Basha High School
Centennial High School
Desert Ridge High School
Desert Vista High School
Foothills Academy
Hamilton High School
Northpoint Expeditionary
Learning Academy
Paradise Valley High School
Perry High School
Seton Catholic High School
Skyline High School
Williams Field High School
Junior At Large
(Williams Field High School)
Senior At Large
(Maryvale High School)
2010 Ethics Contest Essays
Bagdad High School, Bagdad, Arizona
How could they have tolerated the bigotry?
If two people love each other, shouldn’t they be allowed that same rights, privileges and responsibilities, no matter their genders? In a hundred years from now, when people look back on the argument they will say, “How could they have tolerated that?” Marriage is an institution that much of our culture revolves around. It is also an institution that is in crisis. When someone can compete on a television show to “Marry a Millionaire”, the argument about saving a sacred institution seems kind of pointless.
Some argue that children are better off raised in a male-female headed household. Many couples will marry and not have children; gay and straight. Gay and lesbian couples are having children already without the benefits of marriage. So are single moms, teenagers and drug addicts. Preventing a loving same-sex couple from making a legal commitment to each other can only hurt their children. It can send a message, like it did in the case of one Massachusetts couple, that mommy and mommy don’t really love each other, because if they did, they would have gotten married. How do you explain the legal system to a five year old?
Some churches oppose same-sex marriages. Separation of church and state is essential to the freedom we enjoy as Americans. It is also the value our constitution was based upon. Mast Americans, perhaps with the exception a few in white robes, will agree that the ban on interracial marriages is nothing more than prejudice at work. Soon, we will look back at the ban against same-sex marriages and see, like the ban on interracial marriages, which were backed by nothing more that bigotry, prejudice and fear.
Opponents of gay marriage appear willing to do anything at all to stop it and the reason is that culture, social, and political forces in America are moving almost inexorably towards the legalization of gay marriage. Sooner or later, marriage for same-sex couples will be legal and recognized as marriage traditionally been for heterosexual couples. Even after gay marriage is legalized, social and political barriers will continue to be thrown up in front of gay couples and their supporters. In the long term, though, these barriers will fall apart because the bigotry and animosity towards gays will be the sort of support they currently have.
I was born from a man and a woman as most are. I was taught that all people are created equal. We may differ in skin tone, language, and places of origin but we are all human beings that are to be treated equally and fairly in all stations of life. At a young age this knowledge was bestowed upon me by those who loved and raised me. With this basic knowledge I began grade school and again my teachers delivered this same message by way of the Declaration of self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, which among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Being the inquisitive child that I was, I had to ask my teachers why this phrase only included men. My teacher explained that it meant mankind, which includes men and women. I was pleased with that answer and moved forward believing those words to be true. It was unfortunate that as I became an adult I had the lessons of my younger years challenged so drastically. Once I reached teen hood I accepted and embraced that I was born a lesbian. This creates a problem right? Of course not! I was born this way and to maintain health and sanity we must be who we are. In an attempt to live properly and benefit society, I set out to be the best lesbian I could be. Making decision to unite with another person is my personal right. In a hundred years from now when people look back on the argument they will say, “How could they have tolerated that?” marriage is an institution that much of our culture revolves around. If two people love each other, shouldn’t they be allowed the same rights, privileges and responsibilities, no matter their genders?
Basha High School
The Unethical Violation of the Modeling Industry
As children, many girls dream of walking down a runway displaying a designer’s clothing for shoppers throughout the world. However, the media and fashion industry transformed the girls’ dream into a nightmare, as they strive to make their body fit the ideal body. Consequently, their health is put at risk due to eating disorders and malnutrition. The projection of the female body exploits women while putting peer pressure and stress on them. The fashion industry and media unethically present an idealistic view of the female body that puts physical and emotional stress on the female population.
Although women have been exploited in decades past, in our generation, women are only seen as beautiful if they fit a certain body type: tall and thin. Fashion industries and the media present this body type as the one to be like. They do not think about genetics or the health of the models that fit that type. In actuality, many of the models are anorexic or bulimic, suffering from malnutrition that could cause their death. Their display of women is unethical because they exploit these women and cause stress for those who do not fit the “in” body type. This stress causes harm to women who experience it and believe they are not beautiful if they are not thin.
Because the fashion industry and the media influence young women, women are easily influenced by the accepted body. The outrageous expectations these industries have of their models exclude the majority of the female population. This is unethical and the industries should be punished for it. They should not have any right to tell the world what is accepted as beautiful and what is not. I have never had to worry about being heavy or overweight, but I have had to deal with wanting to be taller and to fit in more. My petite stature does not match the accepted body that the fashion industry presents, and through my pre-teenage years, I struggled with my own body image. I wished to be taller so I could feel like I fit in. However, I was not, and over the years I grew to accept that. However, not all young women learn to accept their own body, and that can result in dangerous acts.
In order to change the female image that the fashion industry has established, the fashion companies need to help, in addition to all citizens. The companies need to lower their standards for their models; not all women are six feet tall and a size two. Also, citizens should learn to ignore the media and encourage each other to be the best they can be. Height and weight are not the determining factors of a person, and it should not be taught that way. Women should be taught that physical features do not determine a person, the personality does. Also, men should encourage women to be who they are. Men should not choose a woman based on physical characteristics alone, and should not tease or make crude comments about a girl’s appearance.
In addition to others, I can help eliminate this unethical situation. I, as well as many other girls, have gossiped and spoke poorly of other girls in my life. These comments do not help a female’s self-esteem, but only decrease it more. People’s comments affect others; no matter how many times a person denies it. I can help improve the thoughts of other women by encouraging self growth from within as well as speaking highly of other’s accomplishments. This would promote self-confidence, and end the ethical violation committed by the fashion industry. If the female population felt confident in themselves, the stress created by the ideal body image would not affect women.
The modeling and media industries influence the female population drastically. Their unethical portrayal of the ideal female body creates stress and low self-esteem of their female viewers. Consequently, citizens need to be aware of this unethical situation and try to change it. As a country we can learn that the body image the media presents is unrealistic and that all women have characteristics that make them beautiful in one way or another. It is up to us to see the truth in these industries and try to change it to make United States culture more realistic and confident.
Child Sex Slavery
A million “new” children, age 9 to 19, are estimated to be coerced or forced into sex slavery or prostitution each year with 300,000 within the United States. The average age of a child prostitute is 13 years old. Every day, children wake up knowing they will have to complete the most dehumanizing tasks in order to be allowed to sleep again. Their work is an 8 to 12 hour day consisting of one contractual rape after another ordered by a pimp. They are reduced to a product, forced to offer themselves to countless strangers who coerce and manipulate them for their own pleasures. They are controlled through intimidation with guns and threats to hurt both them and other family members back home. They are stripped of all their possessions and identity; given street names. One hundred years from now, mankind will look back on the current generation and scoff at the thought that citizens would let matters for children escalate to such horrific measures unless people act to change these circumstances.
The ethical violation can be simply stated as slavery. These children are forced into slave labor for the financial benefit of their “slave owner” and the momentary pleasures of their “customers” who think of them only as a transaction. Slavery has been abolished in the United States since 1865 and ratified by the 13th amendment of the constitution and yet it still goes on in 2009. On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In it declares that “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms” and “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. We are entrusted to follow the laws and declarations that are elected leaders have put forth. However, more than 60 years later, we are taking our children, our sisters, our daughters, our granddaughters, our friends and violating their rights that our forefathers fought and died for. It is disturbing to me as a young adult to see this happening. I think of my three nieces and how devastated I would be if this happened to them. I think of my friends in school who sit next to me in class and pray that it won’t happen to them.
Why does our society tolerate this; or are they turning a blind eye? I believe it is because we stereotype prostitutes and therefore, believe that it was their personal choice to live the way they do. We believe that prostitutes are drug addicts working to feed their habits. However, drug addicts are hard to control and most pimps will beat their prostitutes for even taking drugs because they are their source of income. We believe that prostitutes only come from socio-economic groups. Studies show that things like child abuse are more related to socio-economic status and prostitution is recruited from malls and online social networking websites. We believe that juveniles make educated decisions to enter prostitution. However, many young girls with low self esteem, neglect and limited resources cause them to believe that their only option is prostitution. They are promised friendship, romance and riches by the pimps and feel that they have no other solution to turn to.
Slavery, and more specifically child slavery, is wrong. Our government and the media are attempting to raise awareness on this problem. However, awareness is the first step; action is the only way to eliminate the problem. The US Census reported the population at the end of 2008 to be an estimated 304 billion people. If less than one-tenth of one percent of the population would take action, we could eliminate child slavery. That equates to one person befriending an existing or potential young adult heading towards prostitution. For the other 99.9% of the population, stop using children to satisfy your needs. In regards to myself, I could talk to the person at my school that looks like they are in need of a friend. Moreover, I could personally thank a leader that is working to support elimination of the issue. Let us focus our attention on these children and change our legacy so one hundred years from now, we will not be remembered for the exploitation of children for sex.
