You know bullying is very widespread when you hear that a junior kindergartner who loved coming to school does not want to go to school anymore because of the mean things some of the other students are saying to him and about him. School is ideally supposed to be a safe space yet it has become one of the most dangerous places for some students. Like others I always knew that bullying was on the rise but this incident that happened really hit home as to how hard some students find school. It’s very frustrating to hear such stories because being a student teacher I know that teachers and schools are trying their hardest to be proactive in terms educating students about bullying. I know that teachers are being proactive by reading students books about bullying, doing activities and educating students on what a bully is and how students can get help if they are bullied. Yet unfortunately bullying still happens and I feel that regardless of how much you educate students or people in general about bullying it will still happen. More so virtual bullying is on the rise due to the different social media and enhanced technology. One of the only solutions for bullying I believe is helping children and young people develop a voice which they can use to stand up for themselves, others and ask to get help when they need it. Your voice is the strongest muscle in your body and you can use it to defend yourself and others and that is why it is one of the only solutions to defend oneself from bullying. I believe that continuing to raise awareness about bullying and having stricter consequences for those who do bully will be a step in the right direction.
On Friday May 11 2012, three years after the heinous and cruel murder of 8 years old Victoria Strafford, some justice has been served. Michael Raffety has been convicted by a jury verdict of taking, raping and killing young Victoria. Rafferty is sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for twenty five years. Victoria was last seen alive outside her elementary school in Woodstock Ontario on April 8 2009 and her body was found on July 19 2009. I believe that a life sentence will provide sufficient time for those involved in this murder to contemplate daily on their actions and how their choices ruined so many innoncent lives.
It often happens that although we might be observing our daily duties as Muslims such as praying we tend to forget to take some time to ourselves and really thank Allah for the countless blessings that have been bestowed upon us. Many times the reason we are unable to contemplate on the blessings in our lives is because of our busy lives and so we promise and proclaim that when we are less busy we will do more to show our gratitude. Yet when something goes amiss in our busy lives and does not go according to the way we wish, we turn back to Allah and thank Him for the blessings. This is when we remember that this life is a test.
However, it is crucial to remember to thank Allah in good and bad times in our lives. We all are going through or will go through very difficult times in our lives yet it is important to remember that even in our hard times there is something beautiful that God has embedded within them so we can learn. Even if we are distressed we need to remember that things will get better. More so in times when we are happy and things are going well it is equally important to remember Allah and thank Him for His blessings. It so happens sometimes that when we are happy we become quite absorbed in our moments of joy that we forget to remember the One who has allowed us to feel such joy and content.
Life has its ups and downs and whatever we are going through we should always thank Allah for His blessings in our lives. Because even in hard times we should not forget what we have been given.
Recently due to pressure from an online campaign, Mattel the toy-maker for Barbie has come up with a special edition Barbie. This is the “bald and beautiful Barbie”. There will be limited distribution of this special edition because most of these Barbies will only be available in children’s hospitals. This means that they will only go into the hands of those children who will benefit the most from them: children who have lost their hair due to cancer etc.
The hope is that this special edition of Barbie will send a positive message to these children as they will see people like them represented by an iconic mainstream image. The toy-maker believes that this will be a powerful and helpful message which will help children as they deal with various issues. A bald Barbie or an icon can be a way to send a very powerful message of positivity and inclusion to the rest of the population. This is because what will be represented is difference in a way that is appears to be normal and not strange nor scary.
However, it can also be understood that some of those who advocated for this Barbie are happy with its arrival yet complain that it is not available in all retail stores and so not available to all different types of children. Fifteen years old, Olivia Rusk who lost her hair due to alopecia said “If you're wanting to make a Barbie doll that's different, and you're wanting to show kids who are different that they can be different, why not show it to normal kids so that they can accept the different kids?" This is a very powerful comment which I agree with wholeheartedly. I believe that this is a great and interesting initiative yet these Barbie’s are not available for all types of children and this is the flaw. This is the flaw simply because if we want real change in people’s perspectives this Barbie has to be sold in all retail stores. As a result of it being sold in all retail stores it will expose all types of children to difference and they will learn about the different people that live alongside the world with them.
Perhaps creating this special edition Barbie was a way that Mattel dealt with the pressure of the campaign but I hope that they take this initiative further!
The Book of Negros is one of the most interesting, insightful, intriguing and brilliant books you will ever read! It came out in 2007 and was written by the Canadian author Lawrence Hill. The book deals with and confronts aspects of Canadian history which we tend to forget: slavery. The Book of Negros marks the journey of Aminato Diallo who is kidnapped from a village in West Africa where she once enjoyed a wonderful life to her horrific ordeal of becoming a slave in South Carolina where she works at a plantation. Aminato is forced to learn skills when she becomes a slave because learning skills makes her useful and ensures survival. Thus, she learns to read, write and becomes a midwife. Aminato wants to learn all she can and this self-education keeps her alive in dreadful times because it gives her hope. It is through learning that Aminato embraces life and steps out of her victimhood.
