What makes a novel "a classic"?

Calling a book a classic when it is first read it one's own personal judgement, but to me there is no doubt what a classic is. A classic is the kind of book that will be read for a very long time, years after its release. It would have to be a unique book, the first of its kind, to be given the title. It must obviously be high quality, but it doesn't have to be liked by everyone. Many classics today were criticized when they first came out. That means a book can't be called a classic until long after its release, to give it the chance to be seen in a different light. And it also must be a book kids in school are forced to read. 

Anticipation Guide - Wuthering Heights

I don't know how anyone could possibly blame a kid for their parents' mistakes. A kid is supposed to mess up and do stupid things; that's why they're kids. It's the parent's job to teach them and be responsible for them, not the other way around. In fact, a parent is responsible for their kids' mistakes. People are just products of their environment, so a terrible home will often make for a troubled child. If you fail to raise your kids and teach them values, then you are partly responsible for their mistakes. Kids know nothing other than what they are taught. It's ridiculous to say that they should be responsible enough to prevent their parents from making mistakes. 

I also think it's ridiculous to say that rich people should only associate with other rich people, and poor people with poor people. All that does is promote class differences and discourage people from moving up in the world. If a poor person never associates with some wealthy people, how will they get a good enough job to make themselves wealthy? And, when they do finally become rich, are they supposed to say goodbye to all their friends and family? They should stay with whoever they feel comfortable with. However, this happens naturally because rich people live in nice neighborhoods and poor people live in worse areas. But that isn't how it should be, it's just how it happens to be. Rich people and poor people are no different other than money, so it shouldn't have anything to do with being friends. I personally have family friends who are both extremely wealthy and not so rich. My dad was friends with both families a long time back, and one happened to become very rich from an art gallery and collection. They still associate with each other, and it's crazy to think that them being rich or poor would change that. 

Comments to Others

I agree with what you said. While I don't really have a religion I turn to when I need help, I can see how it would be a comfort when life is hard. Especially in prison, where it would be easy to lose hope and start to think negatively, believing that a higher power has a plan for you would make it a lot easier to accept bad circumstances. I think religion in prison should be encouraged, since it discourages violence and drugs which are problems in jail. (to Techmanjones)

This is a really good blog. I thought Malcolm's response was equally hypocritical, but I was glad to see him change his thought process after his trip. I also agree with you about making sure you are following the actual beliefs of your religion, not somebody's interpretation. All the variations make it hard for me to believe in any one religion. I wasn't raised religiously, so I would have to chose one, and that's hard with stuff like this going on. Great blog. (to mmaajj)

I probably would have flipped out on that guy. I'm Jewish too, more by decent than religiously. To me, stereotypes and comments like that themselves don't bother me, it all depends on how their said. Like this guy was trying to disrespect you, so I'd punch him, but one of my friends joking around wouldn't bother me, as long as its not too much, because they aren't trying to be mean deliberately. (to Whaddupgossipgirl)

I also don't see how this could not be immediately connected to the racist stereotype. Even if they truly didn't mean it to be racist (which they did and probably thought they could talk their way out of it), they had to at least realize how it might be looked at. If they really didn't notice any of it, the paper needs new editors. (to gabby 119)

Malcolm X Post 5

It can be amazing how people will put aside their differences and come together for a common cause when it is necessary. Malcolm talks about the "brotherhood" he feels in the Holy Land, where Muslims of every nationality and color slept together, ate together, and respected each other during their religious experience. I've only really felt that feeling once, and I was probably too young to really appreciate the magnitude of what happened. On September, 11, 2001, our country was attacked by terrorists in one of the most tragic, terrifying moments in the country's history. In an instant, it went from a normal school or workday to a nationwide effort to help in whatever way possible. I remember getting picked up from my third grade class by my mom, and her explaining to me that their was a problem in New York, and people had attacked a building. Firefighters and police heroically searched for survivors, while citizens all over the country donated countless hours of their time to send care packages to workers. In the months following the attack, almost every home had a US flag and had donated something to the cause. My sister had done community service for the Red Cross, organizing packages for relief workers. Shown here, (http://www.september11news.com/InternationalReaction.htm) the whole world, even those not so friendly with the US, expressed condolences. I was too young to really get involved, but I remember noticing and feeling the patriotism. Recently, on a field trip, I was in a church near ground zero that had been a place of comfort for those affected and relief workers. It's basically now a memorial, with all the posters and objects sent in support of NYC. People from places like Oklahoma sent messages, and it was really interesting. I was moved to see the evidence of that American pride and togetherness, especially after the election where the country seemed to be split apart. Sadly, that unity seems to have decreased. It's too bad it takes a tragedy to bring us together, where as the Muslims Malcolm described have a religious connection keeping their brotherhood together through good and bad. 

Malcolm X Post 4

I can't imagine the pain Malcolm must have felt when he found out Elijah had committed adultery, going against everything he'd ever known about his leader. To have your whole base of knowledge, your only cause in life crumble and turn on you, could drive a man into a downward spiral. I've never had any drastic letdown like Malcolm must have had, especially when the NOI started plotting against him, but I can understand that feeling of confusion. It's like a little kid finding out his role model is a fraud, or realizing the tooth fairy or Santa isn't real. I can't say I was devastated when I found out my parents were the ones giving me money, but I was confused as to how something I thought was so obviously true could suddenly be a made up fairy tale. This also reminds me of the steroids problem in baseball. I'll use A-Rod as the example, his story shown here: (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090209&content_id=3811116&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)

Thousands and thousands of little kids idolized him, looking at his poster every day, only wishing they could one day be as great as Alex. Then this comes out, that he had lied, cheated, and possibly ruined his legacy. For a small child, how could they understand that their hero was a cheater? They probably felt just as Malcolm X did finding out his religious organization had turned on him. Elijah Muhammad and Alex Rodriguez had a huge responsibility. They knew what position they were in, an idol to so many, and yet they revealed that they are only human. Not many people are strong enough to be in the spotlight like that, but when they do, they need to try their best to set a positive example. I'm glad I never really had a role model. I admire a lot of different people, and was influenced by family and friends. But, if any one person made a mistake, I wouldn't have been devastated. Its dangerous to think of somebody so highly, especially when you're vulnerable, like Malcolm was in prison, or a small child is trying to figure the world out.