The Daily Sharon
Yair Ben Simon, Leon Fainberg, Sharon Nudelman
Don't judge a book by it's cover ( Yair Ben Simon & Leon Fainberg)
We live in a very superficial society. It is very easy to fall into the trap of looking only at the surface of people, things, and ideas without taking the time and effort to delve deeper into them. This is where the adage "Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover" comes from. Somerst Maugham, a short stories writer, took this subject seriusly, and write a short story whoe's goal is to encourage us to think twice when we judge someone.
Mr. know all (by Somerset Maugham)
The story was written in 1925, when Britian was an empire that ruled over countries in
many parts of the world. These countries were British colonies, and although the people living there were British citizens, they were viewed by the English as a second class citizens.
The story takes place in international waters on an ocean going liner saling from San Francisco. The narrator had to share a cabine with a total stranger, but he expected him to be one of his own countrymen. instead, he was deeply shocked to realize it was a chatty Levantine of oriental origin, Mr. Max Kelada, who was not British, but a native of one of the British.
The narrator prepared to dislike Mr. Kelada even before he saw him. The man's name and the sight of his things aroused a strong repulsion in him since he was prejudiced against al non- Britons, felling superior to them.
When the narrator met Mr. Kelada, his hatred got even stronger. He disliked the cultural differences between Kelada and himself. He both detested and despite Mr. Kelada's gestures.
To sum, the narrator judged Mr. Kelada based on his cover- his appearance, name, culture, and not based on his acts and gestures. And the narrator realize in the continue of the story that he was wrong.
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Racial discrimination (Yair Ben Simon & Sharon Nudedlman)
Racial discrimination is a crime against human rights. The world race refers to the difference in terms of facial features, hair texture and the skin tone
Race is an invented and arbitrary way to group people. In the history of mankind human beings have used racial differences as a base for discrimination.
Today world is facing some serious problems in terms of racial discriminations.
The best way to overcome racial discrimination is to enact anti discrimination laws in the society to put an end to it.
Langston Hughes, who was an American poet and suffered from Racial discrimination during his life wrote a poet about how it effected his life to make others think how it feels from his side of view, it called "As I grow older".
As I Grow Older (by Langston Hughes)
In the poem as I grow older you can see how racial discrimination can effect a person life, from a young and naïve child who just want to chase his dream and make it come true the writer turns into a depressed man who can't make his dream true only because of the racism that was against him because his black skin. But he doesn't give up and continue fight for his dream and tries to break the "wall" of racism that is in front of him.
In the poem the writer tries to encourage people to break the "wall" of racism and to do anything to make there dreams and not to give up no matter how hard it seems.
To sum, Langston fought a lot against racial discrimination and racism and used his arts to fight it.
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Review ( Leon Fainberg & Yair Ben Simon )
All of these three poems have one main and common target, which is making us a better people in our global society.
In the poem "count that day lost" which was written by George Eliot, Eliot criticized the behavior of rich people in the Victorian era, who were very selfish and were only interested in their own life. She wanted to encourage them not to be indifferent to the poor people and to be responsible for their own society.
In the poem "As I Grew Older" which was written by Langston Hughes, Langston writes that the struggle against prejudice and racism is difficult but possible. Black people cannot always achieve their dreams because of racial discrimination. However, according to Langston, it is possible, if they will fight for themselves for their dreams. The main message of the story, which is valuable for any times, is that anyone faces difficulties during his life. But, only the ones who believes in themselves, only the ones who have strong willpower, and only the ones who are optimistic, can overcome them.
In the story "Mr. Know All" that was written by Somerset Maugham is showing how people can judge someone based only on his appearance and race and to think they know the person based just on those things. But , in the story you can see that Mr. Kelada, the person that was judged based only by his "cover" did a kind act that many people would have not done even that this act coasted him his honor and he became the joke of the ship. The narrator wanted to show people that you can't really judge a person before you really know him and that you don't need to "judge a book by it's cover"
Painting By Sharon Nudelman
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Interview with Langston Hughes (Yair Ben Simon)
Just on the daily Sharon, an interview with the amazing Langston Hughes who is a American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist.
Can you give the readers a little background about yourself?
I came from a educated family of African Americans, But I was raised in a reality were I had no real equality and most of the people I met in my way gave my a different treatment from white people based only on my skin color.
Do you remember a moment from you're childhood were you weren't given a equal rights as the other peoples?
At my school, there were one white teacher that decided to seat all of the African American children in one row at the black of the classroom. I was very upset and insulted and I decided to do something about it, I putted a sign saying "Jim Crow Row" on my desk, referring to the "Jim Crow" laws that discriminated against blacks.
Did this protest was successful?
Yes, it resulted in a big argument with the teacher and principal.
What you learned from this moment?
I learned that I has to fight for what I believe in.
Tell us more about you're activity to get to equals rights.
I am writing protest poetry and I am promoting African American culture such as blues and jazz music. I'm believing that through art, literature and music African American can challenge racial stereotypes and bring about racial equality.
Do you have something to say to our readers?
I want the readers to know that sometimes life change to be hard, so you need to change yourself to be harder and to go with your truth till the end. If you will fight for what you believe in you will make it to your targets at life.