Resilience: "Not just to survive, but to thrive."

Parul Sehgal writes about the transformation of resilience in his article, “The Profound Emptiness of ‘Resilience’” in response to those that are ashamed of what resilience is today. Sehgal recognizes the overuse of resilience today, as it appears in parenting magazines, books, government policies, and college campuses. Many would argue that this overuse of resilience has caused America to be whiny and seemed spoiled. While real resilience would be the first African American student at a college surviving his first day, protests and actions at Yale against racism is an act of whining students, and can barely be classified as resilience. While Sehgal disagrees with this idea and explains that the transformation of resilience into its overuse today is extraordinary, as it teaches Americans not to just survive, but to push for what they want and feel is right. Sehgal explains that African American students should not just be happy they are allowed in a school, they should be able to feel equal to all other students and fight against racism on their campus.

I strongly agree with Parul Sehgal that resilience today means, and should mean, “not just to survive but to thrive”. Not only do I agree, because it is important for one to stand up for what he/she believes in, but because when one does not continuously thrive, they slowly reach the point to where they cannot survive. This past summer I saw what happens when resilience is only to survive, and not to thrive. After visiting old and destroyed Jewish communities, destroyed buildings and cemeteries that were once included in ghettos for Jews, Mass Graves for whole Jewish communities and orphaned Jewish children, and Nazi Concentration Camps in Poland, I went to Denmark, where I worked at a summer camp for non-affiliated German Jews. Throughout history, Jews have struggled with resilience, with the Greek and Roman empires, the Spanish Inquisition, and the most recent struggle, the Holocaust. When working with these children and teenagers in Denmark, I saw one contributing factor for our recurring struggles. My week in Denmark opened up my eyes to see that Jews around the world are not taking the word “resilience” to mean “to thrive”. When Kosher labels are not allowed in their home country, because citizens will not buy food that they assume supports Israel, kids have to be conscious where they wear their Yarmulkes and where they pray, and one friend who is pursuing a political career was asked in an interview, “Are you Jewish or are you German?”, it is clear that resilience needs to take the place of “thriving”. We are seeing signs worldwide that we saw before the Holocaust, and we need to thrive before we reach our struggle to survive. When my grandparents could no longer feel safe in school in Germany, my grandmother moved to America and my grandfather moved to Switzerland. When he no longer felt safe there, he came to America. We should not let it get to the point, where Jews are being pushed around the world to find safety. People are boycotting Jewish businesses, attacks in France have been recurring against Jews, and a one week camp in Denmark is the only place German children feel comfortable practicing their religion. If Judaism in these countries cannot thrive, it is likely that in the future, they will struggle to survive.

Sehgal, Parul. “The Profound Emptiness of ‘Resilience.’” The New York Times. Dec. 1, 2015. Web. Dec. 4, 2015.

Last Lincoln Blog Corrected

Abraham Lincoln, in his Second Inaugural Address (1865), blames the sins and wrongdoings of the south for causing the war to fall upon the Americans. Lincoln insures that the south is at fault by pointing out that during his first inaugural address which promoted peace to save the nation, the south was doing the opposite, the south continued to own slaves, and the sin of slavery caused both the south and the north to be punished. Lincoln brings in the bible verse “Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh” in order to prove that the south’s transgressions brought “woe” onto all of America. Lincoln is reuniting America in and encouraging Americans to recognize that they are all apart of one country and one does something wrong, everyone suffers with them.

