Advice From B.S

The Unabridged Journals Of A Forgotten Misft

Here is my concept: 

I have accepted school. I'm going to school, I should be finished in two months for a four month holiday before university. This was not my idea. It was society's. If I had my way frankly,  wouldn't have gone. Like I've mentioned many times before, I believe that in order to achieve the life that you want; you don't have to go to school. But then again, it doesn't matter if you do or you don't. Either you are going to get screwed by the government and the world. And when it comes to friends...there's drama going on. Your friends say they don't want you to pick sides but you know all too well, that's a lie. You'll survive. Well, I hope you do because then, you need to think of university and life after that. It's okay! You still have four months to think about that. But let's skip four years into the future and say that we have finished university - the job I work isn't my dream job but I enjoy it. You have to work then for another year and some months. Or you could get fired...then you'll work a couple more jobs after that, to pay off your debt to the government (with some interest). At this rate, life won't be glamorous. They will pay enough to cover everything, you might need. Bills will never be overdue (hopefully). Money is never a thought in your head. You will never be homeless or starving. You won't have to worry about moving back home if the government finally realizes that we are people. You will, however, get your heart broken more than once, don't let that put you down. If it helps, the first one in worse than the second one. Contrary to how you might feel at the time, it won't kill you. It won't be the end of the world. Divide into the comfort of friends, family, and your books. Always find time to read at the end of the day. Meet up with friends regularly, old and new. Put in some time to go see the homeless and spend some time with them. You will learn so much from them than you ever learned in school. Make memories. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Learn to master your gifts. In doing so, you will become a lot stronger, wiser and maybe, even a little taller. Travel a few times a year, once by yourself. Always different places. Meet new people while you're there. They will be good for you. There will be no war. 

But for now, be patient. Work hard. You have no choice. And be good to people. I don't know what's coming but in July, you will travel around Europe with one of your greatest friends. It's all working out. Keep at it. Be content. You'll make it. 

Extended Project '15 Sneak Peek

I recently handed in my Extended Project (EPQ) to my supervisor. I'm extremely proud of myself. I'm so thankful to myself for having finished this project because it was such a lengthy process. It was however, worth it. 

In my extended project, I wrote a 5,000 word essay analysis whether the Black Lives Matter movement was a continuation of the Civil Rights Movement and I would like to share snippets of it because posting it, is just too long.  

The question was - An Analysis of the Black Lives Matter movement: To what extent is the Black Lives Matter movement a continuation of the Civil Rights Movement?

 In 1963, Martin Luther King (MLK) stated:

“When the architect of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”[1] – I Have A Dream speech, (1963).

Obviously, America has neglected MLK’s words of wisdom in-so-far as black citizens are concerned. Fifty-three years, after MLK’s speech, it appears that America has given the black people a “bad check”[2] indicating that there’s not only a need for a renewed Civil Rights Movement (CRM) but also for a transformed I Have A Dream speech. On the 11^th of February, 2016, 24 year old, Tré Melvin wrote a spoken word poem, and whilst, it does not touch upon the same issues Dr King’s speech did, – it reflects upon an issue that remains relevant in America today – police brutality against black people. Hence, why I believe that Melvin’s poem is the reintroduction of MLK’s speech as it mirrored the extract above, faultlessly:

“All lives will matter when my kin are no longer deemed threats and thugs, prior to humans. All lives will matter when the amount of melanin in the skin of my sisters, no longer represents their value. All lives will matter when my unarmed brothers are no longer used as target practice. All lives will matter when black lives matter.”[3] – Tré Melvin, All Lives Will Matter When Black Lives Matter spoken word (2016).

While, the CRM addressed the civil and political rights that were denied to black people, Melvin (2016) expands on what MLK said by confronting the radicalised degradation continually endured by black people at the hands of the police.

The purpose of this essay is to analyse a range of evidence to consider whether the Black Lives Matter movement (BLMM) is a revival of the 1960s CRM and if it is necessary in today’s America...

