Ashley Lam, Period 2, 9/30/22

Ashley Lam

Period 2

9/30/2022

Modern Mythology 2022

Literacy & Learning

Write about your thoughts regarding any of the fiction or nonfiction covered in class.

    In class, we read Ms. Fusaro’s 2020 poem and discussed the key elements of what was

mentioned and what each specific topic was truly about. I specifically liked how Ms. Fusaro

highlighted the horrors of how hard 2020 was for her as well as for the world around her. Talking

about how schools fell remote for all kids around America, how the black lives matter movement

took off in New York and across America, and how certain deaths have changed lives in the

very homes of several people made me remember the hardships we all endured during

quarantine: both small and large. Towards the end of the poem, Ms. Fusaro discusses more

personal problems that she has endured during the Nightmare Year. It made me reflect deeply

on how others were affected on a more personal level while also honing into all the unresolved

conflicts I dealt with throughout the year. Day into night, night into day, I sat in class holding my

heart in my hand as I was holding back tears hearing what Ms. Fusaro’s family had to endure, all

while she was pregnant. It made me reflect on the hardships with people and people I have lost

throughout quarantine, opening up my heart to all the wounds that are still scarred. It made me

appreciate the people I still have in my life and the realization that the Nightmare Year is over.

Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how that

learning influences your critical perception.

    In English class, we recently learned about different critical theories that a reader reads

a story/text in. I became intrigued with the critical race theory, which was prominent throughout

Ms. Fusaro’s 2020 poem. In the beginning of her poem, she heavily touched on the murder of

George Floyd and the rippling effects that occurred after. The poem touched on police brutality

and the unfair treatment that they afflicted on New York’s citizens. This relates to the critical

race theory because the murder of George Floyd was an eye opener to how the police system

is corrupt. After the George Floyd murder, multiple black murders made by police were brought

into light, enraging the public. Protests, anger, and everyday students were taking a stand,

realizing our political, justice, and government system all had a form of systematic racism.

How is what you’re learning applied to any other classes/the world around you?

    After reading through the poem, learning new critical theory lenses, and applying

everything towards my own personal life, I can view things in a bigger picture rather than

problems that only affect me. It has made me continue to fight for what is right and stand up for

myself as well as others. One time, I saw these men physically attack this black female for

having a different religious opinion, and without hesitation I rushed over to help her. This was right after 2020, when things were slowly coming back to normal. I made sure she was okay and

continued to argue with these grown men and fight for what I believed was correct. Now

learning about these new theories, I can help people and myself in a more deeper way, as I will

never stop fighting against racism and the horrors people have to do deal with simply because

of their race.