Some New Poetry

So I've been trying my hand at poetry again. I'm not that good yet, but I'm trying!

Once

Once, we laughed together.
Talked in stormy weather.
Once, we discussed the worlds.
Our wisdom, shiny pearls.

Once, we were friends.

Now there's only hatred.
Sulky stares and breath baited.
No sympathy or smile,
Just the cold every while.

Once, we were friends.

(The next one is Afrikaans, so I'll put up a translation)

Die Kind

Die kind                                                   The child
sit stil                                                       sits quietly
aan tafel                                                   at the table   
en se                                                         and says 
 niks                                                         nothing 
vir hulle.                                                  to them.   
Sy lyk                                                       She looks
mooi netjies                                             pretty and decent
in wit                                                       in white
maar bloei                                                but bleeds
van binne.                                                 from within
Die kind                                                    The child
sit stil                                                        sits quietly
aan tafel                                                     at the table
en se                                                           and says
 niks                                                           nothing
vir hulle.                                                    to them.

South African Teens and Gays: The Attitude

South Africa was the fifth country in the world, and the first in Africa to legalise same-sex marriages. The law also allows one partner to take care of the other’s affairs in the event of death. For a third-world country with more than its fair share of political problems, this was a massive breakthrough. It showed that we were changing, moving forward as a country and as people.

But just like many new ideas, there was scorn, there was outcry, and there was indifference. Eventually though, came acceptance. It wasn't loud or obvious, but subtle, and it happened all over the country.

Unfortunately the youth is still very undecided.

One of my very good friends, writer of Phwl of the now, is an openly gay teen in high school. I have so much respect for him, and the strength he has as a person. He isn't the only gay friend I have, there are several. But it saddens me that many of them don’t want to be open or honest about who they are because they fear retribution from their classmates. Ive never seen the point in bullying, so this just drives me crazy.

To me, they're just ordinary people. I don't believe in judgement or prejudice, even though its sometimes inevitable. Shouldn't you look at the type of person someone is instead of who they love? does it matter if its a great person? Answer: it doesn't.

Try changing your point of view for once. You may gain fabulous friends (howzit Boeta!)

Everyone has the right to be who they are, and don’t deserve to be discriminated against

phwlofthenow.blogspot.com

My essay on Othello: DRAMA!

Just picture it: You live in a world where everyone lives in a state of white, middle-class bliss. Your parents, friends and colleagues are white.Then on an outing to the theatre you see a play in which a black man kisses a white girl. Shocked and outraged at such blasphemy, you leave the theatre and swear never to speak of this Othello rubbish again. This was the attitude of many Elizabethan audiences.

“If Othello didn’t begin as a play about race, history has made it one.”

With all the prejudice surrounding the racial aspect, it is very possible that the entirety of the character Othello is not fully appreciated. Race is a part of it, but a rather small one. I will attempt to explain him, and whether he is a tragic hero or not.

Generally, a tragic hero is of a noble or high stature with one major fault, like being easily blinded by pride. In the duration of the play the hero will have a downfall, followed by enlightenment and finally his death.

In the case of Othello it is easy to assume he has had a hard life. Racism was rife in that time, and in fact his name is not even mentioned until well into Act 1, Scene 3. Rather, he is referred to by derogatory terms. He is obviously an outsider, shunned by most people due to his skin colour. But despite this he is honoured for his ability as a soldier and leader, therefore he has a high ranking position. It is the story of his travels and his exotic appearance that makes Desdemona fall in love with him. Their relationship is pure, happy and loving.

But, like many too good to be true things, Othello has one major flaw. Apart from being naive and unsophisticated, his flaw is his passion. Passion, being such a strong emotion, easily turns to distrust, jealousy or hatred, and it is this that leads to the death of Desdemona.

