Journal Six By Alec Soule

Part One 

The biggest takeaway for Cisneros, is to never forget who you are and where you came from. Esperanza had every reason to give in to her situation but she didn’t let anyone choose for her. She could have ended up like Sally and marry young and never leave. What I will remember most about Esperanza is to never give up. To many people quit in this world.

Ishmael had no choice but to forget who he was. It was either survive or be killed. We know that war and revenge are a terrible things. When we get to the parts when he was a boy soldier. What explained the life of Ishmael best to me is a quote from his father when he was a young boy. “If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen. If there is nothing good left in the destiny of the person, he or she will die.” (Beah, 54). I believe that Ishmeal wanted us all to learn that your past does not have to define you.

Part Two

    This documentary was interesting because I found that it made me nostalgic about my childhood and how some teachers were great and others just could not teach me anything. If my teachers had been like Mr. Rave then i could possibly have a completely different path for my life. When he told his class, "The readiness is all." it was clear to me that he believed in the program. The way that he knew his individual students really surprised me. So I am excited and happy that teachers can see the potential in their students.