"The heavy cost of light skin" in Mali.

In Mali, there are women that embellish pallid skin ; using creams that bleach their skin. They believe that it makes their appearance mesmeric, when in reality it could cause skin cancer. Doctors explain that it will be salubrious for women to stop using these deadly creams because it is a health hazard. Also, women believe that it would make them salacious and men would accept them more. One ebullient male musician, Al Hassan Soumali, stated that Malian men don't like when women bleach their skins and advises them to change their minds.

Youtube: Commerical Response.

The Dove "Onslaught" commercial is intense! It showed how today's society is and how the media effects children; at the end you see the same little girl, with make-up on. I find it repulsive how these famous ADULTS know they are idols of young children, but portray themselves badly. For example, Paris Hilton, I dislike her because she seems to have a fake personality. I know that there are kids out there that look up to her, but what message is she sending out to children by making sex tapes and getting plastic surgery, to fit her conceited ways? To me, I feel as if I were to be famous, I'd actually be a good role model and not be fake like these other stars! The only famous person I know that seems to be real is Tyra Banks; although I'm sure there are others out there. I love watching her show because she discusses REAL problems and let's people knows that she has flaws and shows her values. Tyra Banks cares for today's youth because she notices the influence stars have over them. I think that famous people need to take a day to see how their living their lives and how they have an impact on younger citizen's lives. I remember a time when Tyra Banks was shown in a one piece bathing suit on vacation and was put in a magazine being called fat and ugly! As I read more about it, she claimed that she was happy the way she is and doesn't need others telling her different; I applaud her for that. Everyone has flaws, everyone has problems, but that's not an excuse to be ignorant, although you know what you're doing and the consequences. This video made me think about our seminar about ignorance and what beauty is.

Watch this video, it's amazing. See, not even supermodels look like themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2gD80jv5ZQ

Socratic Seminar.

Wow, I'm surprised how different the Spartans and ancient Greeks live their lives. I always thought that the Greeks respected their woman, but I was shocked to discover that it was nothing close to that. I respect the Greeks culture, but I feel that their values were disrespectful towards women. I was astonished by the fact that "prostitutes" were known as the highest class for a woman. The reason why I quoted the word prostitute is because they resemble geishas; they accompanied men to a get together known as a symposium, where they held intellectual conversations, gambling, and drinking. I agreed with Mirit Friedman when she asked; "How did they know that it was Socrates that officially stated "his" philosophy? Plato could have wrote down the wrong notes."
The four "cardinal" virtues; prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice. I believe that all four of these virtues are in the eyes of the beholder. Everyone has their own values and opinions, Who are we to judge them?

Ignorance.
Socrates believed that cheating, stealing, and basically any wrong doing is a consequence of ignorance. As Colin White said, people think about what they're about to do and give a thought about it before taking action; I completely agree. I feel as if they know what they're consequences are going to be, but they're ready to risk what they have and are too selfish to realize they're oblivious acts. Philosophers made these questions for a reason; to make people think outside of the box. The world is so wrapped up in what they have and don't realize some of the things that are going on in the world. What's good? What's bad? What's Ignorance.

Perfection?

Youth and Perfection.
Today's youth has certainly change to my knowledge. I still believe that children are beautiful to have, but things have changed. Children these days seem to act like they're 30 years old. What happened? Maybe it's just the kids I know, but they seem disrespectful. For example, the other day I was at urgent care and there was this little girl sitting with her brothers and her father. She asked to play a game with my sister which I kindly allowed her to play, but once we started playing she was rude to my sister. It stunned me because this girl was only 6 years old and telling other children to "shut up"? It's quite interesting, but I guess that's the way things are now. I've seen kids, as young as 4 or 5, back talk their parents or even strangers! I really feel horrible about today's society and how the media is portraying things. Kids are like sponges; anything they see and hear, they repeat.

My Perception of Beauty.

LOVE.

Define Love? Love is one of the most complicated, but wonderful things to have and is really important. Of course there are different types of love; loving friends, family, and your boyfriend/girlfriend and husband/wife. The love I'm referring to is when you're with someone you care about deeply and ending up in love with them. How do you know when you're really in love with someone? That's a question you'd have to ask yourself. To me, love is a cultivated act between two people that is offering trust, loyalty, self-giving, and faith. I don't believe in divorce because I feel that when people give up on their marriage, what else are they going to quit at? They should make an effort to save their marriage, unless their life is in jeopardy. I know that my mother was in love with my step-dad, but it hurt once I found out that they were filing for divorce. Love is a companionship between two people and should stay that way until they grow old together, just like they vowed. I guess that it's possible to fall out of love with someone, but atleast make it work because once again; love is a beautiful thing.

"Where there is love there is life." -- Gandhi

My Perception of Beauty.

MUSIC.

I believe that music is a way to express yourself and the mood you're in. It doesn't matter if I'm upset or angry; music helps me calm down and is soothing. According to culture and social contexts, the creation, performance, significance and the definition of music vary. Everyone has their own taste in music, but it doesn't really matter. What matters is that music is a beautiful art and is potrayed in so many ways. Music is my passion and gives beauty a whole other meaning.

"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life." - Ludwig van Beethoven

My First Post.

Hey everyone,
This is my first time blogging and I hope you enjoy my posts. (: