Mr. Terry Said by Jose Madrigal

Mr.Terry said,

Go home and write

a page tonight.

Let your self inspire

So we can admire

Is it that simple?

I am nineteen, beaner, born in a small town in Mexico

I studied there, Then worked, and now

I am here in this High School in the big city.

The steps from the third floor leads you down

 to the main entrance, than I walk to  twenty eight ave

and ride my car to go home and sleep.

It’s difficult for me to write this paper not knowing the language well.

I don’t come from where you come, I wasn’t raise in an American school.

But now I am here.

All I did before was work. I never took the time to write.

But here I am thinking, writing and trying to apply my best.

I want  you to be impressed.

It’s not going to be as if I were white.

I just want to make it right.

Adjusting to this country is really hard

It’s just my self here, alone.

Sometimes I just go to the backyard

to think how can I be on my own.

(in response to Theme From English B by Langston Hughes)

Go home and think about war tonight by Malyun Abdullahi

Go home and think about war tonight.   
                              
I wonder if it is that simple to live in war.
Play in a place that blood spilt out.
Sit behind a chair, which a lion sits on.
try to study and go to school which hyena’s cave.
Don’t be coward when u gets there.
Be Strong and brave.
You will meet with carnivores.
Let them talk to you.
Take from there an unforgettable lesson.
Be there a while.
Try to comeback, but not be able.
Look around and see a cannibal with a big knife.
Try to escape and see your cadaver.
This was the place where I grew up.

It is easy for you to know what is true for me.
I am a young teenager, but not a full  pregnant woman.
I like to work, read, sleep but not act like you.
You do every thing for fun.
But Me,? I do it for experience.
You value skin color and money.
Me,? I value all human being.
For me, money doesn’t make me who I am.
May be for you.

You, me, and other colored should have the same rights.
That`s America.
I am colored, you’re part of me, I’m part of you.
Neither of us is a non-human being.
You respect, welcome and behave toward me in a good way.
I should do that.
Although I am an immigrant and colored, you’re always my fine white friend.
Friend, friend, friend, which is what makes a good society with love and reliance.
You should see the advantage of  being colored; me should see your advantage.
Me and you are necessary for this world.
You don’t have to forget my right and humor.
Me, and colored people will not.

Theme for English B by Salam Girmay

Mr. Terry said,

Go home and write
a page tonight
And let that page come out of you--
Then, it will be true.

I wounder if it’s that easy?
I am seventeen, the immigrant student, born in Ethiopia.
I went to church everyday there, then I would be so peaceful and happy, then here
I am going to church two days per week on the corner of 43rd Minnehaha Ave
I wake up at 05:00am and back at 12:00am from church
sit down in front of my computer, and write this page:

It’s not easy to know or describe how immigrant students feel
at seventeen, my age. But I  guess I’m what
I feel and see and hear, Ethiopia and Minnesota, I miss you:
see you, hear me -- we two -- you, me, talk on this page.
Well, I like to pray, be  thankful, respect, share, and love.
I like the coffee ceremony with neighbors,
or dance and sing Abeba Yosh for Ethiopian new year.
I like to volunteer in my community and play in snow.
I guess being immigrant doesn’t make me not like
the same things other students like who are other races or white.
Being me, it will not be American
But it will be
a part of you, teacher
you are American and my teacher
You are partly of my educator and home, I am a partly your child.
I am partly the next educator.