Equal?

Somewhere right now there is a small child running through a field to find his basket full of fruits and/or vegetables. He wears torn clothing on his back and no shoes upon his feet. Yet his smile is big when he finally finds his basket. He is happy. That is the point isn’t it? It isn’t that this young boy is poor or that he works in a field. It is that he is happy. Here I am in my warm school, typing on an expensive computer, wearing nice clothes. Yet I would tell you I am no more important in this world then that little boy.

Inequality has been a problem in our world since the very beginning of time. There is not a time period that slaves, servants, ect. have not existed on our planet. Egyptians had slaves who built the more then extraordinary pyramids. The faro's power over his people was extraordinary. European customs made it so servants (the lower class) lived with the upper class but worked for them as maids, gardeners, nannys, handy men, and many more jobs. These people did things that no one would really want to do so they would have other people do it for them. It shows how selfish the human race is.

Today many things are different. My home is Lehi, Utah. An easy going suburb where everyone has enough money to live in descent housing. There are no slaves; no one is less then anyone else. As a US citizen I have the same rights as everyone else in my country. My freedom means everything to me. My favorite holiday happens to be the fourth of July. This holiday demonstrates our proud heritage along with our hope for the future. Every fourth of July I go to a carnival. I have done this since I was very little. This carnival is in Riverton. That was my home before I moved to Lehi about a year ago. The loud noises and laughter is a nostalgic sound that makes me want to close my eyes and go back in time. To the different rides, the most amazing lemonade. I can almost taste it. The thing that stands out the most to me though is, the whole commuity comes together that night to watch fire works go off in one of the baseball fields. The unity within everyone that attends shows the is proud of our freedom. Shows that each and everyone of us has our family's near by. That is very important. To feel loved, to feel safe, to feel unity.

Are we equal?
We both have two feet,
Which we use to walk,
Upon the same land,
We both have to ears,
That hear the same,
Gossip,rumors, fears,
We both have to eyes,
To see the chaos,
In which we are drowning,
We both have two hands,
You use your to force,
Me to use mine to work,
To dig gold for yourself,
Your skin is white,
My skin is black,
Why is there so much hatred,
Why aren't we equal in your eyes?

The Effect of Fear

“An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.” Fear is something that all of us feel from the beginning of our existence. Fear only increases as we begin to learn and grow, and our knowledge of the world grows. Fear is something that we know from the start, but only know more about with time. This innate emotion is a strong one. It will drive us to move mountains, or to stand idle, and do nothing at all. Fear is an almost tangible monster that can hit us with a gut wrenching force, and throw us down hard.

Fear is something that is very well known, but is almost always unwelcome. There is never a time when fear, at its core, is enjoyed. Although there are those who, at times, wish to feel that exciting rush of fear, and to thrust themselves in that situation, they are not looking for the fear that sickens. They are not looking for the fear that will drive you off the edge, and make you succumb to the power that it wields. This fear is paralyzing, and will make the strongest weep before it. When this fear paralyzes, it does not allow for action.

Alan Paton was able to show fear, and to describe it very well in the novel Cry, the Beloved Country. He is able to captivate the reader, and to make them understand what the people of South Africa are feeling, and experiencing. In many of the poetic paragraphs in the book, he is able to talk to the reader, and to tell them how the people of South Africa fear the world they live in. In the book he talks about how Christians call themselves Christian, or at least how the whites do. Paton does give this message vicariously through one of the characters, Arthur Jarvis’, notes that had been written down after his death. But the whites discriminate and hate. The whites do not show equality to the blacks, and even FEAR them. This fear is one of the effects it has, as it will lead to inequality and injustice. Another instance fear is portrayed in the book is when Paton, as himself, the author, sadly says not to be too happy, or too hopeful. He says not to love the things of the land too much, for it will only lead to sadness, and disappointment. This is because of the fear that is passed on from generation to generation. This is the circle of fear that so few are able to escape from. Because fear is something innate, something universal, it works with Paton when he tries to make the reader understand. The readers ARE able to understand, for fear is something that is well known. It is, however, up to the reader to decide how this will affect them, or how much they choose to understand, to empathize. That is something that Alan Paton cannot do, but can influence. The people of South Africa clearly suffered from the sickness that we call fear, and it is a sad, sad thing. Again, it was portrayed well by Alan Paton, the Author of Cry, the Beloved Country.

Yummy

Here are some pictures from us making South African Rusks.
We really wanted to get a taste of South Africa. No better way then to make one of their traditional foods. It was really fun to make, and okay to eat. The biscuit like bread came from the dutch settlers. Since bread was really hard to keep from going bad, the bead has almost no moisture. Anyways over all it was a great experience trying something new.

South African Rusks

As a fun way to really connect to South Africa we have decided to make one of their traditional foods. It is called South African Rusks.
The recipe includes:
* 2 cups white flour
* 2 cups whole wheat flour
* 1/3 cup sugar
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 2 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1/2 cup melted butter
* 2 eggs
* 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk
* 2 tsp vanilla

Where we found the recipe:
http://southafricanrecipes.org/south-african-rusks.html

This picture is of the princess of South Africa Barbie. How awesome is this! She is beautiful wearing bright colors and detailed patterns.








Link to picture
http://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/289620_U1IzleFoU916DP9BlWjtWwkKu.jpg

The Land by Sam Weiss

The Land

The land beneath me feet,

I have always called it home,

Just like the flowers,

From here I have grown,

The land gives me strength

It’s firm, solid ground,

The footsteps that I take,

Make a pleasant sound,

I look out to see,

The green rolling hills,

I move my toes through the grass,

To enjoy how it feels,

Everything around seems to be so great,

When it rains we must celebrate,

For I love the land,

Where which I was born,

The sun comes with each new morn,

I give thanks to God for the land,

He has given it to me,

I understand.