Category: Honor

My name is Thais Queiroz Rezio, I am a dedicated wife of a Coast Guardsman and deeply proud to be associated with the nurses who serve veterans at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA. I am very excited about the privilege of seeking a commission in the United States Navy Reserve Nurse Corps. I am committed to providing those who serve our country with the highest level of care and helping them through their medical challenges is my way to give back and give thanks for their service. I am drawn to them and feel that helping them with exceptional care is a calling within me. I am confident that being trilingual, my personal and professional experiences, critical thinking skills, organization, and management skills will prove to be an asset to the United States Navy Reserve Nurse Corps. Additionally, I believe that my work ethic, charisma, and leadership skills will enhance the productivity of my organization and those who may serve under me.

For years I have had a strong desire to serve the country that adopted me. An inherent trait in human nature is to strive for greatness and do something to be proud of in life. Growing up in a third-world country, being an immigrant, getting into nursing school, and finally graduating from college has been a challenge and yet an adventure. Those experiences taught me how to be patient and resilient and made me understand that we should not take our blessings for granted. The blessing of being an American citizen has a wider meaning for me.

Joining the Navy Nurse Corps will allow me to return some of what I have been blessed with. Serving as a Naval Nurse Officer for those who work so hard for our country would be my greatest honor. I believe that I have all the qualities of a Naval Officer and try to guide my life by the same Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. It would be an honor and privilege to serve my country as an Officer in the United States Navy. An inherent trait in human nature is to strive for greatness and do something greater than life. Choosing nursing as a career and the motivation for seeking a commission in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps is rooted in that same innate characteristic. This may seem like an obvious statement, but the passion, courage, and challenge I value as a nurse are enrooted on this.

I have long desired to become a Registered Nurse and now am enjoying working in the healthcare field providing the best care to our veterans. I am a self-starter, able to complete tasks independently, and I work well with others. My fluency in English, Portuguese, and Spanish will be of great advantage in dealing with a diversity of patients, and my goals include ensuring that all patients receive the best care available to them. I know that my talents, skills, and dedication to the field will be assets to the United States Navy Reserve Nurse Corps as I work to make a difference in the lives of those who are assigned to me.

Nonetheless, I must confess that there is also part of me that wants to travel more and see more of the U.S. and other parts of the world. I like adventure, seeing new places, meeting new people, facing a challenge, and learning new skills. I believe that as a Navy nurse, I will be able to do these things. I sincerely desire a commission in the United States Naval Reserve. It would be my proudest moment.  

Is there a true way to define oneself? How can someone who is constantly changing be defined for any period? These questions were the first to come into my mind when the assignment was proposed. I tried defining myself then and I found out that without the ability to tune out the world, there is no way to have only one definition. Therefore, I believe that there is a way to define ‘self’ but that definition is not meant to last forever. myself is almost like the definition of ‘self’ is always a connotation and life is the context in which it is viewed. In that light, it seems as though a physical self can be defined as a human being or a dog or a cat but the mentality of that human, dog, or cat cannot simply be categorized into a simple sentence. There is a correlation between the environment and how someone is defined in that environment versus another one. For instance, if you throw someone into a war zone they will be a much different person than if you take them to a nice dinner one night and decide to have a pleasant conversation. Another comparison would be trying to explain the shape of a circle rather than a multivariate callus, all of this to a five-year-old. The word ‘self’ can be defined as simply as ‘you’ as long as you refer to ‘yourself’. To define ‘self’, not just the word, means one must interpret one’s actions in different environments.

Now, some people might claim to always have been the same no matter what, but this cannot be true. The human body itself changes over time, and with changes come more definitions. Definitions that can change are usually like connotations can change from positive to negative and vice versa. This means that at any two moments, the definition can be the same but those moments cannot be very far from one another. There is no way to make yourself the same way as you had several months or years before. The human psyche and personality are two of the major factors when defining self. The way you observe the world around you is critical in how you view yourself i.e. if you see the world as a beautiful place of many possibilities you will probably see yourself in a more positive light versus someone who sees the world as a dark and evil place they might not view themselves so highly.

There is also a distinct correlation between a single person and a group of people and how diversity or sameness can lead the definitions of a few people to become a collective of definitions. This collective definition can either strongly or weakly correlate to the people that make up its contents. If you have several different people to gather together into one collective group then the definition of that group will most likely be a weak definition for the individuals. If you have many people of the same origin or definition then the collective will strongly represent the individuals. Now, these are two extremes of this scenario. In most cases, you will not have all the same people or even all different people but will have a variety and this is a useful tool for accomplishing goals. If you have many people, one of them is bound to be a leader-type and therefore the group can be organized and brainstorm ideas from the collective of individuals, with a difference there is a possibility.

For instance, I am an Eagle Scout, and to get this honor you must plan, lead, and execute a leadership project. I had to utilize many people with very different definitions to bring them together to help finish the project. This required about a year and a half for the whole process to be completed. And that is no easy task, to begin with, especially with marching band and life getting in the way at all the worst moments. I was a different person before that project, therefore having a different definition of myself than after the project. Before the project, I was a timid follower who usually accomplished the goals set before me to the best of my ability. After I completed the project with several other individuals I became a leader and team player that always gave the best I could give no matter what it is that needs to be done. There is no excuse for failure and no excuse for laziness. These are the values that have impressed me ever since I was young but I never truly embraced them until I had to become an Eagle Scout. So, I do have a definition of my current self; and that is I am tall, not very fit, I have some common sense when I need to have it most, I embrace challenges, I am an Eagle Scout, I like to watch sports, I am studying to be an Aerospace Engineer at Auburn University, and most of all I am not a quitter and I will always live and work by the Scout Oath and Law in every day I am living and working.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that a definition of self cannot be eternal but I do believe that there is a definition for self at every moment but that definition cannot be held over to another point in time unless everything remains constant. This is how I define myself, this is how I rationalize myself, and this is how I understand everything around me.

Honor, duty, courage, and fame, are each pivotal elements to survive in society. Each one is indispensable. Honor brings pride; duty is a necessary condition for success; courage empowers and eliminates fear; and fame leads to success. With these components, it is possible to be a successful member of society.

The honor represents status. It earns respect. Individuals can be successful only by learning to strive for a sense of honor, which is obtained through fair competition. To defend himself and his country’s merit, Beowulf defeated Grendel and Grendel’s mother with his bare hands. Although Beowulf could hold a weapon, he decided against it to compete fairly and succeed. Beowulf’s preservation of integrity is equally important in today’s society. Likewise, competition and the fairness of victory lead to self-fulfillment and establish a strong reputation.

Responsibility is a personal obligation, a commitment to family, company, and society, and loyalty to their mission. Responsibility is a requisite for success. For example, parents are accountable for teaching their children the correct manner. They are required to supervise their children and ensure that they do not break laws. When Beowulf fights the evil dragon, only Wiglaf stays to help Beowulf because he knows it is his responsibility as an attendant. Responsibility is the most fundamental quality that every person living in this society should have, and it is also a necessary condition to become successful.

Courage is the most important element in overcoming difficulties. There are two kinds of people when they face difficulties. One overcomes their fear and moves forward courageously; the other one flees or quits and bravery can help overcome all obstacles. Beowulf is referred to as a hero because he possesses both physical and emotional strength. He always intervenes when people are in distress, especially at the end of the story when he hears about the country’s difficulties. He steps forward without hesitation and finally gives his life. Nowadays, people often encounter various difficulties and misfortunes. Therefore, it takes fortitude to achieve success.

Reputation comes from others’ perceptions of an individual. A positive reputation brings convenience, and a negative reputation makes people invisible. As a common example, doctors build up their reputation by successfully saving lives. A beneficial reputation brings fame and credibility to the person; therefore, attracts more attention and admiration from others. Beowulf fights for his reputation all of his life, so after his death, people build a statue to commemorate him. To establish a foothold in this society people must build their reputation.

The Vietnam War was a disaster. It was such a mega-fail that impacted global diplomacy for a long time. Nixon got pushed right into important business. The Nation was unfortunately divided, with turmoil in the cities and war overseas. He did eventually succeed in ending America’s fighting with Vietnam but in a way, many people wouldn’t have an image. Nixon got elected on the promise of peace for America while leaving the South Vietnamese to their fate. This was in large part because of animosity occurring in America. The protests and also the general mistrust of the government were just two reasons the American people weren’t very happy with the US at that point in their lives. In my essay, I will be discussing four major questions.

What were Nixon’s policy goals in Vietnam? What kind of settlement did he get in Vietnam? In what ways did his search for “peace with honor” fail? What were some of the legacies of the Vietnam War? I also briefly discuss John Kerry, Who he is, and What he did that changed people’s view on soldiers coming home from Vietnam. What interested Nixon was the legislation, Knowing he had the power to do anything he wanted to try and help the US made him feel powerful, he liked applying American power and diplomatic influence to regional and global problems. President Nixon had been dispatching fighting forces to brawl in Vietnam, where about 31,000 American lives were lost, and troop numbers neared their peak of 536,100. However, the critical problem of his presidency was the Vietnam War. Nixon set in motion a process of a step-by-step reduction in a shot to connect with his campaign promise of “peace with honor”. Nixon’s new plan toward Vietnam included negotiating with the Asian government after American combat deaths exceeded thirty-six hundred and this appeared to be continuing without stopping anytime soon. The president was in a dilemma, he was starting to get stressed about the war. Throughout his campaign, he had said that he had an untold plan to finish the war but couldn’t divulge it since it would upset the Paris Peace negotiations plus he didn’t want the American people or any other country to know what he had in store for the future. If his plan involved escalation, the Democrats could charge at him saying he was abandoning any attempt to succeed in a peaceful solution.

The main point of having these meetings was to remove all American prisoners of war from Vietnam. But their talks were balanced on one key element, By having South Vietnam release North Vietnam’s troops which would sustain a stable, permanent, and non-communist government. While U.S. demands were made public through representatives in Paris, they were reiterated in separate and classified meetings overseen by Henry Kissinger who was Nixon’s Nation Security Advisor, and North Vietnam. This single key demand proved to be the undoing of any negotiated harmony. In a trial to scale back domestic unrest, Nixon proposed replacement guidelines collectively called “Vietnamization”. The government defined “Vietnamization” as withdrawing its troops and transferring the responsibility and direction of the war effort to the government of South Vietnam.

This plan was used to have a smooth transition between American combat forces returning home and leaving Vietnam. While having American prisoners of war leaving Vietnam, the US was able to coach and equip South Vietnam’s military to take leadership for its defense which hopefully meant they were bringing all prisoners home all the same time. Which would mean both sides would benefit from this offer. Nixon then introduced a draft lottery system, which alleviated several criticisms of inequality within the draft system from many people. In a few months, Nixon decided to take away the draft system entirely, making the military volunteer-based. Therefore, they would get soldiers who are passionate about the war and would put 110% effort into everything they do and not have stranglers not working hard enough. President Nixon accepted accountability for the war. He 100% should, he was the president and he should take the blame for everything he decides. He knew that closing the war would make some people think he was successful as a president and some would think he became unsuccessful. Many people had different views on this decision and they didn’t know what to think.

Americans gave Nixon one year to try to end the war, he believed in his background in foreign relations, his harshness, and his cooperation to be able to complete his task of putting an end to the war. He wanted to awaken the military, and by putting political force, and hope that they would get somewhere good on both sides. It was very hard for both parties to agree, compromising was difficult since both countries knew what they wanted or needed but finding the middle ground was the best option. So to shake some things up Nixon instructed a massive B-52 attack on North Vietnam, which was named the “Christmas Bombing.” Meanwhile, they both continued to put a lot of pressure on General Thieu, Nixon then threatened to disconnect all U.S. economic, military, and political support for North Vietnam If he refused to accept their agreement. Nixon has now taken the role of the wait-and-see attitude like North Vietnam did to him before.“We have not limited our peace initiatives to public forums and public statements. I recognized, in January, that a long and bitter war like this usually cannot be settled in a public forum. That is why in addition to the public statements and negotiations I have explored every possible private avenue that might lead to a settlement.” (Silent Majority Speech) Thieu reluctantly accepted the settlement but even before officially signing it he tried to make more demands but failed, and then finally the agreement was signed where both parties would see eye to eye.

The settlement terms had written that the U.S. had to withdraw its remaining troops within 60 days in exchange for an immediate cease-fire. They would return American prisoners of war, and North Vietnam promised they would acknowledge South Vietnam’s government, which didn’t last that long. The peace settlement enabled the U.S. to depart from the war and welcome back the American prisoners of war to their families and friends back home. To achieve peace with honor Nixon shifted US policy to become “The Nixon Doctrine,” which meant countries were now accountable for their defense. Nixion said, “Throughout the years of negotiations, we have insisted on peace with honor. In my addresses to the Nation from this room of January 25 and May 8 [1972], I set forth the goals that we considered essential for peace with honor.” ( National Archives) There was no hiding the fact that the U.S. had lost the war, especially after the Communists overran South Vietnam. War veterans returning from Vietnam were not greeted as heroes, further underscoring the fact that Americans did not feel the simplest way of pride or honor about their involvement in the war. Nixion desired to tug American forces out of Vietnam, but he did not want American withdrawal to be seen as a sign of defeat. “Now that we have achieved an honorable agreement, let us be proud that America did not settle for a peace that would have betrayed our allies, that would have abandoned our prisoners of war or that would have ended the war for us but would have continued the war for the 50 million people of Indochina.

Let us be proud of the 2 1/2 million young Americans who served in Vietnam, who served with honor and distinction in one of the most selfless enterprises in the history of nations. And let us be proud of those who sacrificed, who gave their lives so that the people of South Vietnam might live in freedom and so that the world might live in peace.” ( National Archives) The biggest thing was that Americans thought Nixon had failed as a president by not fighting hard enough. Nixon wanted peace between the countries and he got the peace even if it meant that they would be the ones to surrender. I don’t think Americans realized the danger they were in if they never agreed to this settlement. John Kerry made an announcement in Washington to deal with the issues that were happening in Vietnam that nobody was talking about. He goes on to elucidate “ “We who have come here to Washington have come here because we feel we have to be winter soldiers now. We could come back to this country, we could be quiet, we could hold our silence, we could not tell what went on in Vietnam, but we feel because of what threatens this country, not the reds, but the crimes which we are committing that threaten it, that we have to speak out.”( Viet Nam Generation, Inc) I feel this is very noble of anyone to inform the public on what they were doing during the war. It is awful to read the list of things a number of the soldiers did in the “past time.” I’m glad someone is owning up to such disgusting actions, and they needed to be said. In conclusion, a remarkable man who made some unfortunate choices, Richard M. Nixon was a capable and unique president up to his resignation.

Nixon was a president who was determined to change the future of America. Aside from his unethical means, Nixon successfully appealed to a Democratic-controlled Congress to create policies that would benefit and ensure a bright future for American citizens. He was the first president to take a step towards ending the Cold War, the conflict that kept the whole world on edge. He was able to temporarily heal the failing economy even though it eventually fell harder afterward, and he ended the unnecessarily long Vietnam War. Longing for control, he made some irreversible decisions that he wasn’t able to atone for. Unfortunately, his downfall overshadowed his accomplishments, and he suffered greatly. 

Peggy Sue and Tony had met and fell in love with each other while they both were attending college in Texas. Peggy Sue graduated with a degree in elementary education and is a teacher in Dallas, Texas. Tony graduated with a degree from a culinary school and is a chef at a resort hotel restaurant also in Dallas, Texas. Tony decided that he wanted to propose to Peggy Sue on Christmas day, and Peggy Sue said yes excitedly to his proposal. They decided to go ahead and set a wedding date for June 30th the following year. Tony is originally from New York City, New York where his parents and three younger sisters still reside today. Peggy Sue is originally from Cornfield, Nebraska, where her mother and three older sisters continue to live. Peggy Sue’s father is deceased.

Some assumptions: The wedding would be in Texas; Peggy Sue and Tony both live and work in Texas because Texas is where Peggy Sue met, fell in love, and got engaged. Traveling to New York or Nebraska to get married would be more time-consuming as well as more expensive for both Peggy Sue and Tony. Peggy Sue and Tony will be covering the costs of their wedding. Peggy Sue’s mother cannot help paying for the wedding due to the amount of income coming in from her farm. Tony’s parents have not stated they would help pay for any of the wedding costs, but Tony’s mother has offered to pay for a two-week honeymoon to Italy as a gift to Tony and Peggy Sue. Tony and Peggy Sue will also be using money that they receive as gifts from their guests to help cover wedding expenses.

Tony and Peggy Sue have not provided an exact amount as far as their budget goes for their wedding. I would assume there will be around 350 or so guests attending their wedding. That would include the 50 guests from Peggy Sue’s family and friends in Cornfield, Nebraska, and then the 300 guests from Tony’s family and friends in New York City. Assuming the wedding takes place in Texas, the average cost per guest is $103 which would be $72,100 for 350 guests. That total amount for the wedding does includes the venue, wedding cake, food, bar, invitations, etc.

Peggy Sue and Tony will be in charge of planning their wedding and will also assign certain people with specific duties. Peggy Sue will select her wedding dress as well as choosing a maid of honor, bridesmaids, and all of their dresses. Tony will oversee selecting his tux, and also, he will choose the best man, and groomsman, as well as what they will be wearing. Peggy Sue and Tony must oversee choosing a venue for their wedding. The resort hotel restaurant where Tony is the chef will look over the catering of the food for Tony and Peggy Sue’s wedding.

Peggy Sue and Tony will set a budget for their wedding. The guest list, venue, photographer, music, food, wedding cake, flowers, wedding rings, transportation, and invitations will all be influenced by the budget that Tony and Peggy Sue have chosen. Tony and Peggy Sue are also responsible for writing their wedding vows if they decide to do so. The maid of honor is responsible for coordinating bridesmaids-related activities, the bachelorette party, the wedding dress, and the bridesmaid’s dress fittings, keeping a record of all the RSVPs, and picking up the cake on the wedding day. The best man is responsible for the groomsmen-related activities, bachelor parties, tux fittings, and keeping up with the wedding rings.

