cameras in every bedroom in the hopes of catching culprits? And who is going to monitor the policemen’s bedroom? And members of congress/parliament? And the president?
The Ugandan law is dangerous on many levels. People will be killed for no good reason. If a person can be killed for being gay because it’s wrong, why don’t we kill all thieves, anyone who cheats on their income tax, liars, red-light runners, speeders–anyone who commits any infraction? Which one among us is a perfect human being?
The proposed gay law is the beginning of vindictiveness, irrationality and genocide. Anyone can bring forth false-witnesses and accuse someone of being gay and have the person, at least, jailed for years. What better way to get rid of your enemy?
It will alter human interaction in the country. In many African countries, women hold hands with women, men walk with arms about one other. That innocence will be lost.
Most of all, the message is that homosexuals are less human and should simply be irradicated. Oh my! In the face of all this, should we be silent? Salem witch-hunts, ring a bell, anyone? Hello?
Shout out to my 6th Period French 1A Class!
Posted by: bisiadjapon on: May 8, 2011
As a teacher, you look forward to that last class of the day. You know that after it ends, you’ll slide into your car, put on the shades, turn on the music, and roar down the highway to the tennis court. But first, you’ve got to handle a class of loud, middle-schoolers.
Unlike first or second period students who come in cold and half asleep, six-perioders are very much awake. They’ve had lunch and gobbles of candy. They’ve frustrated a few teachers. This is their last class. Deliverance is at hand. After class, it’s the bus, and then home to watch tv or hang out with friends and pretend to do homework.
The precious two or three studious ones enter quietly and early. They don’t need to run because they didn’t stop in the hallways to giggle with friends or spend minutes in the bathroom primping themselves.
The rest burst into the classroom laughing. Shouting. There’s the last lollipop someone is trying to suck. Some boy is carrying a girl’s books. Some chasing others or getting chased. Three, sometimes, four musketeers clatter in, shouting in Spanish.
They throw open the door and fall into their chairs. Then begins the plot to take you off track.
Ms. Adjapon, can we sing Papa Pinguoin?
No, I like the other one, bisous eskimos.
Ms. Adjapon, it’s hot in here!
Is the air on?
Can we go outside?
Sit down and do your warm-up, I say.
Aww, Ms. Adjapon! Can we go outside?
They bang books. They mutter. Someone asks, Did you bring bread?
But once they settle down, no class is more lively, ready to speak, write, read, sing and dance.
So, you’ve all finished your work?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQydI4Et-2I
Love you guys!
The relevance of Uwem Akpan and Chimamanda Adichie
Posted by: bisiadjapon on: April 21, 2011
The recent killings in Northern Nigeria is reminiscent, to a smaller degree, of the Igbo killings prior to the Biafran War. Then, as now, it was sparked by politics dominated by ethnic affiliations. Sure, the perpretators insist it has nothing to do with ethnicity, but it is difficult to accept that when southerners in the north are incinerated after a southerner wins the elections. Not all northerners are engaged in the horrific images rolling through the internet, thankfully. Unfortunately, writers have shown what happens when prejudice takes over reason.
When Chimamanda Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun came out, there were those who wished she hadn’t resurrected the past. It’s over and done with, the critics wailed. Uwem Akpan’s Say You’re One of Them was dismissed as useless. One wishes it were less than authentic. The stomach-turning events are all the more unbearable because they are narrated from the point of view of children.
It is a sad fact that history is considered worthy only when it’s on CNN or ABC’s World News, not when an African tries to tell his story. Often, the detractors are none other than fellow Africans who would rather forget. But we need to learn about history if only to give us pause when we find ourselves sliding down the same muddy slope. Africa needs the wise of the continent to use their words to force people to examine their world. Let’s read, learn and prevent another era of Luxurious Hearses rumbling towards the south with decomposing cargo, and of retaliation from the south. And for goodness sake, you leaders who claim to love your countries so, when you lose elections, just make a graceful exit, will you?
Mr. Goodluck, president of Nigeria?
Posted by: bisiadjapon on: April 18, 2011
You’ve got to love his name, President Goodluck Jonathan. These days, with world-wide economic problems, he’ll certainly need some good luck, along with expertise, to energize Nigeria’s economy. If indeed the elections are fair, it will be refreshing in an era where the presidency is achieved through grab-by-force. More here…
North Korea’s ‘Eternal President’
Posted by: bisiadjapon on: April 15, 2011
I couldn’t help chuckling at this, disinfecting one’s self to visit the dead. How do you contaminate someone who is dead?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110415/ap_on_re_as/as_nkorea_president_s_birthday
Here is to wishing all North Koreans a happy day!
Message to Rheanna:
Posted by: bisiadjapon on: April 15, 2011
When you were battered by your boyfriend and you left him, you told the media you wanted to be a role model for the young. You wanted kids to know that it was not okay to be knocked about. And now, what’s with this: “Sticks and stones may break my bone but whips and chains excite me…” ??? By all means, it’s freedom of expression. Sing to your heart’s content. But, s’il te plait, be not a role model.
Oh child!
Posted by: bisiadjapon on: April 13, 2011
Oh Lord, no. Not another woman who drowns her children in the Hudson. Here’s a woman who is “attentive” and caring, so what drives her to do something that heinous? What sense of desperation? What hopelessness. Can we reach out to help someone who might be in trouble? Could the children have been saved? Was the mother hiding a lot? I can’t think of anything worse than innocent children betrayed. The one child who survived, how is he going to go on? Child, listen, baby boy, it’s not your fault. It’s NOT your fault! You are going to recover, you hear? I want to find you. I want to hold you. I want to wrap you in a blanket, sing you to sleep.
Unusual Museum.
Posted by: bisiadjapon on: April 13, 2011
I know, I haven’t blogged for a long time, but I couldn’t ignore this. A man died and donated his organ to a Phallic Museum in Iceland. Who knew? What will we have next?
