To Kill a Mockingbird

  I have never thought that this story about a little girl’s childhood can reflect so many naked, cruel reality of human nature.   Written from an innocent perspective of girl, this story reflects the ugliness of human, injustice in society, and racism.

 

 When Tom Robinson is falsely accused of raping, Atticus, who is Scout and Jem’s father, helps to defend him. Most people in the town believe that accusation is true just because Tom is black, they despise Atticus for defending him and call him names. To me, Atticus is a new hero. He never steps back when encounters people’s harsh remarks; he doesn’t bat an eye when he is spit on his face; he is the same in the courtroom as he is on the public street; he stands straight and keeps calm in any circumstances.

Have I ever been furious when someone mocks me? Of course! Most of the people have. But Atticus is one of the few gentlemen who are just and calm anytime in anywhere. “Just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t let them get your goat.” This is a prominent quote that stood out to me.  Atticus’s attitude is a good counsel to those who are easily irritated like me.  When we are doing something righteous, people around us may tease and mock our action, just like the townspeople call Atticus name in a really disrespectful way because he defends Tom.

“You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around them.”

Scout recalls Atticus’s counsel to her when she is standing at Boo Radley’s porch. We may have heard of this saying for a lot of times, but do we ever apply that to our lives? Boo, who has never stepped out from his house for more than 20 years, is being isolated and prejudiced by the society because of the rumors about him. After Scout walks Boo home, she realizes that Boo is actually really warm hearted and friendly. 

When we see someone who is being bullied, have we ever stood up for he/she, or just follow what the others do? You’re lucky if you have never been bullied before, what those victims? They may not have wronged you or even talked to you, but your conscience is blinded by the majority. Try to follow Atticus’s counsel and apply it, you will find an unspeakable joy in your heart.

Living in Beijing’s polluted air

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/living-in-beijings-polluted-air/2013/03/11/6606e45e-7489-11e2-8f84-3e4b513b1a13_story.html

 

I had lived in Hong Kong for all my life before I came to Utah where air quality is extremely good compared to Hong Kong. I used to cough and sneeze every morning because of the air pollution. Cars are everywhere on the streets, the pavements are crowded with people, and the city is like a concrete jungle with tall buildings blocking all the ventilation. Those greenhouse gas and dusts are trapped and we are the victims who inhale all these hazardous air.

 

 

Now I can breathe without any concerns. Houses are more spread out and short, you seldom see a car passing outside your house. Clear blue sky and fresh air are my favorite things in Utah, I don’t sneeze or cough in the morning anymore!

 

I understand how it feels to be crammed in an air polluted cities, I think the government should impose more strict policy to restrict the emission of gas from factories and vehicles. On the other hand, we have the responsibilities to reduce the production of hazardous gas. For example, take public transportation instead of driving a car (applicable in cities like Hong Kong, not in Cedar Hills because there is almost none public transport), or ride a bike! If we all do our part, this world is going to be a nicer place.

 

 

 

 

Vietnam and Mozambique are urged to do more to stop illegal rhino trade

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/wildlife-officials-urge-vietnam-and-mozambique-to-stop-illegal-rhino-trade/2013/03/12/8564fcca-8b2a-11e2-9f54-f3fdd70acad2_story.html

 

Rhinos are getting scarce as people in Vietnam and Mozambique keep killing them in order to sell their horns. I am disapproved by their irrational and cold-blooded actions because they treat them as toys or products instead of animals. Whenever I hear news about the extinction of animals, I feel a stab of pain in my heart.

 

How could human be so harsh and heartless? Profits they can make from these precious lives cover their sympathy and conscience. I believe that CITES is taking effective action by warning and imposing these countries, this shows that the world cares! Sometimes I think the government in Vietnam and Mozambique turn blind eye to this matter because of corruption. I really hope that someday human and animals can live in harmony.

 

 

 

News Commentary

The Benefits of Working in the Office

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/the-benefits-of-working-in-the-office/?ref=technology

Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer wants to abolish the work-at-home policy. She thinks that it will hinder the employees’ efficiency and productivity if they stay at home and drinking coffee and taking a nap.

On one hand, it will be beneficial for workers to work in an office because through communicating with their colleagues, they may come up with ideas and innovations especially a company like Yahoo, which requires new inspiration from employees all the time. In Google, it provides free food and snacks, on-site gyms, subsidized massages, so on.  This can attract workers to work in the office and they can have free snacks while they’re interacting with colleagues.

On the other hand, we cannot avoid having procrastinators in the office as they receive such good service from the company, then the money spent will be wasted.  The problem is how to enhance employees’ discipline in the office and their use of resources.

 

It all depends on how well the employees discipline themselves. If everyone in the company works efficiently and productively with the help of recreational facilities, there won’t be any problem at all.

 

Gay Wedding Is Embraced by Disney in Tokyo

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/world/asia/social-media-embrace-same-sex-wedding-at-tokyo-disneyland.html?ref=world

  Disneyland is a fantasy world and those fairy-tale stories always have a happy ending; the prince and the princess live happily ever after. Have we ever heard of the prince and the prince live happily ever after?

The first gay wedding was held in the Tokyo Disneyland, which will encourage more gay couples to get married in Disneyland.  Negative influence or misconception will be conveyed to children because we want to give out a positive and correct value towards marriage to the children.  I think Disneyland should have considered the consequence of holding the first gay wedding as well as the tourist or public perspective towards the same sex marriage. Nowadays, not many people accept same sex marriage. Besides, Disneyland is always crowded with people, there must be people who feel uncomfortable with the wedding ceremony that was held in the resort.  Disneyland should consider that tourists perspective of same sex marriage but not the cost of the wedding package that the couples purchase.