Collegiate Chronicles (1)

Collegiate
Chronicles

The Ultimate
Guide To College

1

Table of Contents

Page 3 - Articles Page 37 - The Great American Read

Tell Stress to Namaste Away - Pages 4-5 A New Adventure - Page 38
Is Technology Really an Improvement for Society - The Outsiders - Page 39
Pages 6-7

Should we get a Textbook or an Ebook For Next Page 40 - TV/Movie Reviews
Semester? - Pages 8-9
Your Future, Your Responsibility - Pages 10-13 Wonder - Page 41

Education Inequality in the United States - Orange is the New Black - Page 42

Pages 14-17 To Be Fat Like Me - Page 43
Sleepy Students - Pages 18-19 Atypical - Page 44
College Drinking - Page 20

Page 21 - Articles about School Page 45 - The One-Room

Adjusting to College - Pages 22-23 Schoolhouse
Studying in College - Pages 24-25

Eating Healthy in College - Pages 26-27 Page 54 - Multimedia Stories

Campus Living - Pages 28-29 Page 58 - Surveys
How to Stay Healthy as a College Student - Pages 30-31

Modern Day Slavery - Pages 32-33 Page 60 - Works Cited
Why and What You Need to Build a PC - Pages 34-36

Dedication

We felt it was important to dedicate this magazine to our
delightful Professor Dr. Maher.

Without her constant efforts to assist, this magazine wouldn't
be possible! We love you Doc!

2

Articles

College students thought about the
things that are going on around
them in the world. We then
researched these topics in order to
educate others on them.

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College Drinking: hours and get my mind off impending Although college resembles high school
assignments. Unfortunately, it has been
The Social Norm solidified by multiple studies that most in many ways, a major difference is the
freshman having the ability to take the night
Of Partying In off and party leaves more negative reality that you are paying for your time
consequences than benefits, “Entry into college
Higher Education is often a time of transition and adaptation to their and forfeiting a class and a grade
new roles, responsibilities, and freedoms. These
By Mattie Klein new freedoms can be related to an increased is forfeiting money and a degree,
likelihood of experiencing alcohol-related
College: “a Shangri-La rite of problems.... that may threaten their success in “academic problems resulting from
passage into adulthood which college, if not their physical or emotional
involves rampant consumption of well-being” (Beck). This evidence comes from heavy drinking can occur through
alcoholic beverages, flagrant and an in depth study performed by various doctors
promiscuous sexual behavior, and a who hold positions in various college several mechanisms: hangover results
general and fundamental disregard psychology departments and
for any form of responsibility by its in missing morning classes; drinking
inhabitants.” (Urban Dictionary) How often do you drink alcohol (%)
While this is not at all the At a party with friends? uses time otherwise spent studying;
Merriam-Webster dictionary Never 2.5 Seldom 8.0 Occasionally 37.1
provided definition, it is, in some Frequently 52.4 drinking impedes next‐day learning in
aspects, a frank and realistic To have a good time?
perspective of the reality of college Never 2.9 Seldom 8.7 Occasionally 37.5 class or, when studying, by affecting
in the United States. While every Frequently 51.0.
student at a college or university When you have no classes or other memory retention; and personal and
spends countless hours doing obligations the next morning?
fast-approaching research papers Never 9.2 Seldom 21.2 Occasionally 42.7 interpersonal problems resulting from
and homework assignments, and a Frequently 26.9
large percent dedicate time to To get drunk? heavy drinking may make it difficult to
participating in a club sport, varsity Never 6.2 Seldom 13.7 Occasionally 43.4
sport, greek life organization, the Frequently 36.7 focus on school work.”(Howland) Even
arts, or a student life organization, To be part of a group? (eg, to be
there are also countless hours spent accepted, fit in, not feel left out) more so, the National Institute on
partying in higher education. I’ll be Never 59.2 Seldom 29.1 Occasionally 9.5
the first to say that condemning Frequently 2.2 Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
partying and drinking is not realistic
for most people attending college, Public and Community Health departments to reported that the frequency of these
and truly it can be a great way to study college freshmen, their motives for
bond with friends and let loose after drinking, and their risk for prolonged alcohol academic consequences happens in a
a long week of classes, but alcohol abuse. It is well know that freshmen in their
abuse and dangerous activities are first semester of college are vulnerable for great quantity of students, “About 1 in 4
rampant in college parties and can heavy drinking and alcohol-related
have especially dire consequences consequences because of student expectations college students report academic
on college freshman who are put and social pressures at the start of the
under more pressure being new to academic year. Social pressures can range from consequences from drinking, including
college life. As a college freshman, Greek organizations, sports, clubs, and other
participating in a varsity sport and organizations that encourage drinking as a missing class, falling behind in class,
being a part of multiple passage into the social circle. Even if an
organizations otherwise, keeping all organization does not expressly encourage doing poorly on exams or papers, and
the work required for each in drinking, the peer pressure to do so lies in the
addition to my school work is a very fact that a majority of bonding time with the receiving lower grades overall.”(NIAAA)
delicate balance that threatens to group involves a party with alcohol present.
topple over every day. Deciding to Besides a student’s health, this study found Everyone is aware of the negative
go out during the weekends with my that students who drank frequently often
friends is a great way to escape sacrificed attendance in class, homework effects of drinking and often do so
from these pressures for a couple completion and grades on quizzes or exams.
without regard to those consequences.

Unfortunately, for college students it is

even more crucial to take those

consequences into account because the

repercussions can be so significant,

“Death About 1,825 college students

between the ages of 18 and 24 die from

alcohol-related unintentional injuries,

including motor-vehicle crashes.3

Assault About 696,000 students

between the ages of 18 and 24 are

assaulted by another student who has

been drinking.4 Sexual Assault About

97,000 students between the ages of 18

and 24 report experiencing

alcohol-related sexual assault or date

rape.”(NIAAA)

Even with all this evidence college

drinking is not likely to go away anytime

soon and as I aforementioned it can be

a great way to make with friends and

let loose after a long week of classes, as

long as you set precautions to keep

yourself and your friends as safe as

possible. 20

Articles about School

College students decided to think about the things that
matter most to them. We then researched these topics
in order to educate others on what affects us in college.

