What is Culture? Who are we?

      The Challenge of Cultural Relativism by James Rachels raised many interesting points about society. Rachels introduces the issue of morality in different cultures and what is virtually right. The biggest problem that this posed was who is right and who is wrong? Where are the lines that are drawn to each society? James Rachels does approve of Cultural Relativism because it adds some validity to the issue. "Different Cultures have different moral codes," from this statement one can accept what each culture thinks. Although, Rachels makes many logical points, there are some issues that I would argue such as slavery, homosexual rights, and the moral code. This essay does allow a lot of questioning with the problems that are faced today.
         Slavery, in my eyes  is wrong in many ways. The issue of slavery reminds me of the book, Gone with the Wind. The setting of the book is in the old Georgia during the Civil War. Slaves were apart of life for the white people without them, the plantations would be over. Rachels presents his view of the modern western society and the view of slavery having no ethnic restraint. Gone with the Wind, presents how the owners treated their slaves. Remarkably, the book perceives most owners as exceptionally nice except for Miss Scarlet. The views of Rachels untimely say, morals and ethnics change over time and with evolving cultures.
       "One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for All." Our Pledge of Allegiance is one of the most false statements we say as country. "For All." No, for all would mean regardless of gender, religion, race, color, disabilities and sexuality. What qualifies anyone to say that homosexuals cannot be together? Rachels makes a point about keeping an open mind but from whomever we were taught about homosexuality being wrong, made us ruin our complete open minds. The society we live in, defines what we should think. Do we really have free will then?
       The issues and ideas presented in this essay made way for many ideas to come into my head. I began to question, my own moral code. First off, how did I develop it? I was influenced by the people around me growing up. Then who am I really? My morals and ideas were never once my own. My motto of "Be a leader, never a follower," is gone. Essentially, we are all always followers, when will we ever lead?

Tragedy Strikes

     There are many definitions of the word 'Tragedy'. The main definitions that I found were, "A play, film, television program, or other narrative work that portrays or depicts calamitous events and has an unhappy but meaningful ending," or "A disastrous event, especially one involving distressing loss or injury to life." What I believe to be a correct definition of the word tragedy, is the misfortune events that cannot be controlled, that are not apart of fate.  Tragedy can be catastrophic events, how the protagonist's suffers, and lastly the sense of inevitability. As I address these definitions, think about how you would define tragedy.
      What is a catastrophic event? In my eyes, it is an event that God lets freely happen because it is meant to be. It is something not controlled, it is fate. For an example, on September 11, 2001 United States experienced the biggest tragedy ever witnessed in history.  When terrorists came into our country, and bombed the twin towers in New York City; the country went into chaos. These type of events do not allow time to organize plans. It was a tragedy because we lost so many men and women to this misfortune and went to war for it. Not only does tragic events happen in reality but also in literature as well.  The biggest tragedy I have ever read was the story of Romeo and Juliet. The whole plot of this play was revolved around tragic pieces such as the Capulet's and Montague's hatred for each other or,  the death of Tybalt that led eventually led to the downfall of Romeo and Juliet. In unfortunate circumstances, catastrophic events lead to a person's suffering.
        At this point, I am sure you as a reader are thinking about a tragic event that happened in your life that led to suffering. Recently, we had a beautiful cat whose name was Esmeralda. She was essentially our protector in my family. One year ago,  I was driving home from work and my dad spotted a dead animal on the side of our road. I thought nothing of it as I was pulling into our driveway, but this made my dad distraught. A few hours later, he gave us the bad news, Esmeralda was hit and dead. My mother was beside herself. For the next months, she would break into tears because it was just so unfair for this innocent cat, who was our guardian angel, to be killed. This is an example of how a person can suffer from a tragedy. In literature, Hamlet would be an excellent example.  Hamlet, the protagonist, goes mad from the death of Ophelia. Hamlet's rage and suffering led to the death of Claudius , an expression of revenge.
       Finally tragedy can lead to a sense of inevitability. A sense of inevitability means that it is unavoidable, it was meant to happen, it was fate. This feeling leads to over thinking, questioning morals and using the word, "What If..." Catastrophe will seem inevitable to the person. When my cat died, my mom talked about it for months, "What if we didn't let the cat out? What if I brought her inside earlier?" It was endless, but this feeling would not release from her. A sense of inevitability means that we have to let tragic events to occur. God meant for them to happen for a reason. There will never be a such thing as a coincidence but as I write this I am self-contradicting my previous statement. God does have a say in tragedy but we do not believe them to be apart of our fate. 
        Tragedy is happening all around us, every hour, every minute, and every second of the day. They are there to make us stronger, and tear us from our everyday regime. The best definition for a tragedy would be, " They are unhappy but come out with a meaningful ending." As I conclude for today, remember if you have just experience a tragic event and are suffering now, there will be something to come out of it. There always is.
 ~Namaste

Am I Following the Right Path?

