http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/551802/-The-Laramie-Project---On-West-Liberty-Stage.html?nav=510
This website talks about how the issues confronted by The Laramie Project are still with us today. It goes on to say how many people believe that this issue has died down through time and possibly no longer exists but the issues involving hate crimes and homophobia are still extremely present in this day and age. Unfortunately there are still many people and places that are in need of some eye-opening.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/alex-dean/kids-who-kill-homophobic-_b_1832607.html
the link above discusses recent hate crimes and further researches the reasons for kids who have homophobic tendencies.
Showing posts with label Rachel Hayat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rachel Hayat. Show all posts
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Revised Letter to Citizens of Animal Farm
Dear Citizens of Animal Farm,
I am writing to you regarding the unfortunate circumstances that have come upon your farm. 'Tis sad
but true that your leaders, or should I say "comrades", have displayed weakness in their selfishness and
"pigheadedness". You have striven to form a place where everyone shares control, but don't you see the lack
of equality?! The pigs have run you down into worse conditions than ever before. In the midst of fighting for
your freedom you have gained a new, perhaps even more harmful dictator. I can see why you would like to
think you can trust your friends, those who have been with you from the very onset of the struggle, but think
again. How is it that you can blindly obey this hierarchy?
It is clear where things went wrong; it is clear who is to blame: Napoleon. From the beginning he has
brought only trouble and mischief. You see, when someone gets caught up in his own power, a part of the
good in them is lost as they selfishly fight for themselves. He has deceived you, manipulated right and left in
order to serve the pigs' interests and nobody else's. The lies, the deception -- how could you not have seen
it? You've been led blindly by the blind. Was it your fear of chaos that made you submit, or were you simply
ignorant? Fear is what has destroyed you. The clear turning point was when you allowed Napoleon to banish
Snowball. From the beginning, the pigs' intentions were unclear. You believed that they were working for
you and desired to make things better, but something was not quite right. You can see that once Napoleon
took over, things took a turn for the worst. Don't you remember how you believed that all your problems
would soon be finished once man was gone? You blamed it all on humans and their destructive habits:
Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk,
he does not lay eggs. He is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough
to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives to
them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps
for himself. (Orwell 19)
You thought your problem was solely the humans, but can't you see that you,too, are your own enemy? All
of the traits which you claimed to be purely selfish, human tendencies can be found in your beloved pig! Who
worked you to the bone in order to build this windmill but never once lifted a finger?! The pigs have turned
into the very thing which they supposedly despised, lying and manipulating their way around the seven
commandments, drinking alcohol and sleeping in beds! How can you simply close your eyes and turn your
heads to the tragedy among you? Do not be blind to the horrors at hand! Fight for each other, for the pigs
surely are not on your side.
The pigs continuously went against their original rules finding ways here and there to get around them.
They manipulated you into believing lies. Don't you remember? "Once again the animals were conscious of a
vague uneasiness. Never to have any dealings with human beings, never to engage in trade, never to make
use of money -- these had been among the earliest resolutions passed at that first triumphant meeting after
Jones was expelled" (Orwell 66). The pigs have continuously changed things for their convenience; they are
simply un-dedicated to Animal Farm and what it stands for.
Animals were not made to be governed but to roam free. They do not need man or his inventions in
order to survive -- that's the beauty of nature. In order to create a just society, many things must be done; for
one, if you truly want to be equal, you must treat each other equally. Thoughtfulness, kindness, and respect
are essential. Do not push yourself so above everybody else that you are no longer able to see past the brim
of your nose. No! Fight for other people. You must exercise compassion and consideration to make things
work. Exist beyond yourself and your immediate needs. Work for something greater; for unity, for love!
In order for there to be true equality and justice, you must no longer allow the pigs to be the "brains" of
your farm. You must find a way that in fact no one is running your farm. Everyone must share the work
equally as found fit by ability. All must work to their potential, without straining, for the labors of the farm.
Each voice must be heard and considered; each opinion matters. No petty or foolish activities should take
place upon the farm, for they only hider its well-being.
R.H
I am writing to you regarding the unfortunate circumstances that have come upon your farm. 'Tis sad
but true that your leaders, or should I say "comrades", have displayed weakness in their selfishness and
"pigheadedness". You have striven to form a place where everyone shares control, but don't you see the lack
of equality?! The pigs have run you down into worse conditions than ever before. In the midst of fighting for
your freedom you have gained a new, perhaps even more harmful dictator. I can see why you would like to
think you can trust your friends, those who have been with you from the very onset of the struggle, but think
again. How is it that you can blindly obey this hierarchy?
It is clear where things went wrong; it is clear who is to blame: Napoleon. From the beginning he has
brought only trouble and mischief. You see, when someone gets caught up in his own power, a part of the
good in them is lost as they selfishly fight for themselves. He has deceived you, manipulated right and left in
order to serve the pigs' interests and nobody else's. The lies, the deception -- how could you not have seen
it? You've been led blindly by the blind. Was it your fear of chaos that made you submit, or were you simply
ignorant? Fear is what has destroyed you. The clear turning point was when you allowed Napoleon to banish
Snowball. From the beginning, the pigs' intentions were unclear. You believed that they were working for
you and desired to make things better, but something was not quite right. You can see that once Napoleon
took over, things took a turn for the worst. Don't you remember how you believed that all your problems
would soon be finished once man was gone? You blamed it all on humans and their destructive habits:
Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk,
he does not lay eggs. He is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough
to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives to
them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps
for himself. (Orwell 19)
You thought your problem was solely the humans, but can't you see that you,too, are your own enemy? All
of the traits which you claimed to be purely selfish, human tendencies can be found in your beloved pig! Who
worked you to the bone in order to build this windmill but never once lifted a finger?! The pigs have turned
into the very thing which they supposedly despised, lying and manipulating their way around the seven
commandments, drinking alcohol and sleeping in beds! How can you simply close your eyes and turn your
heads to the tragedy among you? Do not be blind to the horrors at hand! Fight for each other, for the pigs
surely are not on your side.
The pigs continuously went against their original rules finding ways here and there to get around them.
They manipulated you into believing lies. Don't you remember? "Once again the animals were conscious of a
vague uneasiness. Never to have any dealings with human beings, never to engage in trade, never to make
use of money -- these had been among the earliest resolutions passed at that first triumphant meeting after
Jones was expelled" (Orwell 66). The pigs have continuously changed things for their convenience; they are
simply un-dedicated to Animal Farm and what it stands for.
Animals were not made to be governed but to roam free. They do not need man or his inventions in
order to survive -- that's the beauty of nature. In order to create a just society, many things must be done; for
one, if you truly want to be equal, you must treat each other equally. Thoughtfulness, kindness, and respect
are essential. Do not push yourself so above everybody else that you are no longer able to see past the brim
of your nose. No! Fight for other people. You must exercise compassion and consideration to make things
work. Exist beyond yourself and your immediate needs. Work for something greater; for unity, for love!
In order for there to be true equality and justice, you must no longer allow the pigs to be the "brains" of
your farm. You must find a way that in fact no one is running your farm. Everyone must share the work
equally as found fit by ability. All must work to their potential, without straining, for the labors of the farm.
Each voice must be heard and considered; each opinion matters. No petty or foolish activities should take
place upon the farm, for they only hider its well-being.
R.H
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Laramie Project Compare two opposing views
Rachel Hayat English Hw
Dr.Van Slyck 10/01/2012
In the play The Laramie Project there are many controversial views on the death of Matthew
Shepard, a homosexual student living in Laramie Wyoming. Many believe that the death of Matthew
Shepard was a hate crime and more importantly a savage unforgivable. Unfortunately there are
some who believe that the crime of Matthew's sexual orientation supersedes the crime of the incident.
In the play many interviews are taken and we are able to see the various views of the towns' people.
Some believe he deserved to die, others believe his death was shocking and horrible. Most are
overwhelmed by the chaos of it all.
Sherry Johnson, the wife of a highway patrolman, shares her beliefs with the church. Raised
to fear and loath homosexuals she is confused and cautiously mournful. During her interview she
goes on to say (in vague terms) that she does not believe in what Matthew stood for:
"Now I didn't know him, but… there's just so many things about him that i found out that I just, it's scary.
You know bout his character and spreading AIDS and a few other things, you know, being the kind of
person that he was. He was, he was just a barfly, you know. And I think he pushed himself around. I think he
flaunted it" (Kaufman 62). Based on her answer you can see that although she knew deep down what
happened to Matthew was wrong, she still refrained from being upset due to her disliking of his sexual orientation.
Mrs.Johnson's reaction to Matthew was culturally induced. She was most likely brought up in a home that went to church
where she learned that homosexuality is supposedly a sin. Racism and Homophobia are learned traits brought on
usually by parents or teacher figures.
One of the interviewed towns people, Matt Galloway, did not share Mrs. Johnson's opinion in the slightest.
Matt worked at the bar where Matthew had been kidnapped and had seen most of it happen. He strongly believed
it was not Matthew's fault and that the perpetrators should be severely punished. He believed Matthew
was a decent, respectable human being and there was no way he came on to the guys who took him.
During the interview Matt says "Why would he approach them? Why them? He wasn't approaching anybody else in
the bar. They say he's gay, he was a flaming gay, he's gonna come on the people like that. Bullshit. He never came
on to me. Hello?!? He came on to them? I don't believe it" (Kaufman 31). Matt's response to Matthew's death was also
culturally cultivated. You learn what to like and not like from experience; it is not a trait had from birth. Matt was clearly
brought up in a home that did not discriminate against sexual orientation. He learned to be open minded and not judge
others based on who they like to sleep with.
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