21

Adjusting to College

By Patrick Yule

Every year, millions of students will challenges that come along with it.. One
arrive on their respective campus, ready to of the initial umbrella questions the forty
take on the social and educational respondents were asked was, “On a scale
challenges that will face them over the of 1-10, how well do you feel that you’ve
upcoming years. Many of these students transitioned to academics and college life
are confused or nervous about what here in Geneseo?” I found that the
college will bring. Whether it be the average answer was somewhere around
increase in difficulty of classes or trying 7.25 which could definitely be considered
to figure out the best way to properly a positive response. About 45% of
manage their time, many students will respondents were from smaller towns in
have a little bit of a bumpy road adjusting upstate and western NY, while the other
to their newfound home. As a method of 55% were from varying higher population
research for this article, I administered a areas in NY such as Long Island, New
questionnaire to many students here on York City, Buffalo, Albany, along with
campus at SUNY Geneseo in an attempt others. Only about 8% of respondents said
to measure how a lot of the freshman here that they felt that they had perfectly
have adjusted to these challenges that adjusted to life here. The other 92% of us
they have to face on a daily basis. Another had encountered issues with properly
portion of this questionnaire was created adjusting. The most common response
with the intent of identifying any different was 7. Many respondents seemed to have
challenges or opinions that are mainly had struggles when it came to time
unique to kids from higher population management. One of the more detailed
areas and to those from smaller towns as responses when asked this was, “I’ve been
well. The main subjects that are being able to adjust a little bit, but I’m still
monitored for different answers in struggling with timing all of my work and
relation to the area people grew up in are also remembering to also eat and sleep.”
how well they feel that they have adjusted Many students had similar responses, and
to college, and also if they feel there were also a decent amount of
inconvenienced by the small town setting students who said that the expectations in
here in Geneseo. There are also many the grading category were going to take a
subjects that were included in the decent amount of adjusting,
questionnaire to basically just get an idea “Expectations of grades from high school
of how members of the freshman class to college are wildly different…”
have adjusted to college and the Personally I can agree with this concern.

22It’s very interesting how the dynamic

changes between high school and college. support.” (Nelson), and many students
When you think about it, all of the also have trouble learning to live on their
own.
students attending college were likely had
above an 85 average in high school, and While dealing with grades and time
the grades people get in college vary way management are both very difficult for
beyond the 85-100 range. many students, some people think that
being away from home and living on their
A lot of this range is due to own is one of the most difficult
overconfidence when people are adjustments to make. According to an
preparing for exams and the workload article on The University of Bridgeport’s
college presents. One respondent said website, two of the most typical
that the main difference between high difficulties associated with freshman year
school and college was that, “Everything in college are, “feeling homesick” and
seems to be easier until the week where “getting along with your new roommate.”
all of your big assignments are due and (Bridgeport) One of the questions
you also have two exams to deal with… included in the questionnaire was “On a
then you see that it’s not going to be easy scale of 1-10, how excited are you for the
at all.” This is also a very common winter intersession? (1- not excited, 10-
adjustment that has to be made. Nelson extremely excited) While this question
calls the time where incoming freshman doesn’t necessarily prove how homesick
are somewhat oblivious to the challenges people are, some of the explanations
that they will face the “honeymoon would lead me to believe that there are a
phase.” (Nelson) lot of people who miss things about
home. Whether it’s the food, missing old
This honeymoon phase is friends and family, many people are
something many students go through, looking forward to going home over the
“When your student first arrives at winter intersession: “I can’t wait for a
college they may experience the break from work, and I can have real food
honeymoon phase. She has made it! She and a lot of time off to have fun.” It’s very
has spent the last several years working common among freshman across all
toward this goal and it is finally schools to feel homesick when they first
happening! Everything is new and get to college: “Freshmen struggle with
exciting. She is fascinated by the novelty homesickness whether they are half an
of her experiences and enthusiastic about hour away from home or across the
the opportunities before her. The college country.” (Bridgeport)
is likely spreading the red carpet for new
students with special activities and 23

Studying in College The amount of time used to study is a key
By Katherine Austin factor when scheduling your time before exams.
A question asked by many students is how much
Studying is a technique used, but rarely time do I need to dedicate to studying in order to
mastered by successful college students. do well? In a study conducted by Ukpong and
According to Credé and Kuncel, “many freshmen George it was concluded that, “it was
college students do not possess the repertoire of recommended that students should set a study
study skills and study habits necessary to timetable long enough for effective academic
effectively cope with the academic requirement of exercises (at least two to three hours daily) for
colleges or to prepare effectively for high stakes their private study and stick to it.” While Ukpong
testing situations” (427). Although many students and George recommend two-three hours of
do not have these skills, as soon as they acquire studying nightly in order to achieve success, this
them, the students’ capacity for achievement will is a recommendation and every individual is
increase. “Several studies have shown that factors different. It is important to spend these study
such as motivation and study time have hours effectively. It would be more beneficial to
impact[ed] on students‘ achievement” (Ukpong spend the entire time clarifying topics that you do
and George 172). Studying is an important skill not yet have a strong understanding of than
that all students should strive to master. practicing topics you have already mastered. For
a comparison to the study by Ukpong and
The amount of time used to study is a key George, the figure provided by Rasmussen
factor when scheduling your time before exams. College depicts their recommendations for study
A question asked by many students is how much time. As shown in the figure, Rasmussen College
time do I need to dedicate to studying in order to recommends blocks of thirty-fifty minutes of
do well? In a study conducted by Ukpong and studying with ten minute breaks to rest. This rest
George it was concluded that, “it was period is important as it allows for the student to
recommended that students should set a study study without burning out. Another key aspect
timetable long enough for effective academic for them is to study your notes within 24 hours of
exercises (at least two to three hours daily) for hearing the new information to have the highest
their private study and stick to it.” While Ukpong rate of retention. Using your free time to study
and George recommend two-three hours of adequately before a test is an effective way to
studying nightly in order to achieve success, this ensure your success on the exam.
is a recommendation and every individual is
different. It is important to spend these study
hours effectively. It would be more beneficial to
spend the entire time clarifying topics that you do
not yet have a strong understanding of than
practicing topics you have already mastered. For
a comparison to the study by Ukpong and
George, the figure provided by Rasmussen
College

