"Hands Tied Behind Him"

William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States, once said " Anti-semitism is a noxious weed that should be cut out.  It has no place in America."  I agree with President Taft because the United States is supposed to be known for its diversity and freedom.  Common issues such as anti-semitism and racism are showing the world that we are not so true to our policies, which is not a good reputation to have.  As global leaders, each and everyone of us should refute prejudice opinions and stand up for the independence that America is supposed to offer.  

According to the 2010 census, there is approximately 6.5 million Jews in America.  Coincidently, that is roughly the same number of Jews that lost their lives in the Holocaust in the 1940's.  This is only about 1.9% of the population of the United States.  Mark Twain once said "...If statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one percent of the human race...He [the Jew] is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his commercial importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk. His contributions to the world’s list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning are also away out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers.  He has made a marvelous fight in this world, in all the ages; and had done it with his hands tied behind him."  What Mark Twain is trying to say in this quote is that the contributions of the Jewish people should be valued more, accounting for the small population and the hatred they have had to face while contributing.  This is something to consider while thinking about anti-semitism in the future.  

American 'Freedom'

It states in the U.S constitution in article six, section three, 
that you have the freedom to practice any religion that you would like.  Because of this freedom, you've chosen to practice Judaism.  So you've grown up your whole life thinking nothing of it, like it was the norm, but one day you get old enough to find out that it's not as normal as you thought.  How did you find out?  Well there are many ways.  In certain places it's purely visible; seeing swastikas' graffiti'd on the walls, or "burn the jews" written in magic marker in a bathroom stall.  You see it written on the wall and your heart drops. You are confused.  "Why do they hate me?"  Well, if you asked them, they wouldn't give you an answer... They just do. The ones you call friends make jokes about a genocide of more than six million of your 'type'.  You think to your self, how could something so tragic be a topic of humor to others, but it is, and it hurts you deeply.  You even personally know of a few people that lost their lives being tortured in the Holocaust, and your'e sitting there listening to a person laugh about their death. Now at that moment you could choose to stand up for your self and approach this person, but you realize that if anyone knew you were Jewish, they would only laugh at you.  So now, not only are you forced to hear the jokes and do nothing about it, but you are also forced to hide your religion JUST to avoid humiliation.  That's the definition of American freedom.  Freedom without really being free.  You've even personally talked with a survivor who has told you numerous stories about the things they had to do to keep their lives, and yet, there are people in the world who DENY the holocaust of even occurring.  You then question if it's even worth being Jewish, you are automatically hated by a big percentage of the world.  Who would want that?  Well, it doesn't matter what you want.  After all, this isn't a free country.  

Stop anti-semitism.  

Sentence Imitation

Today the answer seems both more modest and more challenging:  If we want to reduce poverty, we have to stop doing the things that make people poor and keep them that way.  Stop underpaying people for the jobs they do.  Stop treating working people as potential criminals and let them have the right to organize for better wages and working conditions.  Stop the institutional harassment of those who turn to the government for help or find themselves destitute in the streets.  Maybe, as so many Americans seem to believe today, we can't afford the kinds of public programs that would genuinely alleviate poverty-- though I would argue otherwise.  But at least we should decide, as a bare minimum principle, to stop kicking people when they're down.  

                                                                            -p.238 from Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich


Today I realized a big problem in the Center for Global Studies:  We are a school for global studies, yet we limit ourselves to only three languages and countries to focus on.  I would expect a global school to have many more options.    If we want to be called a global center and truly live up to the name then we need to add more languages and global courses.  Imagine if we offered languages like German or Spanish while also offering courses like International Business.  Then, if the student body agrees to this new curriculum, we could improve our international studies and prepare students for international relations--  Many wish to pursue this field.   I think we can accomplish, if we all come together, an improved global curriculum that will steer students in the real global direction.

Things I Hate

In General...

1.  I hate waiting on lines.  One grumpy cashier obviously isn't enough for this many people.  Hire more employees.
2.  Stop dressing your dog.  It's a dog.
3.  Why are school buses yellow?  No one likes yellow.  I can think of six better colors for a bus.
4.  I hate when the tip of the shoelace falls off.  Those need to be designed better.
5.  I hate those guys who ride their bikes in the middle of the street next to cars, do you really think your'e going at the same speed?  Please move before I run you over.
6.  I hate when people sit next to me on public transportation when there are many other empty seats.
7.  Pulling up to the wrong side when filling up your gas.  There should be an indicator of which side your tank is on.
8.  Celebrity marriages.  They never work (Jay-Z and Beyonce being the only exception)
9.  Things that cost 98 cents.

Technology...

1.  Getting stuck at a red light at 1:00 am when there are no other cars for the next 4 miles.  They definitely need motion sensors or something.
2.  Phone batteries always last three hours less than advertised.  Please fix this.
3.  Why are there so many phone services?  Imagine if there was only one and we all used every phone tower that exists... we would have service literally everywhere.
4.  Gas is too expensive and the sun is free, we should use solar power much more.
5.  Reality TV.  I mean, this stuff can't possibly be "reality," can it?
6.  Music in elevators must be upgraded.

Political...

1.  I think the federal government has way too much power.  Does the peoples vote even matter anymore?
2.  The prison system.  There are way too many non-violent crimes.  And your'e wondering why so many people are unemployed 
3.  Presidential campaigns are too easily corrupted - it's all about who has enough money to pay off the media.
4.  Religion plays too big of a part in politics.  We should follow the constitution when it says "there should be a separation from church and state."
5.  There shouldn't be a limit of just two political parties, how can the entire country fit into two political  categories?
6.  We should limit taxes to only property tax.  People can only pay for what they can afford.

Brien McMahon/CGS

1.  When people purposely wear their pants low just to show their second pair of shorts directly under it.
2.  It's the "center for GLOBAL studies" not the center for the studies of three countries.  Add more languages like Spanish or German.
3.  The lunch shifts should be organized by grade, no one likes waiting in line behind freshmen.
4.  Screaming girls.  Shh!
5.  disable all announcement speakers.

Diamonds are Forever

 I’ve always appreciated my last name; Diamond. While it appears to be flashy at some points, on the back of a sports jersey or written on the top of a paper, I’ve found that it also illustrates my personality.  But before we talk about me, lets get into the history of this rare jewel.  Almost immediately upon discovery, diamonds were seen as something divine. Diamonds were used to ornament religious icons and temples and only kings were allowed to collect the most exquisite variety of these “divine gifts.”  Their properties were something man had never encountered before. Diamonds had very hard characteristics as well as a high dispersion index, and very high thermal conductivity. Because of these properties, ancient Indians (since it is believed that India was the first country in which diamonds were discovered and harvested) used diamonds as ornamentation, making them the eyes of Hindu religious statues.  

Diamonds are the hardest natural mineral substance known to man. For me, this has significance because I like to think of my self as strong-willed and hard working, comparing myself to the diamond.  However, despite common belief, it is not the hardest substance known to man.  When I learned this information I immediately connected that although I am strong willed I am not indestructible. I have weaknesses.  Like the diamond, I am transparent; my emotions are visible to the ones around me and I allow light to shine through me. Diamonds are very intricately cut, they are multifaceted with many different sides. Like the diamond, I have many sides to my personality as well; As you get to know me you will find different sides of me. Diamonds are also able to take white light and break it into all of its colors to appear like a rainbow.  In the same way, I can take something that is seemingly complex, and break it down to its logical components. I believe I have analytical intelligence while in arguments and understanding other people. Not only am I honored to be associated with this divine jewel, but I also believe that it is very appropriate to who I am as a person.