Gay adoption

Today there are many debates about whether we should accept gay couples to adopt children.Many homosexual couples want full acceptance,both legal and financial and one of the reasons is so that they can have children and raise a family.In my poinion, even if they try to be the greatest parents and companions for their children in the long run of raising a family,theywill face many problems including legal acceptance of  the society.In my paper I will talk about the hardship of gay life, the issues of adopted children life and the public opinion.

A family apart-letter to ma

                         Dear Ma!

            I, Frances Mary am writing to you letter to tell you about what happened to us after we had left the Aid Society building. Ma, we were very upset and we couldn’t understand your decision regarding sending all of us to the West, to be placed with new families. I know your life wasn’t easy and , you struggled a lot after Da  passed .I know, we didn’t always have enough food to eat , but we had each other. Ma, as I promised you I do that I decided to change my appearance from a girl to a boy. I became a Frankie .Dear, Ma we met a lot of nice people while we ware traveling. Especially I liked Andrew MacNair and Katherine Banks.

 They ware Mr. Brace scouts, they job was to make sure we will be adopted by good families. They ware very nice to us, and they explained to us that when families adopted us we will be treated like a kin. They also told us that we would be expected to do chores along with the rest of the family, in exchange for schooling, warm bed and plenty of food. Page 61.

      Ma, I have to tell you about Mike, you could be very proud of him, he make the children forget their aches and fears by singing and dancing .Page 74. He also helped with a fire which broke up in a train; he saved one of the gentlemen life. His name is Mr. Crandon.  After we changed the train we experience the outlow attack. They asked every one to put their money and valuables in to the sack. Ma, Mike was able to take back one of their sack, and he give back Katharina’s ring, because that ring meant lot to her. Ma, he did such a good job.

Others told Mike, that he is a fine young man. Page 83. Ma, after we arrived to St Joseph, Missouri I was terrified, that Petey and I could be separated. I held him in my laps, hen I had Peg, Danny, Meg and Mike next to me. I was frightened, so I was unable to think of what I should do. I was thinking that no one wanted us. I did not know what will happen to us. Page 92-93. After avile we started to introduce our self’s, then people came to talk Andrew and Katherine, they were pointing at children they anted to adopt. Ma, after few minutes some nice people asked about Danny and Peg. Danny and Peg were adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Swenson’s. They couple wanted only two children, boy and a girl. Ma The Swenson’s looked like a good people, so I told Peg and Danny to go with them. I was thinking what will happen next.  After some time couple name Emma and Benjamin Browder, wanted to take home with them a Meg, they also l looked like nice people so Meghan went with them. Many of the children had already left the platform, only me, Petey and Mike left. In few moments later Andrew spoke to me and told me that a couple want to adopt me and Petey. Ma, Mr. and Mrs. Cummings asked us if we wanted to go with them we agreed. I was wary about Mike , but at the last minute other couple to showed up, they didn’t looked very friendly , but Mike had choose to go or not to go with them. He chooses to go with Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich. All of us said good bay to each other and then we started to drive to our new homes. Ma, it was so hard to be separated first from you and then from my brothers and sisters. Dear Ma we ware very lucky with Petey. Jack and Margaret Cumming’s are very good and nice to us. We have a good food and beautiful house. They have a farm, I am helping them with daily chores .I have to be very careful, so nobody notice I am a girl .Every day is getting harder to keep my secret. Ma, I have to tell you I met here lot of nice people. To make my story shorter, I will tell you about two people I met in The Cumming’s barn, they were slaves. I rally want to help them to escape to Canada. Jack and Margaret are a part of the Underground Railroad, they where

helping slaves to go through to Canada ,so they can be free.. The bounty hunters 

were looking for them every ware . Suddenly Jake got sick, so I decide to help Janus and Odette .I drove them to our friends – The Mueller’s Farm. That was very dangers, but I decided to due this, because  I wanted them to be free and have better life. When I was driving to the Muller’s house the bounty hunters stopped me, but I never told them any thing about the slaves. They informed me that anyone who helps slaves escape can get sent to prison.

     Oh Ma, when I arrived in the Muller’s farm Mrs. Muller explained to me what sacrifice is mean. She said to me that sacrifice is not easy to understand. That means that someone or something else means more to you that your own self. Sacrifice means that you can love someone or some idea enough to give up something that you prize, in order to make peoples life better. She said also I made sacrifice when I helped Janus and Odette. Ma, I finally realize that you were trying to tell me, what sacrifice is now I understand. Page 152-153. I ‘m very sorry that I was angry and hurt to really listen to you, Ma I really love you and I hope you forgive me. Ma, thank you for writing to me a letter witch Katharina and Andrew delivered to my new house, you saved me again. They came just in time, because bounty hunters couth me wearing Odette scarf. The Marshal was going to arrest me, Katherine told Marshal my biggest secret –that I am a girl, so he let me free. Thank you Ma .I wish I will see you soon, and we could be together again. Please write soon and tell me what is happening with you. I hope you well.                                          Love

                              Frances Mary /  Frankie

My other house is Busko-Zdroj - Poland

Busko -Zdroj  is a 1600 year old  famous resort with good climate and clean enviornment.It is located in Ponidzie region,50-km to the sought of Kielce.The sun has been a part of the city's coat of arms since16th. century.The name of the city originates from the word meaning the place located on the source of water.
The city was one of the oldest knight's settlements with horse stud farm in 11th.century.Laterthe settlement was taken over by an abbey and was transformed into a local religious center.It was a factor that influenced the development of the city.The other one was the salt mine.The characteristics of the Ponidzie region are steppe flora,burning Moses bush,gypsum steppe on Nida,unique in Poland station of halophyte flora,the "Skorocice" steppe reserve with 280 meter long caves and disappearing and reappearing stream.
The most important feature of Busko-Zdroj is its unique,extracted from shaft ,mineral water,enhancing immune system.The iodine-bromide brine is also used for therapeutic treatment.Therapeutic mud is the other natural treatment in Busko-Zdroj.The resort effectively treats rheumatic,skin and cardiovascular diseases as well as spine and orthopedic injuries.The Children Hospital "Gorka"specializes in cerebral palsy and congenital dislocation of the hip treatment.Every year around 50 thousand people improve their health in Busko-Zdroj and about 1 million treatments are performed.The treatments include sulfur baths,hydrotherapy,magneto-therapy,krio-therapy,freezing-therapy and oxygen therapy.There are several health spas with 2056 beds in Busko.Highly specialized and qualified medical staff provides the best professional services and care of patients.Most of the helath spas and city building accommodate people with disabilities.Many cultural events like Krystyna Jamroz International Music Festival;Bras Band Review;Summer with Chopin;Busko meets Folklore take place in Busko-Zdroj.The charming City Park and modern sport and recreational facilities appeal to every taste.

Discovering my home town Kielce

The Pierscienica Hill -305 m is know ror the quality of its service and the luge course.The 500m run ,with a vertical of 58 m,is easy and offers night skiing.There is also snowmaking equipment and snow-grooming machine.The 500m poma lift has capacity of 800 persons per hour.
In Kielce outskirts there are three moee Hills.in Krajno-Zagorze ,village situated 19 km from the city there is 770m long and 80m wide ski hill.The hill has T-bar and offers night skiing,has snowmaking and snow-groming machine.There iais also parking ,a restourant and rental shop.The Radostowa Hill  features 800m intermediate run,T-bar,snowmaking,a chalet and parking.The Thumlin Hill also invites skiers,to the 500mrun with a vertical of 280 m,night skiing,snowmaking and poma lift.

My home town Kielce in the winter.

Kielce ia a very atractive  place for tourists in winter.It is a well organized centre of winter sports.Located in mountains ,the city has lot to offer.All offers of winter holidays in Kielce include a lot of extras like smiles,red cheeks and sport entartainment.
 The city's main assets are attractive and inexpensive resorts and sport facilities.Less crowds and destination prices make Kielce in the winter destinantion of choice.
The Kielce region offerts five down hill ski centers professionally managed with snowmaking and an excellent cross country trails.There are also a luge course,ice-rinks,and horse riding centers.All these facilities are conveniently located within short driving distance from downtown.It makes easy to acces Kielce cultural facilities:philharmonic hall,theaters,cinemas,and museums.
 Advertising my town Kielce as a skiing paradise in the centre of Poland is not exaggerated.Within the city borders there are two ski hils:
The Telegraf Hill-406 m offers one run with difficult upper part and lower part for beginers.The 500m run,with snowmaking and two snow-grooming machines is open for the day and night skiing,There are two lifts : one T-bar a vertical of 100m and the capacity of 1000 skiers per hour and one 180m poma lift,with the capacity of 400 skiers per hour.A chalet with a ski school,repair shop,ski rental and cafeteria is located on the bottom of the hill.Parking is free.City buses service the Telegraf hill.

Movie "The Great Debaters"

“The Great Debaters”

            “The Great Debaters” directed and starring by Denzel Washington appears at first viewing, to be a movie about a famous debate team, from Willey College, a black college in Texas during the Great Depression.  When studied father the movie is more complex and has relevance for us today.  This is a story about education, love and hope within black students during the 1930’s. These values are the most important quality for religious, non-religious and sociological values even today.

