April Monthly Blog

The past unit has revolved around good vs evil. In multiple discussions, we have debated the characteristics or traits required to be considered evil. Can people be innately evil? Or does every person have both a good side and bad side as seen in Dr. Jekyll and  Mr. Hyde? The novel portrays the idea that humans have two sides to themselves: good and evil. Although he was unsuccessful within his studies, Dr. Jekyll tried to separate the two sides of humans. Hyde represents the idea that the evil side of man is the superior side since he only has the evil side and no good part. Hyde is evil from birth, and his evil characteristics are reflected through his physical appearance. Society rejects Hyde as he does  not suppress his evil nature and therefore does not fit into society. The author, Stevenson, is presenting the issue that all human have an evil side to them, but this side can be either trumped or enhanced by society. The duality of nature is effected by societal factors, but whether positively or negatively varies.

I believe that no one is born completely evil, but are influenced by our own society to be considered “evil or good”. In agreement with humans are born as a blank slate. Through experience and societal factors, people have "evil" moments. There I would very few people I would considered evil: however, my list includes people like Hitler or Osama Bin Laden. My personal definition of evil stems from the actions of repeatedly taking another human’s basic rights away (ex- mass killings). Humans are not perfect and often make mistakes. These mistakes do not define us; we are not evil because of that small lie or copying someone's homework. Jekyll’s theory that “man is not truly one, but two” is one that I can agree with due to the examples I see within society. We all have the figurative symbols of the “good angel vs the bad angel” on our shoulders. Each person or group will have the definition of "evil," but each person has both good and evil traits within them that are cultivated through societal experiences.

March Monthly Blog

First, sorry my blog is so late :) For the first time I am not writing in response to a new article. After reading Dr. Faustus, I was curious to see what modern society would trade their soul for. So I asked twenty people for their opinion and gave them the options of "money, power, knowledge, eternal life, or nothing." Out of those twenty people, nine claimed that they would choose to sell their soul for money. The rest were broken down as seen below...

Money	9
Power	5
Knowledge	1
Eternal Life	3
Nothing	2

This small survey demonstrates our society's desire and obsession with money. Today, money is associated with power unlike the contrasting with the views of Dr. Faustus' time. During his era, knowledge was affiliated with power. Fautus wanted unlimited power that was accumulated with his knowledge. This association caused Dr. Faustus to sell his soul (and integrity) for unlimited knowledge. His greed can be compared to modern society's motives, expect we are driven by money. In my opinion, it is better to power-hungry through knowledge rather than money. Knowledge, although not all of the time, can advance society. However, society So I pose the question of if anything is worth selling your own soul for? It is my belief that each person has their own individual has their own factor that they would be willing to sell their soul for. It appears that modern has lost their religious morals and values, so much to the point that only a small percentage of people would not make the deal. It seems that everyone has a price and can be bought. I would like to say that I would not sell my soul, but I feel as if I would contemplate the deal for money. At this point, my life revolves around money (or the lack of) with financial aids packages, scholarships, etc. However in twenty years, knowledge or eternal life may be more significant to me. I see the connection between all of them; money or knowledge can bring power, and eternal life can be associated with unlimited knowledge.  It is important to honestly ask yourself what your own price is, or if you even have one. 

February Monthly Blog

Within this unit, we talked about "feminism." Throughout the discussion, we came to the conclusion that society has such a misconstrued idea of the meaning behind feminism.  Recently, Emma Watson gave a speech at the UN discussing gender equality. Watson said "I have realized that fight for women's right has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop." To society, "gender equality" sound like it is worth fighting for unlike "feminism" even though they practically mean the same exact thing. According to Merriam- Webster Dictionary, feminism is "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities." THIS IS THE ACCURATE DEFINITION OF FEMINISM. 

