Don’t Battle, Cheer

What is the Word Cup? It is a national soccer game played every four years; meaning countries all over the world have the opportunity to participate, with the exception that not all of them have the sufficient talent to qualify, being this the reason why the FIFA association created a way to restrict the invite, what is now called the World Cup qualifiers which work as followed; in each continent there is a small “league” where all of its countries play against each other 2 times each, ranking accordingly to qualify for the World Cup. Off course always the host city automatically passes to the world cup this year being Brazil. Every four years, this joyful event is meant to not only compete and prove countries better than others, but to bring people together and pleasure to everyone.

It was 16 years ago, the World Cup was held in France and Colombia successfully made it, since then Colombia hasn’t had enough motivation or sufficient talent to attend the all famous World Cup, or so we believed, until now. This year, not only is our great Colombian team positively able to attend the games in Brazil, but also it is the main provoker of proud motivation in the country. This hardworking success has been product not only of its brilliant players but also of Colombia’s soccer federation technical director, Jose Nestor Pekerman. His intelligence, brutal talent, and the way he talks to the players, incite not only elevated competition skills, but also teamwork and intellect in the field, creating a vastly prosperous team. For the first time in sixteen years our country’s team has a chance to play in these games, therefore a chance to shine, Colombia definitely has an ecstatic summer ahead, with what we all hope, will be plenty of victories.

Colombia’s team constitutes of three goalkeepers; six defenses; six midfielders, and four strikers. However, one of the most, if not the most famous strikers, of Colombia’s team, Falcao, unfortunately will not be playing for his team in Brazils World Cup this year because of an incident he had 6 months ago when he broke his right knee ligaments. Although this might for many be a game-breaker and a violence trigger to some, meaning Colombia has no longer a positive chance of making it far in the games, they are awfully wrong and absolutely single minded. I believe that we all have the same opinion when we say Colombia’s multiple victories and hard work was what got it to Brazils World Cup, so we should equally have faith in our team, our not complete, yet incredibly talented and capable team, which with that same solid work and sweat, they will indeed get far enough in the games, thus calling the entire worlds attention and making a mark of Colombia’s startling team, instead of the usual relevance put to our country involving false pretenses of abusive drug use or violence.  

For Colombia’s culture, the single fact that our team is able to enter the World Cup is an unexpected, yet honored miracle, not only because soccer is the greatest played and most famous sport in the country, but because being able to enter something like such; the World Cup, and depending not only on development, race, standard or money, but sole and pure talent, gives a peace of mind to us Colombians, gives hope that we will reach peace, and gives us a comforting sense of community. However there are always conflicts, with no faults, that is why all of us Colombians must take this rare opportunity and embrace our country in a supporting and encouraging manner, because what we have this year that was absent to us for a long time is something beautiful. Although there are always a large percentage of supporters who are genuinely rutting for our country with no desire of violence, we do in fact have history of intense and drastically dangerous soccer fans, which we call here “hinchas”. Hooligans and “barras bravas” here in Colombia have always been a conflict amongst the different Colombian leagues, so the question at this time is; will the love for the sport and our team and country overcome the violence and vicious competitiveness, or vice versa?

What I hope for and believe is for peace, because for the first time, our country is all together supporting the same thing, although the practice of hooliganism and violence throughout Colombia is always present, and soccer may be many times its cause, this time there is no reason to compete amongst each other. Here in Colombia we are all in the same side, and we want our team to flourish, therefore we have the same goals and expectations, no real reason to fight. Being more realist than optimist, truth is, that this is a World Cup, and being so scarce to us means the energy, the spirit and the need to win is much more powerful and much more amplified than it usually is with some other international cup. For our past experience as a county, there is no real certainty that this strengthened liveliness will be expressed in a absolutely positive way, so yes there will definitely be a chance of violence present, but there is also a chance to use this limited opportunity of the World Cup as something to bring peace, and that’s what has to be encouraged. Everyone from every stratus, every race, every political party, every small town, or every large city, even our countries terrorist and enemies are rooting for the same thing; victory for Colombia in the World cup, so don’t battle, cheer.