The movie starts with the prayer “Heavenly Father, we come before Thee knee bent and body bowed in the humblest way that we know how. Father, who controls and knows all things, both the living and dying of all creatures.Give us the strength and the wisdom to do the work. In God’s name we pray…. Amen”.

 This beautiful prayer of a black slave reminds us that every living creature is created by God. And that only God has the power and ability to give and take life away from us.

In God eyes, people are equal, no matter what their skin color, religion or  beliefs are. God teaches us that we have to love our brothers and sisters in the same way that he loves us. It does not matter if a person’s beliefs are different from ours. They are still the creation of God.

Professor Tolson is a very well educated man, who has dedicated his time, passion and life to mentoring young black students how  to  ignore discrimination in their lives, but he is also a fighter for better lives and workplace for black workers and civil rights activist.

As a great mentor, and dedicated teacher Professor Tolson inspired his students to believe in themselves, their ability and their strength, but most of all truth and honesty. He reminds them that only God is the judge who will decide who loses or who wins. He tries to encourage his students to tell only the true and not to be afraid of their opponents because they don’t exist. The truth is very important in religious, non-religious and sociological values. Professor Tolson knows that by telling the truth and being honest and being brave rather than ignorant and killing that some day they will be able to bring freedom for their society as well as themselves.

By taking them under his wings, Professor Tolson showed them how to break the lines of inequality and ignorance they faced every day.

Tolson as well as Pastor Farmer believe that education is the key to success, and they both help these young students to achieve their goals. They both know that only people who are well educated are able to make good decisions in life, love other people and accept others’ differences and beliefs. These students will also be able to  fight poverty and discrimination because they have been a part of it. As Pastor Farmer put it, so eloquently in his sermon;

” We are the most privilege people in America, because we have the most important job in America; the education of our young people. We must impress upon our young people that there will be difficulties that they face. They must defeat them! They must do what they have to do in order to do what they want to do. Education is the only way of out of ignorance. The way out of darkness! Into the glorious light”.

This exactly education and knowledge Pastor speaks about will help the black debaters to defeat their opponents and show them that the only difference between them is their skin color.

 Also hope plays a very important role in this movie, especially for the members of the black society who is fighting for freedom while facing discrimination and death in their own lives.  While watching the movie we can see their struggles when they face beatings, even lynching although they haven’t done anything wrong. During the movie we become witnesses to two racial incidents. One happens to Pastor Farmer and his family on their way home, when he accidently killed a pig. The owner a white male yelled in anger at Pastor Farmer and even threatens him with a gun. The Pastor’s attitude, however does not allow the oppressor to aggravate him.  Pastor Farmer, by his strength and wisdom shows him his dignity and personal principles.

The second racial incident happened to Professor Tolson and his students. While coming home from one of their debates, become witnesses and almost the victims of lynching. This lynching was wrong, no matter how we look at it. The Pastor’s son said “What was that Negros crime that he should be hung without trial, in a dark forest filled with fog? Was he a thief? Was he a killer or just a Negro? He was a man, a man with a family” Killing people is not acceptable in any religion or society. Racism is the opposite of the democratic principles of equality and the rights of all people.  Killing is against law as well as religious, non-religious and sociological values. People don’t have the right to kill other people; we should leave this for God to decide.

They are laws of decency and humanity which exist above any legislation. This has been true for centuries. As Augustine of Hippo, famous philosopher said centuries ago “An unjust is no law at all”. It’s not debatable.

Media

After I read this first lecture, I can say that media become a fundamental part and are playing crucial role in almost all aspects of our daily life. We are surrounded by television, radio, colorful magazines and internet. Media have a huge influence on how and what we see and learn. And they also, play a very crucial role in our view on certain political, sociological and personal aspects. I totally agree with George Gerbner which had said that “stories create cultures and whoever is telling the stories has the power to create culture”.  Before the “rise” of electronic communication information was passed from generation to generation and parents had more control of what and how was tell to their children. Today, however, children learn more from movies and video games which are full of violence and create by people who don’t care about health and well being of our society.

Also, I learn that the media environments are created by communication technology. The technology refers to physical apparatus for example boxes and wires throughout the message is sent and received, while medium is a form of communication that transmit message and help organize and allow us create communication environment.

The last think I learn from this lecture is term “Media Literacy” .  It is very important that Media Literacy give us the ability to learn how to making a values judgment considering the positives and negatives of media by analyzing, evaluating and producing it.

Bruce Museum

      Last Saturday, I had a really good time at the Bruce Museum. I have to admit that this was my first time at this museum even thought I had heard a lot about this place. So after taking a Creative Voice course, where I have learned new ideas about art, I decided to go and explore this amazing place located just a couple minutes away from my home.

