The HCOS Weekly Seventh Edition
I.M.O. With Grace: FEMENISM By Grace Kelly Hey guys, this week I’m tackling the hefty subject of feminism. As I’ve said before, these are my completely biased opinions that I’m sharing, and biased opinions may be offensive (just as fair warning). Let me start this out by saying that I am not a feminist. While past feminists have done great things for women (getting us the right to vote, equal pay, post-secondary education, maternity leave, etc.) I don’t like their current attitude. I’ll expound on that in a moment. While reading more on the subject to sharpen my ranting perspective and widen my point of view, I got bored very often because people like to use really long terms such as ‘psychoanalysis’, ‘literary criticism’, ‘anthropology’, ‘sociology’, ‘objectification’, ‘patriarchy’, and the like while describing the feminist movement. But what it boils down to is basically the theory that women and men are equal and they both deserve to have the same rights, be it for personal matters, employment or education. It’s a sound theory and a fair one. Through this argument women have come a long way from where we were three hundred years ago when the first suffragette groups formed.
There are about three sections to the modern feminist movement. For starters, there are the extremists, the radicals, the ones that hate men for irrational reasons and do everything they can to make life miserable for them simply because they were born male. Then there are the more liberal feminists, the ones that are pushing for more rights for the modern woman, and more exceptions to be made for us in the workplace and in our world. They believe that there is still room for improvement and so they toil ceaselessly to make that come about. And then there is the placid feminist, the woman that acknowledges that women’s rights do exist but continues the age- old duties assigned to women centuries ago simply because it is comfortable and familiar or the way that they were raised. Now, here is my rant about feminism in four main points. (Wee, doing it essay style.) 1) Objectification and Respect. One of feminisms main areas of grievance is that women are objectified by men and treated with greater disrespect than we treat them with. I somewhat agree with this statement. Women shouldn’t have to be objectified by men; we obviously shouldn’t be treated as dispensable toys. (By the way, specific shoutout to all the guys that
treat the girls in their lives with respect, I know there are a lot of you.) But the problem I have with the objectification issue is that there is no responsibility put on the woman’s shoulders. We are responsible for the way that we act around men; we are responsible for the way that we dress and the way that we communicate and view ourselves. Now there are times where no matter how modest your demeanor is, you may still feel ‘objectified’ (Sorry, I just hate that word now. It’s so overused it’s not even funny). But the simple truth of the matter is: if you respect yourself, you will be respected. The distinct feeling that I get from modern media is that girls are never perfect enough. We are constantly striving to get better, not accepting who we are. How do we expect others to love and treat us with the respect that we starve ourselves from? The Golden Rule is: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Now, treat yourself the way you want to be treated. You can’t expect anyone to change their actions towards you if you don’t change your actions towards them. Just a note: One man said this about feminism, “I need feminism to let me know that if I find a woman physically attractive, I’m objectifying her, and if I don’t find her physically attractive, I’m shallow.” Interesting.
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2) Women and men are equal.
us equal job opportunities, give us equal pay and a vote and a right to I’m not going to disagree with this govern our own bodies, but womstatement, because it’s true. We an and men simply aren’t the same are equal, we were created equal and we never will be. and that is how we should remain. I can’t tell you how many Christians that I’ve run into over the years, though, that teach men are superior to women and have a specific connection to God that females do not and cannot have. That theory is one particular popular Christian belief that, for the lack of a better term, grinds my gears. Not to get ultra theological, but Jesus had many close women friends and he treated them no differently than his male friends. Paul 3) We can be who we want to be. wrote to ‘chief women’ in the church that he was close friends Feminism says to stop pushing ‘pawith (I’m saving the ‘women in triarchal’ duties such as housechurch leadership’ rant for a later cleaning and cooking on women. time) and exhorted them the same They say to let us make our own as he did the men. God doesn’t dis- choices and not to tell us we must criminate, and so I don’t think we be domestic housewives our whole should either. But all of this is be- lives, carting children to soccer sides the point. While men and practice in minivans. This is a conwomen are equal, this term is too cept that I am more than favorable often seen as ‘men and women are towards. Girls in the 21st century the same’. We are different. It’s the should be allowed to be whatever most obvious statement in the they want to be and take up whatworld; everyone knows that men ever profession they choose, since and women are different. But the we now have the freedom to do so. extreme feminists are still pushing But what I don’t like about this is for absolutely no boundaries be- the way that women are thus distween men and women’s living/ couraged from being stay-at-home working environments and this is moms. While I personally don’t where I run into the biggest prob- want children and would prefer to lem with feminism. We’re different have a career and perhaps a single from men. For instance, we can get life, most of my close friends want pregnant; we are as a general rule, a simple life where they marry the more emotional. We communicate man they love, have children with completely differently and our him, and take care of their family. brain functions are simply not the And there is nothing wrong with same. Not to say that we’re that. I hate the feeling that I get weaker, but we are by far more del- from feminists when they see a big icate than men. We’re generally family or an obviously worn-down smaller and while physical bulk mother. They judge them for ‘wastdoesn’t make a person, even the ing’ their lives on having children Bible says that we are ‘the weaker and a home when they could be vessel.’ What I’m saying is, yes, give out having a successful career. But
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what if that mother wants to be doing what she’s doing? What if she wakes up every morning and is happy because she gets to spend another day taking care of the children she loves? All I’m saying is let women be informed, but then don’t judge the choices we make. 4) To the guys. And lastly, to the guys (if any of you have actually suffered through this very feminine rant that has little to do with you). I want to say thank you to those of you that treat women with respect and support our rights to be who we want to be. I’ve met some really neat guy friends via HCOS that are honestly some of the nicest and most godly young men that I have had the pleasure of knowing. Guys like you put a stopper on the stereotypes of men that feminists try to box your gender in. Thank you for being awesome. I promise to have a more relatable rant out next week (if I’m still up and running after this ;)) I welcome all criticism, constructive and destructive. Open to suggestions for future rants if anyone has some they’d like to share. My skype is grace.olga1 and you can obviously find me on the ning or moodle if you’re so inclined.
