Semester One: The Most Valuable Lesson

My favorite part of semester one was the reading and discussion of the "n-word" book. Not only did it teach me the all-important context of the word in history, but it also taught me just how much the "n-word" still impacts people today. In the episode of Boston Public that we watched in class, there was evident confusion and conflict over the usage of the word, and I see this same confusion and conflict in our society. Students become able to discern the meanings of the word based on its context after reading this book, and that is a vital skill. If one is ignorant about the meaning of the word, the feelings of others are hurt. One can become tangled and in quite a mess because of this misuse. On the other end of the spectrum, if one is informed and knowledgeable about various uses of the "n-word," then one will be able to have intelligent conversations and to use the word correctly. By reading this book, I became a better and more informed citizen. I know that a majority of students who read this book in the future will become a "stronger citizen" as well.

United Nations: Helpful or Harmful?

Based on the information in the assigned reading and the documentary "Broken Promises," I think that the United Nations could still be viable as a world policing agency if reformed; however, the current state that it's in is only going to cause more harm than relief. I am not arguing that the founders had anything but good intentions; nevertheless, a few debilitating flaws popped up (as can be expected in any endeavor). First of all, as noted in the packet, one hundred two countries with a combined population less than that of the United States, make up a 55 percent majority in the general assembly. In addition, 90 percent have a combined gross domestic product that is less than that of the U.S. This represents to me an unfair majority, a general assembly composed of "balance" that is not always the best, or the safest, representation for the world. After all, a majority of the UN's Human Rights Commission is made up of some of the worst HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS (documentary). Sudan's presence, Cuba's presence, China's presence, etc. on this commission is the worst form of hypocrisy: the kind that leads to death for innocent people. Because of this disorganization, innocent people were left to die in Rwanda in 1994, and innocent people are still being left to die in Darfur. When it all comes down to it, the United Nations will fail, and should most certainly be abandoned, if it does not become more balanced, more organized, and more flexible to intervene when deemed necessary and apparent.