24

The way that a student studies is also Studying is an important skill that all
students should strive to master. One such skill is
ggimportant in predicting success. According to managing study time. There are two trains of
thought on this topic. The first was presented by
Credé and Kuncel, “effective studying requires Ukpong and George indicating that longer study
not only that the student possess knowledge of times are favorable. The second was presented by
appropriate studying techniques and practices Rasmussen College that stated that shorter study
(study skills), but also sustained and deliberate times with small breaks in between sessions is
effort (study motivation), self-regulation, ability favorable. Another technique considered is study
to concentrate, self monitoring (study habits), and location. We concluded that the best place to study
a sense of responsibility for and value in one’s is in a quiet environment where you are most
own learning (study attitude)” (428). Prior to comfortable such as your room or a library. The
studying, students need to first figure out what final study tool we looked into is a specific
techniques work best for them, such as doing technique. It was shown that commiting
practice problems or rewriting notes taken in information to your short-term memory is not as
class. Then, students should find a place that they effective for retention as adding it to your
are able to concentrate enough in and find the long-term memory. Studying is an important tool
effort to focus on studying in a positive manner. used throughout a student’s collegiate career.
“They should have a conducive study place.
Utilize a chair you may easily lay on for hours
and make sure that the location must be away
from distraction” (Ukpong and George 176).
Another thing to figure out prior to studying is
how much study time is appropriate. “Students
who study for long hours tend to perform better
than those who study for short study time”
(Ukpong and George 175). Another important
aspect of successful studying is using effective
study techniques. In a study conducted by UCLA,
shown in the figure to the right, two groups were
tested in order to find how to study more
effectively. The first group was given a large
amount of study cards that they studied together
eight times. The second group was given 5
smaller stacks of study cards to study eight times
each. Although, it was predicted that studying
the word pairs in separate groups multiple times
would be more beneficial, it was found that
studying the word pairs all at once corresponded
to higher exam grades (Rasmussen College). In
order to achieve success on exams, students
should figure out the best methods of studying
that work for them.

25

Eating Healthy in College
By Emily Bengart

Being a freshman in college is tough. You have to Otherwise, student’s short and long term health
deal with adjusting to living with a roommate, could be at risk.
harder classes, and trying to avoid the Freshman
Fifteen. The Freshman Fifteen is the fifteen A change in eating habits is always a hard
pounds freshmen gain when they go away to transition. Most freshmen in college are
college; something I was dreading. However, accustomed to a home cooked meal at the end of
through research I discovered that the Freshman the day, or being able to go to their kitchen to
Fifteen is not the biggest threat to new students: make themselves something to eat. Eating in
it’s poor eating habits. college is very different. You can eat in dining
halls, where the food they serve is all that is
Due to the habituary changes in available to you, or you could buy ingredients and
freshmen’s lives, their eating patterns change make your own food, however, this is expensive
drastically. Instead of eating a meal, freshmen are and time consuming. You’d have to but all the
more inclined to skip breakfast, snack more, ingredients, which can be extremely expensive on
overeat, and eat foods lacking proper nutrients a college student’s budget. Then you’d have to
(Cousineau et al., Kicklighter et al., Mithra et al.). rent pots and pans from an RA, which are
All of these eating habits are incredibly typically not the cleanest. Finally, you’d have to
unhealthy and need to be changed. cook your meal.

26

Students are so stressed and overworked, However, if a student does go to a dining hall
they don’t have time to do cook for to have a full meal, they are often overeating.
themselves. In fact, when students are When a plethora of any kind of food is
experiencing stress, they will often increase available to you, you’re gonna want to eat
their “consumption of fatty foods” anything and everything. This is beginning
(Cousineau et al.). Which is why it’s just to cause a rise in obesity and poor eating
easier for them to eat at dining halls or eat habits in college freshmen (Kicklighter et al.).
unhealthy snack. However, both of these There needs to be some sort of education
practices have been proven to have unhealthy provided to freshmen that shows them which
effects on students. foods provide what vitamins and nutrients,
how to portion themselves, and how to watch
Snacking is easy. Think about it: you their snack intake.
get back to your dorm after class, you’re tired
because you just sat through an hour lecture, So what does all of this mean for
and you stayed up until three am writing your college freshmen? Until we are provided with
paper that you waited until the last minute to nutrition education, we have to start taking
do; are you really gonna go out to a dining care of ourselves. We have to start learning
hall or make yourself some food? Or are you how to portion our own food, make sure what
gonna grab a snack and take a nap? we’re eating is healthy, and stop snacking
According to a study, 54.3% of students more than you eat real meals. It may be
would have chosen the snack (Mithra et al.). difficult at first, but it will only help our
A majority of students are choosing a health in the long run.
typically unhealthy snack over a full meal
which will sustain them longer.

27

Campus Living
By Madeline Slaski

We had performed a survey that had makes me believe that it depends on the
been based on asking students who were
mostly freshman on how they feel about person and what they are participating in.
campus living and adjusting to all the
different aspects of college. For example we Some said that they found high school and
asked what food places they enjoy on campus
and what it was like compared to eating when college life to be exactly the same others said
at home, what they enjoy doing outside of
campus and how it is their activities different they found college to be a lot more cliquey and
from home, and how they felt about the social
life and how it is different from high school. exclusive and the others which had been the
We had also asked what the hardest
adjustment when adjusting to college from most had thought that high school had been
high school had been and most of our
responses were varied but the majority [had] more cliquey and exclusive than college.
said the hardest adjustment had been being
away from friends and family and also Living on your own and away from your
making new friends and having a good social
life. We chose the questions based on what friends and family for a first time has a great
we found to be the most important aspects to
college life. We had targeted college students impact on your responsibility and it helps
mostly freshman and are going through
adjust to the college life now. From the expose your capability of being able to learn
survey we learned that most students struggle
when it comes to food had been that finding how to properly use your time and be able to
meals that they actually enjoy, or finding
enough meals to vary what they eat each day have good relationships while you are away at
had been a major struggle. Responders had
also said they found it very hard to eat school and still be able to keep up with
healthy or to be able to eat as much as they
should be eating. When I asked about everything you need to be doing.
entertainment away at school compared to
being at home many had said that they The adjustment that students go
thought there was much more to do on and
around campus but others had said there is through during this transition is a lot harder
much more to do at home because they have
access to much more. As for Social life most then parents assume it is. Website
students had very different opinions which
CollegeParentCentral.com calls it a “Culture

