We'll listen to Michael Jackson's song, "Heal the World."
For a while when September 11, rolled around people asked, where were you? I don't think any of us have ever forgotten. Seated among us are many young men and women who have been overseas fighting a war begun by President George W. Bush after 9/11.
President Saddam Hussein is gone--a literal off with his head. President Obama got Osama bin Laden, but without a body who's to say that was really him. The man eluded us for years. One hung the other shot and buried at sea.
With the "bad guys" gone, why is peace seemingly farther away that before? Is the sun rising in the west? Have I been praying in the wrong direction, is that how I missed the rising sun and its brilliant decline all these turbulent days since?
So what are your thoughts? How can we as Jackson sings, "Heal the world? Make is a better place for you and me and the entire human race?"
Post your responses here.
The plan for today is:
1. Freewrite
2. Review thesis sentence development
3. Group discussions on two stories by stories
4. Write essay 3-4 paragraph essays. Post and email them to me.
5. Homework is already stated below.
6. Extra credit: If anyone attends an art event this weekend around the commemoration of Sept. 11 and writes about it (250 words min), you can have extra credit.
Email me the extra credit assignment and post your short essays here as well. If you take photos, send them to me too.
I am still working on the annotated assignment list. I haven't forgotten. So far, most of the writing looks good. The MLA is sloppy and as advanced students, one has to do a better proofreading job.
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15 comments:
Michael Nickaloff
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B Tue/Th, 9:00-10:50am
September 8, 2011
"Heal the World" is an inspirational musical piece, inspired by the events of September 11th, 2001. The song's main purpose is to pass along a message of peace.
The songs words are geared towards intercepting the negative opinions which were already manifesting themselves locally before they became too popular to defeat.
"The screen play sent a strong message of unity and diversity. I believe that showing various people from around the world "(revealing their) Joyful Face(es)" will help those who would aim to destroy that to realize the error of their ways. In conclusion, the song wants people to realize that "There are People Dying", and furthermore aims "To Make (the world) a Better Place".
Jiwon “June” Yee
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B Tuesday/Thursday, 9:00-10:50 A.M.
September 8, 2011
“Heal the World” Response
Michael Jackson’s song, “Heal the World” is about his hopes and dreams to help make the world a better place by bringing it to global harmony. It is also telling people that it also rides on the future generations as their voices matter and how they can be the ones to make a real change. This is an important notion as he wants people to basically live in the world the way it should be to show it what it can be.
This basically counts on people’s actions as nothing can be changed if they just sit still and do not choose to take action. Jackson sings “there are ways to get there/if you care enough for the living” because one should really care and help people because people should not suffer as they do. It is about doing things because all that matters is what people do in the grand scheme of things. The state of the world is not in a good place at the moment and it is harsh and cruel, but if there are people that care and want to make a change in it, than one kind act could make all the difference in the world.
It is so much about people doing things and taking real action to lead by example in doing these acts of kindness. Jackson also sings “we could fly so high/let our spirits never die/in my heart I feel you are all my brothers/create a new world with no fear/together we’ll cry happy tears/see nations turn their swords into plowshares”. If people start living in the world the way they want it to be with their kindness, then others will follow suit because they will see and have hope that the world can be that sort of place that is full of kindness and that it can be good.
Jackon, Michael. "Heal the World". Dangerous. Epic. 1992.
Tia Gangopadhyay
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 201 B 9-10:50 AM
8 September 2011
September 11, Ten Years Later
I was in third grade when the terrorist attacks changed our country forever. September 11th altered our country’s mentality. No longer can the United States remain naïve to the hatred in the world; no longer can the United States remain in blissful ignorance. After September 11th, the United States focused on protecting our country from the dangers overseas: creating coalitions, preparing an army, in other words abating violence with violence. From Anthrax in the mail to scattered bombings across the states, the terrorist attacks have not diminished. Michael Jackson’s song, “Heal The World” calls attention to the fact that instead of mourning the innocent victims who perished on 9/11, we should heal the world because “if you care enough for the living, make a better place for you and me” (Jackson). He emphasizes this point by dedicating six stanzas to convey it.
