Israh Mohammed Public Feed

Israh Mohammed Capstone

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Capstone · Pahomov · Wed on
Some of the kids seeing their showcase for the first time! Photographed (left to right): Yalda, Rougeya, Seraj, Hashmatuallah, Mohamed, & Nawi
Some of the kids seeing their showcase for the first time! Photographed (left to right): Yalda, Rougeya, Seraj, Hashmatuallah, Mohamed, & Nawi
Annotated Bibliography
Every Wednesday, I volunteer at a refugee after school program that takes place at Spruance Elementary School. The kids I work with range from kindergarten to 6th grade and are all refugees! I collaborated with the kids and the beautification club led by one of the most amazing and dedicated teachers I’ve ever met, Ms. Pileggi. Together we created a series of artwork that is hung at the main showcase of the school. The purpose of this was to celebrate diversity and to create a positive representation of refugees to anyone who comes to Spruance and happens to pass by the showcase. The kids I work with painted the flags of their native countries, we installed different artifacts from around the world, and in the center is a huge atlas with various stickers signifying the different parts of the world all the kids are from. Also, it allowed the kids to destress and stimulate their brains when creating art which is great method for healing trauma amongst children. The kids enjoyed creating the different projects and are so happy to see it at the most focal point of their school! This was all possible due to the help of Ms. Pileggi, Ms. Marty and Valeri Harteg. Thank you all so much!

This I Believe

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Creative Writing · Giknis · x2 Band on

As a child, I relied on other people’s opinions. I let them control what I said, what I did, what I wore and what I didn’t wear, my hijab being one of them.

It was my eighth grade year of middle school, also time for me to start wearing my hijab. All my other Sudanese-Muslim friends had starting wearing their hijab, some without a doubt, some with some hesitation. And then there was me, with fear, and reluctance, and a million other emotions my 13 year old self couldn’t conjure into one single word for.

At the start of an adolescent Muslim girl’s life, she must start wearing her headscarf and dressing modestly. One question that is always at the tip of another person's tongue when looking at my hijab is,

“Where you forced?” they would ask with arched brows.

When it was anything but the opposite. My mother and father never forced me to wear the hijab. I always knew growing up that I would wear it, eventually. When I did start wearing it was my choice, and as I explained this to confused face in front of me, they started to be more puzzled that I would put it on voluntarily. My parents, never asked me to wear it, I wore it on my own, it was the love for my religion and support from my family that drove me here. However, it took me awhile to get to this place of confidence and acceptance of my hijab.

Middle school was a tough time for a kid who struggle with an identity crisis, who was trying to make a drastic change in her life, but too afraid of the response from her peers. Islamophobic remarks was common for me during that time. Although I didn’t wear my hijab at the time, people still knew I was muslim by very obvious last name, Mohammed. Thinking back to a time when our 6th grade class was discussing Islam, and someone talked about how their family members were Muslim.

“My aunt and her three daughters are Muslim, they all wear the headscarf thingy.” The boy said, and without any consideration to my vulnerability asked,

“Israh, how come you don’t wear it?”

All of their tormenting eyes turned to me, my hands started to shake a little, so I sat on them to hid it, I wish I could hide the fearful look on my face. I looked down at my grey and dark blue plaid skirt that was part of our uniform. To keep us from making fun of each other if one person’s clothes weren’t as nice as their peers. In those moments I imagined a bold Israh who was quick with her tongue that could make 12 year old boy's silence their mouths forever, but I was a scared girl with shaking hands that she hid underneath her gray and dark blue plaid skirt, getting asked a question she had no idea how to answer.

“I’m too young to wear it.” was all I could manage.

He replied with a dazed and confused look on his face, mouth halfway open in confusion as the room seemed to be getting smaller and smaller.

“Well, my cousin is three years old, and she wears it.”

The entire class stared at me some with quizzical looks, others with a sort of ‘this isn’t my business but I’m gonna make it mine’ look and one kid in the back of the room with a pen doodling on the desk, he was my favorite classmate from then on.

I wasn’t afraid to wear hijab, just how my friends would treat me differently. My most known feature in middle school was my hair. Girls would always undo my braid and redo it for sport. Other girls would always joke as we stood in the lunch line,

“Girl, if you ever cut your hair off please give it to me!”

“Are you even black?”

“I’m sure that’s not your REAL hair.”

“Can I braid it for you?”

I should have been flattered all this positive attention should have made me some overconfident egotistical girl who could rule the halls of middle school. But I thought that wearing hijab would mean covering up the girl that was favored and liked, that the moment I put it on I would be a target for more humiliation. I was scared. I didn’t want to hide myself because of the opinions of others. But words hurt, and I chose rather than be myself, to succumb to their torment and be hijabless.

Advanced Essay #4: Fragility of the Ego

Posted by Israh Mohammed in English 3 · Block/Franz/Taylor-Baranik · C Band on
​Introduction:
With this essay, I wanted to tackle the constant cycle of male violence that fathers and society teach their sons. We raise our boys to be out of touch with their emotions and only let anger drive them. This issue leads to domestic violence, which affects other people, rather than just the mentality of the man. I felt like this issue was relevant to talk about. I improved from my last essay because I really developed my ideas further and took it to another level. I hope you enjoy reading. 

