The Role of Diversity (#4)
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0520_islam_kremer.aspx
Diversity is what makes the world an interesting place to live. Both physically and mentally, everyone is different; no two people are exactly the same. Most religions encourage diversity in their communities. They believe that if a person of one race learns to understand the ideas, culture, and background of another, there will be peace between them. As long as two people can get past their differences and learn to find what they have in common then it will be easy for those people to become friends.
This concept is proven by Malcolm X when he arrives on the plane to Mecca where he will complete his Hajj. As he is boarding he looks around and exclaims, "Packed in the plane were white, black, brown, red, and yellow people, blue eyes and blond hair, and my kinky red hair-- all together, brothers! All honoring the same God Allah, all in turn giving equal honor to each other" (Haley 330).
Religion isn't the only thing that people of different races or ethnicities can share. As a high school student, the exchanges and friendships that I have with classmates of different races and ethnicities aren't based on spiritual ideas. As a part of the student tech team at my high school I have developed friendships with indian students through the experience of learning about technology and how it can be incorporated into our school system. We work together as a team and we help each other when we have problems.
What I've Learned From Icarus (#5)
http://www.hse.k12.in.us/staff/DBROVIAK/Page%20files/Mythology/Stories/Icarus.htm
The story of Icarus caught my attention while I was reading through Malcolm X. Usually, in mythical tales similar to this one, the lesson is clear and easily identified. After reading the story, I realized that the moral was really more of a warning and there were two ways of interpreting it.
Icarus was warned by his father not to fly to low for fear that the fogs of the earth would weigh him down and not to fly to high because the sun would melt his wings. Icarus of course let this warning slip in through one ear and out the other. The lesson here: Always heed the wisdom of your elders.
As Icarus flies from Crete and the evil King Minos, he is overcome with joy. He feels invincible as if nothing can stop him. While flying, he notices the seagulls flying closer and closer to the sun. He decides that if the gulls can do it, so can he. This of course is his downfall. Before long the sun melts away the feathers from his wings and he falls to his death. The lesson here: Know your limitations.
The first lesson is a valuable one and it has been proven true in my life. When I was about eight I was at the beach with my family and like any 8 year old kid, was impatient to get into the water. As my dad set up our spot, I grew more and more impatient. Watching him dig the hole for the umbrella was worse than watching the news (at the time I was 8 and all I could sit through was spongebob). So I announced, "I'm going in the water this is taking to long."
Without turning around my Dad said, "No, you'll wait here until I finish and then I'll come in with you. It's high tide and your strong enough to fight a rip tide God forbid you got caught in one."
Like Icarus, I disregarded this warning. I grabbed my body board and tapped my sister on the shoulder, inviting her to come with me. As we ran off my dad turned around, noticed where we were headed, and shouted, "Okay, but I'm not coming in to save you!"
He was of course kidding but either way I didn't care. I was a great swimmer. Unfortunately, there's a difference between being a great swimmer in a pool compared to the ocean.
So me and my sister dived into the water with our boards, alined ourselves with the current, and rode a few waves feeling the rush of adrenaline as we sped towards the shore. Tired, we laid on our boards and talked. Every once in a while my sister would get off her board and tell me that she couldn't stand, just to freak me out. Of course I knew she was bluffing. To prove it I'd slide into the water and my feet would meet the ground easily. I guess we were too distracted by our game to realize that we were being pulled out to sea by a rip tide. My sister laughed and jumped off her board into the water. She looks at me wide eyed and says, "Mike, I can't stand."
I smirk and she knows what I'm thinking as she struggles to get back on her board. "No Mike for real!"
I slid off into the water and didn't expect to keep going down. My feet didn't hit the bottom for a solid three seconds. Realizing what happened, I flailed my arms and legs swimming to the surface. When I came up I was in a panic and couldn't think straight. I tried grabbing onto my board but I couldn't find it. The salt water was stinging my eyes and I was swallowing gulps of salt water. My sister was calling to my dad from her board
My dad ran into the water diving in after us. It wasn't long before he had me back on my board and was pulling me towards the shore.
Sometimes it takes a life or death situation to knock some sense into you. Fortunately, unlike Icarus, I was lucky enough to have my dad there to save me. From that day forth whenever my Dad warned me about something, I took it a little more seriously.
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