Daniel Half-Human Blog Entry #3

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/boluwaji-ogunyemi/racial-profiling-black-doctor_b_6701140.html

I chose this particular article because it deals with my topic of racism. However, it shows a different point of view, one that I have never witness in my attempt to finding articles. It portrays the thoughts from young physician, Boluwaji Ogunyemi and his racial experiences in an Vancouver hospital. This article shows how racism still exist till this day, and how unfair and static the social status ladder is. The uneven level playing field has not changed despite the drastic events in history. The day in which everyone will be treated as equals rather than minorities or majorities, is still an ongoing project.            

Sniper Review

It’s the 1920’s and Ireland was struggling to do everything they can to keep their independence. The feud between the Republicans and Free Staters was getting more violent day after day. “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty portrays a young man’s love for his country and doing whatever it takes to make sure that his country gets the government they deserve. A young man stationed at a rooftop of an abandoned building had been there all day. His job was too take out a necessary complications that might have been in the way in his country’s republican society. He thought his whole day had gone to waste, until he chose to light a cigarette, resulting in gun fire aimed at him. He spotted movement from the opposite building’s rooftop. However, before he could shoot back, an armored car approached down below on the lonesome streets. A women came out to greet a man that had come out of the vehicle. An informer was what the women was, and she was pointing towards the sniper’s hideout. Before he seconded guessed himself the sniper shot both of them in the head, killing them instantly. In the rounds fired the sniper had, unfortunately, gotten shot in his right arm. He tended to his wound and then decided to take a shot rest, since his arm was in immense pain.

The author is implying that even your best friend can be your worst enemy. It’s all about how we learn to perceive our most difficult conquests. The sniper did not know that the boy he shot was his brother, only that it was the enemy. If he had realize that it was his brother, then he probably would not had shot him, and instead told him to run and hide. This goes to show how much people put their lives on the line for some politician. When people are taught what is right from bad at a very young age, it gets harder as they get older to change their perspectives. That way of life soon becomes the only thing they know how to do and when people come forcing in, to change it, they get very defense and will take physical action to ensure that nothing changes. That is precisely what happened in the book, when the Republicans were fighting against the Free Staters. The Republicans wanted to change the system, however it did not sit well with the Free Staters who were against the change. Due to this disagreement the two opposing sides with at it with all their might to cause as much destruction and chaos to the other side. All in all the author was trying to get his readers to understand how easily it is to be manipulated and turn against someone, who you once loved.     

Daniel Half-Human Blog Entry #1

My novel that I have decided to explore is "Daniel Half-Human" by David Chotjewitz, translated by Doris Orgel. The novel is about a thirteen year old aristocrat boy named Daniel, who befriends a  common dweller from the opposite side of town. The novel itself is told in two different time periods, one at the beginning of the Second World War and after during the post-war. Both in Germany.  Just when you think it's the perfect, chummy book about two boys who become the best of friends, an unexpected turn of the story happens. Daniel is quick to discover he is half-Jewish. He is despised upon by his neighbours, teachers and friends. Thus, introducing my social issue, racism.

                I chose to have my inspiration to the book come from "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" It relays the perfect story of how two boys from totally different upbringings find a common bond that unites them, when all odds are against them. Shmuel is captured and imprisoned at an concentration camp and is founded  and befriended by Bruno, the son of an high ranking Nazi commandant. Shmuel and his family are imprisoned in the camp because they were Jews. Throughout the movie it shows how badly the Jews were treated, hated by Germans for nothing but their ethnic background.

                This reminds me exactly how Daniel was treated once news broke out that he was half-Jewish. He and Armin never split up, standing up for one another when the time called for it. However, in the end, separation was how Daniel and his family resolved the racists threats from the community. By moving out of Germany, he and his family were able to live freely for a certain amount of time. The same thing happened with Shmuel, he was forced into segregation. However, Shmuel unfortunately did not get the same limited freedom  as Daniel and his family. This is what comes to my mind when I'm reading my novel. The racists issues the protagonist dealt with and who was by his side while that was happening.              

For more information about "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"  either book or movie check out these links:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-boy-in-the-striped-pajamas-2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boy_in_the_Striped_Pyjamas

http://theindependentcritic.com/the_boy_in_the_striped_pajamas

http://www.theage.com.au/news/book-reviews/the-boy-in-the-striped-pyjamas/2006/01/03/1136050420787.html