January 14

December option B: The truth of society

Why is it we all treat others so harsh? Look at the past, how the treatment of African American was so unjust or the mistreatment of individuals such as Elie from the novel Night. If deep down everyone is truly kind and merciful how did such events occur? I write this persuasive piece to show the true heart of the world and how individuals only really care about themselves and have discontent towards certain individuals. Just take a look outside and you’ll still see the unfair treatment of certain religions,races, and cultures. I ask all these questions knowing there will never be a correct answer or that there will even be answered.

 

There is no individual one may put forth that will be willing to give up their own fortune for the sake of someone they do not even know. We can put a facade up showing a false image of ourselves but no matter how good our false identity is when put to the test no one will pass. I don’t say this with passion and joy of demining everyone but with sorrow for how weak man truly is. This can be proven with such a vast amount of examples, the first example that is most recent is the Uyghur Muslims in China who are being placed in internment camps. How is it possible in this day and age after watching the mass murder of millions of Jews and the regret and sorrow that comes with the Holocaust we still cant recognize the present day Holocaust? Why is it no one has taken action or done something, how is it world leaders watch this injustice continue with a blind eye. If we were really good people wouldn’t we have done something now other than just posting something on our Instagram and forget it. Mankind has evolved from the dawn of time from the en-slavery of non-whites to the multiple genocides. This can also be proven with the huge gap between the rich and poor, how is it with all the wealth billionaires and millionaires have we still end up with poor people can’t they just give some of their money for the poor. There’s one simple answer greed, everyone is full of greed and doesn’t really care about anyone but themselves.

Category: Aazab | 1 Comment on December option B: The truth of society
January 13

Visual Response

Amrit Randhawa 

December 9, 2019

Ela 30-2

Acceptance

In our society today we are able to identify that we have great population that is diverse. The diversity within our society demonstrates the large area of acceptance in our contemporary society. Within this time period we are able to express ourselves and doing things that we believed that wasn’t possible. Despite such a golden age there is diversity within countries across the world, due to the values that have been engraved from its history. The underlying values change however over a period of time we are able to adhere to social change, due to the implication of supposed radical ideas. With our society understanding our past mistakes we have to make a society that implies to become equal and have no discrimination on any thoughts. Despite this not being true, we are able to see our society heading towards that side of the spectrum that accepts all. With the being able to express ourselves more than ever we are able to see a different type of diversity in our society. Different from just colour of skins it is more or less who we are. We are able to see the push of different groups and individuals spring up in our day to day lives. This demonstrates the step to “Utopian society where there is peace.”

 

The image shows an older lady near 60-70 years old. She is wearing a white dress and sitting on an older vehicle. The lady is very vibrant with all of the tattoos on her body. The main focus is the comparison of all of the tattoos and her age. The understanding of having a tattoos is that is will be on your body for life. My first judgement of what is seen to be that this individuals is to be rebellious due to the excessive amount of tattoos. In our society we easily judge individuals based upon the appearance and there is a bias in our society. This is due to the stigma created in the past that individuals that have tattoos are considered to be an outsider in the olden days and with this older woman being covered with tattoos it demonstrates how the stigma is broken and how values change over time. This justifies the aspect of acceptance in our period of time. Her facial expression is demonstrating joy which contrast her being accepted in society. With the thought that this isn’t the case for every country and rejected mostly in contextual societies this shows how there is adversity when a new value is presented in society. This is represented by the bruises on her leg which emphasize the rejection of such values in society and how there is a difference in society because of history, ideologies and religion. 

 

I have experienced such rejection of values in the past that have been accepted today. Within my childhood I had began to pursue a new hobby that had been seen to be unacceptable by older individuals, my parents. Video games were seen to be harmful and disruptive and seen to be equal as harmful as drugs. Within my environment that I had been raised in I view such things a social norm which had impacted me to follow up on it more. With persuasion and views changing over a period of time the stigma that was created by my parents had changed. They had changed the views of such things and allowed me to follow my desire. The comparison of video games then and now we can see how prominent they are within our society. We are able to see how values can change over time and be accepted by those who had rejected such values.