Centennial High School
Abortion
How do you feel when you hear that the Nazi’s killed over six million people by execution or that Joseph Kony slaughtered countless Africans? Americans look back in history and critique the horrendous decisions by evil leaders in the past and question how their society could have tolerated the actions. Yet the majority of Americans are tolerating one of the worst genocides with over fifty million murders.
If abortion was halted one-hundred years from now, I believe that society would look back in anger and frustration. We are allowing genocide to occur because we passionately protect the “rights” of women. Sadly these rights are protected because she cannot afford a baby, she feels having a baby now would make it too difficult to work, and she doesn't want to be a single parent. These are all weak excuses at the price of a life! Imagine, you have a five year old boy and you suddenly cannot afford his new clothes and he is taking time from your job. Therefore you bring him to the doctors where they place a suction cup on his head, which pokes a needle into his brain, and sucks it out. He lays limp on the table.
When one human being can tell another human being that they are not human, this is historically the way societies justify mass murders. One example is slavery; people believed that others with black skin were somehow less than them. They were turned into property and people had justification to enslave them. Adolf Hitler pushed German society into deeming the Arian race greater than others, which allowed people to believe that the Jewish and those with disabilities could be killed because they are not truly the best humans. The same is occurring now, but instead America justifies our murders by calling the babies a fetus or a property of the mother!
When the case of Roe vs. Wade came about in 1973, Justice Blackman used the Fourteenth Amendment as his evidence for the constitutional backing of abortion. The Amendment states the rights of the citizens of our nation when it says that no State shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property. Justice Blackman and the other four judges interpreted liberty to include a "right to privacy." They then concluded that if you do in fact have a right to privacy, then that must include the right to a private pregnancy and an abortion. By doing this, the judges did something unethical and horrible. The first part of the Fourteenth Amendment says that the State shall not deprive any person of life. Their opinion set precedent to define this human life as property instead of a life. We justify taking a human life by dehumanizing it, in this case to property, so we can have the mental capacity to kill it. Otherwise, it is my opinion that if people agreed that the fetus was a baby, they would be horrified to kill it.
I discovered this interesting pattern in history, which is a contradiction of our law, during class my sophomore year. I was in Criminal Justice class reading about different types of murder, including manslaughter. This is when I discovered Arizona statute 13-11035; Manslaughter is defined by: Knowingly or recklessly causing the death of an unborn child by any physical injury to the mother. This seemed extremely contradictive to Roe v. Wade so I began to debate within the class which sparked my passion and concern for our laws. I also discovered the Hippocratic Oath which states, “I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy.” This is one of the most highly regarded Oaths when students end medical school, yet this portion has been deleted because abortion is legalized. The Hippocratic Oath and the Arizona Statutes combine to demonstrate that without these ethical laws, a mass genocide has occurred.
The contradiction between law and ethics towards abortion must be changed. First, politicians and citizens must confront the truth, beyond their political parties, concerning the decision of Roe v. Wade. Then, America must honestly view ourselves from a future vantage point to understand that we are committing genocide. Finally, I have been accepted to major universities to study Political Science and hopefully move on to law school. I hope that pursuing this dream will allow me to become extremely knowledgeable about this genocide and teach me how to end such an injustice. I am excited about how I might be used to save these precious unborn children.
Abortion
Every parent strives to see their child succeed in their endeavors. Seeing their children receive good grades on a report card, the “game ball”, a scholarship to college, a steady income after they graduate, allows parents to stand upon a precipice of pride and happiness. For three out of four parents, this possibility is more than feasible. One out of four parents can never reach this precipice because they chose to take their child’s life through abortion. Since 1973, over forty million abortions have taken place (Crisis Pregnancy Center); forty million children have had their life stolen from them before they could even take a breath. Abortion is the most morally repugnant practice in our country and one hundred years from now, common society will know it as such.
It is necessary to establish the grounds in which abortion serves as the most prevalent ethical violation of our time. When a child is aborted, the mother chooses to disregard any potential life of her baby for her own benefit. This demonstrates complete and utter disrespect towards the sanctity of a human life. While an abortion is currently a “choice” with any pregnancy, it is an irresponsible one. If a pregnant couple is unable to provide for their child due to finances, marital status, age, or lifestyle, then they should have taken the necessary precautions to avoid pregnancy. A strong defense for the “pro choice” philosophy is the right to abort a pregnancy conceived from rape. While this is a tragic scenario deserving of sympathy, the percentages of this occurrence are too low to serve as the primary crux of the “pro choice” argument. Abortion also completely discounts the option of adoption, which provides a chance for the child to live without remaining in its potentially unhealthy environment.
The ethical violations of abortion consist of child abuse and homicide. The term fetus is used to describe an unborn baby. After mere days, the fetus shows signs of life as a living organism (child) who relies upon the biological processes of their host (mother). Therefore, we can classify a fetus as life. The unborn child has no ability to defend itself or offer any disposition as to whether or not it should be spared; abortion takes advantage of the inability of the child to care for itself and abuses its innocence and natural necessity for assistance in order to survive. Through an abortion, the life of a child is taken without contestation, which legally can be classified as homicide.
Despite the blatant ethical violations found in abortion, society ignores them because of its tendency to favor political correctness. We involve ourselves in the moral ambiguities of abortion by accepting it as a natural response to a pregnancy. The frequency of abortions after conceived pregnancies (25 percent (Crisis Pregnancy Center)) has blinded Americans. The violations of abortion are justified by those who commit them due to their beliefs that they are protecting the children by not allowing them to enter the world, that having the child would negatively impact their current situation, and that the unborn child itself isn’t living, so there is no “harm” in the abortion. However, all three of these suppositions stand upon the foundation of faulty logic. All three suppositions rest upon a static state where the child’s situation at birth is irrevocably ill-fated.
Every member of society can help eliminate the ethical violations presented by abortion. First, we must stand up for the rights of an unborn child by supporting non-profit organizations that point to alternative solutions to abortion (i.e. adoption, financially supported parenthood, etc.). Second, we can challenge the acceptability of abortion in our society. Finally, we can believe in the natural processes of life and give everyone an equal opportunity to succeed in life while supporting those who need a solution aside from abortion for their pregnancy.
Personally, I can do many things to help rid society of the ethical violations presented by abortion. I can partake in conversation and healthy debate with those who believe in the right to abort and convince them otherwise. I also can endorse the adoption process as I have a very close relationship with my cousin, who was adopted. I struggle to think of the memories that would be taken away if his biological mother would have chosen to terminate his life before childhood.
To remove this moral blight on our society, we must first shed light on abortion’s ethical violations and then take the necessary steps to remove it.
Chandler High School
Flag Burning
To protest a governmental policy, a group of people gather in the middle of a street, raise picket signs, shout about their grievances, and rally other standers by into supporting their cause. After a few hours, and a large crowd has gathered, the leader of the protest decides to (to show the government ‘who’s boss’) burn the American flag. And, because of the Supreme Court case of Texas v. Johnson, this near-treasonous act is considered ‘free speech’, as it is an expression of beliefs, and is therefore protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
The American flag is a symbol of our country, the United States of America. This flag represents all of the American people, all of the immigrants who came to America looking for a better life, all of the soldiers fighting for our great country, and all of the lives—the fathers, mothers, daughters and sons that have given their lives to keep that flag flying high.
These protesters that burn the flag think that the flag is just a ‘piece of fabric’ and it’s ‘just a symbol’ of America, it’s not that important. But it is much more important than they know. Soldiers stand in its shadow as they are about to fly off to war. Veterans fly the Old Glory high from their homes, showing their love and support for their country in the only way they still can. A folded flag is all that is left of a fallen soldier, to be presented to wives, mothers, children, after their loved one has died for the country—his blood keeping those red stripes bright. It is my Grandfather’s coffin, and the last I ever saw of him.
In one of my classes, we held a debate on whether or not flag burning was wrong. I was shocked to find that only three people in my class, including myself, thought that burning a flag was wrong. Nearly all of my peers named the flag as ‘only a symbol’, and ‘just some fabric’ and asked ‘why is it that important?’, while myself and only two other classmates fought against the verbal onslaught, saying ‘No, the flag is important. It is not just a piece of fabric. This is the flag of our country, and it is important.’
It is hard to explain patriotism to someone. It is difficult to inform someone of how it feels to see your strong, brave mother crying over this ‘piece of fabric’ that my Grandfather was to be buried in, because of his love for this country he fought for. It is difficult to describe the feeling in your heart as the flag is lowered to half-mast in times of trouble, and raised, flying high and proud, in the times that we are strong and fighting.
So I’ll write this essay, and I’ll jump up on a soapbox and shout words of love for this country. I’ll donate a dollar to the people at my school collecting money to send care packages to the soldiers fighting for their country and their families. I’ll write to my Senator, or the President, or anyone who might listen if I have a problem with my government. And I will never, ever burn a flag. Because by burning a flag, a person is burning more than just some thread and dye. They are burning hopes. They are burning dreams. They are burning the souls of the soldiers that have died fighting for our beautiful country. They are burning the memory of my grandfather, and the memory of a hundred others that died loving this country as much as he did. So stand up and help pass a law against burning flag, before the whole country goes to ashes.
