Declaration of Independence from Tests

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for me to dissolve the bands which have connected me with tests, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that I should declare the causes which impel me to the separation. I declare this because tests creates homework, which creates stress, and stress is bad. The purpose of a test or quiz is to show how much you're learned, but instead it stresses me out. I always do better during homework or classwork. Sometimes I don't do well on tests even if I study for and hour or more. I believe that if tests don't help they they should exist. All tests and quizzes should not be given to those who are not good at test taking. 

 

Where I'm From

In English 8 we have been talking about identity and leadership. I have written two identity poems from The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Junior

I am from cartooning, from the bad magazines and the hope-finders.

I am from the poor reservations and the poor families.

I am from the dirt and the sky

I am from the res’s never-ending9 loop and the unfound talents, from my mom, dad, and grandma.

I am from ones who have given up and the talented ones.

From sad stories and the happy ones.

I'm from the Spokane Indians, from grandma’s salmon mush and cheap foods.

From the mom who could have been a teacher, the father who could’ve been a saxophone player, and the sister who moved away with a husband she met at the casino.

I am from the res. where everyone stays, where generations are the same, from where I don’t want to stay.

Everyone is a leader in their own way. Junior is show a leader when he leaves the reservation. I is shown as a leader when he scores that first three-pointer in that last game. When he leaves the reservation it shows everyone that he is finding his own path and hope.

Rowdy

I am from the will to fight, from funny comic books and basketball.

I am from the family who pays me no attention.

I am from the flightless birds and the roses.

I am from the traditions of staying the same over generations.

I am from the poor, from my mom, dad and Junior who’s like a brother to me (or was).

I am from the life surrenders and the spokane.

From bad jokes in comics and funny jokes in comics.

I am from no religion.

I'm from the poor rez, and cheap food.

From the boring mother, the alcoholic father, and the traitor best friend.

I am from the poor Spokane Indian Reservation, from comic books, and basketball.

Rowdy is a leader too. From a young age Rowdy has always defended Junior. In that way he is a leader.

Old Life, New Life

Lots of things have changed since the colonial times. In the past, wealthy people from colonies would sometimes hire tutors to come and teach their kids. Some people home school today too, but I think I am lucky enough to a nice school. Back then, it was believed that education for boys are more important than education for girls. Today, it is believed that education should be available to everyone. I live in a beautiful beach city. The cities used to be loud, smell bad, there were always high threats of a fire, and the housing were close together. I feel fortunate today, that where I live there are nice neighborhoods, the weather is always perfect, and the view is nice. I believe human rights are a lot better today. In colonies, men were always the one's working outside, always the one's owning the land. Women on the other hand, were the ones at home, always cleaning, and taking care of the kids. Woman didn't have a choice of what they wanted to do. From the beginning, it was already decided that they were going to get married and be a house wife. Today, women are able to decide their own path, and work towards their dreams. Today, most men and women both have ways to get education and many job choices to choose from. It makes me happy to realize the improvement America has made from the Colonial times, to present time today.

My Tribes

In The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, the main character, Junior, comes from the Spokane tribe. We are all part of different tribes. Some people like video games, or books. They would be in the video game tribe, or the book tribe. Three tribes I'm in are the music tribe, because I play, listen, and enjoy music. Since kindergarten, I've been at the same school. Me along with six other people have been going to school together for about nine years. That's almost a decade! We call ourselves lifers. A third tribe I'm in is the family tribe. My family and I have a nice relationship. Some people may not have a great relationship with their family, but I feel lucky to have a good relationship with my family.