Wild Duck Shooting-- On the Wing

William T. Ranney's oil painting of Wild Duck Shooting -- On the Wing was painted in 1850. It depicts the sport of hunting in 18th century art. In early American colonialism, hunting was common for food. However, it is evident that this painting portrays it as a mere sport. The father and son show "the American spirit." Hunting is seen as a sport that brings a father and son closer to form a strong bond. The dog is a companion to the family and helps gather the kill. The dead ducks in the corner are a prize for the young boy and father. Hunting has always existed since the beginning of time. It is seen between animals, and humans. Animals will kill out of instinct or for protection; humans kill for sport. In America, during the 1800s, hunting for sport was accepted. Today, groups like PETA stand against it. Shooting ducks was a good way for fathers and sons to bond. People still hunt today, but there's limits and restrictions now. The painting well-received in wide audiences; he also made several versions of the same painting. It was also made into several engravings. For it to be well-recieved in masses, shows the mentality of animal rights and emotions in the 1800s. They were objects that could be killed for sport, or perhaps a meal for the family. The dogs is still seen as a companion of man like it was back in the 1800s. The dog looks intently at it's master to quickly please him with the next kill. There seems to be more light on the ducks than the actual people in the painting, almost glorifying the kill. Hunting is still glorified today. The heads of dead animals posted on walls is glorifying murder. Others will defend it as a sport for fun. Regardless, our treatment of animals has remained the same, but the way we think of them as beings has changed.

My Final Paradise

[1] The pasture is an endless sea of green paradise. It is my home; my world. The lake has been my source of life and play pen. The refreshing water brings life to the pasture. The soft dirt under my hooves is relaxing. The quiet breeze across my hide is soothing. Birds fly freely above. This life is wonderful. I can roam the pasture as long as I please, eat all the grass I can, and be with my family. Not a branding iron or electric prod in sight. I live at peace here. In my world I feel no pain. I don’t hurt. I am never lonely. I am never sad. I feel loved here. The man calls me Bessie. He never yells at me, never pushes me, never shocks me, and never hurts me. He is unlike many others. The man shows he cares for me. My life seems wonderful until I wake up from this beautiful dream into my horrible reality.

All I can see is a never-ending sea of cows like me. There is no room to roam free. No space to lie down. My source of water is disgusting. The man here never bothers to clean it for my sake at least. I walk in my own feces, along with everyone else’s that is confined in this small pen. If for some miracle there is an opportunity for me to walk around; it’s difficult. Treading in ankle deep feces is degrading. If the man only knew how atrocious this feels, to be covered in my own waste, he would provide a pasture for us. Wouldn’t he? The horrendous stench in the air causes my nose and eyes to burn. I’m exhausted. Recently, I’ve heard talk that we are going to be killed. The man wouldn’t do that to us after our suffering here in the pen. Or would he? Could he really be this cruel? I wanted to find out for myself to end this curious anxiety. I tried asking other [2] cows, but no one wants to tell me. They all say the same thing. “Does it matter anyways? It will end this tragic life.” I tried asking the man, but all he does is beat me or shock me when I try talking to him. Why is the man evil? After getting nowhere in trying to find out the truth, I feel hopeless. It’s not fair. What gives him the right to kill us? We’ve done nothing wrong. Did I do something to deserve this? Have I angered him? I’ll do anything to make it up for him. I promise I won’t disappoint him anymore. After a couple of days I started to notice the cows in other pens never came back after the man had taken them away. The optimism I had to keep me going was beginning to drain out of me. All this insane cruelty didn’t make sense. Why bother anymore? I’m going to die. Perhaps when I die, I can forever be in my paradise.

On a grim morning the man came with others to my pen. This is it. They opened the gate. It’s happening. The man began shouting at us. He called us worthless stupid animals. I was scared. Where was he taking us? As none of us moved, they pulled out long heavy sticks and ones they called prods. They repeatedly shocked and beat us to get moving. I screamed in pain as the man shocked me while another hit me repeatedly as I couldn’t feel. “Stop!” I yelled. Do they not understand some of us are injured already? Some of us can barely stand, let alone walk. Vicious beings they are. No compassion in their actions. Slowly, we all gradually walk out of the pen into a loud dark box. Is this where I take my last breath? No; we’re just crammed in to be as uncomfortable as ever. I don’t know how long we’re going to be here. I’m starting to worry for some of the others. I know they won’t last longer. They’re depressed, hopeless, and in despair.The loud droning noise of the dark box is a constant reminder [3] of our future death. However, it is a reminder that I am still alive. I lose conscience now and then; hoping to wake up in my paradise. It’s pointless. I try to imagine my amazing world, but nothing. I start to wonder if we will ever leave this box. This is all a cruel game the man is pulling on all of us; it has to be. He enjoys this and wants to see us suffer more. His hate for us is so extreme; he has to push our sanity off the edge. With each passing moment I get more depressed. Will this ever end? I somehow managed to look around me, and I see it—death. Several others had passed out on the floor. I stared at their stiff lifeless bodies wondering how I will die. The sight of my own kind dead on the floor, rotting, makes me sad. Would I die soon? I start to hear the man’s voice again. The loud droning ceases. The door is opened. Relief sets in, but only for a few seconds.

