VIdeo for "We Are The World"
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
"We Are The World"- critical song for the world
I chose "We Are The World" as the song that I think is important for the world to hear because the whole point is that there are people in the world who aren't nearly as fortunate as we are as Americans especially and that as human beings we have a responsibility to lend a helping hand to those in need. The song came out 2x (to my knowledge)- the first time was for "USA (United Support of Artists) for Africa" and the second time was recently after the tragedy in Haiti. I really feel as though this message is important because it once again puts the "ball in our court" as Americans and as people. We have the ability to make a difference in the lives of other people around the world and it is our responsibility to do what we can for others. I also like it because it applies to everyone: diverse races, genders, ages, and colors all helping those in need. The songs themselves, when performed, show a large variety of artists coming together for a cause and since media has such a strong influence on our nation it is really important and critical to lead by example in this matter of helping our fellow man in need.
Michael Jackson - We Are the World lyrics
There comes a time, when we hear a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make change
We are all a part of God's great big family
And the truth you know
Love is all we need
chorus:
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free.
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
And so we all must lend a helping hand
chorus
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Let us realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one.
chorus x9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxt-bUDsrF8
Michael Jackson - We Are the World lyrics
There comes a time, when we hear a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make change
We are all a part of God's great big family
And the truth you know
Love is all we need
chorus:
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free.
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
And so we all must lend a helping hand
chorus
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Let us realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one.
chorus x9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxt-bUDsrF8
"American Idol" Media Critique- Teen Mom
My media critique is of Teen Mom because I feel as though it glorifies the irresponsibility of teenagers getting pregnant. What MTV has done is take a serious situation- a current epidemic in our nation- and turn these "teen moms" into celebrities because they accidentally got pregnant. When girls watch these shows they aren't getting the real deal about what happens when you get pregnant before you are ready. Yes, it shows tears and other "hardships" but it turns babies into the latest "accessories" for teenage girls and that is shameful. Things like this ruin lives and families and MTV is making it "cool" by showing this program. These teen moms are all over the covers of magazines and talking about having more kids with their boyfriends and they aren't even old enough to be drinking! Call me crazy but if you aren't considered responsible enough to buy liquor, why would we encourage you through media attention to be in charge of a helpless human life??? You hear of things like the "Pregnancy Pact" that happened a few years ago by the teenage girls after Jamie Lynn Spears got pregnant and it brakes my heart to hear how teens can do a thing like that because of how it is portrayed on television. This issue is close to home for me because my younger sister accidentally got pregnant at 19 and being a mom is a life-long responsibility that should not be taken as lightly as it is portrayed on this show. If a show is going to be made about teen parenting, it needs to show the truth about it and how important it is to wait until you are mature enough to know the real responsibility it is to be a good mother. "Teen Mom" should be a show completely devoted to preventing teens from becoming mothers! 
Busboys & Poets- March 28
This wasn't my first time at Busboys & Poets (although my first time was only the day before)but it was my first time to a open mic poetry reading. Obviously the only thing that I can base my ideas of what they are like off of are what I've seen on TV or movies. The hostess even made the comment "We don't snap- it's not the '70s" but I was truly wondering if that's how I was suppose to respond after people finished reading!
What I was really impressed with was the family- a father and his two daughters- that came from Maine or Pennsylvania (can't remember exactly). The dad went first and read a funny poem about Facebook which made me laugh and I think he loosened up the crowd for his daughters which I figure was his intent all along. The older of the two daughters went after her dad and she was probably 14-16 years old. Both of her poems were really good and I was really impressed not only with the talent but also the courage that it took for her to get up in front of complete strangers- much older than she is- and perform her art. The youngest daughter who was probably 9-12 years old went last and she was very cute. I wish I could understand most of what she said but I could tell that she was presenting someone's else work.
Many other people went up and presented poems. A few you could tell were "regulars" and others, like our classmate, was new to it. But it was really cool watching everyone get up and express themselves the way they did. One older man who was a regular shared a poem he called "Not IF" which I really liked because he essentially exaggerated what we do as humans to show us how insensitive and selfish we are. The poem expressed what we usually do which is the opposite of what we say and tell others to do. It really captured my attention because when you listen you are like "Man, that person is horrible!" but once you stop and think about it you realize how often you fall into the same traps. I also really liked the Professor's poem about leaving a family legacy. The entire time she talked I was thinking about my family and the things that I have learned from them that I plan to pass on to my children and how they will live on through those life lessons. One woman shared poems about self-esteem and an experience with a child who was struggling. They were so beautifully written and you could easily identify with all the emotions she tried to relay. Others spoke on love and other issues that really hit close to home for them and I really enjoyed all of those!
