Is Ethics Really Right

Romeo & Juliet- Mercutio

Mercutio is a favorite in the play because of his witty nature. He always seems to have something to say in response to Romeo. He is a foil to Romeo, meaning that Mercutio is a person who contrasts another character, usually the protagonist, in order to highlight a particular feature of the character's personality. In Mertutio's case, he brings Romeo's view of love into focus as Mercutio mocks and Romeo's view on love. As a unromantic character, he views love as mearly physical, just as Juliet's Nurse does for her. Romeo and Juliet have an idealized view of love as a romantic union.
Mercutio is most known for his Queen Mab speech that he gives to Romeo while walking to Lord Capulet's party. His speech highlights Mercutio's vivid imagination and cynical view of dreams. This speech helps build tension for Romeo and Juliet's first meeting. This speech also shows that although Mercutio and Romeo are friends, they will never be able to share secrets because of the deep contrast in views. So it's not surprising that Mercutio never learns of Romeo's love for Juliet or their marriage.

Mardi Gras and the King Cake

I am from Texas, and when I came over to Louisiana I had the pleasure of trying this cake that is famous in Louisiana. I was told that it was called a King Cake. So I wanted to learn more about it...
The History Behind Mardi Gras King Cakes:
The King Cake was believed to have originated in France in the 12th century. The Europeans celebrated the Christian festival of Epiphany which was the celebration of the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts for Jesus. The festival started twelve days after Christmas, so the festival became known as Epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King's Day.
The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King Cake to honor the three Kings. The cakes were made circular because the three wise men took a circular route in order to visit Jesus. A circular route was taken to confuse King Herod who was trying to follow the wise men so that he could kill Jesus. In the early days, a tradition of placing a bean, pea, or coin inside the the cake. Whoever got the hidden piece was declared King for the day, or was said to have good luck in the coming year.
Today in Louisiana, Twelfth Night signifies the beginning of the carnival season, which ends on Mardi Gras Day. The beans, peas, and coins have been replaced with a small plastic baby to signify Jesus Christ. The person who gets the baby is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake Party.

Prom Night In Mississippi

In 1984, the Supreme Court ordered the integration of all schools. In 1970, Charleston, Mississippi finally integrates its schools, but still have separate proms because of the parents and school board. In 1997, Morgan Freeman offers to pay for an integrated prom, and they decline. In 2008, Morgan offers again...
Prom Night in Mississippi has a documentary feel about it as Morgan tries to induce the school board, children, and children to allow them to have a social interaction that he believes will bring everyone closer. But the kids are judged everyday, especially by color and by who you talk to. The white kids, who are a minority, always win; its a slap in the face to the African American students because white students can say whatever and they have to keep their mouths shut. Parents and alot of the old people are the racists; just talk. Many of the kids believe that having only one prom is good. The current students like a person because of who they are, not the color of their skin. They have learned the life lesson that it doesn't matter if a person is white or black, it matters who they are on the inside; something their parents have yet to understand. Morgan's purpose is to get the kids together. The kids have a chance to make a change, so why not? But in the end, it's about how you feel about who you are as a person and who you choose to hang out with. The people that may try to stop that will be sorry in the long run. As the kids in Charleston, Mississippi found out, people may judge you everyday because of your friends; it doesn't mean that you should judge someone by theirs.

Martin Luther King Convication

I really like Dr. Dobynes speak about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. It was filled with emotion that was really special to listen to. Dr. Dodynes preached about how Dr. King would want Martin Luther King Day to be a day on, instead of a day off. I learned how Dr. King was a beloved part of the community and was truly a great American patriot. Dr. King believe in an optimistic view of the world that believed that through men and women of goodwill that humanity can better itself, but the world can't make the world a better place by sitting and waiting for it to happen. Hence Dr. King always striving to go beyond barriers that divide us and get out of our comfort zone and purposefully reach out. We want to reach out because at some point, we will want someone to reach out to us. I also learned that Dr. King was not satisfied with mediocrity, and was not satisfied to just get by. I firmly believe that Dr. King stood for justice and equality; he left the legacy of a committed life. The dreamer may be dead, but the dream is still alive.

A New Semester

I just survived my first semester at college, and this semester is going to be tough. I was a little disappointed about my schedule at first because I wasn't able to fit in a history class since I'm really close to finishing my history minor. Oh well, there's always next semester. General chemistry shouldn't be too hard because I took it last year as a senior in high school, and I scored a three on the AP test. Centenary only accepts fours and fives, so I didn't get credit and I am stuck taking a class that I have already passed. Looking back it was probably a good thing because then the only science class I could have taken was organic chemistry. I only have to survive one more semester of calculus for my major that I am looking at, thank the Lord! I also get to take a semester of physics for my major, but I don't think it should be that bad since I enjoyed it in high school, although it has been two long years since I have taken a physics class. Overall, I can't complain about my schedule, I picked the majority of the classes so I just got to tough it out. Swimming will be more exciting with conference coming up in February. I can't wait for a thirteen hour bus ride! Plus swimming will be over halfway through the semester, so I will actually have a chance to experience as a normal student, the best part is not waking up every day for six o'clock practices.