Some Addiction

   Recently I began to read Among The Thugs by Bill Buford, unlike what I commonly enjoy to read, this book wasn't of my interest, it's not that I don't enjoy the sport of soccer, simply I don't usually enjoy reading about it. Except this book, since the beginning seemed to be an entertaining read. Just like myself the narrator doesn't enjoy going to live soccer neither he gets it, for me this was hooking because I can see now that he will definitely develop his opinion to these games throughout the book therefore, giving me a chance to open my mind to it as well. 

   Before he finally accepts that he quite enjoys the game, he explains to his readers in detail how out of control and jungle-like these games are. What I liked more about the way the narrator explains his experience here was his attitude toward it, in such a way that he made it something you where required to know to be able to go to these games. He introduces the "shove," the "simple squeeze," and the "counter shove." We get to understand as readers, what little enjoyment the narrator expressed here, giving clearly much more importance to the way to survive this jungle, than to anything else. Although he still emphasizes his main goal, and his determination to it, the need to know what he calls "them"' meaning the hooligan fans, the "lads", who as he describes might have incipient epilepsy.

   from what I have read I would say what I like the most is how the author compares his final inevitable like to the game and to the people and to the whole experience with something most of his reader has probably already experienced, connecting with the,. The author says, " It was, I see now on reflection, not unlike alcohol or tobacco: disgusting, at first; pleasurable, with effort; addictive over time. And perhaps in the end, a little self-destroying."

Vocabulary:

Incipient Epilepsy (pg. 20): Beginning to develop abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Swayed (pg. 20): move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side.

Amid (pg. 18): surrounded by; in the middle of.

Mirth (pg. 16): amusement, especially as expressed in laughter.

Lads (pg. 16): a boy or young man; soccer fan thugs.

Flouting (pg. 15): openly disregard.

Bittersweet

   Being Colombian immediately means you are part of a family, not necessarily your nuclear or extended family, but a family much wider than that, the family and culture of Colombia. Although maybe most of us Colombians constantly criticize our country and would probably differ with the positive sides of being a Colombian, we have to appreciate our culture because it is unlike any other in the aspect of unity, family and community. The New York Times article, The World Cup in An Album, shows, in a very specific, detailed, yet broad way how our community works, how unite and passionate we become with something as simple as monas. Unlike many, probably most countries around the world, the idea of the World Cup Album doesn't seem that attractive, yet the fact that for us it does that it over sells, and that it unites us says a lot about our country. Mariano Lopez says, “I’ve seen people of absolutely every age and social class filling the album,” this send off the image, to all over the world that our country is and will always be something special not one that segregates or labels, one that joins. This article describing the phenomenon of monas and albums, portrays the most positive side of Colombian culture and is told in such a way that makes whoever is not Colombian want to be one, and whoever is Colombian proud, and appreciative. Just like finishing the album, as Novoa says it's “bittersweet,” is how Colombia is, we all cant stand it, but when it comes to deep reality, we are in love with it.  

Finally Done Here!

So, you might be wondering what the hell am I doing here, the truth is, with all honesty, I have no idea, and because I am horrible at speaking publically and all of this stuff, don’t expect anything good here. I’m sure we would all imagine that the reason for somebody to be in front of all of you in a day like this day, is because they are either the principal, and inspirational dude who has a lot of inspirational speech things to say, some other important person from the faculty, or of course the valedictorian or the salutatorian or whatever other –torian persons exist. Clearly I am none of those so I am just as confused as you are and well nervous, lets just get over it.