The network diagram will begin with the first-day wedding planning begins and will conclude on the wedding day. “A network diagram is a tool for arranging the specific activities in the appropriate sequence and defining their dependent relationships. It defines the sequence of how the activities will get done.” (Gido, Clements, & Baker, 2017).

The wedding date and time confirmation begin at the diagram. Next on the diagram will be the budget that Tony and Peggy Sue have set. Next on the diagram will be choosing where the wedding and reception will be. Once the location of the wedding is chosen, Tony and Peggy Sue will meet with the person officiating over their wedding and book the day they have decided to go with to have their wedding. Next, Tony and Peggy Sue will choose a venue, meet with the owner of the venue to see if the space is available for that day, and book the venue for the day of their wedding. Next, Peggy Sue, and Tony will create a guest list, choose invitations, and then begin sending out the invitations so that guests can RSVP, so they get an idea of who is coming to their wedding. Next, Tony will contact the resort to book a catering date and create a menu of foods they will serve at the reception. Tony will also place an order for the wedding cake of Peggy Sue’s choice.

Next on the diagram is choosing the wedding dress, bridesmaids’ dresses, and tuxedos to be fitted and purchased. This includes the outfits for the flower girl and ring bearer. Next, the maid of honor and best man will contact and reserve entertainment for the reception. Next, Tony and Peggy Sue will contact a photographer and book them for the day of their wedding. Next, Tony and Peggy will contact a florist and pick out arrangements that will be used in the venue. Next, Tony and Peggy will book transportation for their parents and guests who are unable to provide their transportation. Next, hair appointments will be set for Peggy Sue, Tony, the maid of honor, the bridesmaids, the best man, the groomsmen, and the parents of the bride and grooms. Next, it will be rehearsal day for the wedding. Last, it will be a wedding day.

The estimated duration for the activities to be completed for Tony and Peggy Sue’s wedding is based on calculations and scheduling. It is necessary to select a project estimated start time for when the wedding planning is expected to begin and a wedding planning completion time for when the wedding planning must be done. These two dates define the overall window of time in which the project must be completed (Gido, Clements, & Baker, 2017). Tony and Peggy Sue’s wedding date is scheduled for June 30. Since they want to be dancing in the night, the time of the wedding ceremony is 5:00 p.m. The project start time will be 0 (or January 1) and the project required completion time will be 180 days ( or June 30)

“This longest path in the overall network diagram is called the critical path.” (Gido, Clements, & Baker, 2017). To determine this critical path, I need to determine which wedding activities have the least slack. I will subtract the EF time from the LF time for each wedding activity, and then determine which activities have the lowest value. The activities with this value are on the critical path of activities. The activities that make up the critical path are the wedding time and date 5 – 5 = 0, Setting a budget 52 – 52 = 0, Venue 11 – 11 = 0, Guest List 45 – 45 = 0, Caterer 76 – 76 = 0, Invitations 125 – 125 = 0, Wedding Cake 87 – 87 = 0, Wedding Dress 134 – 134 = 0, and Wedding Party Attire 134 – 134 = 0.

Network-based planning and scheduling techniques can also be used in a bar chart (Gantt chart) to demonstrate project start time and project finish times on a time scale.   

The Glory in Death

In the world of heroes, they all have the same goal they strive to be glorified or honored after death. The Greeks use the phrase “Kleos aphthiton” or “Eternal Glory” (Van Bryan). Take Achilles in Homer’s Iliad for example. He was a strong, cunning warrior who was a demi-god renowned for his prowess on the battlefield, especially in his victories against the Trojans. You might have heard the term “ Achilles Heel” In the legend Achilles could only be injured at his heel, as when he was a child he was dipped into the river Styx and was held by his heel. So his only weakness was his heel. During a point in the Trojan War, he refused to fight due to a beautiful princess was taken away from him. Being depressed, his best friend took his armor pretending to be him then tragically dying in battle. Achilles then comes back to avenge his fallen friend and inspires his army, eventually being shot with an arrow in his heel and subsequently dying due to his “Achilles heel”(History)(Rachael Noodra). This can also be seen in the epic poem hero of Beowulf. Not a half-god but a mortal who’s a noble and courageous warrior just like Achilles. Another powerful male role model for their fellow soldiers is to fight harder for their homeland. Beowulf travels to a distant land to aid King Hrothgar, King of the Danes, to slay the Grendel who is the unholy spawn of Cain. Leading to a vicious fight with Grendel’s Mother in the Mere to a dragon as the king of the Geats. Both of these men can be called epic heroes of loyalty to their compassion. However, when it comes to death in battle, they seek the most honorable yet, dramatic sacrifices on the battlefield which is called Kleos. A “medium and a message” (Van Bryan) to the people who hear their tale from the afterlife and beyond. In Anglo-Saxon terms, the closest word would be hubris which was too much prideful way of thinking that can lead many to glorious deaths and “short-lived lives” as a society or a selfless deed for the people they’re trying to protect, especially for Wiglaf to future generations.

