The clock strikes 8 o'clock and the test begins. This time, they have mixed it up and the writing section is first, followed by the multiple choice. It is either a surprise or the proctor does not know how to read directions. I open up the booklet and, just like my teacher warned me, there is a question about women. It reads, “Assess the ways in which women participated in and influenced TWO of the following: the Renaissance; the Reformation; the French Revolution.” However, another likely question could have been to assess gender equality and how were women treated during the 18th century, or any other century.
The matter of fact is that gender equality has been a major aspect of world history. The question above was taken from an AP European History test. Although gender equality, and mostly female inequality, has been an issue since the beginning of time, it is important to acknowledge that the times are changing, the 21st century is upon us. Therefore, with this change in time comes a change in importance of the issue.
Today’s society is geared towards equality in every aspect: religion, race, and gender of course. There might be some exceptions to this, like gender inequality in Saudi Arabia, but, for the most part, people are trying to improve equality. The entertainment business has long ago championed gender equality, but the workplace is making progress as well. More women are finally getting CEO positions, or even simply promotions. Since, progress is happening, it would be wise to let it grow on its own and focus on more concerning situations.
Saying this, I believe that society needs to partially avert its attention to issues of hunger, unemployment, and especially debt, here in the United States. The government needs to be concerned with the economy because the progression for gender equality has already been set in motion and will keep on moving on its own. This is not to say, however, that ignorance is to resume. Once people open their minds to the idea that women are as productive as men in the workplace, these people need to keep those minds open. In essence, one can’t merely block out one issue to solve another, but rather multitask with many problems at once.
Supporting evidence of the ‘moving on’ suggestion has been clearly made in a book by Claire Shipman and Katty Kay. The two women are, surprisingly, not attacking and blaming men for women’s inequality. They say that the laws have been laid down, and that there are no legal limitations for women like there were in the 20th century. Now, it is up to the women to succeed. One of the problems that causes this notion of gender inequality to still exist is the characteristic of confidence and the gap between men and women in this area. Men have always had the upper hand, dominating the work place and building strong self-confidence along with it. Women, on the other hand, seem to lack the great male confidence, and are, therefore, treated as inferior. The quality of a woman’s work might be equal, or even superior to the man’s, but low self-confidence is what is holding her back. Sometimes, appearance takes the dominating role over the work put into a project.
As I conclude, I feel that the past generations have been successful in bringing about an environment where women can succeed. It is the women’s turn now to take advantage of this new opportunity. Maybe in a couple decades, the work force will be more or less split evenly among the male and female gender, but why wait so long to start solving another issue. It is time to be less concerned with gender equality, and more with other persisting issues at hand.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Friday, March 20, 2015
Saudi Inequality
Aidah al-Nassar is a 37 year-old woman living in Medina, Saudi Arabia. She is married and has two children. Her husband is a businessman and works in the city, while Aidah has to stay at home and take care of the children. The family’s life is governed by Sunni Islam.
In the 2013 Global Gender Gap Report, the World Economic Forum released a ranking for gender parity from 136 countries. Saudi Arabia placed in the 127th place. Certain steps have been taken to fix gender inequality, yet many laws and traditions, including religious interpretation, still prohibit women from the rights they would have in other countries. Following is a section of a response from Aidah to what she has to say about the issue.
First, I would like to address the causes for the gender inequality in my country. Many people would believe that the Islamic religion is the sole factor for the many prohibitions placed on women. However, I tell you that is not the only factor. Even here, in Saudi Arabia, there exists a saying: “It’s the culture, not the religion.” Therefore, many of the laws come from the government and the traditional customs of the Arabian Peninsula. What outrages me the most is the fact that most of the gender laws that are in place are merely interpretations of the Sharia, or Islamic law. In my country, the Shaira is interpreted according to a Sunni form called Wahhabism, or the way of the righteous predecessor. Judges, or shall I say men, are left with discretionary power to exercise in favor of tribal traditions
On the upside, there have been some improvements in recent years. For example, in 2011 King Abdullah announced that women could finally take part in voting and running for office in the 2015 elections. More women are receiving a proper education. In fact, more of the university graduates in Saudi Arabia are woman than men. Having excellent qualifications, they are still not treated fairly in the workplace and gender separation is a prevailing problem.
This leads to the fact that nothing can mask the traditional and culture disadvantages we, as women, experience everyday. I have two children and a household to take care of, and yet I am not allowed to drive a car. Think of the many errands a mother in the Americas performs and how important it is to drive oneself to the store. But even if I were to walk to the market, I still need a male chaperone called a mahram, or a male relative. Our freedom of movement is severely restricted because of traditional beliefs in a patriarchal system of the past that should have long ago been abandoned.
