H.O.N.Y Story

H.O.N.Y. BLOG has become a very popular blog. 

I think that it is so successful because it is a blog about ordinary people and their stories.

 It doesn't sensor anything from it's viewers.  

It is different from most blogs. 

It is very interesting.

 HONY helps dispel stereotypes by asking people what their story is not what society thinks that their story is or what society thinks they have been through.

This picture interested me because it has a picture in it. 

I love taking pictures and looking at pictures.

 I have various pictures just hanging around my room of my friends and family. 

So, the photo itself is what drew me to it. 

The story was interesting because it was about a young man who made poor choices as an adolescent. 

He burned things,was violent towards his father, and ran away. 

He was soon diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder. 

As he got older, he recieved many assult charges. 

Now, he spends his time in the Federal Correction Complex in Hazelton,West Viginia.

One of my close friends has gone though some similar issues. 

He has been in jail multiple times.

He was charged with Trauncy, Assult and Battery, Robbery, he has ran away from home, and has run away on his court dates because he knew that he was going to be sentenced to time in jail. 

He has put himself in dangerous situations, where he was involved with gangs and drugs. 

I personaly knows how it feels to have someone you love and care deeply about, go to jail. 

I understand where the Dad of the inmate comes from when he attempts to help him. 

I tried everythig that I could to help my friend. 

I have asked him what else I could have done...

And everything in me wants him to say; "Nothing. You did everything you could."

But its not that simple. 

I think that in this story and with inmates in general they are all stereotyped as "bad people."

Sometimes they just make mistakes.

Sometimes they have a serious condition that they can't control. 

And sometimes inmates own up to what they did and change. 

Not everyone in jail is a bad person. 

My friend has changed. 

Yea, he still makes poor choices, but not like he did before. 

I think that it's important to go past the stereotypes of inmates and relize that everyone deserves a second chance to prove themselves. 

You can read the full story here: H.O.N.Y. Inmate Story

Xoxo ~ Riley 

<a data-pin-do="buttonFollow" href="https://www.pinterest.com/rileylena16/">Riley&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;</a> 

I Am Not Perfect

So in my Honors World Literature class we have been learning about stereotypes. 
We did a chalk talk which is where the teacher writes a topic on the board, and WITHOUT talking the class basically brainstorms off of each others ideas on the board. Our topic for the chalk talk, was Stereotypes. It simply started with things such as; Religion, Race, Ethnicity, Heritage, Gender, Talents, and Skills. Then we were told to write down stereotypes for each subject. For example, I put Hypocrite underneath Religion. I am a Christian and I am constantly being stereotyped. The definition of a hypocrite is:



I have NEVER met a Christian who has claimed to be perfect. I have never claimed to be perfect. My church has never claimed to be perfect. I admit that I make mistakes. Therefore; I am not a hypocrite. If someone claims that they are perfect then that makes them a hypocrite, because nobody is perfect. I don't know. I guess that being stereotyped as a hypocrite just really bothers me because it holds so many people back from being Christians. 

Another stereotype that bothers me is that girls are weak, and we over exaggerate and that we are super emotional. The reason that we're quote on quote "emotional, weak," and we "over exaggerate," is because nobody gives us the time to express our feelings and listen to us. So when we get a chance to express our opinions and feelings we tend to vent. 

So I guess what I am trying to say is that stereotypes aren't true but they also aren't false. They are just not the complete truth, its exaggerated. So coming from someone who has been stereotyped her whole life; It hurts. I am strong. My feelings are valid and I have a right to be heard. I am smart. I am a Christian. I am not perfect. I am ME, and i'm not ashamed. 

Xoxo ~ Riley

Gender Stereotypes Poem

If I were a boy...


If I were a boy even just for a day
I'd play a big game
And all girls would be the
same

I'd say what I want
And i'd make up rules as I go
Because i'd buy her a jewel and hope that she understands

If I were a boy
I think I could just not care
I swear i'd never cry
I'd be unloyal and unfair


If I were a boy
I would throw the ball with the guys
I'd drink and spit out lies
And I wouldn't pick up my mess
Because I know that I don't have to impress

If I Were A Boy - Beyonce

Xoxo ~ Riley

Googling

So, I wouldn't call myself a quote on quote "expert," but I would say that I am a pretty advanced "googler."

I don't know how the hacks and cheats to every app and game, but I know how to get my away around in today's advanced technology. 

My favorite Google app would probably have to be Google Drive.

You can access Drive from anywhere. 

It automatically saves your work and tracks your progress. It allows you to use Drive even without Wi-Fi. 

Most Google apps are pretty simple to use. 

I have yet to come across an app that has been difficult to operate and use. 

A majority of Google apps have tutorials and directions for using their apps, so you can easily figure out how to do something if it becomes difficult.

I love to use technology in school, and Google is my go-to site. 

It has every app and game, and it's super useful when needing to download pictures, and videos and even to make websites, and Powerpoints. 

 Honestly on a scale of 1-10 Google deserves a 10. 

Google has so much to offer and is so simple to use. 

I would definitely recommend Google to all age groups. It always comes in handy.  

Xoxo ~ Riley