Essay:

In society, one of the effective ways for you to control people is to use violence. Whether it be something as major as colonizing a country using military force or emotionally manipulating someone into doing what you please, violence is used normally and effectively. We see this done so often, especially with domestic violence. It seems as though we have created this mentality that encourages men to resort to physical violence when they are angry as a source of release of that emotion. We have taught them that using violence is the only way to react appropriately without questioning their manliness or even sexuality, especially in the confines of their own home. Why should we suffer from men’s fragile ego?

Perhaps this easiness to use physical abuse towards family members comes swiftly to men because of the familiarity with them. They believe that since they're so comfortable with each other, their familial bond won’t allow them to confide in other people for help. Also, because of the physiological process in physically hurting someone, in a man’s case, stems from the ideology that abuse is the only way to solve the issue. Every time their emotions are projected into a physical sense they are undeniably proving their dominance and manliness. In their mind no one can defeat them, they are the most powerful.

This mindset was instilled into their brains long before they were born. They were taught to be this way. In clarification, it is fair to say that not all men are like this. However, it is true that this is the type of behavior men learn as they grow older. Like the way to be a man is to fit the description of a person who is ready to use physical violence at all means to protect his emotions. This is at the extent of women and their children, and others affected by male violence. This can be in the form of physical or emotional violence. According to FindLaw, “Emotional abuse involves the destruction of the victim's self-worth, and is brought about by persistent insult, humiliation, or criticism.” It takes a certain degree of psychological manipulation to be able to harm their family members. I believe this is what makes it easier for them to do so, since they know them so well. When men are abusing family members, they are usually taking out anger and frustration from an outside forced onto undeserving people.   

In most cases of domestic violence, mainly committed by men or father figures in the household, the abuser is manipulative and uses their significant other or children as their emotional outlet. The root issue here, is the need for these abusers to hurt the ones they claim to love. This cycle of abuse continues on and on, much like the ideology to use physical violence to prove male dominance continues on and on.

This severely affects society negatively. It’s like we constantly and purposely lead men to this end. We all recognize the wrongness of it, but we choose to ignore to be able to carry on with our lives. It’s time we break this cycle and bring a light to this issue, in order to stop this injustice. We will longer tolerate a male dominant system that continues to abuse us. We will stay silent no longer.


Works Cited

"Types of Domestic Abuse." 16 Nov. 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

http://family.findlaw.com/domestic-violence/types-of-domestic-violence.html


Radio Piece - Interview Script

Posted by Israh Mohammed in English 3 · Block/Franz/Taylor-Baranik · C Band on
Introduction:
For this project I wanted to interview someone who I could really learn from. So, I chose my mother. I obviously knew she immigrated here and the backstory behind it all, but I wanted to learn more and how she felt through it all. I am forever grateful for the sacrifices she's made, that I didn't know until I conducted this interview. I didn't really have many issues recording the interview, it was editing that stomped me. Soundtrap wasn't working at all and deleted my whole radio piece. I think the flow of my interview overall seemed really genuine, and I learned a lot by interviewing her.  

You never stop learning, this is true for me at least. I thought I knew all there was to know about my mother, but little did I know. She’s lived and endured through so much before I was brought into this world. Leaving her family behind in Sudan and immigrating to the U.S. Learning a new language, culture and a way of life that was so foreign to her she was confused when other people referred to her as so. When I asked her how this great change affected her she replied with, “At first I was very scared, I knew nothing of American culture, all the things I’ve heard made me scared. But I had to come, I hated leaving my father, me and him were so close. I still miss that the most.” I didn’t realize how much living here made her long for Sudan and her family. I never really stopped to think about how she felt, being thrust into a world you’re an alien in. It must have been really hard for, and I often take that for granted. I asked her if she ever regrets moving to America she said “I don’t think I regret it. But I would have done some things differently, like visit family more often and be more connected with them. It’s good to be with your family always, but I made a new family here, so I could never regret that.” I could only imagine how she felt, I see my mother and father and siblings everyday, and could never fathom life without them by my side. But coming to America also came with its benefits, “If I stayed in Sudan, I wouldn’t be working or able to drive. I probably would get my Bachelors, get married and never go back to school or look for work. Many of my cousins and sister are in this state, I am grateful to be give an opportunity to test my limits and go to school.” Even though it was hard, coming to the States allowed my mom to explore and have control of her own future.  

This is just one of the many challenges she’s faced, but one of the hardest she said was learning to adjust to American lifestyle, “Everything was so different. In Sudan it’s normal for you doors to be wide open throughout the day. It’s normal for your front doors to be open and your neighbor can walk in for tea or lunch at any time. It was not like that at all here. There the whole village was family, even if you weren’t related. Here, everyone is strangers.” I can definitely see the difference in the way people interact with each other in America versus Sudan. “It was also hard at work too, some clients would call my boss and as for a different special instructor to work with their children. It was because of my accent, and hijab. I looked different than them and they were scared. When it happened at first, I was shocked. I got my Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Education, just as qualified as any of my co-workers, nothing sets me apart from them. But people’s fear controls them more than their sense of morality.” I didn’t fully conceptualize the life of an immigrant until now. My mother had to endure so much pain and hardships to give me a better life and more opportunities, and for that I am forever grateful. This just goes to show that immigrants are more than the job-stealing bunch America defines them as, they are hard-working people who want to simply live better.  

