The Individual and Society

Cloey Hirst
Composition 105
Jill Darling
11/27/18

The Individual and Society

          The relationship between a society and an Individual are relatively close to one another. Essentially, a society is a group of individuals living in an organized community and does not solely exist without the presence of the individuals. The main goal of the society is to serve the people, and those people have the ability to live freely within their environment of the community as they please. For a society to survive effectively rely's on the actions of the people. A good society is accomplished by the people working together to clean up their environment, well suited jobs for everyone, and a well education system for those to flourish and grow, but as seen in many cases, a well sought-after society is harder to achieve in recent years. 
         To see this instance more in depth, the novel: "Amazing Grace" by Jonathan Kozol, showcases the hardships of those living in a ghetto-type, low-income society. When Kozol asked the children of the neighborhood what they thought of their lives in the Bronx, Maria replied: " Let's figure out a way to kill some more... if you weave enough bad things into the fibers of a person's life-sickness and filth, old mattresses and other junk thrown in the streets and other ugly ruined things, and ruined people, a prison here, sewage there, drug dealers here, the homeless people over there, then give us the very worst schools anyone could think of, hospitals that keep you waiting for ten hours, police that don't show when someone's dying..." (Amazing Grace 44). This is the type of conditions that people are living in Bronx, New York. Maria, the young girl, was only 16 years old when her answer was recorded. At the age of 16 I never even had to think about  these types of problems because I was lucky enough to have been raised in a well situated neighborhood along with going to a school where my teachers cared about my education. At only 16 years old,  Maria and the rest of the children have witnessed more crimes and unlawful events than anyone could imagine. Sadly, a lot of the kids in her neighborhood have to go through these sorts of things without the help from anyone at all. Her response is dull like this is an everyday situation but for an underage kid, no one should have to go through that at all.  According to Montefiore research, .68% more people living in the Bronx alone compared to the rest of New York have been diagnosed with the HIV virus(AIDS in the Bronx). But because their hospitals are seen as some of the nation, many people wait hours on end and some not even cared for leaving those to just die without receiving any treatment and left to die. 
       Within the community the region of the Bronx, the people with the higher status often try to assimulate to those who are less fortunate, but more often then not, their words mean nothing when they decide to take even more away from the poor and add to their wealth. "Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, intends to cut back sanitation services and programs for children and teenagers, the early stages in what soon will prove to be wide-sweeping cuts in a variety of services relied on by the poor people... subsequent announcement warn the public to expect reductions in drug-rehabilitation programs... as well as reductions in lead-poisoning prevention programs and in the control of rats, elimination of programs that help hungry families obtain food stamps, the cancellation of AIDS services to 600 children and 16,000 adults... to cut services, which would hurt the poor residents, which would help the city's richest"(Amazing Grace 111). The people who live in the wealthier parts of the neighborhood do not realize that these cutbacks are what is left to help the poor in the slightest. This shows that they understand that the less fortunate are indeed struggling but do not seem to care in the slightest because by doing so they become 10 times richer than they even need. I guess it's like 'taking candy from a baby' except in this instance your killing the baby and you don't even care. 
      This novel has truly made me realize that there are so many people who have it way worse than I could have ever imagined. Everyday people go through the struggle of surviving one more day, not knowing what is in-store for their or their children's future. The people in the Bronx, as read from "Amazing Grace," live in a broken society that has been lift to die by the people who were lucky enough to be born out of harms way and into a safe environment. In the Bronx, their society really reflects on their people. Because the government has squash all of their efforts just for themselves, these people are trapped in a never ending cycle of poverty and disease. Its not that they want to live this way, it that they were forced to live this way.

What is Citizenship?

Cloey Hirst
Jill Darling
Comp 105
11/6/18

What is Citizenship?

               Voting, paying taxes on time, volunteering for your community, donating for an organization you feel passionate about, recycling, participating in jury duty, obeying the law, or serving in the armed forces are all qualities of a good citizen. But what is citizenship? Citizenship is the status of being a citizen, along along with the rights, duties, and privileges of being a citizen. Every able person in our society has the right to freedom and happiness, but in order to attain such benefits, you are required to fulfill and promote your civic duties as an American. Although that notion in text is simple, sometimes our course for citizenship is difficult. 