"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart." Marcus Aurelius spoke these words and I find them completely relevant to the questions I will raise in my blog.  I have had a realization this past month about the play Oedipus the King. What is fate? The logical definition is the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power; but in my mind is it more than that? Oedipus led his life trying to not follow his predetermine path, which was foolish. The issues I will be addressing in my blog are the extent of emotions and how they change our fate, whether fate is predestined or as people we create it as we live, and lastly does fate really exist? These questions are suppose to test beliefs and expand the mind.
         Do emotions impact our fate? In Oedipus the King, the correct answer would be yes. Throughout the play, the audience sense the fear Oedipus feels about not wanting to follow the gods destined life for him. He runs away from his old life and creates another. In our own life, this statement could be correct as well. For example, if we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, our mood automatically determines our day which can alter our fate. Bad days can lead to a bad week, into a rough month which can cause lost opportunities which we were suppose to take. Likewise, good days can lead to new people, new love, and a better future. Mood and emotions can lead to different fates.
         Did Oedipus even have a chance at his own life? In this play, no he did not. The gods had already created a lifeline for him. In Greek mythology, the three fates were the ones who determined when death would be upon someone. Hercules life could not be cut because the gods had a purpose for him, likewise for Oedipus. Does God determine our fate for us? Can we create it and change it? I believe that God does determine our deaths and what we are suppose to achieve in life. The common phrase, "God has a plan for you." I believe in that 100%. I also believe that nothing is ever a coincidence, there is a reason for everything.
             Lastly does fate really exist? I watched a German film that explained how a woman changed her fate three times. Strangely enough, to Mr. Mayer, he always got in a car accident in all three times. He was destined to be in the car accident that day. Another example of how fate exists is the how Oedipus was destined to kill his father. He did not even realize that he did until the end. In my personal life, yes I do believe fate exists. When I was a young girl, I wrote a list of what traits and characteristics I wanted in a person. Strangely enough, I met someone who fills the list. Does that mean, he is my soul mate? That God destined us to be together? I know God made a plan for me to help people. That is my fate.
       As I conclude, I hope my readers think about the questions I raised in my blog. Does fate exist in your lives? Remember fate is events that are beyond a person's control. Oedipus was an excellent example of how fate is true and remains in our daily lives. The best way to live is one day at a time.
            

The Art of Survival

How does one simply survive the world? Some use the act of violence, the harsh words that kill us from the inside, or blending in; the act of becoming invisible. A major issue that I see in our world today, just from observing my peers is how to fit in. That particular "issue" has been around since the first humans; Adam and Eve. I wanted to address this issue because Peekay from The Power of One had to undergo many circumstances in order to finally accept who he was and resolve the issue of fitting into society.
         From preschool to our last day of high school, we try so desperately to fit in. I made this realization two years ago, that it does not matter. As Peekay realize as well, your strengths put you at an advantage. Question number 4 from our Socratic Seminar addresses his art of survival in all three books. His first survival step was to be invisible. Peekay had to hide himself including his strengths from the Judge. He had one friend, Grandpa Chook that helped him grow. As little children, we witness this. I personally know from experience, we always try to stay away from the bully. We find a good, quiet friend who will always be there for you and to help us grow.
        Peekay's next line of surviving was becoming the best. In middle school, we all experience that one person who always seems to get the best grades, be the best athlete, or maybe an amazing singer. I could go on for ages about who was the best in my school, but when you succeed at something you become admirable. In Peekay's life when he learned to box, people around became astonished. He learned street boxing from Hoppie and the most important motto that drives this whole novel in my opinion, "First with the head, then with the heart." When you have such a strong motto to live by, the whole "act of survival" starts to fade away.
         The last line of defense of "The Art of Survival" is to accept and be yourself. No matter what the trend is currently, or where the hottest party is, if you don't like, why do it? This part boggles my mind because I have learned that being unique makes me a lot happier, then following what others do. Peekay discovers this as well. He bonds with Morrie who is a clever Jewish boy, and together these boys beat the system. They learned that being their clever and cunning selves, they can accomplish anything.
       As I conclude my first blog, I want my readers to remember that the best way of surviving the world is not through violence, words, or becoming invisible, it's to accept and learn to be yourself. As I am growing up, I realize this. The best way is to show off your strengths and work on your weaknesses, be yourself and just be happy.