Growing Up Columbian
The best part about life is that we are always given second chances in most things we do, and I am a perfectly good example to prove this statement. I was born and grew up in a small town in Colombia, about three hours away from Cartagena, one of the country’s biggest cities. Life was difficult, especially for a young boy, barely beginning his journey on earth, with very little intelligence of survival in a country that does not offer many resources or paths toward freedom. As most people know, Colombia is known around the world for its coffee and unfortunately, for its guerilla forces that control most of the country’s drug trafficking. The drug trade is one of the country’s only money-making resources. These harsh conditions created an environment making it even harder for me to be able to try to achieve my goal of becoming a successful and educated human being. There were so many factors I would have to overcome in order to attain and achieve my goals and be happy about my way of life.
My town was very poor, and in most poor towns there is a small probability for a child to move out of his surroundings and get out of the system that has been created to keep the people blind to of the corrupt system in Colombia. As a young child, I grew up in an environment where I felt I always had to watch my back because of the guerilla forces controlling my town, because any wrong movement or action could result in a severe penalty. At that age a child does not know what to expect from a man in military clothing with a rifle carried over his shoulder, looking as if he wants to put fear into the child’s mind. It is not fair for children, the future of the world, to have to grow up in a non-productive envir...
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...ambition, and this was all given to me by this country that took me out of my mental prison, and released my chains so that I could strive to become a successful and educated human being. However, I cannot forget my deep love for my motherland Colombia, because I still have great memories from there. It gave me my birth, my culture, my first desire to become more; plus, my first home also gave me an initial sense of love and commitment. I love Colombia, and I will go back if and when it changes, but for now I proudly will remain here in America, my second home, a home with a better roof and better opportunities. Because of America, I will do what I always wanted to do: I will graduate college and become a successful individual who can contribute to American society and eventually help people in my homeland understand how freedom enriches life. Thank you, America.
A hispanic background is important to me because it is an aspect of my life that defines who I am and allows me to have a closer connection with my family. I identify myself as a hispanic american since these are two heritages that I grew up with. Being hispanic has provided me with many experiences, both good and bad, which have contributed to my personality and values. For example, being hispanic has allowed me to see the benefits and value that having an education can provide and also allows me to experience the support that a family can provide. As a result, I am a motivated student and a committed family member and community contributor. Furthermore, I have had many opportunities that allowed me to grow personally and one of things that
I was raised in an encouraging household where both of my parents greatly valued education. Although they were high school graduates, neither could afford to attend college; a combination of family and financial woes ultimately halted their path. As a result, my parents frequently reminded me that getting a good education meant better opportunities for my future. To my parents, that seemed to be the overarching goal: a better life for me than the one they had. My parents wanted me to excel and supported me financially and emotionally of which the former was something their parents were not able to provide. Their desire to facilitate a change in my destiny is one of many essential events that contributed to my world view.
Many people immigrate to the United States from different countries to begin a better life. Once in the American territory, the first step for success is to learn the English language. Richard Rodriguez, the writer of "Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood" describes the language decisions he faced as a child: "Outside the house was public society; inside the house was private" (16). The English language is the primary language in the United States, and it must be learned to be able to communicate with the public world. The language that we speak at home is considered to be private because it is only used in the presence of the people we feel comfortable with, our family. Families immigrate to the United States from Mexico to find and give their children a better opportunity to succeed. The children of immigrants who have been raised or born in the United States were able to adapt much faster to the English language. The Spanish language, in the case of Mexicans, is part of our origin that most of us inherit from our ancestors although in the United States many, including me, seem to add a new language, which gives us better opportunities.
...s. Controversy started around Ice T’s song “Cop Killer” from his album Body Count. His song was sending a message, speaking from a perspective of criminals getting their revenge on brutal, racist cops. One of Ice T’s other songs angered government officials greatly, other police groups, and The National Rifle Association. Time Warner Music wouldn’t release Ice T’s album Home Invasion, because of what happened with controversy with “Cop Killer”. Ice T stated that the fuss over the song was an overreaction.
“Compelled to become instruments of war, to kill and be killed, child soldiers are forced to give violent expression to the hatreds of adults” (“Child Soldiers” 1). This quotation by Olara Otunnu explains that children are forced into becoming weapons of war. Children under 18 years old are being recruited into the army because of poverty issues, multiple economic problems, and the qualities of children, however, many organizations are trying to implement ways to stop the human rights violation.
Children are those who have limited abilities or opportunities to decide what happens to them. They cannot choose their family structure or status. Therefore, poverty is not a choice, but a lifestyle for children and impacts every aspect of their lives. Poverty contributes to poor health, the widespread transmission of disease by family or environment, lack of education and increased incidents of violence. Poverty affects a child’s development and contributes to antisocial behavior and sometimes hostile acts of aggression due to a lack of self-control. These acts of aggression often become embedded in their personality and are unchangeable. Therefore, it is imperative that we take actions early to address the global issue of poverty.
neighborhood and community are very diverse; this has helped shape me due to the fact that I see how some people suffer and work so hard. I have learned not to take the
When you children playing outside in your neighborhood laughing and having so much fun their friends, you look at them and think to yourself saying “children are so innocent and they have zero care in this world, I wish I could go back. Being an adult isn’t really all that cracked up to be.” But the way you think about those children could change if the situation changes to a circle of those same kids around two kids laughing and pushing them around, one on the ground covering up their face and flinching because there is a bigger kid standing right above them. You start to say “why are they beating those kids up? Times are changing? Kids are just horrible these days. I need to help those kids or should I call the police?”
