Could You Be the Victim ?

The authors claim people would rather use the word "drama" than "bullying" because we are the younger generation, & that would be the term most of us are accustomed to using. The article did point something I found interesting. When I was in Elementary & Middle School, "bully" was used. As I made the transition to High School, everything was really all about "drama".

The word "drama" can be empowering because it's more of running the mouth recklessly, BKA-gossiping. When people gossip, it's usually about what they heard about the person, how they feel towards that person. This causes conflict because their opinions are usually influenced by what other people speak of. Teens don't think they are the cause because they don't see the big picture. Teens think what they aren't hurtful, when in reality, some girl can feel less attractive & she's possibly cutting herself in the very own bathroom of the school they attend. And no one would know, until things get all weird, or too serious, as to the vulnerable individual not showing up to class because she is afraid of the "popular" group. Words can really take a toll on someone's mental health.

             This is why we should all do each other a favor & speak only of good. There's this saying, I don't know where it originated but it's been around for as long as I can remember: "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say it at all." But then again, there are certain situations when you have no choice but to defend yourself. It all depends to which extent. Like how most things are determined, to which degree is it right? Is it even right to act upon, even in the harsh conditions you think is necessary? Hmm?

             Speaking, or writing, of the notion above... It's indeed a contradiction of itself. Because if we didn't hear such things, how will we be able to function better as a society in which we live? We must know of, to act on.

            I understand people like to make jokes, & some people take it "up the ass", meaning some are way too serious. It doesn't mean that person has no sense of humor; it can mean that person could be struggling with something. Something internal. Something secretive, or shocking. You just NEVER know the situation, & we can't be acting like "animals" because it's all about understanding & the "what if you were in my shoes?" type of thing.

             You could be the bully, or the one being bullied. Most often, it's either/or. But wouldn't it be better if it didn't exist? Too bad, that's not reality. What's reality is preventing these things from happening. And when they do happen, let's be that support for each other & find effective solutions, such as getting treatment & raising awareness, like all over.

Blog #1: Banneker & Equiano

Equality

Should people be treated unfairly & put to unwanted labor because of complexion?

I believe people of color should not, in any way possible, be put to unwanted labor because this takes away their rights, their freedom, & thus creates tension & questions morality. Putting slaves to forced labor questions morality & equality because they are trapped, with their necessary rights taken away.

The text "The Interesting Life of Gustavus Vassa, the African" written by Olaudah Equiano, takes us to a time period where enslavement was a reality in the most harsh conditions. People of power at the time have put slaves in a state of fear & sorrow. Equiano writes of his long, tragic journey of his kidnapping & becoming a slave. He shares with us some of the most touching experiences he has as an eleven year old boy in slavery.

Many deep emotions he encounters fill us with concern & curiosity as we continue to discover/unfold his misfortune with the oppression of enslavement. As we get a hold & feel of what exactly was occurring at his time, we can only think of fighting for the right to be free.

As Equiano confirms of one familiar day in his life, he "had not eaten nor drunk any thing all the day". He shows here how slaves have been treated as unequal compared to those in power at the time of enslavement. Most of Equiano's days consisted of poor treatment, causing him to have many unsatisfying emotions & fixed judgments of the whites, & the way he, as well as many others, viewed the world. Speaking of the assailants unholy actions, Equiano shares with us another questionable incident that the slave traders "one day had taken a number of fishes; and when they had killed and satisfied themselves with as many as they thought fit, to our astonishment who were on the deck, rather than give any of them to us to eat, as we expected, they tossed the remaining fish into the sea again". This occasion shows us just how lives of slaves were unfavorable. Usually, the slaves would have been fed; but due to the cruelty of the whites, slaves starved & tried "to get a little privately". When they were caught, the countrymen would "handle" slaves with "severe floggings", as if they truly deserved it. Slaves have encountered degrees of unfavorable conditions. They tolerated too much as they were being weighed down.