In the 2013 Global Gender Gap Report, the World Economic Forum released a ranking for gender parity from 136 countries. Saudi Arabia placed in the 127th place. Certain steps have been taken to fix gender inequality, yet many laws and traditions, including religious interpretation, still prohibit women from the rights they would have in other countries. Following is a section of a response from Aidah to what she has to say about the issue.
First, I would like to address the causes for the gender inequality in my country. Many people would believe that the Islamic religion is the sole factor for the many prohibitions placed on women. However, I tell you that is not the only factor. Even here, in Saudi Arabia, there exists a saying: “It’s the culture, not the religion.” Therefore, many of the laws come from the government and the traditional customs of the Arabian Peninsula. What outrages me the most is the fact that most of the gender laws that are in place are merely interpretations of the Sharia, or Islamic law. In my country, the Shaira is interpreted according to a Sunni form called Wahhabism, or the way of the righteous predecessor. Judges, or shall I say men, are left with discretionary power to exercise in favor of tribal traditions
On the upside, there have been some improvements in recent years. For example, in 2011 King Abdullah announced that women could finally take part in voting and running for office in the 2015 elections. More women are receiving a proper education. In fact, more of the university graduates in Saudi Arabia are woman than men. Having excellent qualifications, they are still not treated fairly in the workplace and gender separation is a prevailing problem.
This leads to the fact that nothing can mask the traditional and culture disadvantages we, as women, experience everyday. I have two children and a household to take care of, and yet I am not allowed to drive a car. Think of the many errands a mother in the Americas performs and how important it is to drive oneself to the store. But even if I were to walk to the market, I still need a male chaperone called a mahram, or a male relative. Our freedom of movement is severely restricted because of traditional beliefs in a patriarchal system of the past that should have long ago been abandoned.
…
It is time now, that all the women in Saudi Arabia stand up and speak out against the problems gender inequality. We have suffered too long, and such an issue should most definitely not exist in the modern world we live in. The time has come to make a change, not to the religion, but to interpretation and custom. Equality for all!
Friday, March 13, 2015
Roger Federer
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As a tennis player myself, I have an athlete that I look up to: Roger Federer. Federer is Swiss professional tennis player and is currently ranked as second best in the world, after Novak Djokovic. Throughout his career he has been the number one player in the world for 302 weeks as recorded by the Association of Tennis Professionals. This is a world record. However, Federer doesn’t act like he is the best at all. His style of play is considered one of the best in the world and because it is so interesting to watch, Federer doesn’t need to promote himself in other ways.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Social Sports
Sports today are deemed to be a physical activity, yet it is largely overlooked that sports are also very much a social event as well. By this, one would naturally assume that the social gathering is preformed by the audiences and fans, but the athletes are also part of the social activity. Moreover, it is more involving to them than it is to the audience.
The normal situation, in which a group of people enjoy each other’s company, involves the members in communication. They talk, laugh, and probably eat, shop, or watch a movie. However, sports take it to the next level. It is specifically teamwork that engages the players more closely than in other situation. Not only do the athletes have to talk to each other, but they are also working together. The sports require collective action, strategy, and playing as one. In the professional world, each player has to be in the other’s mind as well. They know each other well through the many years of practice together, so they can predict each other’s actions. Signals sometime may be used interchangeably with speech in the case of the players being far from each other. Therefore, being an athlete on a team sport is extremely social. There is a unity that consists of mind, talk, action, and signals that come together to achieve the final goal: victory.
Examples of this exist everywhere. In soccer and basketball, the players shout to each other, notifying of their open position. When it comes time for a break or a time-out, the players huddle and discuss strategy or further action. They are working to achieve success, and they need to work as one team, not as individual players. In football, it’s the same thing. The athlete will call out a play in code before snapping the football and the players run their routes in order to coordinate their offensive play. Another example exists in volleyball. Teamwork and communication become very important when setting up a spike to score the point. First, the team needs to know in which order they will receive the ball and get it close to the net for the spike. Thus, the players call the volleyball if they know they can hit it, so that collisions don’t happen. Beforehand, the tallest players are placed near the net and they are the ones that will execute the spike, so that there is a minimal chance of a return. The action takes place in a matter of seconds, and each player needs to anticipate where the ball is going to be hit.
Because most sports are team sports, they are social and, therefore, more enjoyable to play. However, there are sports that involve a single player, like golf or swimming. I play tennis, and I have a choice. Tennis can be a single player sport, or it can involve a two-person team. It is because of the teamwork and social aspect of doubles play that I choose to play with a partner. The game becomes more complex and involves more creativity. I have to have a set number of plays that I can execute with my partner, and strategies that will change depending on the opponents. On breaks between the games, we have to be quick to come of with new plans in order to stay ahead. Therefore, by only adding one partner to the game, it become a physical activity involving speaking and signaling. The signals, like in other sports, are communicated with one hand behind the back of the player at the net.
Sports are as equally physical as they are social. They are a great benefit to one’s health, and social life. The best part of a team sport is the celebration afterwards from a victory. Therefore, those of you that don’t play, take a look at sports again. Not all sports have to be competitive and playing recreationally is as much fun. So get out there, enjoy the fresh air, and play!
The normal situation, in which a group of people enjoy each other’s company, involves the members in communication. They talk, laugh, and probably eat, shop, or watch a movie. However, sports take it to the next level. It is specifically teamwork that engages the players more closely than in other situation. Not only do the athletes have to talk to each other, but they are also working together. The sports require collective action, strategy, and playing as one. In the professional world, each player has to be in the other’s mind as well. They know each other well through the many years of practice together, so they can predict each other’s actions. Signals sometime may be used interchangeably with speech in the case of the players being far from each other. Therefore, being an athlete on a team sport is extremely social. There is a unity that consists of mind, talk, action, and signals that come together to achieve the final goal: victory.
Examples of this exist everywhere. In soccer and basketball, the players shout to each other, notifying of their open position. When it comes time for a break or a time-out, the players huddle and discuss strategy or further action. They are working to achieve success, and they need to work as one team, not as individual players. In football, it’s the same thing. The athlete will call out a play in code before snapping the football and the players run their routes in order to coordinate their offensive play. Another example exists in volleyball. Teamwork and communication become very important when setting up a spike to score the point. First, the team needs to know in which order they will receive the ball and get it close to the net for the spike. Thus, the players call the volleyball if they know they can hit it, so that collisions don’t happen. Beforehand, the tallest players are placed near the net and they are the ones that will execute the spike, so that there is a minimal chance of a return. The action takes place in a matter of seconds, and each player needs to anticipate where the ball is going to be hit.
Because most sports are team sports, they are social and, therefore, more enjoyable to play. However, there are sports that involve a single player, like golf or swimming. I play tennis, and I have a choice. Tennis can be a single player sport, or it can involve a two-person team. It is because of the teamwork and social aspect of doubles play that I choose to play with a partner. The game becomes more complex and involves more creativity. I have to have a set number of plays that I can execute with my partner, and strategies that will change depending on the opponents. On breaks between the games, we have to be quick to come of with new plans in order to stay ahead. Therefore, by only adding one partner to the game, it become a physical activity involving speaking and signaling. The signals, like in other sports, are communicated with one hand behind the back of the player at the net.
Sports are as equally physical as they are social. They are a great benefit to one’s health, and social life. The best part of a team sport is the celebration afterwards from a victory. Therefore, those of you that don’t play, take a look at sports again. Not all sports have to be competitive and playing recreationally is as much fun. So get out there, enjoy the fresh air, and play!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Word Power
The power of word and language has been with humans for about 100,000 years, and it has facilitated some remarkable achievements for mankind. Before this period, the hominid’s vocal tract wasn’t developed enough to produce the range of speech sounds that people can today. This is not to say that language did not appear at all before 100,000 years ago. In reality, the combination of physical changes and an increased complexity of communication from the early humans created language in a series of stages.
The more fascinating aspect is how language has progressed over the thousands of years and how it has come to control and dominate society. However, it controls society in both positive and negative ways. For example, speeches are the best example for how word has true power over people. Two names clearly explain the matter: Martin Luther King Jr. and Adolf Hitler.
King was famous for his civil rights movement, and the single most important element in his movement was peace. He did not believe in violence, and instead of promoting violence, he advocated for peaceful protest in his speeches, the most famous being I Have a Dream. His words called people to action, they called for a realization that something needed to be done about equality in America.
King would represent the bright side of the word’s impact on society. Sadly, there is a dark side, Hitler being the example. Known for his emotional, powerful, and nationalistic speeches, he used the power of his language to influence the masses of Germany into a fever that led to World War II. One terrifying account by Alfons Heck explains how Hitler took control of people while giving his speech: “We erupted into a frenzy of nationalistic pride that bordered on hysteria. For minutes on end, we shouted at the top of our lungs, with tears streaming down our faces: Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil! From that moment on, I belonged to Adolf Hitler body and soul.”