Nora, Edna, and the narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper” were all part of the original feminist movement, but they were fighting for the right to be individuals and equal opportunity. All three women were considered crazy because they wanted to be individuals and did not value their role as only mother. Today in the United States, women can go to college, have a career, live on her own, and choose to be a mother or not. These rights (that seem basic to me) were something that Nora, Edna, and “The Yellow Wallpaper” were fighting for.  In the United States, we have legally moved past that battle. Now, women are trying to fight the stereotypes and ideals passed on through generations. They were able to attack the obvious societal problems, but now women are fighting the deep-rooted stereotypes.
Every part of me wants to be a mother (in the FAR, FAR, FAR future), but you can be sure that I will also have a career. I do not mind coming home and having to straighten up, cook dinner, do laundry, etc BUT my husband better be right beside me doing just as much work. I view parenting as part of gender equality; it is OUR house, OUR children, and OUR responsibilities. It is my belief that the fight for women’s rights is no longer receiving any rights at all, but equal rights. This common misconception is causing feminism to be portrayed with a negative connotation.  For example, it is not okay for a guy to hit a girl; but why is it okay for a girl to hit a guy??? Pay should be based on ability not if my chromosomes are XX or XY.  Men should not have to relinquish his rights, but women needs the same rights. All feminist are asking for is equality.http://www.bustle.com/articles/40868-9-most-powerful-quotes-from-emma-watsons-un-speech-on-gender-equality-video

January Monthly Blog

 The picture shown above cannot be described in words. The woman portrayed on Times Magazine’s cover is Bibi Aisha in 2010. Bibi had received her injury as a punishment for trying to escape her husband’s home at the age of 19. She was tortured by having her ears and nose cut off by her husband as her brother in-law held her down.  The article cited below gives the full, gruesome details of Bibi’s suffering. Some of these cultural patterns in this article are present in A Thousand Splendid Suns. For example, Mariam was arranged to an unwanted marriage at the young age of 15. This is almost an identical story to Bibi’s; she was forced to marry her abusive husband at the age of 12. In Afghanistan, domestic beatings are a common occurrence for most women. One difference between Mariam and Bibi’s stories are the importance of education. Mariam was encouraged by her father to further her education; Bibi was only able to receive an education after she was rescued. Mariam and Bibi both had hope that their oppression and suffering would end. Their stories resonate with most Afghanistan women because it is something almost every one of them experience on a daily basis. As a society, we need to use the few public stories like Bibi’s as motivation to help those who are privately suffering.
Personally, I am blessed to say I have never experienced so much oppression from just being a woman. This monthly blog was one that I was really passionate about. These women in the Middle East have the most courage I have ever heard of. In the United States, we are certainly more progressive than the Middle East, especially when it comes to woman rights. Many claim it is “part of their culture,” but why should women continue to be viewed as property just because of tradition.  I CANNOT wrap my head around the idea that Bibi was 19 years old…only a year older than me.Suddenly that little fight with my parents doesn’t seem so bad. If I was Mariam or Bibi, I would have been married for three to six years now. It is important to take a step back and appreciate our rights as women, but not forget the others out there that are still suffering.  Believe it or not, appreciate the debt we will have because we have the opportunity to further our education (well maybe that’s a stretch…). Those of us who have a voice must use it to protect the Afghanistan women, or any oppressed woman in the world. This photo was released in 2010, which is not that long ago. “Women’s rights” are still prevalent issues in today’s world; they can never be ignored until all women are seen and RESPECTED as individuals.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/05/bibi-aisha-afghanistan-disfigured-taliban

December Monthly Blog

War is destructive in every way possible. It destroys soldiers physically and emotionally. The New York Times recently gave a study which concluded that one in five service members in Iraq suffers from post traumatic stress disorder; but only half of those affected receive professional help. This survey accurately displays the damage that can come from a war.  With 1.6 million service members deployed in 2007, almost everyone has felt the influence of war. The psychological and/or physical injuries come home with the soldiers and are brought onto their families.  Of the 1.6 million, 25% of those soldiers are at home dealing with the symptoms of the stress disorder.

While Billy Pilgrim did not serve Iraq, the psychological effects are still felt by soldiers of World War II. Billy Pilgrims’s delusions and tainted view of society can be a result from his time spent serving in the war. The devastation of the bombing at Dresden forever stuck with Billy and potentially caused his post traumatic stress disorder. At one point, he admits himself to a veteran’s hospital, but the shock treatment was inadequate in helping Billy recover from the mental injuries he had gotten from his experience in the war.  He began to have hallucinations of the Tralfamadorians and his life was never the same after the life-altering experience in Dresden during World War II.

