"Breathe" In the Heights

Does this song resonate with you? Why or why not?

 This song resonates with me because I personally know the pressure of wanting to make those around me proud. When Nina sings, “the one who made it out,” it made me reflect on my own journey and the many times I wanted to quit but chose to persevere because I wanted to help the people back in my home country of Ghana. Balancing my own personal expectations with those of my family has often been challenging. Like Nina, I’ve had to sacrifice personal time and comfort to make sure that those around me both near and far were taken care of. The song reminded me that even though the weight of those expectations can feel heavy, it also comes from a place of love, hope, and responsibility.

A connection: How does this text relate to the real world?

This theme connects to the real experiences of many first-generation students and immigrants who feel the weight of representing their families through success. I found an NPR article titled “‘First-Gen’ Students Face Unique Challenges. Here’s How Colleges Can Help” (https://www.npr.org/2021/11/02/1050562045/first-gen-college-students-face-unique-challenges-heres-how-colleges-can-help), which discusses how students who are the first in their families to attend college often experience guilt, imposter syndrome, and pressure to live up to their families’ sacrifices. Like Nina, these students face the challenge of balancing gratitude for their opportunities with the emotional weight of expectation. Both the song and the article highlight the importance of self-acceptance and community support in overcoming these struggles, showing that success is not just about achievement—it’s also about healing and belonging.

Identity map

 

History and frameworks: What is Youth Work?

 In Chapter 4 of "Writing to Change the World " Mary Pipher explains that you should focus on building a strong foundation before adding the finishing touches. She uses the example of putting up walls before hanging curtains to highlight how crucial it is to master the basics of writing before getting caught up in the finer details. I discovered various ways to structure a thesis such as presenting it at the beginning or saving it for the end. I also found that smooth transitions make it easier for readers to understand the flow of ideas. I noticed some important terms like thesis statement transitions and context-based structure. This made me think of a useful article from Purdue OWL about writing persuasive essays. It explains how to clearly state your main point and organize your ideas logically which is what Pipher emphasizes as important for good writing.

Our Core Values: Where do you stand?

 

Personal values are the rules and beliefs that help us decide how to act and how to treat other people. They show what we think is important in life like honesty kindness family and personal growth. These values affect how we live work and interact with our communities.

Looking back at my life I have found a few important values that guide the decisions I make every day. 
I aim to be honest and open in everything I do. 
Compassion means being kind and understanding towards others. 
I am dedicated to always learning new things and improving myself. 
I believe it's important to be an engaged and helpful part of my community. 
These values shape how I use my time the friendships I build and how I help my community.

An article called "The Importance of Values in Personal and Community Growth" explains how our personal values influence how we participate in our communities. It talks about how values such as kindness caring for everyone and being independent inspire people to take part in community activities. This involvement helps build trust and gives them a sense of purpose. 
"This connects with what I've gone through." My belief in community has motivated me to take part in local clean-up events and help local businesses highlighting how important it is for everyone to work together for the greater good.

Recognizing and connecting with our personal values can help us live more purposeful and satisfying lives. When we think about what is really important to us we can make decisions that help not just ourselves but also improve our relationships and the communities we live in.

Who am I in relation to youth work?

 

When I was younger I took part in a program called Youth in Action. This program gave me a stipend that I looked forward to every month. Most importantly it was a place where I could bond with my friends and I really liked the feeling of community and support we had together. The program allowed me to take part in important activities and made me feel appreciated for my hard work. 

The adults in Youth in Action spent time with us as mentors and guides. They helped us with activities and supported our growth. Their presence helped create a safe and supportive experience. 

The McKamey and Restler article struck a chord with me because it shows that Out of School Time (OST) programs like Youth in Action do more than provide a place for kids to go after school. They also help young people build friendships, learn new skills and feel supported. My experience shows this because the program provided me with a sense of purpose and a supportive community beyond my regular school hours.

Article: "The White House Said After-School Programs Don't Help Kids. Here's What the Research Says" (Time Magazine)

This article talks about the recent discussions about money for after-school programs. It shares research that shows these programs help students a lot by improving their grades and helping them get along better with others. It backs the idea that out-of-school time programs are important for helping young people grow, similar to what McKamey and Restler talked about. 

The article and the work by McKamey and Restler highlight that Out-of-School Time (OST) programs offer valuable places for young people to develop, make friends and get help that they might not find in other settings. This link shows how important programs like Youth in Action are in the real world as they have made a positive difference in my life.

This Book Is Anti-Racist

 

After reading This Book Is Anti-Racist, I felt a connection with it. It helped me understand things in the world that I had noticed but didn't know how to explain, such as unfair treatment, privilege, and how history affects people today. Some parts were familiar, but the book's explanation clarified everything. It made me reflect on who I am, how I perceive others, and how I can speak up when something is wrong.

What I liked best was that the book provided practical advice on how to take action. It was more than just learning; it was about doing something. That gave me more confidence and hope.

Real-World Connection

This book sparked a strong reaction in Southlake, Texas. A teacher got in trouble because a student brought it home and the parents said it didn't reflect their values. Following that, the school removed the book from the library. Here is the article. Axios - Southlake schools clash over an anti-racism book.

This demonstrates that discussions about racism and identity can still be difficult in some places. According to the book, some people want change, while others do not. That's why we need to keep learning and speaking up.