The power of word and language is many-sided. It can be used with the purpose of evil, but also with the purpose of love and kindness. Speech can rally people up in a wild frenzy, or it can assemble them peacefully to a state of realization. Having power isn’t all about strength. Having power means having the ability to control language and influence the surrounding people.
The more fascinating aspect is how language has progressed over the thousands of years and how it has come to control and dominate society. However, it controls society in both positive and negative ways. For example, speeches are the best example for how word has true power over people. Two names clearly explain the matter: Martin Luther King Jr. and Adolf Hitler.
King was famous for his civil rights movement, and the single most important element in his movement was peace. He did not believe in violence, and instead of promoting violence, he advocated for peaceful protest in his speeches, the most famous being I Have a Dream. His words called people to action, they called for a realization that something needed to be done about equality in America.
King would represent the bright side of the word’s impact on society. Sadly, there is a dark side, Hitler being the example. Known for his emotional, powerful, and nationalistic speeches, he used the power of his language to influence the masses of Germany into a fever that led to World War II. One terrifying account by Alfons Heck explains how Hitler took control of people while giving his speech: “We erupted into a frenzy of nationalistic pride that bordered on hysteria. For minutes on end, we shouted at the top of our lungs, with tears streaming down our faces: Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil! From that moment on, I belonged to Adolf Hitler body and soul.”
The power of word and language is many-sided. It can be used with the purpose of evil, but also with the purpose of love and kindness. Speech can rally people up in a wild frenzy, or it can assemble them peacefully to a state of realization. Having power isn’t all about strength. Having power means having the ability to control language and influence the surrounding people.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Pet Peeves
Everyday, I go to school and talk with my friends in English. The previous sentence may sound unusual, because in a way it is. Nobody specifies that they speak English at school in America, but this is an important part of my daily life. Why? Well, English wasn't my first language and, therefore, I have an accent. My parents grew up in Poland, and moved to America about one year before I was born. Since, this blog is to be all about pet peeves, here is my first.
It bothers me when people don't understand. I get the question a lot about how could I have an accent when I was born here. Even though I tell people that Polish was my first language, they still continue to believe that it isn't possible. When you grow up in a country like this, English surrounds you everywhere. It isn't like I live in Chicago or New York either, where there might be ethnic neighborhoods. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio and ethnic communities do not really exist here. Possibly, this is why people do not understand how it is that I could have an accent. The answer: 24/7 Polish at home. Even today, we never use English at home.
Since I have an accent, it affects my pronunciation of words as well. In the Polish language, all the letters in a word are pronounced. However, this is tremendously different when it comes to English. I am ok when people correct me on long and complex words, but when it comes to the word “the” I tend to get mad sometimes. First of all, the letter “h” is placed with the letter “t”, which changes the sound. The sound change is perfectly exemplified in the difference between “though” and “tough”. The change is significant because one word evokes a strong and harsh pronunciation of “t”, while the other softens the letter and makes it sound smoother. This first part of the word “the” is easy. The problem I have is with the second part and my biggest pet peeve is when people try to correct me on my pronunciation of it. I say the “e” with the soft sound, like in the word “phenomenal”. Most people say it with the strong “e” sound, like in the word “seek”. Some people say that my pronunciation is wrong, yet I have no idea how.
In afterthought, my pet peeve with the English language is not grammar mistakes or spelling mistakes. The problem resides in pronunciation. This is why it is probably a hard language to learn. Similarly to French, many letters become silent. Others change sounds when they are in different combinations. I have my own English, and when others are correcting me, maybe they should realize that I am bilingual and learning two other languages, instead of laughing at the matter.
It bothers me when people don't understand. I get the question a lot about how could I have an accent when I was born here. Even though I tell people that Polish was my first language, they still continue to believe that it isn't possible. When you grow up in a country like this, English surrounds you everywhere. It isn't like I live in Chicago or New York either, where there might be ethnic neighborhoods. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio and ethnic communities do not really exist here. Possibly, this is why people do not understand how it is that I could have an accent. The answer: 24/7 Polish at home. Even today, we never use English at home.
