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

Is History Repeating Itself?

Jade Stephen
Midwood Diversity

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi4naTL3tTLAhWI6x4KHc1ZDPYQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azquotes.com%2Fquote%2F952206&psig=AFQjCNEA3Fut1_vU-dvl2xyS5EKSZbOFEw&ust=1458751360318962

In school we're taught history because we don't want history to repeat itself and we must know about the past. But isn't that what's happening now?
            It all started when we felt that wonderful feeling of nationalism back in the 19th century. Even before that, but that would go too far back in history.  We felt that our nation is the best out of all the other nations and our beliefs are the only ones to be followed. That feeling led to us kicking out many Native Americans and forcing them into doing things they never wanted to do like converting into Christianity and following the way that we live. When they didn't do what they were told, they were shun and seen as animals. We looked down on them and start to dislike them because they were  different from us. But what's wrong with different? The Natives weren't the only ones that received hate. There were Blacks who were tortured by many Whites and terrorist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan just because they're different and looked weak just like the Natives. After the Blacks there were foreigners in the United States who received a lot of hatred after World War I. Americans had this sudden fear of foreigners also known as xenophobia. It got to the point where two Italian men were falsely convicted of a crime that they didn't commit. But don't forget about the amount of Jews who were horribly murdered during World War II. Just because they were different and followed different beliefs.
       So why am I telling you about all these historical events? Well, today there's this thing called Donald Trump who is in the lead in the presidential race. He wants to build a wall to keep Mexicans out of the United States, and he wants Muslims to stop coming into the United Sates as well. Even with his racial slurs, Americans wants him to become president. Want to know why? Because in the time of fear we want someone powerful. Someone who will lead us and make us into the greatest country ever. That reminds me about the time when Germans wanted Hitler because he was saying all the things they wanted to hear after being embarrassed by Britain and France. A weak person would look for a strong person to protect them from all the horribles of the world. I've seen on social media how people mainly hate what Trump says but don't do anything about it. Why are we allowing history to repeat itself? Why are we allowing this thing to create even more racial tension? Why are we allowing another group to be tortured by our fears? Why aren't we trying to change our history? Maybe we are the most laziest generation who allow words to speak for us rather than our actions. Age can't stop you from changing history, look at Ruby Bridges. Neither can time because we still have time before Obama resigns. Different is amazing. Being like everyone else is boring. So go out and change history my children. May the force be with you!!


http://shirtoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/May-The-Force-Be-With-You.jpg  

Mitchell Mui

Does Race Really Matter Anymore?

     The term race has been in use for quite a while, and its role in aiding the world proves vital. In fact, on the twenty first of April, the Supreme Court argued whether or not the roles of race may act on the legislative acting. 

Voters in the case of Wittman v. Personhuballah leaving the court after their decision. 
Image taken by  CreditJ.Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

       The court's main problem to the situation was to address the issue of black voters overwhelming the democratic ballots. To some in the political field, this may be seen as an extreme unbalance. I agree that the other parties are at a disadvantage, however, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and voice. If one chooses to vote for a party, then one should not be neglected for their choice.

Mohammad Khalid

Midwood Diversity

                        Midwood's Culture is so diverse!!! We have people of different races all around the world. People come from all parts of Asia, Europe and Latin America.  

                        Some students from Midwood High School comes from Pakistan.  Pakistan is located in  South East Asia the country borders India and Afghanistan.  

Pakistan

Traditional Clothing: 

In Pakistan, males wear shalwar kameez. It is a traditional clothing that is commonly worn in public places. Females, on the other hand wear a hijab, that is worn by all women in Pakistan. 

Religion:

The nation's religion is Islam.

Capital:
The capital of Pakistan is Islamabad. 

Sports:
The nation's national sport is cricket. The team participates in world cups.

Image Credit: http://www.mapsofworld.com/pakistan/maps/pakistan-map.gif