Avoiding prejudice to live in beautiful world
Mankind can not be separated from differences. Differences are something given by God. Mankind is different in many aspects of the life, physically, environmentally or culturally. Those are absolutely His decision. No body can change or argue His decision. May be it would be funny if mankind could argue His decision before He sent us to the world. If it could be done, perhaps I would ask to the God to be born as what I want; to be a white people, to be a rich child or to be a very good child. But, it is impossible since it is The God’s power. Mankind can not argue it although a little. Consequently, willing or not, mankind can not go out of the differences.
Understanding it, in my experience, I need to consider it wisely as something natural in my life. But, then, to be accordance in development time, some people can not hold the concept any longer. They think differences can not be accepted. They try to make barriers between them and other different people. They separate people racially, environmentally, or nationally. Then they start to give bad names to the others different people. And prejudice come and occupy their mind.
Mind is people control. It has greatest function to control our attitudes or behaviors. As a result, prejudice becomes a phenomenon in one society. It suggests that prejudice it a root of bias and conflict in society. In my experience, if we want to grapple with the phenomenon of prejudice, we need a better understanding of its causes.
What are the causes of prejudice? I am going to begin revealing the causes by noticing that humans are creatures of habit. But it is not a restricted habit to things like cheating- a bad habit, or reading is a good habit. Rather, habits in my experience include all our ways of thinking, of feeling, of talking, they are all thinking elements. or it can be regarded that habits is how people act by using his thinking.
Humans come to the world without habits, then their thinking develops and they have the impulses and powers-yet to be realized, to contemplate, to speak and all the rest. As they grow, they develop their “character” and an array of competences, beliefs and orientations, the particular dispositions or tendencies which define not only their “personality” but also their particular ways of thinking, and so on. Put in other terms, all humans have the innate capacities to think, speak and all the rest of the things that humans everywhere do. But the way that they do these things are different. Their concrete expression in the world brings them in social learning process; about life, human and the nature around them. If their thinking is occupied with the wrong ideas, it will affect them to have wrong perspectives to see the world. Thus, people will have different habits.
We play critical roles in the development of our habits and can always do something about them, most of our habits are pretty mush formed by the time we are young adults. Some ways of thinking, felling, etc, are so widely shared by humans, past and present, which we tend to think of them as “universals” prejudice is one of these.
People will have the instinctive aversion of mankind to what is new and unusual, to whatever is different from that we are used to, and which thus shocks our customary habits. This might range from the aversion one might experience to a strange cultural practice to an aversion to what is perceived as “ugly” to an aversion to persons of different skin color.
More facts about prejudice are when the community is so crowded and occupied by unemployment, there will be prejudice among the people from different background in the community. For example, when the native residents are so difficult to get jobs in their own area, whereas the non-natives are so easy to get the jobs, it can be a cause of prejudice, may be the natives will say “how can they the jobs, while we are here still jobless”. As a result, battle between ethnics begins and damages everything. It is a dangerous condition.
May be as humans, we are so difficult to realize that prejudice is on our mind, but rethinking will help us to consider it. However, people need to stop it. In my experience, I can get to know a person on an individual basis before I decide if I do not like them. I am not going to like everyone, but I do need to respect them as an individual and spend time with them before I make a judgment. I need to realize that my way is not the only way. I really need to be respectful of differences.
Considering that prejudice is a very dangerous attitude, I need to stop them from the basic, from my generation. For example, as a teacher, I will teach them that differences are natural, we do not live in uniform and the differences make our worlds more colorful. I will remain them the old saying “don’t judge the book by its cover”. Later, I ask the children to stop and think what it might feel like to be someone who stands our as being different; “ what would it feel like to be the only blacks in a classroom full of white children” or “what does it feel like to be a child of different race”. But the most important ways I can help my student or children in our neighborhood is by being good role models. This, more than anything else we do, will affect the way my student approach diversity. So, avoid using stereotypes.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
A Reflection of Sarah, Plain and Tall
Title : Sarah, Plain and Tall
Author : Patricia MacLachlan
Publisher : Harper Trophy
City : New York
Year : 1987
Pages : 56
A Reflection to Sarah, Plain and Tall
Summary:
Jacob witting is a widower farmer with two children, Caleb and Anna. Since his wife passed away after giving birth Caleb several years earlier, he must handle his farm and the two children alone. Moreover, Caleb and Anna feel loneliness without mother who always take care them. So Mr. Jacob decides to write a letter to the newspaper to get a wife. Sarah, from Maine answers the letter and takes a trip to become his wife. But Sarah feels homesick. She always remembers the Maine sea shore which prairie grass can not substitute it. When she rides the wagon to the town alone, the kids wonder if she would come back. And she did. The kids love her so much. In the end, Sarah and Jacob get married. And they lead good life together.