 

In our time period with us being part of a contemporary society we are able to express ourselves and be accepted by a group. It connects the groups across the world and allows the feeling of acceptance. Despite other countries have different opinions that influence the social norms individuals are able to be accepted and pursue a joyful life. This has occurred due to much of the world learning from mistakes we are able to have a more interconnected community.

Category: Amrit, Sept 2019 | 1 Comment on Visual Response
January 10

Segregated Gender-Core Classes- Persuasive Letter

Dear The Prosper School Council:

I am a recent graduate of Prosper High School, and I am writing to you today about a proposal of whether or not to separate students by gender in core courses. I hope that you, as the Prosper School Board, will choose to reject this proposal.  

The proposal is to have segregated gender core classes, which would mean that all males and females would take separate classes such as English, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science. However, the option classes, such as Physical Education, Drama, Choir, Art, and Woodworking would stay co-ed- mixed females and males. Accepting this proposal may lead to higher academic average and higher graduation rate, which will also assist in limiting the behavioral issues between the two genders. Although there are advantages in accepting the proposal, it can lead to difficulties in the future for the two genders when they have to work together in workplaces. Again, we hope that you will not accept this proposal because in the future, males and females will be unable to confidently present their talents in presence of the opposite gender; there will be a lack of respect for opposite genders, due to gender stereotypes; and there will be lack of acceptance in recognizing the individuals who do not associate with either gender.

Firstly, there should not be segregated gender classes because if males are only comfortable with males, and females are only comfortable with females, then in the future, they will struggle to be confident in their capabilities. Simon Hamilton, a citizen, has stated that although having separate gender classes will help males and females learn better, it will also create a barrier for them as they may be unable to use those talents due to the awkwardness of being around the opposite gender. This is true; if males do only learn with males while females do only learn with females, then it will be difficult to move away from that shell around them. Both males and females will think that they are successful if they are separate, but what about in the future? There will be times when males and females will have to work together, such as in many careers. That is when both genders will hesitate to express their opinions or ideas to the opposite gender; it would not be their fault, but rather it would be appropriate to blame those who have encouraged this gender separation. Therefore, I believe that males and females should not be separated, as in the future, they are going to struggle to be comfortable with the opposite gender; this will result in them being insecure of communicating with each other at a safe and confident level.

Second, having separate gender classes will result in a lack of respect for the opposite gender, as well as it will create gender stereotypes. Mona Robertson, another citizen, says that males will behave immaturely if they are surrounded with males; however, if there are girls around, then males will act maturely. This is true, because if males are only surrounded with males, then they are only going to acquire the characteristics of showing respect to males. Many males may not have a sister, or a close female relative, which would cause them not to have respect for females. At times, males may even feel that they are better than girls, which would result in gender stereotypes. In addition to this, Dev Sharma, a parent has also shown concerns of having separate core classes by gender, believing that it would do more harm than good; he believes that there could be harmful stereotypes of girls and boys. This is a concern for many families, as teachers believe that girls should be taught in a calm voice, whereas males should be taught in a loud voice; having these stereotypes will hinder upon the realistic way of dealing with males and females. Females and males should not be taking separate core classes because both genders will not learn how to respect one another, which would cause them to feel superior over the other gender.

Lastly, accepting this proposal will prevent certain individuals who do not associate with one of these two genders in feeling lack of acceptance. This is an issue because although there is an overall academic average of 82% at Arthur Andrew’s Boys Academy, 84% at Mary Clements All-Girls School, these schools are focusing on academics and not acceptance. It is vital that students are able to learn in a safe environment, where they feel belonged with everyone. By not having co-ed for each core class and option, individuals who are neither female nor male due to birth conditions or their own choice, are not being provided with the acceptance that they should be receiving. If there are segregated gender core classes, there should be specially designed schools for these individuals so there is equality among everyone. Having separate education by gender will not only create a gender disparity, but it will also contribute to lack of acceptance and belonging.

Again, I firmly believe in my opinion for not accepting this proposal of having separate core classes by gender; this is because both males and females are going to struggle in the future of being confident in their abilities; there will be a lack of respect for the opposite gender due to gender stereotypes; and there will be a lack of acceptance for certain individuals. These reasons make it evident that choosing to reject this proposal is the solid option overall. Thank you for your time and consideration on this issue.

Sincerely,

Terry Reid

Terry Reid

Category: Arhum, Sept 2018 | LEAVE A COMMENT
December 3

I am Who I Am

“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself.”