I wasn't very fond of the main speaker- not because of her writing ability because she was undoubtedly talented- but because of her content. I realize that people write about what they know and I do admire them for that, but it's sad if that is the only content you have to write about. She was open and honest to warn the family about the content of her poetry and as soon as she started talking the father sent his daughters out of the room. I couldn't blame him! Looking back, I should have done the same thing because that isn't the content that I want to be filling myself with as a Christian. I was really encouraged when the dad took his daughters out because it showed that there still is innocence in the world and that some parents really try to do their best to spare their children as long as possible. I personally spaced out from time to time because the content of her writings didn't capture my attention- they were offensive to me and I should have had the boldness to do as the father did and remove myself from it. I don't at all blame the poetess because that is her job- that's her life and how she is expresses herself. If anything it makes me even more thankful for the environment that I was raised in- that I don't have to resort to degrading means in order to make money. She was a very pretty and talented woman and she deserved/deserves better. I wasn't angry at her for what she wrote about- my heart more broke that that's what she has to draw from for inspiration to write. She also wasn't the only one- many of the readings were about negativity and were vulgar, etc. It opens my eyes to how much people are lost and hurting and searching for satisfaction and acceptance. I love writing because it is an outlet to get things off your chest- sometimes things that you could never say to the person they are intended for. However, I'm thankful even more that I have Jesus who saved me from myself, my sins and everything that I could have been if left alone and who is always there as the necessary outlet to express the feelings of my heart.
As always, this was such a great learning experience. I'm beginning to realize more and more how everything in life is a chance to learn something either about this world or myself and I definitely learned about both during this open mic night.
What I was really impressed with was the family- a father and his two daughters- that came from Maine or Pennsylvania (can't remember exactly). The dad went first and read a funny poem about Facebook which made me laugh and I think he loosened up the crowd for his daughters which I figure was his intent all along. The older of the two daughters went after her dad and she was probably 14-16 years old. Both of her poems were really good and I was really impressed not only with the talent but also the courage that it took for her to get up in front of complete strangers- much older than she is- and perform her art. The youngest daughter who was probably 9-12 years old went last and she was very cute. I wish I could understand most of what she said but I could tell that she was presenting someone's else work.
Many other people went up and presented poems. A few you could tell were "regulars" and others, like our classmate, was new to it. But it was really cool watching everyone get up and express themselves the way they did. One older man who was a regular shared a poem he called "Not IF" which I really liked because he essentially exaggerated what we do as humans to show us how insensitive and selfish we are. The poem expressed what we usually do which is the opposite of what we say and tell others to do. It really captured my attention because when you listen you are like "Man, that person is horrible!" but once you stop and think about it you realize how often you fall into the same traps. I also really liked the Professor's poem about leaving a family legacy. The entire time she talked I was thinking about my family and the things that I have learned from them that I plan to pass on to my children and how they will live on through those life lessons. One woman shared poems about self-esteem and an experience with a child who was struggling. They were so beautifully written and you could easily identify with all the emotions she tried to relay. Others spoke on love and other issues that really hit close to home for them and I really enjoyed all of those!
I wasn't very fond of the main speaker- not because of her writing ability because she was undoubtedly talented- but because of her content. I realize that people write about what they know and I do admire them for that, but it's sad if that is the only content you have to write about. She was open and honest to warn the family about the content of her poetry and as soon as she started talking the father sent his daughters out of the room. I couldn't blame him! Looking back, I should have done the same thing because that isn't the content that I want to be filling myself with as a Christian. I was really encouraged when the dad took his daughters out because it showed that there still is innocence in the world and that some parents really try to do their best to spare their children as long as possible. I personally spaced out from time to time because the content of her writings didn't capture my attention- they were offensive to me and I should have had the boldness to do as the father did and remove myself from it. I don't at all blame the poetess because that is her job- that's her life and how she is expresses herself. If anything it makes me even more thankful for the environment that I was raised in- that I don't have to resort to degrading means in order to make money. She was a very pretty and talented woman and she deserved/deserves better. I wasn't angry at her for what she wrote about- my heart more broke that that's what she has to draw from for inspiration to write. She also wasn't the only one- many of the readings were about negativity and were vulgar, etc. It opens my eyes to how much people are lost and hurting and searching for satisfaction and acceptance. I love writing because it is an outlet to get things off your chest- sometimes things that you could never say to the person they are intended for. However, I'm thankful even more that I have Jesus who saved me from myself, my sins and everything that I could have been if left alone and who is always there as the necessary outlet to express the feelings of my heart.
As always, this was such a great learning experience. I'm beginning to realize more and more how everything in life is a chance to learn something either about this world or myself and I definitely learned about both during this open mic night.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Vicious Cycles
I titled this week's post "vicious cycles" because that is what I feel is the theme for this week's readings. The cycles that are enforced by society truly are vicious.
In "The Cycle of Socialization", the author focuses on the way society has categorized people and the specific groups that everyone is placed in based on their race, gender, social class, religion, etc. This reading was very captivating to me because as I read I found myself in both groups: the "agent group" (middle-upper class, abled, heterosexual) and the "target group" (female, colored, younger). However, people (including myself) are more likely to automatically put me in the target group because those characteristics are the "first impressions" people have of me. And I'm definitely guilty of falling into the "norm" that the author spoke of as the person who for the most part "knows my place". In my position, I'm satisfied and happy with my place in society and have been privileged enough to not knowingly experience discrimination based on my target group characteristics. Many of the phrases and ideologies mentioned were exactly how I was raised and what I've embraced as a young adult. Granted, being raised as a Christian erased all of the hostility that is the major issue. I really liked what the author said when they mentioned how we aren't going to "just get along"- I liked the honesty in that statement. The author then throws the weight back on the readers in that it is our responsibility to make change happen.
