Things I've Learned From Grading, Part Deux

Here's today's batch. A few other graders are contributing as well, so it's getting good.

"Around 1884 there was a conference in England. It was called the Berlin Conference."

"The Africans were never a real warring nation because of their seclusion from the modern world. For this reason, they have always been peaceful, and generally left alone." (There goes my research...)

"The white men say their the bad ones but their the ones who have everyone running, in Africa."

(FYI, for those who don't know me personally, incorrect use of homophones is my biggest pet peeve.)

"During the time period of 1884 and 1885 the Europeans tried to take over the African state known as Africa."

"We all must fight in a rebellion for our land holding our nationalism strong. :)" (I love it when they use emoticons on exams.)

"We all have the same red blood pumping through our vains skin tone is a type of diverse beauty. Love is unconditional, African societies expressed their love in rebellions, fighting for their land and nationalism." (This one was such a hippie.)

"The mad Scramble for Africa resulted in a mixture of actions and reactions. Some get what they wanted and others were unfortunate but that's the way the cookie crumbles." (I have no words...)

"The Ashanti wanted to remain independent while keeping a platonic relationship with the British." (So no making out.)

"All Africans were opposed to Scrable in Africa." (They prefer Candy Land.)

"In 1886 the Royal Niger Company sent letters to African Americans, asking them to make a pledge not to enter themselfs into any war with other tribes." (Thanks, Jesse Jackson. I credit you also with the student who last year informed me that Nelson Mandela was the first African-American president of South Africa.)

"The Scramble for Africa was a scary time for Africans. Many of them didn't know what to do and completely freaked out." (Um, OK....)

"The Ethiopian painting depicts a victory of the colored men while the Royal Niger Company is making alliences to support colored men." (I think I preferred "African American" after all...)

"If I was to request a document, I would use thoroughly one stating specifics during the first years around 200 BCE as compared to 1450 CE."

"Without the Silk Road, travel to Asia would be really hard." (Since there are no flights from LA.)

"One disease that can attributed its major success to trade on the Silk Road is the smallpox, which was breed to the domestication of animals."

"The ideas and culture of China were able to escape into the world along the Silk Road." (Quick, somebody catch them!)

"Maybe since Marco [Polo] went there that might be why Mongollia didn't take over Western Europe." (One look at Marco and they were like, "Fuck that!")

"An example would be how Mongols spread disease in to China. Diseases such as sypholis, AIDS gonorrhea, and such. The disease spreading was living on through there people."

"As civilizations died and others were born, the Silk Road's took the journey with them."

Also, if African and Europeans had had the Torah, they would've known how to be peaceful.

Latin Americans are our friends from "down under."

Africa is a country.

More tomorrow, loves.