Ethnocentric view causes conflict between cultures

The British ethnocentric views towards the aboriginals caused conflict between the two groups. The British colonizers looked down on the aboriginals because the culture differed greatly, and the aboriginals were uncivilized. For these reasons, the British judged the First Australians as barbarous savages and animals, insulting their culture. As a result, the aboriginals were outraged by the disrespectful actions of the colonizers and decided to fight back, causing violence, death and war between the two cultures.
When the British first arrived in Bennelong's territory, the British claimed that overtaking the land is legal since they considered the aboriginals as animals, and animals couldn't own land. As a solution for wiping-out these "animals", small-pox was released, only affecting the aboriginals since the British were immune to the virus. So far, it is clearly shown how the colonsist will do anything possible for their successful colonization, identifying the aboriginals like animals simply because the aboriginals were different from their culture. Moreover, The British brought new food sources from their homeland, digging out the native's food and replacing it with their crops; just because they wanted food that they liked.
Leaded by a warrior named Pamulwuy, the aboriginal responded to the British, giving a payback by breaking the legs of animals and burning down the crops of the colonists. Although the natives thought that cutting down the food source was a payback, the British became furious and declared war. During this war, the colonist shown no mercy at all, even to woman or kids. In fact, the main goal was to kill all woman or kids possible to put the aboriginal race into extinction.
Meanwhile, the aboriginal leader Bennelong went to England with Governor Phillip. The British thought that the aborignials could change and live a more "civilized life". However, the plans were useless when Bennelong decided to return to Australia due to depression and loneliness. The English newspaper described Bennelong as a "drunk", "barbarian", and no matter what they do it is impossible to change his savageness. Yet again, the British only from their point of view and never thought of the Aboriginals/Bennelong' point of view. This ethnocentricity of the British colonist triggered negative relationships between the two groups and gradually ended in fight war and conflicts.

Solo/Duet Julius Caesar Acting Performance

Julius Caesar: Act 2 Scene 2, Lines 58~107
Duet Acting: CheHoon Jeong (me), Seung Jin Ma (partner)

Context: At Caesar's house, the next daty when Cassius convinced Brutus to join their side to assassinate Caesar, Caesar decides not to go out to the Capitol because his wife, Calpurnia fears something bad might happen to Caesar, but Decius (conspirator) arrives to Caesar's house to fetch him to the Senate, and persuades Caesar to go out.

Significance of Passage: Their are many reasons that our group chose this passage for the duet acting performance. First of all, we chose this part as it played a crucial part in Caesar's death; if Decius (conspirator) hadn't have convinced Caesar to go out to the capitol, then Caesar would not have been killed. Second, there are very interesting literary techniques written inside this passage such as imagery and foreshadowing. For imagery, in the part where Caesar explains Calpurnia's dream, he says that his wife dreamt of his (Ceasar's) statue like a fountain sprayed hundred spouts of blood, and many Romans had come and bathed in it. This foreshadows Caesar's resolution, "Which like a fountain with an hundered spouts did run pure blood" foreshadows Caesar's death by being stabbed by the conspirators. As a result, we thought that this passage is very interesting and important in the story of "Julius Caesar" so we decided to choose this conversation between Decius (Me, Che Hoon Jeong) and Caesar (Seung Jin ma) as our duet acting performance.

DECIUS BRUTUS Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Caesar.
I come to fetch you to the Senate House.

CAESAR And you are come in very happy time,
To bear my greeting to the senators
And tell them that I will not come today:
Cannot is false; and that I dare not, falser:
I will not come today. tell them so, Decius.

CAESAR Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far,
To be afraid to tell graybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

DECIUS BRUTUS Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.

CAESAR The cause is in my will: I will not come;
That is enough to satisfy the Senate.
But for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know:
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home:
She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,
Which like a fountain with an hundred spouts,
Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it:
And these does she apply for warnings and portents,
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home today.

DECIUS BRUTUS This dream is all amiss interpreted;
It was a vision fair and fortunate:
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bathed,
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance.
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.

