Little Babaji, my Sambo

The story of Little Black Sambo is one I became very familiar with in youth. I enjoyed it to the point that I once hid it to prevent my mother from returning it to the library. However, the story I grew to love and herishwas not the story of Sambo, but of his cultural parallel, Little Babaji. Little Babaji was Indian, not black, yet is an exact replica of Sambo in every mental and physical way except race.When we began to discuss the idea of Sambo in class, I stopped to reflect on the messages I received from the book as a child. In my memory the story of Sambo/Babaji is comprised of several events.

1. The book began with Sambo receiving nice clothing, shoes, and an umbrella from his mother. Looking back, this confuses me if Sambo was meant to parallel a slave. I accept that the material goods may be representing food or simply the rare event if a gift was bestowed on a slave. Yet, it is surprising to me that the typical slave would be portrayed as privileged with such nice accesories. Anyhow, Sambo walked off into the jungle happy as can be in his new finery. Yes, it was made very clear that he was simple, unworried, ignorant of his surroundings and happy.
2. Sambo had to give away each item to a tiger in order to save himself. This too puzzled me. What could this represent? Perhaps the fact that slaves had to sacrifice a lot of important things in order to stay alive and with one master. They lost much of their culture, identity, freedom of speech, religion, print and the ability too carry arms or earn an education. Each of the countless things slaves were denied of could certainly represent something as fine as a  pair of satin shoes. I am still unsure of whether this is the connection the author intended. Sambo was very scared of the tigers, he wouldn't dare to physically attack them in order to regain what had been taken from him. Many slaves too, were thought to be too timid to act out against their masters.
3. Sambo outsmarts the tigers by tying their tails together. This was my favorite part as a child. I loved the illustration of the tigers looking silly and confused as Babaji tricked them. The solution to his problem was plain and simple. Was this an illustration of how slaves were able to reobtain some freedoms, without their masters being aware of it. The freedoms I'm thinking of are those of meeting to practice their own form of religion or to sing in the fields. These are tricks that kept the owners unaware of the fact that they were reobtaining some rights. Whenever Babaji adressed the tigers he was very polite and addressed them as Mr. Tiger. This detail is a direct parallel to the sterotype of Sambo.
4. The tigers spin into butter, which Babaji collects for his mother to make pancakes with. This, I believe, is the most important part of the story. It is a happy ending in which Sambo forgets all that has happened with the tigers and is overwhelmed with joy because he is treated to a surplus of pancakes. This hilights his childishness, absent-minded, and simple characteristics. I think it is key that food was the charm to his happiness because slaves were in fact usually well fed in order to keep them strong and able bodied. Perhaps the slave masters believed (or wished) that the slaves would overlook the abuse and inequities of their life due to the fact that they were fed by their masters. Or, in a different light, maybe this parallels the owners feeding the slaves when ignorant of their efforts to find the pretences under which they could again enjoy privilege, or (in the case of Babaji) satin shoes.

One last thing I feel compelled to point out is that, in my copy of Sambo, Sambo was Babaji the Indian. I find this very curious if slaves in the south have a parallel to slaves in India. Does the parallel continue? At one point in time, Indians were also discriminated against. I wonder how far this Sambo characterization extends, and whether it crosses into multiple cultures.

Like, Uh...Amazing

Today in class we talked about the most comman word (if you can call it that) in the coloquial english language. This word of course being: um, uh, or like. Wow. I am very guilty of over-using all of these apparent "space-fillers." O'Connor, however, brought a study to light. The number of these words you use has a direct correlation to ones intellect. The most intelligent and educated people are the most frequent users of these terms. Why? I mean, really, they don't make one sound smart.
Personally, I think this study makes sense. And of course I find it believable, I mean, after all it was researched at Stanford of all places! But, I think the main reason I resort to what my father calls "Valley girl" language when I overuse "like" is that I talk way too fast for my brain to catch up.