"The Cycle of Cynicism" also emphasized how we, as a society, have once again become trapped in a cycle that we may very well not even realize we are in. Honestly, I agree with cynicism: I believe that naturally as human beings we care about ourselves. However, everyone expresses that "selfishness" in different ways. Some people are blatantly selfish to where they don't care how they get there or who is hurt in the process as long as they get exactly what they want. Others help people because it makes them feel good about themselves and they get a "high" from giving to others. What I liked about this article was the distinction between the Cycle of Cynicism and the Cycle of Hope and how the cycle of hope is when people do more than just feel bad about what's going on but actually go out and make a difference. I guess that is maybe also why I feel as though people are naturally selfish because when it is a cause they truly care about then go to great lengths to find a way to help out. So when natural disasters and other things happen that people feel bad about but don't do anything to contribute it makes me question how bad they TRULY feel. I also like the "9 Traps that Stop People from Making a Difference". To be quite honest, I feel as though it should be labeled the "9 COP-OUTS that Stop People from Making a Difference" because if we are honest with ourselves we realize that that is what the vast majority of these things are. They are things that we tell ourselves that make us feel better about not actually going and doing work. "That's just the way the world is" is one that you hear all the time and one that I'm guilty of myself, especially when it comes to Christianity. I know that there will never be a time when the whole world believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior but that doesn't release me from my responsibility to tell people about Him. Many of the other "traps" just re-enforce how cynical people are/can be: "I don't have the time or energy", "It's not my responsibility", "I'm not a saint", "I'm not an activist". The common denominator in those phrases is "I"! You can't tell me that people aren't naturally selfish when we use the word "I" more then we use "they, he or she". I think the author of this article is trying to open our eyes to the fact that we CAN make a difference once we get our eyes off ourselves and open to sacrificing for the good of others.
In the Salsa, Soul, and Spirit book there are even more examples of people realizing that everyone has a role to play in being a leader and changing. People all over the world are responsible for the change in their communities: one women, after realizing how much Hispanic women lack leadership training, took the opportunity to head up a National Hispana Leadership Institute. The association Dr. Joseph made between black leaders and religious tradition, morals, and ethics and what is good for the whole not just the individual was also insightful for me. The common denominator in cultural leadership is that because minorities have been oppressed for so long, their values and morales are founded on better the community as oppose to themselves alone. It once again shows the differences between leadership in races and genders. Ultimately, the major theme underlying all of the stories in this section was that they all promote activism in the midst of oppression as oppose to just whining.
Taking the Implicit Association Test and the tests on the marriage website was very insightful because it put reality into tests. For instance, one of the tests that I took was on "age" and how my mind automatically associates being old with bad things such as agony, hurt, etc. I feel as though I unconsciously associate specific groups with either positive or negative views on life. Same thing was made evident in another game/test where I created my "perfect baby" and had to pay more for a white child that isn't gay and is athletic and smart. I really liked the games because it really opened my eyes to how I view things. Honestly- my results weren't off at all and they showed how much society dictates my view of groups.
In "The Cycle of Socialization", the author focuses on the way society has categorized people and the specific groups that everyone is placed in based on their race, gender, social class, religion, etc. This reading was very captivating to me because as I read I found myself in both groups: the "agent group" (middle-upper class, abled, heterosexual) and the "target group" (female, colored, younger). However, people (including myself) are more likely to automatically put me in the target group because those characteristics are the "first impressions" people have of me. And I'm definitely guilty of falling into the "norm" that the author spoke of as the person who for the most part "knows my place". In my position, I'm satisfied and happy with my place in society and have been privileged enough to not knowingly experience discrimination based on my target group characteristics. Many of the phrases and ideologies mentioned were exactly how I was raised and what I've embraced as a young adult. Granted, being raised as a Christian erased all of the hostility that is the major issue. I really liked what the author said when they mentioned how we aren't going to "just get along"- I liked the honesty in that statement. The author then throws the weight back on the readers in that it is our responsibility to make change happen.
"The Cycle of Cynicism" also emphasized how we, as a society, have once again become trapped in a cycle that we may very well not even realize we are in. Honestly, I agree with cynicism: I believe that naturally as human beings we care about ourselves. However, everyone expresses that "selfishness" in different ways. Some people are blatantly selfish to where they don't care how they get there or who is hurt in the process as long as they get exactly what they want. Others help people because it makes them feel good about themselves and they get a "high" from giving to others. What I liked about this article was the distinction between the Cycle of Cynicism and the Cycle of Hope and how the cycle of hope is when people do more than just feel bad about what's going on but actually go out and make a difference. I guess that is maybe also why I feel as though people are naturally selfish because when it is a cause they truly care about then go to great lengths to find a way to help out. So when natural disasters and other things happen that people feel bad about but don't do anything to contribute it makes me question how bad they TRULY feel. I also like the "9 Traps that Stop People from Making a Difference". To be quite honest, I feel as though it should be labeled the "9 COP-OUTS that Stop People from Making a Difference" because if we are honest with ourselves we realize that that is what the vast majority of these things are. They are things that we tell ourselves that make us feel better about not actually going and doing work. "That's just the way the world is" is one that you hear all the time and one that I'm guilty of myself, especially when it comes to Christianity. I know that there will never be a time when the whole world believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior but that doesn't release me from my responsibility to tell people about Him. Many of the other "traps" just re-enforce how cynical people are/can be: "I don't have the time or energy", "It's not my responsibility", "I'm not a saint", "I'm not an activist". The common denominator in those phrases is "I"! You can't tell me that people aren't naturally selfish when we use the word "I" more then we use "they, he or she". I think the author of this article is trying to open our eyes to the fact that we CAN make a difference once we get our eyes off ourselves and open to sacrificing for the good of others.