 The museum is located on Museum Drive in Greenwich. It is a large, one story building located on a hillside. Inside the museum, it is very clean and well maintained.  However, before I went there I did a little research about the museum, which was originally, built as a private home in 1853. The owner, Robert Bruce, donated his home in 1908 to the Town of Greenwich, specifying that it be used as a Natural History and Art Museum, as it is today.

      At first, I thought I had gone to a science museum because when I opened the door I saw collections which focused on natural history and includes minerals, fossils, mammals and birds. I have to confess that the crystal sculptures and all the colorful minerals from around world are very beautiful and neat. The beautiful colors of crystals blue, yellow, orange and white are really spectacular. Some of them even glow in the dark.

After walking further, I saw archeological dig with a lot of fossils in it, which were presented in a form of layers. It took a lot of years for the fossils to form such incredible coating.  For a moment, I felt as if I were” lost in a jungle” in a woodland diorama showing the earth as it looked five million years ago. A fifteen foot long woodland wildlife scene which is a replication of the dinosaurs’ era, changed sounds as day went to night. The wild animals located in the water, on the ground, and in the air make this place very real.    

          Next, I went to the Art Gallery which was the most attractive to me. The Bruce Museum fine art collection consists of selected European and American paintings. There are also sketchbooks, photographs, portraits and letters.  All of the exhibits are well described in the short information messages by every display.  The Art Gallery consists of four rooms where I was able to see different kinds of paintings, from different periods.

During my visit, the special exhibit featured the paintings from the collection of Jacques Goudstikker. He was the preeminent dealer of Old Master paintings in Amsterdam prior to World War II. He died accidently on the ship to the Netherlands where he took his family while escaping from the Nazi. All his collection, 1400 works of art was stolen by the Nazi then.  Years later, his only living beneficiary, daughter –in-law, begun a battle to recover the paintings. Finally, the Dutch Government decided to return 200 works to her. Today, I was the lucky one to admire a portion of it.

The one that caught my eye, and I think the biggest picture on the floor, was the “River Landscape with Ferry” by Salomon Jacobsz.  This painting was very naturalistic and extremely believable to me. The artist used a very colorful palette and “painterly” touch rather than line. This is very characteristic in his paintings.  The other painting, which I liked, reminded me of the painting I describe in my previous essay. The new painting is “Sailing Vessels in a Thunderstorm” by Jacob Isaacksz. My previous experience with similar painting, The Raft of the “Medusa” by Theodore Gericault helped me understand more about this picture and the artist’s construction. The dramatic images of the open ocean with threatening skies, wind and lighting were very realistic and scary. The exhibition also shows many portraits of man, women and children. The portraits which caught my eye were “A Child on its Deathbed” by Bartholomeus  Van Der Heist and “ The Frivolous Girl” by Pietro Antonio Rotari.  The first was painted in clear, white colors but there was visible threat of death. There was a black form on the white child. It was a sad, realistic look at the fate of many children in those times.

The “The Frivolous Girl” by Pietro Antonio Rotari, was a romantic, sexual, yet light, youthful portrait of a teasing girl. I would like this painting in my living room. It is a happy picture.

I really enjoyed my afternoon in the Bruce Museum. After the visit I decided to spend some time in the museum garden. The garden features many modern sculptures. The sculptures are made of steel and concrete. It was hard for me to understand these works. I need to go back and see them again. I am very curries about them.

           

Culture and communication

Culture and Communication

            Most of the news people receive everyday comes from secondhand sources that report on events that the people in contact with these sources themselves did not experience. The media shapes a large amount of knowledge that the society they are communicating to has about other outside societies. What information people are exposed to is influenced by the government, whose tool they use to spread this information is the media, which can have both positive and negative results. The US, being a democratic country, allows freedom of speech and press, but the capitalist society is what prevents people from having access to different sources of information because the media is run by corporations that are very selective with the information they choose to share with the public and how much exposure it receives. An important, but negative example of the corporate control of the media is the process of gatekeeping, which has contributed to the success of so many mainstream artists such as Lady Gaga because of exposure and marketing. Other musicians who are rejected or choose not to sign with a major label recording company go unnoticed because they do not receive the same media exposure. A positive outcome of media control is that it allows for specialization of interests. In their efforts to reach all audiences, even the ones who have no interests in mainstream media, different sources produce media that is relevant to people even on the outskirts of the mass culture. An example of this are magazines, especially music magazines, some of which mainly write about mainstream artists such as Rolling Stone magazine and other music magazines that focus more on specific genres. The mass media brings the news to society in its own way, but finding other sources of information other than the major newspapers and magazines is not always easy and takes some searching.