The novel is a juxtaposition of well researched history and fiction in terms of Aminato’s journey and deals with her subtle happy, sad, tragic and inspiring moments in her life. This novel gives the readers a new perspective into history. Though it is a long read it presents us with a detailed look on the horrific history of slavery and shows us the blackest periods. Hill describes this book as “a journey into the heart of slavery”. The name Book of Negros was a taken from an actual military document which recorded the names of around 3000 African American slaves that were promised freedom. This was during the time of the American Revolution when the British tried to get assistance from the black slaves by asking them to flee their plantations and join the British army. In return for their service they were promised freedom, many risked their lives and the book which still exists in the National Archives in Nova Scotia lists the names of the people who wanted to leave.
I know you want me to tell you what happens at the end of the novel, BUT I won’t because you will just have to read this awesome novel once you’re finished your essays and exams etc. of course.
Happy Reading!
_ On Mach 1, 2012, two hundred grade 8 girls from 5 different downtown schools attended a Sister 2 Sister Leadership conference in Toronto. The conference was made up of workshops that dealt with issues and challenges teenage girls face such as peer pressure, bullying, body image and the need for self-defense. One very interesting workshop was titled “I don’t need a Prince to save me” and it centered on the importance for girls to become aware of the issues society is facing (such as sexual assaults) and being able to equip themselves with the necessary skills which will protect and empower them. The workshop also encouraged girls to become independent by learning to protect themselves rather than relying on the stereotypical notion that girls and women need to be saved by men. The workshop explored the need for girls to become vigilant, strong and powerful. All of the workshops in the conference had a similar underlining theme which was for girls to understand and believe that they indeed do have the ability to partake in changing the world for the better. Overall, the conference was to “reinforce the idea that there are no limits to what they can achieve”.
I believe that this conference was a good opportunity for girls in Toronto schools to learn about their own role in making the world a better place by firstly empowering themselves as they learn about their own abilities. I hope that this program will soon become bigger and be open to more schools which will allow more girls from all over to become involved and have the chance to gain this experience. This conference is like a corner stone in terms of what needs to be done to promote and establish gender equality in our schools and society. However, more initiatives need to be undertaken in schools which will ensure that this is something that is ongoing and not just a one day event. Also if initiatives are taken in schools then the other students (males) will also become involved in this process of gender equality.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was truly an amazing man and his legacy continues to inspire and guide many people of the world. He was sent as a role model to show the people of the world how to live in the best manner. This article will show how he was truly a ‘mercy for mankind.’
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had the best of manners. He was gentle, kind hearted, compassionate and always polite. He was a very important person yet he was never egotistic nor boastful rather he was humble and down to earth in all of his dealings. He always over looked the faults of others and tried to address them in a way that would not embarrass them. He was always loving, patient and understanding towards the young and very respectful toward the old. He said “to honor an old man is to show respect to Allah” and from such a saying one can clearly see the mercy in his heart. It is important to remember that it was the Prophets’ manners that won the love, respect and affection of so many people because he embodied the fundamental core values of Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a firm believer in justice and he made sure to treat every situation in a just manner. When he was administering justice he would never make any distinctions between people nor did he show favoritism and so everyone was held to the same accountability, whether they were believers, non-believers, men, women, friends or enemies. He strongly opposed injustice by speaking out against it and was truly a living example of the verse from the Quran: “O you who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (Al-Ma'idah 5:8). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) modelled a perfect society where justice prevailed and injustice was not tolerated.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) honored and respected women. He was a feminist and stood up for women’s rights and voices. He never belittled the women in his life nor did he mistreat them rather he upheld their wishes and elevated their status. He was compassionate and consulted the women in his life when he needed to make a decision.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an amazing man and we should always strive to follow his example because he was truly a ‘mercy for mankind’.
Recently while waiting for the bus and seeing people assemble into a line by themselves got me to think how important kindergarten really is! As a student teacher I believe that the early years in a child’s life are fundamental for setting good lifelong habits and a love for learning. In my kindergarten class we even have a song for lining up, now imagine if we all sang that while we waited for the TTC. That might be slightly awkward but what I want to stress is how many important skills we learned in kindergarten and our elementary school years.
In Kindergarten children develop social skills which they will use for their entire lives. Children learn to play with others, how to share, wait, work as a team, follow instructions, how to be less self-centered and when to say please and thank you. Kindergarten helps them learn to interact with their classmates, build friendships and learn how to treat people respectfully. This helps them develop socially and emotionally as they become their very own selves.
Kindergarten is also very important because it is the ideal time to introduce the love and value of education. Children realize that learning can be fun, as they play in the classroom they engage in activities that are fun yet academic. For example while they play at the house center the children are engaged in learning math- one activity might be that they have to arrange the dolls from the smallest to the largest. As the year progresses their skills develop a lot, it’s an amazing moment when you can see how much they are learning and making connections! Kindergarten is the time when children learn the basics of English, math, language, science and so it is fundamental for their transitioning into other grades. Children learn to love learning new things as they experiment and explore. Kindergarten helps children become accustomed to school as they learn about the routines and protocols of school life. All of this makes them eager learners.