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"Why So CEREAL?" - BATMAN WEEK
"Robin's Fail" - BATMAN WEEK
{SUPER COMICS} By Joshua Wlodarczyk
{SUPER COMICS} By Joshua Wlodarczyk
"Batman's Father's Day" - BATMAN WEEK
{SUPER COMICS} By Joshua Wlodarczyk
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Jesus: The Outcast
Advertising can be used to promote businesses. It can be used to sell a product or offer a service. This is an effective way to publicize companies. Without advertising, there would be minimal knowledge about small-town corporations. Well-known companies receive more business, even if closer corporations can do the job just as effectively. Advertising can encourage the amount of customers to increase. Furthermore, advertising saves time and money. Grocery flyers, for example, save time by announcing merchandise that’s on sale. Often, s t o r e s co m p e t e w i t h o t h e r retailers, by price-matching goods. This is profitable to the buyer, since they can then buy all of their products at one store, instead of wasting their time going from one shop to another. Advertising saves time, money and energy.
By Jennica Wlodarczyk
what God told him to.
Contrary to popular belief, Jesus was not a well-liked guy back in His day. People hated Him, cursed Him, and even threatened and eventually killed Him for standing out from the crowd. They despised Him for standing out from the crowd and believing in something different. The popular religious people back in the day were a group of Jews called the Pharisees. They had it all together. They were rich, important, and famous. People supported them without a second thought because they believed that since the Pharisees had it all going for them on the outside, they must have been God’s chosen ones. But the Pharisees were missing something. Even though they were rich and worked at the house of the Lord, God wasn’t real to them. They were more concerned about their social status than about loving others and serving God. In this way, they majorly differed from Jesus. Jesus obeyed God when the Pharisees and the rest of society said it wasn’t cool or proper. He didn’t care what the other Jews thought about Him, or what anybody thought about Him for that matter. He simply obeyed God and trusted that He was doing
So, does this make you think about your life at all? You’ve been called to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. Are you willing to become an outcast for God? God gave us all a free choice. It’s up to us to choose what we’re going to do, who we’re going to hang out with, and how we’re going to live our lives. Think about it. Your life is a beacon to others, and However, advertising can misguide you can decide what type of signal teenagers. One of the reasons that you want to send off. teens start bad habits is because ads place bad ideas in their minds. The choice is yours. Teenagers idolize the people shown on television, and then strive to imitate them. In these cases, ads are in a sense “brainwashing” them, causing them to blend with the world and not think for themselves. The ads are bright and colorful, making that lifestyle seem more appealing. Advertising can By Jaleesa Taylor mislead teenagers.
Advertising: Does It Pay?
In our society there has been a long-standing debate about whether advertising is harmful or beneficial. People have argued, saying that advertising is a necessary means to business. Others feel that it is extremely annoying and even corrupting to the general public. So is advertising really beneficial or is it harmful?
Is advertising actually harmful? This is a question entirely based on opinion. Some don’t mind advertising, and skip over the ads in a newspaper, while others find advertising an annoying nuisance. Whether people find advertising profitable or irritating, ads continue to be printed. So, is advertising harmful or beneficial? You decide.
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districts. By calling this draft of winners, the president forced the two main characters, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, to rejoin the fight in the arena as enemies once more. Devastated, the people were forced to comply with the president’s wishes. It is important to note that fans said the movie followed the book very closely. INTENSE SPOILERS END HERE.
