Cushman rhetorician article

Cushman’s article on rhetoricians was both enlightening and interesting to me. Two things that I honestly did not think it would be. In reading the first few paragraphs I thought it would be another long winded, boring scholarly article just emphasizing and illustrating academic prowess. It showed me that education can be used as a tool and that research can be used to bridge the gap between those educated and not. Through out her research Cushman constantly tried to better those in the community she was researching.

Half the Sky ending thoughts

After completing this book I know not only have a much stronger stomach for graphic descriptions of inhumane things, a thicker skin when it comes to discussions that are touchy but also a new understanding of philanthropy and social change. I see how important the Grassroots movements are and how something that might seem so small or insignificant to me can make such a drastic difference to someone somewhere else.

Chapter thirteen Half the Sky

I didn’t think reading this book could get any more graphic but the opening to chapter thirteen for me was the worst. I actually had to put the book down for a few minutes after reading the opening where they describe female genital cutting or mutilation. I was disgusted at first but them when the comparison was made to braces in the United States I understood a little more.

Chapter twelve Half the Sky

Chapter twelve of Half the Sky, The Axis of Equality started out for me with a pleasant surprise: it was positive. While bits of this story were still sad after reading this book I find myself much more appreciative to the positive stories. Zhang Yin the billionaire entrepreneur is truly an inspiration and I so much admire her. Her net worth being reported as what it was and having to start with next to nothing as she did it was no surprise to me that her ambitions were leaps and bounds higher than her bank account ever could be.

Chapter eleven Half the Sky

Saima Muhammad’s story at the beginning was so sad and literally heart breaking for me to read. What that woman had to go through and the mental prison it put her in was eye opening to me. However, she never gave up and she eventually was able to become a tycoon of her village. The idea of microcredit and microfinance are fascinating and I see from half the sky that even though there are risks the rewards and potential outcomes are great.

Chapter ten Half the Sky

I have always thought that education is such a great thing. It can change people, governments and the world. The fact that there are so many that not only don’t realize this but don’t have the opportunity to enjoy education is tragic. The story of Dai Manju becoming an accountant and not only changing her life through education but her entire family and village is inspiring and reassuring. Reassuring that something so fundamentally simple by American standards can do so much good.

The unknown differences

Another point that I liked in chapter nine of Half the Sky was the interview with Nick and the Saudi Doctors and Nurses. This brought up something that I found very interesting, we don’t understand. As Americans we are quick to intervene and push our motives or agenda but even quicker I feel to judge. We judge from our point of view and as seen from the interview our point of view isn’t accurate and as was the case here not even relevant. These people don’t want us to feel sorry for them because we don’t look, dress or act like us. As was said “Iran is a bundle of contradictions”.

Chapter 9 Half the Sky

As an American my experiences with Islam are limited. Limited to what I have learned in school, read and unfortunately exposed to in the media. Chapter nine of Half the Sky brought up and interesting point about the religion that dominates so much of the world and is a huge part of many of the people whose stories we are reading about. The point of whether Islam as a religion was inherently misogynistic.

“God Gulf”

The idea of the “God gulf” was something that I had not originally thought would translate into the international arena. But after reading chapter eight I see not only that is has but the impact that certain hot button issues in our country have on the day to day life of people a world away.

Half the Sky chapter 7

Upon reading the story of Prudence and her families troubles for treatment I was disgusted by the treatment they received at the hospital and by the doctor especially. I think that is absolutely abhorrent. The fact that such a small amount of money, and really more than anything time, could have saved this poor girl really shows the differences in everything about the way of life here in America.