Hw 28 An Open Letter To Riverbend

A "Baghdad Burning" is a refreshing change for me in the literacy department. Being a history major the last few books I've read were written long before America was colonized. So it is a nice change of pace to read some current information. In fact, since I've been to Keene it is some of the only new information that I have been privy to. I have become shut off from the mainstream world and have quite literally only a very vague picture of the political happenings in the world. That is why I have enjoyed reading you're book. You paint a very similar picture that I had running in my mind and that is of the event's going on in Iraq. Although, it brings me no joy to be affirmed of my suspicions, at some base level it is still good to know about it. Also, it is good to know that there are like-minded people on both ends of the spectrum. I believe it would do many Americans good to read you're book, if only to put a human face on Iraqi's, because of coarse that is not the image being portrayed in America. Now, to mention you're writing style, because it is another thing that I can identify with. Dry, somewhat sarcastic, you write humorously, all the while talking about important issues. They could use a person like you on the daily show. Keep on writing the truth about what you hear and see, because that is journalism at its best.

HW 27 Burning Bibliography

Their many awards given to books that contain special attributes, one such award is the Lettre Ulysses Award. This award is given to books that contain outstanding literary reportage and that is exactly what fills the pages in "Baghdad Burning." A quick glance will tell you that the book is a compilation of blogs or stories from the anonymous writer known only as "RiverBend." In these blogs she relates to her readers the plights that face Muslims in the war torn countries of the Middle East. Riverbend offers a unique perspective of a Muslim with personal first hand experience. She has witnessed much and she wishes in her blogs for others to become aware of the happenings in her country. This is an exception piece of literature to cover in a blogging class, because these blogs represent the power and potential of blogging. As a women in Iraq she limited freedom of speech, so what better platform to put forth her opinions? The book challenges readers to observe the world from a different perspective than they are use to and that is a good thing. Foreword by Ahdaf Soueif. introduction by James Ridgeway. Published by the Feminist Press at the City University of New York. Copyright 2005 by Riverbend.

hw 25 "Just Around the Riverbend"

"Baghdad Burning" is the title given to the book written by the anonomyous Iraqi girl known only as "Riverbend." It is a compilation of blogs, recounting her feelings and political and insight about the war in Iraq. Now, the reason that this book is set apart from the others is made clear in the foreword of the book, written by Ahdaf Soueif. In the foreword Soueif makes the point that the view of Riverbend is different from the views we are use to. Hers is from the unseen perspective of an Iraqi living through the trials and tribulations the Iraqi people are being forced to live through. Instead of casting a negative effect on Americans, she is against anti-Americanism. She is confused by the fact that Americans must have faith in their military and government to be considered good patriotic Americans. She focuses mostly on the good aspects of life and instead of asking why something has happened, she instead focused on the effects of the things that are happening. Ridgeway is the next author that comes into play. He further illustrates the lifestyle of Riverbend and what it is she is going through. It is quite clear he is against the war in Iraq; not unlike myself. From my work already it should be abundantly clear that I am extremely against the Bush administration. I believe that wars in the Middle East were being planned a long time before they happened and that, like Vietnam, they are not meant to have an ending. Profit is the number one factor that drives this war, the longer it takes place the more many companies like Haliburtan can make money. It is a very good thing that Riverbend is able to speak out like this; it will be interesting reading a story from her perspective.

hw 24 "An island of my own"

In Virginia Woolf's book a "Room of One's Own", she describes a place where a person can go to gather their thoughts and draw forth a creative and inspirational presence. She believes a person needs this kind of environment to be able to write at their best. I thought about it for a moment and realized that I do indeed have such a place. A place where my creativity has no restraints. The Isles of Shoals is a small group of islands located of the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. I've been going there since i was a child and it the single place where i feel the most free to let go and be myself. To be specific it is an certain island called Star Island. In fact Woolf may even be familiar to the island, because it and its neighboring island of Appledore housed a summer get away for many famous poets. Waldo Emerson, Nathanial Hawthorne, and Sarah Orne to name a few; roughly at the same time that Woolf was living. Apparently, it is a popular place for people to have their room's there. She also says that one needs money to be a proficient author. Now, that may be true, if you refer to the money needed to stay on the island. However, it is the atmosphere that brings the brings me to that metaphorical room where may creativity can run free.