Due to human nature, war is inevitable. There is violent side in humans that make them incapable of just “talking it out.” However, this is not excuse to let the mental health of our soldiers fall short on the government’s list of priorities. Personally, the mental and physical health of the men and women serving should take precedence of “winning” the war.  Growing up in a family with a slight military background, I have a great appreciation for all of those who choose to serve. They are not only choosing to put their life in danger during the deployment, but it could potentially alter their whole entire mindset. These men and women deserve an improved treatment for those whose suffer from PTSD. War can end lives and/or tear families apart, but it can also provide experiences that regular civilians will never be able to understand.  Dating back to ancient civilizations, war has only been destructive to the mind, body, and soul.

www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/us/18vets.html?_r=2&

November Monthly Blog

 Throughout history, society’s most fatal clashes were fought over differences in culture. Cultural domination has caused multiple wars in every type of society dating back to the Ancient Greeks and going through modern society. The article had compared the Eskimos to our cultural norms. Rachels quotes “’Different cultures have different moral codes’- has seemed to be the key to understanding morality. The idea of universal truth in ethics, they say, is a myth” (Rachels 53).  James Rachels is explaining that every culture cannot be identical; and to try to unify all cultures would be morally wrong. Each group has the right to cultural difference and the oppression of cultures would take away those rights. Personally, when I hear cultural superiority is the Holocaust. After reading this article, I find myself relating to the views of a cultural relativist that is portrayed in the article. James Rachels provides every aspect of cultural relativism. We like to think we live in a world full of individuality and independence, but yet cultures are being suppressed for religious and political reasons all of the time. This suppression was seen in Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, as the villagers individually responded to the influence of European culture.  The Umuofia tribe felt both the religious pressure as the six missionaries traveled to Nigeria. They are hoping to spread their Christianity, which they view as superior to the tribe’s religion. Okonkwo refuses to succumb to the new religion of Christianity. If discussed, I believe that Okonkwo would consider himself a cultural relativist; he gave his life in rebellion to the influence and change. The whole clan was stuck between the Igbo traditions and embracing the new opportunities brought by the visiting missionaries. It comes down to the idea of superiority in: race, religion, gender or sexuality. These are differences that make us individuals. With one common culture, our world loses the value of individuality. Cultural domination can be stopped with acceptance and less criticism; but our society is taking small steps towards independence. Rachels suggests that before society judges another culture, they should ask why they have these customs and the significance they have to the culture.

 

October Monthly Blog

A hero is not always the stereotypical “hero” seen in Beowulf; in modern society, heroes are now looked at from a scientific perspective. Scientist at the University of Oregon conducted an experiment that analyzed parts of the brain when given the opportunity to complete a “heroic action.” They concluded that some people just have a brain that naturally rewards itself for doing heroic or charitable actions. Another study is testing the idea that brains could be trained to always make the heroic decision, but many believe that the brain is already trained to respond with compassion and generosity. I can agree that the brain born with the inherited ability to feel compassion and generosity, but also selfishness and greed. I thought of preschoolers; they are all friends, but yet if someone takes a toy that they wanted then the greed kicks in. As members of society of grow older, the “selfishness and greedy” traits start to take over as the compassion and generosity shrink in not all but some. The real hero comes when the brain is still triggered to respond with compassion and generosity. Of course, society plays a huge role in this debate and it coincides with “nature vs. nurture,”

This article gave the example of a sky dying instructor who became paralyzed from the neck down after saving a women’s life when the parachute did not properly deploy. The debate comes from determining if Dave Hartsock, the instructor, is more of a hero than Beowulf. It is clear that the modern definition of a hero contrasts the idea of a hero during the time of Beowulf. Personally, I see Dave Hartsock as more of a hero because he gained absolutely nothing from the incident. Almost every battle fought by Beowulf resulted in more fame and attention, even in his final banner. The sky diving instructor received little to no fame and when asked about the incident “he insists he wouldn’t have done things any other way.” There are some striking similarities between the two men; especially that both Beowulf and Dave risked their lives for others, but I believe Beowulf’s brain responded better to greed. The contrasting of heroes must consider the societal norms because the idea of what a hero is has certainly adapted with society.  I am not in full belief that heroic actions are only from brain without any societal influences, but it is a plausible explanation for both the actions of Beowulf and Dave Hartsock

http://discovermagazine.com/2013/september/11-what-makes-a-hero