The sun casted rays of scorching light into our eyes. I felt disorientated and fatigued. The ache in my stomach and the intense thirst made me believe I was half insane already. Again, the violent beings would hit and shock us to get off the box. We walked into a huge building. It was dreary, and I had a feeling this would be our last stop. Besides what other ghastly things could they possibly do to us now? This place was new. I hated it. The smell of this new place was awful. I could hear a dull roar coming from the inside. Everyone looked so miserable. We were placed in lines. Then I come back to my senses and my stomach is in knots. The dull roar is clearer now; I could hear the other cows and their blood-curdling screams. Their cries for help were being ignored. I had never heard of cows pleading for their lives so desperately. What could possibly be going on inside to make them shriek like this? A pressure rises in my chest; I can feel my heart race. I have to get out, but how?

Paralyzed by the chaos, I didn’t notice I was being tied by my foot with a chain. Another man is there looking down on me with what looks like a medium slim stick. I look into his eyes, hoping he can at least see my terror and read my cry of help. No sign of sign of mercy. His gaze is cold and blank. It’s as if he has not even there. Not even aware that he is injuring beings. I start to panic. My heart is about to come out of my chest. I see blood on the walls. I try kicking, no use. I try jumping, even worse. Anything I try to do to escape I hurt myself. I feel so helpless. Why can’t I just escape to my paradise right now? Just then, the chain drags me into the air. I’m petrified. I cry. This new place was covered in blood and cows screaming. I desperately wanted to leave, but no hope. I’m in an awkward position, nothing makes sense. Everything that’s down is up. The man approaches me with the slim dagger glistening in the little light there is. He waves it over my neck.

Please! Don’t do it!
[4]
My iris grew in bewilderment as the dark figure approaches my panting heart. The silver dagger is warm with someone else’s blood. Something so elegant, yet so barbaric makes a single cut. A dark red pool of my life poured out at the beast’s whim. The excruciating pain is enough to make me wish I was dead already. Blood gushes out of my neck onto the walls, floor, and his clothes. I gasp for life; I choke. This can’t be. Why must I die this way? I feel him rummaging through my throat and ripping out parts of my body. He’s ruthless. I try begging him to stop, but it’s futile. I am no longer in front of him. I am on the floor bleeding to my death; on the floor bleeding out of my neck, mouth, and nose. I am on the floor struggling to hold onto my life. The pain is unbearable. I can slowly feel my body is starting to let go of life. Everything is becoming dark. I try opening my eyes; but I give up. I’m ready to go to my paradise. I want to stop hurting. I want to stop feeling terrified. I want to feel loved. I want to live.


I found myself in my paradise not too long after the savage act of violence. It feels different, though. Perhaps it’s because I get to stay here and not wake up. I don’t complain at all here. There is no pain, no brutal beasts, and no spine-chilling screams. Fresh blue skies, sweet air, and the infinite sea of green pasture are all I see now. I am at peace.

[5]

Word Count: 1,544

[1]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/visualpurple/VisualVitamins/LushWithCow.jpg
[2]http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww355/cottonsocks08/MEAT%20-%20COWS/Feedlots.jpg
[3]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Stoat_2006/cows.jpg
[4] http://www.alv.org.au/issues/cattle/slaughteredcow.jpg
[5] http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/vero_h/field-1024x768.jpg

Compassion in the West and in the East

Since the dawn of time, humans and animals have always had some kind of relationship. As humans adapted, discovered new principles, learned new ideas, their view on animals changed. Throughout time "beasts have been feared, loved, beaten, caressed, starved, stuffed, and ignored." (338) Animals have been an important part of human life. Our view of them changes and brings new questions to ethics. In Europe around the 18th century, empathy and compassion were not common. It was a time of suffering for human life and love towards another was only seen in the close family, if at all. Humans thought of only themselves or their closed loved ones.
They had the narrow view that "beasts existed only to serve [human] needs." (339) However, later on people began to realize and some accepted the idea that humans and animals were somehow alike. Science was an increasing field that had proved animals and humans are much alike. Primatt stressed "rationality as the dividing line between [humans] and [animals]." (344) I agree with Primatt. Animals and humans are very much alike. Simply take away order and morals from a human and you have a wild animal. The difference that separates humans and animals is the ability to reason. More interest in the relationship with animals and humans sparked awareness.

The awareness of animal cruelty began to increase and groups like SPCA were established. At first not too many people were interested for animal's rights. In fact "every attempt to extend humane legislation encountered resistance and even ridicule, despite abundant evidence of...cruelty." (348) Slowly sympathy for animals was increasing. Better treatment for animals was being encouraged. Religion is also an influence on how we see animals.

In Christianity, one is asked "if you love only those who love you, what reward can you expect?" (371) Now it isn't clear in Christianity how animals should be treated but its ideas can be expanded to include animals. To love others, one will be rewarded or live a better life. To love other beings, such as animals, wouldn't life be more fulfilling? Compassion for other people is what Christianity professes, but compassion for other species can be included. Love for animals is evident in Hinduism. The love they have for the cow should be the love humans have for all animals. They see the cow as "a gift of the gods to the human race." (375) They honor, respect, and demonstrate intense compassion for this animal. Compassion for animals should be embraced by all beings. For people to start doing so, speciesism needs to end.

Ethics

Dr. Minette E. Drumwright talked about why good people find themselves in hard ethical situations. Her two main reasons were moral muteness and moral myopia. Moral muteness was where one chooses to not talk about ethical dilemmas. Moral myopia was where one only sees the ethics in a narrow-minded sense.

