Sunday, March 31, 2013
Making the Invisible, Visible: The first step.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Rosa sat.
Many factors formed to be a catalyst for Rosa to become the person that made her stand up against the law. The segregation and racism that was going on at the time eventually took her to a point where she was tired and couldn’t handle it anymore. At the time segregation of coloured people and white people was a very large problem that continued growing and growing. Many people tried to stand up against it but many failed.“In Montgomery, Alabama segregation was a part of everyday life. Blacks who lived there faced segregation in places such as parks, schools, restrooms, theaters and buses.” Coloured people couldn’t even go to the same bathroom’s as white people, without getting kicked out. They were segregated from parks, black people would have their own parks where no white people would go and white people would have their own parks where no black people could go. “...the U.S. educational system mandated separate schools for children based solely on race. In many instances, the schools for African American children were substandard facilities with out-of-date textbooks and insufficient supplies.” Not only did they have to go to different parks, schools and bathroom’s but those places were very poorly sustained. In schools they didn’t have enough supplies and materials for the children, so they didn’t have as good of an education as the white children would have. Of course Rosa being a coloured person, was also involved in this racism and segregation and she had enough of it so she eventually stood up for what she believes in.
Rosa eventually got tired of living in this world of segregation and racism and had to do something about it, and stand up against it in some way. All she had to do, was sit. “...tired after a long day of work and decided to take a seat on the bus on her ride home. Because she sat down and refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, she was arrested for disobeying an Alabama law...” It was law that coloured people had to get up if a white person wanted to sit down, all rosa did was sit in a seat on a bus, and she got arrested for it. She didn’t do anything wrong, Rosa was a hard worker and she deserved to be able to sit wherever she pleased. “All I was doing was trying to get home from work” ~ Rosa Parks. As she said all she was doing was going home on the same bus she took everyday from work, because the bus was getting quite full the bus driver made her get up, when she really didn’t have to. Why does her being black make her less important than being white? Why does it mean people can push her around? “Why do you all push us around”? ~ Rosa Parks.
Due to rosa standing up against the law and standing up for what she believed in, she had to face the consequences, she was arrested and sent to prison. The word broke out about what Rosa did and how she stood up to the law and a ton of other people joined her in getting equality right because they had enough with the way they were previously being treated. “The bus incident led to the formation of the Montgomery Improvement Association, led by the young pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” After a lot of people heard about what Rosa had done, the Civil Rights Movement started, where everyone who believed in equality fought for it. This movement created some havoc, but it freed a lot of people from racism.
Racism and segregation is still going on today, and there are always going to be people who are racist against some other people in the world due to their ethnic group, race, colour and other characteristics. Rosa really helped a lot in with this problem in the USA which then created a ripple effect, and other countries also changed their harsh ways. Rosa is known as a notable to this very day, and she is a very recognizable woman, who will live on in our memories forever because of the noble woman she was and what she did to change this world.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Kesz’s past experience have enabled him to teaches street children about personal hygiene and sanitation. Kesz coming from the same situation of being on the streets, and living in dumpsites and didn’t know how to take care of himself. “Kesz was in the same situation”. Thus causing him to know what kind of position all these other children are in, he knows what they are going through and how rough it is living in these conditions. “He was severely abused and forced to scavenge at the dumpsite at the age of two. Three years later, he sustained burns on his arm and back, which forced him to run away and look for help.” As a child he was abused and of course at one point he just snapped, and he couldn’t take it anymore. He snapped at the age of two, the abuse was getting was very vital. If he was only two years old he would not know how to survive on his own. When I was two I could barely talk and eat, let alone live by myself. So how did he survive? He lived in dumpsites and everything that the community threw out, he ate and lived upon.
Kesz is making a change by giving education and hope to other children who are going through the same problems that he went through. Because of the abuse and the torment he went through as a child, this caused him to want to help others in the same situation. “...aimed at giving street children hope and showing them that they can take their future into their own hands.” His organization is supposed to help children that are living on the streets and in need of medical attention. He gives them hope, hope that one day they will be able to get out of this poverty and into leading a successful life. “6,000 children die from diseases associated with poor sanitation, poor hygiene...”
Kesz has come a long way through much struggle, but for him to take his experiences and use them to help other people, is a great thing to do. Kesz has successfully help tons of children and he still continues to help to this very day.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Who You Are
I come from electronic gaming equipment like gameboys and playstation, with games like Jak and Daxter and sly 3. I played these games like they were my life, every second of every day.
I’m from power rangers, The Simpsons, Doctor who and charmed. These shows which enlarged my imagination, and caused me to dress up like a fool and for people to mock me.
I’m from Disney movies, which occupied most of my childhood, fantasizing about these majestical adventures. Wanting to be Cinderella to wanting to go on adventures with Tarzan. Wanting to live in the world of toy story and having fun with all the toys.
I’m from the outside, playing sports, having fun from Soccer to swimming.
I’m from the “Old” Disney channel, from shows like That’s so raven and lizzie mcguire, these shows that I would do anything to have back on the air.
I come from rainy days, which fogs the sky which was once light blue. Sometimes there may be snow, which causes icy roads, WHICH THEN CAUSES TRAFFIC. Sitting for up to an hour or more, sitting, thinking.
I’m from the men and women even children and dogs, sitting at the side of the road, begging for wealth. Then giving them the money and wondering if they really are troubled economically or if it is just a scam.
I’m from quiet mountaintops to busy streets, being pushed around by sweaty, tired men and women. Sometimes making me lose balance causing me to trip and make a fool of myself.
I’m from sitting by the television on Christmas day after opening my presents and being the happiest person in the world.
I’m from my mother, who stayed strong throughout life with the many diseases she contained. Being allergic to the sun to having psoriasis these problems cause her the have troubles throughout her life but it is a blessing from god that she is still living.
I’m from my father, having to go offshore all the time, leaving his children, scared, alone. He works hard to care for his family, to give us a better life than what we had before, and he reached his goal, not to a point of complete happiness but to a point of when I live, I live happy.
I’m from my siblings, always being the youngest, its difficult but I know they are always there to protect me, we may fight and argue but deep inside, I love them, more than I love myself (I will admit, I am pretty vain.)
I’m from bands and singers that I admire; I’m from Eminem after all he has been through in his life from losing his uncle to his wife cheating on him various times.
I’m from One direction (My idols) some people mock me and make fun of me for my love for them, but they are my idols and I won’t give up on them. People call them gay because they treat each other like family.
I’m from Pink and her struggles; her music comforts me and makes me feel better about myself.
I’m from the Scottish delicacy haggis; I tend not to eat it because I don’t eat sheep. The grossness of that food, it uses almost every part of the sheep which disgusts me but it is so darn delicious.
I’m from Mince and tatties, which my mom makes best, everything is better homemade (then again depends what house you are in.)
I’m from Irish stew, I have never actually been to Ireland but when eating this dish it just gives me a sense of homeliness.
I’m from waking up in the morning and having a SCOTTISH BREAKFAST! These breakfasts usually consist of bacon, (lots of bacon, bacon is good), eggs, beans, Black pudding, white pudding, haggis, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms and tons of other amazingly delicious foods.
I’m from retro sweets, which most people these days call candy, Kola Cubes they are my favorite.
I’m from drumsticks, one of the best sweets in the world in my opinion, everyone says they are bland and plain, they are delicious, they are chewy but have this unique flavor.
I’m from those little sweetie cigarettes, which sometimes had SpongeBob or Spiderman on the packaging. They bring back so many memories.
I’m from parental expressions like “CLEAN YOUR ROOM” and “DON’T TALK BACK”, a thing that most kids have been told, why must I clean my room? It’s going to get messy again anyway, and I’m not talking back, I am simply giving you an explanation and arguing because I have a fair case TO argue with. My sister once told my mother that when she dies, on her tombstone it is going to read, “Here lies Dawn Charlton – Strang, now go clean your room”. She once told me this and I couldn’t stop laughing for about 10 minutes straight.
I’m from my mother telling me how she used to be in the army, and I thought that was the coolest thing ever and then she tells me that she was a computer nerd in the army? Not so cool.
I’m from seeing pictures of my father, when he was young, when he had HAIR; I was shocked I thought he was born that way with grey hair and bald spots. I was astonished. Then seeing a picture of my dad in a pair of speedos and gagging, honestly thinking about throwing up.
I’m from listening to my parents and my siblings talking about their past and how “awesome” it was.
I’m from looking through photo albums and just smiling like an idiot about all the memories they bring back, and how cute I was (I’m still cute but I was even cuter when I was young.) And simply wanting to pick me up and stick me in my pocket, I was just adorable.
I’m from the videos that my mom took on Christmas day and laughing at my cuteness. Laughing at opening my presents and finding an orange and an apple, and that one moment, my expression that one expression will stay in my memory forever.
I’m from my moms many jobs and careers; from being a bartender to being in the army. And always hoping to grow up to be like that, to get to witness and feel everything. I envy that.
I’m from my grandfather who is an organist in a church,(not like taking peoples organs kind of organist) but the kind who can make beautiful music come from a beautiful instrument.
I'm from many places and things, and all these places and things make me who I am today, I will not be where I am without them and I will not be who I am without them.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The "Real" King.
The next contender was a man named Duke William of Normandy. One of the claims he had to the throne was the fact that Edward the confessor (the former king of England) promised him as sucessor. Duke William disagreed that Harold Godwinson was able to be the King. William made Godwinson make an oath to help him become the king. A while after William started accusing Harold of being an oath-breaker (which was a very serious case, in those day). Another claim was that he got the word of Pope, Pope Alexander II. The pope gave William a special banner.
Harold Godwinson was the Earl of Wessex. Godwinson was the leader of an army and the most powerful English Noble. Edward the confessor was also married to Harold's sister. He was not a surprising choice, and most of the nobles agreed with the choice. On the day Edward died (January 5th, 1066) the nobles had a gathering at their council, called the Witan, and they then agreed that Harold should be king. Harold Godwinson was then crowned king on the day that Edward was buried.
Out of all these people I believe that Duke William of Normandy had the best claim to the throne.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Victory
This story really touched me, it was very emotional and to even think what this lady went through as a little child is unreal. It touched me because I have also never had a dance with my dad that I can remember, if the first dance I have with my father was at a concentration camp I definitely would remember that moment in time. There are a few different lines that put an image in your head for example: “My lovely father (once big and strong)”. This put the image of a really strong fit man with huge muscles then another a weak, tired, skinny, hungry, thirsty man. An example of a metaphor is: “The ugly barracks disappeared”. Obviously the barracks didn’t just simply disappear. But it was a metaphor of how she was tuned in to only that moment she is spending with her father at this time. Every thing around her just disappeared in her mind to her and probably also her dad. “There was no hunger…and no fear”. This is another example because of course every one was hungry and tired and thirsty but they were also scared. The third line reads “You knew that they would ‘take’ you soon”. Which means probably that the girl didn’t know but the father wanted to make this time special. Also “You whispered ‘little one let us dance, we may not have another chance’”.