Welcome to Syria!

          This blog is meant to talk about anything we want to write about or feel strongly about. I chose to  write about different countries and their culture because some people tend to hate on a certain type of country and not look into their culture or their way of life. The country I chose today is Syria. 

By: Jade Stephen

Syria: 

Location: Western Asia

Neighboring Countries: Turkey, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan

Spoken Language: Arabic 

Capital: Damascus 

Dominant Religion: Islam 

Food: Kibbeh Bil Sanieh, Baklawa, Freekeh with Chicken and many more ( pictures  attached)

  

Traditional Clothing:

      


Sources:

http://www.sbs.com.au/food/sites/sbs.com.au.food/files/styles/full/public/Freekeh-with-chicken.jpg?itok=IoxFhjVd&mtime=1375860028

http://www.sbs.com.au/food/sites/sbs.com.au.food/files/styles/full/public/Baklawa.jpg?itok=pCeknXAC&mtime=1375844391

http://www.sbs.com.au/food/sites/sbs.com.au.food/files/styles/full/public/images/site_21_rand_1277017438_kibbeh.jpg?itok=KddPvtOu&mtime=1376025614

http://i0.wp.com/www.thelovelyplanet.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Syrian-Dancers-Traditional-Dresses-Sanja-Matonickin.jpg?resize=576%2C448

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/59/94/bb/5994bbf473226d3a598b44e2217dfeac.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/bc/35/fc/bc35fcb6e1f61e3a6383675345451287.jpg

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjAttrVu_rLAhWGqR4KHYpXBiUQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSyria&psig=AFQjCNHBw2Vt0NCqDEjXk2Bil4BbJVpsPw&ust=1460047699984062

http://www.cometosyria.com/en/pages/Religion+syria/6/1

Fashion Brand Gucci Ends the Separation of Sexes on the Runway; More Than Just a Business Venture

Everyone knows or at least has heard about the high end fashion brand, Gucci. Fashion is a very diverse topic in today's society. Not everyone is trying to conform to society's ideas of what's in trend. The great thing about today's day in age is that we try and promote new things and ideas.
Now back to Gucci, finally. Gucci is a well known fashion brand all over the world. Now, their clothing isn't everyone's cup of tea but there are some who see it as art. Fashion wear doesn't always HAVE to be worn, sometimes it can be showcased as art. Gucci's collections have always been a work of art. Their intricate designs and very fashionable pieces has been the envy of many. Chief Executive of Gucci, Marco Bizzarri has called for an end to the brands two different fashion shows; one showcasing women's wear and the other menswear. He said that the two fashion show's were becoming less practical and more traditional. He wants to simplify the business aspect of the show. I agree with his decision and I feel like the idea of it being mainly a business venture shouldn't be the main focal point. Many women and men are trying new things and wearing things that wouldn't have been considered "normal" for their sex. Take popular singer and actress Zendaya as an example. She wore a suit to an event and was able to pull it off perfectly. I like the idea that people are making fashion their own. That should be the main aspect.  

Link to Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/06/fashion/gucci-calls-for-end-to-separation-of-the-sexes-on-the-runway.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ffashion&action=click&contentCollection=fashion&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=sectionfront

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjw5oKRvfrLAhUEpB4KHVAbBigQjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsugar.com%2Ffashion%2FZendaya-Outfit-2016-Grammys-40199175&psig=AFQjCNFTBxt9Dgv68-HzSzJPVWprjiVSeg&ust=1460048084482530

Mitchell Mui
Midwood Diversity

Are Transgenders Becoming an Issue?

    Upon finding PayPal Pulls North Carolina Plan After Transgender Bathroom Law by Reuters, I find it extremely disappointed in terms of state decisions on gender identity. Recently North Carolina had passes a strict ruling forcing transgenders to use the restroom according to the gender identified on their birth certificates. Paypal on the other hand was planning to help North Carolina open a global operations center.
     Paypal incorporated became the first major company to protest against North Carolina's strict law which seems to only target transgender, lesbian, and gay citizen. The state lawmakers of North Carolina also voted to prohibit the local government from allowing anti-discrimination protection for the citizens. According to Chief Executive Officer Dan Schulman "The new law perpetuates discrimination and violates the values and principals that are at the core of PayPal's mission and culture."
     My viewpoint on this matter however remains the same. The fact that North Carolina is refusing to acknowledge transgenders, lesbians, and gays show that discrimination is still at large in America. I am very relieved that PayPal is rejecting their law and now seeking another site in which did not apply these abdominal laws.

Article Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2016/04/05/technology/05reuters-north-carolina-transgender-paypal-hldg.html

Image taken from Samuel Kubani/AFP via Getty Images.

Mohammad Khalid           
 In terms of diversity, people have been migrating from place to place spreading their cultural ideas and influences other. People migrate from place to place to see something new or to have a better future. Today and in our generation the Syrian Crisis has affected the people of Syria. There are refugees moving to Europe hoping for a better future for themselves and for their families. 
Today, I read a article called "The New European" by James Angelos in the New York Times Magazine.
This article is about refugees entering the Bavarian Alps in Germany. This article is based on the point of view of a German resident. The German resident describes when the refugees came of the bus and saw on their faces "Pure fear and Pure exhaustion."
This is hard for the refugees because they do not know anything about the region, and they have to find jobs and be able to provide for their children. 
Some people opposed the refugees from coming in because they said that they were concerned about the safety of women and children.
 Evelyn, a resident in the area said "They are respectful; they’re nice.” 
The rest of the article explains a lot of their journey and how the refugees lived in region.


This picture shows were most refugees are going.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/magazine/the-new-europeans.html
Picture is from the article