Comment:
It is a very interesting book, especially for those who love family atmosphere. The story in this novel is simple, but it can express many things in family life. After reading this novel I can feel more about family life; the respect, love, strengthening each other, help, and understanding each other are really family values which are revealed in this novel. All the characters which are played in this novel are very interesting. There is Jacob witting, a tough man who should take responsibility to take care his children and field alone without his wife. There is Anna, a very good sister who should act as sister and daughter. She must help her father after her mother died. There is Caleb, young boy who always care to his family. He can bring fun atmosphere to the family. There is also Sarah, a woman who is ready to leave his memory in Maine and live with witting’s family as a wife and mother. The all characters can make the story reflects truly family atmosphere. The family atmosphere makes this novel suitable for all ages. Even as a teacher, we can teach our students by using this novel. We can teach about the characters, cultural understanding, tools and dress which already existed that time, and also family values. And if the novel has already been studied by the students we can make a drama based on the story. It will be fun.
Experience:
The story reminds me about my friend’s story. He has the only one young sister. He and his sister lived with his father. His mother had passed away. Shortly, his father wanted to get married again. He felt so lonely without a wife next to him. Then his father married a woman he liked and brought to his house. But my friend and his sister could not accept her to be his step mother, so he did evil things in order to make his step mother feel sad. But, then, he realized that his step mother was very good and care about him and his sister, so they changed their attitudes to his step. They became more respect to their step mother until present time. And they have a good family life. I can compare cultural sides from the both stories; the novel story and my friend’s story.. There is cultural difference between the stories. From the novel we can see there is no refusal to step mother, but my friend’s story shows that step mother is always regarded as bad person and refusal is a must to the step mother.
Author : Patricia MacLachlan
Publisher : Harper Trophy
City : New York
Year : 1987
Pages : 56
A Reflection to Sarah, Plain and Tall
Summary:
Jacob witting is a widower farmer with two children, Caleb and Anna. Since his wife passed away after giving birth Caleb several years earlier, he must handle his farm and the two children alone. Moreover, Caleb and Anna feel loneliness without mother who always take care them. So Mr. Jacob decides to write a letter to the newspaper to get a wife. Sarah, from Maine answers the letter and takes a trip to become his wife. But Sarah feels homesick. She always remembers the Maine sea shore which prairie grass can not substitute it. When she rides the wagon to the town alone, the kids wonder if she would come back. And she did. The kids love her so much. In the end, Sarah and Jacob get married. And they lead good life together.
Comment:
It is a very interesting book, especially for those who love family atmosphere. The story in this novel is simple, but it can express many things in family life. After reading this novel I can feel more about family life; the respect, love, strengthening each other, help, and understanding each other are really family values which are revealed in this novel. All the characters which are played in this novel are very interesting. There is Jacob witting, a tough man who should take responsibility to take care his children and field alone without his wife. There is Anna, a very good sister who should act as sister and daughter. She must help her father after her mother died. There is Caleb, young boy who always care to his family. He can bring fun atmosphere to the family. There is also Sarah, a woman who is ready to leave his memory in Maine and live with witting’s family as a wife and mother. The all characters can make the story reflects truly family atmosphere. The family atmosphere makes this novel suitable for all ages. Even as a teacher, we can teach our students by using this novel. We can teach about the characters, cultural understanding, tools and dress which already existed that time, and also family values. And if the novel has already been studied by the students we can make a drama based on the story. It will be fun.
Experience:
The story reminds me about my friend’s story. He has the only one young sister. He and his sister lived with his father. His mother had passed away. Shortly, his father wanted to get married again. He felt so lonely without a wife next to him. Then his father married a woman he liked and brought to his house. But my friend and his sister could not accept her to be his step mother, so he did evil things in order to make his step mother feel sad. But, then, he realized that his step mother was very good and care about him and his sister, so they changed their attitudes to his step. They became more respect to their step mother until present time. And they have a good family life. I can compare cultural sides from the both stories; the novel story and my friend’s story.. There is cultural difference between the stories. From the novel we can see there is no refusal to step mother, but my friend’s story shows that step mother is always regarded as bad person and refusal is a must to the step mother.
Friday, June 19, 2009
DATING In ISLAM
DATING
Dating between men and women is the topic featured in yahoo. This topic was updated in May 7, 2009. In western society, dating can be considered as the common thing happened in women and men relationship. In dating, people may go to somewhere and do what they like to do; having candle light dinner, giving gift to their couple etc. They do it as the symbol of love they said. Even it is often the relationship be more intimate than just having candle light dinner or giving gift to their couple.
The culture of western society may give chance people to do what they want as long as it does not disturb other people business. Dating until the intimate affair is the common thing for the society. Yet, it does not exist only in western society, but Indonesia society also familiar with the “dating” now, although the popular name is “pacaran”. However, as a moslem, I need to explain that in Islam, the relationship among men and women is ruled by the Islamic law, which is exist in the qur'an and sunnah.
