Final Reflection

Jamel Rogers

Prof. Dragan

ENG 274 Creative Non-fiction

12 December 2018

Final Reflection

As a writer, I feel that I’ve grown tremendously, though I’ve had experience with creative writing with previous courses, this particular course was different as it offered me interpersonal skills, journalistic knowledge, and overall a better sense of the various ways I can write creatively. To be quite honest, I love creative writing in general as a genre so initially entering ENG 274 I was very excited to be apart of yet another writing community. In addition, one of the many things that I found liberating in this course was the interesting but informal conversations that would unfold during class by the instructor as well as peers. Hearing and learning so many different perspectives when it comes to writing and the different techniques that can be implemented. Nevertheless, that leads me to state that I found nothing difficult about this course as I had a very nice and helpful instructor as well as a profound diverse community of peers. Every Tuesday and Thursday I was truly inspired and indefinitely comfortable to be a part of this course. Also, the readings in which I enjoyed the most were Gypsy lady and What’s inside you, brother? By Toure. Gypsy lady because it offered a great sense of imagery and description, relating to the experience of a native New Yorker riding the subway. Lastly, What’s inside you, brother? By Toure, simply because I was intrigued by the educational and sentimental tone of the personal memoir. Overall, Creative Nonfiction Workshop (ENG 274) for the Fall semester was an unforgettable experience and I’m delighted to have been apart of such.

Blog Assignment #5

Jamel Rogers

Professor Dragan

ENG 274

Blog Assignment #5

29 November 2018

Reading Response: “What’s a baby between friends” by Stewart Lewis

https://narratively.com/whats-a-baby-between-friends/

“Was there a male biological clock? Was there a gay male biological clock? If there was, my alarm
was going off.” What’s a baby between friends” is a interesting life-story of parenting in the modern day
world of the 21st century. The individual in the story is Lewis who is an well-established openly gay
professional and musical artist who wants children, after a few months Lewis is able to have a baby with
a female friend named Kat. This was an intriguing piece as a reader as journalist conveyed raw emotion
and a sentimental tone throughout entire story. In my opinion, I believe the journalist decided to write a
piece on this particular subject to perhaps educate and enlighten those whom may have questions or
concerns with this topic. Nevertheless, journalist of this story instantly places himself into the story
by the constant usage of “I” which leads readers to understand that the writer isn’t a character in a
fictional setting, it’s personal memoir of his life. Overall this piece is very positive and informative as
it discusses and informs individuals to most importantly live life the way you want. The dialogue and style
are refreshing as it offers an original tone as well as a personal insight on one’s life.

Reading Response To Personal Memoir

Jamel Rogers

Prof. Dragan

ENG 274 Creative Nonfiction Workshop

8 November 2018

Reading Response to a Personal Memoir: Toure / What’s Inside You, Brother?

   Toure begins by taking readers straight into the ring, “ hot perspiration, heavy breaths slushed
through mouthpieces, moving quick and staccato and with tangible tinges of fear as they bob and
weave and flick and fake, searching for a taste of another man's blood.” This is a great indication
of a boxers experiences while being in the ring, Toure depicts a great sense of imagery feeling as if I
was in the ring myself experiencing such intensity. In addition, Toure helps readers better understand a
particular time period where civil rights played a prominent role in this country. Stated by Toure “Louis
having done what Negoros dreamed of doing but hardly dared think”, this statement reminds me of such
a historical moment in the world as Joe Louis being one of the first African American boxers defeating his
opponents, yet paving the way for future African American boxers to fight in the ring. Towards the end of
the memoir, Toure gets more personal with readers as he states “Toure was much better fighting from the
outside than the inside”, this sentence sticks out to me as it suggest Toure is a great fighter in society
when it comes to handling life, however in the ring he isn’t the strongest or best opponent when it comes
to boxing. Overall, I really enjoyed reading Toure’s personal memoir, as a reader I related to
Toure struggles as well as the amusing dialogue between characters. Plus the usage of historical
comparisons, and also the personable descriptions conveyed throughout the memoir intrigued me as
a reader.