Slavery

The PETA display and the statue of MLK were connected to each other because both were against immoral issues. MLK was against racism, which ties back to slavery. African- Americans were thought inferior to the white race because of the stereotype that black slaves were like animals. PETA is against speciesism. Both issues are identical. “Racists violate the principle of equality by giving greater weight to the interests of members of their own race when there is a clash between their interests and the interests of those of another race... Similarly, speciesists allow the interests of their own species to override the greater interests of member of other species.” (280) Slavery happened because of the idea that the color of a human’s skin made them less important than another. This way of thinking was speciesism. When slavery ended the speciesist way of thinking was still there, so racism brewed.

The comparisons of animal cruelty to slavery were disturbing for one to realize, but true. “Slaves were often branded in order to identify them as property…Cows are often branded in order to identify them as property.” (Branded PETA display photo)We came to realize that slaves were human beings with feelings just like us. They were not inferior; they were not beings that did not know the meaning of pain and suffering. Why it that many still can’t realize that animals are not our slaves? They have feelings just like us. They are beings that should not be seen as property. Branding an animal is just as immoral as it was in branding a human being many years ago. “Just as we have progressed beyond the blatantly racist ethic of the era of slavery and colonialism, so we must now progress beyond the speciesist ethic of the era of factory farming, of the use of animals as mere research tools, of whaling, seal hunting, kangaroo slaughter and the destruction of wilderness.”(311G)

As a plantation owner who has become aware of the cruelty the slaves I own have endured, I would take action to end it. Realistically, the mentality a slave owner had of its slaves was that they were seen as objects, property to be exact. However, slaves were what made the profit of the plantation so torturing them will hurt the plantation owner. I would end the abuse. To have ethics in this situation, as a plantation owner to make a good choice they must consider the question: “Can they suffer?” (313) The abuse has been hidden from because I was not there; plantation owners hired people to look after the slaves. Pain in any beings eyes is obvious. Slaves were seen as beasts. In Am I Blue?, the narrator makes the connection with Blue saying “if I had been born into slavery, and my partner had sold or killed, my eyes would have looked like that.” (316B) A human being can see misery in an animal’s eyes; it would be second nature that a human can see misery into another human’s eyes. I would be able to see the suffering in their eyes other than the obvious physical torture and abuse. I’d stop the immoral treatment on the slaves. A sensible person would know that it would be the right thing to do.

MLK said “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Animals are suffering injustice under the hands of humans. We are cruel beings because “man is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain.” (311D) A huge impact needs to be made for animals to have justice, just like a huge impact was made to destroy slavery and bring justice to African Americans. However, it won't happen anytime soon if "secrecy and distancing are...used to protect the very profitable institutionalized cruelty to animals." (Spiegel 334) The plantation owner was hardly around the slaves to witness the abuse. It wasn't until people began to raise awareness that the cruelty inflicted on these people was wrong. As a society we can not distance ourselves from the dilemma at hand or keep it a secret any longer.

Racism/PETA/MLK

PETA's display was right across the statue of MLK. Whether it was pure coincidence or on purpose they chose it to be that way; it still symbolizes the ethical dilemma at hand. MLK was against racism and PETA is against speciesism. Racism and speciesism are the same if it is looked at in a certain way, even though a "comparison to an animal has come to be a slur" in our soceity. (319) Racism is "the idea that one's race is superior and has the right to rule others." (317) Speciesism is "the idea that one's species has the right to rule and use others." (317) Slaves were seen as animals. People that were not African slaves considered themselves superior because of the color of the skin. Which technically is racism within speciesism. The movie Earthlings defines everyone as a habitant of the planet. It does not seperate earthlings into categories like human, animal, mammal, reptile, or beings with reason. Alice Walker summarizes racism and speciesism in her quote saying: "The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humant anymore than black people were made for whites or women for men." (314) If all the speciesists and racists considered the world in this perspective, a lot of damage that has happened in society, and that is still occuring, could have been prevented.
Slavery in America was accepted because "the ethic of human domination removed animals from the sphere of humanc concern...[which] legitimized the ill-treatment of humans who were in a supposedly animal condition." (321) The idea of speciesism was grounded into their minds which established racism. Because of our lack of respect for animals, humans were tortured and abused for many years. This racism and speciesism was brewed because of lack of empathy. During the holocaust laws were passed to segregate the Jews which "was necessary to reduce people's understanding of, and empathy for, Jewish people. This way, whatever happened to the Jews was out of the line of people's moral vision." (334)

To completely stop racism, we must completely obliterate specisism. Albert Schweitzer claims "compassion can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to humankind." (311F) Compassion for all beings is what will stop racism and speciesism. Society and humanity need to recognize: "The Earth does not belong to man; Man belongs to the Earth. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." (311E) Humans are not superior to animals or to any other human who is different. In the end we are all inhabitants of this planet and need to live together to survive. The concept that humans are better because they can reason and advance in many aspects makes us better than animals needs to become irrelevant. We have come to an era where we need to finally realize we have been wrong. We have been immoral in assuming animals are inferior and that has lead to the idea that other races are inferior to our own.

Martin Luther King's dream was to see America without segregration, and it was accomplished. Leonardo da Vinci believed that "the time will come when people will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men and women." (311C) Perhaps that time will come soon for the sake of the animals and humans alike.