In the Salsa, Soul, and Spirit book there are even more examples of people realizing that everyone has a role to play in being a leader and changing. People all over the world are responsible for the change in their communities: one women, after realizing how much Hispanic women lack leadership training, took the opportunity to head up a National Hispana Leadership Institute. The association Dr. Joseph made between black leaders and religious tradition, morals, and ethics and what is good for the whole not just the individual was also insightful for me. The common denominator in cultural leadership is that because minorities have been oppressed for so long, their values and morales are founded on better the community as oppose to themselves alone. It once again shows the differences between leadership in races and genders. Ultimately, the major theme underlying all of the stories in this section was that they all promote activism in the midst of oppression as oppose to just whining.
Taking the Implicit Association Test and the tests on the marriage website was very insightful because it put reality into tests. For instance, one of the tests that I took was on "age" and how my mind automatically associates being old with bad things such as agony, hurt, etc. I feel as though I unconsciously associate specific groups with either positive or negative views on life. Same thing was made evident in another game/test where I created my "perfect baby" and had to pay more for a white child that isn't gay and is athletic and smart. I really liked the games because it really opened my eyes to how I view things. Honestly- my results weren't off at all and they showed how much society dictates my view of groups.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Critical Book Essay
Night
by Elie Wiesel
When it came time to choose a book for this critical book essay, I had to admit I was completely at a loss for which book to read. After much endorsement from classmates, I decided that Night would be a good choice. I, along with most college students, have heard stories and read books on the Holocaust. I have even been to the Holocaust museum in DC and read short stories about people who lived during that horrible time. I was a little nervous about reading this book from the stand point of how deeply I hurt while reading about people’s sufferings. However, I would venture to say that I read this book faster than I have ever read a book in my life. Once I started I could not put it down. Many things about the author’s life made this autobiography not just another book that I was reading- I felt as though I was facing every challenge and triumph right next to him.
I had never heard of Elie Wiesel until now, but there were many things about his life in this book that made an impact on me. The first thing that stood out to me was his hunger for knowledge, mainly spiritual knowledge. At such a young age, an age where most boys would probably be fleeing knowledge and understanding, he was desperately searching for it to the point where he was being taught by a poor man in the synagogue. Not only did he have a desire to know the mysterious of their religion, Kabbalah, he wasn’t going to simply embrace it without an understanding. I liked when his “teacher”, Moishe the Beadle, asked him the thought provoking questions “Why do you cry when you pray?” and “Why do you pray?” because it prompted Wiesel to truly understand what he believed and why. So often people, especially children, simply embrace what they are told without a true understanding of what it is they are professing to believe. This self-examining character trait became even more impressive once Wiesel was put in the concentration camp. I truly admired his honesty about everything he encountered. He didn’t lie and say that he never lost hope and completely trusted God through it all. He was honest about his doubts, anger, and frustration with God through this immense trial. Even near the end when it came to thoughts about whether or not to leave his father, he was completely honest even if he was ashamed at the state of his heart. Ultimately, his love and care for his father was another characteristic that truly blew me away. Part of my feels as though in such a traumatic situation that clinging to my mom or dad would be a natural instinct because I would want as much assurance as possible; but another part of me feels as though it would be extremely hard to continue day by day to care for such on older person in addition to myself in such horrible conditions. To some degree, it almost seems easier to physically die for a loved one than continually die to your personal needs and desires daily so that a loved one can survive. His selflessness was heroic. He never gave up: he fought until the end for his dad and continued to encourage and care for him until the very end. Wiesel’s persistence was another trait that really stood out to me. He seemed to have numerous chances to simply give up but he never did. Even when he had lost all hope in the world and in God, he wouldn’t stop fighting. As with many stories, you can’t help but cheer for him throughout the entire book.
I feel as though there were two main ideologies emphasized in Wiesel’s story: discovering one’s personal beliefs in God and survival. Throughout the entire book, Wiesel battled his belief in the God that he had learned about his entire life. He seemed determined to come to his own conclusion about God and was as honest as he could be with himself. In the most perilous time of his life, he wrestled with his belief which is really powerful to me because it is easy to believe when things are going smoothly but it is in the pits of despair that we are confronted with what we truly believe. I agreed with Wiesel coming to his own conclusions about God and not simply conforming to his religious background, although it seemed that many denounced their stands the longer they remained in the concentration camps. The other main ideology was survival and the ability to dig down deeper than imaginable to overcome atrocious circumstances. Wiesel was a warrior: he believed in fighting until the end and never giving up. He realized that survival wasn’t only for himself; it was for others as he realized the toll that his death would potentially take on his father. It is impossible not to agree with his survivor ideology because as humans it is innate within us. I am a little astonished to say that I agreed with every ideology that I picked up from this book, which is something that rarely happens- if ever.
I think one of the most enjoyable things about this book in relation to leadership is that it isn’t your typical “over-coming the horrible to become a major leader of my people” story. Honestly, while I read the book I was a little amazed that this story was chosen as one for leadership. But as I think about who Wiesel was as a person, you can’t deny the leadership traits that he exhibited. Wiesel was relatable. You could identify with all his emotions while reading the book. Even during the times when he described not being able to stand up for his father out of utter fear that he would be beaten you understood completely his dilemma. Wiesel was honest. No matter what the feeling or thought he had, he was transparent enough to share it. He lived honestly and wasn’t swayed by norms of how he should think or act. Wiesel was a fighter. His entire autobiography tells about his survival attitude that kept him through all the battles he encountered no matter how severe or unthinkable. The things he endured- beatings, starvation, dehydration, bitter cold, emotional distress, physical issues- made him stronger than he could ever imagine. He is the living example of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”! Wiesel was humble. It would probably seem obvious that in the situation he was in that he had no other choice but to be humble, but he never put himself above others. Of all the times in a person’s life where you would imagine that they are “justified” in putting themselves first, this is definitely near the top. Yet he had the ability to continuously put the needs of his dad before his own: servant leadership. It is undeniable that his experience during the Holocaust shaped Wiesel into the man that he became. Through his sufferings he gained a strong conviction for people. If he hadn’t experienced all those things in the concentration camps, his eyes would not have been opened to how inhumane people can be. He wouldn’t have had such a strong desire to make a difference in this world or the fight to see it through. Because of the silence around the Holocaust, Wiesel now uses his voice to speak out against the sufferings of humanity. His story reminds me of the bible verse “What Satan intended for evil, God turned for good.” It makes you realize the importance of every circumstance we face in life and how the choices we make are building character traits that will shape our future.
by Elie Wiesel
When it came time to choose a book for this critical book essay, I had to admit I was completely at a loss for which book to read. After much endorsement from classmates, I decided that Night would be a good choice. I, along with most college students, have heard stories and read books on the Holocaust. I have even been to the Holocaust museum in DC and read short stories about people who lived during that horrible time. I was a little nervous about reading this book from the stand point of how deeply I hurt while reading about people’s sufferings. However, I would venture to say that I read this book faster than I have ever read a book in my life. Once I started I could not put it down. Many things about the author’s life made this autobiography not just another book that I was reading- I felt as though I was facing every challenge and triumph right next to him.
I had never heard of Elie Wiesel until now, but there were many things about his life in this book that made an impact on me. The first thing that stood out to me was his hunger for knowledge, mainly spiritual knowledge. At such a young age, an age where most boys would probably be fleeing knowledge and understanding, he was desperately searching for it to the point where he was being taught by a poor man in the synagogue. Not only did he have a desire to know the mysterious of their religion, Kabbalah, he wasn’t going to simply embrace it without an understanding. I liked when his “teacher”, Moishe the Beadle, asked him the thought provoking questions “Why do you cry when you pray?” and “Why do you pray?” because it prompted Wiesel to truly understand what he believed and why. So often people, especially children, simply embrace what they are told without a true understanding of what it is they are professing to believe. This self-examining character trait became even more impressive once Wiesel was put in the concentration camp. I truly admired his honesty about everything he encountered. He didn’t lie and say that he never lost hope and completely trusted God through it all. He was honest about his doubts, anger, and frustration with God through this immense trial. Even near the end when it came to thoughts about whether or not to leave his father, he was completely honest even if he was ashamed at the state of his heart. Ultimately, his love and care for his father was another characteristic that truly blew me away. Part of my feels as though in such a traumatic situation that clinging to my mom or dad would be a natural instinct because I would want as much assurance as possible; but another part of me feels as though it would be extremely hard to continue day by day to care for such on older person in addition to myself in such horrible conditions. To some degree, it almost seems easier to physically die for a loved one than continually die to your personal needs and desires daily so that a loved one can survive. His selflessness was heroic. He never gave up: he fought until the end for his dad and continued to encourage and care for him until the very end. Wiesel’s persistence was another trait that really stood out to me. He seemed to have numerous chances to simply give up but he never did. Even when he had lost all hope in the world and in God, he wouldn’t stop fighting. As with many stories, you can’t help but cheer for him throughout the entire book.
I feel as though there were two main ideologies emphasized in Wiesel’s story: discovering one’s personal beliefs in God and survival. Throughout the entire book, Wiesel battled his belief in the God that he had learned about his entire life. He seemed determined to come to his own conclusion about God and was as honest as he could be with himself. In the most perilous time of his life, he wrestled with his belief which is really powerful to me because it is easy to believe when things are going smoothly but it is in the pits of despair that we are confronted with what we truly believe. I agreed with Wiesel coming to his own conclusions about God and not simply conforming to his religious background, although it seemed that many denounced their stands the longer they remained in the concentration camps. The other main ideology was survival and the ability to dig down deeper than imaginable to overcome atrocious circumstances. Wiesel was a warrior: he believed in fighting until the end and never giving up. He realized that survival wasn’t only for himself; it was for others as he realized the toll that his death would potentially take on his father. It is impossible not to agree with his survivor ideology because as humans it is innate within us. I am a little astonished to say that I agreed with every ideology that I picked up from this book, which is something that rarely happens- if ever.
I think one of the most enjoyable things about this book in relation to leadership is that it isn’t your typical “over-coming the horrible to become a major leader of my people” story. Honestly, while I read the book I was a little amazed that this story was chosen as one for leadership. But as I think about who Wiesel was as a person, you can’t deny the leadership traits that he exhibited. Wiesel was relatable. You could identify with all his emotions while reading the book. Even during the times when he described not being able to stand up for his father out of utter fear that he would be beaten you understood completely his dilemma. Wiesel was honest. No matter what the feeling or thought he had, he was transparent enough to share it. He lived honestly and wasn’t swayed by norms of how he should think or act. Wiesel was a fighter. His entire autobiography tells about his survival attitude that kept him through all the battles he encountered no matter how severe or unthinkable. The things he endured- beatings, starvation, dehydration, bitter cold, emotional distress, physical issues- made him stronger than he could ever imagine. He is the living example of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”! Wiesel was humble. It would probably seem obvious that in the situation he was in that he had no other choice but to be humble, but he never put himself above others. Of all the times in a person’s life where you would imagine that they are “justified” in putting themselves first, this is definitely near the top. Yet he had the ability to continuously put the needs of his dad before his own: servant leadership. It is undeniable that his experience during the Holocaust shaped Wiesel into the man that he became. Through his sufferings he gained a strong conviction for people. If he hadn’t experienced all those things in the concentration camps, his eyes would not have been opened to how inhumane people can be. He wouldn’t have had such a strong desire to make a difference in this world or the fight to see it through. Because of the silence around the Holocaust, Wiesel now uses his voice to speak out against the sufferings of humanity. His story reminds me of the bible verse “What Satan intended for evil, God turned for good.” It makes you realize the importance of every circumstance we face in life and how the choices we make are building character traits that will shape our future.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
March 9th Reflection
1.) Bynoe's Who Shall Lead Us gave a very good picture of two different types of leaders. The charismatic leader, who is energetic, enabling, and is able to envision change, and the citizen leader, who is your average person that is fully committed to making a change in their community. As with all personality types, there are pros and cons.
A pro to having a charismatic leader is that they are a visionary. They have the ability to see things in a different, many times more positive, way than the rest of us. Their charisma enables them to persuade others of their values and beliefs. They get people excited about the issues they are addressing: their passions become the passions of everyone that they are leading. What is also great about the charismatic leader is that they are emotional people which makes it easier for their followers to relate to them. Many times when I think of charismatic people I think of actors: people who can play the necessary role. They can be the biggest supporter of whatever it is they are part of which makes following them very exciting. The cons to a charismatic leader are the double-edged sword of many of their pros. When someone is so charismatic and energetic, many times that is all that there is to them. After the exciting of the rally is over, people are left with empty promises because the leader was more about the hype of the change than the change itself. Like I mentioned earlier, the charismatic leader can have the tendency to be an actor and simply be acting out another role as oppose to being fully committed to the project. People that are around charismatic leaders enough can battle a lot of doubt and not be convinced that the change is real. "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me" can become the attitude of the followers and it makes the charismatic leader less likely to be trusted. The personality of the charismatic leader is their strength and weakness. They can quickly become "the boy who cried wolf" which is very sad.
The pros to being a citizen leader is that they are in the community: they are Joe, Fred, or Bob from down the street that knows the issues and has the respect and trust of his peers. The focus of the citizen leader is truly on the community and making it better. They have the servant leadership mentality: it's not about them! These are the leaders that are a lot more likely to see that change happens. They may not be as energetic and enabling personality-wise as the charismatic leader, but they are going to make sure that the jobs they committed to are completed. They truly are, for all intents and purposes, "the voice of the people"! The cons of being a citizen leader are that they can easily get swept up in the emotional side of things. Because they are part of the community, they are attached on a deeper level than other leaders which can cause issues if not guarded against. They can also have the propensity to simply give everyone what they want even if it's not what is best because of the relationships they have. Like the charismatic leader, the pros and cons of being a citizen leader go hand-in-hand. What can be their greatest strength has the potential to likewise be their greatest weakness.
I have two types of leaders that come to my mind when I think of potentially citizen or charismatic leadership: pastors and student body presidents. Both of these leaders have the potential to fall under theses categories and here is why. You hear of and watch pastors on television, in the paper, etc. who are unbelievably charismatic people. They get up on stage and preach sermons that truly blow people's minds and get them beyond excited about their religion. Yet after the service is over, the pastor goes his own way and does not have any communication or role in the people's lives. He doesn't know their struggles, fears, etc. But there are other pastors who are citizen leaders. They know their congregation by name and really relate to the issues they are dealing with. They give counsel and preach on topics that will truly help their people deal with the issues they are facing. It's not about the glitz and the glamor, it's about helping people make the necessary changes in their lives. The same thing follows for student body presidents. You can either have the leader who is the cheerleader and gets everyone excited and rallied together but then does his own agenda once elected or you have the leader who is right there with his peers every day and truly understands the issues and works to address them.
2.) Ella Baker teaches us that we need leaders who know and understand our community. We need to fight battles that we understand and that affect us as oppose to simply fighting for what we are told to fight for. The people we support should be the people who know the issues and have the ability to convey them to the public. Ella Baker supported citizen leaders. Even the charisma of Martin Luther King, Jr. was too much in her opinion to detract attention from the main issues they were fighting for. What I walk away with from Ella Baker is I have the responsibility to fight for the issues in my own background.