Puppy Mills
Over the centuries society has looked back on its past actions and asked, “How could we have done that? How could we have executed alleged witches? How could we have owned slaves? How could we have dropped the atomic bomb?” All these actions were ethical violations through which one group was exploited for the benefit of another; this is why we look back on these events with disbelief and horror. But the fact is that as time passes society progresses, and even now we are not perfect, there are things going on in today’s society that in the next century will make people ask similar questions. One issue that has been brought to the public’s attention over the last fifty years is animal rights, and one way they are being violated is through puppy mills.
A female dog is kept in a cramp cage along with five other dogs, none of them have names, just numbers, and this particular dog is number twelve. Twelve is pregnant for the fifth time, yet she barely has enough food. Twelve has never felt the grass before, she lives in a chicken wired cage and despite being a grey hound, the fastest breed of dog on the planet, and she can barely walk. Her puppies are taken away from her at an unsafe age so that they are more marketable to the public, and on top of all the abuse twelve has a mammary tumor which goes untreated. To her owners twelve is nothing but a sack of money; this is definitely not how we as a society envision the treatment of man’s best friend.
Twelve is a mill dog, living under puppy mill conditions, and the fact that these conditions are legal is disturbing. It is “right” when dogs are able to live in homes where they receive affection, or at the least clean food and water; it is “wrong” that any animal should have to live in conditions that alter its natural behaviors so drastically that it cannot function normally. Puppy mills are unethical because the people running them think of animals as inferior, and therefore treat them like assets to be exploited, not like living creatures. The ethical violations include the animal’s rights to clean food, water, and shelter, and the animal’s rights to medical attention when necessary. Puppy mills are unethical because in the process of making money, millions of dogs are exploited every year.
When I watched my first puppy mill video I was shocked. I had heard of livestock being produced at these rates but I had never heard of this many dogs being produced. I had always assumed that puppies all came from small business breeders who took care of each individual dog, not from massive puppy producing units. The worst part is that we citizens become involved indirectly in the violations described in twelve’s scenario when we buy puppies from local pet shops. It turns out that most puppy mills get their business from these stores and by purchasing puppies from pet stores we are fueling the puppy mill industry.
Puppy mills are clearly ethical violations but violators create arguments to defend their puppy mills. Many owners claim that the dogs actually like the conditions and torments they are put through, and others claim that the dogs adapt to the situations and learn to be happy in them; but the bottom line comes down to, would you want your own pets to live in those conditions?
Each person can protest against puppy mills by boycotting their goods, this means not buying products and puppies from pets’ stores linked to puppy mills. By boycotting these stores we make puppy mills unprofitable and therefore put a stop to the unfair treatment of animals. I, as an individual, can help eliminate these practices by contacting state lawmakers, who can pass legislation that will make these conditions illegal, therefore eliminating them, about puppy mills. I can also educate other individuals and spread awareness about puppy mills. In a century people will look back on our society’s exploitation of animals and wonder how we tolerated it, but hopefully at the present we can find a way to end it.
Desert Ridge High School
Environmental Disaster
The National Geographic estimates that even if humans stopped producing greenhouse gases today, the Earth would still warm by another degree Fahrenheit or so. This is an extremely important fact that if continued to be unchecked will cause irreparable harm on humanity. Environmental issues are becoming more and more apparent as each day goes on, and still society continues to go on as “business as usually”. By the time the fact of our overgrazing of land, burning of fossil fuels, and our immense contribution to global warming becomes evident it will be too late to act on this treacherous dilemma. This is a concern that humanity must act on now if we wish to prosper in future years. Environmental issues are problems that when looked back on 100 years from now humanity will ask: “How could they have tolerated that”.
One of the first things the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined about global warming is that there are several greenhouse gases responsible, and humans emit them in a variety of ways each day every year. With the influx of industrialization in America at its peak in the 1920’s, it increased the amount of GHCs (green house gases) in the atmosphere. Most come from the combustion of fossil fuels in cars, factories and electricity production as well as methane released from landfills and agriculture. Fossil fuels are the demand of our society and the rest of the world throwing us into an energy crisis due to our dependability of a finite resource. Nations would then be forced to go to war over who has the most resources available to its citizens. A world such as this is destined to destroy itself unless alternate means of energy are created and affordable for all.
The unfortunate problems with burning fossil fuels and pollution is individual citizens don’t feel they can really make a difference and that it’s too big of a problem for them to personally change. Most Americans have two to three vehicles that are usually SUVs or minivans, which get poor gas mileage, that are driven every day. Some countries continue to dump their wastes into oceans and in turn, damage the world’s water supply for the rest of its inhabitants. Each day our ignorance of environmental issues continues making the problem worse. Sometimes we harm the environment knowingly and still justify it thinking it won’t harm anyone.
Global warming can be solved with some simple solutions. Alternative fuel and energy sources can be fairly affordable, and companies are becoming more popular. Some are making the switch and “going green” to help save the environment by purchasing hybrid vehicles and changing to compact florescent light bulbs. If the world continues to contribute to climate change and global warming disastrous effects can occur, such as, melting polar ice caps and holes in the ozone layer from pollution. The United States cuts down millions of trees a year to be used for our domestic products. Using gasoline powered machinery to cut down these trees adds an astounding rate of green house gases to the atmosphere, but it’s continued to be done because it is profitable for major companies.
If each of us were to make even the smallest change it could make a big difference for everyone. Personally I have chosen to drive less and change to compact florescent light bulbs in my house. Some residents in my neighborhood are choosing solar panels for their roofs along with some states’ governors even designating laws that mandate houses to get solar panels in order to boost the economy. Being currently enrolled in an ecology class and having to recycle every Friday, I’ve learned that it makes a difference in the community and helps save money instead of having to spend more to mass produce new products every year. The future of this planet depends on us to find renewable energy resources and cooperate as a planet to find a global solution to climate change.
Desert Vista High School
The Continuum of Violence
The judge hammered his gavel after he received the jury's final decision. David—nervously waiting for the verdict—squeezes the hand of his lawyer. The judge then says, “In the case of David Martin, the jury finds him guilty of first degree murder. The court sentences him to death row.” David's heart sank, and his family in the audience begins to cry. His body is numb, and he loses all emotion. David knows the clock is ticking; his life now possesses an expatriation date. Today, thirty-five states still sentence criminals like David with capital punishment (“States With and Without the Death Penalty”). Since 1976, 1,186 people have been executed (“Additional Execution Information”). The death penalty is an ethical issue that needs to be confronted.
Some people are in favor of the death penalty, because they believe criminals deserve severe punishments for their unthinkable crimes. The public feels safer knowing that they are terminated forever, rather than in jail with the possibility of parole. But is it really morally correct to punish them with death? Many people feel that the death penalty is the worst possible punishment, but it is actually an easy way out for criminals. The criminals should be isolated in their own maximum security cells—without any privileges like leisure time or family visits—and think about their crimes. Killing a murderer is extremely hypocritical, and it creates more violence without actually solving anything. Everyone has the right to live, and that should apply to criminals as well.
Humans make mistakes; therefore, it is a possibility that some “criminals” sentenced to death row are completely innocent: “Since 1973, over 130 people have been released from death row throughout the country due to evidence of their wrongful convictions. In 2003 alone, 10 wrongfully convicted defendants were released from death row” (“Death Penalty and Innocence”). However, there are some heartbreaking cases in which innocent people are not so lucky. Cameron Todd Willingham was accused of killing his two daughters by setting his house on fire. Until the day he died, he swore he was innocent. This statement created controversy, and the case was re-opened. Five years later, investigators found that the evidence against Willingham was based on theory, and he was truly innocent (Lenore).
The death penalty makes me nauseous. I agree that criminals need to be punished, but death is not an answer. When I found out that Arizona is one of the states that continue this practice, my mouth dropped. If someone I knew was convicted of a serious crime, I would not want them to be sentenced to death. I feel ashamed to live here, and this ethical issue needs to change. Together, we can abolish the death penalty from society so these prisoners can get a real taste of punishment. Each of us can vote against the death penalty in our state polls. Not only will I vote, but I will also spread word of mouth to my friends, family members, peers, and neighbors. I can write letters to newspapers and magazines to get this ethical issue global.
It does not matter if the convicted criminals are guilty or innocent; the death penalty is immoral either way. These people may have made mistakes in their lives, but that does not mean we have the right take away such the precious gift of life. By sentencing criminals to death, we are also murderers. Therefore, capital punishment creates a cycle of violence that will not stop if action is not taken. We can stop this continuum; we can tolerate this issue by forcing criminals to live in solitude—with no exceptions—so they suffer each day for their crimes. Violence is never the only choice.
Works Cited
"Additional Execution Information." Death Penalty Information Center. 04 Dec. 2009.
Death Penalty Information Center, Web. 3 Dec 2009.
"Death Penalty and Innocence." Amnesty International. 2009. Amnesty International
USA, Web. 3 Dec 2009.
"States With and Without the Death Penalty." Death Penalty Information Center. 2009.