The BLMM can, in this regard, be seen as the reframing of a long-existing movement, which reacts against the unjust penalties for killers of black people - against those police officers and authorities who have merely been suspended or fired[1] from their jobs. The pending question that has yet to be answered by the US justice system is ‘instead of being properly tried, have the police officers been allowed to walk because they are white or is it because the people killed deserved the end that was bestowed upon them?’ Essentially, many will say that the answer is obviously. They will argue that the US system has been stacked against the minority since the American constitution was written, which, in all fairness is true. In July, 1776, the first US constitution was drawn up stating, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”[2] It was then redrafted in March, 1787, “We the people of the United States”[3] – the first draft of the US constitution depicts desperate men who have just won freedom from their oppressor. It also instils pressure by saying, “all men” suggesting that it is man’s responsible to see to it that everyone is equal. Whilst, the second reworking, “we the people” was meaningless to everyone except those that were white; despite the fact, that it was produced for a long lasting constitution representing every interest and belief. Slavery still went ahead and was followed by several atrocities of which many black people were the victims of...

The #blacklivesmatter hashtag has proved effective by linking the dissimilar fates of the many unarmed black men shot by white police. It has proved that a post of Facebook can organise a protest in a matter of minutes. Videos dispersed on Tumblr of previously unseen events become unignorable such as the death of Eric Garner. His poignant last words, “I can’t breathe” became a symbol for blacks symbolising their current predicament. These events have gripped worldwide attention enticing celebrities to get involved in supporting their race. Basketball player, LeBron James, wore a t-shirt emblazoned with Garner’s last words across the front, Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson, addressed Trayvon Martin’s ‘racially’ charged case at Comic-Con in San Diego and consoled Trayvon Martin’s mother and family. Whilst, black artists paid tribute through music - J Cole with Free, Common and John Legend with Glory, a song which explicitly connects the CRM to the BLMM. More recently, Beyoncé released Formation, a day before the 2016 Super Bowl 50 on what would have been Trayvon Martin’s 21^st birthday...

For that reason, I believe that the BLMM is an extension of the 1960s CRM to a great extent. Although, black people in America have achieved a sufficient degree of freedom, this does not equate to equality. Many, including myself, thought that the election of America’s first black president would help with the inequality consuming America but the fact, that all these tragedies have come to a head under his presidency makes it more saddening – because this was the only time where it could be rightfully acknowledged by any US leader. His realisation that “he could’ve been Trayvon Martin”[1] is upsetting because it shows that despite what many say, not a lot has been achieved in the way of equality - which is all that was demanded by the CRM and is being demanded by the BLMM...

When people ask ‘What would Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks think?’- Personally, I would like to think that they would be proud because the BLMM is continuing what they began. Rosa Parks once wrote “There’s just so much hurt, disappointment and oppression one can take.”[1] Her anger and defiance is what links the BLMM to the CRM, hence why the BLMM is not a disruption but a continuation. Though, despite, America’s turbulent history with the black race, America has made steps to achieve equality as seen by the election of Barack Obama - but “until the killing of black men, black mother’s sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother’s sons, we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.”[2] – Ella Baker (1964)

Letters To People I Love: Reasons To Stay Alive

1. You are not alone. You are on another planet and it may seem like no one understands you but believe me when I say, that there is someone who does. You may think that this is not true but only because the reference is yourself. That person that understands you have been here, others have been here. You're in a world with billions of people. 
2. Things will not get worse. The worst you will ever get to is wanting to kill yourself, believe me, I've been there. You can only go up from here. 
3. This is feeling is a warning sign.
4. It won't last forever. No matter how lonesome you feel right now. This pain will not last because pain lies. It's the same with a broken heart. Time heals all pain.
5. You still need to experience the days of joy that match this symptom. Like so many of us, you will look down at a baby fall asleep in your arms, you will cry at the stupidest film/song. You will eat delicious foods, you will once again learn to look at a view from a higher place, without wanting to fall. 
6.  You will read books that will enrich you. They will become your most loyal friends. You will go to places that will still haven't been to. 
7. You will laugh, dance with friends. You will love and have sex with the one that you love. You will learn to be complete before finding that 'one'. You will go for a run, have late-night conversations with people, strangers 
8. Don't give up. Don't ever dwell on giving up because life will wait for you to get better. You might be stuck here for a while but life is worth living.
9. Most important of all, you're worth staying alive.

For all the people the struggle with depression...