CAESAR And this way have you well expounded it.

DECIUS BRUTUS I have, when you have heard what I can say:
And know it now. The Senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
If you shall send them word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say,
'Break up the senate till another time,
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?
Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love
To our proceeding bids me tell you this;
And reason to my love is liable.

CAESAR How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.

Learning Profile

A year ago in health class, we tested our learning profile. At that time, I thought that the learning profile won't influence my academic grades or my performance in learning. However, by testing the learning profile once more, I realized how much it could influence my life. Doing test/experiments, understanding my learning styles or techniques was crucial for how much and effective my learning can become: not only showing what type of learning profile I have, it gave me helpful tips that I could improve as a person and learner(student).

I am a logical thinker with an "B" learning profile. According to what "The Dominance Factor" (book, handout that contains information about learning profiles) had stated, I learn best by focusing on the visual details, and processes by analysizing, verbalization and writing. I prefer structured learning, and orderly sequencing of information. Most importantly, needs to see, speak and/or write in order to learn. Also I think before moving, and can have difficulty with new learning when my dominant ear (left) is limited during stress.

After reading what "The Dominance Factor" had written, I experienced many moments where the learning profile influenced my life. First of all, academically, I realized that I could learn more effectively when my left ear is facing the teacher, but at the same time where I could see the whiteboard and visually observe what the teacher is doing. For example, in media literacy class, I usually sat in a seat where my right ear was facing the teacher, and where it is hard to see the whiteboard. My academic performance were poor until I changed seats where my left ear faced the teacher. Due to this simple movement, I was able to keep focus and boost up my grades. Just like media literacy, I became more comfortable in humanities when I changed seats/position from my assigned table. Second, in a daily basis, I am more successful when things are planned specifically or in a step-by-step format: when building something for a project (step-by-step insturctions), listing things to buy in the market, planning for the day etc.

As a result, my strategy is to sit where my left ear faces the teacher, and at the same time where I could see what the teacher is doing (writing, facial expression, body language etc.). Aditionally, I would like the teachers to know that I learn best by doing active group activities that requires some physical movements, such as experiments or simple exercises like constructing objects, or making a poster. But my lack of participation can be an obstacle, therefore it will be extremely helpful if the teacher can encourage me in class discussions, activities. It will be even more helpful if the teachers can assign my seat where they could see me easily (so that they could encourage me easier), but at the same time where I could face my left ear towards the teacher.
Personally, I also want the teachers to know that, I have immigrated to different countries and different types of schools inculding Australian School (International School of Ho Chi Minh City) in Vietnam, Korean school, American school etc. I have experienced many different cultures previously, so it is okay to teach me in their style/way.
Finally, although some teachers suspects students if they sit with their friends, I learn better by sitting next to someone I'm fond of. Because, I cannot easily participate on group activities if I sit with someone completely new (my personality). It will be lot easier for me and the teacher, because the peers will help me participate more rather than the teachers having to frequently getting me to be involved.

Art Blog

"The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp"  is a oil on canvas art painted by Rembrandt in 1632. This painting shows about what was going on in the Renaissance: studying the human body, and the change in art. First of all, the dissected body shows that this painting is about studying the human body. Specifically, the facial expressions of the people looks interested as if there is a new discovery, and the man wearing the hat is teaching about the anatomy of the arm. Second, on the bottom right corner, there is a open book which is a symbol of knowledge and studying. As a result, the painting tell us that the Renaissance people were interested in studying the world around them. Moreover, the presence of the book shows the increased production of books which it contained scientific information. Most importantly, the painting shows the loss of Church's power. Dissecting is against God's word, but since the people is studying and dissecting freely, it proves that the church had lost power and people were interested in science. In addition, usually the monk produced books, but because the book represents knowledge and information of science, it shows that the monk of the church is no longer in charge of producing books. In other words, the church lost power. The painting also show that change in art was happening in the Renaissance.The skills used to create this painting differs from the middle ages, the art changed by adding more details and painting more realistically. For example, this painting shows shading, facial expressions, and anatomical accuracy. Different facial expressions are shown in the people; interested expression, a "questioning" expression and neutral expression. Also, the dead body has the correct proportions which proves anatomical accuracy. As you can see, "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" shows that studying the human body and the change in art was happening in the Renaissance.