Advanced Essay #3: The Value of "Self"

Posted by Israh Mohammed in English 3 · Block/Franz/Taylor-Baranik · C Band on
​Introduction:
For this essay, it took me some time to come up with a topic I felt strongly about. I was looking through some brainstorm notes and talking to my sister when I came up with it. I had some many ideas, I had to center myself and stick to a central theme. I had about 500 words at first, I looked up some articles about twins and read a lot of things that applied to my life. I had an interesting time confronting this side of my life and writing about it aswell.

Essay: 

“You guys are twins right, how come you don’t dress alike”, a phrase I’ve heard all too often growing up. I remember me and my sister side-eyeing each other every time, a routine that became so second hand I could do it with my eyes closed. We would reply politely, teeth-gritted, hands clenched, and somehow explain the need for us to wear our own clothes, annoyed that this even had to be explained. It seems as though nobody got the memo when it came to twins. Whether you came one fertilized egg or two, twins affect each other which shapes how they are individually. A study on twins also mentions similar findings, “In such a twin-defined bubble, you learn at a very young age to accommodate and compromise. Your perspective is that of a twin couple, so that you habitually think of yourself in relationship to your twin. You may find that you are in constant collusion—enabling, accommodating, and depending on each other—rather than feeling free to act on your own or make your own decisions.” (Friedman pg.23)The impact  on each other really builds up each others personalities and the way in which they interact with one another. No matter if the twins are identical or fraternal, same or opposite gender, having a twin no matter how small, for your entire life. Society will always see twins as one unit, ignoring their individuality.

In mainly all pairs of twins, there is almost always a more dominant twin. This dominant twin will tend to always make final decisions, will be heard more over the other. The less dominant twin might even look to the other for guidance and approval. For example, imagine an identical set of twins, named Katie and Kenna. Katie is more dominant than Kenna. Katie is more loud and aggressive than her, causing Kenna who is generally more soft spoken and shy to always obey her sister. This causes major tension and a feeling of insufficiency for Kenna throughout her life. She would generally be more dependent on Katie and show more sympathy towards her, or always giving in because she’s done it her whole life with her sister. Having that one person who is the same age as you, being raised in with you, doesn’t allow the less dominant twin to be comfortable or feel as if they have a voice. Our societal views don’t help either.

Society promotes twins to compare themselves to each other, and even compete; whether that be for the approval of their parents, in school or just daily life activities. It’s as if it is a norm, for when greeting twins to point out the ways in which they don’t act or look alike, whether they be identical or fraternal. I believe this is stemming from the ideology that since they were birthed together and look the same (in cases of identical twins) that they must act, talk and dress alike, as if twins are each others clones and can’t be independent individuals. For example, as a child my mother would always dress my twin sister and I exactly alike, she would always buy us the same clothes and in this way I always felt attached to my sister, but in the same way tied down to her, and that yearn for independence only grew stronger and firmer as I got older. I wanted to develop my own sense of style and free myself from only being known as someone else's other, so I started with my clothes. I was tired of always being looked at as someone’s twin, I wanted to be known for being just me. I didn’t want their to be any similarities in which someone would notice we were twins, because that would automatically diminish my value from one whole to a half.

However, this didn’t stop people from asking the most obnoxious questions that fraternal twins get: “Why don’t you guys look alike?” As if we would hold the answer in the back pocket of our matching Children’s Place jeans. There were many common misconceptions when it came to twins, and fraternal twins weren’t really as known as being identical. My sister and I have very vast distinctions with facial and bone structure and skin complexion. As I got older I thought this would help me be seen as more of my own person, in did in some ways, it didn’t most of the time. I became dependent on my sister and vice versa, we did everything together, we were with each other all hours of the day, we made all decisions together. Making the transition into high school a bit more challenging.

For our freshmen we were forced to part ways and attend separate high schools. My sister and I would always rely on each other, walk home from the bus together and sit with each other at lunch. Our school wise relationship was severed, and it took some time for adjusting, but we are finally seen as individual units. Although some people know we are twins, aren’t put together in the same location, no one group's us together as one. We can be wholes, while still being twins.

This idea would seem unbelievable to some people who are still stuck in that mentality, that individuality can’t exist in the case of twins. Nonetheless, having a twin sister has really shaped me and affected in both negative and positive ways, which I am sure it did for every other set of twins, who have lived with each other their entire lives. In most cases twins depend on each other more than anyone else in their lives, this unspoken agreement that they will care and protect each other against whomever; parents, friends, other siblings. Sometimes you can’t be to see yourself as a half in your own life. Your identity is combined with theirs. We as a human race need to recognize individuality within each human, no matter if you think they’re two halves of a whole.


Works Cited


Friedman, Joan A. The Same but Different: How Twins Can Live, Love, and Learn to Be Individuals. Los Angeles, CA: Rocky Pines, 2014. Print.


Advanced Essay #2: Speaking the Body's Language

Posted by Israh Mohammed in English 3 · Block/Franz/Taylor-Baranik · C Band on
Introduction: 

When were assigned this project I wanted to take a different approach to language. One that we all speak universally, the body’s language. This essay really allowed me to focus more on the gestures and bodily movements we all express while or instead of communicating. I pulled together a couple different scenes of memory in my life where body language played helped me understand the other person better, which I am really proud of. Something I can improve on is descriptive language and transitioning. I can work on them to make it flow easier and more enjoyable for the reader. I hope you enjoy reading!


Advanced Essay #2: Speaking the Body's Language

“You’re not allowed to touch the art little girl.” The guard looked at me condescendingly and touched his belt filled with many weapons. He didn’t appreciate a ten year old girl breaking the rules at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

“I’m sorry I didn’t realize-”

“Oh I’m sure you didn’t.” He said with an annoyed look on his face.

I could tell he was striving to have some type of dominance over me. His body language said it all. The aggressive way he clinched his belt as he was looking down at me. His tone was loud and steady, it was just another way he proved that he had power over me. He was trying to establish that there were rules and I broke one. Also, the way he expressed this, not in a calm and slow paced manner, his actions were rushed and hostile. He wanted to be perceived as in control and a governing figure. We use our bodies all the time to express  the emotions that words cannot.


For example, a first time teacher might be standing to the corner of a classroom since they’re not comfortable with so many eyes on the them, backing into a corner as if to hide from the judgemental eyes. A nervous student getting ready for an SAT test would be chewing their nails and bouncing their feet up and down as it hits the bottom of their desk and they wonder if the effects of mental pain from staring at a text book for eight hours straight will be on the test because they’d score a perfect 2400. Whether it be body movements or hand gestures, it all plays a key role in how we “speak” to each other.  


We use our bodies to communicate every day which becomes  a language on its own. Whether we use it to affirm our power or status, or to hide the amount of anxiety we have, it is apart of who we are. There are a millions of different languages spoken all over the world, but the language of the body reveals more than words could ever.

Another interaction was when a man was standing in line in behind me at the grocery store. He was clicking his keys against his fingernails and lightly tapping his foot on the ground, this was communicating that he was in a rush. He then started to widen his eyes when he realized that I had a tremendous amount of groceries yet to be scanned. His shoulders slumped, defeatedly, he was about to step out of line when I smiled slightly at him, apologetically. He then smiled back and slightly waved, embarrassed, nodded in return and stepped back in line. This conversation, even though it lacked words, still had the ability to express his annoyance for the wait, my apologies for the amount of groceries and his regret for being impolite. We were able to express the emotions running through our heads with just our bodies. We are able to recognize what certain gestures and bodily positions mean, no matter which verbal language we speak.


“Would that be all hun?” she asked as she drummed her lilac nails on the cash register whilst chewing her mango flavored gum. I could sense she was uninterested and wanted her inevitable shift to end.  

“Umm, can I get a…” My voice trailed off as I frantically scanned the menu and blindly ordered.

“.. a number two.”

“One cheeseburger with extra pickles coming right up.”

Why did I order pickels? They were my least favorite food. Well, this was because of the impatient way she hit her nails on the cash register, begging me to hurry up. I picked the first thing I saw, her body suggested that she was irritated by me. The way she was leaning against the counter, made me realize she went through this everyday so the least I could do was hurry up the process.


I realize that I spend so much time observing others that I became accustomed in reading bodies before listening to their words. Noticing eye contact or lack of thereof can tell me a lot about how a person is feeling without them even realizing it. Or if someone interlaces fingers with their loved one, or grasps their hands forcefully, could speak to their relationship.


Just like my mother as she tightens her hands around mine before we cross the street, a motherly instinct adapted over millenniums, protecting their young ones. Or as she widens her eyes across the dinner table at a guests house for dinner, warning me of the inappropriate position of my elbows on the table and the repercussion I will face if I continue with this unwanted disobedience. My mother did not have to utter a word for me to understand her clearly. So I removed my elbows from the table and purse my lips tighter and lowered my head to communicate to her that I will not repeat this mistake again, lowering my head represents a slight apology to soften the blow. This interaction occurred silently, using only eye movements and bodily gestures for us two humans to have a full on conversation. Our bodies speak louder than “remove your elbows from the table” ever could. I understood her clearly, speaking the body’s language is something we are accustomed too, we speak this language long before we can ever verbally communicate.


On my way to school one day I scanned the  trolley filled with people, it was for the most part quiet. A baby crying, music blasting from the kid with his hoodie pulled over his eyes. A girl starting her first day of highschool with her humongous book bag filled her new school supplies and humiliation. As she frantically looks at the trolley window, wondering if this is her stop. She was wide-eyed like a child whom had just discovered where their mother hides the stash of treats.  I realized this was me last year my freshmen year, frantic on the first day of high school. I use body language as a way to communicate and understand people everyday. I rely on the body’s language more often than words.


As the great James Baldwin once said “Language, incontestably, reveals the speaker. Language, also, far more dubiously, is meant to define the other…” The power of speaking the body’s language is something underestimated and often overlooked. We rely on a person’s words to reveal their emotions. We use it to understand each other, and make assumptions on how they might be feeling.  Whether we realize it or not, body language is one of the biggest factors on how we are perceived. It is one of the most spoken languages of the world. If you stand with your shoulders straight and head held high, you would be viewed as someone who has pride or confidence. Rather than, someone who has their shoulders slumped and hoodie covering their eyes, could be perceived as not wanting attention. Body language can give you an insight on the person and how their feeling, this is often revealed subconsciously. With every wave, smile or adjoining of hands we are speaking the body’s language, a language that does not need words to express our desires, fears and emotions.


THE WAITING ROOM

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Creative Writing · Giknis · x2 Band on
​Link to my blog post:
http://skepticalthoughts.wixsite.com/website/single-post/2016/10/27/THE-WAITING-ROOM-a-monolgue

Thank you for taking your time and reading my blog post. I wrote this story about a woman I know who experienced something really similar and, after reading Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult. Both the women I know and the main character of the book told the tale of a woman dealing with some much pain due to loss of a child and how that kind of takes over their lives. This topic really opened my eyes to the hardships that women who go through this have to endure. I wanted to write a monologue because I wanted the reader to experience and know what life is like through her eyes and know what she goes through day to day. A continuous cycle that remains unbroken. I hope you had a great time reading!

Greed Over Good

Posted by Israh Mohammed in English 2 - Pahomov - E on

Why do leaders choose to lead? They often say it is because they want to help their community for the common good. However, as people rise to power, the good intentions they once had, are now clouded by their need of more dominance. Their drive to control others to benefit oneself overrules their judgment when it comes to caring for those who don’t have control. In the book, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, a group of boys stranded on an island have to create a new way of living. Many acts of greed and selfishness take over the boys as the are adjusting to this new and fascinating life without parents. Some of them are leaders while others have to quietly follow. Those who lead, take advantage of their power to benefit themselves rather than benefiting their community.

When first arriving on the island the boys are scrambling to understand what is currently happening to them. Piggy, them most intelligent of them all, is often pushed aside. Jack, the more rowdy of the older kids, suggests that he should be the leader, rivaling Ralph. One of the boys suggest they have a vote. To show off his dominance Ralph blows a conch shell with great pride. “‘Him with the shell. Ralph! Ralph! Let him be chief with the trumpet-thing.’ Ralph raised a hand for silence.” (page 22) The little children are in awe as they see one of the older boys, Ralph, blow the conch. He purposely does this to gain attention, knowing that his first impression is the one that matters most. Ralph realizes that if he can prove his dominance over Jack now, the easier it will be for everyone to accept him as a leader later. By Ralph raising “...a hand for silence” he is showing all the other kids that he holds the power. Ralph is trying to be leader because he wants to have power over Jack. He wants to have power no so he can lead the them, but because he wants to be the one in charge of the scared and vulnerable boys. He sees this as an opportunity to dictate and be in power.  Piggy is overshadowed by the dominance of Ralph. Piggy could have brought much more stability and a sense of civilization to the island, but he is obscured by Ralph because, in his own selfish needs, he had to be leader in order to feel fulfilled.

Similar to Ralph and the power he has over the island, Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, abuses this power to only benefit himself and other Israelis. He is occupying Palestinian land by not being in compliance with the 1967 borders. His military forces have infiltrated Palestine. According to an article published by Haaretz, Netanyahu isn’t looking for “peace.” It stated, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday rejected a Palestinian demand that direct negotiations be based on a statement by the Quartet confirming its position that the future Palestinian state will be based on the 1967 borders.” Netanyahu's greed and selfish aspirations are clouding his moral compass. Killing thousands of Palestinians in bombings and shootings are at the back of his mind when he says that Palestinians are violent and terrorists, which is very hypocritical on his account. Similar to Ralph, he only wants what’s best for himself as leader and doesn’t care who struggles in order for that to happen. Netanyahu, is aware of the bloodshed of Palestinians, because he is allowing it to happen. Blaming the Palestinians for terrorism, caused by radical Islam to justify it. By declining a deal, that was made decades ago to benefit both Israel and Palestine, is a clear example of his greed for more and more land. It isn’t his goal to have peace and coexist with the Palestinians like the two-state solution would allow. His ultimate goal is to own all of the Palestinian land, or at least most majority of it. He will not stop until his selfish needs are fulfilled and Palestinian blood paints Gaza red all over.

Similar to the selfish needs of Netanyahu, and his need to control things that don’t belong to him, Jack one of the older boys from Lord of the Flies does the same to Piggy at one of the meetings when Piggy holds the conch, which is used to silence everyone but the holder at meetings, and Jack denies him a chance to speak. Piggy argues that he holds the conch. “‘Conch! Conch!’ shouted Jack. ‘We don’t need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things… It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us.’” (page 101-102) Jack silences Piggy rather than listening to him like a good leader would do. He doesn’t want anyone giving him suggestions because he ultimately believes he is always right. Jack won’t allow anyone to talk but himself. An attribute that selfish people tend to have. People like Piggy, who just want to be heard and make a positive change in the community they live in are hushed by people like Jack who are in control. Khalida Jarrar is very similar to Piggy who, according to Samidoun, is a human rights activist and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Israeli soldiers barged into her home forcing her to sign an expulsion letter, she refused saying “You, the occupation, are killing our Palestinian people. You practice mass arrests, demolish homes, kidnap people from their homes and deport them. It is you who must leave our home.” Khalida Jarrar was sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment by Israeli military forces soon after. Similar to how Jack wouldn’t let Piggy speak, even when it was his right too, Khalida Jarrar was restricted from using her voice to defend Palestinians and protest the Israeli occupation in her homeland. Selfish leaders hate seeing an opposing threat with a voice that people will listen to. It means they are in jeopardy of losing their power and dominance over others. Selfish leaders would rather silence the noise altogether than have to deal with the herds of people protesting in their ears.

