The real story behind Mississippi Burning is in the news!

What do you think: was the state’s image “rehabilitated”?

Rehabilitate in this case means returning the state’s image back to normal, just like it was, before people found out about how the whites in Mississippi was discriminating against the blacks, and the ill treatment towards the blacks.
In my opinion, I feel that the state’s image was not rehabilitated. Despite the court punishing the convict at that time who had escaped jail time, and sending him to a 20 year 3 term jail now, it is still unable to make up for the huge number of human lives lost at that time. Also, by doing this it is actually part of the juridical system, punishing those convicts, and they should not seek it as a way to restore their image, but as a form of poetic justice. At the current time now, the Mississippians wanted this punishment for their image to be restored, and I feel that this will not be possible because of many varying reasons.
Think about it this way, this image of Mississippi being a place where there were no fair share of human rights, and racial discrimination having been there for such a long time, and also with details of it being recorded down in historical books. With an image for so many years, and trying to remove it in such a short time, it would definitely not be possible, however if the Mississippians can actually slowly develop themselves, and show to the rest of the world that there is equality there between the races, then perhaps their state’s image will be rehabilitated. As we all know, time heals all wounds, and perhaps slowly, time would also heal up that huge hole in the image of the state of Mississippi.

How much do you know about the civil rights era in general?

The civil rights era was from the 1865 to the 1970. The civil rights era was basically an era, where people fought to give equal rights to all within America, including the blacks. Although it was met with resistance at first, in the end it succeeded. However, for most of this time, the blacks in Southern America were still treated as inferior beings, and were still discriminated.

Within these years, events in the 1940s and 1950s also pushed blacks to work harder for equality, and segregation policies in Southern America pushed blacks to move to Northen America, and also with the need of skilled workers, added in to pull factor of blacks moving over. This massive movement then became known as the Great Migration. From this, blacks also benefitted from this greatly and received support from various unions and Democratic Party.

Next, after world war 2, despite more than one million blacks helping to fight for America, they still stayed in segregated units, and received little thanks despite their help. Activists then questioned how the U.S. government fight for freedom and yet its very own citizens get treated as second-class citizens. Cold war ideology and politics thus played a role in helping blacks secure their rights.

Last but not least, with the final support by John F. Kennedy and civil right leaders, the president then pushed the civil rights act of 1964 to disallow discrimination on people. Last but not least, the later social politics also help to contribute to the equality of blacks now.

~Gordon Koh (15) 2i1

Adventure Training Camp

In the June holidays, I went for an NPCC camp in Pulau Ubin which is known as Adventure Training Camp (ATC). This was a camp that I actually dreaded, due to the many mosquitoes and sand flies within the campsite, and I feared of getting bitten. I did not really look forward to this camp due to the fact that we actually had to sleep in tents, with the hot and sweaty conditions. As we set off to the camp, the only thing that I looked forward to was the return journey.

However, all of my fears came out untrue. Firstly, for the entire camp, I only had six mosquito bites in total, of course at the course of an entire bottle of insect repellent, and I had no sand flies bites at all. Next, sleeping in the camp was not that bad after all, especially since the fact that it was very windy. Lastly, this camp has helped us as we interacted with students from other schools, as well as helped to strengthen the friendship bonds we have within our own squad, as most activities require teamwork and trust with the other party. Although the camp was tough, it was indeed an enriching experience, as we get to try out cooking for ourselves, as well as eating combat rations, which tasted disgusting to me, and lastly, we could trek around Pulau Ubin.

The hardest part within the camp itself was actually the walking into the campsite. Due to the fact that Camp resilience was actually quite far from the jetty, we had to walk around 2 to 3 kilometers just to enter the campsite, and by then, most of us were already tired out. The easiest part was then the various cooking of the meal. This is due to the fact that we were previously trained, and thus this part was actually very easy to all of us. The part that was the most fun was the kayaking part, whereby we kayaked around in a two-man kayak in the sea.

After the entire camp, I felt that ATC has indeed toughened me up, and I am looking forward to next year’s camp which is Survival Training Camp (STC).

~Gordon Koh

Gaming

Hi guys, today I will be blogging about a topic known as gaming. In the entire June holidays, I have spent much of my time gaming, sometimes at the expense of my homework, but alas, I did complete all of my homework.

