Learners as Writers Table of Contents

June 2000
Selections from "The Big Apple Journal"

Literacy Partners is a well-known volunteer literacy program in New York City. Learners get involved in the program in many ways.

One major learner activity is writing for The Big Apple Journal. This is an annual collection of student writings. The 1999 edition had about 150 stories, essays, and poems. They were organized around ten themes: "Life in the City," "Friends, Love, and Families," "People and Places," "Social Issues," "Images of Strength," "Working," "Lifelong Learning," "Tall Tales," "Other Voices," and "Religion, Tradition, and Myth."

Here are some samples. For more information, contact Literacy Partners at 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016, telephone 212/725-9200.

LIFE IN THE CITY

Untitled by Dawn McKnight

I went to a Halloween party in the NBC studio with the cast of "Law and Order." They asked me if I like to come to their Halloween party. I said, "Yes, I will like to come to your Halloween party." First we went to the NBC studio. I saw Chris Noth and we went back to work. I asked Chris Noth for an autograph and he said, "Yes, you may have my autograph." And I saw Benjamin Bratt and his girlfriend. I saw Jerry Orbach and Sam Waterston. I have a small part on "Law and Order."

I was so happy to have a small part on "Law and Order" with Chris Noth, Benjamin Bratt, Jerry Orback and Sam Waterston. I had a good time with the cast of "Law and Order." They said to come again because they enjoy my company. I said, "Thank you for the compliment, and I enjoy your company too. I had a good time and had fun with you. Thank you for the time of my life."

FRIENDS, LOVES, AND FAMILIES

Rose by Abu Amadu

How does a rose look like? It looks beautiful but if we didn't treat it good then it dies. What will you do to make the rose look beautiful? Always you need to have some time to make it look beautiful.

I have been a married man before, but I worked seven days a week and I don't remember a day we hold hands together because I work seven days a week and I have no time for my wife. She work five days a week and she is at home weekends. I always be at work, that is destroying my beautiful rose -- I love so much.

So one day, she call me and said to me that we need to talk about our marriage because she is not happy in this relationship. She can't take it any more. I said to her that I am working to pay the mortgage that's why I am working so hard. Give me some time.

PEOPLE AND PLACES

My Country by Anonymous

I came to America with my husband. That was nine years ago.

Even though I live in the Big Apple, I still miss my country very much. It is so beautiful the whole year round. Sanna is the capital of Yemen. It's a whole life style from America. Women go out wearing scarves and covering their faces. That is part of our religion.

But it is a lot different than it was twenty years ago. Women used to stay home and take care of their husbands and their kids. Now women are working! Some are teachers, doctors, some work in factories. Now girls go to college and finish their education.

SOCIAL ISSUES

Respect by Rick Goodhope

We should respect each other. We don't have to love each other or like each other. And we don't have to hurt each other, but we should respect each other.

No matter what color you are, no matter what sex you are, no matter what religion you are, we should respect each other's differences. Killing somebody because of their sexuality or their skin color or their religion is wrong.

If you are one of the people who don't like other people because of their differences, why don't you just respect other people's wishes and just leave them the hell alone.

IMAGES OF STRENGTH

Vote For Me by Anonymous

Vote for me and I will stop the violence, put more cops on the street, and pay more money and attention to cleaning up the neighborhood. Kids want to run and play in order to grow, so I will put more parks. I will help the poor people and put more money for people to learn to read and write so they could go through like knowing how to do the simple things in their everyday lives.

WORKING

Life In General and Workplace by Abou Gassama

Sometimes, you have nice people in the workplace. Sometimes you don't. Sometimes, people have a different education. Like when they don't have the family didn't teach them stuff and you're trying to tell them and they tell you you're not nobody to be telling them what to do. And they do not know you're just trying to help them and make life better for them, and for you, because they are human beings just like you. If you want something best for yourself, you should get something best for somebody else too. But sometime, also, in the workplace, some people is selfish. Because they see you doing something good, they don't want you to have that. But anyplace you represent yourself, something good will happen one day.

Sometimes you are trying to help somebody in the workplace, in the grocery store. You are trying to help someone and they think something else, maybe because you want something from them. But that's not what you want from them. You just want to be nice with everybody no matter where they come from.

LIFELONG LEARNING

My College Life by Mohammad N. Absar

I want to write down something about my college life in Bangladesh. It was a new experience and pleasure of my life.

I was admitted to my college in 1994. I tookd the Commerce Group. I got twelve subjects: ten subjects in general and two were optional subjects. Here most of the subjects were difficult for me. First I didn't know anybody. It was a bad time for me. At the time I didn't understand my teachers' lectures.

My college is a two-year college. A few days later I got friends and to know my college teachers. If I had problems, they helped solve my problems. Our college had lots of kinds of games. After classes I got to go play games.

I finished my college after two years. I graduated in 1996. So I feel pleased when I think about my college life. It was a memorable time in my life.

TALL TALES

A Day on the Run by Kera McMillan

My name is Josephine Williamson. I am running. Running for my freedom. I have been out here in these lonely woods for a week now. I see nothing but trees ahead of me. I'm hungry, so hungry all I have is these biscuits and I have to make them last. I am so cold with only the shirt on my back and this torn skirt covering my legs I have nothing else for warmth. I refuse to let them stop me. I must keep running or else they will get me.

The dogs, I hear the dogs coming faster. They will be here soon. What do I do but run? If they catch me the master will beat me for sure. I am so tired but I have to keep running, I must! I don't hear the dogs anymore have they given up? Are they still there? I see the railroad tracks. Maybe if I follow them they will lead me somewhere. But to where? To freedom? Or back to slavery?

OTHER VOICES

Men by Sharon Acosta

What are men good for?

If it's not to drink

or if it's not to think.

They have no brain

They are insane

I think they're snakes

I think they are like the rain

They come when they want

They go when they please.

RELIGION, TRADITION, AND MYTH

Bible Study by Pearl Bell

I come to Bible study at the Colgate site on Wednesday. I needed help with my reading in church. So the tutors help me to pick out a chapter in the Bible. I read Psalm 13, Verses 1 to 20. Capable wives in church and I was so proud of myself.

Revised 6/30/00