When someone has control over a group, when someone is the sole person who can decide what is allowed and what is not, that person tends to abuse that power. Leaders, rather than help the society, hurt it more since it's easier to abuse power when leaders are the one holding the reins. Dominance and greed over take them and they take advantage over that power and use it for their own welfare and selfish desires. Especially when it’s easier to manipulate others to get what you want.




Works Cited


Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. New York: Perigee, 2006.


Issacharoff, Avi, and Barak Ravid. "Netanyahu Rejects Peace Talks Based on 1967 Borders." Haaretz.com. Haaretz Daily Newspaper, 12 Aug. 2010. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.haaretz.com/netanyahu-rejects-peace-talks-based-on-1967-borders-1.307430>.


"Khalida Jarrar Solidarity Campaign: Free Khalida Jarrar!" Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. Samidoun, 21 Aug. 2014. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://samidoun.net/khalidajarrar/>.


Mohammed ILP Update - 3/28/16

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Ilp - 10Th Grade - Miles - Wed on
I really enjoy the class I am taking. We're only a couple months in and I feel like everyone is family. I am learning new things like conjugating verb and verb tenses. Also, I am looking forward to next class, we are sharing ideas in class. We brainstorm a lot of new ideas and collaborate with each other and strengthen each other. I really enjoy this activity because it gives everyone a chance to say what's on their mind and we all learn from each other. What stands out to me is the sense of family in the class. Everyone is really close. I rely on my peers like we've been friends for years. The teachers are very encouraging and really want you to succeed and help you along the way. Which I think is very important for a child who is striving to learn and grow. 

ILP Update

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Advisory Sophomore - Miles - adv on
​I am learning more about verb tenses and when and where to use them. It was very interesting and complicated at the same time. I am looking forward to learning about new serahs and stories in history. What stands out is the eagerness of everyone there. I have a great time at my ILP it's very interesting. Last week we started a new unit and are diving further into our studies than planned. 

ILP Update- 11/12/15

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Ilp - 10Th Grade - Miles - Wed on
I really like the class I am taking. Everyone is so welcoming and it feels like family. I am learning new things like conjugating verb and verb tenses. Also, I am looking forward to next class, we are sharing ideas in class. I really enjoy this activity because it gives everyone a chance to say what's on their mind and we all learn from each other. What stands out to me is the sense of family in the class. Everyone is really close. The teachers are very encouraging and really want you to succeed and help you along the way. Which I think is very important for a child who is striving to learn and grow. 

ILP Status

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Ilp - 10Th Grade - Miles - Wed on
I am meeting with Jeremy on Monday next week. I have been researching for places that I could intern that intrest me. I looked up available places in hospitals and medical facilities. What stopped me from interning there was my age. I am too young to intern at a hospital, the ideal age is 18 and over. I have been looking for ILPs at hospitals for people  under 18 but there were none available. I do apologize for not having an ILP. I was so focused on looking for ones in a hospital that I didn't explore other options, as I am doing now. I started the search for other ILPs I would be interested in doing. 

Benefits of the Unbeneficial

Posted by Israh Mohammed in African American History - Jonas - A on

My cartoon is split into two sections. The first column is drawings that represent a black man on his journey through life during the Reconstruction era. When slaves are given the right to, he learns to read and is amazed by it, he’s learning new things. The hate group against blacks at the time called the KKK, Klu Klux Klan, notices this and is infuriated so they burn the book. They did this a lot back during that era and many more graphic and violent things that I decided not to show in that specific panel. This is important because slaves obviously did benefit from the Reconstruction era and the laws passed along with it. However, whenever an eager black wanted to do something more for themselves or achieve something in their new way of life, there would always be a backfire and racial hate that came along with their success. So even though they were technically and legally “free” the treatment they were given was just how it was when they were enslaved. You were one of the lucky ones if you were black during that time and succeed financially and socially amongst the whites in life. But this was rare, if not impossible.

In the first panel in the second column there is a drawing of the same black man but now he is a doctor, most of you probably think that this wasn't possible, but the patients would see him in the confines of his own home to receive treatment. When someone tipped the KKK about Dr. Johnson’s recent activities they went straight to his home, forcibly brought him to the woods and lynched him. This form of killing was quite common back then among the KKK, they would usually gather many black men and have a group lynching inviting the townspeople to watch, like a movie. They would all gather together in the woods and laugh and ridicule the murdered. These acts were cruel, inhuman and immoral.