After gaming for such a long amount of time, I felt a sense of regret as well as sadness, as I was actually addicted to the various games, and had indeed wasted my precious holiday on these games, which bring about almost no benefits towards my life, and that I should actually be spending my time much more wisely. In my opinion, I feel that gaming technically just wastes your time, and that it only affects you adversely in terms of your lifestyle habits. When one is addicted to gaming, one neglects almost anything that is around him as long as he can game, be it going out, doing his homework. Certain people might say that playing games helps one to destress, but this depends on the various cases. For certain people, they are just using this excuse to cover up their own addiction towards gaming, while for others, it is indeed genuine as they really only want to have a bit of fun and destress.

To date, I have finally managed to curb my gaming addiction which I got during the Junes Holidays. I would like to give some advice to you guys, should you intend to game. Firstly, set up a time slot for your gaming, whereby you plan to play within certain timing, and you do not exceed it, as this is usually a first sign of addiction. Next, try to go out for other activities, be it watching movies or just hanging out with your friends, do not just focus all your time on the game itself, nor should you be only thinking about the game at all time. Last but not least, do not put all your effort and soul into the game, as it is only just a game, it does not really affect you in your life if you are unable to play it well, however if you do let it affect you, then it is indeed another sign of addiction and there is a need to curb.

Now as for those who are already addicted, here are some tips to curb the addiction. Firstly, delete away the game from your desktop or computer. This is done to prevent yourself from actually playing these games which only waste your time. Secondly, go out and do other activities that keep your mind busy and not let your mind wander off and think only about the game itself. This will then allow you to slowly break free from the control of the game. Last but not least, try to get your parents to help you. They will be able to monitor you, and stop you should you intend to play the game.

Remember, your precious life should not be wasted on gaming, many people have done so, and have regretted it, do not become one of them.

~Gordon Koh

Reflections after trip to Adelaide, Australia

During the June Holidays, I went to Australia, Adelaide. In the time I was there, I gained new experiences. For this trip, our family went along with our cousin’s family together, without a tour guide, so it was essentially just like a free and easy trip.

In this trip, I have seen many new things, and ate lots of food. For example, on one of the days, we made our way to Kangaroo Island. On Kangaroo island, we took a picture together with Koala Bears, fed kangaroos, and took a look of seals at a close proximity, whereby one actually came up to us, and walked around us. We were then told not to move, so as to not frighten the seal. We too went to a Korean restaurant. It was the first time that I was actually in an authentic Korean restaurant. We ordered a Kimichi Hotpot, as well as various other dishes, that were not only yummy, but also very spicy too. For the whole meal, everyone was sweating while enjoying the meal at the same time.

This was indeed a fruitful trip, as I have learned more about Adelaide, as well as the ecology at the Kangaroo Island. I have also gone to their various shopping malls, and experienced their sales season. The Australians there are totally different as compared to Singaporeans when it is a sale season. The shops are actually not really flooded with people, and the shop owner are usually courteous and helpful even though you might have not bought an item after pondering and taking up his time. I have also forged a greater bond between my cousins and I as we interacted with one another in the trip as well as have fun together. At the same time, we had to care for one another.

~Gordon Koh

Focus

Today I am going to blog about something very important which is also known as focus. Focus means to concentrate’s one attention on something so as to complete one’s objectives.

During the holidays, I learnt about the need to focus, the hard way around. As the holidays began, I had actually intended to focus on my homework and complete them before even touching my computer. However, temptation soon gave in and I turned on my computer, pushing my homework aside, and just playing my computer. This went on for quite some time, and with all the camps, trainings and an overseas trip, my one month holiday had almost come to an end. With that pile of homework, I had needed to focus and not get distracted. With all my effort, I finally managed to complete my homework just one day before school started. At the beginning, before I started on my homework, I thought that I would take forever to complete it, but with focus, it took me roughly around two days and I had managed to complete it.

From this, we can learn about a few things. With focus, we will be able to complete our objectives easily and quickly. Without focus, we will stray away from our aim, and thus end up procrastinating until its too late. So to conclude this, when doing something, focus, focus and focus, until you have completed it, and avoid getting distracted. I assure you, when you are in that same situation like mine in the holidays, you would not enjoy it. Imagine your homework supposedly being meant to be done abit at a time, all being done at one shot. It was indeed a horrible feeling.

