Writer's Log #9: Current News Analysis #4

Currently, there is an international conflict between the countries Ukraine and Russia, and Crimea is caught right between. Though Crimea has been recognized worldwide as part of Ukraine since 1954, when Soviet Union leader Nikita Krushchev “gave” it to the Ukrainians, it has always had strong cultural ties to the Russians.

Following the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution, pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian protestors of Crimea clashed in front of the parliament building of Crimea. Throughout the first week of March 2014, Ukraine and Russia’s issue escalates to potential war between the two nations. On March 6^th, the Crimean Parliament asks the Russian government for the region to be annexed as part of Russia and set up a ballot for the Crimean region, but Ukraine refused to acknowledge the request and referendum. On March 16^th, the Crimean Parliament releases a ballot that offers the choices of annexation with Russia or remaining with Ukraine. After 50 percent of the ballots were counted, it was shown that almost 95 percent of the voters have approved of joining Russia.

It is overwhelming to know that while we are carrying on with our daily lives, there are major events, like this one, happening on other parts of the world that will be read by a student from a history textbook or whatever fancy technology a hundred years from now. I found the idea that history is always revisited upon is incredibly fascinating, as we are living through an event that is documented and will be scrutinized and analyzed by complete strangers years later.

http://news.yahoo.com/crimeans-overwhelmingly-vote-secession-203613036.html

Writer's Log #8: Current News Analysis 3

It was announced that Major League Soccer would be launching an effort to protect current and future gay players from discrimination and harassment. They will be posting Player Code of Conduct in home and visitor locker rooms emphasizing the ban of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The League has also set up a process for filing harassment and discrimination complaints and pledged to protect any person who makes a complaint or who cooperates in an investigation. In February 2013, soccer player Robbie Rogers came out and became the first openly gay player in any major athletic leagues. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/12/mls-gay-_n_4951654.html)

Earlier this year, Jason Collins revealed his sexuality after 12 seasons as an active NBA player, and becomes the first openly gay player in NBA. This year, U.S. college football star Michael Sam, a top prospect for the National Football League, also announced his sexuality. If he is drafted and secures a roster spot, he will become the first openly gay in NFL. (http://www.voanews.com/content/veteran-nba-player-takes-court-as-leagues-first-openly-gay-man/1857744.html)

These examples of athletes revealing their sexuality are making an impact in more than the sports world; it may be the beginning of a movement of the world finally coming to terms with gays. These athletes are also role models for the gays that are still fearful to come out to the world. From these athletes, they can learn to gain confidence and accept themselves for who they are. There is a website (http://www.outsports.com), titled Outsports: The galactic leader in gay sports, devoted entirely to these athletes who have came out and have described the love and support they have received after coming out from not only their friends and family, but also strangers who praise their courage and strength. The gay athletic community is setting up a positive example for gays, sending a single message to other gays, that no matter the circumstances or situation, they are never alone. 

Writer's Log #6: Q&A

Q&A: If we all conform to society’s expectations, do we indirectly eliminate the difference in all of us?

Because of our human nature, we have an instinct to desire fitting in, to be accepted by society. But if we all decide to conform to society’s expectations and conceal what doesn’t fit into society’s rules, do we indirectly eliminate the difference in all of us?

In order to answer this question, we must look back on history to see the people who have disregarded society’s rules and decided to make their own choices in life. If Darwin had backed down on publishing his ideas on the theory of evolution to please the religions and churches of his time, how different would our ideology be today? If Steve Jobs had been intimidated by what the people of his time considered as the “impossibility of technology”, would our technology today be as advanced? By looking at these examples of historical figures who overcame the “impossible” and went beyond the boundaries of society, they were able to change the world for the better.

So to answer the question, I would say yes, if we all decided to only dwell inside the borders of society’s restrictions, we would not be exposed to thoughts and creativity, instead, we would be forever frozen at a certain stage, forced to only explore inside the boundaries and fearful of venturing beyond. We would try to conceal and hide the parts of us that lie beyond the boundaries, and over time, they would gradually disappear and we just become a doll on society’s shelf. 

Writer's Log #4: Current Event Analysis

What happened?

Why did you choose it?

Why is the issue significant to local/national/international community?

Who does it impact positively? Negatively?

Belgium becomes the first country to abolish age restrictions on euthanasia, extending the option to children for the first time. It is apparently widely supported in the country, with a poll suggesting 75 percent of Belgians in favor. The new law will be specific enough that only a handful of teenage boys and girls who are in advanced stages of cancer or terminal illnesses or suffering unbearable pain. Under its current law, patients under 18 have to let nature take its course or wait until they turn 18 to be qualified for euthanasia. I chose this topic because it was a previously mentioned topic in our classroom. It had been the subject of a presentation and aroused much discussion within the class. Euthanasia is along the same lines of other issues such as abortion and same sex marriages, and is widely debated in our world today. Some argue that is merciful, as it relieves much of a patient’s pain, and allows the patient to determine their own way of death. Others have argued that it is inhumane, and should be considered a form of murder. Belgium’s allowance of euthanasia for minors will “open a door that nobody will be able to close”. By becoming the first country to abolish age restriction on euthanasia, it is setting up an example for future countries to follow.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/12/belgium-euthanasia-legislation-children_n_4772271.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular