James has been studying the American Classics (at his request) this past month.  He has been learning about great American poets, writers, artists and scientists.  When he was learning about Emily Dickinson it was mentioned that she often wrote about “loneliness” or “belonging”.

He was asked “what does belonging mean to you”? He said “HAVING PEOPLE AROUND WHO UNDERSTAND ME AND TALK TO ME LIKE I AM SMART”. And “What communities do you think you belong in”? “I WANT PEOPLE AROUND WHO ENJOY LIFE”.

In this same unit James read some Langston Hughes poetry  which reflects his experience as a black man.  James was asked what themes would be reflected in his own poetry and he said “KEPT INSIDE EACH TODAY, LIVING ALONE A LIFE READY.” After reading the Langston Hughes poem As I Grew Older James said that it was about “BROKEN DREAMS, SLAVERY”.  When asked what wall or obstacle Hughes faced he said “SLAVERY”.  When asked what his own obstacle might be he said “SILENCE”. He then wrote a poem about breaking through walls to reach your dreams. Here it is:

DONT GIVE UP
EACH DAY IMPORTANT
KEEP HOPING
EACH TEACHER DIFFERENT.