Shock”. One part that makes it so much

harder than it is thought to be is the load of

academic work put on these students right

away, so they extremely fatigued and get very

frustrated because they are doing everything

on their own for the very first time. While they

are feeling these frustration over all of the

work they are also dealing with going through

the changes in sleeping patterns, eating habits

and being around people who are all so new to

them. Many freshman go through a tough

period of time where they are extremely

homesick and don’t even want to be away at

school anymore. The students should attempt

to work through this and continue to work on

their time management and how to deal with

all of their classes because it is a lot different

from high school. (collegeparentcentral) 28

A website Gale Group had performed a definitely an upside to being away at school.
study to try to decipher whether your first few For how long it takes to get adjusted and to
weeks of college affect degree completion. truly feel at home and happy where you are
Moving from high school into such a different also varies depending on your experience.
atmosphere in such a short amount of time is The important thing is to know that so many
not easy for any student. Some kids struggle a go through the same struggles during this
lot with separating themselves from their high adjustment and there are so many faculty
school lives and its harder to move on and members and even other students there to
focus on adjusting to their new lifestyle. They help you or even just to talk to.
had also studied what effect social and Adjusting to College is definitely not an easy
academic experiences had on degree experience and it takes a lot of time to get
attainment. They had come to an outcome that used to your new life and feel at home away
stated the first few weeks of college and your from home. There are so many different
initial adjusting to college does have an impact aspects of your life that are changing and
on success in the end but many thing do each student varies in which aspect they
change as you go further into your studies and struggle the most with adjusting to.
throughout your years in college. According to our survey each separate issue
extremely varied with its responses. The only
There are many different changes that a question that had one single response that
student goes through as they transform from a stood out had been “Do you find more
high school student to a college student. There entertainment outside of school better or
is an increase in many different aspects worse?”. The response that most students had
including, personal freedom, responsibility, said had been they found more things to do
demand for time management, adjusting to a on and around campus so that it definitely an
new atmosphere, and a change in relationship upside to being away at school. For how long
with family and friends (counseling.dasa.ncsu). it takes to get adjusted and to truly feel at
Adjusting to College is definitely not an easy home and happy where you are also varies
experience and it takes a lot of time to get used depending on your experience. The important
to your new life and feel at home away from thing is to know that so many go through the
home. There are so many different aspects of same struggles during this adjustment and
your life that are changing and each student there are so many faculty members and even
varies in which aspect they struggle the most other students there to help you or even just
with adjusting to. According to our survey each to talk to.
separate issue extremely varied with its
responses. The only question that had one
single response that stood out had been “Do
you find more entertainment outside of school
better or worse?”. The response that most
students had said had been they found more
things to do on and around campus so that it

29

How to Stay Healthy as a College

Student

By Brigid Barstow

We all know staying active and healthy the gym you can check online for their hours
is very important, but as a college student, and special class times. Data taken from
we’re constantly bombarded with menacing Purdue University has shown that students
tasks. We find our schedules fully occupied who attend the gym more frequently have a
between doing our laundry and dishes, higher GPA average than those who don’t
working part-time jobs, and most (Neubert 1). Getting to the gym will improve
importantly, studying for our classes. both your mental and physical health, but if
Between all these tasks and more some might it doesn’t seem like an option that will work
find ourselves struggling to keep up with our for you there are many other ways to stay
physical fitness regimens. Without being healthy during college.
physically active we risk increased
susceptibility to illness, increased stress To go along with the fitness center,
levels, and most obviously muscle loss and often colleges have ice arenas and pools that
weight gain. We’re all aware of the infamous are occasionally open for students to use.
freshman 15, but how exactly can we prevent This can be a more fun and different way of
it from happening to us? getting in some physical activity. Swimming
in particular is a great choice for exercise
The most obvious way to stay healthy because it provides an all-over body workout
on campus would be to visit the fitness while taking some of the impact stress off of
center. Memberships are free for students your body. Also, according to the American
living on campus, so there’s no hurt in at Statistical Association, swimmers will burn
least signing up. Once you’re signed up for 25% more calories than runners (Kolata 1). If
that alone isn’t enough to get you in the pool,
the water of a pool disperses heat and cools
the body as you swim (Reynolds 1). Therefore,
many find it more comfortable to exercise in
the water rather than on dry land. Along
with swimming, ice skating can also be a
good source for physical activity. It has been

30

shown, that the regular practice of ice workouts in the comfort of your own
skating can have great effects on your dorm space. If you want to spice it up you
strength, flexibility, and balance (Steiner 1). could even incorporate resistance bands,
Skating focuses your muscular endurance weights, and stability balls.
and helps you burn calories as it is an
anaerobic activity (Steiner 1). The rink here Staying active can be as simple as
at Geneseo has free skate available, free to walking up and down the stairs a couple
students, daily. times, skipping the bus to walk, or biking or
jogging around campus. When taking the bus
Another way to stay healthy can be around town you could simply get off a few
through intramural and club sports. This is a stops early and walk the rest of the way to
good option because you’re more likely to your destination. During your next study or
keep up with the practices and games if Netflix marathon, pause and do some jogging
others are depending on you. They range in place, or squats. Staying active as a college
from sports you may have played in high student is much easier than you’d think. Just
school, such as soccer, hockey, and volleyball use your resources and put in the effort and
to sports you may have never heard of, like you’ll be on the road to physical fitness in no
Quidditch, broomball, and foosball. time.

If want to avoid the commitment of a
club sport, then there are still several ways
you can stay healthy while living on campus.
If you are looking for something simple, to
do on your own time, you could create a
“dorm-room workout” (McMullen 1). A
dorm-room workout is entirely customizable.
You just compose a list of simple exercises
that could be performed in your room, such
as planks, push-ups, squats, jumping jacks,
etc. (Narins 1). Then you can perform your

31

Modern Day Slavery

By Kelsey Dux

Following the Brown vs. Board of school buses would go to different areas to bring
Education decision in 1954, it was decided that
segregation within schools was unconstitutional students to and from schools outside of the
(Brown vs. Board). Although The Civil Rights Act
ten years later finally outlawed segregation as a district. This was due to the fact that many
whole, it did not lead directly influence inequity
in the streets and schools. neighborhoods, as mentioned before, were far