Citizens all around the country live in constant fear. When will the next terrorist attack occur? Where? How many will die? What can we do in the face of such evil? Jackson answers these questions by writing that love is powerful enough for us to not suffer terror or anxiety (Jackson). Fear does not overcome hatred, and neither does violence. While we can not turn back the clocks of time and gain our innocence back, we must realize that love is the only answer for overcoming fear, hatred or violence. We can spread love by donating, caring for the helpless, sacrificing for those less fortunate than ourselves, and making others’ lives more beautiful in whatever way we can.
Finally, Jackson leaves us with the thought that we must heal our world for the future generations that will follow us (Jackson). For it is not simply our duty to create a world of love and peace for ourselves but for the future as well. We must do all that we can so that there are no repetitions of the past, no marred future of re-making history’s mistakes. We need to save our world from the tragedies and terrorism that unfortunately plague our world. Following the footsteps of great civil activists and overall good Samaritans, we must “Heal The World.”
Work Cited
Jackson, Michael. "Heal The World." LP. Vinyl Records, 1989-1991.
Alexander Jung
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 201 B 9:00-10:50
8 September, 2011
Response to “Heal The World”
In the song “Heal The World,” by Michael Jackson, Jackson sings a reoccurring line “Heal The World. Make it a better place for you and for me and the entire race” (Jackson 1). If one takes the time to think of ways we can help the world and make it a better place there would be numerous ways that we could accomplish this. In order to make the world a better place the people need to end the pain and suffering and find love in one another.
During the song Jackson says the line “Se the nations turn their swords into plowshares” (Jackson 1). In my eyes Jackson is referring to the war and violence that is happening across the world. In order to make the world a better place, people all over the planet have to find a way to stop the bloodshed that takes place. If we can set aside our differences with one another then we can find peace in this world which would make this a better place.
Another thing that people can do to make this a better place is to love one another. Jackson in his song sings the lines “love is strong it only cares” and “love’s enough for us growing so make a better world” (Jackson 1). Jackson is referring that the people in the world need to show love for one another in order to create a better future for everyone. People in this world generally love those who are close to them but if people can love a stranger as they would as a family member then we might be able to find that way to make this a better place.
If we can find peace and love in this world then we will be able to create the place that Michael Jackson’s song conveys. In time we might be able to accomplish this but it is up to us, the human race, to strive for this goal as a whole.
Work Cited
Jackson, Michael. "Heal The World." LP. Vinyl Records, 1989-1991.
Nick Malecek
Professor Sabir
English 1B 9:00-10:50am T/Th
7 September 2011
Heal The World Freewrite
What is a better world? What would need to be changed for our world to improve? This can be subjective, but there are things are inherently good. Michael Jackson shares his vision of a better world in the aptly named “Heal the World”. As the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center approach, this is something that should be in our thoughts, and Mr. Jackson’s words seem more appropriate than ever.
So what have we achieved since that fateful day on 9/11, 2001? The mark left by the attacks have hardly healed for America, and for many who were directly involved it will never heal. People are still losing their lives as a result of our military presence in the Middle East. There have been numerous terrorist attacks in the years since 9/11. To me this does not “Make a better place, for you and for me” as Michael Jackson sings in his song. So what can we do to make our collective societies better? It isn’t a simple issue, and there is no quick fix. Michael Jackson suggests that:
We Could Fly So High
Let Our Spirits Never Die
In My Heart
I Feel You Are All
My Brothers
Create A World With
No Fear
Together We’ll Cry
Happy Tears
See The Nations Turn
Their Swords
Into Plowshares
What this boils down to is philosophy. We could easily make a better world, but every single person in this world would need to align their philosophies to one that was more similar to the themes suggested in “Heal The World”. If it was our philosophy that death was a terrible thing no matter the circumstances and we genuinly appreciated human life (Jackson, Heal the World) then it would not happen, because we wouldn’t let it happen. It’s as simple as that.
