Cultures Change Chickpeas

In the novel The Kite Runner, Amir recognizes the smell of garbanzo beans at the Ghazi Stadium in Kabul. I was not familiar with this type of bean while reading the novel. I decided to research it, finding that it was simply a chickpea. However, it is interesting that chickpeas would be served at a concessions stand in Kabul. In America, concession food is very unhealthy. Chickpeas are very healthy. They are very high in fiber and have proven to reduce appetite. A garbanzo bean, in America is called a chickpea, has multiple names: including gram, Bengal gram, ceci, cece, chana, Kabuli chana and even Egyptian pea. Although the pea does not change, it is called different things in different countries. It is also served many different ways around the world. It can be served cold on salads or pureed in the form of hummus or boiled on rice. This is a very important connection in understanding the difference a culture can make on one thing.

“Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas).” World’s Healthiest Foods. The George Mateljan Foundation, May 2016. Web. 08 May 2016.

“Chickpea.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 08 May 2016.

[Public Domain] via Wikimedia by Bill Branson

Modest is Hottest

A burqa is a traditional covering worn by some Islamic women in public settings. Not even the eyes can be seen that well because of the netted cloth that covers the eyes. The different colors of the burqa’s are significant to the area of Afghanistan the women live. The blue color, as shown, is for the area of Kabul. A white colored one is from the north, while, brown and green ones are from the south. The Islamic faith does not require a covering for women but Muslims believe they must remain modest in public just as Muhammad did. However, due to the fear terrorism coverings, such as, the burqa, are being banned. The whole country of Switzerland has banned them from public places as a mean of “public safety.” Others are calling it discrimination.

[Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons by Davric

In the novel The Kite Runner Amir and Baba escape from Afghanistan because of the conflicts with the soviets, however, when Amir must return to Afghanistan the soviets are gone but there are still conflicts with the Taliban. The Taliban did not just make life horrible, they also forced religion on to people. All women were forced to wear burqa’s no matter how they felt about them. This is important information in understanding the text because it just adds to the horribleness of the Taliban. I chose this topic to research because I was curious to understand the reasons for wearing coverings and the differences between a burqa and a traditional head covering. Another interesting aspect that only peaked my interest was the fact that they are being banned in some countries around the world. It’s up to each person to decide of it’s discrimination or a preventative measure.

Works Cited:

“Burqa.” Wikipedia. N.p.: Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

Newton, Jennifer. “Women Wearing a Burqa Will Be Fined £6, 500 in Swiss Region.” Daily Mail 25 Nov. 2015. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.

Not so Friendly Friends

A Rafiq is the Farsi word for comrade or friend. In the book The Kite Runner it is mentioned in chapter ten when Amir is describing his life in 1981. Everyone in Afghanistan is to a point where they must speak in a “calculated manner.” This is because in 1978 there was a coup, and inside overthrow of the government. The government was overthrown by the Nur Mohammad Tarakig. These pro-soviet leaders made the country turn on itself. It was neighbor against neighbor and brother against brother; it was a civil war. The Rafiq were called “friends” because they were the ones who you could confide in to report anti-soviet geurrilla fighters.

[Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons by Erwin Lux

I chose this topic because it was unclear in the text what a Rafiq was. It is important to understand the meaning of this word to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the men, women, and children of Afghanistan and the Russian soldiers stationed there.

Works Cited:
Harcourt, Houghton Mifflin. “Khaled Hosseini.” Cliff Notes. 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
“Soviet-Afghan War.” Wikipedia. n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

A Break in the Barrier

William Arthur Ward once said, “A smile is the universal language for kindness.” However, a smile is not the only way to communicate and interact with people across the globe. Another universal thing that unites people is games. Wether it is a pickup game of basketball or a competitive chess match people from all cultures can enjoy the activity without worrying about a barrier, such as, language getting in the way.

[Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons by Christian Gidlöf

In The Kite Runner, Amir and Hassan play card games to pass time in the winter. The game they play is called Panjpar. It is a game somewhat similar to the American card game Uno. Understanding this topic is important because it shows Americans that there is not that much of a difference between Afghan children and American children. There is no need to think of them differently. I chose this topic specifically because in my family we play a lot of card games. Everyone plays and has a good time no matter what the age.

 

Ghilzia. “Card Games Played in Afgahistan: Panjpar.” Afghanistan Online. n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2016.

 

 

Lost in Translation

There are multiple sayings used in the English language to make a conversation more fun or interesting like “See ya later alligator” and “After a while crocodile.” The alligator and crocodile don’t have really purpose it is just something Americans say it. Have you ever thought about the sayings of other languages? They probably wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense if they were translated to English. In Spanish one saying that doesn’t translate exactly is “¿Que pasa calabaza?” and the response to it is “Nada limonada.” In English it means “What’s up pumpkin head?” And the response in English means “Not much lemonade.” In Spanish it rhymes and flows, however, in English it is awkward and doesn’t make any sense.

Silly sayings are not the only things difficult to translate. Lots of words in one language may not even exist in another language. In The Kite Runner, a song that Ali sings is translated to English and as Americans read it there are some parts of the song that are difficult to understand fully. It is not because the words don’t translate, it is the cultural differences that divide the Americans from complete understanding. The song in English translates as, “On a high mountain I stood and cried the name of Ali, Lion of God. O Ali Lion of God, King of Men, bring joy to our sorrowful hearts.” Most Americans do not understand the religious background of the poem but the Persian reader understands it with ease. Ali is the name of one of the first pioneers of Shia. With out knowledge of the Islamic faith the name Ali has no significance. If an American takes the time to understand the culture and beliefs then there is no misunderstanding. Knowledge builds a bridge of unity, builds a bridge of peace.

[Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons by Rufino Uribe

Amirdabbaghian, Amin, and Sanaz Solimany. “In the Wake of Pure Farsi-Muslim Culture and Ideology Through Translating Anthems in “The Kite Runner.””Theory and Practice in Language Studies 5.3 (2015): 631–638. Web. 5 Apr. 2016. http://www.academypublication.com/ojs/index.php/tpls/article/download/tpls0503631638/146

Student Debt Epidemic in America

Quote: “I feel alive for the first time in years,” said Faber. “I feel I’m doing what I should’ve done a lifetime ago. For a little while I’m not afraid. Maybe it’s because I’m doing the right thing at last.” (Faber p. 133)

[Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons by David R. Tribble

Article Summary: Ever wonder why so many people dread work, especially a job that used to be so glamorous in the beginning. Maggie Zhang, a writer for Business Insider, uncovers 17 reasons why people don’t enjoy their work in the article “Here’s Why So Many People Hate Their Jobs.” These include conservative career choices, jobs that lack meaning, feelings of obligation, or a bad boss. Being forced to choose the path of our life at such a young age is a problem. Money influences choices strongly and many people force themselves to deal with jobs that aren’t necessarily enjoyable but have a high paycheck. Being forced to do something is tolerable for a short period of time but not forever.
Connection: Faber, a very old man from the novel Fahrenheit 451, has lived a cautious life, avoiding conflict and blending in with the blindly happy society. However, Faber is not actually happy. When he finally takes a risk, stepping out of his comfort zone, that’s when he truly feels alive. Faber exemplifies the article. He did not enjoy what he was doing but he did it to stay alive. Working just to live well is not living, that is mindless employment. Mindless just like those of Fahrenheit 451.

Works Cited: Zhang, Maggie. “Here’s Why So Many Oeople Hate Their Jobs.” Business Insider (2014): n. pag. Business Insider. 19 June 2014. Web. 21 Jan. 2016.

Breaking Point

[Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons by Gildej

Quote: “He twitched the safety catch on the flame thrower. Beatty glanced instantly at Montag’s fingers and his eyes widened the faintest bit. Montag saw the surprise there and himself glanced to his hands to see what new thing they had done. Thinking back later he could never decide wether the hands or Beatty’s reaction gave him the final push toward murder.”
Powerpoint Summary:  A mass killing, defined in this PowerPoint, includes a killing of 4 or more victims. Although there has only been a few that have been “news worthy” they occur more often and are more predictable than the public eye sees. According to FBI records there have been over 200 since 2006, however, this number is not completely accurate due to police stations inability to report all of them accurately. Out of all victims about 57% of them are killed by people they know. Killers most often use hand guns and nearly one-third of them don’t leave the scene. Depression and aggression are both indicators of a mentally unstable person. Sometimes just a little thing, like dropping an egg, can trigger a killer. One in four of mass killings are due to breakups. Men make up 94% of mass murderers.
Connection: Montag also murderered a few other fireman as well as Beatty. Does this mean Montag is a mass murderer? Should his actions be justified? Montag was not mentally stable at the moment. Mentally unstable mass murderers today still get tried and serve life in prison. He still murdered people. Montag may not have exactly wanted to kill a person but his sinful actions deserve to be punished. Montag’s character is changed forever.

Pretty Politics

 

[Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons by unkwon

Quote:”I voted last election, same as everyone, and I laid it on the line for President Noble. I think he’s one of the nicest-looking men to ever become president.”

Article Summary: In the past few elections there has been a trend in days spent in political positions before a person has run for president and the ones who have become president. The trend is not what many would think it be. The candidates with less days in office are the ones that become president. Obama was only in office for two years before he became president. His opponent John McCain had over twenty years in political experience and lost to Obama. Armando Ianucci, creator of political television show, Veep, explains possible reasoning for this, “When you’ve not got much to show for yourself other than your face, you enter the presidential race without baggage and with the opportunity to attack all those who have. You enter not as someone with a legacy but someone who is a brand.”

Connection: With the up and coming election, this alarming trend could continue. Leading republican canidates Ben Carson and Donald Trump, have no political experience. There are other canidates like Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush that have over a decade of political experience. I urge readers to understand who they are voting for, paying more attention to what they plan to do politically, not how cool or “nice-looking” they appear to be. The United States needs a leader that will make smart decisions, not a leader like President Noble who is governing a country of drone-like people.

Bombarded

[Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons by the Library of Congress

 

Quote: “We’ve started and won two atomic wars since 1990!…maybe the books can get us half out of the cave. They might just stop us from making the same damn mistakes!”
Documentary Summary: On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb was released on the Japanese city of Hirosima. The United States released it only after Japanese emperor,  Hirohito, would not surrender, although Germany, their ally, had done so a month earlier. Three days later the second atomic bomb was released on Nagasaki, forcing Hirohito into unconditonal surrender and ending what was known as the greatest war the world had ever seen, World War II.
Connection: As of now there has not been another atomic bomb released due to the after effects of the first one, including the radiation and the immense power of it. There is the technology to make more bombs, possibly leading to an atomic war similar to the one happpening constantly in Fahrenheit 451. Unlike that dystopian world, Earth has time to prevent such an awful future, learning from Ray Bradbury, as well as history.

Works Cited:

Atomic Bomb Ends WWII. Dir. N/A. History.com. N/A. Web.