Blog 1 Freedom -vs- Equality

There will always be a long standing conflict between those that have equality and those that have freedom. I personally think that freedom and equality are two things that can coexist, but not to the extremes that everyone would like them to be. There are conflicts that always arise between the two when you try to have them both. So you would have to ask yourself what is more important to you and then you would have to go from there. To really understand the conflict between them; you really have to look at the two extremes of both freedom and equality.

People that have all the freedom they need don’t have as much freedom as they think. Humans are animals and we do find ways of governing ourselves; even if it is through a fight to see who is a stronger person. By doing this they have unknowingly caused inequality within the group. The persons that end up in the governing body will have more power than those that are not. They might take more for themselves and their families, because they are the leader or part of the ones in power. If they don’t like someone in their group; they can have that person picked on, removed from the group, or just ignored within the group. This takes away from the equal treatment that everyone else had once shared.

Then you have the next extreme of everyone being equal; which is slightly impossible because someone will always be in power. As I said before, we are animals and we will find ways to govern ourselves. The best way to look at an extreme like this is to give you an example of this extreme; and the best examples that everyone knows are Russia and China. These people are “equal”, but they have no real freedoms. They are told how they are to run their lives, how many children to have, how much they are going to get to eat, etc. Having a government that tells you how to do all these things would be the only way to keep the equality that one would desire.

So now I am back to the beginning question; what happens? Usually there is a fight between the two groups. Both sides believe that their way of thinking is correct and that no one else is right. We have actually seen this conflict many times in our history and it won’t be our last. World War II is (sort of) an example of these two sides conflicting. Adolf Hitler wanted the world to be full of his Aryan, making everyone equal and the Allied powers were opposed to this and wanted freedoms. This is only one example of many. There is the Revolutionary War, Vietnam, the Crusades, and many numerous wars in Africa between the tribes. This is a conflict that usually has bloody ends because no one is willing to compromise. That is what happens when these two values, freedom and equality, collide.

Freedom vs. Equality

Today, it seems to me that all people want is to be treated equally yet be free to do as they please. What does it mean to be “free”? Some may say it means that a person can do whatever they want, whenever they want. However, I would have to say that being free means being under a democratic rule where everyone gets to voice their own opinion and it actually matters. What does it mean to be “equal” or have equality? I would say that to be treated equally, everyone would have to be treated the exact same way, no questions asked. How is this possible? How will this work?
When these two come into contact all it starts is conflict. Freedom and Equality to me, are two totally different prospects. People who work hard to become who they are today deserve everything they have and continue to get. There are also people out there who do absolutely nothing with their lives and get everything they want. Those are the people who make me sick to my stomach. I dont understand how anyone could just sit around, do nothing and expect everything they want when they want it. Those people are all about equality. Thinking that all people should be treated equal, whether it is worked for or not.
Those who are for freedom...well. I look at them the same. Believing that everyone should have unlimited freedom. If that was the case, how many people do you think would be left on this Earth? I can honestly say that if everyone had unlimited freedom i would not be writing this blog today. Im not sure where I would be, but I definitely would not be in school. I would probably be in the same situation I was 3 years ago when I still lived in Florida. Not wanting to get into that so just take my word that it was not the place anyone should be in.
I think that freedom and equality should be added to the list of the seven deadly sins. Anyone who acts upon having unlimited freedom will end up in prison or worse dead, and those who act like they deserve everything everyone else has and don't have to work for it, well they are just going to end up very unhappy people. No sane person would want to be associated with anyone who thinks or act like that. I sure dont, but that's just me.

Blog 1: Freedom vs. Equality

Freedom in America is something our country fought very hard to achieve. We are a free country, but we still have our limits to freedom. We havefreedom, but you cannot abuse the freedom that we have.Equality is saying that everyone in America is being treated equal. It issaying that everyone is going by the same rules. These means citizens aregoing by the same rules that the government are. It is also stating thatone man is not richer than another man.I think when freedom and equality come into conflict it is taking awayfrom one or the other. It seems to me like freedom and equality areopposites. If you are free, you are free to be who you have worked to be. If you have worked to become wealthy then you deserve to be wealthy. Ifeveryone is equal it is taking away from freedom.I think that if we lived in a country that was about equality it wouldsolve a lot of the problems that we do have. There are wealthy peoplethat are throwing away food every day, and then in other parts of thecountry you have people starving. If everything was equal it would makeour world a better place. I don’t see America ever being completelyequal. Americans worked hard to get the freedom that we have and that isnot something that would be given up in anyway.