The way slaves viewed their surroundings were very tragic because we, as citizens, have this idea implanted in us that we are all born free & equal, when in reality, that's not what's happening. When slaves were taken from their native hometowns, it was something unexpected. It began to raise more questions than answers. So whatever slaves learned was happening to them on the way, was all that they knew. They questioned other possibilities, like trying to escape. See, when we having human beings trying to escape something, it's because we don't desire what it is. It's something we do not want to experience. It's something we want to forget.

Equiano witnessed some of his own countrymen suffer & die of sickness due to unfavorable conditions & retaliating against masters, for their freedom to live. Having seen this as a young fellow, Equiano "wished he were a fish or another inhabitant of the deep". This shows how he didn't seem to care anymore about living as a being. He wanted to not be there. He feared his life that he even considered death as an option of escaping the hardships as well as miseries. Most slaves rather die than suffer. The slave traders' cruelty towards the victims of enslavement consisted of them being chained to one another, being tied in ropes if they didn’t respond to instructions/commands; or if they escaped & were captured again.

When Equiano describes he was being "handled" & "tossed up" to see if he was "sound" clearly shows how slaves were being treated as if they were merchandise, ready for sale. He, as well as numerous others, was being dehumanized by their captors. Equiano & others were watched very closely. So it was almost impossible to attempt any escape that would dramatically bring immediate relief. Slaves were deprived most of their time.

Benjamin Banneker was a well-educated man, Scientist, Astronomer, Mathematician, Surveyor, & Farmer who wrote a letter in 1791, addressing oppression & attempting to change Thomas Jefferson's views on slavery. Jefferson at the time was Secretary of State. Knowing where he stood in the eyes of the superior, Banneker writes of his observance on racial inequality. Banneker questions the Declaration of Independence which Jefferson had written & signed. Stated by Jefferson himself "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal", Jefferson should have done all he could to enforce the abolishment of slavery, because it is morally wrong. There's contradiction if you say one thing, & perform another. Banneker tries to understand whether or not the Declaration was built upon sincerity & uses Jefferson's own words against him to question his beliefs. Banneker points out that if our Father created us all to be brothers & sisters, to feel the same sensations, have the same faculties, then why are Africans, or people of color, in America being exploited?

"A Rose by Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet"

The first syllable of “Kathy” has the onset of a voiceless (produced without vibration), velar stop, with a rhyme of a low, front vowel “k[ae]”. The next, & last, syllable’s onset is a voiceless, dental fricative, with a rhyme of a high, front vowel, “th[i]”.

IPA transcription: kæθi

Using your vocal cords, start by slightly releasing some air, while pronouncing the consonant sound, aspirated stop “[k]” (cat). Quickly, it’s followed by the “[ae]” (bat) sound. Dental fricative “[th]” (thing), or the Greek letter “theta”, is produced with the tongue between the upper & lower teeth. Lastly but immediately, "[i]" is a vowel created with the front of the tongue raised not too high in the mouth, voicing that “eee” (eat) sound.

“Kathy” is my name.

Language: Tool or Weapon?

Language is a weapon that can be used either to deny or to affirm our Human Rights. The article The Language of Human Rights by Robert Amsterdam states the misuse of language “continues to exist an overwhelming and damaging perception that the law & courts work just fine”. It implies that in the courts of law, when a citizen is on trial, they tend to humiliate “convicts”, thus being looked down upon by society. Amsterdam’s statement is an assumption on the way people think the system operates. The way the law confronts his/her accusers’ causes tension & questions the intent of others.

Language of Human Rights

So far, so good. I am enjoying class time we all have together. I am hearing different opinions & point of views. It's good. It's mind-opening, encouraging.

As far as these topics intertwining, it's a very great idea. I never really thought about the subjects being connected, & it's time that I do now. Language of Human Rights? What I think... it's really important & relevant because, how can one exist without the other? They are.. in a way, built upon one another. Without language, or communication, how can we understand? How can we understand Human Rights, & what we need? The way we communicate, plays an important role. There are different styles, concepts, themes, in which I, myself, need to grasp.

I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to further my studies, an intriguing one at that. I feel this course will help me better my own lifestyle, & that of others.