Earthlings Response

I first watched Earthlings at the beginning of the semester. Some of the clips were already familiar to me because I had seen some through YouTube. My environmental science teacher in high school had told us about such slaughterhouses. As I watched the movie, I found some of the scenes hard to watch. Especially the fact when animals killed for fur are killed by being anally electrocuted. I agree with Joaquin Phoenix when he says "for every one person who sees Earthlings, they will tell three." (276B) After I finished I sent the links to my friends. A few couldn't eat meat for awhile. The movie is strong in message and in images. As I watched a strong sense of guilt overwhelms me because I support this violence. I eat meat on a daily basis, go to the Houston Rodeo every year, own leather products, and buy items that have been tested on animals. Earthlings is an enlightening movie. It opens up my eyes to what is going on and what I can do to help. By taking small steps in my lifestyle I can make a slight impact.

Watching it for a second time is more intense. I listen more intently to what Joaquin Phoenix is saying and put a lot more thought into it. "The comparison here to the holocaust is both intentional and obvious: one group of living beings anguishes beneath the hands of another." (282) Perhaps if a German was confronted with evidence of the violence during The Holocaust, he/she would deny it. The harsh images would seem to exaggerated to believe at first. However, they must soon realize it isn't possible to be exaggerating or making it all up. If they ever did come to terms with it and accept that what is happening is real, the idea of standing up against it would cross their mind. The country was under the influence of a horrible leader, that ruled with fear. The fact that standing up will mark them with the same fate as those in the concentration camps prevents from any action taking place.
The screenplay is not as strong as the movie. One can't picture the cruelty the same way the movie shows the clips. Images are more dramatic than one can imagine. We will try to imagine the worst, but hold back. As humans, we want to believe that the country we live in can not possibly allow that much violence. Showing the truth without mercy is intense and shocking. The documentary shows the world what truly goes on behind closed doors. It is sad some know what goes on and do nothing to stop it. A change in the way these animals are killed needs to be done. Restrictions need to be made and regulations need to be revised for these animals to find some justice.

Peta2

Eating meat is a huge part of my life. I eat it every day. I grew up with a carnivore diet. It is a part of my culture to consume it. I believe that humans are meant to eat animals to survive. Other animals eat each other, and isn't true that humans are animals themselves? I believe it is nature to eat other animals to survive. However, the way these animals are killed for humans to consume is what makes me feel guilty after seeing the Peta2 campaign. No being, human or animal, should be treated this way. It is immoral and unhealthy for the consumer. Mahatma Gandhi said "the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged the way its animals are treated." America is the land of opportunity, where anyone can prosper, and everyone is given an equal chance to rise above in life. How can this be supported when such horrible acts of violence are happening right this moment in America?

Peta2 is a very strong campaign that has caused many to stop eating meat and become vegan or vegetarian. I admire these people for being empathetic for animals and strong to stand up for what they believe is right. I have known about the cruelty the animals go through in slaughterhouses, dairy farms, and in the fur industry. The fur industry is disgraceful in my opinion. We are in an era where fur no longer has to be an option to keep us warm. Now many will defend it as a fashion statement. What kind of fashion is it to wear another being's skin? Would wearing a human being's skin look appealing? Well it's the same thing; we are all considered animals. I have seen videos through Peta the violence and suffering the poor animals go through. Animal testing is another form of cruelty that seems ridiculous. The experiments are bizarre and inhumane. If the experiment seems too extreme to perform on humans, why would you bother doing it on animals? They have no voice to defend themselves. It's surprising through all these experiments, scientists can't seem to accept the animals have feelings, thoughts, and suffer just like human beings. I will agree the meat industry disgusting.
Killing animals is what many consider nature like me, but few realize that they are being killed violently. An animal should only be killed to be eaten. Not for entertainment, not just to use one body part like its' tusks, and not to be dissected. Animals should die as painless and quickly as possible to be consumed by humans. One must consider their morals and ethics in deciding to eat meat, purchase leather or fur, or watch a dogfight. What separates us from these animals is that we have a voice, and other believe we have reason and logic. Well shouldn't a human being that can reason, believe one must treat others the way they want to be treated?
However, I don't think I can completely turn vegetarian or vegan. I am not saying I am going to ignore the situation either. I do plan on cutting back meat gradually. For the sake of the animals that are suffering. It will also benefit my health overall. Eating less meat will lead to a decrease in chance of heart disease and increase a longer life. I will no longer buy products that are tested on animals. I will not consume from restaurants like McDonalds or KFC. I will spread the word to anyone willing to listen on how animals are treated in the US. I also hope to get involved with Peta and other organizations on campus that are against animal cruelty.

Alice and Animal Ethics

In Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Alice always encounters animals. Her ethics were questioned with her encounter with the mouse, and in the story of the walrus and the carpenter. Carroll illustrates the fact that humans have no regard for animals. They see animals as inferior to humans because they can not talk like us; or they are not as civilized or advanced like us.

Carroll portrays the animals in Alice in Wonderland able to talk with Alice. It is only this way Alice is able to see them in a new light. She apologizes to the mouse thinking "she had hurt the poor animal's feelings." (26) The mouse was presented with emotions, a life story, and fears like herself. Most will see a mouse as vermin and filthy. It is seen as very negative and people today will certainly not think of it having feelings. Through this image of a mouse, like a human, Alice sees it differently. It's an example for readers to see animals with feelings and question their ethics.