In fact, today’s public school system is from diverse. Therefore, integration ultimately
almost as segregated as it was in the 1960’s (A).
here has been a strong effort in the last half would have been impossible if they remained
decade working towards creating a more diverse
and inclusive society, our country suffers from within school districts. Many families, especially
inadequate progress within our schooling system.
This is due to restrictions and lack of resources in the South, were extremely resistant to this idea
available to kids who come from low income
areas that are predominantly made up of minority and it sparked hot debate. They even went as far
groups. I believe that there is an abundance of
economic, social, and political problems that as holding public protests to prevent black
reinforce this segregation. Now that we see these
statistics, we need to address why we are still students from attending their children's schools.
experiencing these issues.
Despite this, integration reached its peak in 1988,
In the 1970’s there was a new movement to
try and integrate schools. During this time many being held at 43.5% (A).
families lived in forced segregated areas. For
example, different communities would work to The success of the busing system did not
prevent any families of color from moving into
their neighborhoods. Whether it was outwardly last long. The system officially ended in
banning colored people from entering, or
directing them into areas they could not afford Charlotte, South Carolina after a few families
(Nazaryan). Despite declaring the segregation
within schools illegal, the process of integration sued. They were tired of the process and claimed
was slow. Then in 1970, around 24 years after, the
court released its ruling on school segregation. that the school district has spent enough time
This prompted the start of he process of busing
(Nazaryan). Busing could be defined as when working on integration Following this, the courts

ruled in favor of the family, therefore allowing

the school district to slowly diminish the busing

program (Nazaryan). Many schools began to

follow suite, making it the “norm” for students to

attend their neighborhood schools. The issue of

re-segregation began once again. Schools were

more integrated than in the past, but this did not

change Americans racist mindsets. As a result,

white families often moved out of neighborhoods

or school districts that were integrated, which led

to their revenue and property taxes leaving the

district as well (A). Another way white families

avoided having their children learn with their

minority peers was through funding their

educations through private and charter schools.

Black families were financially unstable in 32

comparison to their white counterparts because legislatures. This process is known as
they were building upon their ancestors being
enslaved and then overcoming sharecropping. As gerrymandering (Ingraham). Since the state
a result, white families were able to move their
kids to other schools and play the system and legislatures are in charge of where the lines are
integration efforts. If you look at the average
amount of integrated schools in 2011, it stands at drawn, they use this as a political advantage; not
23.3%. This number is astoundingly similar to the
number held in the 1960’s (A). In fact New York only do politicians use this process to sway the
state is the state with the most segregated
schools (A). amount of constituents who support their party

Contributing to this would be within their district, but they ultimately decide
self-segregation. This happens as a long-lasting
effect of segregation when it was legal. Moreover, which schools the children of those families will
the North never officially had to desegregate like
South did. Due to the difference in the attend. A friend of mine recently disclosed to me
hemisphere’s approach during reconstruction,
the North has many signs that segregation was that she attended a predominantly minority
never truly abolished. For example, Buffalo, New
York is one of the highest segregated cities (in school called Bronx Theater High school.
reference to areas where people live). In fact, at
the moment, Buffalo, NY is the sixth most Consequently, the only AP courses available were
segregated city in the nation. A lot of this has to
do with many immigrants who came to Buffalo U.S. History. Do you see the problem with this?
and began building communities around people
and cultures that they were familiar with. Yet, There are also schools that are referred to as
most of the areas the immigrants and minorities
live in are low income and the surrounding “apartheid schools”, because they are less than
schools which rely on their property taxes, do not
match the quality of the other schools within 1% white and therefore lack diversity. Sadly, in
Buffalo. Their suburban white counterparts of
these inner city schools have more funding and 2015, these types of schools have tripled since
have more programs available to students.A study
shows that once students have entered the 8th 1988 (A). Along with this, a book written by the
grade, Black and Latina students are usually
around three years behind their white peers in American Educational Research Journal that
reading and writing (A).Moreover, the
determination of who goes to which school, as focuses on gerrymandering of school attendance
well as which family's property taxes will support
the school is determined by which districts these zone states, “taken together, results of the
families are placed in. These districts and the
lines that shape them are determined by the state school-level analyses examining the effect of

gerrymandering on school diversity suggest that

attendance zones on average serve to suppress

the racial/ethnic diversity of schools” (American

Educational Research Journal ).

These factors, all driven through racism

have impacted the school systems, ultimately

segregating students. This has resulted in an

unequal distribution of resources and programs

in school districts across the nation. Since this

segregation is not legally enforced, but rather

supported by racist mindsets, there are acts in

place keeping minority families in low income

districts, such as through property taxesand

gerrymandering. Along with this, the stigma for

white families to separate themselves through

private and charter schools has continued in

“family legacies.” This prompts their lineage to

continue their path, which therefore contributes

to the increasing segregation within the United

States. 33

Why and What You Need to Build a PC

By Chazmin Lynch

As teenagers are becoming more invested CPU (Central Processing Unit)
in PC gaming (playing video games on a According to Vangie Beal, the central processing
computer rather than a console), they are more unit can be considered the “brain” (Beal) of your
inclined to building their own PC. By building entire build. The CPU does most of the
their own PC, gamers can play games at their calculations for the computer. The two major
most optimal level. Building your own PC does components of A CPU are the ALU (Arithmetic
not just better your gaming experience, but it can Logic Unit) and the CU (Control Unit). The
easily help with running editing, engineering, control unit “extracts instructions from memory
and design softwares. You also can upgrade parts and decodes them and execute them” (Beal). The
of your PC instead of buying a whole new one ALU would be called on during the execution
from companies like HP, Dell, and even process if it is needed. The ALU performs
Alienware. PCs are also significantly cheaper arithmetic and logical operations. The two main
than laptops with compatible specs. manufacturers of CPUs are Intel and AMD who
makes countless series to execute different tasks.
Things to keep in mind when building a PC: To differentiate what each CPU can execute, the
Just know that without setting up speed of the CPU which is measure by gigahertz
(GHz) and its thermal design power (TDP) which
properly, parts could be damaged or hard drives is measured in watts (W). Normally, the more
could even crash. Additionally, you do not have speed and wattage you want, the more expensive
warranty over your entire build, only certain the CPU will be.
parts. Additionally, check to see if the parts you
are getting have RGBs. RGBs only purpose is for CPU Cooler/Cooling System
the aesthetic of your build and can raise the price As the CPU is executing operations, it generates
of each part $100 or so. If you have the funds, by heat, and if it gets too hot, it can become severely
all means, execute your color scheme for your damaged. The CPU cooler does exactly what can
build, but you do not lose anything if you don’t.
34
When building a PC, the parts you need to buy
are:

● CPU
● CPU Cooler
● Case/Chassis
● Motherboard
● RAM/Memory
● Storage
● Video Card
● Power Supply

be inferred. It “drives heat away from the system CPUs, amounts of RAM, and power supply.
CPU and other components in the enclosure” Motherboards have a very authoritative role in
(Beal). When the CPU is cooled, the efficiency PC building and is what limits the builder to
and stability is improved. The two hardware certain parts.
types of cooling is air cooling and liquid cooling.
Air cooling uses the combination of a heat sink RAM/Memory
and a fan, blowing out the heat generated by the
CPU. Liquid cooling has liquid travel through Random access memory, or RAM for short, is
small pipes in a heat sink a draws heat away from
the CPU to a specific location in the case and exactly what it says it is, “a type of computer
releases air outside of the system. Cool liquid
comes back around and continues the cycle. A lot memory that can be accessed randomly” (Beal).
of people like liquid cooling, but if it is not
installed correctly, it could leak and ruin your The two main types of RAM are DRAM and
entire build.
SRAM. DRAM, or dynamic random access
Case/Chassis
The case, or also known as the chassis, is the memory, is mainly used for main memory. When
protector of all of your computer parts. A
computer build could obviously work and devices are told to have 8GB, 4GB, or even 16GB
execute tasks without a case, but it would be very
silly not to have one. The case protects from of RAM, they are referring to DRAM. Most of the
dust, spills, and other accidental incidents. It
also helps keep your hardware cool and helps RAM used now in modern systems is
minimize the noise generated from your cooling
system. Cases come in various sizes and colors synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and this is also
which all boils down to the builder’s preference.
Some cases are, however, better than others for known as DDR, or double data rate. DDR
reasons like ventilation of heat and location of
slots and ports. Researching always help in determines how much data the memory can
knowing what case is best for your build.
transfer in a single clock cycles. SRAM, or static
Motherboard
Just like how mothers get their children to random access memory, is more used for system
communicate and stop bickering with one
another, the motherboard does the same. The cache (pronounce like “cash”). SRAM does not
motherboard connects all of the hardware
components to a computer. The choice of your need to be refreshed so it is a lot faster than
motherboard is vital to your build since the
motherboard determines what parts you should DRAM. With more RAM installed in a PC build,
use. Different motherboards support different
the faster it will run, but it will cost a pretty

penny for two reasons: the motherboard must be

able to support higher amounts of RAM which

will cost more money, and the RAM itself is

expensive. Installing over 16GB of RAM could

cost $300+ for the RAM itself. If you are building

a gaming PC, 16GB and up is prefered since it

will be able to transfer more data at a higher

speed to avoid spikes in framerate. 35

Storage when the prices drop and rise before jumping to
Storage is used to temporarily or permanently buy a graphics card.
save digital data and information. There are two Power Supply
types of storage; volatile and non-volatile. The power supply is where you plug your PC into
Volatile storage is what RAM would be an outlet. It converts the power from an outlet,
considered. It is storage that needs to be supplied known as AC (alternating current), to useable
by power/electricity and is temporary. power, or CD (direct current). The power supply
Non-volatile storage is more permanent and does also regulates overheating by controlling voltage.
not need to be supplied by power to retain data. To determine how much power a power supply
Meaning, if you download a file and then turn can provide for the computer, its wattage is
your computer off, the file will still be there when calculated. There is a direct relationship between
you turn your computer back on. Non-volatile is wattage and the speed of your PC. Naturally, with
needed within your build and storage can range an increase in power, your PC can run faster,
from 128GB to 4TB. Prices can vary based on the however, you run the risk of overheating your
manufacturers. For a standard build, you should system, and that is where a strong cooling system
aim for 1TB. and power supply regulates that heat. The price
of a power supply can increase with a higher
Video Card/ Graphics Card wattage desired.
The graphics card is the visual aspect of a
computer. The more powerful a graphics card is, In Summary
the better it is at interpreting and rendering Building a strong PC can be quite expensive and
visual output instructions from given this list doesn’t even include a monitor, keyboard,
applications. A lot of motherboards come with and mouse. Knowing when is the right time to
built in graphics cards, but are significantly purchase and being patient is key in building a
weaker than dedicated graphics cards. According PC. Knowing how to build a PC and know the
to David Nield, “ high-end graphics cards are components of one is a great skill to have.
particularly useful for gaming and video editing” Watching videos of people building PCs would
(It Still Works) and this is very true. The more also be a great help knowing how to place the
powerful a graphics card is, the more demanding parts accordingly.
tasks can be executed. Knowing the model
number of the graphics card you are going to 36
purchase is crucial in estimating its performance.
For instance, the Nvidia GTX 1080ti graphics
card is not as powerful as the RTX 2080ti. The
more powerful a graphics card, the more
expensive it is. Along with RAM, the graphics
card is a part of your build that will run you the
most money. Graphics cards can range from
$200-$1300 and this could instantaneously
increase the price of your build. Pay attention to

The Great American Read was a way for PBS to try to find 37
America’s favorite novel. Americans were encouraged to
vote for their favorite novel. As students, we took the time

to discuss our favorites as follows.

A New Adventure

The video entitled “The Great American Read” shows how truly
important books are to so many people in America. As so many people
in the interviews said, books bring them into another world or help
them to explain their own lives. In this way, people can find and learn
about culture by simply turning pages, which is an amazing thought.
This gives a fair opportunity to everyone to be able to learn and explore
things about the world. For example, if there is someone that doesn’t
have a lot of money, he or she can learn many of the same things that
someone in a university may learn about, though it is more of a
challenge.. This, in turn, helps to put people on an even playing field.
The fact that books can pull us into other people’s worlds also makes us
able to more deeply understand the people around us and can help us
explain why people do what they do. This aspect is very important to
me because I find people fascinating, and I love learning more about the
people I do or don’t surround myself with. I appreciate that this
competition inspires people to read more of the top great American
reads. Reading these can help connect us more in that if we all
understand the outlooks of the authors of these books, we can more
deeply understand each other, which is after all, what all situations
come back to. Because my favorite author is John Green, I would vote
for any one of the books he has in the competition. My favorite book by
him is Looking For Alaska.

By: Samantha
Rosenburg

38

The Great American Read was very

The Outsiders by interesting and really showed how much
S.E. Hilton
reading means to people. The premise of
By: Owen McNally
The Great American Read is to find out

what america's favorite books are and to

compile this list into a library. Anyone

can vote for their favorite book and they

can even campaign for it. I really liked

how in the video they had different

authors, celebrities, and ordinary people

talking about why they love a certain

book, and why others should vote for it.