The Anglo-Saxon culture revolves around and is based on heroic to noble values when it comes to their people. It’s depicted with the reveal of Wiglaf when his fellow thaynes retreat. Beowulf chooses to take on the dragon alone when bringing eleven thanes to assist him, reassuring himself due to his past achievements in defeating previous monsters. Seeing Beowulf struggle brings distraught and doubt to the thaynes causing them to flee to the forest with only one standing his ground: Wiglaf. Expressing his valor and obedient attitude in lines 1573-1758 ( “ When we swore to our lord who bestowed/ these rings/ That we would repay the war gear and/armor,/The hard swords and helmets if need like/this”) whereas a thayne they owe their life to the “ring-bearer” or king. And in lines 1583-1584, (“ God knows I had rather the fire should enfold/My body and limbs with my gold-friend and/ lord. . .”) he would rather burn from dragon fire than burns from the fire of dishonor. It is a strong merit to serve when his king needs aid. To fight in battle either surviving or even dying is an honorable action rather than being shamed by fleeing. Yet, some of the more selfless acts may look like a selfish one.

Before he feuds with the dragon, Beowulf knows that he will perish once face to face with the beast. Clouded by his hubris, his final act is to die that day as a well-respected and loved king to be commemorated. At first, it seems selfish enough when it comes to Kleos (Van Bryan) where Beowulf is acquiring immortality, not waiting for it to come. Seeming his fate is sealed, he goes by himself deciding to dismiss his thaynes. However; Wiglaf sees it differently in lines 1579-1580, (“ Should ever befall him. He chose us out/ From all the host for this high adventure.”). An old, bashed king who just wants to slay this monster as usual to not protect them, but his people too. Their king picked them (Haynes) to come with the all-mighty Beowulf on an extremely deadly adventure. Even if Beowulf decides to fight at his lonesome, Wiglaf with no hesitation runs towards the “ Storm of Strife” or fight (1587) through a “ Deadly reek” or deadly smell (1588) to be by his side. “Not allow your glory to lessen. As long as you lived. With resolute heart,/And dauntless daring, defend your life.” (1593-1595) Wiglaf is a true schilling who had learned many things from Beowulf but has to learn the lessons of hubris and pride when he becomes king.

American novelist, Chuck Palahniuk, said “ We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” This can be seen repeated in the epic poem of Beowulf where immortality is something you have to achieve not settle to be forgotten. Beowulf knows his limits as a mortal against the dragon, but Wiglaf refuses to sit back and watch his king die like other heroes. Another quote from Achilles states, “ My mother Thetis tells me that there are two in which I may meet my end. If I stay here and fight, I will not return alive but my name will live forever: whereas if I go home my name will die, but it will be long ere death shall take me” (Van Bryan). This tradition of a two-way coin is very idiotic or honorable, but might not last long since they don’t exist like that in the present. Some values from truth to honor survived the trip of time though. Notable actions are still being sought out just to be famous, even if it’s infamous due to hubris. Wiglaf is the new king of the Geats, and his speech depicts that the virtues of the Anglo-Saxon culture might not still be around today, but is still told through this astounding epic poem. Beowulf’s achievements due to his Kleos will keep his story alive through the memories and voices of the Geats.          

The purpose of this text is to elucidate the causes of honor killings in Turkey and in the Turkish law, system to explain how they affect these murders. So, in this text, the aim is to raise awareness about the problem of custom and honor that has been going on for years. While writing this text, various articles on this subject were read, and information was reached about this problem of Turkey and its legal dimension. As a result, this knowledge is transmitted into the text by making use of these articles.

Tradition and honor killings, which are forms of family violence in the past and present, are one of the major problems faced by women, especially in the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern countries, and Muslim countries such as Turkey. “There are many reasons behind these problems such as social, cultural, economic and many factors that come from history and geography, not from religion.” So what are the concepts of honor and customs that led to these murders? Firstly, “customs; are effective and coercive rules of conduct arising from social institutions such as traditions which are adopted, accepted and obliged by a society.” The main reason for honor killings in countries that embraced patriarchal ideologies, like Turkey is the concept of honor.