              A prime example of satisfying our semaritan obligation is through voting. Every few years people of this country can include themselves in politics and vote for local policies, house representatives, senators, Supreme Court officials, electoral college members, and even the decision to elect the President of the United States. All they have to do is register to vote, find their way to their local precinct and fill out the form. The only problem with that is its not as easily accessible as it is for some. Unfortunately, when election season roles around every year, less and less of the African American and Latino community turn up to vote. It's not that they choose not to vote, it's simply because they are not registered. According to NPR session: "The Cost to take a Ballot," In 1940, a mere 3 percent of voting-age black men and women in the South were registered to vote... and in Mississippi less than 1 percent were registered." Luckily today that amount has since gone up, but unfortunately, still only 30 percent of Blacks can vote. This inevitably leads to a low voter turn out across the country because this group of people make up a large, swaying percentage of potential votes. This year, I am happy to see that there is an expect 45 percent increase in turn out for this primary election with the hopes of making an easier process for registering under policy 3. 

           When we look at what makes a good citizen we are often faced with comparing it to patriotism. When I come to this conclusion I am talking about the anger towards Colin Kaepernick when he decided to take the knee during the national anthem. Thousands of people believed he was disowning his country and discarding his civic rights as a U.S citizen, but to him "the actual point of his protest was to disrupt how we move about our daily lives... I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color" (The Awakening of Colin Kaepernick). In my perspective, I am not saying what he did was completely correct, but in my own opinion of "good" citizenship is when you can see the world as it is and make it better with the tools you have. What Kaepernick did was provide a movement just as Martin Luther King Jr. did for his community when he granted rightful citizenship to those of color. Regardless of how you look at the situation, Kaepernick's intention of change for those who have been victimized of hate is what makes him a true "good" citizen of American society.

         When you think of the qualities that make up citizenship, you think of someone who votes, volunteer, pays taxes on time, participates in fundraisers, recycles, serves in a jury, obeys the law, or even aides to the armed forces.  A good samaritan abides by their civic duties as Americans and with that are able to live a free and happy life. Nevertheless, in becoming or being viewed as a worthy citizen has often proven difficult in our society. Dating back to the 1940's, voting registration has been an on going issue and continues to disregard a large portion of opinion from being heard. When looking at an instance were we determine if Colin Kaepernick is deem rightful, it is up to perspective. In the future, I would like to live in a country where our civic duties are accessible and our movements for change are accepted by all. 

Equality and Freedom

Cloey Hirst

Jill Darling 

Comp 105

Equality and Freedom

                  Basic Human rights are defined as the equal and inalienable rights that are given to everyone for the simple fact of being human. In recent decades, the battle of our freedom has been an ongoing process. With so many cultures, beliefs, and religions coexisting in our world, it is important that we treat everyone as equals. After the horrific period of slavery in the United States, it was time to embark on a major change. Fortunately for us, many brave men and women rose to the occasion to act and improve the basis of equality for all.

                  As Martin Luther once stated, “we know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor but demanded by the oppressed” (Letter from Birmingham Jail, 2). As harsh as this may sound, this action remains true. Time and time again ill formed frustration lingers within those of the less fortunate and for over 340 years of fighting, it will never be apparent of when the waiting for freedom will be over. Fortunately, during the 1960’s, justice was denied no longer. Martin Luther King Jr. created confidence to rise against prejudice and racism because “all too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained glassed windows” (Letter from Birmingham Jail,5). Although it led to many dangerous, violent outbreaks, the message that was received lead to those who were more privileged to see the vision of bettering the lives of the citizens in America; creating a nationwide conversation. Martin Luther King Jr.’s goal was to show people, who have never seen it, the harsh realities that faced the oppressed. His conscious was to show that everyone deserves to be equal in a country that stands for equality and to denounce them of that right was to take away their freedom. 

                  Just like Martin Luther King who stood heroically for his people, Benazir Bhutto was able to conspire a progressive movement for her country. Unlike the United States, the country of Afghanistan is centralized around very traditionalist views. For example, the oppression and subordination of Afghan women has led to the continuation of gender inequality. Being invisible to the public and imprisoned inside their own homes, women have been banned from going to school, having jobs, being active in politics; with punishments as severe as death. With that in mind, Benazir Bhutto realized a changed needed to be made. Although the risk of danger was tremendously high, she used her father’s political platform and became the first female prime minister in the Islamic country. From there, she introduced the idea of democracy which terminated the concept of a double standard. In her speech as new prime minister Bhutto declares “therein shall be granted fundamental rights, including equality of status, of opportunity and before law, social, economic, and political justice, and freedom of thought, expression belief; faith, worship, and association, subject to law and public morality” (Islam and democracy, 182). Under the newly formed democracy, Bhutto engaged in the civil act to bring the unalienable rights that should be given to all humans no matter the gender or race. The only problem with that is that “Democracy is not welcomed by others” (Islam and Democracy, 178).  Although the journey to achieve a non-violent freedom seems easier said than done, the many trials to reach the goal seem almost worth it to the people. Though fighting for freedom and equality may difficult to manage due to traditional values, it only takes one person to make all the difference.