It is Iago who preys  on this flaw like a vulture. Iago is naturally gifted at noticing the emotions  and flaws of others, and he uses this “gift” to control them. Iago knows that Othello is quick to anger and does not think clearly in that state,”And passion, having my best judgement collied..”, so he uses it against him. Othello becomes a pawn to Iago, completely controlled.

Othello’s downfall is the murder of Desdemona. Believing, thanks to Iago’s lies, that she had committed adultery with Cassio, he smothers her upon their marital bed. When the truth is revealed Othello experiences enlightenment, realising he had murdered his innocent wife on a jealous whim. Eventually he begs the gentlemen,” Speak of me as I am...Of one who loved not wisely, but too well. Of one not easily jealous...”, in an attempt to save his reputation. He kills himself to escape the burden of shame he would have to carry back to Venice. The play ends in a bloodbath with several dead.

When reading or watching Othello, it is obvious that Shakespeare used the tried and tested method of a classic tragedy in his writing. Othello is a typical tragic hero, and the strong emotions like passion prove this is a tragedy. The hero’s struggle against unimaginable odds, the violence and the murder was a major ticket seller in Elizabethan times. As everything from the Collosseum’s gladiator games to the Rocky Horror Picture Show has proven, sex and blood sells.

Othello also has the recurring “Wheel of Fortune” theme used in many plays., where a person may experience a season of luck and well being to a season of despair and misfortune. Shakespeare was well informed as to what audiences wanted and expected to see.

Furthermore, the success of Othello as a tragedy is due to the universal themes. The play manages to be spectacular fantasy yet completely relatable at the same time. An example of this is the setting (Venice, Cyprus) in contrast with the situations (Moving to a new place, Experiencing something new)

This is also the reason Shakespeare’s plays are still revered in modern times. His ability to draw audiences away from their normal circumstances while making them confront it at the same time is masterly. That is why Othello: Merchant of Venice is still applicable today.

We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly follow’d.

Othello. ACT I Scene 1.

Nick Vujicic: No Arms, No Legs, No Limits!

"Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around someone, no hands to experience touch, or to hold another hand with. Or what about being born without legs? Having no ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand on two feet. Now put both of those scenarios together: no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that affect your everyday life?"

Nick Vujicic is an Australian motivational speaker. Without any medical warning he was born without arms and legs. I find him to be amazing, and the way he connects with his audience is touching. Here is the link to one of his video's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MslbhDZoniY&feature=fvst

The SlutWalk: "We're liberal sluts and damn proud of it."

A Toronto policeman sparked outrage in January 2011 when he stated the following:”Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised.” Now not only was the statement immoral, but it came from a figure of authority, a figure that is supposed to symbolise protection, not judgement.

His words inspired the Slut Strut, a protest against women being victimised and raped because of what they wear.

Soon this became international, with women marching in Toronto, Mexico, London, Orlando, Delhi, Melbourne and South Africa. Dressing in mini-skirts, ball gowns, lingerie or simply not dressing at all, women everywhere have been adding their voice to the cause.

In South Africa, rape statistics are atrocious, with an estimation of 500 000 annually. That means women have a bigger chance of being raped than learning to read. In 2008 two taxi-drivers stripped and assaulted a woman at a taxi rank while in the Eastern Cape there are reports of women being harassed for wearing pants.

The Slut Strut, or SlutWalk has become the most successful feminist movement for the last 20 years, with massive support internationally.

Now, the biggest question: did he have a point? Is the way women dress causing attacks? Well, I have always believed in self-expression. Body modification or whatever, they are a personal choice. We live in a day and age where expecting women to dress like nuns is unreasonable, after all these are modern times and we work on practicality.

On the other hand, we also live in an age where men should have evolved from the neanderthal state and should be able to control themselves.

I support the cause 100%. Times are changing and we have no choice but to change with them.

“No matter who you are
No matter where you work
No matter how you identify
No matter how you flirt
No matter what you wear
No matter whom you choose to love
No matter what you said before:

NO ONE has the right to touch you without your consent."