Since I have an accent, it affects my pronunciation of words as well. In the Polish language, all the letters in a word are pronounced. However, this is tremendously different when it comes to English. I am ok when people correct me on long and complex words, but when it comes to the word “the” I tend to get mad sometimes. First of all, the letter “h” is placed with the letter “t”, which changes the sound. The sound change is perfectly exemplified in the difference between “though” and “tough”. The change is significant because one word evokes a strong and harsh pronunciation of “t”, while the other softens the letter and makes it sound smoother. This first part of the word “the” is easy. The problem I have is with the second part and my biggest pet peeve is when people try to correct me on my pronunciation of it. I say the “e” with the soft sound, like in the word “phenomenal”. Most people say it with the strong “e” sound, like in the word “seek”. Some people say that my pronunciation is wrong, yet I have no idea how.
In afterthought, my pet peeve with the English language is not grammar mistakes or spelling mistakes. The problem resides in pronunciation. This is why it is probably a hard language to learn. Similarly to French, many letters become silent. Others change sounds when they are in different combinations. I have my own English, and when others are correcting me, maybe they should realize that I am bilingual and learning two other languages, instead of laughing at the matter.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
To Call Celebrity: Dial 007
In the beginning, the elite consisted of military and political leaders, statesmen, and religious authority. Poets, pianists, composers, and painters were considered celebrities. The differentiation between the two was that one side held a ruling power over the people, while the other side wowed the crowds with its production of masterpieces and talent. As history started unraveling itself, the transformation began: a new group of people were going to emerge wielding power in one hand and talent in the other. This talented elite came to settle one area of the country, Hollywood, and revolutionized pop culture.
These people are known as celebrities. Although the most prominent and most famous are actors, actresses, and singers, others have become celebrities through other careers in the entertainment industry, like show-hosts. Society has demanded and still is demanding a lot from these stars. They must look beautiful, be fit, have the proper clothes, always do the right thing, set an example for others, and so on, and so on. It is no surprise that if the celebrities have to do so much for society and deal with personal problems, mistakes will happen. Sadly, people do not understand that nobody can be perfect. Therefore, they will always find some way to reveal a scandal, or terrorize a celebrity for a bad decision.
Yet, some celebrities are able to keep up with societal demands and morally right decisions. They can also go above and beyond. One of these celebrities is one of my favorite actors: Pierce Brosnan. Many know him as the all-time best spy, James Bond, and his acting career has made him into a very well-known personality. He gives the public what they want, a handsome face, thrilling action movies, and a sort of obsession to be like him. However, he goes above and beyond this as a generous and kind person.
Born in Ireland, Pierce Brosnan has come to fulfill the position of the Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Along with Liam Neeson, he founded the “Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS” campaign. Brosnan is known for being an environmentalists and financially supporting environmental groups like Greenpeace. Being an artists as well, he makes and sells paintings as part of fundraisers for other organizations.
Brosnan can be considered the stereotypical celebrity society has demanded: a talented beautiful person that holds power as well as kindness and a sense of public service. This stereotype isn’t a bad thing at all, but sometimes the pressure builds up from so many demands, and certain celebrities cannot handle it. Others are so fed up with their popularity that they become terrible role models, like Justin Bieber. But not Pierce Brosnan! He is an excellent celebrity example.
These people are known as celebrities. Although the most prominent and most famous are actors, actresses, and singers, others have become celebrities through other careers in the entertainment industry, like show-hosts. Society has demanded and still is demanding a lot from these stars. They must look beautiful, be fit, have the proper clothes, always do the right thing, set an example for others, and so on, and so on. It is no surprise that if the celebrities have to do so much for society and deal with personal problems, mistakes will happen. Sadly, people do not understand that nobody can be perfect. Therefore, they will always find some way to reveal a scandal, or terrorize a celebrity for a bad decision.
Yet, some celebrities are able to keep up with societal demands and morally right decisions. They can also go above and beyond. One of these celebrities is one of my favorite actors: Pierce Brosnan. Many know him as the all-time best spy, James Bond, and his acting career has made him into a very well-known personality. He gives the public what they want, a handsome face, thrilling action movies, and a sort of obsession to be like him. However, he goes above and beyond this as a generous and kind person.
Born in Ireland, Pierce Brosnan has come to fulfill the position of the Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Along with Liam Neeson, he founded the “Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS” campaign. Brosnan is known for being an environmentalists and financially supporting environmental groups like Greenpeace. Being an artists as well, he makes and sells paintings as part of fundraisers for other organizations.
Brosnan can be considered the stereotypical celebrity society has demanded: a talented beautiful person that holds power as well as kindness and a sense of public service. This stereotype isn’t a bad thing at all, but sometimes the pressure builds up from so many demands, and certain celebrities cannot handle it. Others are so fed up with their popularity that they become terrible role models, like Justin Bieber. But not Pierce Brosnan! He is an excellent celebrity example.
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