And yes, this is the lesson which I have learnt during my June Holidays.

~Gordon Koh (15) 2i1

Recent Stanley Ho case

Today, I shall talk about the Stanley Ho Case.
My stand is that, this would not have happened if his children were not so eager to split up his assets and that they should not split up his assets before he has died or even made his will.

This then links to some concepts taught. Firstly, it is the Buddhist virtue Ethics. This means for children to be filial towards one’s parents. His children are splitting up his assets even before he has died, it shows how much they regard him as well as their character. Next, it is regarding the Liberty, Human Rights, which refers to a person’s ability to do what he likes as long as he is alive, in this case, it is not allowing Stanley Ho to make a choice on how to split his assets.

Certain people might say that since they are his family, and that he is going to die, they should split his assets up, however, Stanley Ho is still alive and he has his rights, and only him should decide on what he wants to do with his assets.

Now I shall talk about my two quotes. The first quote is “It’s the flock, the grove, that matters. Our responsibility is to species, not to specimens; to communities, not to individuals.” by Sara Stein, and this shows that utilitarianism actually at times disregard the minority, and it only takes care of the majority. The other quote is from a part of a quote from World English Bible “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”, in this case, with the children only wanting their father’s money, and not even showing a single sign of filial piety.

~Gordon

Life and times of william shakespeare 4

4. The (historical and cultural) Setting of Venice

* What was Venice like during the 15th and 16th century? Comment especially on its demographics and culture.

* Why was Venice important during the 15th and 16th century?

* What was the dominant religion in Venice? How were Jews treated and regarded?

* How is Venice a choice setting for the plot of this play?

4) In the 15^th century, Venice was fighting and conquering various islands around it, and various territories up to the Middle East. Venice also allied with various different countries to enable it to conquer various islands. At the end of the 15^th century, there were roughly around 180,000 inhabitants. However in the 16^th century, Venice’s power declined as it broke out with war with various countries at around the same point of time. In the 16^th century, Venice also played an important role in the development of the Music Of Italy as it became one of the most important musical centers. Venice also became the one of the early music printing center. The paintings there were also developed through influences from the Paduan School and Antonello de Messina.

Ottaviano Petrucci began publishing music almost as soon as this technology was available, and his publishing enterprise helped to attract composers from all over Europe, especially from France and Flanders. By the end of the century, Venice was famous for the splendor of its music, as exemplified in the "colossal style" of Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli, which used multiple choruses and instrumental groups. Venice was also the home of many famous composers during the baroque period, such as Antonio Vivaldi, Ippolito Ciera, Giovanni Picchi, and Girolamo Dalla Casa, to name but a few.~Wikipedia

The dominant relationship then was the Roman Catholic religion. Jews were treated badly at various other countries and evicted, however they were allowed at Venice. However, there were some restrictions for the Jews at Venice such as that they could not work in certain jobs such as lawyers, doctors and bankers, but they could only be moneylenders.

This is because the story revolves around Antonio and the Jewish moneylender, Shylock. Since in most places Jews were banished, and most of them were at Venice and worked as moneylenders, this would then be appropriate as Antonio was only able to loan money from a Jew there.

Life and times of william shakespeare 3

3. Customs & Lifestyle

* Personal hygiene, diet, recreation, accommodation, dress

3)The diet back then was based on one’s status and wealth. In the early times, meat was a sign of wealth. During the Elizabethan period, there was introduction of new food, and a greater usage of sugar, and there was also a greater cultivation of fruits and honey. The food were mainly bought from markets and there are a few methods to cook the meat back then.
The recreation back then were mainly forms of sports, and they included some of our modern sports today, archery, bowling and many more, and they also included hunting together with hawks and dogs and also watching animal fights.

Elizabethan clothes provided information about the status of the person wearing them. This was not just by the wealth of the person, it also reflected their social standing. Only Royalty were permitted to wear clothes trimmed with ermine. Lesser Nobles were allowed to wear clothing trimmed with fox and otter and so on. Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws dictated what colors and type of clothing individuals were allowed to own and wear, an easy and immediate way to identify rank and privilege. The materials and even the colors of Elizabethan clothing were therefore very important and sections have been dedicated to these subjects in relation to dyes, fabrics and the type of clothes that men were allowed to wear and the type of clothing that Elizabethan women were allowed to wear.