These thoughts led me to think of the phrase, "think before you speak." Do I really control everything that comes out of my mouth? I am doubtful of this. I mean, if I was asked to explain how to talk I'd be speechless. I don't know where half the stuff I say comes from. This is admittedly a bad quality. But honestly, how did I pick up the usage of "um, uh, like...." Did I pick it up from the affluent community I live in? Is it inherent with the developement of speech? I do not find myself consciously choosing to use these words. I found a link that claims to have the key to stop yourself from using these common terms. http://digg.com/news/science/How_to_Stop_saying_Um_and_Ah_during_a_speech
So many friends make fun of me and count how many times I say "like" and it can be annoying. But with this study in mind, Why would I try to get rid of them if they mark my intelligence? Will this study lead to an influx in usage?
I have no idea, but know one thing for certain, if the usage of these uh fillers suggest higher intelligence, I'm like a total genius.

One Day Can Change the World

In class today we relived 9/11. It seemed surreal. Everyone has their one memory of that horrific day 9 years ago, and watching the news footage from the event broke my heart. September 11th is a day that will live on in history. It impacted not just the people in those towers or their families, NY, or the airplane companies,  it impacted a nation. It shocked the world. It scared me. Even as a second grader, this act of hatred left a deep and lasting impression on me.
It seems sad to me that this event was so greatly misunderstood and misinterpreted. I wish it wasn't another excuse for war and international crisis.

How is it that 19 people, the 19 terrorists, had such a huge effect on the world?
I only hope that the next 19 people to impact a nation to the same degree to do so with love in their hearts and peace in their eyes.

My condolences for any family or friends of the victims of 9/11/01. Please know that you can change the world too...for the better.

America: The Land of the Insecure

At one point in class we were talking about the media and how it effects people. Being a teenage girl, I instantly think of the countless ways the media has affected my friends, their self-esteem and body image. The ways the media have influence over what news stories are reported, what information is "leaked", or the light in which these stories are shared are evident in all areas of media: politics, entertainment/media, travel, world and even food.
People are affected more than they think by the media. There is media everywhere, and all of it seems to be sending a message to this nation's youth. Many of the messages leave a lasting impression on kids and adults and I believe that many of these messages are destroying the confidence and health of the nations youth.
America, in short, is known to promote a "can-do" attitude, positive, pro-active energy, freedom, success and happiness. Looking around the high school today, I was looking for signs of these attitudes.
In the bathroom, there were a number of girls crowded around the mirrors applying make-up, doing and re-doing their hair, complaining about their outfits etc. All of them were really down on themselves. They didn't seem to be sporting a positive or motivated attitude (about themselves or the school day). It's really sad to me that so many girls possess such strong hatred for their bodies and/or themselves. I contribute much of this from the environment they live in (America). This environment consists of constant ads of TV for weight loss products, exercise plans, and ads for shows with extremely skinny and "perfect" actors. On the other hand many ads are also devoted to spreading the word about a new fast food menu, video games, and alcohol. The majority of the ads focused at women, however, are focused on one's appearance. The attention to physical attributes also comes directly from peers, family, and teachers as well. It is hard to ignore and often a huge trigger for girls to engage in unhealthy behaviors.
All girls, regardless of their self-esteem have second guessed themselves, an outfit they've selected, or their bodies. In a competitive environment like my high school, comparisons are often made and the need to be the best often extends to ones appearance. The American Dream makes all people equal, however, the media often teaches girls that they are inferior if stockier, shorter or less "perfect." I have personally seen friends restrict their eating habits and body's needs. They do not live a very free life.
I am a believer in the American Dream; that anyone can acheive greatness. I believe that anything  is possible, and that every individual is amazing and beautiful in their own way. This video (a form of media) has recently helped a friend of mine, and hopefully the Americans can soon be known as healthy rather than obese or diet-crazed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE&feature=player_embedded
We all deserve to be free, and acknowledge that you can do anything, regardless of what messages external sources tell you.

