The name of the coarse Facing History and Ourselves is a perfect representation of the outcome this course has on its students. While taking this class I discovered a lot about myself and learned the harsh truth of history during certain atrocities. I also have a great fondness for this class because of how personal the lessons became. This class has brought a level of maturity as a student and person that no class has done before.
Realizing my own personal identity was always in the back of my mind, and through lessons toward the begging of the year I was faced with the conflict of allowing my personality to be known. It is not something most teens think about, “who am I?” and “would I fight for what I believe in?” Now I see that these questions are vital in feeling comfortable in your own skin. A moment I truly thought about myself was during the film Freedom Writers. The main character was so strong in her beliefs that the kids she taught where equal she did not take the advice of removing her pearls. This made me self reflect and realize if you say you view everyone equal you should be giving them the respect of treating every person, no matter what others say, the exact same.
Another meaningful lesson of self realization was, The Bear that Wasn’t. Although it is a children’s story I found the story was meant to also show we need to believe in ourselves. Most of the time in high school we become swayed to do as the rest of the crowd is. This story was a wake up call that it is important to not allow others to decide who I am but I need to stand up for myself when I have a view that is against the grain. My self realization also showed how to treat others. This course has made the phrase “treat others the way you want to be treated” a constant goal in my life. If I want to be able to act myself and portray my opinion, it is important to never stop another person from this right.
In addition to becoming aware of my identity I was benefited from this course in realizing how one single person can affect others greatly. It is motivating to know one person can cause change, yet it is possible to create the wrong kind of changes. Ms. Elliots experiment with her class meant a lot to me. She wanted others to be aware of what is right and wrong and she has moved a lot of people. I thought this video was extremely important to watch because to see someone so passionate toward helping has created a desire for me to do the same. It also opened my eyes to how people put into certain situations won’t always do the right thing.
The Milgram experiment also brought me to the realization how cruel people can become with power. This video sent chills though my body with each person that did not care enough to stop inflicting pain on a stranger. A movie that taught me the lesson that it is important to look out for each other even if we are strangers was, The Grey Zone. Through this movie I was enlightened with the fact these people were willing to fight together and risk their lives for what they believed in. The moment of innocence when all the men were about to be shot and they held each other’s hands I began to cry. These men were simply placed in this awful situation because their religion and it was so painful to watch them try to comport each other before an unjust death.
The feeling of hope came from a similar group in Warsaw Uprising; they also came together as strangers to fight back. I discovered that these honorable people were willing to sacrifice anything in able to attempt justice. Even though being in a situation like the Holocaust is unthinkable to relate too, I thought this group portrayed the need to keep pursuing a greater outcome. I was taught with this film no matter how hard you are pushed down, it is better to go out trying then as a bystander.
When I look back at this course I realize how meaningful it was. As my senior year speeds by, I know I will be leaving with a true understanding of who I am. Not only has this year made me learn who I was but how I want to treat others. I hope I can go through life with the lessons I learned in this class. Not only have I noticed in a difference in what I say but also how I view each person. My understanding of how I talk has been a huge change in my character. With each person I speak to I consider if it is an unnecessary put down. I have come to understand how one thing I say can have great impact on others and I should use it positively, not to make others upset. This course also means a lot to me because the teacher who teaches it. Mr. Gallagher has been such an inspiring teacher who every day goes out of his way to make his students feel comfortable and respected. He has taught each class with meaning and true passion toward the subject. I hope that I am able to affect people the same positive way he does. Which also helped me grow as a person because I am now motivated to do everything in life with a purpose.
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