So overall, it shows the racial discrimination and immoral acts brought upon blacks in America. It matters for us to study these topics so history won’t repeat itself and for everyone to be educated on the struggle this countries ancestors had to endure to give us freedom and the life we live today. Freedom, a right that every human that ever lived should have gotten.


Link to my research:
 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qH7gV2QnQdFucAgoyGrspfoei-mHH4vzWqbohE6RsI8/edit

Link to picture of drawing: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tdnYRzX2P-z2y1O9jlm6VhYPwW1XKCnkXPwaqn0TAmI/edit

Q3 Art Reflection

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Art - Freshman - Hull - y2 on
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1.) I feel like I finished the ceiling and the back wall and side wall I included a couple stools and a table. Also, I included my back wall and the two walls on the side. I feel as though I did an okay job for my first time doing a one perspective drawing of a room. 

2.) I would probably draw more tables and practice drawing my stools better before I put them on my final piece. Also I would use my ruler more efficiently and make my lines for the sink and table more straight. 

3.) I think that Kate Kopf's drawing is successful. I believe this because she had all the required requirements. She had a back wall side wall veiling tables and tools and she even had details on the wall, the fire flames. Also, she had a sink and cabinets above them. 

4.) I learned that you really have to pay attention to detail when you are drawing in one point perspective. You have to view things in a different way and that this is really how things are looked and this is a totally different perspective and art style than any other. 

Todo Sobre Señorita Jonas

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Spanish 1 - Manuel - D on

Hola amigos. Nuestras nombres son Israh y Fatoumata. Entrevistamos a nuestra profesora su llama Señorita Pearl Jonas. Ella es de Nicaragua, habla español bien. A final de la clase ella habla en español y os dejamos a continuación. Aprendimos mucho de ella. Ella es muy interesante. Admiramos su perspectiva de la vida. Aprendimos de que ella esta casada con su esposo. Su nombre es Clay Jonas. Se casaron en Octubre. Ellos tener estado casado para uno año. Ella muy guapo. Ella te gusta lee, tal como Incidents In the Life of a Slave Girl por Harriet Jacobs y The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano por Olaudah Equiano. Le gusta ir al cine, para ver todos los diferentes tipos de películas. Ella favorita es películas históricas. Ella le encanta para visitar la familia. Ella tiene dos hermanas menor y mamá y papá. Hermanas su llamas Tilly y Barbara. Señorita Jonas es muy muy inteligente. Señorita te gusta es historia. Señorita Jonas no tiene hijos y hijas. Historia muy fascina pero Señorita Jonas muy simpática. Ella es asombroso profesora. Señorita brinda ayuda. Ella es un buen oyente. Ella es tremendamente inteligente. Tú puede decir que historia le fascina a ella. Tenemos un tiempo muy divertido en su clase. Aprendimos sobre la historia tal como, A Trata de Esclavos Atlántico y la esclavitud en América y en todo el mundo. Leemos Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl por Harriet Jacobs y es asombroso y muy polémico. Visitamos la sociedad histórica de Pensilvania. Es muy chevere. Aprendimos Octavius Catto y Emily Plummer. Vimos película su llamado Amistad es muy differente. Todos ellos eran personas muy importantes. Siempre tenemos much preguntas en la clase. estamos muy agradecidos de tener una asombroso y inteligente profesora enseñándonos historia. En total encantamos ser estudiantes de Señorita Pearl Jonas clase.



Authors:
Fatoumata Camara

Israh Mohammed


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Carnival Rio de Janeiro- Madison, Israh, Lydia & Matt

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Spanish 1 - Manuel - D on
Madison, Israh, Lydia, & Matt (In Portuguese)

1.) Rio de Janerio- River of January 

2.) Porta-banderia- the lady who holds the samba school flag

3.) Festejando- Partying

4.) Blocos- street parties

5.) Eu preciso comprar uma fantasia- I need to buy a costume.

6.) Flutua- Floats

7.) Eu gosto da sua roupa. - I like your outfit. 

8.) Vamos dancar. Let's dance. 

9.) Eu amo festejar. - I love to party.

10.) Estou tao cansada que nao durmo em dias.- I am so tired I have not slept in days. 


La Historia de SLA (Israh, Aniya & Nick)

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Spanish 1 - Manuel - D on

La Historia de SLA


¡Hola! Somos Aniya, Israh, y Nicholas. Somos afortunado a disfrutar de la SLA la experiencia. Somos todo novato. Aniya es tiene quince años y de costumbre va por ¨Niya,” Israh es tiene catorce años y de costumbre va por ¨Izzy ¨, y Nicholas es tiene quince años y de costumbre va ¨ Nick ¨. SLA Filadelfia en 22nd y Arch cual es cercada The Franklin Institute y Amtrak Station. SLA esta súper serio escuela pero también al mismo tiempo es que chévere y incitante. Tenemos treinta uno professores, cuatrocientos sesenta y cinco estudiantes, y cinco pisos pero estudiantes son no permitido a acceso la 4th pisos. SLA tiene mucho de deportes tal como, softbol, baloncesto para niño y niñas.