Same goes for the walrus and the carpenter eating the oysters. Alice had to "choose between judging a person in terms of acts or in terms of intentions." (188) It was hard for her to decide who was right and wrong because she was looking at "what the characters say than who the characters are." (Daniel) Alice was focusing on the carpenter and the walrus because their voice was stronger than the oysters'. She didn't manage to realize the carpenter and walrus were cruel characters in the way they ate the oysters. Carroll believed that "death is not cruel, but it is the prolonged and superfluous torturing." (unknown author)

Alice is seen as being unable to empathize with the oysters, so she can not understand the ethical dilemma of the poem. She shows a revelation for all humankind though. If one can't empathize with an animal, who in society's view is 'not as advanced and has no emotions,' how will one empathize with a human being? It takes true understanding to imagine how an animal will feel when it's environment is being destroyed, if it's mother has been taken away for slaughter, if all it ever will know is a tight cramped cage. I understand why people will choose to live as a vegetarian or vegan. I also understand if some people can not meat because of a religious view. However, I do agree with Carroll on being a line drawn. Carroll makes a "clear distinction between animal suffering and animal death." (unknown author) The way an animal dies can be cruel, and that is what makes the matter unethical. If an animal dies quick and painless, it is not unethical. An animal should only be killed quick and painless for food. Torturing for entertainment, or "in the name of science" is immoral.

Ethics

People's ethics are always being questioned for each hard decision they have to make. Everyone's ethics will be different on certain points, but in general they all have somewhat the same view of what ethics are.

According to Covey there are two kinds of ethics: character and personality. Many people will agree that the character ethic is what they are most familiar with incuding characteristics of "courage, patience, and modesty." (Covey, 18) However, many people will confuse it for the personality ethic. The personality ethic is what is more common today. The way society thinks today many people will be "manipulative, even deceptive" because they want to get ahead in life. They want to gain the leadership position faster, but not sincerely. The leadership position they attain will be lost since there wasn't "deep integrity and fundamental character strength."(Covey, 22) This drive they have is only for their own self gain and not in the best for everyone. Covey mentions interdependence. In some way, we are all connected and affect each other. The personality ethic is what drives society to immoral decisions because they only want their needs met.

A good leader needs to have compassion and empathy. These three traits is what leads to the personality ethic. The Greek philosophy of influence called ethos, pathos, and legos is a prime example of empathy. (238) One must gain trust and by doing so, he or she has to have compassion. Compassion is where "one's pain is shared and received" with others. Building trust will lead into pathos where you will seek first to understand, and then to be understood which is logos. This philosophy of influence is what builds ethics. Knowing what a person feels or will feel in any decision will question their ethics. To have good ethics, one has to be sincere, have compassion, and be empathetic.

With good ethics and good traits that make a good leader, character is built. Trustworthiness, compassion, and empathy build good character for a leader. "To learn to give and take, to live selflessly, to be sensitive, [and] to be considerate" (222) is the prime example of what character ethics are and what makes a great leader. It is a challenge for society to accomplish, but it is necessary to improve ourselves and others.

Time to Change for a Better Society

There’s a new issue that has been steadily increasing recently. Action needs to be taken; a solution must be presented. Some will believe this subject is not their problem; or this problem is one that only concerns minorities. In reality, the situation going on affects the nation. The issue affects society as a whole because they have to bear the economic and cultural costs it brings. The controversial topic: teen pregnancy. Texas has alarming statistics stating “3.7 million students are not provided the most basic information about protecting themselves from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.” The facts get more serious when Texas ranks “the third-highest teen birth rate in the nation.” [1] These statistics are incredible and recent. How did we let things get so out of hand? Teen pregnancy is not uncommon, but it has been put to the side as if its unimportant. Students in middle school and high school deserve to receive sex education. My stretch goal is to start a sex education class in the community I came from. The sight of a young Hispanic girl with all the potential to go to college delayed because of an unplanned child was very common. Abstinence alone is not the only answer anymore to preventing teen pregnancies; it has obviously failed. Starting a program that teaches abstinence, birth control methods and how to use them properly, prevention of sexually transmitted disease, advocate family communication, and teach skills on making responsible decisions is what teens deserve in school. The program in general will help teens understand the importance of an education in all areas and be able to plan a future which they can have control over. This leadership vision will help teens and society in several ways.

The program is aiming at Hispanics since they are the largest number in teen pregnancies, however all students will be reached.[2] One of the benefits the Hispanic society will gain is a chance to reduce the constant stereotype of young Hispanic girls having many kids. The more Hispanic students are reached, the more educated Hispanic students will come out of high school and pursue college degrees. The more teens in college will reduce the money spent on teen pregnancy. This should be delightful since it would save the “taxpayers’ (federal, state and local) $9.1 billion annually.”[3] A reduction in teen births will stop teens from dropping out; meaning more educated employees for the employer. We are in a time where money is getting tight for many families. Teenagers will find it extremely difficult to raise a child on their own financially. The money being spent on teen pregnancies could be spent on financial aid for college bound students. Thinking of this issue as a whole can be easily connected to everyone. This increase in teen births is a dire situation that I want to help for the benefit of society, and for me to do so I’ll need to discover myself and realize my goals.

At The University of Texas I want to gain the best education; “the education which gives a man a clear conscious view of his own opinions and judgments, a truth in developing them, an eloquence in expressing them, and a force in urging them.”[4] The university is a place where one can learn who they are through all the different aspects of learning they can come across here. Knowing who I am will better prepare me for who I will become in the future. I knew I had to experience something new to see how I would react. To see who I am as a person outside the normality. Coming here to UT would be an experience of a lifetime that not everyone gets to take. Surrounding myself with different people, the classes, and the new life would help me determine who I really am as a person. Discovering who I am will set me closer to my stretch goal in giving back to my community. However, before I can accomplish this goal, I’ll have to reach my manageable goals to become a good leader.

Here at UT I will volunteer, manage my time better, keep up with my GPA, and learn how to become a better person. Volunteering at clinics and health related events will help me get accepted into the nursing school. It will also help me attain a better understanding of the health care system which I will work in the future. Helping people is an act of selfless human nature that I want to do as often as I can. Through volunteering I will be able to practice this human nature that is dire in nursing. Making time to volunteer at least 5 hours a week or even just on weekends will make a difference. Along with volunteering, managing time is another manageable goal. Time management is essential for me to keep everything balanced. A balanced life is a successful life. Sharpening my skills in time management will help me improve in my classes and in my life overall. Starting with a basic schedule on when to study, when to work, when to volunteer, when to visit counselors will set me up to easily plan events like when to talk to students, when to meet with pregnant teens, and when to help someone’s life. The next four years will be managed efficiently. With these two goals, keeping up my GPA will be easier. In order to stay on top of my GPA as they say, I’ll go to study groups, tutoring when I need it, and attend class. The scholarships I have received need me to stay at a certain GPA, and I will not go below the standard. Having a good GPA will give me a stronger chance into being accepted by the nursing school. These simple, not too far out of reach goals will help me achieve my ultimate goal.

The nursing field has always interested me because I can be able to help many people’s lives. After I complete nursing I’d like to become a physician’s assistant. This class will help me become a leader and better qualify me to reach my ultimate goal. The nursing school is really competitive and for me to learn ethics and leadership, which are two main ideals of nursing, will prepare me for what lies ahead. The courses that I have to take will be somewhat intense since I’ll need 13 hours of biology. Biology has always been an interesting subject to me, but if I do tire of it, I’ll have strategies to help me continue on towards my goal. Just having the idea of impacting a whole community is enough motivation to keep me going towards my goal. As I looked at my degree plan, many of the course I feel I shouldn't bother taking contain a good portion of writing. Writing has lost its value in today’s world; knowing how to write will make me a better candidate for the nursing school. The skill of writing is rare nowadays like Professor Bump says. Such a skill is essential in the health field as to diagnosing and treating patients. Writing will be important in my stretch goal because in order to improve society, I’ll have to know how to grasp people’s attentions of my goal through writing. Reading is a part of all the classes I will take for my career path and my goal. Being able to read with understanding is a trait that I need to work on. For the four years I plan to be here, reading skills will be developed to a point that will help me in my stretch goal. These writing, reading, ethical, and leadership traits I learn from the class are a step closer to achieving my goal for the community. The leadership portion of this class is beneficial for me as a person to grow, and to know how to handle people when I am in a leadership position. It is through this class that I am learning wha it takes to be a good leader. Becoming a good leader will take time, and possibly even after I leave UT. As long I am here in this university I will be proactive and pursue my goal for the greater good.

A good leader must be able to “listen with empathy.”[5] For my goal in giving back to society, I must learn how to first truly understand others before I can help them. Without understanding them, I will not get anywhere in completing my goal. To be the leader I want to be, I have to achieve success as a person. Bessie Stanley wrote a poem on success as a person, or leader, should be:
“Success
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.”[6]
To know that I have made at least a huge difference or impact on someone’s life for the better, I will be proud and feel successful. Luckily my career path will allow for me to be able to accomplish something quite similar. After my career, the first leap of realizing my stretch goal would be complete. To make my goal of a program that will help reduce teen pregnancies, this class, as well as the nursing courses, will help me become the leader I must be to fulfill the change I want to see. For me to accomplish and continue the program I would have to have achieved an awareness of what a good leader is, sharp writing and reading skills, and a strong sense of ethics.

Teen pregnancy is an issue that society is affected by whether they realize it or not. My goal of the sex education program will benefit everyone involved. I will be able to help teens’ lives daily by leading them towards the right path to improve society. Here at The University of Texas, the education and experience I gather, I will use to its full extent to change lives for a better tomorrow.

Word Count with Quotes: 1, 827
Word Count without Quotes: 1, 737

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[1] Leticia Van de Putte, “Viewpoint: A new approach for teen pregnancy prevention,” SACommunities, September 24, 2009, http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/Viewpoint_A_new_approach_for_teen_pregnancy_prevention.html
[2] Liz Sabatiuk, Ruthie Flores, “Toward a Common Future Latino Teens and Adults Speak Out About Teen Pregnancy,” NCLR, n.d., http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/pdf/pubs/commonfuture.pdf
[3] Saul Hoffman, Ph.D., “By the Numbers: The Public Cost of Childbearing,” n.d., http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/costs/pdf/report/BTN_National_Report.pdf
[4] Newman, Paul. “The Idea of a University, 1852.” Leadership, Ethics, and Animals: A Signature Seminar. Ed. Bump. Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2009. 170. Print.
[5] The 7 habits of highly effective people restoring the character ethic. New York: Free press, NY. Print.
[6] Transcendentalists, “Success,” http://www.transcendentalists.com/success.htm

Alice in Wonderland

I had seen the Alice in Wonderland movie before and knew it wasn't accurate; so to get the chance to read the actual book was interesting. I found it funny sometimes and that Alice was a bigger character than what I had thought.

Alice is a leader in that she found herself on her own experiences because "the hostile characters offer[ed] no guidance to find her nirvana, ...so she opens the door to power with self confidence that she had all along." She had to venture on her own and rely on herself to unlock the 'door of self confidence.'

No one really gave her straight answers when she wanted help. "But what am I to do? said Alice. "Anything you like, said the Footman." (59 Alice) She had to discover everything on her own. Even if it was just the simplest task as to what direction to go in or what to do next. This new independence made her a leader.

In Through The Looking Glass, Alice is now used to not getting help form others. She had a better understanding of how the Wonderland characters were which made a good leader. Understanding others will help her understand herself. When she became a queen she asked herself "But how can it have got there without my knowing it?" (248 Alice) Alice had become a leader. All the characters and experiences she had encountered were steps for her to discover herself. That she was capable of becoming queen so soon and learning how to understand and get through Wonderland.

The issue of ethics came up during the bird accusing Alice of being a serpent. The pigeon mentions to Alice if she ate eggs "then [she's] a kind of serpent...This was such a new idea to Alice that she was quite silent for a minute or two." (56 Alice) The idea that birds can defend their eggs by talking to Alice opens up the idea if eating eggs is immoral. The pigeon was really defensive just like a mother would be if someone tried to hurt her child. That is why Alice is left silent.

The transition from Houston to Austin was like Alice going down the rabbit hole. The new city is strange to me because I don't know my way around it yet; just like the university. It's been hectic but I now know my way around it better and know that the people here are not as mad as the characters Alice came across in Wonderland.

John Henry Newman and Experiential Learning

After reading Newman's discourses I somehow see a connection with the ideal university learning and what a leader should be. Newman believes that a university should not only just be a place where students can gain knowledge of facts, but a place where they can get a deeper learning of themselves and others.

"It is the education which gives a man a clear conscious view of his own opinions and judgments, a truth in developing them, an eloquence in expressing them, and a force in urging them." (170) To know one's self is to become a leader. The university is a place where one can learn who they are through all the different aspects of learning they can come across here. Knowing who you are will better prepare who you will become in the future. Which is a reason why I wanted to go to a university like UT. I knew I had to experience something new to see how I would react. To see who I am as a person outside the norm. Coming here to UT would be an experience of a lifetime that not everyone gets to take. Surrounding myself with different people, the classes, and the new life would help me determine who I really am as a person. Discovering who I am will set me closer to my goal in giving back to my community. In coming here I wanted to take every single thing I learn and use it to benefit people. A year ago I came across a quote that has been somewhat of a motivation for me to pursue my goal.

Success

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

-Bessie Stanley

To be a good leader one must be able to understand others; which Newman also mentions. "It shows him how to accommodate himself to others, how to throw himself into their state of mind, how to bring before them his own, how to influence them, how to come to an understanding with them, how to bear with them." (170) Leaders must know how to listen with empathy.

(Covey, pg 240) A university should be able to teach the students in doing so. Universities should produce well rounded students. In not doing so, the student will not be prepared for certain situations. Newman writes that the ideal university should produce successful leaders for the world. For my goal in giving back to society, I must learn how to first truly understand others before I can help them. Without understanding them, I will not get anywhere in completing my goal.

Experiential Learning

In high school, or in any time since I started school, I have never really experienced experiential learning before. This method of "active involvement results in processing of information deeper than mere memorization." (184) Experiential learning allows for students to keep in their mind what they learned to use that information in the future to be successful. "It makes use of your own personal associations as a basis for remembering and understanding."(184) It's a method where one will always know the information learned in order to be able to better society. It is like discovery learning; where one can learn and also discover who they are as a person, where they stand on a certain viewpoint, how they will change for the benefit of society.

Woodruff Lecture

How to spot a tyrant:

According to Woodruff's lecture, (which was really different and entertaining than most lectures) a tyrant shows fear, hubris, and lawlessness. The three plays showed scenarios of how different tyrants can be, but yet show the same characteristics. All three references to tyranny show what a good leader shouldn't demonstrate. To be a good leader one has to have empathetic listening.

In Antigone, Creon showed how he is a tyrant through his excessive pride. He was more concerned on his opinion of running the city, which relates to Covey's point on independent thinking, "I'm going to focus on 'me and mine'." He goes on to mention that people live in an "interdependent reality." Creon was too concerned on his rule that ignored what the people of the city wanted. Because of his pride, he didn't "accept criticism" coming from his own son. (Woodruff) Creon did "not listen with the intent to understand; [he listened] with the intent to reply." (Covey, pg 239) Because Creon thought nothing was above his word, he was only listening to what his son his saying just to defend his decision about Antigone. A good leader must know how to listen with empathy. Empathic listening is "listening with intent to understand." (Covey, pg 240) It relates back to "seeing one side at a time, we blunder. Truth has no perspective." (William Stafford, Woodruff lecture) Good leaders must know how to listen effectively to make a decision best for everyone, not just himself like Creon. He lacked understanding and compassion as a leader and made a terrible choice.

In the play Doll's House, Torvald also doesn't listen to his wife with emapthic listening. He was more concerned of what others thought of him. He has already made up his mind calling her an "ignorant child." (Doll's House, Henrick Isben) Torvald was "projecting [his] own thoughts...and interpretation [instead] of dealing with the reality inside [her] heart." (Covey, pg 241) Good leaders do not assume what other people's motives are based on their own perceptions. To be a good leader, being a good listnener is key.

Both men lost something in not being good listeners, much less leaders. They were tyrants. One lost the support of a city and his son, the other lost his wife.

Road Maps

The road maps were really interesting to watch. I didn't think I would get alot out of them. It was pretty cool how much I learned from everyone in that short amount of time. I decided to blog on Zelma, Sana, and Katie.

Zelma:

Her Marily Monroe quote reminded me of my sister, since she lives by it. She is also very close with friends which I can relate to. The bond she created with her friends in high school even though she was new was surprising. I'm not sure if I could have done that. I knew what she meant when she mentions coming to visit UT and knew this was the place to go to college. That's how I chose to come to UT, through a campus visit. The pictures she had of Mexico were amazing. She's really lucky to have visited such beautiful places, and I hope one day I can go visit those places too.

Katie:

I think the fact that Katie has 3 older brothers and seem to be really close is nice. My sister and I used to joke around saying we needed an older brother. Her brothers seem to be the type of older bro everyone wants. Her trip with the band seemed a lot of fun. I know that the band people at my school were really close and I imagine it's the same for her. The fact that we both come from the same school district is awesome. I knew what she meant during her speech about the whole diversity thing during orientation. I was also confused thinking everyone knew about the variety of different people coming to UT, but then I realized some students here went to schools that didn't have diversity.

Sana:

Sana mentioned being really close with her grandma and I admire that. I've never been close with my grandma and I'm still not. She had said in her speech that she was really close with her dad, and its cool that someone else finally knows what I mean in trying to explain how my dad and I. I love how she's been to many places outside the US. It makes a person that much more interesting I believe.

Nam Le

Sorry the picture is not very good. What I remember most was the quote he mentioned from his book "Nothing can make you ridiculous if you are strong." Thinking on it now, it seems like good advice. Being strong in all situations will make a better leader wouldn't it? They will be able to confront any issue head on. On the other hand, can being strong create a sense of pride making it hard to have the compassion a good leader needs? Perhaps the person will be more concerned with being strong and start to ignore the compassionate side of being a leader.

My results

I actually expected some of the results I got from the test. Early on in my senior year of high school my student council advisor had made us take a similar test based on colors. Orange was the extroverted person and green and blue were more introverted types of people. However, it was really vague. This test was a lot more accurate and more detailed. Turned out I was Introverted (33%), Sensing (38%), Thinking (38%), and Judging (44%).

Yea, it’s pretty obvious that I am shy right off the bat, but not so much with friends. At first I am really shy and feel awkward around new people, but in time I do become friendlier. My friend tells me, “Tengo cara de pocos amigos.” Meaning I have an unfriendly face, therefore few friends. That isn’t really the case though. I’m not saying that I am popular with a billion friends, but I do have friends that have stuck it out to see that I really am a good friend. So the friends I have made all have told me they thought I was “anti-social”. My sister always tells me that I should think before I speak in front of people I just met because of how I am; which was what my teaching method was saying to “choose [my] words wisely… not to offend others.” It was creepily accurate on the whole “do not react well to change and resist it.” I tend to stick with the old way and takes awhile for me to get used to the new way. It really gets irritating sometimes when something changes at the last minute after I had already assumed it was set in stone. Last minute changes are rare in my case; rather go with the first plan. The way Professor Bump has started off the class with introducing each other and getting to know each other to break through “the initial coldness” was my type of teaching method (145).

My approach to writing was interesting for me to find out. I had never really put too much thought on my method of writing a paper, but I did know that writing about personal topics or vague ones were really hard for me to grasp or make a concept out of. I “anticipate ideas before writing,” and “follow a set schedule to completion” (147). This is true, I take my time and make an outline before I write. Once in awhile I’ll start writing because I’ll have all these thoughts, but then I will hit a block because I won’t “see where the paper is going” (149). I never really liked writing unless it was writing “logically, objectively, and analytically” (152). Writing for me is easy if I have specific guidelines and more details than free-style topics or personal ones. I also agreed that revising for me is “merely ‘correcting’ or proofreading” (150). I don’t think I actually ever written several drafts from the same paper, except in 3rd grade; even then it didn’t include drastic changes. So when Professor Bump mentioned that revising and rewriting papers was fun, I didn’t see how. I would actually like trying it though because all of the papers I’ve done I was never really satisfied with them. Perhaps this different method of revising, or more accurate method, will help me be more comfortable with writing and then I’ll actually appreciate my papers.

The Instructor/Class Typology was right on the learning, teaching, and writing style. Helped me understand how I write and what I can work on changing for a better writing style. It was a pretty good assignment. Actually recommended my friends to take it, they were also impressed. As for my personality, most of it was accurate as well. It had said I was “humble and focused on credentials and traditions.” That sums me up so far I think. As for the “stabilizing leader” part I am not sure; time will tell I guess.

Famous people with the ISTJ personality were J.D. Rockefeller, Queen Elizabeth II, and Harry S. Truman