This section explains how ashamed the author felt when people read her written thoughts because it was not common or intended for women to think at that time when they only needed someone to support them. Individuals like her were mocked by both men and women, leaving her alone in a group of people.

This quote exemplifies what was taught and men expected women to "develop" regarding their voices. A world of silence, suppression, and loneliness.

Often, when people suppress children from having something, even a voice, it causes them to want that more than they would naturally. But this case is more serious because they were also discriminating against gender, forcing silence upon a girl child.

I would say this is an ongoing issue. Many times, adults don't take children's opinions seriously. Sometimes, this will even end in verbal or physical punishment for interrupting something they're not "old enough" to participate in.

This is such a sad paragraph because it demonstrates that the pain and the fear of your family (baby) being in danger was so deep that it kept them from being "heavy-hearted" and demonstrate love as they should've.

This quote demonstrates that the author knows about the challenge he fought and that it's an ongoing issue yet to be finished.

He talks with so much pain underlying the memory of his brother as if he has suffered pain beyond the physical, deepening the soul.

This quote reveals that the author knows his brother better than other people. He demonstrates that he knows the secrets and experiences that shaped who his brother is. e

This is a lot of times how someone with psychological illness can feel disbelieved by society, which can be incredibly isolating. This usually compounds with the pain from the disease and the feeling of being mocked, making some commit irreversible actions.

It's interesting because this again highlights how patients can feel some sense of invalidation and disconnections when a doctor cannot see the reality of a patient's illness—sometimes forcing one to "diagnose" its own.

The author seems to be in conflict because although medicine did not recognize his illness, he knew it was real. This emphasized the importance of validating patients' symptoms and being medically sensitive.

I believe the author meant by this quote that an illness can start from both physical symptoms and psychological/mental experiences. Hence, causing one's to lose the ability to think clearly.

This is a very interesting analysis by the author because it critiques the argument that people need to use "standard English" in professional settings where many people (Americans) do not even speak "perfect" standard English themselves.

I will have to agree with this (somewhat). I do believe writing is something that should be more explored and given attention because it's an ability to express yourself in written form.

The quote implies that prejudice is a societal construct that doesn't necessarily depend on someone's way of speaking and language.

The author seems to be critiquing and uncomfortable about someone trying to return to a society more intolerant, which he disapproves of. We should not reverse the progress toward inclusivity.

It's unbelievable to see how stereotypes disregard personal experiences and African identities. Thinking that Africans are too educated only reinforces the horrible narrative that fails to represent a large and diverse community.

Her roommate had a very stereotypical view of how Africans should behave and perceive the world, sometimes even erasing one's roots due to stereotypes. People often forget how globalization intertwined our lives; we're more alike than we might assume.

It's interesting to see how bias and assumptions impact our lives and what we think about others. This wrongly reduces a person or a group to be defined by their socioeconomic status, a bad but common "habit."

I agree with this comment. People sometimes forget the responsibility that comes with storytelling, and children are the most vulnerable. The stories we hear as children can stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Again, this is a segment about creativity that I love! I agree; creativity permeates all aspects of human experiences and expression. It's a vital force of self-expression and self-discovery, shaping our unique identities.

I agree that the impact of the audience, in this case, the teacher, can affect the text's authenticity and become problematic. Often, students focus on meeting specific expectations and criteria instead of expressing their ideas on a text.

I love this quote! Creativity is such a powerful segment as it encapsulates the relationship between the mind and the body within the creative process, resonation with how one interprets life and how ideas form.

What a fun and interesting way to start a paper! The hook was great to catch the reader's attention and set the mood of the article.

I can deeply relate to this because when I'm missing my country or family, I often find myself cooking foods that remind me of home and that will reinforce my identity.

It's interesting how other languages are picking up words from English to incorporate into their dialect due to globalization. I can already see/hear some of it when I go back to Brazil. Actually, in the south of the country they have a distinct accent due to the proximity to Uruguay, which mixes Portuguese and Spanish.

It's interesting to see the definition of the different languages the author speaks and what situations she'll use them. I can relate to this because I also have a different "language," more like a manner, to speak with people from different social cycles. Like my friends from Brazil, my family, and my American friends/ coworkers.

This part really stuck with me because the text represents the larger societal pressures to abandon one's native language and anything that reminds them of it. This is an example of how these acts try to erase our cultural and self identity.

This is beautiful and made me emotional. It expresses how language can help shape the way we see the world and influence how we experience it.

I can relate to this quote because, as an English non-native speaker, I often respond based on my understanding — which isn't always the intended message. Although this doesn't happen often, it can still occur.

This is an interesting analysis because it makes me reflect on how the language we speak with family/friends is more intimate compared to speaking in a work setting, for example. The personal aspect of the English spoken with her husband is a symbol of their relationship dynamics.

I love this statement because it highlights how language can be versatile and a powerful tool. Words have the power to enlighten and destroy, even by communicating a "simple truth."

I like this sentence because it demonstrates that as a writer, you are responsible for conveying the truth accurately and as you experience, but without compromising bias. That's because language can influence the reception of a message.

I really like this portion of the text because it creates a paradox of the current reality of living in the USA, which is not easy for a black woman or any human being. And, although being visible makes you vulnerable to attacks and critiques, it also gives you voice and strength.

I believe this part of the text refers to the anxiety people may have when exposing who they are to others. That happens because we, as humans, care about what others think of us and tend to fear rejection. However, if we're not being visible, we're not achieving any personal fulfillment.

I really like this part of the text because of the reflection on the importance of self-expression. The text tells that expressing your one true self, despite the fear it may cause, is essential for someone's mental health. It suggests that being honest is crucial to "becoming whole as a person."

Asking ourselves these questions will help us analyze and absorb the text much better than we usually would. It might take more time, but it will definitely help the information stick better in our brains. I really like question 2 because it’s sometimes hard to understand the writer's purpose, but if we pause and ask ourselves, we’re more likely to figure it out.

It's nice to finally understand the purpose of each section of a text. People often skip them without realizing their importance and meaning. I'm just discovering this now, and I believe it will be beneficial for both my reading and writing.

I love how this article presents five steps to get the most out of the reading process. Sometimes, it's really hard to focus, and I find myself rereading the same text without absorbing any of it. I appreciate how these steps create an organized way to facilitate better reading and understanding.

In my opinion, active reading is one of the hardest skills to develop. It requires practice and focus, which can be challenging to maintain with so many external distractions/stimuli nowadays. I believe any form of reading is beneficial and can help practice active reading, ultimately also making us better writers.

I really appreciate this statement because it makes us feel seen by the professor. In large classes with over 100 students is often hard to feel valued as part of the group rather than just an observer. I'm happy to see this included in the syllabus.

The extension policy is fair and reasonable. I agree that it's important for both the student and the professor to be organized and informed in advance. This also allows both to benefit and maintain a good relationship. Particularly, I wanted to thank the extension granted due to my flight cancellation!

I believe it's important to confront uncomfortable and taboo topics because most classes and life situations tend to shelter us from harsh realities. It's interesting to hear that this class will stretch these boundaries; I'm looking forward to it.

I like this statement because most writing classes are formulaic and somewhat exhausting, which makes the class not enjoyable. I love to write, and knowing that this class will help me with the necessary tools to achieve the level of writing I want to have and have fun with it is fantastic.