Overall, Kindergarten is a very important time for children to learn lots, grow and discover their interests! They are also super cute.
On Friday January 13th 2012, six hundred political prisoners were released in Burma. Burma has been ruled directly and indirectly by the military since 1962. This regime has been marked by systematic rape, torture and forced labour to the nation’s citizens. Most of the political prisoners took part in demonstrations against this repressive regime that has ruled the nation for decades. The political prisoners included political activists, leaders of repressed ethnic minority groups and journalists. Many of these prisoners are serving sentences of several decades after trials with none or very little legal representation and they were spread out in the nation’s forty three prisons. The prison conditions are horrific with overcrowding, filth, bugs and a lack of appropriate food. There are several reasons for the prisoners release; one is that it is a step towards the country’s reform and the second is to end Burma’s isolation from the international community by adhering to the international human rights regimes and conventions. Most of the political prisoners believe they were fighting for fundamental freedom and for them this liberty means that lovers and families are reunited.
Below is a link to a slideshow of pictures marking the special day: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2012/jan/13/burmese-political-prisoners-released-pictures
_ I really loved Walt’s Disney’s movie Tangled which was released in 2010. I know I’m a little late for this review but I recently watched it again and was inspired to write this review.
The main storyline goes like this: there is a magical flower that has the ability to heal the sick and injured. An old evil woman named Gothel finds this flower and uses it to retain her youth. One day the Queen of the Kingdom who is pregnant becomes very ill and so the people of the Kingdom search for the flower. Once it is found it is fed to the Queen who delivers a baby girl named Rapunzel. It seems that Rapunzel’s hair has absorbed the magical qualities the flower possessed. Gothel finds out about the child and steals her and takes her to a tower far away and raises her. When Rapunzel is eighteen she dreams of seeing the golden lanterns that are released every year, but she is forbidden to leave the tower. That is when her saviour comes into the picture- Flynn Rider who is wanted by the kingdom because he is a theif, a very charming and handsome theif. Rider, looking for an escape, sees the tower and climbs it. After confronting Rider, Rapunzel realizes that she will never get another opportunity to see the lanterns so she hides the item he has stolen and forces him to take her to see them. Grothel is not in the tower at the time so the two take their leave peacefully and their day is filled with adventure. So what happens next? Yes, you guessed it, they start falling for each other. But while their love is developing, Grotel has found out that Rapunzel has left the tower and so she plans a way to bring her back. Her plan is to get Rider arrested and put in jail so it will seem that he has betrayed Rapunzel. Rider is taken to jail and Rapunzel back to the tower. However Rapunzel comes to realize that she is the lost princess and that is the reason that lanterns are released every year on her birthday. She tries to escape but is tied down by Gotel and that is when Rider breaks out of prison and saves her. Reunited with her family, Rapunzel and Rider get married and live happily ever after.
I really enjoyed this film and I especially loved the scenery and the golden lanterns. However, my feelings towards Tangled are bittersweet. This movie is quite misleading and the ideals it presents can become harmful for the child audience. This review is not one which praises Tangled rather it is about taking a close look at the different ideas presented within it.
Tangled is very stereotypical in terms of gender. Rapunzel is innocent, naive and needs to be saved. That’s when the strong, well traveled and hunk Rider comes into the picture. Rider always saves the day with his strength and quick thinking and he falls for this naive girl who needs to be protected from the bad world. Generally girls will grow up thinking that they will need a man to depend on.
The concept of beauty presented in this movie is deeply troubling. Rapunzel embodies the ideal as she has big green beautiful eyes, luscious red lips, perfect teeth, beautiful blonde hair, shinning light skin (she doesn’t even have an acne problem, like seriously she’s eighteen!), she is quite skinny and of medium height. She is perfect! Or is she? Flynn Rider is also the perfect image of a man. Rider is light skinned, tall, muscular (seriously I though his shirt was going to rip in some scenes because of his muscles) and he doesn’t seem to have an acne problems either! Yay! Also they both speak perfect English. The world is so perfect. Double yay.
Disney has been portraying this image of beauty for so long and it is the ONLY image presented. Almost all of the women in Disney movies resemble Rapunzel which has become the standard. Yes, sure Disney has tried to save its image so there is Jasmine and Pocahontas, the two token women. But Disney repeatedly fails to portray in their characters that beauty is present in all different forms, sizes and colours. How do they just get away with it? I mean this movie was made in 2010 yet the ideas of Disney have not changed. They are rigid in stone.
The main audience of Disney films are children. Children must have loved the scenery and the story must have appealed to them. But what is the message that has been embedded into their minds about beauty and gender? That is what is truly scary not the old witch, Gothel. Clearly Disney in their movie state that the good people look a certain way and so a child might think: what if I don’t look like that? Does that mean I am bad? Why is my friend repeatedly represented in movies but I’m not? Children will likely conclude that in order to be considered beautiful they must become the standard.
Overall we can enjoy and watch these movies but we should be mindful and critical of the issues and ideas presented within them.
|
RSS Feed