I agree with Lincoln for attempting to reunite America, but I disagree with his tactics. I understand that during his age, religion was a key factor, even in government, so I will not criticize him for not separating church and state. I do, however, disagree with him bringing up the point of everyone suffering, because of one groups’ sins. There is a common idea of everyone being on the same boat. When one person fails to row or sail correctly, everyone sinks. This is an idea I agree with, feel is important, try to practice in my daily life by taking responsibility for my own actions, and even see reflected in my religion. In Judaism, we have the phrase “כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה” which translates as “All of Israel are responsible for one another.” Even if I did not feel this way personally, this idea is a part of my religion and my everyday life, but I do not feel it had a place in Lincoln’s speech. Lincoln was speaking to the United States of America. Even though Americans should be united, both to achieve common goals and keep their national government structured, America is a land for everyone to have freedom. It is not on citizen's responsibility to look after a different citizen. People immigrated to America to start their own lives. I do not agree with the south’s decision of slavery, but a citizen should not have to feel that if he owns a slave, he is causing thousands of Americans to die at war. If he wants to feel this way, that is okay, but this view has no place in a speech by the leader of the country. This is similar to the constant argument over taxes. If someone who has a high income would want to donate money to the poor or government programs, that is amazing and I would do the same, but if America was founded so that people could live freely and equally, it is not fair to force those with higher incomes to pay for everyone else’s welfare. The south should not own slaves and people with high incomes should give money to the welfare of others, but the American government should not be telling people they have to.

Last Lincoln Blog

Abraham Lincoln, in his Second Inaugural Address (1865), points to the South as the cause of the Civil War, that has torn the country apart. Lincoln supports the idea that the South is at fault by bluntly addressing the issue of slavery, how slavery is against God’s will, and how the nation is now at war because of the South’s wrong doings. Abraham Lincoln bluntly states his arguments in order to show that war can no longer be prevented, and the South has long ago caused the war to begin. Lincoln is trying to make a statement to his audience that they should no longer strive for peace, but blame the South for the harsh war.

It is obvious to recognize that this speech is not like most of Lincoln’s speeches. In his past speeches we read, he was supporting what was best for America. Now, he is supporting what is best for the North. As president, an inaugural address, or any address, should discuss the issues of the country. While the war is an issue of the entire country, he clearly gives off the idea that he is speaking for the North, and not only is not helping the South, but is stirring up anger and problems for them. While he asked for peace in his last inaugural speech, he is now asking for war. It is understandable that his tone shifted from calm and friendly to harsh and blunt, but as a president, who is responsible for the whole country, he cannot shift from an American to a Northerner and outwardly express his anger towards the South. This is in no way going to solve the issues of the war and will only make the South angrier at the government and the north. While I do not support slavery at all, I do think that Lincoln should have addressed that it is not right, but not stating that it was the cause of the war and the South is at fault for all of the country's issues. He should have supported both sides of the country he is in charge of, not just one.

A Movement Has its Moments

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/28/opinion/a-movement-has-its-moment.html?ref=topics

Charles M. Blow, in “A Movement Has its Moments” (2015), supports the need for the Black Lives Matter campaign. Blow discusses the American idea of equality and justice through bringing in quotes from leading politicians and the preamble of the American Constitution and brings in a few quotes from those against the campaign towards the end. He uses the root idea of America of freedom and securing “the blessings of liberty” to show that those against the Black Lives Matter campaign are “un-American” and “ridiculous”. Blow is gaining support from Americans that are indifferent on the topic by turning them away from the anti-equality Americans that are against the Black Lives Matter campaign.

I fully agree with Blow that all Americans deserve equality, but I strongly disagree with the values, cases, and existence of the Black Lives Matter campaign and the points he made to support it. Although I recognize that the cases of police brutality and injustice commonly affect African Americans, I do not agree that these cases occur because the victims or people involved are African American. For a while in America, African Americans were considered lower class, despite their education level or occupation. We now live in a time where this is not true, but many African American families have still not yet picked themselves up and started successful careers and productive lifestyles. Because of this, It just so happens to be that the people living in lower income communities and what people call “sketchy” neighborhoods are African American. Although police should be better trained when entering these neighborhoods about how to make quick and life threatening decisions, they are doing their best and are never intentionally killing someone just because they are black. We are taught it is better to be safe than sorry, and these are the choices these police officers are dealing with. They are risking their lives and safety to enter these neighborhoods and are left to make difficult decisions in a quick amount of time. I do not think that any of these cases or occurring because they involve black people or because the black community is not treated the same way as white people.