This in my opinion is a very effective way

to get people involved with the voting

system;, everyone has a say and it’s

supposed to be fun. Many of the books

featured in the video are classics, and

those who chose that book would talk

about memories they had about the book

and why it impacted them. One book on

this list that I personally have a

connection with is The Outsiders. I read

this book at the beginning of high school

and I really enjoyed it. Instead of writing

a paper for it, we did group projects that

focused on the themes of the book which

I liked because I’m not a great writer. The

Great American Read is also a great

reference to those looking for another

great book to read. All in all I think The

Great American Read was very well done

and informative. It’s a fun way to get

people involved with reading and a great

way to appreciate literature. 39

TV/Movie Reviews-

Students wrote about
their favorite TV Show or
Movie and discussed how

it impacted their lives

Movie Reviews

40

Wonder
By Mattie Klein

A movie that I believe perspective, allowing an older audience to
could not more connect, and provides dimension to this
perfectly fit the theme coming of age story as it doesn’t solely
of a coming of age focus on only one narrative. Another aspect
piece would be the that makes “Wonder” a coming of age story
is the following of Campbell’s monomyth
movie “Wonder” adapted from a book of the theory which R.J. Palacio follows to a tee
same title written by R.J. Palacio. This and is a classic example the steps in
movie explores a narrative of a different sort coming of age. While I’m sure not everyone
as it revolves around a 10-year-old boy is familiar with, proves the dynamism of all
named August Pullman (Jacob Tremblay), characters involved as according to
usually called Auggie, who begins his Campbell’s theory, a hero never returns
coming of age story at the start of his home after a call to adventure, Auggie’s
middle school career. What sets his story new life as a middle schooler the same. For
apart is his rare medical condition which, the cast, the majority of which are under
after dozens of surgeries and cosmetic fixes, the legal age for driving, with few
leaves him still disfigured and to middle exceptions like Julia Roberts and Owen
schoolers being the odd looking one never Wilson, the spot-on acting and overall
puts you in the running for the popularity presentation filled not only me but my
contest. The movie revolves around his entire family, including the stone cold
struggles adjusting from a homeschooled emotions of my older brother, with joy and
safe environment to the treacherous and kid-like imagination. While this particular
often temulchuous switch to a foreign story offers the familiar lessons of refusing
middle school environment. In addition, the to fall under peer pressure, striving with
movie often switches point of view to individuality and balancing the good with
Auggie’s sister’s, Via Pullman, perspective. the bad, its refreshing diversity and
Her story involves the sudden and cinematography adds to this new twist on
unexplained loss of a best friend, to living in all those ideas aforementioned and on your
the shadows of her brother’s spotlight, to traditional coming of age story. Chbosky,
new adventures with a high school boy. previous director of teen hit “Perks of
Via’s strong, independent, and big sister Being A Wallflower”, delivered a new
personality allows for a break from Auggie’s standard for coming of age stories that I
hope are not too far in the future.

41

The television series Orange is The New the audience to not only sympathize, but
Black follows the lives of different women in some ways relate with the characters.
as they carry out their sentences in a private Moreover, the show addresses the issues
prison. The show not only focuses on the of not just the people, but the place where
present issues these women face, but the they live. Private prisons are notorious for
hardships that they have encountered their inhumane treatment; they tend to be
whole life. In some episodes, the show understaffed, and the staff they do have
would flashback to past moments in a are undertrained. Within the show, pieces
specific character’s life that heavily of these problems are addressed as we
impacted them. These flashbacks depict the witness these ladies everyday lives.
inmates while they are still free, young, and Especially in the last season, after a black
figuring out the many challenges life has inmate was killed by a CO, the inequality
thrown at them. In a way, these episodes are and horrific quality of life the inmates
including the inmates own coming of age have endured were more boldly
stories, as they navigate the personal addressed. All of these factors combined
struggles that led up to their incarceration. make this show a great platform for social
This helps to humanizes the characters, justice issues, as well as personal
showing that they are more than their hardships, to be brought to the attention of
crimes; they are also real people whose the young viewers who are dedicated to
paths landed them behind bars. This allows this television show.

By Kelsey 42
Dux

To Be Fat Like Me

By Jillian Doyle

The movie To Be Fat Like Me plays on the coming of age narrative in a
new and unique way. This movie is about a 17-year-old popular, athletic
high school girl who transforms herself into a 250-lb student in summer
school for a documentary film contest. The purpose of this film was to
convey how people in today’s society place an emphasis on appearance, and
highlight the ridicule and harassment faced when someone doesn’t meet
society's standards. Throughout the movie, Aly emphasizes hanging out with
the popular crowd and sticking to the strict boundaries of eating healthy.
Her obsession with keeping fit and slim stems from her mother and her
brother, who are both overweight. This influences her decision to make

the documentary about the stigma
overweight individuals face daily. At the
beginning, she associates obesity with
not trying hard (although she looks up
to her younger brother and believes he
should be treated with respect). With the
help of her neighbor’s knowledge of
prosthetics and a fat-suit to transform
her into an overweight teen, she attends
a summer school where no one knows
her.

43

Atypical

By Julie Ambinder

I recently saw the TV show, Atypical. This depiction of a boy with autism by
show stood out to me as a coming of age show for demonstrating several characteristics of
several reasons. Atypical is about an autistic someone who is on the autistic spectrum,
teenage boy who is navigating his way through revealing how talented the actor who played
school, friendships, and dating. The main Sam is. Another character who I felt was
character, Sam, is learning what it means to “fit played by a very talented actor was Sam’s dad,
in” in society. He sees a therapist who helps him Doug, played by Michael Rapaport. Sam’s dad
with his social anxiety and helps him feel more has tried to be close with his son ever since
comfortable with himself. Sam tries to use his Sam was a young boy, but never felt as if he
exceptional knowledge of animals to relate to was able to connect well with him. Doug has
people he likes. While it came off as strange to always made a strong effort, but always felt
some, he was doing everything he could to try and that they had conflicting interests and that
connect with the people around him. He was whenever he would try and relate with his
exceptionally smart and found specific topics very son, Sam would resist. However, throughout
interesting. His interest in animals and the show, Sam showed more of an interest in
knowledge about them is what sets him apart becoming close with his dad, and Doug was
from his peers, because he uses his knowledge to very happy to see this happen. Their
try and connect with others. For example, Sam’s relationship continuously progressed,
therapist told him that he needs to try and make a showing improvement in Sam’s behavior,
strong effort in understanding how others feel, since he was able to form stronger
not only how he feels. He responded by saying relationships with those close to him.
that humans are too complex and their emotions
are too hard to understand. Sam then said that he The short, one season series, taught me
wished humans were more like penguins, because a lot with each episode. I was able to
penguins are much easier to understand. I found understand how difficult it is for people with
this conversation interesting because it clearly autism to feel as though they are accepted and
demonstrated how Sam has much harder time living as normal of a life as their peers. It is a
understanding everyone than most others do. perfect coming of age show because it
demonstrates how his friends who don’t have
I was very impressed with the acting in this autism are growing up and having a much
show. The main character, Sam, is played by Keir easier time with it than he is. It also shows
Gilcrist, who is not autistic in real life. I found how Sam is growing up, but in a much
that out only after finishing the show, and was different way. I highly recommend this show,
very shocked about it. Gilcrist portrayed a very as it is very entertaining.
accurate
44

The One-Room Schoolhouse

“The One Room Schoolhouse” by Jim Heynen is a collection of
over one hundred short stories from the perspective of a
pre-adolescent child from a rural area growing up without many
of the luxuries that we take for granted today. The kids in the
story didn’t have television or various electronics to entertain
themselves, so they had to come up with their own ideas to have
fun. The book also shows the growth of this child throughout the
story in somewhat of a “coming of age” theme. This is done
through showing the new responsibilities that the child gained
throughout the book as well as the loss of innocence that the
child encountered through death of those close to him and
realizing that the world isn’t just playing around in a silo or a
barn.