Driving Forces of the Renaissance

('Siege of Florence in 1530' painted by Vasari)

The most crucial driving force of the renaissance was the rivalry between city states, because rivalry made city states stronger and richer which they could find new ideas and knowledge by exploring.

This I believe

I believe one day everyone will accept any kind of differences

People who believed the world was round got killed in the old days. People thought the ones who believed that flying is possible crazy. Nowadays, people treat others differently when they are “different”
I wish all of the people in the world to now realize that there are some things that seem impossible can be possible. And do not think it weird for people to have differences.
In this rapidly developing world, more and more people accept differences; differences in culture, country, looks and beliefs. So this I believe, that one day soon the whole world will accept differences.

Even this site, “This I believe” is using the Internet to give people the chance to talk about their different thoughts and ideas. The Internet is a program where many people can publish their thoughts into it. This program gives us chance to connect to different people with different beliefs. The phone also gives us chance to speak to each other and share ideas. But, even with these supreme chances, why are racism, sexual unevenness, KKK and bullying?


I am or once a Christian, but it came shocking for me is when the priest told me to only believe in god or you will go to hell. I saw many Christians when I was young, looking down on other religions and fighting with them. And when I watched a documentaries, there were holy crusades and fights for land. If there is a god, will god like about what is happening? People killing lives he made, didn’t he say to love each other?
One day, I heard someone saying “there are some crazy people that believe in some weird religion, those guys are psychos" he was saying that the religion isn’t real. But, nobody even knows if god really exists too. Why only Christians or a big religious group be accepted? It is not fair for others when people criticize you about their belief. Won’t it hurt when somebody teases you what you believe in about your future? I wish and believe that one day everyone will come together in piece where all beliefs and religions can be accepted.

The Earth is really incredible. There is infinite number of living organisms that are all different. It is amazing every time I think about it, the fact that I am the only existing being that is “me” That is why I always love myself and think I am a really special person; differences make everything special. That is why I love to play sports or play music, where many different style and unique people get to be more outstanding, where difference can be accepted. When the time comes where everyone accepts differences, the world will be much more special. Because I believe that it is each individual with a different something that makes the world special.

I chose the picture above because it shows difference between people, regarding boy or girl, black or white. Where everybody is 1 face and difference are accepted.

Questions

The Boy In Striped Pyjamas was set in the past. Why should you care about the issues raised in the book? Should we continue to study this book in Grade 7?
6million Jews, sent to concentration camps and killed. What would it be like when I am one of those people in the past? History is really important in this world, nobody knows whether this historical fact might be really important in the future. We should care about the issues raised in the book because of several important reasons.
First, it is important to study this fact so that it cannot happen again. Interestingly, I was really shocked that there is some mass kills going on these days. We should care about the issues like this even though it is smaller than the Nazi death camps because it can get bigger and bigger. Also, in my opinion, I think it is really important to learn this issue as early as possible. Since, as people get more older they would not care to learn about these issues and would not find it more shocking as younger kids since they are more mature.
Second, what do we do when we are in that situation? Will we know what to do or what is going on in this situation when we did not learn about it? Eduacation is the way to block these issues from happening. Just like preventing hunger of your children by sending them to school, we must learn to prevent these things to happen once more. 7th grade, I think it is the perfect timing to keep on learning about these issues, because we are mature enough to understand these issues and is in a learning stage when we can absorb lots of information.
There are many people who think that it is not appropriate and too shocking for young kids like us, and think we will gradually learn about it in the future. However, even though I had and still have interest in history, if nobody gave specific education about this issue I would not have learned this. Even in the history book series, where there are lots of specific details about WW2, there were no sign of death camps.
I think it is really important to care about this issue, and to learn it quick as we can in a young age.