Today, we live in a society where we have an African American president, our congressmen, doctors, athletes, and all other occupations are filled with people of different races, and African Americans are provided with every right that is granted to every citizen. I do not believe that the Black Lives Matter campaign needs to even exist, but if some people still feel there is a need to promote equality, there still could be a better way to go about it. Black Lives Matter has made it seem like the police, government officials, and America as a whole has been attacking and limiting the freedom of African Americans. Black Lives Matter was created to promote equality for African Americans, because they are being oppressed and are being treated unfairly. Their website states that we live in a world “where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise.” They have supported events and protests in Ferguson and Baltimore last year and although they did not promote to take part in the violent protests, they did not discourage them and supported their cause. Blow made it seem that anyone who was against the Black Lives Matter campaign should be considered a hater of equality and American values, but I strongly disagree. I do not believe that supporting an organization that barely has a need for existence and promotes anger, and in cases, violence should be considered “un-American”.

Lessons From Lincoln in the Probable Government Shutdown

As the time deadline for Congress’s annual budget approaches, it seems more likely that disagreements in Congress will lead to another government shutdown, only two years after the government shutdown of 2013. This year, after videos releasing information of Planned Parenthood selling fetus parts, Congress has been arguing over refunding them. While this issue is one that is important to discuss, many citizens and politicians feel that it is not important enough to keep the government from functioning. If another government shutdown takes place, especially for such a small issue, the citizens, especially those working for the government or that benefit on a daily-basis from the federal government, will be very upset. It is the government’s job to take care of their people, and if they cannot agree and get things done, the people are left unhappy, frustrated, and out of order.

Abraham Lincoln speaks about a similar issue in an 1830 speech. He discusses the reasoning for the citizens becoming frustrated with an ineffective government; one that cannot compromise. Although today we do not have a clear solution to settle the arguments and behavior of an ineffective Congress, Lincoln had ideas about how to create peace and freedom in his day. In his speech, he spoke about how the people need to have a more mature look on the situation and compromise. He stated that humans “were either made to lie dormant, or to become the active agents in the advancement of the noblest cause--that of establishing and maintaining civil and religious liberty.” Perhaps we can take this lesson from Lincoln, and instead of arguing, which will lead to unhappy and uncontrollable citizens, Congress can compromise and get things done.

Blog 4: iLife

https://youtu.be/DZSBWbnmGrE?t=30s

Apple, in their ad entitled, “iLife (2006),” claims that owning a Mac computer increases the consumer’s options in terms of programs, and that using these programs creates a more enjoyable and organized computer experience. Apple supports this by using conversation to point out that opposed to using an iPod with just a PC, Macs deliver a number of other applications, including iMovie, iPhoto, and iWeb, and also uses logical arguments to contrast a Mac with a PC, including the fact that the PC’s only thrilling feature is a calculator. Apple’s purpose is to excite consumers about the options a Mac offers, in order to persuade them to buy a Mac. Apple speaks to all consumers across the spectrum, including both prospective Mac owners and current PC owners, to get all sides to switch to a Mac.

Nicholas Kristof "Refugees Who Could Be Us"

Nicholas Kristof, in “Refugees Who Could Be Us” (2015), blames the global community for not taking earlier actions to solve the problems in Syria. Kristof brings up examples of the suffering that Syrians have gone through, the fact that they have no safe zone, and the fact that these issues have not been fixed by leading countries, such as the United States and European countries, despite the fact that the Syrian Civil War has been taking place for four years. The author brings attention to the vulnerability Aylan Kurdi and other Syrian refugees in order to gain sympathy and help for those wanting to live peaceful lives. Kristof instills a sense of guilt into the reader for not have noticing the issues going on in Syria and encourages them to recognize the issue of not assisting the refugees.