Catching Fire A Movie Review By Jesse Ongkili The Hunger Games Catching Fire (the second movie from the three book series) just came out the other night, and I was one of the few privileged ones to get a chance to see it so closely to its release. Due to this fact, I decided to do a review on it for all of you out there who are contemplating whether they should watch it or not. Please understand that the following words are based on my opinion, and that the opinion of others may vary. WARNING: INTENSE SPOILERS BELOW IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOKS
Plot: Catching Fire is a PG-13 film about a society that is based on complete obedience from their citizens. Every year, a male and a female teenager are sent from each district of the country to take part in a fearsome bloodbath called the “Hunger Games”, as punishment for the country’s rebellion 74 years prior. Out of 24 teens, only one survives each game, leaving the other 23 participants dead in the fray. The president of the 12 districts within the country wanted something special for their 75th annual Hunger Games, and decided to spice things up by drafting in all the previous winners from times of old. This was decided upon in order to eradicate the only “celebrities” of their era, ending the hope of victory and triumph that the winners brought to each of their
One thing that needs to be noted right away is the sensitive material within the movie. Many people are wondering why it didn’t get an “R” rating, due to the amount of violence shown on camera. Numerous scenes displayed images of blood and dead bodies. Several times I found myself crawling in my seat at the horrors the characters were forced to face within the arena itself. Although I personally think it wasn’t bad enough to receive a flat out “R” rating, there is certainly lots of sensitive material; I would suggest avoiding the movie altogether if you find violence or gore disturbing in any way. Another thing that irked me about the film was the amount of romance involved. Those overworked scenes of Katniss looking into the eyes of one of her two boyfriends often went on a lot longer than my liking, making the movie – at many times – too slow. If you dislike romantic flicks, I would also strongly advise against Catching Fire. The Language was not overly obtrusive, however there were the odd four letter words that may or may not have been bleeped out. Overall, I would give the new
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Hunger Games movie a rating of 5/10, due to some of the facts stated above, along with personal preference. I do think however that they did a much better job in the second one that the first, as disturbances like the camera shaking were kept to a minimal. There is lots of ideologically sensitive material (including sexually suggestive themes) that should be taken into consideration before watching. I guess what I should be saying here is “CAUTION: PARENT CONSENT IS ADVISED.” But then again, if you are a fan of teens viciously slaughtering each other (including a rather helpless grandmother who joined in this newest one), along with bits of romance tied in here and there, then this movie is for you.
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going fine and dandy, and remember to pay as much attention to Him in the bad times as you would in the good times. He’s the Saviour of your life, and not only does He know that prayer will build you up and help you see the good in everything, but He loves spending time with you! So just remember that no matter what happens this w e e k , w h e t h e r i t ’s f a m i l y problems, schoolwork deadlines, or otherwise, God is always there for you to talk to, and He will always have advice and love for you.
4. What was one life experience you'll never forget? I swallowed a fly before. 5 . W h a t a re s o m e of yo u r hobbies? Practicing irritating voices, jogging, folding boxes and sleeping 6. What is your favourite thing about your family? They still haven't sent me to the mental hospital.
Interview with Grace Kelly By Jennica Wlodarczyk
Verse of the Week
3. Who is the most important human being in your life? I don't have a single most important person in my life, I have about 10, they include my close family members, special friends and my youth leaders.
1. Tell us some important points about yourself. I'm a ginger. Call By Jennica Wlodarczyk me one and I will murder you. I'm obsessed with Stephen King and James 5:13 in the New Living brown hair. I really don't like Brad Translation Bible says, “Are any of Pitt. you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You 2. What courses are you taking for should sing praises.” In this your grad year, and which are passage, James is telling us some- your favourites? I'm not entirely thing very simple yet very impor- sure what I'm taking for grad year tant. Both bad times and good yet, but I know I'll be taking Psytimes come upon all of us, and we chology, Russian, Music and of should thank God and praise Him course English and Social Studies. when either of them comes. Don’t My favorite course by far is English. just pray to God when everything is
7. Why do you enjoy being in the Forum Moderation Team, or FMT? I love the fact that I'm part of an elite internet group that provides volunteer experience, and that my only responsibility is to stalk people and act like the Gestapo (Joking). Also, bothering Nathanial is fun. 8. Who is your greatest role model and why? Probably my mom. She's been through so many things but she's still such a strong individual. She's raised six kids and yet she still retains her sanity, maintains a job, teaches school, cooks meals every day, prays with us and supports our numerous familial undertakings. 9. Can you describe yourself in three words? No, I can’t. 10. And last but not least, what would you do if you found out that unicorns were real? Unicorns are real. Everybody knows that, Nica.
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So You ink You Can Photograph Photography Contest Winners
Note From The Editor By Jubilee Chiu Hey Readers!
1ST PLACE: Jamesa Ensing
2ND PLACE: Samara Paine
3RD PLACE: Tabitha Eenkooren
3RD PLACE: Lael Louw
Notable Photo: Samara Paine
We’d like to introduce and welcome our newest Contributing Writer, Jaleesa Taylor. She’s been contributing some pretty awesome rants and poems like The Rose. If you're liking what you've seen, keep reading for more from Jaleesa! The Literature Corner will be returning next edition, featuring exciting stories by Samara and Kennedy. If you have requests for TV show or movie reviews, Davin, Noah and Jesse would love some suggestions! Grace is taking requests for rants as well, and she’s reachable on skype (grace.olga1), Ning, Moodle, and email. Got questions, or need advice? Feel free to shoot Dr. Wise (AKA Kristina) an email. We are always ecstatic to hear from you!! :D Reach us at hcosweekly@outlook.com.
Notable Runner Up: Jubilee Chiu
League of Legends Champion Fan Art
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Pantheon - By Jesse Ongkili
Captain "Jack" - By Jesse Ongkili
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