3.) When I think of the word "patriotism", I automatically think of the movie Patriot with Mel Gibson. It has always been one of my favorite movies and I think I grab a lot of my definition from that movie. Mel Gibson's character is against the American Revolution until his son is killed by a British officer. He ultimately joins the Colonial Militia and plays a substantial role in their success. Why his stand is patriotic in my opinion is because he is fighting for something he believes in. He wasn't easily swayed by his peers to join the militia and fight because everyone else wanted him to: it wasn't until it became his personal conviction and retaliation that his mind was changed. Because of this war, he lost two sons and his relationship with the rest of his children suffered at times, but he gave it up for the end result. A true patriot isn't selfish. When you are standing for something- whether your country or your personal view in a class- you are taking a huge risk. More many patriots, they don't even get to personal experience whatever it is they are fighting for. But a patriot sees beyond himself to the greater good. He views things on a macro scale. A protest, a walkout, a war, or whatever it is that they are involved in isn't about a personal offense against themselves- it's about a human right that they have deemed worthy of their free time, freedom, or life. These are reasons why I can't associate "fans" as patriots. Unless you are willing to sacrifice even to death for whatever it is you are supporting, you aren't a patriot- you are just another charismatic cheerleader.
A pro to having a charismatic leader is that they are a visionary. They have the ability to see things in a different, many times more positive, way than the rest of us. Their charisma enables them to persuade others of their values and beliefs. They get people excited about the issues they are addressing: their passions become the passions of everyone that they are leading. What is also great about the charismatic leader is that they are emotional people which makes it easier for their followers to relate to them. Many times when I think of charismatic people I think of actors: people who can play the necessary role. They can be the biggest supporter of whatever it is they are part of which makes following them very exciting. The cons to a charismatic leader are the double-edged sword of many of their pros. When someone is so charismatic and energetic, many times that is all that there is to them. After the exciting of the rally is over, people are left with empty promises because the leader was more about the hype of the change than the change itself. Like I mentioned earlier, the charismatic leader can have the tendency to be an actor and simply be acting out another role as oppose to being fully committed to the project. People that are around charismatic leaders enough can battle a lot of doubt and not be convinced that the change is real. "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me" can become the attitude of the followers and it makes the charismatic leader less likely to be trusted. The personality of the charismatic leader is their strength and weakness. They can quickly become "the boy who cried wolf" which is very sad.
The pros to being a citizen leader is that they are in the community: they are Joe, Fred, or Bob from down the street that knows the issues and has the respect and trust of his peers. The focus of the citizen leader is truly on the community and making it better. They have the servant leadership mentality: it's not about them! These are the leaders that are a lot more likely to see that change happens. They may not be as energetic and enabling personality-wise as the charismatic leader, but they are going to make sure that the jobs they committed to are completed. They truly are, for all intents and purposes, "the voice of the people"! The cons of being a citizen leader are that they can easily get swept up in the emotional side of things. Because they are part of the community, they are attached on a deeper level than other leaders which can cause issues if not guarded against. They can also have the propensity to simply give everyone what they want even if it's not what is best because of the relationships they have. Like the charismatic leader, the pros and cons of being a citizen leader go hand-in-hand. What can be their greatest strength has the potential to likewise be their greatest weakness.
I have two types of leaders that come to my mind when I think of potentially citizen or charismatic leadership: pastors and student body presidents. Both of these leaders have the potential to fall under theses categories and here is why. You hear of and watch pastors on television, in the paper, etc. who are unbelievably charismatic people. They get up on stage and preach sermons that truly blow people's minds and get them beyond excited about their religion. Yet after the service is over, the pastor goes his own way and does not have any communication or role in the people's lives. He doesn't know their struggles, fears, etc. But there are other pastors who are citizen leaders. They know their congregation by name and really relate to the issues they are dealing with. They give counsel and preach on topics that will truly help their people deal with the issues they are facing. It's not about the glitz and the glamor, it's about helping people make the necessary changes in their lives. The same thing follows for student body presidents. You can either have the leader who is the cheerleader and gets everyone excited and rallied together but then does his own agenda once elected or you have the leader who is right there with his peers every day and truly understands the issues and works to address them.
2.) Ella Baker teaches us that we need leaders who know and understand our community. We need to fight battles that we understand and that affect us as oppose to simply fighting for what we are told to fight for. The people we support should be the people who know the issues and have the ability to convey them to the public. Ella Baker supported citizen leaders. Even the charisma of Martin Luther King, Jr. was too much in her opinion to detract attention from the main issues they were fighting for. What I walk away with from Ella Baker is I have the responsibility to fight for the issues in my own background.
3.) When I think of the word "patriotism", I automatically think of the movie Patriot with Mel Gibson. It has always been one of my favorite movies and I think I grab a lot of my definition from that movie. Mel Gibson's character is against the American Revolution until his son is killed by a British officer. He ultimately joins the Colonial Militia and plays a substantial role in their success. Why his stand is patriotic in my opinion is because he is fighting for something he believes in. He wasn't easily swayed by his peers to join the militia and fight because everyone else wanted him to: it wasn't until it became his personal conviction and retaliation that his mind was changed. Because of this war, he lost two sons and his relationship with the rest of his children suffered at times, but he gave it up for the end result. A true patriot isn't selfish. When you are standing for something- whether your country or your personal view in a class- you are taking a huge risk. More many patriots, they don't even get to personal experience whatever it is they are fighting for. But a patriot sees beyond himself to the greater good. He views things on a macro scale. A protest, a walkout, a war, or whatever it is that they are involved in isn't about a personal offense against themselves- it's about a human right that they have deemed worthy of their free time, freedom, or life. These are reasons why I can't associate "fans" as patriots. Unless you are willing to sacrifice even to death for whatever it is you are supporting, you aren't a patriot- you are just another charismatic cheerleader.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Dear Mr. Malcom X
I heard your Oxford Union Debate on Extremism in the Defense of Liberty. I don't personally know a lot about your life, but I am aware of your participation in the Black movement. I admire your courage and zeal, but what I was most impressed with during your debate was how you took your personal race out of the situation and addressed a specific problem- a problem that I completely agree with. The issue shouldn't be whether or not a specific race is allowed to act "extreme" when they are oppressed; as humans, everyone should be treated with the same level of respect regardless. People of all colors, races, and backgrounds were created with a spirit, soul, and mind. We all feel the same way and should respect each other the same way. Sadly, we don't live in a perfect world where that is the case. African Americans are treated at best like less humans and at worst animals. However, when you beat an animal, the natural response for most of them will be a retaliation of defense; yet people are completely blown away when black people, as human beings, are quick to defend themselves and show any sort of emotion when they are treated horribly.
