8 lessons to live by

1. second chances - you have to give people the benefit of the doubt, especially friends, or you will regret you didn't try
2. procrastination - don't do it! you think you're making life easier on yourself, but you're actually making everything twice as hard
3. over studying - don't slack off and not review, but overstudying is an issue, you don't want to psych yourself out
4. judgements - don't make judgements about people you don't actually know, you wouldn't want them doing the same to you
5. walk your path - be aware and conscientious of the people around you, but don't stick your nose too much into other people's business and gossip, walk your own way
6. respect - if you respect your teachers and your classmates, they will respect you back
7. self-involvement - don't assume you know everything, you will only embarrass yourself down the road, accept that everyone has something more to learn. 
8. Be the change you wish to see in the world - get out there and make a difference, you have the power to make a change, to do good. if you see a problem, then fix it!

Mahatma Gandhi

Altruism noun: the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

To have altruism is to exceed the highest level of human kindness. It means to do ‘good’ purely from the heart. Those with altruism are those who bring about the greatest change in our world and bring about the greatest hope for the future. The Last Book in the Universe, by Walter Dean Meyers, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and Night by Elie Wiesel, are all novels of heroes who demonstrate genuine unselfishness. Their actions promote the lives of others and their choices counter the evil of their fates. As seen in Spaz, Malcolm, and Shlomo’s tales, their altruism remakes the world into one of positive change.

What innovation has most transformed the world? In what words, what innovation has most greatly helped and reshaped humanity through its journey of evolution.

I would argue that the very ability to tame fire, is one of humanity's greatest accomplishments. With fire came warmth, and light. With fire we could cook meat, launching our species into a growth of an exponential rate. And with its brightness, we could migrate and travel. Spreading our species into the very corners of our earth. The moment our ancestors harnessed the sparks of fire, we were set apart from any other living creature on Earth. Suddenly our species had the ability to adapt, change, advance, and innovate like no other living soul to touch our planet. And it all started with fire. Fire affected the entire course of human history. It ignited our world.

During the progressive era, many 'muckrakers' understood the diversity of problems many Americans faced at the time. These muck rakers tried to reshape the country, its laws, and its people. And although many argue we have come far from the unjust regulations and conditions of the early 1900's, I believe that America should readdress a number of its troubles. 

When the horrifically unsanitary and morally disgusting systems of food production were revealed, many Americans were galvanized by the meals they had been consuming. Suddenly aware of the savagery of their cooking, the people demanded a change. So the FDA was born, and standards were set for factory output. And although things improved, histor
y has indeed repeated itself. The FDA still stands today, but its inspections have decreased over the years. The same management that controls large food companies are the same people who head the Food and Drug Association. Standards slip, quality decreases, and conditions worsen.

Another common issue of this era was the vast number of children laboring for wages. These children toiled for hours on end, with little pay, and in the most hellish of conditions. Their jobs became their life, and by consequence had little opportunity to attend school. Therefore, their lack of education made it nearly impossible for these generations to rise above their current lifestyles, and better themselves or their country. These days, many immigrant children, especially those from Mexico, find themselves working alongside their parents picking crops. Day after day, these migrants see nothing but the row of fields stretching out before, as they assume this is the best chance of a good life.. And each and every child born joins the rest of the family underneath the sun, picking crops for the people of America.

THEN

NOW

Finally, the 1900's was a time of complete gender inequality and discrimination. Little by little, women were fighting for their rights. But were barely gaining footholds of progress before being shoved back down by men. Today many would like to think that we now have a country of gender equality. But if that were the truth, women would not make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes. Businesses would not have only 4 in 10 women in senior management. And America would not be faced with outcries of change, because change is always difficult. And sometimes those with the power to make a change, don't want to waste the effort in bringing abiut such a transformation, even when the outcome delivers good.  

What do you hope to transform in the world? Why?

    I used to think that when I grew up, I wanted to change the world. Make it better. Somehow do good, and improve the lives of people. But now, I don't even want to focus on this world anymore. I think humanity should start focusing on the next one.

    This planet is home to almost 7.5 billion people. So imagine what would happen if this planet were at risk. Where would 7.5 billion people go? This is why I am interested in possibly terraforming a second planet. Perhaps make it a safe haven for some future generation. Because in the case that Earth should fall, shouldn't those people have a chance? So, when I grow up, I don't necessarily want to transform this world. I want to transform the next one.

 

COURAGE

Who is one of the most courageous people you know? Either today, or the past.

I feel as though when people ask this question, most of the answers they get back are people like, Abraham Lincon, Martin Liuther King Jr, or Sacajawea. And although these people accomplished incredible things, I think that there are still many others who's achievements have gone unnoticed. Think of all the people whose bravery shaped the America we know today. Think of all the men and women who deserve credit for their courage.

Well today, I'm going to talk about a man name Frederick Douglass. He is relatively well known, but I argue that his accomplishments should be more well known. Born into slavery, Douglass risked everything to escape. Later he discovered his talent. Frederick had a gift for public speaking. His booming voice projected meaningful messages to the crowds about the horrors of slavery and need for freedom. A loyal abolitionist, Douglass helped the movement by spreading the atrocities of slavery, and pleading from the heart. He used his own experiences to paint a vivid picture for the people he addressed: Slavery is unjust.

But Frederick's voice and speeches came with a price. Not everyone he spoke with supported his movement. He was continuously hounded by slavery enthusiasts, resulted in his beating and capture on multiple occasions. Not only was Frederick at risk himself, but his five children and wife were as well.

Despite this, Douglass believed in justice, and he believed that the African Americans should be free. And so Frederick beat down the obstacles that hindered him, and his actions changed the way Americans live.

RAFT

Civil War RAFT Creative Writing Assignment

I am writing from the perspective of a Black Union Soldier to his children at the time of the Civil War.


Dear Jeremiah and Harriet,

      I am writing to you from the folds of my bedroll. Once soft, it is now crusted and yellow, crackling against my skin. The night is silent, almost eerie, c'ept for the raucous cries of the wounded, agonizing in the pale moonlight. I feel more at risk sitting hear amongst the bitter cold and disease, the charging through the battlefield in my tattered shreds. I hope this letter finds you well and safe, far away from this blasted war. I don't believe in all of this bloodshed. But I do believe in Lincon, and the pride of the North. I believe that thy Lord will look down upon our battles, and will shine His light on the blackened hearts of the confederates. Don't hold grudges against your countrymen, they too will see the light, and accept our equality. They have become our sworn enemies, but one day, they will be our brethren once more. Too many brave men have perished on this very Earth for there to be any other outcome.
      Stay strong, and pray for peace. I will come home to you again.

                Jonathon Berkely

What two factors aid justice, what two factors impede Justices?

The dictionary definition of justice states that it is the application of the law, the quality of being fair and reasonable, and just behavior or treatment. But I think that justice means a little more than just that. It means being respectful, being open, and spreading human kindness.

 So what helps to aid justice and support this kindness? All humans have an innate instinct to help their fellow beings, to fight for the common good, and plea for their freedom. Martin Luther King Jr. protested against all the odds to save his people from the ties of segregation. In World War 2 Japanese immigrants would help and share with each other in the camps, leaning on their community members for guidance. 

But not everybody realizes the kindness within them. And so Justice is impeded by the evil of other humans, and this evil causes the conflicts we experience even in the world today.

So Justice is aided by the kindness of humans, but torn down by the evil of others. How does the good in people overcome the bad in this world? Why is it so hard to be respectful, be open, and spread human kindness?

Another factor that I believe aids justice is family. With family, people learn to respect their elders and the ideas of others. With family, people learn how to love and care for one other. With family, people learn how to have faith and be fair to others, to be reasonable. They learn justice in its purest form. 

But, again, family can impede justice. Those who have had bad childhood, maybe with uncaring parents, or unsupportive family members, are often unhappy. If their childhood is perhaps devoid of any love and care, it results in unhappiness in the world. They think why should anyone deserve what they never had? And so evil is now spread.

Justice is a balancing scale. The very things that aid justice can impede it.

So how can we be respectful, be open, and spread human kindness?

Why can’t we all just be nice?

What does it mean to be a witness? And how do witnesses relate to World War 2? 

     A witness isn't just a man or a woman who stands up in front of a judge, and then answers question restating what they viewed. A witness isn't just an observer. A witness isn't just a person caught in the right place at the right time. 

      A witness is a man or a woman with power. Millions of people were witnesses to the Holocaust. There were millions who were not fighting, or being attacked, or forced into submission. Millions around the globe  were  just  witnesses. Witnesses who held power, and had potential.

     Imagine if every one of those witnesses spoke up and protested. Not just a few here and then, or even a large group. But every witness, and every bystander. 

    When we visited the Museum of Tolerance and the Japanese American Museum, my take on what it means to be a witness completely transformed. I realized that many people were witnesses to the Holocaust. They were bystanders to the camps in Europe and in America. They were bystanders to cruel and unfair events. And even when some thought it was wrong, they remained silent witnesses. But being silent and voiceless isn't what it means to be a witness. 

     Imagine how the world could change even today, if every witness to evil spoke up for good. Imagine how life would change if every bystander became a fighter, a fighter for something better. Imagine if being a witness meant having power, the power to change the future. 

Imagine that witness is you.

What if you had a time capsule, and you could only pick four things to put inside of it? The four objects would only be able to represent your childhood, heritage, accomplishments, and legacy. And then what type of container would you put your items inside?

If it were me, I would put a sand dollar to reflect my childhood. Every summer on the sand, collecting sea shells, and watching the waves. A photograph of my great grandmother, who changed my mother's life, to represent my heritage. I would put my mission to mars medal in, an accomplishment. Lastly I would put a picture of my family, to represent the people I leave behind. Those I love and will carry on the legacy of my generation. 

I would put all of my items in a glass bottle and fling it into the ocean, because the sea represents me. Rolling and changing, I wouldn't want to know where my time capsule ends up. 

Has there ever been a symbol that occurs repeatedly throughout your life, reflecting something important to you?

In the book, The Glory Field, many motifs transpire throughout the tale, which have meanings relating back to the characters. But sometime those motifs mirror in your own life story. A symbol relating back to my own would be the idea of: new earth, dirt, and harvesting. To me, this also means starting over and building up a new life. Similar to what the generations throughout the years had to do in the Glory Field. 

After we moved, we began building a new house. A new life. I think that relates to lives the characters had to grow from the soil in the harvest. The motif of new earth, and building again is really an important symbol, that appears in the lives of many who have ever hoped for a better future