Unfinished. As I was watching another How I Met Your Mother episode for the hundredth time yesterday, because you know, Netflix, I came upon the word unfinished, and realized how unfinished everything is. Even though most of us already want to get out of this perpetuating and time consuming jail of a jungle, just kidding we all love it here right. No but really, even though most of us want to get out of here, the uncertainty that follows, the mystery of what is to come, in relativity with the past, what we have lived through already, it is all unfinished. I’m not necessarily talking about those essays we never really finished, or those senior activities nobody paid for, so never happened. I’m not talking about supposedly going to the gym, or completing those social service hours. I’m not talking about the physics or calc exams, or those classroom without walls trips we never attended to, thank you for that btw, the replacement military camp, awesome, and that place, Multiparque, or Camelot, or whatever its name was, awesome too, I mean all those closed rides where a hell of a lot of fun. I am talking about our lives. I am sure we all want to go back to the bottom of the school, to primary and rub poop all over everyone’s faces, eat everything, and I mean everything I clearly recall grass tasted somewhat like spinach, it wasn’t that bad actually. Or having that wannabe sand under our clothes while playing in that elephant which by the way, has no relation whatsoever to the school, I mean who decided that an elephant with a pointless whole in the middle was going to be representative of out school. Wasn’t the condor supposed to be the school mascot? Although actually that doesn’t really represent the school either seeing as we never really celebrate the condor in any sports event or competition. The school just decided to put it in with some other animals and make a jungle out of it, I mean a condor a hawk an eagle, a falcon, then came the ridiculous osprey we all hated, and well the all famous elephant. Lets not forget those torturing shows teachers made us do each year and perform to parent who always with no fault brought they ridiculously big filming cameras. I mean it was as if our teacher just wanted to have some fun with us little inoffensive kids, putting these big ass ridiculous costumes, full of overwhelming feathers, fake fur or slightly inappropriate dancing outfits. If you think about it, like really think about it, it was kind of infant abuse. What I’m saying is, even though our childhood did have certain bizarre moments, we all want it, and would love to keep on living that simplistic life constantly depending on our parents, and our teachers. I am sure all of us here at least once peed their pants at primary school, probably even elementary school, and why cant we do that now, it was awesome not having to go all the way to the bathroom at the other side of the class so far away, instead just pee where you were, then easily change to brand new clothes, ok now that I say it out loud, probably nobody will really miss that. What I am trying to say is this: our childhood is unfinished, it will always be, and even though we passed through it a long time ago, and even though most of us would probably say that we prefer passing out on vodka instead of warm strawberry milk at night, a part of us still is a child, probably always will be, and surely a part of us will always want to be one. No just kidding referring to that last point, nobody really liked strawberry milk; I’m going to go with chocolate milk instead.

Ok so I’m sure I am supposed to blabber about how this end only marks a new beginning, or how successfully ending high school only means that we have our whole lives ahead of us and a wonderful future awaits us blah blah blah. Know, that might be true for many of us, not necessarily inclusive here, I’m saying this without pointing any fingers, but we all know there is always those people who will never get out of their parents house, or those other people that are already mentally engaged in a one party marriage and their whole life awaits for nothing but Netflix, cup a noodles, and beer. Then again, there are those people we all secretly hate because they got in the IVY leagues, to which we never really even considered on applying, instead we are just here, hoping to get accepted to some small community college majoring in some coerced almost made up study. So probably what I’m trying to say is that although your time of taking care of your kids is almost over, parents, don’t get over exited yet, probably don’t get exited ever, there is no real proof we are ever leaving you guys, even if we get married, just embrace the deed we are in fact unfinished and you will have to deal with us until we are finished, if we will ever be. But don’t worry I guess we will get there. Well, who will ever know, I guess nobody ever is finished right? Good luck.

I guess I’m supposed to say some more stuff that would inspire all of you guys, like that inspirational dude that talks in speeches and is really good at doing so, and actually gets through to most of the people, who by the time the dude is done talking they open their minds to incredibly inspiring ideas for their future, which unfortunately eventually just disappear. So well I don’t know much inspirational talk, I will say this: if you want to succeed in life, in your future you have to be your own g-d damn self, stop copying people and embrace who you are. Also terminate completely that thought in which you are the best, because you are not, and out there in actual life you are nobody, literally nobody, except of course if you end up having a life breaking experience and end up becoming that inspirational dude who makes inspirational speeches, then congrats on that. To end this here, because I know how boring listening to other people talk is, and I know how hungry we all are, I will say this: congrats on finally graduating, on surviving our senior year with all but liberty, and for not killing each other, because we all know that secretly we can’t stand being around each other for more time. Good luck to all of you and I am really looking forward to that ten year reunion, we all know who will arrive in a pink helicopter, who will arrive in a white glittered limo, and who will actually bike their way to the reunion see you soon, or not.

Graduation Speech

Colombian And Proud!

            Gabriel Garcia Marquez, one of the most, if not the most recognized writer in Colombia and Latin America, has filled the worlds minds with his extraordinary and emotion evoking stories, consequently winning a Nobel Price of Literature in 1982. In his acceptance speech Marquez, as he does with no fault in all his written and spoken works, touches everyone’s hearts, proudly representing the culture of Latin America, not only in the present, but also in the past.

            Anyone who has read pieces of Marquez knows how he mixes reality and fiction, just like this, he starts his speech, already catching his audience attention, with the mind catching and hooking picturesque details allowing to depiction every word he says and writes.

            The way Marques poses allusions to other characters and incredibly known and talented writes such as Magellan and Thomas Mann, not only requires his audience to be at the least scholarly and have knowledge of other important pieces of literature.

            The Nobel price winner and proud representative our Latin America, knowledgably references to historical facts, making his audience realize how Latin Americas past full of war, reforms, different political leaders and inner conflicts juxtaposed with the beauty of the nation too, but what is really important is how he emphasizes the reality of all of it, appealing to his audiences pathos, move them by realizing what our nation went through. “Countless daily deaths, and that nourishes a source of insatiable creativity, full of sorrow and beauty, of which this roving and nostalgic Colombian is but one cipher more, singled out by fortune.” The audience, if adequately educated will completely be charmed by Marquez’s words.

Rhetorical Triangle:

Title: Solitude of Latin America

Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Audience: A cultured & knowledgeable audience

Purpose: Represent and show the hard past of Latin America

Always Room For Improvement

   I really didn’t realize my research paper was completely off register, until I was done with it. I do realize now that being a research paper and not an op-ed article, o some other informal paper, my register should have been much more formal, and that I should have avoided all kinds of words that made it into a familiar register. I would agree that this is my main problem, right along with the apostrophe’s and some grammar issues. I will try my best to improve on these. Lastly, for the part of the references and the APA formatting, I did have a kind of hard time formatting those and will work on that as well with all the notes we have taken. Thank you for your feedback. J

Go For The Natives

Roberto Fernandez makes a clear and completely valid theory regarding the connection between Caliban's character form Shakespeare's The Tempest, and the “mestizo Americans”. The similarities are visibly clear since after all the natives, before the Spanish conquerors came to their land, lived a perfectly happy self sufficient life, as did Caliban in his Island before Prospero took over him and the island.

The author at the beginning of his passage poses the question of whether our culture- the Latin American Culture – is either existent or non-existent. For every Latin American I would imagine that it is, I mean if its not, what does that mean for the culture we supposedly have? But then, the author takes the question to another direction and asks, “Do you exist?” Fernandez explains how questioning our culture is completely related with questioning our own existence, he says: “…to be willing to take a stand in favor of our irremediable colonial condition, since it suggests that we would be but a distorted echo of what occurs elsewhere.” We portray a reformed culture of our colonizers; therefore our Latin American culture is indistinct to theirs, right? Wrong.

Even though our culture does not assimilate closely to the people who lived in our current living territory, we mustn’t forget about it. We should never disregard that we are not purely European, we, here in Colombia and most of Latin America, are mestizos: Natives, Europeans, Indian and Africans. Although the colonization period does in fact shape mostly everything we have become, after all they [the colonizers] where the ones to create inequality in power and bring their culture to the Americas, consequently creating a more “civilized” place, we shouldn’t believe still that we belong to them, or that our culture does.

So, I will say it once again, there is no doubt that Caliban’s character from Shakespeare’s play The Tempest is automatically another way to portray the natives when the colonizers took them over. Fernandez puts it in a very clear how the colonizers viewed this people they encountered in the New World: “The colonizer's version explains to us that owing to the Caribs' irremediable bestiality, there was no alternative to their extermination.” We can see how extremely closed-minded these people where to think, or simply to say that the only way to handle these “beasts” were by terminating them, if not, exploiting them physically. The same way history has thought us that the Spanish took over these natives, Shakespeare expresses it in his play. By creating the character of Caliban, a native to his island, a hard working man with small sense of a civilized language and form of communication. And then comes Prospero, a powerful man with great power (literally) who makes this gullible person believe he is saving him, by actually converting him in his slave. Well what a coincidence huh?

A very interesting point Fernandez poses is how even though the slave and working men in this cases are actually the natives, it is in fact, the colonialists who depend and relay more of these people, than these people of them. And with much reason, since these as they are called are the natives of the land, they know it better and know how to survive in it the right way. Fernandez points out a part in the play where Prospero is talking to his daughter, referring to Caliban: "We cannot miss him: he does make our fire, / Fetch in our wood, and serves in offices / that profit us"(1.2.311-13).” Yeah, it is obvious right? Except if this is true are the ones with the most power really the Spanish colonialists (Prospero) or the Colombian natives (Caliban)?