I always felt that Native Americans are being oppressed, ever since they were forced to move when the white settlers first came. But what I read about the pipe situation honestly made me very angry, how is it that things like this can happen? People have forgotten about the environment and the lives of these people, and instead people are focused mostly on money.
Money is the driving force for so many actions that are really unnecessary, but people need to realize that when the forests are cleared, the air is polluted, and all other animals are slowly going extinct, money is not going to save you, money is not a long term solution to any problem. People with money have so much power in the society that we live in, that they no longer look at the bigger picture. People's extreme desire for money is the reason for terrible labor conditions, forests being cleared, animals being captured... By putting the pipeline where the Native Americans are living, the Natives' rights are not only being violated, but they are also being put into danger, as many sources have confirmed. Why is it that they are being taken advantage of? Because they don't have the money and power to resist. The Natives might not have the money to fight back with force, but they have fought back with peaceful methods of protest.
A powerful quote that I read concerning the oppression of Native Americans is "...red peace symbols splashed across his face like war paint...". It made me realize that they truly are fighting a war against oppression, and I realized that it would all be different if they had money... Money-hungry people become ruthless, and I truly hope to never let go of my morals for something so materialistic.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
On the topic of inequality...
This past week we have read the "Declaration of Sentiments", highlighting Women's rights in the United States. However, as we discussed these articles in class, it seems as if we are speaking of the past, not realizing that inequality is still alive in our society today.
Although it is true that in the United States, women can vote and get jobs, there are other sexist problems that are growing all over the world. Women are put into stereotypes, being constantly labeled for how these choose to look and dress, and often grossly sexualized in the media. The sexualization of the female body is horrifying, and it is a problem that has been growing rapidly because of the influence of social media. Just recently, there was an article written about Kim Kardashian's 3-year old daughter wearing a swimsuit that was "too revealing". If I look back at my grandmother's childhood pictures, she wore nothing to go swimming at that age, and even looking just 12 years ago, I often went to the beach with nothing on either, as we were just babies. However, the press is able to find a way to go as far as sexualizing a 3 year old little girl's body. Women are often judged for the way they dress and are especially limited in the "amount of skin" they "should" be showing. Another issue that has been addressed several times in the past over large news platforms is the dress code at schools. There are many incidents in which girls have to miss tests and go home because they are wearing a tank top or leggings, that are somehow "too distracting to boys", while boys would not be ridiculed for wearing something similar. This may seem like the norm, but it is putting the male education above the female's.
Equality is a subject that I am especially passionate about, and I truly believe that we are all born with "inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This means, to me, that anyone should be able to dress in a way that makes them feel confident and happy, it may seem like clothing is a small issue, but it is just an example that can help people realize other sexist issues that are going on in society that may often be overseen. Women all over the world need our help, in the Middle East, women are constantly abused by their husbands and treated with no respect, by starting small and allowing people in a free country like America realize the sexism that goes on in the United States, will open them up and enlighten them on the issues of inequality all over the world.
Although it is true that in the United States, women can vote and get jobs, there are other sexist problems that are growing all over the world. Women are put into stereotypes, being constantly labeled for how these choose to look and dress, and often grossly sexualized in the media. The sexualization of the female body is horrifying, and it is a problem that has been growing rapidly because of the influence of social media. Just recently, there was an article written about Kim Kardashian's 3-year old daughter wearing a swimsuit that was "too revealing". If I look back at my grandmother's childhood pictures, she wore nothing to go swimming at that age, and even looking just 12 years ago, I often went to the beach with nothing on either, as we were just babies. However, the press is able to find a way to go as far as sexualizing a 3 year old little girl's body. Women are often judged for the way they dress and are especially limited in the "amount of skin" they "should" be showing. Another issue that has been addressed several times in the past over large news platforms is the dress code at schools. There are many incidents in which girls have to miss tests and go home because they are wearing a tank top or leggings, that are somehow "too distracting to boys", while boys would not be ridiculed for wearing something similar. This may seem like the norm, but it is putting the male education above the female's.
Equality is a subject that I am especially passionate about, and I truly believe that we are all born with "inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This means, to me, that anyone should be able to dress in a way that makes them feel confident and happy, it may seem like clothing is a small issue, but it is just an example that can help people realize other sexist issues that are going on in society that may often be overseen. Women all over the world need our help, in the Middle East, women are constantly abused by their husbands and treated with no respect, by starting small and allowing people in a free country like America realize the sexism that goes on in the United States, will open them up and enlighten them on the issues of inequality all over the world.
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