To Wear a Scarf or To Not Wear One...

Which relates more to feminism ? To cover your body from head to toe or to flaunt your body freely?

The answer really is up to one’s culture. In Western society, we say that it is freeing for women to “ burn their bras” and wear clothing that exposes more for the eyes. We see billboards of women in underwear, and we all tune in to watch a fashion show of women parading in lingerie. Victoria’s Secret shows beautiful women advertising “ how skin is in ”; to be sexy, one must be in lacey underwear. Check. Got it.

But does exposure of the body really mean exposure to free society? Are women again left with nothing but their bodies to define themselves?

Many from the East, ( from Asia to the Middle East) think otherwise. My mother, for example, vehemently disagrees that a woman should show skin. She says the more a woman covers herself, the more self-respect she has for herself. I had a class mate at school who wore saris, and she used to say how empowered she felt wearing it. Not only because it made her unique from her peers, but saris represented her culture and it was something that she wouldn’t want to eliminate. She also did not see why women were so eager to show off their bodies just to be glared, snarled, and stared at- while all along feeling uncomfortable. She did not think prancing around in short shorts was a great way to define a woman… I saw her point, and it was one that I truly respected, but not one that I could whole heartedly believe. I think there are limits to everything, and women today are more modern than ever – getting the respect they deserve while staying on top of their fashion game. ( Read my previous blog on Michelle Obama and fashion )

You can wear anything and still respect a culture, a religion, a gender..etc. Although there are some glitches in the media, many ladies play it off very well. Beyonce, for example, is the Queen Bee because she is dominant and knows what she wants. She can wear racy clothing that shows off her best assets, yet also glow in a long beautiful gown which portrays her as a pretty princess. Either in a long gown or in a bikini, Beyonce makes sure she is still herself. She is the pop diva with a lot of fans and a lot of morals.

Do the sayings “ Show off your curves!” and “ If you got it, flaunt it!” still remain today?
I suppose it does. Just check out this "diva". ( Beyonce Knowles should pay me for advertising her new song on this blog.)

Columbine High School Massacre- 10th year Anniversary

We all remember what happened on the tragic day of the Columbine High School Massacre- where two students in “ trench coats” embarked on one of the deadliest killings in an American Highschool . The two highschool students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were always described to be in ” trenchcoats”; many said they were “different”. The media depicted Harris and Klebold as goths and social outcasts.

The aftermath of Columbine raised awareness on the issues of bullying and cliques in high school. There were other societal debates as well- about gun culture, violent video games and the usage of anti depressants among teenagers- but I think it reaches more than just that; the Columbine shootings represented the emptiness and the exclusion these 2 students felt from highschool and its social institution.

8 years later, a college student from Virginia Tech led a shooting very much like Columbine. He was also described to be different and was outcasted by his college peers. Seung-Hui Cho, the shooter of the Virgina Tech Massacre, in his note wrote that Harris and Klebold were martyrs.


The aftermath of Columbine High School emphasized on the culture of cliques and bullying.


What Schools Are Doing Now...

In order for the entire student body to interact, many schools are now participating in what is known as Challenge Day. Lots of students actually like the idea of Challenge Day and school administrators have actually seen changes made. What a great way to make an impact on people’s lives.


See for Yourself what Challenge Day has done:

Is Obama doing too much?

The List

1.) Economy
2.) Climate Change
3.) Education
4.) Health Care
5.) Peace in the Middle East
a.) Ending war in Iraq
6.) Immigration

Critics are saying that Obama is tackling too many things at once, but the one thing that people cannot say is that Obama is dragging his feet. He has been doing everything under the sun to get America moving in the right direction, but will he be successful? Do you think he can accomplish most of the things on the list? Which is the most important to you?

Is there such a thing as disinvested genorosity?

I was talking to my friend about “ generosity”. He asks, “ Is there such a thing as disinvested generosity?” My answer initially was, “ Yes. ” As I thought harder about it, I got more confused.


In Buddhism, the most cherished generosity is to give freely without wishing for anything in return. However, Buddhists believe in Karma, and the definition of karma means that every action has consequences. We do good things hoping that it has a good effect on our future. So do Buddhists believe in a truly disinvested generosity?


Christmas is all about giving, but it can later translate to desire and what you hope to receive in exchange for the gift you had given. Then there are people who say they do not want any gift or present for their act of giving; thus these people build a good reputation. That reputation in itself is the substitute of the gift they may have received- the person becomes respected and venerated in his/her community. Then no longer is he/ she contributing in disinvested generosity.


Suze Orman, a financial advisor, motivational speaker and author, says the true meaning of generosity is to not expect anything in return. It doesn’t matter how much you donate or give as long as your generosity is pure and real. Then the karma will just work itself out.






So…I do not know whether there is such a thing as disinvested generosity, but just know that what you give is equivalent to what you get. The universe is relentless; it hears and sees your harmful or dutiful acts. Your actions alone do not dictate the cause and effect of your destiny or luck; your thoughts ( good and bad) play a major role too. Your generosity is not just about the money you give, but the ( good and pure) thoughts that come along with it.


What do you think? Is there such a thing as disinvested generosity? What’s the logic of a gift?

A short clip on Burmese music, art and culture.

Hope you like what you see...and hear!

College Graduates in the Economy

How are college graduates coping with the economy? Well, find out what these 2 college graduates have been up to since graduation.










Thoughts? Are you a recent graduate? What have you been doing?

EUGENICS AND PLASTIC SURGERY

EUGENICS



The United Nations has a wonderful exhibit on Eugenics this month. Eugenics, the study and belief of improving qualities of the human population, was widely influenced during the 1920’s throughout WWII, and Hitler and his Nazi regime supported “desirable traits” of blond hair and blue eyes. The Nazis led a horrible movement by tormenting people who were unfit – in the name of Eugenics. Eugenics also led to the ideal of racial supremacy where many were segregated and murdered- from the poor and the disabled to homosexuals and women reputed to be “ promiscuous”.

Euthanasia was encouraged during the Eugenics movement; children were killed, and women were sterilized if they were named “ defective”. Many women died during this surgery of “ sterilization”. (Women were encouraged to reproduce and have “ fit, healthy, desirable” children. Hitler believed that was a woman’s duty for her country, Germany. )



IMPROVING QUALITIES OF HUMAN TRAITS –TODAY?


During the beginning of the 20th century, scientists, governments and institutions supported the idea of promoting perfect human qualities. Have these ideals of perfection, beauty and desirable physical qualities changed now- in our 21st century?


Plastic surgery is not as brutal or traumatic as the experimentation of Eugenics, however, the same aspirations of obtaining perfect physical traits remain today. Women today are enhancing their face and bodies WILLINGLY through surgical techniques- cosmetic/ plastic surgery crosses racial boundaries- Asians, Blacks and Hispanics are increasingly using cosmetic surgery as well.


Within Asians, eyelid surgery is the most popular plastic surgery-where eyelids are reshaped and a permanent crease is created. Rhinoplasty is also common in Asians and African Americans, where noses are reconstructed and reshaped. Among Caucasians, breast augmentation is most popular- and it is noted and known that while Caucasians are changing their body appearance, African and Asian Americans are reconstructing their faces.


Will the desire for perfect physical traits remain throughout history? More importantly... what are the traits that are defined as“ beautiful”?