Back to reality, it does not seem likely that everyone would change their philosophy so abruptly. What they can do is listen to “Heal the World” and take the message to heart, especially during the coming rememberance of September 11th.
Works Cited
Jackson, Michael. “Heal the World”
Jacob Stabler
Professor Wanda Sabir
8 September 2011
English 1B
Free write for 11 September: 10 years later
I had an interesting conversation last night with my speech professor, Mr. Marinaro, about the meaning of a dictator and what justifies such a title. We talked initially about Adolf Hitler and then moved to Saddam Hussein. We then discussed former president George Bush. How this man walks free and hasn’t been put on trial for crimes against humanity was beyond our comprehension.
During Bush’s presidency he started two wars, with no permission from congress, that would see the deaths of almost a quarter million people and cost over three trillion dollars to date. He then cut taxes on the wealthiest people in the country and deregulated banks, causing the biggest economic meltdown since The Great Depression. He also issued the incredibly unconstitutional Patriot Act, stripping the rights of Americans to protect the rights of Americans.
If Bush would have just listened to Michael Jackson’s song Heal the World, perhaps our country wouldn’t be preparing for a road warrior apocalyptic wasteland. “In my heart I feel you are all my brothers. Create a world with no fear. Together we’ll cry happy tears” are lyrics that Bush should have listened to and really thought about. He created a world of fear, threat levels and something Chris Rock calls “hatroitism”, the idea that you prove your patriotism by hating the people the government tells you to hate.
September 11, 2001 marked a dark day in American and world history. Not only were the attacks tragic for our country, they shocked the entire world. Terrorism is cowardly. It’s a sucker punch. But it doesn’t necessarily give the leader of a country the right to invade foreign soil and sprinkle what he considers “democracy” and “liberation” over other countries. A man that abuses his power and issues orders that cause the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with no permission from congress or the public is, by every definition of the word, a dictator. An evil one at that.
Joe Quattrocchi
Professor Sabir
English 1B 9:00-10:50am T/Th
7 September 2011
Heal the World Free Write
Music is a powerful form of expression, and in Michael Jackson’s song Heal the World, the imagery of death and children are used to intensify Jackson’s message that we must put an end to the hatred and violence that is so prominent in modern society.
In a world with such differing ideologies, few people have influence over such large groups, but Michael Jackson was a worldwide phenomena. Through his music, he attempted to spur a change in society by referencing topics of political and social unrest, with statements such as “there are people dying, if you care enough for the living, […] make a better place” for the rest of society. Jackson is empowering the masses to make necessary changes to our practices, embrace society. Collectively, we are not alone in this world, and so it is important to instill the values of global acceptance into the younger generations. In order to bring about these changes, we must find “a place in your heart, that is love, and [if we do] this place could be much brighter tomorrow.”
This song was created in the early 1990s, and is directly relevant to past decade. Jackson is pointing out that global tensions are snowballing into an unfortunate future for everyone. Fighting brutality with brutality is not an answer to contemporary dilemmas, we must “heal the world we live in to save it for” the generations that follow.
Works Cited
Jackson, Michael. “Heal the World”
Adetona Adewale
Professor Sabir
English 1B
08 September 2011 “Heal the World”
We need to help the world because we all live on the same planet and breath the very same air and we are all organic organisms that are extremely interconnected just like the Navi were to their planet in the Avatar movie. As well, we need to learn to see each other as one big family so that we will not allow other members of our species to suffer any longer. Moreover, we should become more understanding to our own kind and be a lot more receptive to people that are in need because God made us all the same therefore we must never forget that. In conclusion, this freewrite has taught me how to look at things in a different way and it has also broadened my horizon when it comes to analyzing a given text.