I am an African American woman so I have been beat down to the lowest notch of this food chain. How do I not defend yourself when I have been deprived of basic human rights? How do I not become angry as I watch my parents and friends be forced to serve others and treated like animals? How do I not become extreme while I watch white children go to school and get a great education and a brighter future when my children have no hope of experiencing the same successes because of the color of their skin?
Not only am I African American, I am also a Christian. I'm a firm believer in you reap what you sow and working hard for what you achieve. I believe in rejoicing with those that rejoice and weeping with those that weep. This country is said to be founded on Christian principles however apartheid is nowhere to be found in my bible. I feel as though we have forgotten the song "Jesus Loves the Little Children" where it is clarified that "red and yellow, black and white- they are precious in His sight". You hit the nail on the head when you made the statement of people preaching one thing and acting the opposite. Ultimately, my hope is not in this world because it is corrupt and full of evil and wickedness. I fully believe that the Lord is in control of our lives and that He truly does hear the cry of the brokenhearted and oppressed. But we have a job to do as well: beat them with kindness and love. We are undoubtedly naturally justified in our anger: we are being punished for the color of our skin- something we have absolutely no control over. However, two wrongs don't make a right and it does us no good to become as bitter and angry towards them as they are towards us for the color of our skin. I believe it is our job to become extreme: extremely loving towards our enemies. We have to stand up and speak to what is wrong. We can't just sit by and allow things to happen when we can have an influence on it. We are fighting not just for ourselves, we are fighting for our children and grandchildren. We are fighting for principles: the principle that all men were created equally and should be treated that way. Like you mentioned, it isn't about African Americans only- it is about anyone being treated wrongly and having their rights stripped from them. Does it hurt? Of course. Am I confused and at times unbelievably angry? Absolutely! But by allowing myself to sink to their level and ways of doing things will make the situation even worse. We don't control the situations we find ourselves in, but we do control how we respond to them!
I am truly grateful for your willingness and ability to fight for our rights. Continue to be extreme without lowering yourself to their level and I believe that we will come through this victorious! "Don't be weary in well doing for in due time you will reap if you faint not." - Galatians 6:9
Sincerely,
Brooke Hayden
I am an African American woman so I have been beat down to the lowest notch of this food chain. How do I not defend yourself when I have been deprived of basic human rights? How do I not become angry as I watch my parents and friends be forced to serve others and treated like animals? How do I not become extreme while I watch white children go to school and get a great education and a brighter future when my children have no hope of experiencing the same successes because of the color of their skin?
Not only am I African American, I am also a Christian. I'm a firm believer in you reap what you sow and working hard for what you achieve. I believe in rejoicing with those that rejoice and weeping with those that weep. This country is said to be founded on Christian principles however apartheid is nowhere to be found in my bible. I feel as though we have forgotten the song "Jesus Loves the Little Children" where it is clarified that "red and yellow, black and white- they are precious in His sight". You hit the nail on the head when you made the statement of people preaching one thing and acting the opposite. Ultimately, my hope is not in this world because it is corrupt and full of evil and wickedness. I fully believe that the Lord is in control of our lives and that He truly does hear the cry of the brokenhearted and oppressed. But we have a job to do as well: beat them with kindness and love. We are undoubtedly naturally justified in our anger: we are being punished for the color of our skin- something we have absolutely no control over. However, two wrongs don't make a right and it does us no good to become as bitter and angry towards them as they are towards us for the color of our skin. I believe it is our job to become extreme: extremely loving towards our enemies. We have to stand up and speak to what is wrong. We can't just sit by and allow things to happen when we can have an influence on it. We are fighting not just for ourselves, we are fighting for our children and grandchildren. We are fighting for principles: the principle that all men were created equally and should be treated that way. Like you mentioned, it isn't about African Americans only- it is about anyone being treated wrongly and having their rights stripped from them. Does it hurt? Of course. Am I confused and at times unbelievably angry? Absolutely! But by allowing myself to sink to their level and ways of doing things will make the situation even worse. We don't control the situations we find ourselves in, but we do control how we respond to them!
I am truly grateful for your willingness and ability to fight for our rights. Continue to be extreme without lowering yourself to their level and I believe that we will come through this victorious! "Don't be weary in well doing for in due time you will reap if you faint not." - Galatians 6:9
Sincerely,
Brooke Hayden
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