Throughout Kristof’s article, I admired the fact that he decided to take lessons from the past to help persuade his audience to want to help the Syrian refugees. The main issue that Kristof brings up, in regards to the Syrian refugees,  is the fact that people are not helping and are being unsympathetic to refugees who are not being given easy access to European countries. He began his article by bringing up the past of his family and suggesting that readers research their ancestor’s lives as refugees. He also brings up the history of the Jews in the Holocaust that tried to flee to America, another time in history where refugees were ignored and suffered greatly because of it. World leaders, especially the United States which is a country founded as a place where all humankind can live equally, should step up to help the refugees. If nations of the world do not provide homes and care for these people, they are helpless and have no choice but to return to their dangerous home, like the Jews during the Holocaust. I think that it is a great idea for people to reflect on the past to see that these refugees cannot be sent away or ignored, because their lives will be lost if they are not taken in by other countries.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/06/opinion/sunday/nicholas-kristof-refugees-who-could-be-us.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Fnicholas-kristof

Lessons from the Virginia Shooting

Nicholas Kristof in “Lessons From the Virginia Shooting” (2015), implies that the recent Virginia shooting was able to happen because of the lax gun regulations in the United States. Kristof uses the example of what happened in Virginia and other data showing gun violence in the country to prove that having stricter gun laws in America is crucial to the safety and survival of the citizens. Kristof states that there are more regulations towards toys, ladders, and swimming pools than there are towards guns to prove that gun violence is being ignored. Kristof is telling all Americans how crucial it is that we push for stricter gun laws for the safety of everyone in the country.

I agree with Kristoff. Guns are weapons that are made to kill and it is often that they end up in the hands of those that are dangerous. It is understandable that some may want a gun for protection, safety, or hunting, but there need to be strict regulations to make sure they do not get into the wrong hands. There are many solutions to this issue of too many dangerous people with guns. One solution is stricter background checks, especially at flea markets that travel through towns and do not do background checks. There can also be safes or passcode locks on guns, which is an idea Kristoff discussed. I still remember the details of the incident in Sandy Hook Elementary School, that occurred a few years ago. This is also an incident where guns fell into the hands of the wrong person, but this time it was not just a gun, but assault rifles. I can understand that people should have the right to a gun, but I do not understand why it is that peopel are allowed to own assault rifles. It is unnecessary and extremely dangerous and should not have costed the lives of twenty-six people in an elementary school.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/opinion/lessons-from-the-murders-of-tv-journalists-in-the-virginia-shooting.html?_r=1

Cecil the Lion

http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/30/us/walter-palmer-whereabouts/

After reading the article about Cecil the lion, I was very disturbed by both the actions of Dr. Palmer and the reactions of the people. The fact that Dr. Palmer would do such a thing upsets me and makes me question whether or not hunting for sport should be legal, due to the fact that it is just unnecessary and inhumane. Hunting for deer is one thing, because people may use it for meat and food, but to kill a lion for no reason upsets me. What also bothered me was the reaction of the people. I understood that people were upset and should have spoken up about it, but the people got so aggressive and violent after hearing this news.

Dr. Palmer, whether or not he did know he was on a preserve and it was an accident, took many actions that disturbed me in this incident. First of all, when hunting or holding a weapon, one should be very aware of his surroundings. The fact that he was not careful enough while holding a weapon and hunting worries me. If an “accident” like this can happen, maybe hunting for a sport is too dangerous and should not be allowed. It also bothered me that he used a weapon that would make the lion suffer for days before dying. It is unnecessary and I do not understand why someone would need to hunt a lion in the first place and I especially do not understand why someone would cause it to suffer.

Although I am very upset by this news, I was also upset by the reaction of the public. Martin Luther King once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” I think that this quote explains why the people should not have become so aggressive when hearing this news. If a person is so disappointed and upset about this act of violence, they should not react in harmful ways to bring justice. Instead, the public could have responded in a way that was more peaceful and helpful. They could have responded through protests and kind letters to authoritative figures, rather than threatening Dr. Palmer and his office. Overall, I was shocked by the acts of everyone involved. The fact that someone would murder an animal for no reason, especially one that was on a preserve, and the fact that people react in such a hateful way disturbs me.