What am I doing here? I arrived in Madrid and walked an eternity through an empty airport. How was it real that I had fallen asleep high above the Atlantic ocean, and woken up here? My mouth was dry, my back ached despite my neck pillow, and I was utterly alone. I hadn’t spoken to …
Category: Julia’s World Attitude
NAFTA- Free Trade Always Has a Cost
NAFTA—the Bad, the Worse, and the Ugly *** Disclaimer*** this article was written in response to a prompt where I was given the anti-NAFTA stance. The following opinions do not reflect the author’s opinions. The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, is a treaty between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Based on …
First Music Blog Post: Album Review of Plastic Ono Band
Album Review: Plastic Ono Band The Dream is Over—But a Fresh Start for John Lennon is What We Really Needed “The dream is over.” John Lennon marked the end of an era with the debut of his solo record, released on December 11, 1970. Plastic Ono Band is a far departure from the liveliness of …
During the National Walkout: Passionate or Too Cool To Care?
Today, March 14 was the National Walkout to protest gun violence. Thousands of students across the country walked out of their classes and stood in silence to honor and remember the victims of mass shootings, called their Congressmen, and proudly held up hand-painted signs. Thousands of students across the country remained in class because they …
Bill Gates Warns that “America First” Makes the Whole World Vulnerable
In this article from The Atlantic, an interview with Bill Gates explains his position on Donald Trump’s “America First” rhetoric. Intended to appeal to his hyper-nationalist base, Trump’s message that he will be putting American interests above all global interest was a major component of his campaign. This ideology has made an appearance in his policy as …
Keep the Torch Burning: Why the World Needs the Olympics
It is 776 BC. The year that the first Olympic games is thought to have taken place. Fierce competition between athletes is a spectacle to behold, the crowd cheers, and laurels are bestowed upon the winner. The year is 2018. Fierce competition between athletes is a spectacle to behold, the crowd cheers, and laurels are …
Blooming Book Trade in Afghanistan Sign of Better Times
In the digital world we live in, the power of a good book has been overlooked. To read a book is to learn something new, to be transported to a whole different time and place, or to engage with the outside world. Although American society has certainly shifted away from traditional print books in favor …
A Word on Respect- Responding to Trump’s Profane Description of African Nations
As a country, the United States has a unique history. It is seen as a great success story: the growth and development from colony to dominating world power. As with many events, our country’s history is rose-tinted in retrospect. We patriotically recall the “good old days”, which, at the time, were not so good at …
It’s Raining Men.
It’s Raining Men. More accurately, it’s raining perpetrators of sexual harassment, misconduct, and assault. Every day the list of the accused grows and another top CEO, celebrity, TV personality, movie producer, or political figure is toppled from their throne. This is the most updated list (as of right now) of some of the most famous …
Trump’s Decision on Jerusalem has consequences? Who would’ve thought!
The decision by President Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was sure to make waves across the international community. This article from the Washington Post shows how already there are significant threats to peace. Washington Post: Israeli jets hit Gaza following rocket fire, as protests surge in wake of Trump announcement The …
A Brief Platform on “Safe Spaces”
Safe Spaces have been a matter of contention for quite a number of years. Here’s my take as someone on the verge of the college life: In theory, the idea of a “safe space” is very appealing. It is unpleasant to encounter people who are critical of your own views or express views that are …
Generation Z, “The Fallout Generation”
I was asked to come up with another nickname for “Generation Z”, the generation that includes people born between 1995 and 2009. As someone born right on the edge of the new millennium, I took it to heart to come up with a better moniker for my own generation. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “The Future is Bright”. …
Net Neutrality Explained: Some Links to Clear Up the Debate
If you, like me, are still having a difficult time understanding what Net Neutrality is all about, despite seeing posts upon posts upon posts and articles upon articles upon articles: these articles will hopefully give you the gist in simple, easy to understand language. Fortune.com: Net Neutrality: What it means and why it matters Marketplace.org: …
The Ultimate Paradox: Radicalized Women After ISIS
It’s paradoxical, and the irony is too painful to make light of. In a totally unexpected shift, it will be the women of ISIS who will be continuing the extremist ideology of ISIS despite the downfall of the caliphate. This article from the Washington Post explains how the women who lived in the Islamic State …