– Harvey Fierstein

Identity. Identity is not defined as what is labelled upon me from the time that I’ve seen this world, nor is it something that will stay the exact same from birth until death. However, identity is something that makes me myself, makes me unique from everyone else, and makes me stand out in the crowd- or that is what I assume it should do.

There have been times when I struggled to accept my identity; this in particular was accepting who I am as an individual. What makes me myself? What makes me different from everyone else? What makes me feel special about who I am?

Who am I?

Shy, reserved, a person with low-esteem: these words haunted me. I got labelled as these words, yet I knew that these words did not completely describe me. I knew that I am not shy, reserved, or mute all the time. It seemed like I was two different people at two different places; quiet only at school, while loud and outgoing at home and many other places.

At school, people saw me as someone who is too shy to interact with others, too held back from the norms of society, and too boring as an individual. People never realized that I could be someone else, who is outgoing and confident. They never ought to understand why I was who I was, and neither did I.  

I envied people who were so confident and their loud voices kept ringing in my mind. There was no way I could be as loud as them. How did they do that? How was it possible for someone to be so confident that they are able to voice out their opinions anywhere and anytime? This seemed almost impossible for me to do. I disliked myself, and was harsh on myself for not having the ability of being bold about my opinion. Something was holding me back from doing so.

I was afraid.

I feared the judgment of others. This is what held me back from expressing my true self. It seemed as if I am presenting only a part of me to others, a part that is a false me. It is not like I did not try; I did try. I tried to move away from fearing what others say; I tried to stop thinking of all the things that would go wrong if I did a particular thing.  

It did not help. I could not accept that I was normal, and that I belong with everyone else.

This is when I turned to my mom, my sister, and my friends. They had told me to stop fearing what others say; the truth was, I had tried that and it did not work. They told me that life is too short to worry about what others think of you; life is not about trying to change yourself just so you could please everyone, so that you could meet their expectations. However, life is about finding what you desire, what you value, and whether what you do is what a sincere individual would do.

Then, I had questioned myself: Was it bad to be quiet? No. It was not.

Through support, I came to realize that being reserved is not bad. Even though I was unable to express myself at school, I was able to voice out my opinions with my friends and family. I was still able to make a positive impact on people’s lives. This is what I had desired to do, to be a reason for someone else’s happiness.

This made up my identity. The choice I made of keeping my insecurities a part of myself, and not removing them from my life, has shaped who I am today.

I am proud knowing who I am as an individual. Even though others may not like who I am, how I act, or what I do, I know that I am beautiful the way I am. I know that I do not need to change myself for others. As long as I am happy with what I am doing, nothing can change my identity; only I can decide what should make up my identity.

 

I ask myself again: Who am I?  

 

I am a Pakistani

I am a Muslim

I am a sincere daughter

I am a crazy and annoying sister

I am a fun cousin

I am a caring aunt

I am an understanding, trustworthy friend

I am a reserved classmate

I am a compassionate human being

 

I am who I am

and I love being me.

 

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Category: Arhum, Sept 2018 | 2 Comments on I am Who I Am
December 2

Sense Of Identity

Identity is a term used to describe how a person naturally is. A person’s identity is who they are as a person. Their personality, looks, religion, and culture are all factors that are a part of identity. Often in life, people struggle to accept their true identity to conform to others or due to other circumstances. A situation like this also occurred in my life, in which I had to conform to the norms of society by abandoning my own identity.

A few years ago, I went to visit the country that my parents are from, for the first time. The country that I went to visit was Pakistan. I was 14 years old at the time and had no clue how the people in Pakistan were. When I got there, instantly I noticed that everyone dressed, acted, and moved differently than Canadians. Right away, I started feeling like I didn’t belong there because of my Canadian identity. All of my cousins that I would hang out with would be asking me questions about why I was acting so strange. I was supposed to stay for 4-5 months longer and realized soon that I would not feel comfortable being that odd person out. So I decided to abandon my Canadian identity and to start acting like everyone that lived in Pakistan. I started dressing and acting like all my cousins. Not only that, I even stopped speaking English and began speaking Urdu all the time. I also began wearing the traditional clothes that most Pakistani’s wore all the time. Pretty much, I accustomed my self with the Pakistani culture as much as I could. In just about a month of me being there, I had changed my personality completely. My parents noticed this immediately and then they asked me why I was acting differently. I responded by saying that I am just trying to become a more Pakistani. After living there for a few more months, I came back to Canda. With me, I brought this completely different person.  My friends at school noticed that I was behaving much differently than before. I was acting like a Pakistani person and had also picked up a strong accent. They all asked me how Pakistan was and what happened there. That is when I realized, that I didn’t need that Pakistani identity anymore. It took me a while to gain back the Canadian identity that I lost in Pakistan. Just so that I could conform to society, I was able to abandon my own identity so that I could be considered, “Normal.”