"Dating" as it is currently practiced in much of the world shall not exist among Muslims, where a man and a woman (or boy/girl) are in a one-on-one intimate relationship, spending time together alone, getting to know each other in a very deep way. A man and a woman are not allowed to be alone together, and any physical contact before marriage is forbidden. Hence, Dating is not permitted in Islam. Allah has prohibited girl/boyfriend intimate relationships before marriage. If a Muslim man has the desire and willingness to assume marital responsibilities, and he does not have anyone in mind, he might ask his friends, family, and relatives if there is a lady that might be suitable for him among their acquaintances and relatives, and then the couple can meet with their family members. as a result, many marriages in the Muslim world were traditionally arranged marriages, though this is not a religious requirement. However, both couples can not be forced to accept an arranged marriage and if a man likes someone (with the intention of marriage) that he knows from work, neighborhood or acquaintances, etc, he shall propose to her. Islam also encourages Muslims to marry persons for whom they have special feelings and are comfortable with. Thus, Islam recommends that potential marriage partners see one another before proposing marriage. Explaining the reason for such a recommendation, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: That would enhance/foster the bonding. However the prospective couple shall not meet in private, this might lead to extremely unwanted situations, as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said : Whenever a man is alone with a woman, Satan is the third among them? (Reported by At-Tirmidhi). At all times, Muslims should follow the commands of the Qur'an "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is pure for them. “Dating” or “pacaran” is not allowed in Islam, because Islam wants its followers to keep their honor before marriage. People is not the same with animal which having sex as they see male or female animals. The reality shows us that the dating activity leads men and women to the forbidden activity, like fornication. "In conclusion, Islam lays its social structure on the basis of a permanent relationship between a man and a woman in the form of a family. Consequently, to preserve this marital relationship, it forbids all forms of temporary relationships between a man and a woman. Pre-marital relationships in Islam are not considered respectful for neither the man nor the woman, nor is it constructive for the concept or the building the family or the Islamic society.
Dating between men and women is the topic featured in yahoo. This topic was updated in May 7, 2009. In western society, dating can be considered as the common thing happened in women and men relationship. In dating, people may go to somewhere and do what they like to do; having candle light dinner, giving gift to their couple etc. They do it as the symbol of love they said. Even it is often the relationship be more intimate than just having candle light dinner or giving gift to their couple.
The culture of western society may give chance people to do what they want as long as it does not disturb other people business. Dating until the intimate affair is the common thing for the society. Yet, it does not exist only in western society, but Indonesia society also familiar with the “dating” now, although the popular name is “pacaran”. However, as a moslem, I need to explain that in Islam, the relationship among men and women is ruled by the Islamic law, which is exist in the qur'an and sunnah.
"Dating" as it is currently practiced in much of the world shall not exist among Muslims, where a man and a woman (or boy/girl) are in a one-on-one intimate relationship, spending time together alone, getting to know each other in a very deep way. A man and a woman are not allowed to be alone together, and any physical contact before marriage is forbidden. Hence, Dating is not permitted in Islam. Allah has prohibited girl/boyfriend intimate relationships before marriage. If a Muslim man has the desire and willingness to assume marital responsibilities, and he does not have anyone in mind, he might ask his friends, family, and relatives if there is a lady that might be suitable for him among their acquaintances and relatives, and then the couple can meet with their family members. as a result, many marriages in the Muslim world were traditionally arranged marriages, though this is not a religious requirement. However, both couples can not be forced to accept an arranged marriage and if a man likes someone (with the intention of marriage) that he knows from work, neighborhood or acquaintances, etc, he shall propose to her. Islam also encourages Muslims to marry persons for whom they have special feelings and are comfortable with. Thus, Islam recommends that potential marriage partners see one another before proposing marriage. Explaining the reason for such a recommendation, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: That would enhance/foster the bonding. However the prospective couple shall not meet in private, this might lead to extremely unwanted situations, as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said : Whenever a man is alone with a woman, Satan is the third among them? (Reported by At-Tirmidhi). At all times, Muslims should follow the commands of the Qur'an "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is pure for them. “Dating” or “pacaran” is not allowed in Islam, because Islam wants its followers to keep their honor before marriage. People is not the same with animal which having sex as they see male or female animals. The reality shows us that the dating activity leads men and women to the forbidden activity, like fornication. "In conclusion, Islam lays its social structure on the basis of a permanent relationship between a man and a woman in the form of a family. Consequently, to preserve this marital relationship, it forbids all forms of temporary relationships between a man and a woman. Pre-marital relationships in Islam are not considered respectful for neither the man nor the woman, nor is it constructive for the concept or the building the family or the Islamic society.
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