Americans value freedom and equality. What happens when these values come into conflict? (For example: When free people are against equality or when equal people want to limit freedoms.)

Well first of all I should probably tell you what freedom means to me before we go into talking about what would happen if someone decided to take it away from me. Freedom to me is being able to wash your car in your own drive way wearing anything you would like to wear. There are no rules that say girls can’t wear short shorts and a swim suit top, or having someone say that she is showing too much skin for someone her age. There’s no rule that says by a girls twenty-first birthday does she have to be wed with two children. No, we live in a free state that clearly says in the bill of rights we have the freedom of: Freedom of speech, press, religion, and petition.
If I had grown up in a country were these freedoms aren’t allowed I’m not sure it would bother me too much, yes I’m sure I wouldn’t like them. But I don’t agree with things now! No one is going to agree with everything, or go along with the way our unique government thinks it should run. There will always be that one person who is willing to make waves. The problem arises when an emperor comes in, starts taking charge of everything. Making new rules, religions, and appoints himself head of state! Every normal person with a brain is going to know that isn’t right, and if he has any say in what his life should be like, they will use their voice, I mean after all you might as well use it…Thus I give you the birth of a revolution!
Since the dawn of written word people have been having revolutions over one thing or another, most of it over land and freedom! The ordinary man doesn’t like to be told what to do especially by an outsider. For example: Rome and Egypt. Caesar thought he could come in take control of everything and claim it was for God and country. But in the end we all knew what happened to the mighty Caesar, “Et tu Brutus?” He was betrayed by his “so called” best mate! It just goes to show that no matter what, the human man or woman will not give up freedom for anything in the entire world.
The last part would be equality. The normal person wants to be considered the same as everyone else no matter what color, where you grew up, what side of the tracks they grew up on, or how much money they make in a financial year. They want to be the same as the Joe Blow right next door! My opinion in that is if they can talk, walk, and are breathing, they can do whatever that man down the block can. A person is only held back by themselves, and I truly believe that you are your own worst enemy. Just like Martin Luther King Jr, he was a black man who had a dream that one day our kids would walk down the street and see nothing but people. They would look past what was on the outside and see only what was just like them on the inside! Yet that was how many years ago, and we are still fighting to see that dream come true… So as a closing to thins topic which I’m sure I could go on and on about equality. I leave you with this quote for a very wise man of color proving that not only white men know what they are talking about. “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools”

Underage

Throughout the United States, the legal drinking age is 21. However, in most places this is not necessarily the case. Children are brought up in a alcohol society leading to disoriented lifestyles. To an individual deciding whether to drink is a personal decision that he or she will inevitably have to make. As alcohol abuse continues to spread, the consequences of underage drinking as well rises. Underage alcohol use is more likely to kill adolescences than any illegal drugs combined. Alcohol Abuse is a significant dilemma that impairs the decision making process of the individual. Alcohol prevents messages trying to get to the brain, altering a person s emotions, perceptions, movement, hearing, and vision. Under the influence, an individual may make harmful decisions such as endangering other people, harm oneself, and set bad examples.
When an individual is intoxicated, he or she makes unintelligent decisions that effects each person in his or her surroundings. Getting behind the wheel is a crucial decision that an individual should not take lightly. The driver is responsible for every life that is in the vehicle. Being under the influence, inhibits the driver to get to his or her destination safely. Adolescents, not under the influence, already have an increased risk for having an accident because of their lack of driving experience. For that reason, driving while intoxicated increases the risk of a collision. Along with getting behind the wheel under the influence, there our other ways to endanger another individual s life.
Along with endangering other people, an individual also harms oneself. Alcohol takes a dangerous toll on the human body. Alcohol is a depressant, which means that it slows the function of the nervous system. Alcohol combined with conditions such as depression and stress also contribute to the third leading cause of death among adolescences, which is suicide. When large amounts of alcoholic beverages are consumed several problems occur in one s body. Alcohol poisoning is a result of continuous drinking habits. The body becomes poisoned by the alcohol being consumed, and eventually stops functioning. Other problems also evolve from drinking heavily. Teen drinkers are more likely to have health problems in the future. Into adulthood an individual will have risks such as damaging organs, such as the liver, heart, and brain. Other difficulties with the body will surface if alcohol abuse is not controlled.
When an individual is under the influence, he or she can set a bad impression. Drinking impairs ones brain enabling he or she to think straight. This may cause an individual to do embarrassing acts such as throwing up. Hangovers are also a result of consuming large amounts of alcohol. Hangovers are not fun, and is very embarrassing to a person. An adolescent is admired by younger age groups. Children admire and absorb every aspect of a teen. Adolescence have such an amazing impact on children, but sometimes teens make wrong decisions that lead children in the wrong direction.
In conclusion, alcohol is forcefully promoted throughout society, and is regarded as a normal part of adolescence. Underage drinking is dangerous to oneself, other individuals, and one s reputation. Individuals who begin drinking at an early age develop serious alcohol problems that effects one s lifestyle. It can destroy an individuals life.