Death Penalty Information Center, Web. 3 Dec 2009.
Lenore. "Texas Executed an Innocent Man." Innocence Project of Florida. 28 Aug. 2009.
Innocence Project of Florida, Inc, Web. 3 Dec 2009.
Help those incapable of helping themselves... (Author Unknown)
Centuries ago, bulldogs were breed specifically to allow blood to drip off their muzzles in bullfights. Dogs were slaughtered and groomed specifically for the entertainment of man. Such barbaric acts are considered taboo in today’s society, and are seldom brought up in conversation. In reality, horrific acts of animal abuse for entertainment still exist, and those that have the least ability to help themselves are being cruelly exploited for the enjoyment of humans.
The word humane is defined as “marked by sympathy and compassion for other human beings and animals” and has the same roots as the word human. Yet in terms of animal abuse, humane is the last thing humans are associated with.
Imagine a puppy, newly wrenched from its mother’s loving care, huddled in the corner of a garage. A wooden ring stands in the center of the room, the stench of sweat saturates the air, and cold concrete is covered with mats to dispose of the blood. A circle of people stands around the ring, egging on the two opponents. They are excited by the bloodshed and mutilation occurring before them. To begin his training, the puppy is thrown into the ring, where a vicious opponent immediately slams into him with dagger-like teeth that slice through the tender skin. Blood smears the mats, and the puppy has officially begun a cycle of hatred and abuse.
Dog fighting rings are becoming increasingly common in society - both for entertainment and profit. In the past, dogfights were hosted in underground rings, where their malicious acts were hidden from sight. Now, dogfights occur as bets or spontaneous games to pass away time on street corners or playgrounds. Self-absorption draws a blindfold of illusion across the eyes of Americans, rendering them incapable of seeing the atrocities being committed.
This animal abuse occurs daily, and shatters images of morality across the nation. How can we tolerate letting animals suffer? How can we participate in entertainment that is so morally unjust? If we do nothing, those questions will become “how could they?” I do not want to be remembered as the generation that tolerated cruelty to animals.
Principle in itself should provide some moral backbone to our nation. Animals should not be abused for ANY reason, including profit and entertainment. Humans are the superior race, and instead of taking advantage of weaker animals, we should protect them from harm. By principle, those incapable of helping themselves, like animals, are the ones most in need.
Yet we still fall into the trap of animal abuse. As a society we violate the ethical principle of helping those in need and participate in “sports” that harm animals. All it takes is once, and the sticky justifications of the violators swamp your moral values like quicksand. Violators justify their actions by considering dog fighting as a business, a personal venture that stifles their guilt with money. Peer pressure to fit in with a group can cause someone to abandon all morals and violate their principles.
My reaction to this terrible occurrence is utter shock and outrage. I cannot fathom how someone can willingly harm an innocent creature of God. My outrage stems from the fact that people subject animals to pain, suffering, and mutilation, while they themselves emerge unscathed. To change this trend of abuse, I volunteer at animal shelters that treat dogs that have been subjected to fighting. In need of rehabilitation, they lack the skills necessary for a successful adoption. By treating and caring for the victims of dog fighting, I am helping to set a standard where animals are respected and loved, not beaten and abused.
In a society where cutting down a saguaro is a crime, animal abuse should not and cannot be tolerated. Because dog fighting does exist, our generation will be known as one that tolerated cruelty to animals. Unless we change our ways, “how can we” will become “how could we.”
Works Cited
ASPCA: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Web. 09 Dec. 2009. <http://www.aspca.com>.
Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 09 Dec. 2009. <http://www.dictionary.com>.
Foothills Academy
Abuse and Toleration
Right now there is a woman walking down a crowded street. Her face is covered by heavy cloth and her hands are full of supplies she will use to cook dinner for her family. She walks with a limp. She is glad no one can see the bruises on her face. When she gets home and begins to prepare the night’s meal, she is literally shaken into terror by her husband who hits her and bellows obscenities for no apparent reason. The woman hears her children scream as she is brutally beaten, and she sobs as her husband yells, helpless to stop the domestic violence that she believes she has brought upon herself.
Where is the justice in this horrific life that exists for twenty-five percent of all women around the world? Does our society seriously continue to put up with men who abuse their wives? There is not one person on the face of the earth who deserves to be terrorized the way one in every four women are, and the fact that people deliberately look the other way when this violence happens is sickening. It is not right to force anyone to live a life of fear, a life of depression and hopelessness and dread, and it is wrong for us to assume that these abused women have the energy to fend for themselves.
I cannot even begin to imagine what such a life would be like. I am shocked and disgusted by these truths women everywhere face, and fearful for those who must put up with it. The fact that there are so many women who are victimized in such terrible ways makes me feel sick inside, but the fact that there are so many who do not care about the appalling lives women must face makes me even sicker. The fact that these women’s ethical rights are stripped away from them with every slap, punch, and kick they receive (let alone rape and mental abuse) is a tragedy that is well beyond words.
However, even if that woman being brutalized in the kitchen has no hope for her future, the people of the world might be able to help her. Anyone who hears screams and sees beatings taking place next door can call for help. Governments need to pass stricter laws regarding domestic violence so that their women will be protected and violators will be punished more severely. But above all, the citizens who do have the right to speak out must educate others about this horrific problem. There are people who sit in the United States who have no idea what women in other countries (and even women in their own country!) have to go through every waking moment of their lives, and that’s something that needs to change.
Even the abusers themselves, the ones who think that it is right to strike a woman, the ones who believe that women are property and that beating them is justified, need to be taught how wrong they are. These violators think that their actions are not unethical because they are convinced that it is their duty and their right to “discipline” women. Showing these men differently will help put an end to domestic violence. Above all, teaching everybody to choose the path that is usually not easy but always right over the one that will lead to an easier but morally wrong way out will help to end this heartbreaking dilemma.
And what can I do? I can speak. I can do what twenty-five percent of women in the world can’t. After all, that woman who must crawl back to the kitchen and continue making dinner after being beaten has tomorrow to dread. If I can raise awareness regarding domestic violence, if I can educate others about this terrible thing we somehow tolerate today, and if I can refuse to let it happen right in front of me or to me, someday I might be able to buy that woman a better future.
Maybe, a hundred years from now, all the people of the world will have bought all women a better future.
The Right to Die
The patient’s family gathers around his bedside. A man in his forties, he is quiet and pale. His doctor has just told him that he has terminal cancer. “I want to die,” he says, and his family murmurs in dismay. “There’s nothing they can do for me except keep me alive to suffer.”
“That’s not true,” says his wife, holding his hand. “Miracles happen all the time.” The doctor, standing in the doorway, sighs. He’s seen this before. The patient will waste away until at last he mercifully dies. Every step of the way, he will beg the doctor and his family to help end his suffering. This is what will and does happen, and the doctor and I watch in despair and anger. This patient, you see, was my uncle.
What my uncle wanted is described in many different ways. However, the scientific community usually refers to it as euthanasia. Euthanasia is illegal in almost all areas of the world. Denying a mentally competent, terminally ill patient the right to choose how and when he or she will die is a violation of the ethical principles of innate human dignity and personal choice. Allowing someone to suffer is only needless agony that affects not only the patient, but also his or her loved ones and caregivers. We allow people to live however they want, and doctors can save people from death. Is it so wrong to allow them this most personal of all choices and to save them from life when life is no longer worth living?
As someone who is interested in a medical career and who has worked and lived with the severely ill and the dying, I can appreciate their courage. Some people exhibit perseverance by pushing on until there is nothing more to be done; others exhibit strength by dropping all attempts at treatment and letting nature have its way. I do not think that either action is more right than the other; instead, I think that they are both acceptable and that euthanasia should be an option for those who choose the second course. To me, it signifies more respect for human life to assist that life’s end (if the patient makes that choice) than to refuse their plea for assistance.
It all boils down to the patient’s view on euthanasia. Various religious and other groups have argued that there are ways to alleviate someone’s pain and improve their quality of life. A patient’s loved ones may cling to these resources, such as narcotics and hospice care. This argument fails to recognize that there are drawbacks to such alternatives. The patient may experience severe side effects from large doses of narcotics, and they may have to entrust all of their needs to others. This situation is, more often than not, difficult on all involved.
As I have said before, if we claim to value human life so highly, why do we not value humans’ opinions as highly? Perhaps there is fear that euthanasia will be abused. Critics point to instances in Oregon where physicians have offered dying patients death-dealing pills, but not proper treatment for their condition, because the pills were cheaper. All laws can be abused; this is one of the drawbacks of living in a democratic society. If restraints were put on euthanasia, such as requiring the doctor to have a permit and having the patient go through a medical examination to determine if there are any factors that might cloud their judgment, euthanasia would be less likely to be abused.
Since I do not have any power in the medical field, I plan to go to my acquaintances at the hospital where I work and ask them for their opinion on euthanasia. To those who support it, I would ask for reasons why. Then, we could spread awareness in the community by talking to community doctors and lawyers and publishing articles in medical newsletters arguing the cause for euthanasia, among other things. Alone, one person can’t do much, but an organized effort can make a great difference.