Writing on Historical Photograph

Jamel Rogers

Prof. Richard Dragan

ENG 274

30 October 2018

Response to “The Americans” by Vivian Maier

The historical image of “The Americans” by Vivian Maier represents a clear depiction of a family documenting their life while living the American Dream. The brightness of the sun and type of clothing on individuals gives way that this is during the summer or springtime in which this photo was taken. The nine individuals in the photo seem to be happy posing with one another as a family. The age groups vary from middle-aged adults down to adolescent teenagers and toddlers. This photograph looks like it was taken during the 1940’s and/or 1950’s. Based on the vehicle and homes in the neighborhood suggest that this family is of the upper middle class. Initially, when first viewing the photograph, I thought of the infamous film “Pleasantville” by Gary Ross, with the black and white cinematography and perhaps the influence of a complacent world while living the American Dream. Nevertheless, the boy sitting on the steps by himself looking off into the distance at his family, suggest isolation and/or perhaps neglect. In addition, though the neighborhood is suburban there’s perhaps a sense of desolation for the simple fact there isn’t anyone else besides the family in the streets and/or across where the neighbors home is. Nevertheless, another significant factor would the idea that everyone looking into the camera looks optimistically present and happy, except the little girl in the very front. Her facial expression seemingly appears to be disturbed and uncomfortable. In conclusion, this photograph holds a significance in American history of the average household size and culture of families during this particular time period. Photographer Maier captures this clearly and accurately.

Blog Assignment #2

Jamel Rogers

Professor Richard Dragan

Creative Non-Fiction ENG 274

Blog assignment #2

Response: Tara Bahrampour “Persia on The Pacific”

After reading “Persia on the Pacific” by Tara Bahrampour. I have a better understanding of the Iranian culture and lifestyle. The title “Persia on the Pacific” is in correlation to Los Angeles as the city on the Pacific, and rather than saying Iran, Bahrampour describes Iran with a less implicit name, Persia. Throughout the passage, Bahrampour gives readers tons of effective details, some, in particular, would be the phrase “Irangles” as stated in the passage. This, in fact, is a clear indication for readers to understand the amount of Iranians residing in Los Angeles. As stated by Bahrampour “the number of Iranians in the greater metropolitan area falls somewhere between a hundred thousand and six hundred thousand.” In comparison,  “The city has Iranian republic clubs, Iranian rotary clubs, and Iranian nightclubs; Iranian bank tellers, and Iranian insurance agents, and a few Iranian homeless people” stated by Bahrampour. This gives way that the Iranians who migrated to the U.S live a normal and blended life , just like most Americans. Bahrampour uses precise detail throughout the passage, helping readers identify with the identity struggle faced amongst Iranians, a constantly experience for them within America. In addition, another phrase that really stood out to me is “traffic-plugged, smog filled-bowl, where Iranian retirees putter in gardens and wait at bus stops.” This statement reminds me of my neighborhood in Queens, NY where there's an abundance of diversity and movement by people surrounded by smog-filled air, and nonstop traffic. I decided to choose “Persia on the Pacific” simply because I’m intrigued by Bahrampour style of writing and descriptive detail on explaining the detachment that the Iranian people are facing. There’s a clear message being depicted, as a reader, Bahrampour narration was clear and personally I feel she stepped outside herself as a narrator by describing the experiences, struggles, and day-to-day life of the Iranian people.

Welcome

Jamel Rogers
ENG 274 - Creative Nonfiction Workshop
Professor Dragan
9/20/2018


Hi, my name is Jamel Rogers and I'm a Native New Yorker. A few of my many characteristics is that I'm very endearing, outgoing, and a friendly guy. Growing up, I've always been interested in free-writing and creative writing. In high school, I was introduced to creative writing and fell in love ever since. Also, I write in my journal about three times a week, with a mixture of different styles such as poetry, personal, and inspirational writings. My major is Fine Arts Design studies, my goal is to graduate from Laguardia Community College and than continue my education at a four-year. So that I can professionally work in fashion design with a career in either fashion journalism at a prominent magazine company and/or as a stylist. In addition, I've only taken one creative writing course before and it was an awesome experience, I learned about characterization, dialogue, poetry, imagery, and etc. Nevertheless, creative non-fiction to me means subjectively writing in a creative format. In conclusion, though I have a lot to learn throughout this course, I am excited to begin my Fall semester with Professor Dragan, and also class peers. I know it will be a success. :)


Sincerely,
Jamel