“We live in a world full of people who are satisfied with pretending to be someone they are not.”

Tommy Tran

This quote is portraying a similar message to my personal anecdote. Individuals are so obsessed in this world with artificial things such as fame, reputation, and conformity to society that they would abandon their own identity. Just like the quote explains, they would pretend to be someone they are not. What they fail to realize is that true identity is what matters most. These are just some of the common struggles that individuals go through with their own identities. Struggles like these happen every day to everyone. Through my experiences and this quote, I have learned that people have a natural want to feel accepted and will even ditch their own identity to achieve this.

 

Category: Hassan, Sept 2018 | 5 Comments on Sense Of Identity
October 31

The Burden of Staying Silent

Why is it that people who need the most help, won’t take it?

Image result for accepting help

We all have experienced multiple times in our lives when we require the help of others. We don’t ever and will never know all the answers, to satisfy our curiosity or understand everything that it takes to thrive and be successful, and we certainly don’t expect the same for others.

The primary reason why people would rather stay trapped in confusion and fight their eagerness and concerns than reach out and be enlightened, is because of fear.  I relate to this is my own life, where I fear that I will be criticized, rejected, or be told no. I also think it’s mainly because fear is being seen as “less than or weaker”, and not a state of vulnerability  that allows for people to come to terms of accepting why they are the way they are and expose the way they really feel. Sometimes, it comes from a place a realizing your failures and damaging your reputation. Other times, for me especially, it can be because, I don’t want to appear to be needy and bother others, or make them feel that they are responsible for carrying my weights for me.

Being told “no” is a very simple yet bold statement, that doesn’t need to be as complicated and difficult for us to comprehend as others make it seem. Instead of always perceiving this word with a negative connotation, it’s important to look at it from another perspective. Rather of thinking that being told no is your last chance and a setback when it is said, maybe the best thing to do in that moment is to accept it and move on and work harder for myself and my journey instead of diverting from it. If I kept on refusing to get help then at least I know not to waste my time and energy on something or someone that possibly wasn’t even worth it in the first place, and so with that being said, you can guide yourself to someone who will say yes and be appreciative and considerate for who you really set yourself out to be.

Asking for help, allows you to gain the ability to move forward, learn and the opportunity to collaborate. Instead of being stranded in the moment, you know how to proceed. Not believing that I could ask for help, or seek advice and assistance, wouldn’t get me to the place I am in now and the opportunities that I have been so lucky to be given a chance to partake in. While not everyone is able to say “yes,” people are often respected by that request. It means you admire their expertise or abilities enough to inquire knowledge from them.

Overall, I also strongly believe that not accepting help comes from a place of not wanting to expose ones vulnerability. You are pressured with the burden of trying to be as strong as possible for the sake of yourself and for those you lead. That you have to keep everything together all the time, and not show any indication of weakness. The truth is, that being vulnerable requires an incredible amount of courage and courage requires strength.

It takes more strength to open up and be truthful about the way you feel, than covering yourself with a mask to hide away your fears and insecurities.

It takes more strength to free yourself than be trapped.

It takes more strength to push forward than to hold back.

And finally, it takes more strength to risk personal destruction for the hopes of achieving something bigger than ignoring the circumstances.

“Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.”

 – Ziad K. Abdelnour

I am no stranger to feeling afflicted and helpless. But because I am able to acknowledge the presence of these emotions, I am able to carry on and live my life without regret. And this is all because, I know when to ask for help and I don’t let vulnerability defeat or define me in any way, but let it be my sign of direction. 