In the debate over euthanasia, many people have forgotten about those whom it affects directly – the patients. They do not understand that the argument is really over the power to choose. This is one aspect of the issue that I would like to focus on, so that maybe in 100 years when people look back and think, “How could they not have allowed euthanasia?” they can also think, “At least we have it now.”
Hamilton High School
Education in America
“Next in importance to freedom and justice is education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.” – James A. Garfield
Bridget Green, a senior at Fortier High School in New Orleans, stood above everyone in her class. She was the shining example of dedication, assiduousness, and ambition at her high school. She was confident that she would make a difference after high school. Then came the day when the reality of American education came crashing down upon her. She received in the mail her ACT score, a test that determines a student’s readiness for higher education. To her horror she had received 11 out of 36. An 11. This placed her in the first percentile. How could she, the valedictorian at Fortier High School, receive such an appalling score? Furthermore, Bridget failed to pass the math section of the Graduate Exit Exam five times, a test that is required to pass before graduation The valedictorian of Fortier High School, the student with the highest GPA, was not allowed to her diploma.
This story sadly is not a hypothetical situation; it is the shocking state of American education currently. How 99 percent of all 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students taking the ACT’s do better than a valedictorian at any given high school? What is even more appalling is how could a valedictorian not be allowed to graduate? The educational system in America is in a sad state of affairs; reform cannot be put off any longer, America needs a better education now.
In America, K-12 education is guaranteed and although the federal government has attempted to provide the best education possible, education continues to falter. It is morally wrong for the government to provide an education that does not prepare students for higher level education or the working world. What good is a mandatory education if it does not provide any benefit in future years? A key component of the right to life is the ability to pursue one’s dreams, but often times an education is a bare necessity to achieve those dreams. Similar to how our government provides a minimum standard on health with federal aid to minimum income families, education needs to have a national standard. The ethical dilemma is that our government is providing an education that essentially cannot compete in today’s world. With the case of Bridget Green, our government should have provided a standard of education so that she could pass the GEE.
I was appalled when I first read this article because it revealed what kind of education I am receiving. America was the scientific and technological leader of the world, but that is not the case today. According to the Program for International Assessment, U.S. students lag behind 16 out of the 30 participating countries in regards to science and 23 other countries in math. My parents emigrated from Taiwan with the idea that America would provide me with the best possible education, and that is proving Government officials have justified this situation because of the economic state of America claiming that there is not enough money to support the education system. However, education is an integral part of democracy, in order for America to function properly its citizens must be educated. Money should be used for top priorities, and education is one of those priorities.
As citizens, we can make our voice heard through protests and voting. We need to make our voices heard about education reforms and it is the duty of our representatives to listen to our cries. As a student, I am not old enough to vote yet, but my voice can still be heard. I can educate my parents and those that do vote about this issue and the reforms that need to be heard. I was able to educate my parents about Obama’s healthcare policy which confirmed their vote for him. Also, I can attend school board meetings to speak about these issues to officials that can make a difference.
It is evident that America needs educational reforms now more than ever. In this growingly competitive world, America is faltering when we should be thriving. The case of Bridget Green is a truly shocking case, but it is our duty as citizens to ensure that these cases do not continue to occur. Bridget Green was a student like millions in America that suffered because of the educational system, but with Obama’s plans, there is hope for the future.
Vaccinations...How?
Slavery, Public Execution, Segregation, Child Labor, Forcing of natives out of their homelands, Selling People, The Holocaust. These occurrences are just a few of the events in human history that one could question, ‘How did they tolerate that?’ While none of these occurrences are still in current enactment, our society today is not without its flaws. There are events today that future generations will ask the same question, ‘How was that tolerated?’ Although the issue may be looked upon a century from now, I question these events now. How do individuals of today tolerate the current way we mandate vaccinations for children?
In 2009, you must vaccinate your children in order for them to attend a public school, or so everyone thinks. A child is vaccinated the day they are born and most years for the next 12 years of their life. The medical system mandates these vaccinations and educates parents to believe that these vaccinations are necessary for the health of their children. The very manufacturers of the vaccinations, companies who stand to make large amounts of money on the use of their products by the masses, generate this information. The crime here is that individuals follow this information, the vaccination schedule for their children, in order to be good parents and take proper care of the health of their children. The side effects and negative implications on the health of children, such as autism and heavy metal poisoning, are not made public. The presentation of the “good” that vaccinations accomplish is one sided and skewed to motivate people to participate. These vaccinations are filled with poisonous metals and processed chemicals that are extremely harmful. Parents are taught to follow the advice of the doctor and vaccinate on schedule. Many medical practices will not continue to treat patients if they make the choice not to vaccinate their children. This requirement is an ethical violation of parental rights by taking advantage of the naivety of parents and imposing the expertise of doctors and the medical system on a decision that will impact the health of that child forever. In the school situation, the fact that the child and parent are both told that they ‘must’ receive the vaccination is plain and simply a lie. In the current system, one does not HAVE to receive vaccinations; it is just socially acceptable to do so. In fact, it is frowned upon not to do so. Parents have the right to choose, but are not made aware of this right. The individuals administering the vaccinations should present both the negative and positive implications of vaccinations and encourage parents to educate themselves and make the right choice. Ask the parent of a child with “vaccinated induced autism” whether they would choose today to vaccinate their child if they were given the choice again. Their lives are forever changed by this lack of choice.
Personally, I see this lying system as unacceptable and I am unable to understand why something has not yet been done. The human immune system is perfectly capable of staying healthy with proper hygiene and good nutrition. As a matter of fact, if anything, the vaccinations are weakening our ability to fight future diseases. These shots are not strengthening our immune system but rather placing unnecessary stress on our bodies. Most people of today’s society are wrapped around the idea that they ‘must’ have vaccinations given to their children for their overall health. Very few are actually aware of the option not to receive these shots and even more are unaware what exactly is in these vaccinations and how harmful they are to health. How is it justified? The answer is simple; the same way most deceitful things are justified in American society. Pharmaceutical companies make fortunes in America, and these vaccinations are just another product to be sold to the consumer market. Upon convincing Americans that they must purchase this product, a pretty penny is put into the company’s purse.
This is not an issue out of the control of people. If individuals take some time to educate and think for themselves rather than letting medical professionals think for them, it will come to truth that a more healthful choice is available. I am currently doing everything I can to oppose this practice, by not receiving vaccinations. Today we ask, ‘How did they tolerate slavery in the 20th century?’ Now I ask, ‘How do we tolerate vaccinations in the 21st’?
Maryvale High School
Same Sex Marriage
Imagine this. You are a young man of twenty six; thriving, persistent, and successful. Your career has been steady for quite some time and life is fruitful. You meet another wonderful man and fall in love; A love that knows no sex, no discrimination, and no boundaries. You plan to commit and promise to love him for life, problem is? It is illegal and frowned upon. You and your partner are not allowed to join and commit. How is this fair?
Discrimination and denial of rights have been prevalent in our nation since the early 20th century. Women were denied the right to vote, blacks were denied the right to freedom, and the Indians were denied the right to remain on their homeland. Although old issues have been reformed, there underlies even more problems. Same sex marriage has been a controversy for years, and only a few states have been open enough to change the law. Traditionally, in the US, marriage is defined as the legal commitment of wedlock between man and women. Thirteen states in America allow for the unification of same sex couples. Even though this unification is legal, it can only be coined as “civil union,” not “marriage.”
The main reason for denying gay couples their marriage rights is that most religions consider homosexuality a sin. Marriage is spiritual, and our government should not start making laws just because a religion says they should. All couples should be allowed to have the same benefits that come along with marriage. Insurance benefits, joint custody, medical decision capacity are not offered to same sex couples. If one partner gets ill, visitation will not even be allowed because that person is not a spouse or family member. It is unjust to prevent couples from these rights because their definition of marriage doesn’t match the governments. America is known as the land of opportunity, but denying gay couples the privileges of marriage is discrimination. This is a common practice amongst many people in the United States. Homosexuality is becoming a more accepted form of lifestyle, but we are still stuck in that rut. It is no different than persecuting the Jews or enslaving African Americans. Banning same sex marriage takes away a couple’s born right to elope and love.
We ourselves are involved in this discriminatory act. At times, I find myself amongst people who whisper, sneer, and mistreat same sex couples. Admittedly, I have on occasion spoken ill words about homosexuals. It is not done out of hatred, but fear. Something that is unknown and uncommon is often alarming. Ignorance is the result of this fright. We think this behavior is tolerable because the majority of people are doing the same thing. It is just merely going along with the flow. As citizens, each of us can learn to open our minds and know that what may seem strange should not be feared. We need to write to our state legislators to change the laws. Same sex couples deserve the benefits of marriage and the basis of religion shouldn’t be the deciding factor of laws. Personally, I will educate and persuade the society to lessen this issue. If we all take measures to set equality for every person, our world will be more advanced in its way of thinking and we will get one step closer to acceptance.
Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy
Animal Testing
“There will come a time when the world will look back to modern vivisection in the name of Science, as they do now to burning at the stake in the name of religion.” ~Henry J. Bigelow M.D, Surgical Anesthesia: Addresses, and other papers (1894). Merriam-Webster defines vivisection as “the cutting of or operation on a living animal usually for physiological or pathological investigation; broadly: animal experimentation, especially if considered to cause distress to the subject”. Vivisection is essentially the scientific word for animal testing and it is still happening on a daily basis in modern times. Approximately twenty-eight million warm-blooded vertebrate animals are tested on every year, and of these, about eighteen million are killed as an effect of an experiment. The number of rats, mice and cold-blooded animals being tested on are unknown because federal laws do not require scientists to specify these numbers. How can we tolerate this?
The typical life for an animal in a lab is short and miserable. They are either bred to be test animals, or picked up from a pound. How animals are treated before testing varies based on where they are, but most likely locked in a cage alone. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) states that the animals must be treated humanely before and after experiments, but it cannot limit what can be done to animals during testing. Because the AWA cannot control what happens during testing, animals go through extensive amounts of experiments including eye irritancy, acute toxicity (lethal dose test), skin irritancy, and various kinds of injections. All of these experiments are done without any kind of anesthetic because it can affect the test outcomes. Although what the scientists are doing is not illegal, it is morally wrong and is animal cruelty.
In my opinion animal testing should stop completely. How much information does putting dish soap in a rabbit’s eye give us? Anyone with common sense knows not to put anything in their eyes unless that is its purpose. We all know not to eat makeup and if we are allergic to something we know not to rub it all over our skin. How many more animals need to live and die in pain for us to realize what we already know? As for medical research, people volunteer to try out new medicines. Why do we test on animals then humans? If it was successful in the animal, shouldn’t it just automatically put on the market? Obviously not, so why not cut out animal testing all together. People can consent to treatments and testing they will go under; animals have no choice.
Many argue that humans are more important than animals. In my eyes it is all the same. Animals are living, breathing creatures with nerves and a brain. People also say that animal testing helps find successful prescription drugs, but reactions to prescription drugs have killed over one hundred thousand people every year. The animals could not have predicted this. With all of the technological advances today, we could live just the same without animal testing.
In order to eliminate animal testing, we need to boycott products tested on animals. This is a lot easier said than done, because companies are not required to display on their products if they have been tested on animals. On the other hand, some companies are proud of their choice to not test on animals; and on their products they display “this product was not tested on animals.” Buying products not tested on animals will support the extermination of animal testing. Other than buying animal-cruelty-free products I can educate people, because many are not aware of the testing going on in their own state.
Paradise Valley High School
Gay Marriage
Gay marriage is a highly controversial issue in the United States today. The topic of gay marriage is very sensitive to many Americans. Questions that are proposed are ideas such as is it acceptable, should it be controlled, does our government have the authority to choose if it is right or wrong, and how can we fix this problem? Some mistakes with these questions are the fact that it shouldn’t be an issue at all. Being gay is how a person is born and if they love somebody, then they should have the right to a marriage. Children a hundred years from now will raise their hands in class and ask their government teachers how the people of the 21st century tolerated the treatment of gays and gay marriage. A student one hundred years from now will ask their teacher why our country let people discriminate people involved in gay marriage. He will seem confused as to why this would ever occur. This student will be confused as to why there was any controversy at all, because it makes perfect sense to him that all people deserve equal rights.
The ethical violation of this issue is civil rights. One hundred years ago black man had to learn at a separate school and drink from a separate fountain. Now a black man is president. Also one hundred years ago a woman did not have the right to vote, and now there are women in congress making laws for others to vote on. Gay marriage is a matter of civil rights. If you took the phrase ‘Gay people are not allowed to get married’, and you replaced the word gay with another adjective such as black, it would read ‘Black people are not allowed to get married’. If congress tried to pass a bill saying this, the whole country would be angry and call it racial discrimination. If you used any other word, retarded, fat, old, poor, Hispanic, instead of the word gay the country would be outraged. Why is it ok to, separate gays from this picture and say it’s wrong? The answer is it should not be. There shouldn’t have to be a problem, and the government should stay out of it. If government wants to get into the situation then they should look at the fact that our country is built on the phrase that all men are created equal, and under this all men, women, and even gays, are created equal. Therefore everyone should all have an equal opportunity at marriage.
I say it’s wrong to discriminate like this. People, stout Christians mostly, say that the bible provides conclusive evidence that it is morally wrong to be gay. The bible also says hundreds of other things that those same homophobic people break every day. For those who treat gay marriage like it is a sin I say this, love thy neighbor, and treat others how you wish to be treated. Those are things that people should focus on from the bible, and not small discriminating phrases to justify hatred.
Personally I think it is wrong of our government to interfere with whether or not gay people can or cannot get married. Homosexuals, just like any other people should be treated fairly and equally, and be allowed just like everyone else, to get married. Homophobics justify their beliefs with bible quotes, and made up reasons as to why being gay is wrong. People who don’t agree with homophobic ideas look past these intolerant flaws and have learned to cope with the fact that things will change, and people in the future will be able to participate in gay marriage.
I think we as U.S. citizens can help this cause by adjusting our views on such topics and start being more tolerant of gay marriage. We can also take part in elections and vote for gay rights, and for gay marriage. It’s not likely to have every single person help out in their own way for gay marriage rights, but it is possible for me to help. I can learn how to better tolerate others and show them the respect that they deserve, and as soon as I turn eighteen I can vote pro gay marriage. Gay marriage is an issue that can easily be righted if people just show a little tolerance and respect.
Perry High School
The Devolution of Females
Throughout history, society has participated in a myriad of dubious acts. Despite there being justification for each ritual or manipulation, they were nonetheless reprehensible. However, it is the current decade that faces the most blemished societal imperfection. A century from today, it is the misogyny inbred into society through the media that will be questioned, just as the enslavement of innocent peoples in the 1700s or the abhorrently lax worker regulations in the 1900s are questioned today.
Imagine a dark alley outside of an average high school. It is Saturday night and the Homecoming Dance is in full swing. Although there is police presence and security, a young female student is lured into the alley by friends and classmates under the guise of another party. Now imagine that this same girl is raped by not one, not two, but ten different males. And all the while, as this innocent girl is being raped, her peers stand by and watch. Not a single one will call the cops and the girl will be left, unconscious and alone, in the alley. The reasoning: “It was funny” (Fisher).
Unfortunately, for one girl, this situation takes no imagination. A high school sophomore from Richmond, California was raped in October 2009 outside of her school at a dance by ten males. As the two and a half hour ordeal progressed, more than twenty different individuals, both male and female, stood by to watch the horrendous events ("Police: As many as 20 present at gang rape outside school dance - CNN.com").
How could something like this have happened? Simple: society is being trained that women do not deserve respect and should be treated as objects, an act which is appalling. Take, for example, Ice Cube’s Don’t Trust ‘Em, a song in which the entire three minutes graphically outlines mistrust of women and, furthermore, expresses that women who betray a man’s trust should be murdered. Using lines such as “don’t trust no f--g bitch” and “I kill a hoe…you f--k with us we put your body in a f--g ditch,” popular media icons are training an entire generation of teenagers that such mistreatment of women is not only acceptable, but expected (Becker, Walter, Donald Fagen, and O'Shea Jackson). Songs only denote the beginning of this atrocious media flux. While sixteen year old boys should be learning how to respect women and proper dating etiquette, they are instead learning how to mistreat and dehumanize females, particularly with increased access to hardcore pornography, which literally demonstrates to men how best to rape a woman.
It cannot be overlooked, however, that this misogynistic training does not extend only to males; females also facilitate this disposition. Television shows such as America’s Next Top Model and Gossip Girl subtly do the most damage. Girls are trained to become “sexy” and to attract the attention of males. No longer are they expected to remain virgins until marriage but, instead, are encouraged to fornicate at an early age. Furthermore, females are actively participating in pornography and perpetuating rape fantasies by willingly engaging in the production of such videos. As much as males are being trained to fall into the media traps, women are being programmed to accept and embrace this behavior.
There is no justification for this misogynistic trend other than that the demeaning of women has been a facet of the human culture throughout history. After the women’s liberation movement in the 1970s, women considered themselves equals—an opinion still maintained, despite being unrealistic. Women still face the glass ceiling in the workplace and established duties in the home and, overall, are still in a deficit when compared to males. The first, and most difficult, step in reforming the situation is in recognizing that there is a problem. The subjugation of women comes as a trade off for a higher role in society, specifically in the workplace, a stigma that is difficult to overcome, but one that most women are content to oblige. However, it is women who must demand change, both in themselves and in the male population. If women are satisfied being objectified, there is no need for men to overcome that attitude. Change, in order to manifest, must be consciously fought for; it will not occur on its own. I, for one, am no longer willing to accept that I am simply a body to be looked at but, instead, will fight to be recognized for my intellect and individuality.
Works Cited
Becker, Walter, Donald Fagen, and O'Shea Jackson. "ICE CUBE - DON'T TRUST EM LYRICS." Lyrics. 15 Sept. 2008. Web. 08 Dec. 2009. <http://www.metrolyrics.com/dont-trust-em-lyrics-ice-cube.html>.
