Commitment to Community

Commitment to Community

Living in a small town in Village of Newcomerstown, Ohio with a population of about 3,500 people, everything I’ve ever known revolves around community engagement. It was a big step for me to travel to one of the largest cities in the United States, San Francisco. Before the trip, I expected individuality, every man for … Read more

Sojourner Truth

A famous quote by Daenerys Targaryen, describes Sojourner Truth’s trauma exactly: “I have been sold like a broodmare. I’ve been chained and betrayed, raped and defiled.” Born Isabella Baumfree, Truth inspired hope in women and enslaved people alike, although her life was a difficult one.

Spotify Misinformation – Joe Rogan

Spotify misinformation

Spotify, an extremely popular free music streaming platform, is grappling not only a legal dilemma but also a moral one. Joe Rogan’s podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, recently has been under fire for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and giving rise to conspiracy theorists. His list of transgressions doesn’t end there: Rogan has also made blatantly racist marks, such as comparing black people to apes and insinuating that they are subhuman, as well as insensitive comments about the LGBTQ+ community, to scratch the surface. Artists on Spotify have threatened to remove their music from the platform, disgusted with Spotify’s lack of care towards Rogan’s behavior. Some artists went through with this, starting with Neil Young, and including musicians such as Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, and Graham Nash, to name a few.

30 Days of Taco Bell, Let’s Eat and Taco Bout it!

30 Days of Taco Bell, Let’s Eat and Taco Bout it!

For most people, the start of the new year means making resolutions to become better versions of themselves, commonly through exercising and eating healthier. But for companies such as Taco Bell, not quite, but rather, it is the time to launch something never offered before after the holiday season. According to Taco Bell’s press release … Read more

Managing the “Insta-Life”

Managing the "Insta-Life"

They all involve the word “fast” or a synonym of the word “fast”. These are all products or services that involve quick delivery of food and groceries–speeding up the process of obtaining food or a service. We have recently become more obsessed and fascinated with this idea of an “Insta-Life”. For example, when we go … Read more

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and the Impact of Street Art

New York City in the early 1980s was a place growing into itself. From an outside perspective, it was a city that was dirty, rife with crime, and, having recently emerged from a 1975 bankruptcy scare, broke. However, underneath the city’s rough exterior was a great expansion of popular culture. Nightlife was booming. Ideas were being exchanged. Unlike today’s NYC, rent was low enough to accommodate artists.

Omicron: How is the nation doing, and how does the future look?

Omicron: How is the nation doing, and how does the future look?

Recently, a new COVID variant has been recognized and named by the World Health Organization – Omicron. At this point, people have become so exhausted with the global pandemic that many wonder whether we would run out of Greek letters someday if this trend continues. However, feelings of exhaustion aside, it is crucial for the public to be informed about this virus to effectively protect themselves and others around them.

Religion

Religion

Religion is the practice, belief, and experience of the service and adoration of Gods or a God as expressed in different forms of worship. Everyone’s perception of God is different. However, regardless of where one resides, what religion one practices, or which God one worships, ultimately, God is one. For everyone, God is the same: one who oversees everything and everyone’s actions. Religion and God provides people to decipher between right and wrong. We are encouraged to become better people and stay humble. Rules that have been set for us to follow influences our actions. In religion, particularly the major World Religions, the notion of the “Golden Rule” is followed. Although the “Golden Rule” is written differently in the major Religions, the deeper meaning is still the same. The “Golden Rule’’ is known as the willingness to treat others with respect and fairness, based on the understanding that others are similar to oneself. From a religious standpoint, the Golden Rule is the concept of God’s family practice, and it implies responding to others as siblings. God’s way in Religion as a whole emphasizes on the well-being of others rather than your own. Despite that all religions have different beliefs, treating everyone kindly is encouraged in every religion. All religions want everyone to be a good human and respect everyone. All faiths hold that humans are God’s children, and we have the duty to be peacemakers. The golden rule resonates with all religions because one of the pillars of religion is to be kind to others. All faiths teach that you will be condemned for your sins and rewarded for your good deeds. Religion, itself, does not want to separate people and thus the “Golden Rule” is a consistent moral standard. Much of the rule’s meaning may be put into practice without any religious devotion, because it is a concept that neither invokes God nor particularly identifies with any one religion’s scriptures or beliefs. The rule expresses human kinship, which is the most essential fact underpinning morals. It’s a general morality thing. The “Golden Rule’’ is a core guideline that outlines the most simple and acceptable method for people to respect one another. It is evident from the many examples presented that there is much compassion in society and the environment around us. Since the “Golden Rule” can be used broadly, it can appeal to a broader audience. The “Golden Rule” does not make distinctions based on qualities or attributes, and showcases love that provides without expecting anything in return. The “Golden Rule” implies that respect is a global standard. The “Golden Rule” is a universal practice that can resonate with people in a religious way and a non-religious way. Virtually, all faiths/religions can endorse the “Golden Rule”. The rule allows us to deeply feel equity with fellow human beings. This translates this equity into a behavioral rule. The rule is easy to remember and understand, in general. It is a simple concept, however, it is rich. The rule is not naive or trivial. It applies to a wide range of cases and accommodates complex situations.

Communicating Through Food

Communicating Through Food

When I was younger, going to another kid’s birthday party was always a very stress-inducing experience. I would stay by my parents’ side, silent, until the food came out. The invisible, awkward barrier that stood between me and others simply vanished. Suddenly, there was an easy topic to bond over, the most basic of human … Read more