Sources: https://twitter.com/shinybluedress/status/917691296290148353

Category: Sept 2018, Simran, Uncategorized | 2 Comments on The Burden of Staying Silent
October 31

I Got You – Brothers Keeper

Teens nowadays seem to look at their siblings as an inconvenience to their lives because they have to be their guardian. In the film, A River Runs Through It, this kind of relationship of brother’s keeper is seen through Neal and Jessie. The younger sister, Jessie, wants to protect her older brother, Neal, however, Neal resists her assistance. I acknowledge the fact that I too have the same trouble with my brother, Ethan, who is unwilling to accept any help. Sometimes no matter how hard one sibling tries to help another, assistance is refused by fear of being perceived as weak.

The relationship the film creates between Neal and Jessie is a bond created from their past. Their closeness is not negatively affected by physical distance but by Neals desire to distance his emotions away from his sister. Though Neal intends for Jessie to not be concerned about him, it does the exact opposite and makes her want to understand and support him in through what he is struggling with. Jessie tries to get Norman to figure out and help Neal but it goes poorly as Neal arrives late and hungover with Old Rawhide to morning fishing with Paul and Norman. Jessie states after the failed attempt to help Neal, “Why do people who need the most help won’t take it.”  This quote shows how help is not always accepted by the people we think need to help. Without out the person with the problem realizing themselves that they need help, there is nothing a family member or friend can do to actually change that person problem.

I have never had a good recollection of my childhood but what I do remember, it involves my brother. I decided he was my best friend before he could even say my name. Since then I have continuously used him as a safety net in my stressful life. He was always there for me to not always talk but to even just sit and make sure I was not alone. I wanted to do this same thing for him as he grew up with the pressures of hockey teammates and academics but he seemed to just push me away as if I were one of the problems. I could tell he wanted to be seen as the strong one in the family who could face trials and easily brush them off but I knew that he really had been bottling up all the emotions to save me and my parents from having to worry. Without my brother realizing my constant persistence is to only try to ease some of his pain I can never truly help him. His ignorance of my help is frustrating to deal with but I do not think I could ever think of my brother as an trouble in my life because of everything he has done for me so no matter his defiance I know I will always be his favourite sister. 

Category: Adelle | 2 Comments on I Got You – Brothers Keeper
September 18

This I Believe-Acceptance and Moving On

Image result for happiness can exist only in acceptance meaning

http://www.picturequotes.com/happiness-can-exist-only-in-acceptance-quote-471

 

“Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” -George Orwell

 I believe in acceptance, and I believe in moving forward.

     I think without experiencing acceptance and having the ability to move on from the past I would be a different person than who I am today. To me, acceptance is a valuable mindset for someone to have because it is that key factor that might help an individual move on from conflict. For me I find it gets easier to find acceptance when I come face to face with many problems, and I gain more experience and have that time to practise moving forward from there. I also understand that some situations are inevitable because that is the way the tree falls, so I understand that I should not dwell on negative issues and instead face the situation. I do not want to be the person who is effected by something impossible to change, and I will not let that impossible matter harm me anymore, so I have pushed myself to the mindset of acceptance and moving on in life, and from there have succeeded happily.

A few years ago I have had a quite frankly traumatic experience that sometimes wonders my mind and haunts me now and again. However because of this experience and plenty of time to think back on it, I have developed different mind sets and personally I think I have matured into someone I may not have become if this incident was to not have occurred. It is a long story so here is a brief, non-gut wrenching summary of that night and the time after.
November break, 2016, around 3:25 am on the last Friday of the break before school, I was woken up to my stepdad giving CPR to my (at the time) clinically dead/unconscious mother. It was a scary thing to see after just waking up suddenly but of coarse there is no time for hesitation as you must run down to get the door for the EMS. From there my mother was revived thankfully and taken to a hospital to be checked, however my stepdad was not as lucky for he was put under arrest on what later would be charges of drugs, illegal and unlicensed guns, fentanyl usage and other charges I am not aware of. Skip through some awkward and emotional days with child services I came to live with my cousins. They aren’t bad people really, just they aren’t MY type of people and I did not get along well with how they did things and what they would say (pretty negative rumours) about my family, especially my mom. After 9 months of living with my cousins and getting fed up, I moved in with my biological dad who came back into the city to help with the problem at hand as my guardian. I lived with him and some of his roommates for awhile until time got close to the end of grade 11 year, and there was a struggle with attempting to move back home with my mom and family again but eventually it happened during final exam break. Since then I have been living with my family and there have been some issues that have been sort of scary but I’ve made it through all of my past and I can continue to make it through anything.