Fisher, Patty. "Fisher: Richmond rape case points to cultural lack of respect for women - San Jose Mercury News." Home - San Jose Mercury News. 30 Oct. 2009. Web. 02 Dec. 2009.
<http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13669616?source=most_emailed>.
"Police: As many as 20 present at gang rape outside school dance - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 28 Oct. 2009. Web. 02 Dec. 2009.
<http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/27/california.gang.rape.investigation/index.html>.
Their Cry is Our Cry
The endurance of genocides plagued the world for centuries as a response to racist perpetrators. The Holocaust truculently persisted while the world continued through the motions of life blinded to their oppressed neighbor. Years passed before help ruptured the Nazi regime and decades after the Holocaust, the genocide in Rwanda proceeded. Similar to the situation of the Jews, the Hutu’s military and civilians pilfered the cities and streets of Rwanda in search of Tutsi blood.
Tutsi’s were established as the dominating political power when the Belgians occupied Rwanda. After the Belgians retreated, the Hutu’s sought revenge on the Tutsis by attempting to kill every Tutsi soul that contaminated the newly created Hutu society. Where was America when innocent lives depended on the abiding assistance of their big brother? We drowned out the sound of the desperate cries of the Tutsis, we closed our eyes to shield us from the mounds of dead bodies compressed onto the dirt road, and we plugged our nose to protect us from the fragrance of metallic blood spilling out of the slashed bodies.
Our society reacts quickly to aid homeless animals, promote supporting impoverished children overseas, and broadcast news of war and civil injustices, but why did our society refuse to televise the genocide in Rwanda? Word about the genocide leisurely lingered throughout society but there were no attempts of dispersing the information. Why did we supply excess amounts of news about the Holocaust and Iraq War but provided no information about the genocide in Rwanda—racism. The society withholds the civil duty to raise awareness for the oppressed not applying to certain types of people but to all races and ethnicities. As individual citizens we contribute to the problem by remaining silent; we need to act as the voice of the oppressed. Some either dwell in ignorance or refuse to support the cause due to the color of Tutsi skin.
We supplemented the rising crisis by allowing the subject to stay unexposed. The government knew about the genocide but conserved the secret; they failed to provide troops to cease the mass killings, but responded swiftly to the needs of the Holocaust victims. By the time our government reached Rwanda, hundreds of thousands of people died. The government justified its actions by stating they supported the Tutsis and attempted to facilitate Rwanda by calling other U.N. countries to make a peace doctrine. The United States neglected to supply troops or invade Rwanda, a protocol they would typically perform for any other serious situation.
I first became educated about the genocide when I watched the movie Hotel Rwanda. Shock, animosity, sympathy, and depression engulfed any feeling of happiness I felt before the movie. Instead of sulking in ignorance, I decided to write a research paper about the genocide. I helped educate others who heard about the genocide for the first time through my presentation of my paper. Since that fateful day when I watched the movie, I wrote numerous papers and poems to illuminate light on the topic. As a society, we can start raising awareness for countries like Rwanda and fight against discrimination amongst our government and in societies nationwide.
Silence is poison to lips and minds, let us all speak out boldly and fearlessly about genocide and racial discrimination. The more a subject is heard and talked about, the more light will expose the truth. I take an oath to speak forthright about the injustices of the Tutsis as well as other oppressed civilians of the world and refuse to fall victim to ignorance. Will you?
Seton Catholic High School
How Can You Tolerate Such Bigotry?
Every person, based on nothing more than their status as a human being, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. According to the UN Declaration of Human Rights, every person has a right to the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and everyone has the right to a nationality. Our own Bill of Rights states that we have the freedoms of speech and religion. But not every person in this country, which is founded on the principles of Freedom and Liberty, are granted these inviolable rights. So what makes it right that Americans, who declare themselves a melting-pot of nationalities, discriminate against a single group, a group that shares views different than the societal norm? Why are American Muslims stripped of their basic rights?
Picture in your mind a Muslim woman in a brightly-colored Hijab, covering her entire body. She walks into a bakery, where the cashier refuses to serve her, calls her a terrorist, and forces her to leave. She has done nothing wrong, has made no threats or acted “suspicious.” She simply walked in to buy bread, was racially profiled and turned away. The clerk justifies his maltreatment by saying he has to protect his customers, and she might be a terrorist with a bomb. But this woman is only one of many who are turned away from stores, physically and verbally assaulted, and racially profiled in public places. The word “terrorist” is flung around casually, not describing a person who terrorizes the country, but describing the people in Islamic dress, or of Arabic descent. They are stopped in airports, often enduring hours of security checks simply because of their dress or the color of their skin. They are not welcomed into American society, but are rather cast out of it.
I know that American society is not perfect, and I am not asking for a utopia. We have had our fair share of troubles in the past: the internment of Japanese-Americans, segregation, the forced march of Native Americans, and every time America reaches out and apologizes to those it has wronged. But America seems not to learn from her mistakes, because here we are again, racially profiling and casting out members of our society and citizens of our country.
Since it is individual citizens who wrong these innocent people, it is up to individual citizens to right the situation again. All it takes is one voice speaking out against the rude clerk to ensure that the young woman is served, one call to authorities to report racial and religious discrimination, one person to be a friend and a supporter of this woman. Every individual is capable of standing up for the rights of this woman: all it takes is one.
As a member of the Anti-Defamation League, I know to stand up for people who are being discriminated against. This situation hits me to my very core. Everything I stand for: equality, anti-bias, freedom, are all destroyed in this one small situation. In this situation and every situation that I am faced with where a person is being discriminated against for their race, religion, or gender, I know that I need to stand up for that person. I know that if I don’t stand, nobody will. I will not let people take advantage of others. As a Peer Trainer, I cannot and will not allow prejudice to occur.
But it is more than standing up for the victim of prejudice. We as humans, and as American citizens, are called to make sure that discrimination does not occur. It can be as simple as setting a positive example: befriending a Muslim person, treating them as we would treat any other member of society, or any other good friend. Or we can join a Muslim support society, and work under the guidance of an organization to improve society. Or, should we want to make a powerful difference on our own, we can speak out ourselves for the rights of all people, heedless of race, religion, or gender. But it all comes down to standing up for one another, because when we protect each other, we set an example for the rest of the world. We are saying that we are all part of the same human family, and it is time we began acting like one.
Abortion
How could they have tolerated slavery? It seems so hard to imagine; so cruel and inhumane. How could they have lived through that? This is the normal attitude towards slavery in our society today. We see it as one of the darkest times in our history, tainted with corruptness, greed, and tyranny. It is often said that wise men learn from the mistakes of others. Have we learned from the mistakes of the slave traders, masters, and owners of so long ago? Does this sort of injustice still occur? Future generations will say of us: How could they tolerate abortion?
In 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled, in the infamous Roe v. Wade case, that a woman could abort her pregnancy for any reason until the point of viability. Several issues have stemmed from this ruling. One of which is whether the fetus is a living being, thereby constituting murder, and/or when does it become a human being. A critical part of this is the viability factor, which deals with the ability of the fetus to live outside of the mother’s womb. Different moral views come from this, as well. For example, the Catholic Church teaches that the fetus is a human being from the instant of conception, whereas many people believe that the fetus is not a human being until it can survive on its own outside the womb. Regardless of one’s moral position, there are still about 1 million abortions per year in the United States, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and the Alan Guttmacher Institute.
The basic ethical violation in the case of abortion is a right to life. Our founding fathers had established this basic right in the Declaration of Independence. It says, “They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Through abortion, this right is denied to the aborted fetus. A very interesting point to mention is that our society sees euthanasia as a violation of this right, but does not see abortion as such. We would never allow the intentional killing of elderly and handicapped people, but we will allow future children to be aborted.
My view of the right vs. wrong in this case is that abortion is wrong. There are other options available such as adoption, which gives people no excuse to justify abortion. In my opinion, abortion is the intentional taking of a human’s life. Just as it is wrong to murder, it is wrong to abort a child. It is absurd that our society has become so accustomed to abortion and allowed it to flourish. It has become a commonplace option for people with unwanted pregnancies. It disgusts me that we could allow and even promote the murder of these children.
Many people think that the only thing they can do is to refuse an abortion. However, we need to educate people about the inhumanity of abortion. Many people are just uninformed about what abortion really does. Knowledge is the most powerful tool we can use to eradicate this situation. By giving the raw facts to people, as opposed to “preaching from the pulpit,” we can allow them to develop their own opinions of abortion and decide whether it is right or wrong. As an individual, I could research the facts and publish an article explaining the processes, frequency, and risks of getting an abortion.
At first look, abortions do not seem to involve many people. However, the government is currently evaluating the prospect of universal healthcare. A huge debate has erupted over how abortions will be covered. Prolife advocates refuse to pay for something they find morally wrong. As taxpayers, everyone would be required to pay for abortions, if they are covered by the plan. Prochoice supporters argue that abortions are just like any other medical procedure and therefore should be covered and paid for by all, if a national health care system is adopted. This is a clear example of how the violators justify their behavior.
