Title: How to demonstrate power without using Violence

Topic: Being a peacemaker



Relation: Week 16 Discussion  "Violence"

Source: "Teaching American History" http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/the-power-of-non-violence/, "Gandhi's Non-Violence" http://www.socialchangenow.ca/mypages/gandhi.htm

Description: The article, "The Power of Non-Violence" written by Martin Luther King, Jr., tells us how to become a speaker of justice and not use violence. In the article it says that "the nonviolent resister does not seek to humiliate or defeat the opponent but to win his friendship and understanding." It tells about how the aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation and that the goal is to have a community that is more intertwined with one another and now is able to see the other persons point of view. Martin Luther King, Jr. also talk about how he is only proud to be "maladjusted" when it come to segregation and discrimination. He states that he never intended to adjust himself to the tragic effects of the methods of physical violence and to tragic militarism. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked for others to do the same thing and not turn their head or ignore these things that would make others feel discriminated against.


The article, "Gandhi's Non-Violence" recalls of a time when Gandhi demonstrated non-violence. Gandhi was another leader in non-violence. On April 6, 1930, Gandhi arrived at a coastal village of Dandi, India and gathered salt. He had been traveling 241 miles on foot to get to this village. Gathering of salt was illegal under British colonial rule of India. Many people followed Gandhi's example and gathered and produced salt illegally. The poilce became violent against the people. The salt march was a stepping stone that lead to India's independence from Britain. The march was a demonstration of non-violence.


Analysis: I think that the best way for people to communicate is by sitting down in an environment that is comfortable for each party. The best way to have an argument is to let the other person state their concerns and then address those concerns with valid clear answers. If we start with our selves then we will set the example for generations to come that speaking and be compassionate is the only way to help the world become a better place to live in.

Rite of Passage

Title: Rite of Passage

Topic: Bat Mitzvah



Relation: Week 11 discussion, "Identity Symbols"

Source: "Judaism about.com, http://judaism.about.com/od/lifeevents/a/What-Is-A-Bat-Mitzvah.htm, Jewdaism, http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/index.htm, Judaism: Virtual Library,  http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaism.html

Description: According to, "Judaism about.com" a Bat Mitzvah means "daughter of commandment." When a girl reaches the age of 12 she becomes a "bat mitzvah" and is recognized by Jewish tradition as now having the same rights as an adult. She is now held responsible for her own actions and choices. A ceremmony is held and after follows a celebration party. Bat Mitzvah's are traditionally new in the Jewish history. According to, "Judaism about.com" the first Bat Mitzvah ceremony was performed by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan in 1922 in America for his daughter.
In Reform and Conservative Jewish communities require the girl to prepare for a religous service. Usually, she studies with a Rabbi or a Cantor from as little to a couple of months to years. The role that the girl will play in the ceremony defers from each Jewish movement and synagogue, but it typically does include: leading specific prayers or leading a religous service etc. During the Bat Mitzvah the family is honored during the service with a (or many) aliyahs. A symbolic jesture is usually performed in which the Torah is passed down from the grandparents to the parents and finally reaches the hands of the Bat Mitzvah. This is to "symbolize the passing down of the obligation to engage in the study of Torah and Judaism"(Judaism about.com). The bat mitzvah marks the beginning of a lifetime of Jewish learning, study and participation in the Jewis community. Over the last couple of decades public celebrations of Bat Mitzvah's have become common also among Orthodox Jews but are not exacty as the Bat Mitzvahs that are celebrated by Reform and Conservative Jews. The party that follows the Bat Mitzvah is not tradition and is mostly celebrated by libral Jew and not Orthodox communities (Judaism about.com).

Analysis: After reading about the history of a Bat Mitzvah it sounds like a good idea to celebrate when a child becomes an adult. In the Jewish religion it is 12 for a girl. In the United States a child becomes an adult at age 18. I think that it is important to celebrate when a person has come to a point in their life in which they are now an adult and can make their own decisions.