Nationalist yay

I strongly believe that nationalism has nothing to do with violence;rather, it is an evidence of tradition. Leaving traces of our ancestors and their beliefs should be seen as a beautiful thing to do. In addition, influences from other countries could be harmful to the host country because they can seek to take advantages.

However, I can clearly see why people portray some nationalistic countries as being violence and dangerous. Some religious fundamentalists take over middle eastern nations;thus, implementing unreasonable laws. The laws are then considered not holy by the people, resulting in wars and conflict. Though these qualities are met by some countries, not every country suffers from the same fate. Japan, for example, prospers with their own technology and people. With Japan being the role model, I strongly believe that being a nationalist can be beneficial if used in the correct aspect.

Extra credit

When I take the discussed topic into consideration, I find it so meaningful. The topic that mostly influenced me this term is how culture affects how we view morality. I think it is a very important theme because it is something with potential to affect lives of millions. Take the topic of affairs, for example. I highly regard it as a wrong thing to do since you should be faithful to your partner; however, I can see why some people of that particular time view it as a normal routine.

    Because of the topics we have covered, I tend to be more open-minded to these sensitive issues. Though I have my own point of view, I know now that it is shaped by my culture and that things from other culture don’t have to be wrong, even when they contradict our practices.

My question is that since diversity is regarded as a modernised world standard, how can we make these diversity affect peoples’ life and well-being in a positive way.

teenager’s rebellion

I strongly believe that rebellion acts from teenagers are unavoidable. To me, it is natural. We seem to have our own ways of doing things that adults may disagree with. However, it is not always wrong. I think it is better for the child to have their own ideas so that they will be ready for the real world. And what they are doing that may seem wrong in the eyes of their parents may not always be bad, since the world is constantly changing.

love poem

I swear, since seeing Your face,

the whole world is fraud and fantasy

The garden is bewildered as to what is leaf

or blossom. The distracted birds

can’t distinguish the birdseed from the snare.

A house of love with no limits,

a presence more beautiful than venus or the moon,

a beauty whose image fills the mirror of the heart.

                                                                                   The Divani Shamsi Tabriz XV

   This poem is a perfect representation of how it feels like to be in love in the first few months. Everything is beautiful and feels too good to be true. As vividly indicated, the authors illustrates how love is like all the beautiful things in life. In addition, even the birds get distracted from their normal routine because of love. Surely, the author portrays the fact that love is beautiful and strong.

 Sad cycle of love

     Love is like sunshine

shines bright in early dawn

but so dark at night

 My haiku indicates how love seems beautiful at first, but as the time goes on, love starts to fate and disappear afterward. I mimic the reality of love and try to indicate that only true love can last through time because the longer we are with someone, the more obstacle we will encounter. Thus, only true love can pass the test of love.

cultural morality

I strongly believe morality is defined entirely based on our culture and traditions. Because of this, I do not agree that we can regard other cultures’ practices as immoral because we are not God. However, there are limits to those practices. Killing people in order to make a divine being satisfied is never acceptable.

When referring to a less-violent topic, I do find some of my cultural practices to be obsolete in another culture. For instance, I tend to not speak up or answer questions in public as a way to show humbleness. However, some Western people will regard this practice as being disrespectful. Though the intentions of both cultures are good, we can still misunderstand each other.

No, I have not wrestled through these tensions in the Good Earth novel since I am from an Eastern background. Most of the actions in the story are relatable to me.