Refection

I honestly don't know what to think about what we did in class today. I didn't like the bias test. I don't feel like that was a reliable test. I didn't think of it having anything to do with a race or bad and good words, I was just sorting things in the way that they told me to. Naturally I messed up more when they switched the sides, because it took me adapting to something different. I got that I moderately prefer European American, which I don't really agree with. I have no preference, and I put I was neutral about both when the test directly asked. I believe I got that result because I made more mistakes when I had the European American and Bad on the same side, but that was the way it was after they switched sides, so it was the opposite of what I had done to start with. I didn't like the test, and don't like being told I have a preference, when I don't.

The Face to Face sight was interesting. I only listened to the section about FBI Investigations. It was insightful, and I liked directly hearing about personal experiences having to do with the treatment of different races after 9/11. They all felt like their lives were intruded on and that they had nothing personal. Multiple people talked about how they were surprised about all the FBI knew. Another common theme was about how people where judge based just on their skin color and names. Khaled Abou El Fadl talked about how now he wears a suit and has to be accepting of things that could happen when he flies. He knows there is the possibility for people wanting to change seats, and that people will watch what he does more closely. I believe who we are has nothing to do with the color of our sign. This isn't a topic people like to talk about, but it is sad that people live in fear and take extra precautions because of something they have no control over.

Reading Response #3

Reading Response: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

When I was younger I loved Nicholas Sparks. I spent a whole summer just reading his books and I ended up reading most of them. For some reason I just stopped after a while, and then my mom got me Safe Haven for Christmas. So I finally decided to read it. I feel differently about Nicholas Sparks’ writing than I used to. He is a really good writer but his stories just seem a little cheesy and predictable now. I don’t even know if I’ll finish the book.

Like all of Sparks’ books this is a love story. Katie wonders into Southport, NC, with no intention of making any friends. She stays to herself, trying only to get what she needs: new clothes, a job, and a house. After going into the local grocery store it becomes clear she isn’t going to be able to keep her life secluded from everyone like she wanted. Alex, a widowed man with two children, owns the store. Right away you see there is going to be something because of the way Katie acts with his children. What keeps you interested in the beginning is trying to figure out what Katie is trying to get away from.

“He didn’t want that to happen. Not for selfish reasons, but because she was entitled to the kind of life she’d come here to find. A normal life. A life of simple pleasures, the kind most people take for granted: the ability to go where she wanted and live in a home where she felt safe and secure. She also needed a way to get around.”(p.65)

In the quote above you can tell Alex cares about Katie from the start. He wants to respect her, and keep his distance because he can tell that’s what she wants, but he just can’t help wanting to make things easier for her. He knows some about her past, but I can’t explain any of that. I wouldn’t want to give it away, even though I’m sure a lot of you have seen the movie. Alex just wants to do all he can without it being too much.

This picture is from the movie, when Katie first goes into Alex's store, and meets him and his daughter, Kristen.You can see from the picture how Kristen automatically takes a liking to Katie. Alex is hooked on Katie in the beginning because of how well she gets along with his children. This moment is the start of everything.

Even though I don't like this book, it's still good, and I think it's better than the movie. So if you like love stories you should read it.