After living through that and (beforehand) having a very protected life, I had to gain coping skills and how to deal with emotional and physical problems when they arise. However the problem had come and passed yet I still felt it effected me harshly, that is when I learned I had to accept the past and move on in order for me to be stable and happy with myself and my life. Of coarse learning that mind set didn’t happen instantly, I went through denial and depression and terrible emotions and thoughts before I realized acceptance was how I moved forward.
I’ll leave this on a quote, “Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” To me this means happiness is possible but it won’t be something we’ll reach if we can’t move on from the past and look towards the future. I believe everyone deserves happiness, and I understand a lot of people struggle with achieving that, but I think it’s partially because they haven’t found acceptance and are not able to move on yet.

Category: Autumn, Sept 2018 | 3 Comments on This I Believe-Acceptance and Moving On
September 16

This I Believe – The Power of Humanity

I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.

-Malcom X

As I lay in my bed cuddled under the soft thick blanket which is wrapped around my shoulders, I examine what is around me; a soothing blanket to comfort me from the outside world, to hide me from all the pain of the outside world, and a bed to shelter me from the outside world. The walls and this very bedroom that I lay in protect me from the outside world, a world that is far too real, a world that is far too cruel, and a world that requires change. Change for not only me, but for you and everyone else. Until then, this bedroom, my bedroom is my inner small world where everything seems perfect. My bedroom acting as a quiet place for my mind and I to comprehend what is happening outside of my bedroom, of what is happening in the real world.

I begin to ponder about the thoughts of the outside world and of the problems that exist outside of my bedroom. These thoughts cloud my mind, and blur my eyes as I am brought back to the summer in my home country, Pakistan.

It was in July when my sister, a few cousins and I went to the mall. The amount of innocent women holding their child so close to heart I saw was incredibly shocking. These women had nowhere to go, nowhere to receive food, nowhere to live and nowhere to receive the care that they needed. I had thought to myself, “Is this the world that I live in? Is this the outside world, the real world with all the pain and bloodshed involved where in the end these people do not get treated as equals, where these people get treated as burdens in society? In a society where they are a burden to their family and loved ones where they should be receiving acceptance and humanity? Is this the world where these women and children that are struggling are addressed as ‘beggars’ when they look up to another individual for assistance, for some compassion and care?”

What surprised me the most was when these innocent souls asked for money and people would make eye contact later pretending as if they witnessed nothing, as if no one was ahead of them.

-Arhum. H

This was not all. Another innocent boy almost five years was following my sister, cousins and I for a long time. I turned around and gave some change out of humanity. There was no time to even examine the clothes that he was wearing, to examine where he may have come from or to rethink before giving him some money. There was an urge to do something, to help these innocent souls so they are able to pursue what they desire and to be as privileged as us. There was an urge to create change, to create acceptance by having an open mind, to show humanity and be willing to help others regardless of their individuality.

This experience had made me express the beliefs and values that I hold dearly in my heart which I never came to realize existed:

I believe in the power of humanity.

I believe in the power of having an open mind.

I believe that it is important to have an open mind, not so that you are expected to accept every single thing or person that comes your way in your life time, but so that you move away from judging others. It helps to bring every different individual with unique backgrounds together by erasing the differences that exist amongst them as boundaries. It allows acceptance which creates a comfortable environment for everyone. It creates the mindset of not being insecure anymore, of not hesitating in expressing yourself, and being able to see everyone as equal.

When equality exists through having an open mind, humanity grows. Humanity becomes powerful, becomes the most important which is above all religion. There is no faith or background or culture or language associated with humanity. Instead it is a way for individuals to care for each other, to assist one another without fearing the consequences and without feeling hesitancy. It is what binds every individual together, makes every individual feel welcomed regardless of who they are and where they come from. They are not judged and they are not shut down upon when they ask for assistance and when they ask for compassion. Instead, every individual is accepted and helped when individuals have an open mind.

