One Voice Can Change the World

Emilia Thomas

Mrs. Alldredge

English 8

24 February 2017

One Voice Can Change the World

Everyone has opportunities to change the world with the small things we do each day that can make a big difference in the lives of others. Malala Yousafzai has influenced my thinking about ethical decision making because she stood up for her rights and the rights of girls around the world even though it meant risking her life. She was born July 12, 1997, in Mingora a town in North West Pakistan. Pakistan has the second highest amount of children that are not enrolled in school. Her father, Ziauddin ran a school and was a known advocate for girls education rights in spite of the Taliban’s restricting efforts. As Malala grew, she shared her father’s passion for learning and loved going to school. As the Taliban gained more control over the Swat district in 2009, Malala started her campaign as an education activist. She began writing a blog for the BBC Urdu service under a pseudonym where she expressed her fear of an attack on the school. She and her father hoped to give Pakistan a voice and speak out for the right to education. The death threats they received only made them call out louder, and she was awarded Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize in 2011, but the Taliban thought she had gone too far and voted to kill her. October 9th, 2012 seem like any other ordinary day, she and her friends were on the bus when a masked man called for Malala. With one bullet her fight for education became worldwide, and protests broke out over Pakistan.  Over 2 million people signed the right to education petition, with that the National Assembly ratified Pakistan's Right To Free and Compulsory Education Bill. Malala went on to become a global education advocate for millions of girls denied education, and on December 10th 2014 she received a Nobel Peace Prize and donated the prize money to create a secondary school for girls in Pakistan. “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” - Malala Yousafzai

Malala has taught me that one must stand up for what they believe and make the moral choice when times are hard. She and her father risked everything to make their voices heard, and have shown me that I should not just fight for myself, but for others who are also struggling too. This has inspired me to want to get involved with Girls Inc. Homework Club where young girls go to receive assistance with their school work. The opportunity to help those who can’t get help at home would make me feel like I am making a change in my community and the world. Girls should be confident and have the right to take risks and have pride in their success. Like Malala, who has helped stand up for girls’ educational rights, I too want to support the girls in my community. I want to encourage them to be themselves and strive for success.

Th Museum of Tolerance

The chill of death hung in the marble halls as we entered. Black and white photos of children stared sadly as a booming voice called to us. We began our silent walk the lights becoming dimmer with each step. It seemed as if the horror of our past was becoming real again as we sat enclosed in the stone gas chamber simulation. Videos called us to relive a time where humans were so evil that killing, to them, seemed as normal as breathing. 

As a witness to this catastrophic event in history, I believe it is our job to prevent something like the Holocaust from happening again. About ten million people were murdered like they were nothing and if we don't learn from our mistakes History will repeat itself.  If an event like the Holocaust were to happen again, we must help those who are suffering, not turn them away. It is our responsibility to use our knowledge to stop the spread of evil before it rules the Earth again.

R.A.F.T #2

I was once new like this country
Before war blackened the ground
Before hateful ashes scorched the air
And when peace was rarely found

Now my leather is old and worn
Like the ground, we once shed blood upon
Where hate split us in two
Don't let the same thing happen to you

I've seen the battlefield through a muddy lens
I've  experienced the feeling of pure and total dread
Through a puddle of crimson red
I've seen almost everything and wish to never see it again

The smoke of a gunshot fired in rage
We've learned so much from such a terrible age
Don't let death take this country again

RAFT #1

Dear President Fillmore,

I am Ann a slave living in Californa. I traveled the Oregon Trail in search of gold and a new life. I believe that slavery should not be allowed to expand west because it would upset the balance between free states and slave states. Overall slavery is wrong and unfair we should not be owned like animals, but have the chance to earn our freedom at the very least. My people have been through so much pain and suffering and we deserve a chance. We should have a shot at a better life, a hope one day not to be treated by dirt. Every day we are looked upon as though we are inhuman but I assure you we are and we need our voices heard. I am speaking for my people who had every human right taken away from them, we need justice, we need a shot at freedom!

Sincerely,

Ann

Long Long ago there was a small blue dot in a vast dark space. On that blue planet live a large red dragon named Mars, and that dragon had always wanted to fly somewhere new, but could never find a place to fly. One day many people gathered around Mars and asked, “Why don’t you use your wings to fly and explore?”
“Alas,” said the great red dragon, “there is nowhere for me to go.” This made Mars very sad, and being a dragon his sorrow turned to anger. He opened his large mouth a spit out a jet of dazzling red flames into the vast dark space. The flames were so bright that they lit up the surrounding darkness and illuminated many different planets. Amazed Mars stared into the bright unexplored space.
 One planet, in particular, caught the dragon’s eye. A bright planet that glowed not too far away and appeared to be the same shade of ruby red as his shiny scales.
“I am going to go there,” he told the people, “I will use my fire to light the way to the new planet!” As he spread his wings and was about to set off into the great unknown when many people ran to him begging him to take them along.
“We wish to join you,” one said, “We could keep you company and help you on your journey.” Mars thought about this for a moment. The people had been very kind to him and would want to see and explore the new world too. . .
Finally, he made his decision, “ You may join me and together we will discover the new world!” He exclaimed. The people cheered and one by one they crawled onto the gigantic beast’s back until no one else could fit. Then he spread his enormous wings and took to the sky.
As they entered the darkness the dragon shot another dazzling flame into the distance and brightened the galaxy. Burning white stars shimmered alongside them and black space rocks hurtled past.
They finally reached the red planet and were amazed by its beauty. They stood on soft red rock sand and stared at swirling crimson clouds. Everyone was speechless even Mars was stunned. Finally, someone spoke, “What should we call this place?”
“I know!” Said another, “ In honor of our great friend who brought us to this wondrous place, we should name this planet Mars!” Everyone loved the idea and agreed to name the red planet Mars.
Mars was very flattered by this but knew that he wanted to see the other planets and could not stay. The people understood, but when he asked if they wanted to join them they said that they were already fond of the red planet and wanted to stay. So Mars spread his great wings and flew into the dark illuminating the space with his fire. From that day forward the dragon would keep exploring the galaxy, but his favorite planet would forever be Mars.

New Life on Mars

If people were sent to mars there would have to be laws like there are on Earth. Since the future Martians will rely heavily on our home planet for their resources and their lives I believe that they would use many of the same laws we do.

The Bill of Rights for the citizens would protect many of the same rights that it does today on Eath, although some of the content wouldn't apply on Mars. Therefore I believe that these would be the ten rights are the most important rights of the citizens on Mars:

1. The freedom of speech-
Even though the Martians are millions of miles away they should still have the freedom to express themselves and say what they believe.

2. The freedom of religion-
The Martians should also be able to choose their beliefs like we are able to today.

3. The freedom to leave as soon as possible-
Even though the Martians chose to enter the unknown they should have the right to leave when possible, because they don't deserve to be trapped there.

4. The right to a trial from Eath-
Since there will only be a few Martians at first they will all know each other and have opinions of one another, therefore if they are accused of a crime the trial may be unfair. For this reason, they should have the right to communicate with Earth and have a real and fair trial.

5.  The right to a speedy and public trial-
Like Earth, if convicted of a crime they should have the right to a quick and public trial.They should have the right to a fair trial just like us.

6. No cruel or unusual punishment-
If convicted of a serious crime they should not be killed or tortured, but sent back to Earth and put in jail if proven guilty.

7.  No unreasonable search or seizure-
Even though they live and have homes on a whole different planet they are still people and should have privacy. Therefore unless the person searching has a warrant from Earth they are not able to take someone's belongings or property.

8.  The right to bear arms-
On the new planet there will be no law enforcement until later on, therefore the Martians should have the right to own weapons to protect themselves if something goes wrong.

9.  The right to assemble-
They should have the right to assemble peacefully like Eath.


10. Rights retained by the people-
I believe the Martians should have any of the same rights as us here on Earth and should not be dictated over but be controlled enough to have peace.

Declaration of Independence

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for me to dissolve the bands which have connected me with stress,  a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that I should declare the causes which impel me to the separation. I would like to rid of my stress because it holds me back from my potential. Stress slows down everyone (and gives me headaches) and I would like to be free of its burden. Stress becomes a sickness that is incurable. I would like to separate from my stress so that I can work without worry. All in all, stress is only negative and will only hurt you, therefore, I wold like to break my bond with stress.