In our college INTD 105 class, we were assigned a book review
on this piece. These reviews were mainly based around finding the
themes that Heynen attempted to incorporate in his stories about
the main character’s childhood. Included in these main themes
were curiosity, cruelty, and the innocence that the child had at
the start of the book that slowly disappeared as he grew up...

45

Curiosity: The coyote showed up
because he wanted more food.
The theme of the curiosity When they headed back after
that children have was on display finding the coyote, they figured
throughout many of the stories in that the best idea would be to tell
the book. Some of these stories their parents so they could get rid
were The Coyotes are Coming of the coyote. One student’s
Back, What If?, and Box Elder response depicted the curiosity
Bugs. that was shown during this story:

The story titled The Coyotes “The boys would become
are Coming Back detailed when very curious and go searching in
the boys heard a coyote howl from the woods for the coyote. Every
the woods. However, they were trip that they made, they left food,
assured that all of the coyotes in and it always ended up being
the town had been taken care of gone the next time that they
with traps and other various ways returned into the woods. The last
to kill the creatures. The boys time, the coyote appeared to be
weren’t willing to accept what waiting for the boys to come back
they’ve been told, so they and give it more food. When the
continued to go investigate in the boys saw the coyote, one of them
woods and to see if the coyote was said, "Wow! Look at him! Look at
there. They ended up not finding those ears! Look at those legs!"
the coyote, but they decided to (175). They had never seen an
leave food behind to draw out the animal bigger than a coyote on
coyote. The next time that they their farm up until that point.”
checked the woods, the coyote
was right there for them all to see. 46

B

Curiosity: “Similarly, in What If, the boys
curiously wonder about the
Another story that the theme of effects of their actions on the
curiosity appeared in was What greater world around them. “What
If?. In this story, the boys were would happen if you lit a fire in
curious as to what would happen the haymow, took one of these
if they lit hay on fire and if they’d matches and lit the hay here by
be able to put it out safely, or if the door, then sat in the door and
they’d have to call out for help or yelled Fire! (192)” The boys wonder
yell fire to get an adult to do it for this and more, fantasizing about
them. Then they found a BB gun putting out fires and eventually
and figured that they’d try to playing with a shotgun. When the
empty it. They successfully men on the farm find the gun, they
removed the BBs and the wad of are alarmed at first before
paper, but they couldn’t seem to “..reliving for an instant their own
get the gunpowder out. Their next boyhoods--remembering the tree
attempt to remove the powder led that fell the wrong way, the rope
them to hammer a shell into the they almost didn’t get loose from a
gun. When the adults found the friend’s neck…(193)” and other
loaded weapon, they recalled dangerous incidents that
some of their past experiences occurred when they were children.
that almost lead to them losing This parallel between the men and
friends, and then they worked up the boys show the timeless plight
the anger to scold their kids for of curiosity, and sometimes the
putting a live shell into a shotgun.
A student’s response detailed the 47
usage of the theme of curiosity in
this story:

Curiosity:

dangers that come of it.
Curiosity is also a large

theme in the story Box-Elder Bugs.
One student response that
showed the curiosity in this story
was, “In the story “Boxelder Bugs”
the boys ask themselves “How
many box elder bugs do you think
are crawling on this tree?” (66).
Which led them to climbing
around the tree and counting how
many box elder bugs there were.
They knew it was a stupid
question, like asking how many
grains of sand there are on a
beach, but they still committed to
finding the answer… they did
discover an answer to another:
what do boxelder bugs taste like?”

48

Cruelty: The boys had grown up
around a lot of animals being
Continuing with Heynen’s killed on their farm, so it wouldn't
short stories in The One Room be surprising if they didn't
Schoolhouse, the theme of cruelty necessarily value the lives of these
was extensively commented and animals quite as much as
analyzed by our class. Cruelty someone who didn't live on a farm
played a large role in the would”. Now this scene is quite
anecdotes as ways in which the graphic to most of us but as this
farm boys learned the directions student mentions these kinds of
of their moral compass’ and came actions are not so uncommon.
into maturity. For anyone
currently in their own coming of Another student furthers this
age this book offers an outside story with their analysis of the
perspective that allows us to consequences of this kid’s actions,
contemplate on our actions. “the abuse of the innocent chicken
reflects the ignorance of the boy.
A story that strongly revolves The boy doesn’t understand that
around cruelty and the your morals rely on your own
didacticism from committing conscience ceaselessly doing
those cruel actions is One Dead what is right. By holding true to
Chicken. As one student your morals, you will in turn better
commented, “In this story, the boy yourself. The cruelty involved in
ends up killing a chicken by each of these stories allows for
drowning it in syrup for no reason. the boy to reflect upon his own
He also felt no remorse when he, conscience in the hope to
"stuck it head first into a gallon change.”
syrup can full of water." (100)

49

Cruelty:

A additional comment by a farmhands, 1940s . BY AZRAEL BROWN
student on One Dead Chicken
perfectly represents the didactic This book helps us realize the
ability of these stories, “he is lesson learned by each
curious to see what the perspective and side of cruelty
punishment would be if he broke and grow from it.
any of these rules. As a result, he
goes against what would be 50
considered good and kills a
chicken to see the effect of
breaking the rules. However, since
the deviant act was done in
private, there was no visible
impact other than a hidden dead
chicken- leaving the boy even
more perplexed than he was to
begin with.” These stories find
their relatability despite being set
in a foreign time and environment
because we all experience these
learning moments. We have all
found ourselves being the victims
of cruelty, the one committing the
cruelty, or one standing by and
watching something cruel.