11/21/16 I Am Thankful For…

This is going to be a little different than the average “I’m thankful for blah blah blah.” Obviously I’m thankful for everything I have such as my house, food, loving parents, etc. This year is a little different. As of now, I know that I will not have my Mammaw with me for thanksgiving next year. So this year I’m thankful for her and everything she has done for me and my family, and I thank God he put her in my life and chose me to be her granddaughter because it was truly an honor and a privilege. She has gotten my dad out of multiple dilemmas back when he was complicated to deal with. She always filled the Christmas tree with the best of presets for all of her grandkids. She’s always been there when I needed her, she lives right next door to me. She has always made sure she was stocked up on pop and junk food for us. She always got my brother a new video game when they went to Wal-Mart, back when she could. She let me lay on her lap when it was storming because she knew I was afraid of them. When we are with her, she is always worrying about everyone other than herself. About a month ago, she was in the hospital and we were saying our last and final goodbyes when my brother said he was hungry. While she was lying there, gasping for air, she said to my mom, “make sure you get this boy some food” and we all just laughed. She’s been a true blessing to me and I’m so glad I got her to be my grandmother. I physically can’t put into words how much I love her and how much the family will miss her when she goes to be with Jesus. We love you and thanks for everything, Mammaw<3

 

Update 11/23/16: At 9:50am this morning she took her last breath so unfortunately I didn’t get her for this Thanksgiving either but she is better now and I am thankful for her prolonged life here on earth. I know she will have a wonderful Thanksgiving with her family and our God in heaven. She will always be with me and my family and I am forever greatful for that privilege <3

Maycomb Tribune Editorial

Maycomb Tribune …….Mr. Underwood

 

Gang Strikes at the County Jail the Night Before Trial

 

If you would like to get a point across, don’t form a mob and act like children. It makes you look really ignorant as a person. Also, every man has a right to a trial by jury, so it would be in your best interest to give it to him. You are not doing yourself or the community any favors by killing an innocent man under false accusations.

The reason I say this is because of the mob formed at the county jail on Saturday night. I watched from my own window with my barrel loaded, but I do have to praise Atticus for the way he handled it. By the time the four cars pulled up I was a bit concerned, but I also knew Atticus Finch had it well under control.

Atticus Finch is a man of inspiration and overall a humble man. He handles his dilemmas, such as last nights, with control and determination to get what he needs to get done. When the Old Sarum Bunch showed up at the jail, Atticus and I both know what they wanted, Mr. Tom Robinson, and that’s why he was there waiting. What caught me off guard was what happened next. I honestly would have expected it to rain cats and dogs before this.

As everyone started to gather around Atticus, in comes in three children, two of which were his own. As I watched from my window, I saw Atticus trying to get them to go home because a kid doesn’t belong in that situation. At that moment, his little one Scout, as they call her in town, comes in and they all scatter within a five minute time frame. It was pure luck his kids were out after bedtime.

The way he handled everything had me in awe. From the way he talked calmly and coolly to the mob to the way he handled his kids. I like that he puts himself before others, in this case Tom Robinson. I had his back the whole time but that was surely a sight to see. Atticus Finch, a humble man and an astounding person.

 

By: Bailey Tolliver

 

 

10/31/16 Re-Opening of the Emmett Till Case

 What role did Keith Beauchamp and Stanley Nelson play in the re-opening of the Emmett Till murder trial?

-Keith Beauchamp and Stanley Nelson were both film makers at the time and were very interested in the murder case of Emmett Till, so they decided to make a documentary on the case. The film brought new light and possible evidence to the justice of Emmett Till and a lot of publicity about the case was produced.

What controversial decision did Mamie Mobley make regarding her son’s funeral?

-Mamie Mobley, mother of Emmett Till, decided to leave his casket open at his funeral to bring recognition and awareness to his case and also the poor conditions of racism in the south at the time. It was a very rough decision for her, but she knew it would show how horrific things were and that it wasn’t just an old folk tale of the North.

What did Mrs. Mobley say to Mr. Beauchamp when he started researching the murder of Emmett Till?

-She told Mr. Beauchamp that he was “about to grab a rattlesnake by the tail”. This meant that the re-opening of this case was going to be difficult and probably something he didn’t want to do. He did it anyway, and in the end, it was the right decision and it did what him and Mr. Nelson wanted it to do. It brought awareness and evidence, and hopefully justice for Emmett Till.

 

10/10/16 Most Inspirational Person In My Life

I think the most inspirational person in my life is probably my mom due to her determination and ability to overcome both small and perennial obstacles in life. Some deadlocks leave her frustrated but she can still salvage the situation and make the best of it. She also knows when to keep fighting and also when to relinquish the situation and come to a consensus. She is also very opinionated and sticks to her guns, as do I. My mom is definitely my inspiration and I wouldn’t be where I am without her.

10/10/16 Materialistic Americans?

In my opinion, I think Americans are very materialistic. In todays society there is a certain breach between our material things and our values. This is a very big dilemma we Americans go through on a day to day basis, materials or values? Materials or morals? We have way too much stuff and most of it we don’t know what to do with. Some don’t know what to appreciate and what to efface and get rid of. Most muddle through life in their “stuff” which will eventually become useless debris. So, yes, I think most Americans have way too much stuff.

10/6/16 Life Mixed Tape

To be honest I probably wouldn’t want a mixed tape of my life because I prefer not to live in the past. If I had to however, I would want the highlights of all the good times I’ve had from summers spent at Norris lake, TN to just hanging out with friends on a Friday night. I would also want the troubles I’ve been through to be on the mixed tape too because, in my opinion, you can’t see or enjoy the happiness without a little sadness and anger here and there. My mixed tape would most likely be pretty boring to others but it would be a true recap for me on both the good and bad times I have experienced throughout my life so far.

10/6/16 First Crush

My first crush was from kindergarten and his name was David. He was a bit taller than me and had blond hair and blue eyes. I remember chasing him around the playground and calling him “HONEYBUN!!!” until he gave me a hug. We went to the zoo together and on the way back I fell asleep on his shoulder. I also remember that he was the fastest kid in my grade but in 1st grade my sister started racing him and became faster than him. She would chase him for me and tell him to give me a hug. We definitely had our ups and downs of ‘young love’. We lasted all the way up until 3rd grade. He decided to move away without telling me and he happened to be on the bus next to mine. I cried as I watched his bus roll away and I never got to see him again.