Pride

Last week was Pride week in West Hollywood.

For some people, especially the minority and the marginalized, with a history of being repressed and persecuted, a movement or a revolution is something they need. Pride walks, Pride week, or Pride month are the reason many gay people and their allies still march and demand equal treatment.

Let’s read this article by Mary Malia to give us a better understanding.

And your prompt for the day is:

1. Have you ever been discriminated against? Do you remember why? Did you fight back?
2. What are you proud of? Are you proud of your heritage? Your accomplishments?

This bonus vocabulary quiz is related to the previous article from Washington Post about Caitlyn Jenner.

On Trans People

By Grace

I know a trans person who was a very famous TV hostess. She was responsible to do marketing of her company on television. She made a lot of money and her gift as a top saleswoman made us ignore who she was.

God spoiled her. After she transitioned, she became very pretty and attractive. Men fell in love with her.

So no matter who the trans person is, it’s certain that they must have a good mind, honor, and have made the world better together.

I was not born yesterday. I can accept someone who is trans, but I think it may be difficult for them to go to different restrooms. (This is in response to Mike Huckabee’s comments about trans people.)

Thoughts on Trans People

By Akira

1. What do you think of trans people?

I have nothing against trans people. It is their life and their choice. If that makes them happier than the other way around, the should pursue the life they wish. After all, the world will be a better place with happy people.

2. How would you feel if your close friend revealed that she or he is transitioning to become someone of the opposite sex?

What is important in life in my opinion is how I feel about myself, not how other people feel about me or how I feel about someone else. I just wish everyone including myself a happy life, even if he or she becomes the opposite sex.

Trans Rights

By Christopher Chao

1. Do you know any trans people?

Yes. I have a female cousin who wants to become a man.

2. What do you think of trans people? Do they scare you? Do you think they’re discriminated against?

I feel they are like any people around us. I don’t care which shower room they use (this is in response to Mike Huckabee’s comment about trans people), but I know old generation may still discriminate against them, so that’s why we need to make laws to give them equal rights, like gay people.

3. How would you feel if your close friend revealed that she or he is transitioning to become someone of the opposite sex?

I will support his/her decision, try to do anything I can help him/her, because friends are very important to me.

Different

Photo by Annie Leibovitz

A few weeks ago, Bruce Jenner, Olympic gold-medal winner, and the patriarch of the Kardashian clan, came out as transgendered, but at that time, Bruce didn’t reveal himself. Earlier this month, the world was introduced to Caitlyn Jenner, as she became the first transgender to grace the cover of Vanity Fair.

Click here to read the teaser of the cover story.

The photos (and the teaser article) have sparked countless debates, arguments, and even fights, particularly in the US. An article from Washington Post sheds some light onto this issue.

Your writing prompt of the day consists of these questions:

1. Do you know any trans people?
2. What do you think of trans people? Do they scare you? Do you think they’re discriminated against?
3. How would you feel if your close friend revealed that he or she is transitioning to become someone of the opposite sex?

Martyrs

Next Monday, Americans celebrate Memorial Day to remember those who died in the line of duty. These people are considered by many to have died an honorable death.

There are many causes to defend, and just like the wars, there are many sides of the story. The question is, how do you know the truth and how do you approach a touchy subject like this?

Today’s reading is from National Geographic.

Now that you’ve read the article, let’s move on to our prompt for the day:

1. Have you ever been in a debate with someone? What was it about?
2. How far are you willing to go to defend what you believe in? Will you kill someone for it? Will you die defending it?

Violence around Us

By Christopher Chao

I think violence in the US is more popular. For example, I know when most US-made video games are sold to other countries, usually some violent parts will be deleted. The color of the blood will be changed from red to green. Sometimes the rules are even changed, like Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty. In the version of some countries, if you kill a civilian in the game, it’s game over. On the other hand, many foreign games that are imported to the US will have their erotic parts cut.

When we look at history, the majority of the revolutions needed many people’s blood. Even in India where they used nonviolence to succeed, many Indian people were still killed by the British. Many people also joined the British army to help the allied forces win the Second World War.

Media Violence

By Cristina Amaral

I agree that the media sensationalizes violence because it is more interesting for the viewers. Unfortunately, most people pay attention when they’re being shown violent scenes on television or when they’re reading about violence in the papers. The media sensationalizes just to get more viewers and get more money with advertising.

I also agree that riot is the language of the unheard. These things always happen in our lives. Starting when we were babies. If our needs weren’t provided, we’d scream, we’d cry. Obviously, the “riot” grows when we grow and we have more unheard needs.

Response to Media Violence

By Carlos Ayala

I don’t know why violence is more interesting for the viewer, but maybe our society grows more violent every day. In fact, our children grow with violence in the house, when they play violent video games. It’s become a custom in modern societies.

I know a story that’s a good example for this subject. One time, my university professor told us that there was a boxing match on television. A man in class said that he had never watched a boxing match. He was astonished and couldn’t believe that it was a form of entertainment for many people.

In my opinion, violence is a bad idea, but sometimes, it’s the only road to peace.

Media Violence

Firstly, let’s start by watching this interview.

Then we’ll move on by reading this article from AlJazeera.com.

Now, after reading the articles, here are a few questions for your prompt of the day concerning not only violence, but the coverage of violence in the media.

1. Do you agree that the media sensationalizes violence because it thinks violence is more interesting for the viewers? Why?
2. When you fight back, be it injustice or a bully, do you think resorting to violent methods is a good idea? Or do you believe in a nonviolent way to fight back, like the famous ahimsa (nonviolent) movement that was started by Mahatma Gandhi?