Life and times of william shakespeare 2

2. Elizabeth I and the Politics of the Elizabethan Era

² Elizabeth I: who was she?

² What were England’s international relations like during Elizabeth’s reign?

² What was Shakespeare’s relationship with Elizabeth I?

² Compare Elizabeth I to Portia. How is Portia’s character a tribute to Elizabeth I?

2)Queen Elizabeth I was Queen reagent of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 to her death. Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. The daughter of Henry VIII, she was born a princess, and she was well-educated. She could speak five languages and enjoyed sports such as dancing.

During Queen Elizabeth I’s early rule, English’s military worked together with Scotland and France, and relationships grew better with Scotland after Mary,Queen of Scots was overthrew, and a military treaty was signed. However, relationships worsened with Spain and Queen Elizabeth I sent an army to protect Spain in 1585. In 1588, Philip II of Spain sent warships to go to war with England, but was defeated, and further attempt proved unfruitful. At that time, there was also trade between England and Japan, Ottoman Empire and Barbary States.

The relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare is that Queen Elizabeth I frequent watching plays, while William Shakespeare produced plays. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Queen Elizabeth I had actually gone to the The Globe Theatre where William Shakespeare’s play were usually performed. However, William Shakespeare’s company has performed for Queen Elizabeth I’s audiences before.

The similarities between Portia and Queen Elizabeth I’s was that they were both heiress to something, Portia being the heiress to Belmont while Queen Elizabeth being the heiress to the English empire. They were both also the lead in their lives, whereby Queen Elizabeth lead England, while Portia led the court trial. Portia was also able to speak up against man at that time, which held power, and it was the same with Queen Elizabeth.
This thus shows that Portia is a tribute to Queen Elizabeth as they have a similar character and have a similar role in their lives.

Life and times of william shakespeare 1

1. Can the real William Shakespeare please stand up?

* Why is William Shakspere of Stratford-upon-Avon an unlikely candidate

for the authorship of Shakespeare’s works;

* Who are the possible candidates?

* Who is the most likely candidate for the authorship of Shakespeare’s

works? Provide reasons to support your view.

1)People doubt that William Shakespeare actually wrote all those masterpieces and that William Shakespeare was a name used by the true author or authors in order to keep the writer’s identity a secret. For those who believe in this, William Shakespeare would then be a pen name of the real writer. Historians also believe that at that time, people were incapable of signing their own names, and William Shakespeare actually had six signatures, which did not seem possible at that time. People also question William Shakespeare’s existence, as his funeral was not made a great deal.

The possible candidates are Edward de Vere, 17^th Earl of Oxford , Christopher Marlowe, Sir Francis Bacon, Group theory (Written by a group of people), Infinite Monkeys, a woman.

The most possible candidate is Edward de Vere,17^th Earl of Oxford. This is because he was rich and affluent, and would have enough money to travel around the world and have money for someone to write his plays for him. He also owned a home in Stratford which corresponds with when Shakespeare’s canon was written.

Newspapers

What are newspapers? Newspapers are basically what you read everyday updating you about the happenings of what will happen yesterday, and perhaps certain events coming in the future. Newspapers are available all over the world, and come in different sizes, as well as types.

In Singapore, there are currently two types of newspapers, firstly the first, being the tabloid type, Newpaper, and the broadsheet type, The Straits Times. Each papers have their own pros and cons, and depending on one’s preferences they would choose their own paper.

Now I will tell you about the differences between these two types of papers. Firstly, their sizes are different. The tabloid paper is slightly larger than aA4 page, while the broadsheet paper is the size of an A3 paper. The tabloid paper provides story of more sensational value, and their scope covers around the world, but however with events that tend to be close to a human’s heart, and their language is also not as formal and is very straightforward. Tabloid papers also tend to use more of pictures and diagrams to convey their message. The broadsheet paper provides story of all areas, no matter whether they are sensational or not, and their scope basically covers all around the world globally, and issues tend to cover everything. The broadsheet paper also has a very formal language and tone, and tends to use more of statistics as well as text to convey their message.
Thus, if you are those who enjoy reading news with human stories within them, and also interesting news, one should go for tabloid papers, while for those who want a more concise and detailed read, they should go for a broadsheet paper.

Last but not least, I feel that both papers have their own merits and demerits and they are looked upon differently by each different person.

~Gordon Koh(15) 2i1