Tenemos que clase es bioquímica, matemáticas, inglés, español, historia y mucho mas. Israh y Nick clase favorita es inglés, encanta leer y escribir. En clase español necesitamos una carpeta y un lápiz. Aniya clase favorita es historia con enseñado el Señor Todd. Tenemos profesor de matemáticas nombre es la Srta. Giorgio. Ella muchas divertida y comica. En la clase, necesitamos una regla y un lápiz. Es importante participar activamente. Para tener éxito en esta clase tienes que por tu atención y trabaja duro.

El Sr. Todd, el Sr. Kay  y el Sr. Miles hay su profesores. El Sr. Todd enseña historia, el Sr. Kay y el Sr. Miles los dos inglés y teatro. El Sr. Todd es cheveŕe. El Sr. Kay y el Sr. Miles es muy fácil es bastante chévere y tranquilo. El Sr. Miles clase es muy fácil, y el Sr. Kay’s clase. El Sr. Todd’s clase es muy facil. Su clase es muy divertido, en clase leemos Shakespeare y Homer y conversamos novetas. Los estudiantes en SLA son muy tranquilo. Los estudiantes aquí hablar tarea en los pasillos y surfear la red para nuestrases clases. En la clase de teatro actomos.

SLA es muy divertido y súper diferente. Nos encanta el medio ambiente y el gente. Lo que más nos gusta el relación y confianza con estudiantes y profesores. Recibimos computadoras que ayuda nosotros en clase. SLA es único, emocionante y un gran facilidad de aprendizaje. Encantamos SLA tremendamente.  



Los seres quierdos en mi vida

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Spanish 1 - Manuel - D on

Israh- Script


Intro- Hola me llamo Israh y habló de ve mi y los seres queridos en mi vida.


Yo: Este soy yo. Asisto a Science Leadership Academy o SLA.  Me encanta surfear la red y platicar con amigos.  


Él: Su nombre es Justin o Jmack, es mi mejor amigo. Tienes catorce años. Le encanta practicar deportes, tal como baloncesto.


Ella: Esto es Hibah. Ella es mi primo, ella es de Sudán. Los ojos café y muy bonita.  Ella es un poco loca.  Sin embargo la quiero mucho.


Ellas: Este es Fatoumata y Nisa. Ellas dos fabuloso. Fatoumata es súper cómica y muy loca. Nisa es baja y artistica. Le gusta Tumblr y Twitter.  Ellas dos es morena.  

Nostras: Este soy yo y Deja. Ella es boba y energético. Le encanta Dylan O Brien y Teen Wolf. (Yo también Deja, yo también.)


Fin: Muchas gracias por su tiempo! Hasta luego.

Net Neutrality Blog

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Technology- Freshmen - Hull - y1 on
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It is important for teens to understand net neutrality. Before I took this tech class, I didn't know what ISPs or how we received our internet, took it for granted. If we get to know the system a little better this doesn't have to be a big of a problem as it is now. I didn't understand its value, the youth, I think, can change this whole thing. They need to understand what they are encountering everyday, the internet. 
Teenagers are one of the most people who use internet and get online. They are probably in some perspectives affected by the most. They can make the change and the need to understand this whole mess before encountering it as they get older. It has become such a big deal that I think everyone should get involved and voice their opinion. Even if their with or against net neutrality.
People wouldn't be human if they didn't disagree with each other. Net neutrality is just one of the many issues in the world that people have certain views. It's important for teens to be aware of one of the major issues. To understand the outcomes and how this all works so they can make a change. So net neutrality will either be common or banned.   

Sources:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/net-neutrality

http://theweek.com/speedreads/index/262469/speedreads-john-oliver-explains-why-net-neutrality-is-really-important-as-only-john-oliver-can

http://guide.sacbee.com/2014/05/19/6105/two-sides-of-the-net.html



Soy Ariana Grande

Posted by Israh Mohammed on
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande
​Hola, me llamo Ariana Grande. Tengo ventiuno años. Soy de Florida pero vivo en Los Angeles. 

Soy bastante baja, muy divertida, delgada, y muy talentosa. Soy encantadora, guapa, y súper cómica.

Me encanta tremendamente cantar, eschuar música, bailar, y estar de vago. No me gusta nada correr, andar en patienta, un poco estudiar, y nadar.

¿Qué te gusta hacer? 

Spanish BM Videos 2 & 4

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Spanish 1 - Manuel - D on
Situation #2: Weather report on Fox 29 News. The anchors Aniya & Israh introduce Madison giving a 3-day weather forecast.

Situation #4: Mom, Mariana and daughter, Lexi, aren't getting along very well and go to seek help from a therapist, Aniya. This video demonstrates basic getting to know you questions.  

Home Network, Mohammed

Posted by Israh Mohammed in Technology- Freshmen - Hull - y1 on
1.) All the devices on my internet connection are 5 iPhone's, 1 iPad, Printer, and PC. My ISP is Comcast. 
2.) My OMG moment while learning about how the internet works is when we watched the video and it describes the million things that happen when you search something on the internet or send a message and at the end they said it only took a couple of seconds. 
3.) What I would tell other people is that you shouldn't take the internet for granite. The internet is full of crazy things, you're lucky to have access to it, and you should try to understand it. 
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