This open mind will create the willingness to commit a good deed, to provide positivity and a positive impact. This open mind will allow for positive change through humanity.

Let’s strive for it and show the power of humanity today.

 

We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers.

Martin Luther King Jr.

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Category: Arhum, Sept 2018 | 4 Comments on This I Believe – The Power of Humanity
January 17

It will always stay with me for now and forever

It Will Always Stay With Me For Now And Forever

When an individual is put into a situation where they feel uncomfortable, other people can demonstrate encouragement through their actions or words. In the film, ” A River Runs Through It,” director Robert Redford portrays this by capturing a moment where Paul’s Father comments that his fly-fishing skills are leaving an impactful moment for Paul and his Father. This theme also lives in the excerpt, “I Beat All Odds,” by Micheal Oher where he illustrates this through the actions of his grade four teacher,  Mrs. Verlene Logan: as a child, there are always these insecurities that are present, but regardless of those differences, his teacher treated him as an equal and always believed that he was destined for greater things in life. Lastly, this can also be demonstrated through my personal life, because when I was in the third grade I was bullied for being different; however, with the help of a classmate who stood up for me, I was taught that everyone should be embraced for who they are no matter our differences.

As individuals, we all have our moments where we shine and we all have our moments where we do not. This can be seen when we are shown the reckless behavior of Paul in contradiction to the peaceful relationship he has fly-fishing. When we are shown the scene of Paul being complimented by his father about his fly-fishing skills, it truly leaves a mark on him because it indicates that his father has finally accepted who he is as an individual, no matter the trouble he has constantly gotten himself into. However, this also illustrates, because Paul’s Father taught him how to fly-fish throughout his childhood, it exemplifies that through his Father’s actions that Paul was influenced to continue fly-fishing as a hobby, as a sport, and as a passionate activity of his. By having that compliment it is like a sign of approval that Paul was seeking which he no longer has to do because now he has a Father that can understand him and appreciate him. By having this new understanding of each other there is an amended bond with them.

having individuals encourage us for what we might become is truly a blessing because it shows that they really care. In the excerpt, Michael Oher, describes his journey with Mrs. Logan as a significant moment in his life because without her guidance he never would have unraveled his talent. When Michael was first put into school, he seemed uncomfortable because he was different from the other kids, in the sense that he was taller and bigger than the other kids, but Mrs. Logan never treated him differently. This is shown when he says that, “She made all of us feel special in her class and she went above and beyond in caring for her students.” As Michael stated, “She tried hard to let every student know he or she was important to her…,” This indicates that she put a lot of effort into making sure that her students understood that they all held a place in her heart and that she was determined to make them feel loved. Michael also said, “Can’t never could and ain’t never would,” this was set as a reminder that her students were meant to try and try again and never let their determination falter. As children, when we have people to look up to, like Mrs. Logan – who taught her students to accept the differences that people offer and share- we are shown that we can use their teachings as a way to apply them in real life situations. Mrs. Logan not only set an example for her students, instead she indirectly influenced them to accept one another. However, it is also noticed throughout the years Michael still acknowledged her act of kindness and has impacted him deeply. Leaving those teachable moments with him forever. Mrs. Logan always believed in her students and new that they all have the potential. “…she made me believe that I had a talent worth developing and the ability to see through it.”

As people, we come in all shapes, sizes, colors, etc., but what we sometimes forget is that it is okay to be different and embraces those uniques qualities shown. when I was in the third grade I was bullied for being a different color and being a little bit bigger than the other girls. I remember that it was recess time and a group of boys and girls were all circling me, pointing at me and insulting me. That’s when I saw one of my classmates push through the circle and yell at everyone. Now at the time nobody ever talked to this girl because she was apparently a freak, she had long legs and arms, and really dark black hair and did not play with anyone. But, it was because of her that all of my bullies ran off like wild animals, it was because of her that I felt safe, it was because of her that I felt good about myself again, it was because of her that I felt normal again. Because of her actions, I am continuously rethinking about that specific memory of her, for it had not been for her, I know for a fact that I would not be here today.

In conclusion, the idea of another individual’s influence can have a lasting effect on people. By having an impactful moment it allows a person to envelop that moment and remember it for the rest of their life.

Category: Martha, Sept 2017, Uncategorized | LEAVE A COMMENT