Article My Family’s Slave Essay PDF

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Article My Family’s Slave Essay...

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In the article “My Family’s Slave” by Alex Tizon, Lola plays a double role: a powerless slave who is abused and a powerful adult who holds the family together. It all begins when Lola agrees to be taken into Lieutenant Tom’s family in the hope of escaping from the fate of marrying the pig farmer. Lola never knew that she had taken a trip with no return. Then, the sweet talk by Dad, which promised Lola allowances and visits home further lured Lola into giving up her fate. There is a saying that goes: “Promises are meant to be broken.” This story is a perfect example. After settling in the U.S. for a couple of years, the promises made by Dad were never fulfilled. In reality, Alex’s parents never paid her a dime and scolded her regularly. In America, “[Lola] wasn’t kept in leg irons, but she might as well have been.” Lola’s helplessness was painted through the abuses that she experienced in the household. She was struck for defending herself, ate food scraps and leftovers, and, ultimately, treated as an outcast. Not only that she was abused physically, but she was also tortured mentally. Dad and Mom labeled her as being ungrateful in the attempt of guilt-tripping her and preventing her from returning home. In the family, Lola was placed in the lowest section of India’s caste system. Albeit taking the role of being a slave, she is a massive factor in the family. Alex wrote: “As a baby, I uttered Lola’s name long before I learned to say “Mom” or “Dad.” As powerless as she is, she was there in the absence of Mom, taking over the mantle of motherhood. She earned respect from the kids, which she brought up unconditionally as if it’s hers. It was surprising to see Alex “stick up for the woman who spent her days watching over [him]” Her struggles in the family didn’t undermine her love towards the children. She took care of Alex relentlessly; as what a mother should do, Lola stayed by Alex’s side when he was sick. Fearing that Alex would be too weak to chew, she chewed the food before feeding him. The mistreatment from both the parents didn’t hinder Lola from loving the children. She not only treated them with kindness, but she also became the pillar

of the family, handling almost everything in the household. One that witnessed the mistreatment that Lola faced would definitely not able to forget it. Alex Tizon, growing up in the family that has a slave, has all the past imprinted in his memories. To compensate for the guilt he felt for Lola, he tried to provide her with what he was incapable of offering when he was a kid. Desperate to help Lola in realizing her freedom, he gave Lola a bedroom and license to do whatever she desires. It was not as easy as imagined. The abuses that she experienced have scarred her for life while also conditioned her into a living robot. Lola grew up accustomed to the rigorous house chores that she had to do. She feels empty without it. “I’m not Dad. You’re not a slave here,” Alex said. He yearned to make Lola a part of the family, after everything she went through. Lola was 75 years old at that time. Still, she continued to act as a slave. It was not long that Alex realizes that forcing her to do nothing is not providing freedom; freedom is letting her be what she wants and do what she likes. Fortunately, Lola progressed. “She planted a garden in the backyard—roses and tulips and every kind of orchid— and spent whole afternoons tending it.” She started to behave unscripted, like a human. Lola was extraordinary, with access to the materials that she was deprived of in her early years, she taught herself to read. Alex then also helped Lola to fulfill her long-postponed “promise” – he paid for her airfare to go home. “It was so easy to make Lola happy.” She enjoyed every moment as Alex took her on family vacations, farmer’s market, field trip, and school events. As if all she needed was the fill the void of her sense of belongingness, to be treated as a human, to be a part of something; this time, she is a member of Alex’s family. Imagine what would’ve happened if Lola has the opportunity for proper education. What would she be doing now? The article, “My Father Spent 30 Years in Prison. Now He’s Out” by Ashley C. Ford illustrated the huge generation gap between the father and the daughter. Even though the father

was put in prison for 30 years due to unknown reasons, he’s a good father. The father tried his best in communicating with his daughter although missing out on his kid’s life. Ashley wrote: “The only real information I had about my dad came in his letters; he sent me dozens.” Letters were primarily medium for them to convey their feelings towards each other. Despite being at the rock bottom of his life, he tries to spread positivity and tries to stay in touch with his daughter. He sent letters to compliment her, telling her that “[she] was the best daughter anyone could ever hope for.” With all the letters from her father, the author was able to create a mental image of him. That was the best attempt he could do. The general consensus is that a father would know about their children’s life by default. In this article, it was the opposite. Unable to reclaim the lost time, they catch up on each other’s lives through phone calls. “He tells me about his childhood, and I tell him about mine.” Being left out from society doesn’t stop him from reconnecting with his daughter. He tried to provide his shoulder for his daughter to lean to during her dire time. “He’s called at least once when I was deeply depressed.” He stood by his daughter and comfort her by saying: "You're my daughter. Everything you do is interesting to me.” The father’s attentiveness and patience radiate through the way he interacts with his daughter. Disregarding whatever he has done in the past that put him behind the bars, he is a good role model for a father. He’s also a loving father in the sense of constantly reminding her daughter that she’s worthy, boosting her self-esteem. “He calls to say how wonderful I am, how proud of me he is, and how much he wishes he could see the things I see every day.” Not many fathers would’ve done that what he did, motivating his children by any means. Being disconnected from the world for 30 years, the author’s father didn’t have any clue about how technology evolves. “Is this your New York number, or your Indiana number?” he said. He was stuck in the era of landline phones and didn’t seem to care about the development