Works Cited
Jackson, Micheal. "MICHAEL JACKSON - HEAL THE WORLD LYRICS." Lyrics. Vinyl Records, 1989-1991. Web. 08 Sept. 2011. <http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/Heal-The-World-lyrics-Michael-Jackson/DA0C713A62CD341E4825688E0026EFB7
Angela Stokes
Professor Sabir
English 1B
8 September 2011
September 11, Ten Years Later
A world class video premiere on MTV I remember this song when it was released in 1992 from Michael Jacksons’ “Dangerous” album. Jackson, “The King of Pop”, showed us another world. Images of war torn countries, famine and all around suffering; things that were not shown here in the U.S. Jackson points out “There are people dying [and] if you cared enough for the living make a better place…”. As Michael has proven time and time again he believed in humanity and good will to ALL. Through songs such as, “We Are the World” (1985) a song co-written by Jackson for African Famine Relief and later works such as “Earth Song” and “Black or White” just to name a few, Jackson with his global recognition and success tirelessly advocated world peace.
Although the message of hope and peace was heard, it started to wane until the attack on the Twin Towers, September 11, 2001. Our country came together and again we were one; Christians and Jews, Blacks and Whites all suffering from loss as a common denominator. Unfortunately “…this bliss…” (Jackson) did not last long because shortly afterwards America was at war to fight “Terrorism.” (G.W.Bush) That love we all shared turned to hatred; there are some who found another reason to hate another race of people not their own. Just as was it was demonstrated amongst Native Americans, Africans, Jews, Japanese and countless others.
I would love to “see the nations turn their swords into plowshares” (Jackson) but we need to lead by example; help starts at home. Let’s start by promoting peace and not participating in unnecessary and costly wars, green living, education for everyone and not just those who can afford it. In the words of Mr. Jackson himself, “Save it for our children” is a very powerful statement, for all the positive work that Michael Jackson has done, he will truly be missed.
Works Cited
Jackson, Michael. “Heal The World” Album Dangerous, 1989-1991
Jackson, Michael. “Black or White” Album Dangerous, 1989-1991
Jackson, Michael. “Earth Song” Album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, 1995
Jackson, Michael “We Are The World” Album African Famine Relief, 1985
Arjmand Khan
Professor Sabir
Eng 1 B
11 September 2011
"Heal The World"
The song “Heal The World” gives audience the message that they should make the world a better place by using repetition and by making the song more emotional as it progresses.
I think this song is about needy in general. When I hear this song, it reminds me of the third world countries specifically maybe because of this line, “There Are People Dying” (Jackson). Michael Jackson uses repetition a number of times to address the main points. In many places, we see the following lines, “Heal The World/Make It A Better Place/For You And For Me/And The Entire Human Race” (Jackson). These lines are not as emotional as the entire song but it keeps on reminding the readers to make the world a better place which is what the song is about.
Jackson seems to be using emotional appeals all over the song. He focuses on the negative aspects first that are happening in the world and then uses hope to aspire the audience.
Towards the end, the song gets more emotional. This has an emotional effect on the listeners and it is intended to encourage listeners to “Heal The World” (Jackson). The lyrics also get very repetitive towards the end since Jackson wants the audience to remember the important parts and to focus on them which are also the main idea of the song.
Work Cited
Jackson, Michael, "Heal The World"
Arjmand Khan
Professor Sabir
Eng 1 B
11 September, 2011
I think Joe pretty much summarized what I thought but didn't include in my response.
"Fighting brutality with brutality is not an answer to contemporary dilemmas, we must “heal the world we live in to save it for” the generations that follow."
Unfortunately, some people still over look the easy way to deal with issues and end up using force instead of showing empathy.
Crap, I thought I blogged this days ago. Apparently, I only emailed it to Prof. Sabir.
Tien Hardin
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1B Tuesday/Thursday 9-10:50 AM
7 September 2011
September 11, 2001 & "Heal the World" by Michael Jackson
Tien’s Response
The morning of 9/11 I turned on the TV before going into the kitchen. A man friend had spent the night and he turned up the volume as I made coffee. I carried the coffee to the bedroom when I heard the TV saying something about the “second tower”. I sat on the bed, looked at the TV and was about to ask, “What are they talking about?” But, before I could finish the question I saw the videos of the first tower speechless, and then the second being crashed into by airplanes. At first I didn't know what to make of it, until I heard the nervous tension in the reporter’s voice. My body reacted as though this was a personal attack on a family member and I felt fear, shivering. My man friend stroked my hair to calm me as we continued to watch the towers, then the Pentagon and then flight 93 exploding over and over again. I watched frozen . . . in complete confusion. “What is happening?” I couldn't understand what I was seeing. I was 32 years old.
While I struggled to absorb what we were hearing and seeing there was a pounding at my door. It was my downstairs neighbor. Upon opening the door she began with, “You half breed bitch! Your sinful sex woke me up.” In shock, with a whisper I replied softly that we were not having sex and asked did she know what is happening in New York. Not answering and emanating hate as she walked away saying loudly that I “need Jesus”. Why does she hate me? Why do these terrorists hate Americans?
“Heal the World” by Michael Jackson soothes my spirit, reminding me that not everyone is a hateful person or a terrorist. The song encourages me to keep hopeful, acknowledge those who do make the world a better place, practice kindness, to be non-judgmental and to teach my daughter the same.
Angela Stokes
Professor Sabir
English 1B
11 September 2011
10th Annual Webster Street Jam
So the event I attended Sunday had its ups and downs. It started on Lincoln Street and ended on Central all within walking distance of my home. You had your large vendors like Otaez and Walgreens and you had your smaller ones that sell jewelry, clothes, pet products, hats you name it and it was probably there. I brought my youngest daughter and her friend who both rather enjoy traveling with me. Some other children there however didn’t quite feel the same way, the looks on these poor children’s faces said enough. They are dragged along in the hot sun and told not to touch anything, don’t wonder off, no they can’t have soda; what a drag! Luckily Alameda Pinball was there with their machines available free of charge for the children to play. Some other things were available to kids as well but if you’re a parent like me, paying astronomical amounts for games and a go-round in the “jumpy house” is just ridiculous. I understand one of the ways for the City of Alameda to make money is to charge vendors a fee to set up and hock their homemade goods, but at what time is it ok to charge 200% above average cost?
People watching is most exciting for me, you tend to learn a lot just by looking. I am always happy to see mixed race couples; same sex couples all going about with their pets and children. One gentleman in particular brought his Great Dane; now there is a dog breed you don’t see often. Above all else, I did enjoy the food; falafels, polish dogs, kettle corn and all the typical festival goodies in one place. Otaez as I mentioned before was there and as always the tacos were delicious. My problem was medium temperature food on a hot day, coupled with my already touchy stomach cut my planed few hours into around hour and a half. Luckily I was able to catch Hula Dancers before we left. All and all I am glad to have made it and plan on going to this annual event again next year maybe I will see the sites first then eat.
Melvin Arquero
Prof. Sabir
English 1B 9-10:50
8 September 2011
The late Michael Jackson's song, "Heal the World" encapsulates the sentiment Americans felt after the terrible attacks in 9/11. It brings up a key ideal that is seemingly intangible and unattainable: Peace. After the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center towers, it is fitting to say that America has never been the same. Thousands of innocent lives were taken, and with that, came children, wives, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends deprived of a loved one. As the towers collapsed into the ground, so did the American feeling of security. It took away a litany of things out of Americans and much of the world, who, too, helplessly watched America get shaken into shambles.
In the song, Michale Jackson tells the listeners, "Heal the world, make it a better place." In such a dismal catastrophe such as the 9/11 attacks, how could one even possibly bear the idea of peace? With an attack rooted from hatred and pure evil, how can peace and love arise? Just days after the attacks, America quickly planned for retaliation and declared war on Iraq. Now, the world moved even farther away from the very idea of the song. With the war came even more terror, with thousands of civilian lives taken, including American, Iraqi, and Iranian soldiers. For a decade now, America has ensued a war that seemed to have no end, and along its way, found Iran-- a country which had nothing to do with the "terrorist" attacks. This single terrorist attack ignited a dominoe effect onto the world, catalyzing for a war and the loss of thousands of lives.
It is difficult to seek peace when the world is fueled with anger, hatred, and the desire for revenge. Instead, the polar opposite arises and brings out horrid images and events. With the mindset of American society today, how can peace ever be achieved?
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