                  Living in a country that is based on the concept of freedom for all, it’s hard to say if that’s actually ever been the case. Thankfully with so many brave young men and women, we are able to provide that basic human right. After years and years of living in fear based off of what you stand for, and the sacrifices made by iconic figures, maybe now we have hope for the future. 

Democracy in Contemporary America

Cloey Hirst 

Jill Darling

Comp 105

Democracy in Contemporary America 

                  To understand democracy, we must first understand what the term means. Democracy: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through the elected representatives. In more obvious terms: a government that is run indirectly by the people of a state. To exercise their means of citizenship people are given the freedoms that are given to them as a natural born right (voting, protesting, etc.). The rules of a democracy have been a central component for U.S. Policy to achieve goals to uphold the United States Constitution. The United States seeks to promote security, stability, and prosperity for the entire nation, which in turn gives people the opportunity to voice their own opinions without being ridiculed for their position. Strong figures like Bhutto believed that a democracy creates a “just society on earth on which principles are judged in the hereafter” (Bhutto 178). She believed that no matter where you are from in this world, that everyone should have an equal, just opportunity in society. Being the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan, which was a problem in the Islamic country, she was able to fight the double standard against women and allow freedom, education, and independences for all sexes in the community. Because of her well-educated background in politics, she transformed Pakistan into a democracy for the people. Unfortunately, this activism did not last long, as the sovereignty of religion and tradition soon replaced the great Prime Minister. 

                  With opposing viewpoints from around the world, it creates tension in America’s modern contemporary society. Everyone in society is entitled to their own set of beliefs. Whether it be about simple issues or complex problems, you are allowed to express your how you feel. For centuries, protests and movements have been used as a way to reflect on important subject matter in the hopes of making a difference in the world. In 1964, MLK Jr. lead civil rights movements that helped put an end to segregation. “These movements are nourished by the contemporary frustration over the continued existence of racial discrimination” (MLK Jr.,4). In this era, many Americans lost faith in the government. Those who were people of color and those who secretly accepted segregation, felt powerless and afraid of what would happen if they spoke up. Because of MLK Jr., security was restored in what the government could not do. “Democracy is like prison” (Mandela). Although the government says that we are a free country, we are never truly free. With limitations set by laws, we are often caught in an inescapable network of mutuality and a single destiny. It’s hard for those brave enough to make change, because our political leaders constantly refuse “to engage in a good-faith negotiation” (MLK JR.,1), contributing to the never-ending chaos that is our democracy. 

                  By looking at the works of significant figures in history, such as: Benazir Bhutto, Nelson Mandela, and MLK Jr., the commonality between them stems from their basic knowledge from when they started to read and write. By learning how to write, these individuals became less dependent on other’s ideas, and more independent on creating their own to bring political and social change. Many individuals trusted Bhutto, Mandela, and MLK Jr., because of how they communicated in expressing the means of freedom and peace. With a skill as powerful as reading and writing, perspectives could be challenged to achieve a solution for the greater good. When it came down to fighting for a democracy with Bhutto or enacting civil rights with MLK Jr., both were able to intelligently persuade a wide variety of people the importance of what it means to work together as a country. They were tired of living in a word of inequality when the country continually fought for their freedom. To make a difference involves stepping out of your comfort zone, and to have the power to write, pushed them to lead people to strive for something more in their lives instead of just settling.

                  When making a mistake it is important to know when you are wrong or are attacking someone. American contemporary society is never going to be perfect, but if we work on striving for a better tomorrow and be more considerate of others, we can make a big change. Not everyone is going to accept your input, but it’s important that as people, we learn from each other to attain peace between us. Involving ourselves in sharing our complex opinion shows others that our educational provides us with enough information to come to peaceful conclusions. The brave individuals:  Bhutto, Mandela, and MLK Jr., show us that advancing our everyday skills in reading and writing can give us the courage to become activists and achieve equality for all. It may not be a ground shaking movement, or a governmental act, but to show that we are aware and accept others and their opinions is a great change in its own way.