Friday, March 21, 2014
This is Water
I'll definitely agree with that the video is saying. While Life isn't always the most exciting experience, while life isn't always changing the way you want it to, while life isn't always going your way, you must maintain a positive mindset. Day after day, I hear people complaining about the smallest things. Some complain about the little quirks of others. Some complain about life being too boring. Life isn't boring. I haven't said life had been boring for years. If you maintain a mindset that you can be bored, then you will have a boring life. While our default setting is to remain unconscious of what is around us, those who are the happiest remain the happiest when they focus on what is around them. Instead of plugging in music to escape from the public, embrace in the public, and what it has to offer. Engage in conversation with the stranger next to you, you may make a new friend. Partake in that new sport, you may pick up a new hobby. Life is what you make it out to be, and if you make it out to be an adventure, then I'll bet my soul that you'll have one hell of an adventure.
Monday, March 10, 2014
A Review of Clybourne Park
Claybourne Park, a play written by Bruce Norris, serves a response to the famous "A Raisin In the Sun". Clybourne Park is told from the whites' point of view, and takes place in two times: 1959 and 2009. During both times, race remains a central issue. However, the play tends to focus on how we have changed as a society since 1959.
Back in 1959, society was very conservative. People didn't wear revealing dresses, and hid their bodies as was deemed respectful at the time. People watched their language, never using swear words we commonly use today. Yet, even though times were different, people still shared the same passions. It was common for blacks to be segregated during these times, as was shown in the play. People in general acted, in my opinion, more "fake", conforming to society. Anyone who was willing to speak out against society was chastised by their peers.
Now, in 2009, people acted much more liberal. People didn't care about using swear words. The blacks were given equal opportunity, but race still remains a central issue. People become more distracted with their phones buzzing every two and a half seconds. It's harder to have a discussion without having at least one person check their phone.
However, despite these changes, we still hold the same issues as important. As a society we are still very cautious about race, afraid of looking racist. People who give unpopular opinions are still chastised. We still praise conformity over rebellion as the norm.
In the end of the day, we haven't changed.
Back in 1959, society was very conservative. People didn't wear revealing dresses, and hid their bodies as was deemed respectful at the time. People watched their language, never using swear words we commonly use today. Yet, even though times were different, people still shared the same passions. It was common for blacks to be segregated during these times, as was shown in the play. People in general acted, in my opinion, more "fake", conforming to society. Anyone who was willing to speak out against society was chastised by their peers.
Now, in 2009, people acted much more liberal. People didn't care about using swear words. The blacks were given equal opportunity, but race still remains a central issue. People become more distracted with their phones buzzing every two and a half seconds. It's harder to have a discussion without having at least one person check their phone.
However, despite these changes, we still hold the same issues as important. As a society we are still very cautious about race, afraid of looking racist. People who give unpopular opinions are still chastised. We still praise conformity over rebellion as the norm.
In the end of the day, we haven't changed.
Monday, February 10, 2014
The Death Penalty
Hanging, poisoning, Electrocuting, Decapitating- these are all different names used to describe one decisive action, known as capital punishment. Capital punishment is the highest form of discipline a government can give to convict a criminal. It has been a method of punishment for millenniums, even being touched on in the Old Testament. Even now, people are divided regarding what stance to take on capital punishment.
Each side has a set of values that are defended on the grounds of capital punishment. Those who are for capital punishment defend their own sense of closure, as they believe that someone who kills another who is important to them deserves to die. This coincides with the Old Testament teaching of "An eye for an eye". They want to know that the criminal is paying the consequences for their crimes. They feel justified knowing that the incident can finally be put to rest.
Those against capital punishment defend the values of the human life, regardless of what crimes they have committed. These people realize that human life is not just something that could be easily taken away. They realize that life transcends beyond what a person has committed. They also realize that revenge isn't the way to go. Rather, forgiveness is the true path the victims should take.
To stop the effects of violent crimes, I believe that society has to change the way they react to someone who has wronged them. Many people, 75%, believe that the death penalty is the proper way to handle a criminal. However, what is solved when you fight fire with fire? Nothing, civilization is burned to the ground until someone decides to simmer down the fire with water.
I believe that it is impossible for the death penalty to rehabilitate criminals because they are never given a second chance in society. Once they commit a malicious act, their chance at life is over, no question. They receive no second chance, and they are just left in the dust. People don't realize that no matter how malicious an act is, the person is still a person, and all values of human life still apply to them. Just like the rest of us, these people deserved to be cared for.
Catholic teaching states that "Bloodless means should be used wherever they are enough to protect the common good". Upon inspecting the death penalty, this statement is rendered true. Catholics should always try to forgive others, rather than to seek revenge. Christ taught us to forgive. If Christ can forgive those who killed them, they we can find it in ourselves to forgive those who have hurt us themselves.
Each side has a set of values that are defended on the grounds of capital punishment. Those who are for capital punishment defend their own sense of closure, as they believe that someone who kills another who is important to them deserves to die. This coincides with the Old Testament teaching of "An eye for an eye". They want to know that the criminal is paying the consequences for their crimes. They feel justified knowing that the incident can finally be put to rest.
Those against capital punishment defend the values of the human life, regardless of what crimes they have committed. These people realize that human life is not just something that could be easily taken away. They realize that life transcends beyond what a person has committed. They also realize that revenge isn't the way to go. Rather, forgiveness is the true path the victims should take.
To stop the effects of violent crimes, I believe that society has to change the way they react to someone who has wronged them. Many people, 75%, believe that the death penalty is the proper way to handle a criminal. However, what is solved when you fight fire with fire? Nothing, civilization is burned to the ground until someone decides to simmer down the fire with water.
Catholic teaching states that "Bloodless means should be used wherever they are enough to protect the common good". Upon inspecting the death penalty, this statement is rendered true. Catholics should always try to forgive others, rather than to seek revenge. Christ taught us to forgive. If Christ can forgive those who killed them, they we can find it in ourselves to forgive those who have hurt us themselves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)