My Hero

The word hero can have many definitions depending on the individual and their expectations in life. Through the eyes of a child, a hero can fly through the sky, have incredible strength, or become invisible. In reality, these abilities fail to exist, and the perception of a hero develops into something inconceivable. To me, a hero can portray far less unimaginable characteristics. A hero simply helps, listens, and gives advice when I am confused and frustrated with life. My mother fits these attributes completely. Because my mother remains a strong willed, determined woman she fits my image of a true hero. My mother is loving, encouraging, and hardworking.
My mother loves me without a doubt. No matter what I do, no matter how many times I disobey her trust, she still continues to love me unconditionally. She has a extraordinary way of knowing when I am upset and need guidance. It seems as if she can see right through me and read my mind. High morals and standards from her family is the basis of the love that she shows to me. Her mother gave the same love that my mother shows to me. That in itself demonstrates the true meaning of a hero.
Beside the fact that my mother loves me unconditionally, she works hard to keep the household running properly. She works at a job that she despises, but does it to supply the needs of the family. She has tolerated her career only for the welfare of her family. Because she chooses to put her children first, she sacrifices her own dreams. At times I take her selfless acts for granted; however, as I have matured I see with clarity the sacrifices she has made for the happiness of her family.
My mother portrays both of these attributes; however, encouraging remains her strong point. My mother’s motto in life states to always aim your goals higher than you can achieve. She tells me never to settle, and to always strive to be the best. She reminds me that life is not a dress rehearsal, but that life is happening right now, and she reminds me to have color and passion in every aspect of my life. My mother helps me to get motivated, and she sets me on a path where my individuality shines through. She uses honesty to make me stronger and prepare me for the real world.
In conclusion, my mother inspires and motivates me to be a better person. She reminds me that I can accomplish any task that comes my way and to always pursue my goals. I will forever remember the values my mother instilled into me.I know she will always be there for me through the many chapters of my life, and that, to me, shows the true meaning of a hero.

Childhood Memories

Just beyond my yard awaits a special place where I can reminisce about happy childhood memories that I have experienced. During our childhood, my friends and I used this place as a hideaway. In this place homework was unknown , chores never existed, and our imaginations never stopped. Our troubles, worries, and responsibilities were left behind. This place was an exciting playground where our imaginations could run wild.
A babbling brook located just outside our front door served as a place to escape from reality. The pure rainwater washed over the rocks forming pools of water sporadically down the creek. These pools of water were filled with strange creatures; however, the dangerous creatures lurking nearby such as a snake or crawfish never frightened us. We would catch these creatures in our pails and admire our great find. The fascinating rocks we collected meant more to us than a chest full of gold. The rocks, in our imaginations, transformed into tools and the clay turned into makeup where we would give ourselves names and pretend we were Indians. We used this to escape from our own identity and transform into someone incredible. I often recollect those carefree days, when the sun glistened on the surface of the water, and we sat aimlessly watching the clouds float by without a care in the world.
The journey to our special place seemed to make the brook even more interesting, a challenge in itself to reach. Grown-ups were not allowed in our private world. Therefore, we told our parents to cover their eyes so they could not see where we were headed. In our minds our little world belonged to us and we made the rules. Reality failed to exist in our world and imagination flourished. To reach our destination, we traveled down a narrow path, to a steep treacherous bank. The bank ,to us, appeared as an enormous mountainside. We carefully eased down the hill and made our way to our secrete hideaway. After that, we crossed the shaky bridge that we made to cross the ditch, leading us to the creek. When we reached the creek, we immediately threw our shoes off and splashed in the cool water.
We would play endlessly until the last ray of light from the sun had slipped behind the trees. Only then, did we realize it was time to end our adventure. Sometimes I take a walk to our creek, but it has changed. The path has disappeared; the water does not feel as crisp. The images in the pools have faded, but if I stay long enough and look hard enough I see glimpses of them, or is it just my sweet memories?