Toasted Koran: The Perfect Appetizer to Peace Talks

The burning of books is not a custom new to society. Over the centuries, people have made burning, shredding, torching, and ultimately destroying books a sordid tradition. These people all have something in common. They all possess a huge amount of hatred, ignorance, and audacity. This surplus of attractive qualities always seems to be accompanied by a lack of hope or willingness to understand or make amends with the "enemy". The fact that a pastor in the United States is planning on conducting a ceremonial burning of the Koran, would undermine everything America stands for.
Book burnings never have happy endings. They seem to always have started or promoted crisis and war. If a pastor of all people has given up on hopes of peace, what example does that set for the rest of us? During the Holocaust the works of every Jewish authors were burned. In Ancient times, the Library of Alexandria was demolished and the scrolls of an entire Chinese Dynasty were set ablaze. Have any of these events ever been encouraging understanding, peace or international affairs? Have these “book bonfires” ever had a positive result?
No. The targeted group has been personally targeted and feels the instinctual need to react. This is true in the case of the Jews, philosophers, Muslims, and more. The degree of the reaction varies, but who’s to say what the burning of the Koran, a religious text with a massive following, will cause. There is a difference between whether something is morally vs. legally right. This may be legal, but by no means is it right.
If the pastor's intention is to "confront terrorism" and possibly prevent it, he is doing the opposite and rather inviting it.

Trust: Part II

Lies are a staple of our society. Falsehoods or “half-truths” are apparent everywhere. There are countless scandals, such as the Rob Blagojevich trial, trivial headlines such as an Ashton Kutcher affair, and the everyday white lies some tell to a friend about their hair or outfit. The question still stands, when and who and what can you trust?


Trust gives every human being the obligation to be honest, sincere and self-responsible. Honestly, I don’t trust everyone to uphold their moral responsibility.

That is NOT to say trust isn’t important. Trust is vital to every relationship. That’s the catch. The only true relationships exist on trust. What happens if this trust is simply not found? If a patient doesn’t trust their doctor they could go untreated for a possibly harmful illness. On the other hand, if a patient has complete trust in their physician, it is very possible that the physician could be mistaken. How much doubt should we entertain towards people in our lives? In the case of a husband and wife it is apparent that trust has to be established with both parties. Thankfully, the human race still defaults to trust. Is it possible that I only trust the people I love? What about sources then? What makes a source reputable?

Who can I rely on? Are all journalists just out to sell a paper? Who cares about the truth when an evidently large news story has been unearthed? Is Yellow Journalism taking over?

I’m not sure, but this worries me.

Trust: Part I

Who and what can you trust? Trust is a trait valued in society. However, more often than not, “believers” are often taken advantage of and persecuted. This week I really got to thinking about the validity of the sources I feed from on a daily basis. Are these sources legitimate? Are they true? I often trust the information I obtain from a text, news program, webpage or teacher to be genuine. After undergoing intensive research this week I have come to the conclusion that you must see everything with a critical eye. To automatically believe a source, is to show ignorance.


Many sources may provide accurate information, but more often than not that information is skewed. Everyone has their own opinion, and many journalists seem to find it to be their “duty” to relay and convince others of their opinion.

Politics is dominant in the daily media. However, politics is an extremely wide and controversial topic. It is a rare discovery to come across an article or report void of bias. FOX only presents news geared toward the Republican Party, often insulting the Democratic Party. If one was only exposed or only looked to one place for information, they would collect partial data. I do not think that biased information is truth. Therefore, as I found this week along with looking at sources critically it is important to corroborate information from a number of sources.

I recently came across the website http://tvnewslies.org/tvnl/, it claims to have the real story, void of bias. It explains it’s content to be unique to FOX, MSN or MSNBC saying,” While the TV news industry tries to convince you that you need to know more about personal tragedies than about Dick Cheney’s secrets, PNAC, or about the lies of an American President, we bring you the information that is vital to preserving democracy and freedom. An informed American is a responsible American.” I agree with their last line. However, it seems impossible to be an informed American as well as an American who is free to develop one’s own opinions and viewpoints without external influence. I don’t believe that any news report is entirely neutral. Relevant information is always being withheld from the general public. Therefore, I choose to follow and trust reports that I agree with, and am often ignorant and unaware of other viewpoints and information from opposing parties.