05/16/19

Displacement

(this is a month late because I read the date wrong)

I feel uneasy

It’s difficult to put into words.

I’m having trouble breathing

And these thoughts only get worse.

Theres a tense pressure on my chest

While my mind is a mess.

But yet, still,

I can’t express

Exactly how im feeling when i am asked.

“It’s just nerves, snap out of it”

I wish i could.

“Why are you so scared”

I don’t know.

“What’s wrong with you?”

I’m not sure.

Theres a disconnect between my mind and my body

No one sees it, but i feel it.

Mind blank, body shaking.

Mind everywhere, body still.

Overthinking

Being told i do this to myself because “im so negative”

Bawling my eyes out but i can’t point out what exactly made me react like that.

Why am i freaking out over something that happened 3 years ago?

Why do i run away from people and crowds?

Why do i like being alone?

Why am i always cancelling plans with people i love and instead stay home?

It’s okay, you’re okay.

Focus on your breathing

You’re just not in the best state of mind right now.

Meditate

Distract yourself

It’s not your fault.

Stop blaming yourself

Stop allowing people to tell you how to and how not to feel

Your may not be in control of your feelings right now,

But you will be.

This will pass,

It’s just an anxiety attack.

04/7/19

Displacement Clip

https://youtu.be/OI1XzRmojQE

 

Here is a clip from my favorite movie, “León: The Professional.” Matilda, the little girl with the short hair, was in constant danger considering the fact that her father was a drug dealer. However, she was always fearless and wise. She was not like any regular girl her age. She grew up in a household where she was exposed to drugs, arguments, and violence. She smoked cigarettes, didn’t go to school, and  answered the phone when her school called because her step-mother didn’t care. The only love she had in her life was her 4 year old little brother.

In this scene, we see how Matilda reacts to her life turning a complete 180. She walked home from the deli to find that her whole family was killed by drug dealers, including her little brother. We see her hold in her tears because that is the only person she genuinely cared about. Having no idea who to expect, she proceeded to walk to the apartment where León, a stranger who she has never truly met, lives in. León opens the door and allows her in.

Not only was she displaced by being different compared to people her age, but she was displaced physically since she lost the only people she knew; her family. She now has to stay with a complete stranger who was kind enough to let her in. Although his actions were good, she took a risk because she doesn’t truly know his intentions.

03/10/19

Gentrification

Questions:

  1. Does gentrification increase or decrease the population in a city or town?
  2. What are some reasons people might agree with gentrification?

Example:

I attended a Long Island City community board meeting and they brought up the topic of Amazon HQ2. When they presented the topic I was very intrigued because I assumed it would be a beneficial thing to the community. The presenters mentioned that this new HQ would bring in a lot of jobs for people which I was all for until I heard the opposing side. The people on the board completely changed my point of view on this. The made me aware of the fact that LIC will be gentrified even more than it is now. A healthy mix of middle-class and upper-class people are currently living there and if the HQ is placed in that location, many of the middle-class people would have to relocate.

02/10/19

3 Ideas – Displacement

  1. Being the middle child
  2. Going to my country and not being accepted
  3. having strict parents while my friends have lenient parents
02/5/19

Displacement Creative Piece

The Female System

 

By Hillary Soto

 

“Girl Power”

A phrase written on shirts, hats, and stickers.

Ironic. Isn’t it? Because we can’t even seem to stick together.

We tear each other down.

For what?

We want to be better than each other.

For what?

For validation?

For satisfaction?

It’ll leave you empty if that’s what you’re seeking for.

Whatever it is it’s not worth it.

How can you bring a sister down over a boyfriend?

My mom always told me to never fight with a girl over a boy.

“He’s just a boy.”

“There are many other men in this world, why fight over one?”

Many girls don’t understand this.

One of my favorite songs by Lana Del Rey says “This is what makes us girls, we don’t stick together ‘cause we put love first. Something that we’d die for, it’s our curse”

She’s right.

Females care more about their love life than doing their friends right.

But who’s going to be there when that boy breaks your fragile heart?

That’s right, your girls.

Look at guys and how they get along

It keeps me thinking, where did females go wrong?

For us, success is measured by which female is doing better

Why can’t just simply succeed together?

Be happy for each other

Congratulate each other

Because we all come from gorgeous, strong, mothers.

Instead of talking behind her back,

Communicate if there’s an issue and be direct.

“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.”

Females should take that to the heart because we are shady from the start.

No matter how much you dislike a female, they have something good in them

Don’t point out the bad to make them feel bad

Don’t make other girls feel insecure because you don’t feel good about yourself

Uplift them instead, you have no idea what’s going on in their heads.

Girls, no matter who you are, or where you come from, you are a female.

A strong, independent, beautiful female.

We all have different sets of talents, skills and traits.

We also have similar things that we can relate.

So why do we make each other feel so displaced?

We have the power to do anything if we stick together

Look at these males, they’re on top of the world, they can do anything they want because they stick together.

We can do anything a male can do if we work hard enough together.

A president, you can be one.

A boss, you can be one.

Getting along, we can achieve that.

Girls are always being put down by society

So why should us, females, keep it going?

Support.

Support each other’s opinions

Support each other’s styles

Support each other’s choices

We call each other names, but don’t you realize?

We all get called the same.

Instead of the hate, we should treat each other with respect

Because who will respect us back if we don’t?

Respect starts with us.

Women are marginalized in society

which means we’ll have to work hard to accomplish equality. 

But how will we accomplish something so great, when all we are doing is introducing more hate?

Ladies, think of your actions

And think of your sisters

Because only with truth, kindness and care

We can revive the female system.

02/3/19

3 Questions on Andre Aciman’s, “Shadow Cities”

  1. Aciman placed several rhetorical questions in the beginning of the text. What purpose do you think these sentences serve?  
  2. On page 21, he emphasized what it meant to be an “exile.” Was there any moment in your life where you felt like an exile? 
  3. Which part stood out to you the most? Is there a reason this caught your attention? Did you relate to it?