I gained some knowledge about the history of the Philippines from class discussion. I didn't know much at all about them, about them being ruled by Spain and then America. Shows how much I care about history. I thought that the language aspect was interesting. I didn't know they taught English in their schools. I thought that they spoke some kind of Asian language. You learn something new everyday.
I am still disturbed by the violence and ignorance in this story. They are animals! I could not imagine living like that. They have a strong sense of ethnic loyalty, however, that I am not used to. I have observed this loyalty, with other races, but I have often wondered if the whites are the only ones without it. Sometimes I feel like because we are not a minority in America, we lose a sense of fellowship. Perhaps if I went to China or Mexico, I would see the same sense of community among white tourists that I see with minorities in America.
The characters of this story have that loyalty to their own, and although it is mislead and used in an extreme situation, I am envious of how it would feel to be like that. I wonder if it is the same with other groups as it is with race. For example, how musicians around musicians feel connected, or Christians among Christians. I wouldn't know, because like I said, I haven't experienced that as a white person.
In class, we also discussed the notes written by the editor and the doctor. I thought that was very interesting, how she was in a mental hospital. Maybe that is where I got the idea of that being the reality of the characterization in "People Are Strange." If I did, it was done subconsciously, because I'm just realizing it. Neat. I hope we can read more stories like these. I like short stories, just fiction, better than the other genres. I like escaping for a short time into someone else's mind. It's neat.
Until next time,
Keri Jo
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