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, more commonly known as “Mahatma” (meaning Great Soul) or “Gandhi” has several fundamental elements of teachings and activities that are of great significance. Gandhi’s beliefs and principles that challenged individuals to conduct themselves in a peaceful and non-violent manner had a profound effect on the world that can still be felt after his death. Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat, in North West India, on October 2nd 1869, into a Hindu family. His father was the Chief Minister of Porbandar, and his mother’s religious devotion so he was raised with the good moral values. Gandhi was born into a relatively affluent family so he was fortunate enough to receive extensive schooling.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 into a Hindu family in Porbandar, Gujarat. In those days, the British ruled India. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was the Minister of Porbandar. His mother, Putlibai, was an extremely religious Hindu. She was Gandhi’s greatest influence as a child. Putlibai was Karamchand’s fourth wife. By the age of thirteen, Gandhi was married to Kasturba Makharji. Ironically, this marriage lasted for sixty two years. Together they had four sons, Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, and Devdas (Mohandas). Gandhi was raised in a strict vegetarian household. One day Gandhi was persuaded by a Muslim boy to eat goat meat, telling him he would grow tall and strong enough to kick the British...
Mohandas Karamchand Gandi, more commonly known as Mahatma (Great soul) was born in Porbandar in Gujarat on 2 October 1869. Gandhi’s father, Karamchand Gandhi (1822-1885) was the Chief Minister of Parbandar. Gandhi’s mother, Putlibai Gandhi (1839-1891) was a deeply religious Hindu and her religious devotion meant that his upbringing was infused with the Jain pacifist teachings of mutual tolerance, non-injury to living beings and vegetarianism.
Mohandas Gandhi was born the youngest son of his father, Karamchand Gandhi's, fourth wife, Putlibai, in a small village in western India called Porbandar. He grew up in a strict Hindu household, for his father was the chief minister, or dewan, of the town. Although Karamchand was not well educated, he was a good leader and politician. His mother, Putlibai was a very religious housewife, and spent most of her time at home or in the temple. She spent much of her time caring for the large family, so she was not interested much in jewelry or other possessions.
Mahatma Gandhi whose real name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was born in 1869 at Porbandar in the state of Gujarat in India. His father’s name was Karamchand Gandhi and his mother’s name was Putlibai. He was the youngest in the family of one sister and three brothers. Both his parents were deeply religious and frequently visited temples and took their meals only after daily prayers. In school Gandhi was a mediocre student who was quite an introvert. He was even afraid to talk to any student in the class as he thought that they would poke fun at him. However, he always upheld his honesty and truthfulness. He believed in respecting his elders and was always ‘blind to the faults of the elders’. Gandhi was married in 1882 at the age of thirteen to a girl named Kasturbai. He passed his matriculation exams in 1887 and then soon returned to Porbander as he found the studies of his college very tough. Then later on he went on to the University of London in England to pursue the study of law after a lot of opposition from his mother and some other people .He vowed not to touch woman, wine and meat. He passed the London matriculation exam in the second attempt. At last he sailed back to India in June, 1891.later on, he went to Bombay to study Indian Laws. In spite of getting a case, he went to South Africa in April 1983. Gandhi sailed for South Africa in April 1893 and reached Natal at the close of May. It was in South Africa that Gandhi had a lot of experience in laws, handling cases and many other fields. He observed the pitiful conditions of the Indians and other colored people and also experienced it when on his way to Pretoria from Natal, he was thrown out of a train because he was the only colored person in the first class compartment. During this time Gandhi became deeply interested in religion. In spite of his Christian friends’ tries of converting him to Christianity, he kept his faith. He helped the Indentured Indian laborers and fought for their rights. After three years in South Africa, Gandhi returned to India in 1896. Gandhi had a lot of shortcomings in his personal life. He was a very suspicious husband and kept an eye on all the movements of his wife, Kasturbai.
Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India, on October 2, 1869. Although his father was a chief minister for the maharaja of Porbandar, the family came from the traditional caste of grocers (the name Gandhi means grocer). His mother's religion was Jainism, a Hindu religion which ideas of nonviolence and vegetarianism are very important. Gandhi said that he was most influenced by his mother, whose life was an endless chain of fasts and vows. When, in the company of boyhood friends, he secretly smoked, ate meat, told lies, or wore Western clothing, he had an intense feeling of guilt. These feelings forced him to make resolutions about his moral behavior that were to stay with him for the rest of his life. Gandhi
To be the person that I am now, I had to reflect and accept accountability of my past actions. My past is one that many would love to erase from their memory, a past, which remained dormant, until I found myself. The steps involved in regaining myself encompassed letting go of my anger and self pity. I had to look within myself and see my self’s worth, which lead to my belief that I ran away to college to forget my past. During the years leading to entrance to college, I became caught up with friends, cared way too much about my appearance, and became “that girl” who needed others to be happy. I lost sight of my goal, to become a lawyer. My goals were buried by my present materialization infatuation, thus my dreams, and my values, failed just to create a façade of which I came to despise. Through my journey and reflection, I came to appreciate family values and redemption. Like others, my trials and tribulations came full circle.