of technology. All he wanted to do was to ask questions about the daughter; he was more concerned with his daughter’s situation. Due to the “technological division” between the father and daughter, they rely on traditional ways of communicating, which has the dual benefits of bringing them closer and helping the author overcome her phone addiction. Her father’s traditional way of communication led her to the realization of the need to curb her cellphone addiction. As the author mentioned, “the social aspect of the internet I’d always enjoyed had recently begun to feel like something I was trapped inside of, something at odds with my desire to be close to people.” Upon reconciling with her father and listening to his stance of interacting with the surrounding people, the author went against her usual inclination of documenting everything using her phone. She wanted to enjoy every moment of face-to-face interactions with her dad. “[She] had no desire to rush to document it.” When they’re not meeting each other physically, her father would ring her up as he “has trouble with the space bar.” The hundreds of notifications on her phone is incomparable with her father’s voice. She would rather ignore all the messages by “downloading an app that periodically blocks [her] from social media.” People today would prefer texting instead of calling arguing that it is more convenient and quicker. While it is true, there are tradeoffs like intimacy and the way we view the importance of physical interaction. In the last two paragraphs, the author mentioned how she would miss hearing the voice of her father as he eventually catches up with technology. It showed how she appreciates being with her father, listening to his voice. Dear Communist Party Chairman:

I was a senior at Beijing’s Second High two years ago and am currently an undergraduate student in the United States. In the United States, I conducted a case study, contrasting the difference of

education between China and the United States. In this research, I’ve noticed that the gaokao system embodies a heavy flaw– it drains students’ creativity and shapes students into study machines. Hence, I am writing in the hope to address my concerns regarding the way gaokao is structured and wish to get an update.

Gaokao’s intended purpose was to be the gateway that opens up the door of opportunity towards higher education and positions. While it is true that gaokao helps to shape students into successful individuals, such as “thought leaders, Communist Party officials, power brokers, billionaires–and, just maybe, reformists,” it fails to instill originality. It molds students to be submissive, almost sheeplike people. According to Jiang Xueqin, a Yale-educated school administrator in Beijing in the article of “Cramming for College at Beijing’s Second High” by Ashely Rabkin, “The gaokao rewards a special type of student: very strong memory; very strong logical and analytical ability; little imagination; little desire to question authority.” Apparently, the government is trying to brainwash the students through education, to the extent of strictly regulating the test. Jiang continues criticizing gaokao. He says that “A standardized test means standardized thought.” The government strives to amplify the significance of gaokao as if it is a life or death situation, putting students through cycles of never-ending stress. In the process of securing the only key to success –gaokao– students overlook their freedom of choice. Following the rigorous Second High regime forces them into giving up their entire adolescence years to live with books. They might have not realized it yet as they are being collectively conditioned. Student’s liberty including the freedom to select classes that they’re interested in, the freedom to be in a relationship, and the freedom to dress up were impeded. In the article mentioned above, I’ve also experienced what the author mention: “During senior

year, there are no electives; the school chooses each student’s courses.” How would you expect young people to modernize the country and be innovators that can contribute to the cause of country if we’re not permitted to explore our interest?

As if gaokao is not already unequal, the way it zones its candidates makes it even worse. Quotas and enrollment criteria further limit student’s ability to study in a different state. The odds of getting into the college work discriminatory. Out-of-state students will be 30% less likely to get a seat in top-tier colleges compared to local students. When it comes to the topic of fairness in gaokao, it is doesn’t exist. It is good to induce competition and let students feel motivated to pass the test with flying colors. But without the essence of wisdom, many students fail to utilize the knowledge that they acquired in the real world. You can have all the knowledge in the world but it means nothing if you don’t have the wisdom to carry it.

Please consider reconstructing this flawed education system.

Respectfully yours, Marcus Tan...