Future generations will look back on our society and wonder how we tolerated an injustice like abortion. They will see it as a mass murder of millions of innocent children. We say, “How could they tolerate slavery?” Yet we continue to tolerate injustice in our country. This leaves us with just one question: How can we tolerate abortion?
Skyline High School
Animal Testing
I'm in the lab; there are mice, rabbits, dogs, and guinea pigs surrounding me. They are all in cages. They are staring at me with eyes full of fear. I'm observing them. I'm memorizing every little feature that’s shows on each of their faces. I move a little closer. Some of these animals have been tested on, and some are still waiting. How can I tell? Some have lost their fur, have blood shot eyes, and are grieving in pain. Others are just shaking with terror.
Most of society believes that it's alright to test on animals. They think animals are better off dying rather than humans. The experimenters don't take into consideration that animals have five senses too. They can smell, see, hear, taste, and touch. Could it be because they can't talk? Animals are just as meaningful as humans. Animal testing is an ethical violation to animals because animals are helpless and can't necessarily express themselves. These animals are being deprived of a safe environment and life. These victims cannot speak out. They can't justify how they feel towards being experimented on. They depend on society to take care of them and love them, not abuse them. Although they can't communicate as well as humans they still deserve some dignity and respect.
I am a proud owner of a Chihuahua. His name is Ringo and he is my best friend. I honestly can't picture my life without him. I have personally experienced bailing my dog out of the pound. It certainly is not easy, and definitely is not cheap. It tears me apart to know that when animals are not claimed they are sometimes sent to animal testing laboratories. I find it upsetting to think that if I wouldn't have been able to pick up my dog he could have become the next specimen.
Society has become involved without knowing by buying products that have been tested on animals. They are supporting experimenters without actually being aware of it. Violators think animal testing is good because it helps create vaccines, and helps produce cosmetics. They don't realize the effects it has on these innocent victims. A high percentage of animal testing is done to determine safety of cosmetics and household products. There is little percentage for medical research. Experimenters spray, and inject the animals with harmful substances. The results vary from itchy skin, irritated eyes and death. Some companies that test on animals are Arm & Hammer, Clorox, Johnson & Johnson, and Max Factor. There are lots of other companies out there too. Companies that do not test on animals are Avon, Baby Magic, Burt Bees, and Calvin Klein Cosmetics. We, as a community, ought to praise these companies because they're not hurting our animals.
One hundred years from now society will look back and recognize such a violation and take accountability. I personally would like to start a petition. We, as a community, can stop this by refusing to buy animal tested products. We can also promote companies that don't test on animals. There are other alternatives. It is up to society to put an end to animal cruelty.
Williams Field High School
Ethical Issues: Factory Farming
Throughout the history of our culture, mankind has committed a profusion of injustices toward their fellow neighbors. Though we, as human beings, certainly do not share all of the same appearances or derive from the same places, we certainly are all entitled to our individual rights. Just as the innocent Jews and Africans were persecuted and victimized by man, no person should ever be judged solely upon their particular race, religion, or gender. Every individual deserves an opportunity to live his or her life…so should these rights not apply just the same for animals as well? Does every living, breathing creature on our planet not deserve the right to be happy and to be treated with respect? It seems that in our society today, animals are looked down upon as secondary life forms when, truly, they deserve every ounce of our respect. One of the most evident and appalling forms of animal cruelty lies in the production of factory farms across the nation.
While most people envision farm animals being raised on fields of luscious green grass, roaming the land to their heart’s content, factory farming is quite the opposite. Known as Concentrated (or Confined) Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), factory farms confine unreasonably large amounts of animals into industrial facilities where they live their lives in absolute horror. Being exploited for their natural resources (eggs, dairy, etc.) or waiting to be slaughtered under sickening circumstances, these animals never receive the chance to live as nature intended.
According to SustainableTable.org, a medium sized factory farm houses anywhere from 300-999 cattle, 750-2,499 hogs, and 37,500 to 124,999 chickens. During their short lives, these animals are confined into extremely small spaces, often causing their limbs to become lame, or contracting diseases due to the severe sanitation issues. On average, dairy cows do not live for more than four and a half years, and are forced the strain of having a calf every year to start the production of milk. Once given birth, calves are immediately taken away from their mothers and put into hutches (domed structures that isolate them from other calves). Beef cattle, as reported by FarmSanctuary.org, are transported from farm to farm several times during their lives where, upon reaching maturity, are fattened up and prepared for slaughter. While the Federal Humane Slaughter Act requires farms to render cattle unconscious before slaughter, often times these procedures are defective, forcing cattle to endure the gut-wrenching pain of being hung upside down and bled to death.
Hogs and pigs live in small cages in darkness almost twenty-four hours a day, every day. As the floor they “live” on is made of grid, pigs often sustain many injuries to their joints and bones. Even more revolting, after given birth to their young, sows are wedged between two rails, preventing them from moving or turning around. Thus, they cannot nurture or take care of their piglets, only feed them. Chickens, normally four at a time, are crammed together in 45 cm by 50 cm cages where they have no room to move or spread their wings. This causes them to become extremely distressed and peck at each other. In attempt to avoid pecking, factory farmers burn or cut off the beaks of these chickens,without anesthetics.
These ethical injustices toward the animal world are terrible and inhumane. Factory farms risk the welfare of the animals as well as our own food safety all to maximize profits in food distribution. Only concerned with obtaining more money, these industrial nightmares have absolutely no regard toward the lives of these innocent creatures and are inexplicable pain they must endure. However, we can stop this intolerable cruelty, and it starts with caring about these animals. We can begin to cut down on, and soon eliminate, all of the food we consume that comes from factory farms. When going shopping, looking for food labels that say “Grass-Fed” or “Free-Range” meat specifies that animals were given access to the outdoors, as regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Yet, while these regulations help to minimize animal cruelty, boycotting factory farms is the best way to make an impact. I refuse to eat any meat, eggs, or dairy unless I am informed of exactly where these products came from and how they were raised. These helpless animals throughout our nation and throughout the world need our compassion and our support. They need us to be their voice.
Global Warming
Picture the world in a hundred years from now. What do you imagine? Are there robots, Hover boards, or time machines? The future can be glorious and advanced; but only if we guide it. Our choices now will determine what life is like in a hundred years. Now picture a destitute, filthy landscape covered in smoke and debris. Unfortunately, the decisions being made today could lead our Earth to look this way in a few generations, despite easy steps that could be taken to prevent it. Our selfishness will cause our children’s children to look back and say, “How COULD they have tolerated that?”
The average family of four will unintentionally contribute 110 tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere every year. Most do not purposefully become involved in polluting; they are innocently pulled into it because they did not think through the consequences of their actions. Let’s say a mother, preparing for a shopping trip, starts to get ready by doing her hair and dousing it with hairspray (some aerosol cans expel certain harmful gases). She accidently spills some foundation onto the counter. Hurriedly, the woman applies some cleaning chemicals (non-ecological cleaning products cause children to have a 400% higher risk of asthma) and throws away the empty container (improper disposal of waste can lead to diseases caused by infected water). As she leaves, she forgetfully leaves the lights on (800 lbs of coal is wasted each year on lights) and pulls out of the driveway in her car, although the store is within two blocks of her home (cars are responsible for 30% of air pollution). Later, the mother returns and adds a wad of plastic bags to the trash (Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags every year).
Multiply this scenario by a million and you can taste a small portion of the neglect shown in the United States.
The future inhabitants of our earth will look back and say “Why couldn’t they see the consequences? How could they be so selfish?” We will be forever marked as the lazy generation who led the planet to ruin. Our lack of respect for Earth and our fellowmen will always haunt us. Do we want our children and great-grandchildren to suffer because of our mistakes? Absolutely not! As long as we continue to ignore these issues, we continue to let them down.
I, for one, will not sit in silence any longer. I refuse to hear another vain justification. The whiny tones echo through my mind already: “It won’t hurt anyone! It’s so convenient! I’ll be dead before it becomes a real problem!” The truth is it is already a problem. Cancers, lung/heart issues, and other medical problems have been linked to our failing ecosystem. The American Cancer Society tracked 1.2 million people for almost 20 years, monitoring how their climate affected their health. They discovered that “the risk of lung cancer death went up by 8% for every 10 micrograms of fine particles in a cubic meter of air…Heart disease deaths went up 6% and deaths from all causes 4%...”
These are not just statistics. These are people.
Everyone can follow a few simple steps to save lives; SIMPLE steps. You do not have to sacrifice tremendously or change your lifestyle. Just turn off your lights to conserve energy. Use spray bottles instead of aerosol cans. I have recently begun carpooling to save emission gasses and reusing plastic bags. Other less obvious solutions are also available: accelerate slowly, use a vinegar and baking soda solution to clean your house, and change your light bulbs. There are innumerable ways to conserve energy, and they will really make a difference for you and your family. I encourage every citizen of our beautiful Earth to follow my footsteps to protect our future.