So what is honor? Honor is the commitment of people in society to dignity and moral rules. In such societies and regions, “not only the person who spoils the honor but also the other members of the family are perceived as dishonorable by the society.” Accordingly, the decision of the family councils imposes several punishments and these punishments are usually death penalties that take away the person’s right to live. Even” In most cases, the husband or the husband’s younger brother, or the brother of the victim, is ordered to carry out the murder.”

“Honor killings are localized in the most socioeconomically troubled areas where incomes are extremely low, formal education is inadequate.” It is known that these murders mostly occur in the Southeastern Anatolia Region (especially in Şanlıurfa) and the Eastern Anatolia Region. In particular, “customs, tribal laws, feudal structures, and economic imbalances have made the Southeastern Anatolia Region the center of honor killings.” In the tribal families in these regions, “women’s honor is the family’s honor and bestowal.” If the woman acts in conversely with the customs, “the punishment of these crimes was carried out by the family or tribal chiefs during the periods when the power of punishment was not completely transferred to the state.” The first and the most important question that comes to mind here is how people, especially men, can kill their relatives, in other words, their mothers, sisters, and wives. ” “In Turkey, honor killings, which constitute concrete acts of violence against women, respond to a wide variety of motives, notably: an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, a marriage unaccepted by the family, a love affair outside of marriage, a visit to a cinema in the company of friends, a love message to a current or potential lover, rumors of dishonorable conduct, the wish to divorce, the forfeiture of a woman’s honor after rape.”For example, there is news about it:

“The 17-year-old Özlem Alçeken, escaping her family ten days ago with her cousin from Gaziantep, Nuray İzbulan, was caught by the İnegöl police, and handed over to her family. Being very upset due to this event, Nuray İzbulan killed herself by jumping down from the fourth floor of their apartment. Suffering too much from his granddaughter’s death, İsmail Hakkı Alçeken, decided to take his daughter Özlem to the hospital for a check of virginity yesterday. Upon the reply he received from his daughter, ‘I am not a virgin anymore.’ the 63-year-old İsmail Hakkı Alçeken was shocked, and harshly hit the dagger into the maiden’s ventral.”

Depending on this, it can be said that “Although the concept of honor and the concepts of chastity and purity that have similar contents with it are related to human thoughts, intentions, and all behaviors, their association with the woman’s body and its meaning within a narrow framework is again only for women. Although it is not seen as a falling responsibility, it is the result of another understanding fed by the traditional mentality, social structure, and tradition.”

Despite the 21st century, in Turkey ‘honor’ concept under the name of honor killings is processed. Various reasons limiting women as the basis of these murders are put forward by the family councils. However, since the articles of the Turkish Penal Code are incentives for these murders, these deaths do not end. Another article based on the protection of honor is TPC 472. “According to the Turkish Penal Code 472, if the act of abortion is committed with the motive of redeeming the honor and dignity of a person or one of his or her relatives, the penalty shall be reduced from half to two-thirds.” Such articles protecting the murders of the concept of honor have been accepted due to public pressure and have legitimized these honorary murders.

As a result, However, this does not mean that the murders are unsolved. In my opinion, the first solution is to change the thoughts that cause these murders. Increasing educational opportunities for this purpose will be more effective in changing this idea. Parents ask minors to commit these murders to benefit from the penalty reduction. This penalty should be prevented by the laws to be enacted. Besides, the number of women’s shelters, which is a temporary solution for women fleeing the ceremony, should be increased.

References

1. Avcı, Mustafa(2005),’Töre Cinayetleri Açısından Sosyal-Hukuki Düzenlemelerin Evrimi’ Ekev Akademik Dergisi,22, p.1-26.
2. Yıldız, M. Cengiz(2008),’Türkiye’de Töre Baskısına Bağlı İntiharlar Ve Töre Cinayetleri’ Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Vol:1, Y:9, No:16, p.209-231.
3. Yıldız, M. Cengiz(2008),’Türkiye’de Töre Baskısına Bağlı İntiharlar Ve Töre Cinayetleri’ Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Vol:1, Y:9, No:16, p.209-231.
4. Vargün, Berivan& Tekin,Üzeyi (2012),’Aile Kurumu Çerçevesinde Töre Ve Namus Cinayetleri’ Muhafazar Düşünce, Y:8, No:31, p.101-117.
5. Vargün, Berivan& Tekin,Üzeyi (2012),’Aile Kurumu Çerçevesinde Töre Ve Namus Cinayetleri’ Muhafazar Düşünce, Y:8, No:31, p.101-117.
6. Ahmetbeyzade, Cihan(2008),’ Gendering Necropolitics: The Juridical-Political Sociality of Honor Killings in Turkey’Journal of Human Rights,p.187-206.
7. Sev’er, Aysan& Yurdakul, Gökçeçiçek(2001),’ Culture of Honor, Culture of Change’Violence Against Women, Vol:7, No:9,p.964-998.
8. Yıldız, M. Cengiz(2008),’Türkiye’de Töre Baskısına Bağlı İntiharlar Ve Töre Cinayetleri’ Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Vol:1, Y:9, No:16, p.209-231.
9. Vargün, Berivan& Tekin,Üzeyi (2012),’Aile Kurumu Çerçevesinde Töre Ve Namus Cinayetleri’ Muhafazar Düşünce, Y:8, No:31, p.101-117.
10. Avcı, Mustafa(2005),’Töre Cinayetleri Açısından Sosyal-Hukuki Düzenlemelerin Evrimi’ Ekev Akademik Dergisi,22, p.1-26.
11. Yıldız, M. Cengiz(2008),’Türkiye’de Töre Baskısına Bağlı İntiharlar Ve Töre Cinayetleri’ Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Vol:1, Y:9, No:16, p.209-231.
12. Şimşek,Sefa(2000-2001),’The Disembedded Custom: Intrafamily Murders For Sexual Honor In Turkish Metropolises’ U.Ü Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Y:2, No:2,p.61-75.
13. Göztepe, Ece(2011),’ Honour Killings And the Law In Turkey’Nova Science Publishers, Chapter 19,p.191-199.
14. Şimşek,Sefa(2000-2001),’The Disembedded Custom: Intrafamily Murders For Sexual Honor In Turkish Metropolises’ U.Ü Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Y:2, No:2,p.61-75.
15. Avcı, Mustafa(2005),’Töre Cinayetleri Açısından Sosyal-Hukuki Düzenlemelerin Evrimi’ Ekev Akademik Dergisi,22, p.1-26.
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18. Oktay Yılmaz, Berrin,’ Geleneklerin Ardındaki Ölümler’https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/7195 last accessed 23.11.2019
19. Avcı, Mustafa(2005),’Töre Cinayetleri Açısından Sosyal-Hukuki Düzenlemelerin Evrimi’ Ekev Akademik Dergisi,22, p.1-26.
20. Şimşek,Sefa(2000-2001),’The Disembedded Custom: Intrafamily Murders For Sexual Honor In Turkish Metropolises’ U.Ü Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Y:2, No:2,p.61-75.

This paper explores the history of events related to the experience of African American veterans’ rights leading up to today. The earliest African American veteran involvement in the U.S. Military will be covered dating back to the Revolutionary War. The challenges veterans faced during World War 2, leading up to the Civil Rights Movement will be surveyed. Furthermore, this paper delves into the African American veteran’s experience with Jim Crow statutory laws the G.I. Bill along employment challenges. In addition, attention will be brought to the obstacles veterans face today such as homelessness and PTSD.

Policy Paper

African Americans’ struggle for equality in the armed forces stems back to the inception of the United States in 1776. African Americans have fought in every war that America has waged domestically and foreign. However, the treatment of African Americans has been dishonorable, when compared to their white counterparts’ rights, and benefits. Some of the hurdles black veterans had to overcome were the Jim Crow discriminatory laws, and equality within their American civil rights. African American veterans began to gain rights in the armed forces by way of amended policies and protesting from the African American body nationwide. Despite the long journey to gain equality in the United States military; African American veterans still suffer today from socioeconomic and mental issues.

First African American veterans’ rights

African Americans have fought for the conquest of America as slaves and also as freedmen. Since the origin of the United States, blacks were considered a commodity for the nation and used as a labor force for the production of wealth. By 1775 Americans had more than a half-million of African Americans who mostly lived in the 13 colonies of America. Given that African Americans were the property of the nation; in 1776 during a time of civil unrest the United States recognized that black bodies could be used for military mobilization, and not just as slaves. The United States used the idea of freedom as leverage for blacks to encourage them to fight in the American Revolution and the Civil War. This promise America made to African Americans was left in vain, blacks returned home to the same predicament they were trying to free themselves of. While being slaves in the armed forces, black veterans did gain some traction in military rights. During the earliest American wars, a continental congressional meeting took place in response to wounded veterans. Pensions were allocated for non-commissioned and commissioned veterans who were maimed in battle. Many maimed soldiers were returning home with no provisions for them. America passed the Act of 1790 which provided pensions and care for veterans (Social Welfare Library). The pensions given to injured officers and enlisted servicemen had limitations provided by the President. The pensions were not to exceed the pay of commissioned officers and it allocated $5 a month for other servicemen such as volunteer troops. The Act of July 14th, 1862 provided additional pensions for all enlistment men and officers who had contracted diseases while serving in the United States or the line of duty elsewhere (Social Welfare Library).

African Americans showed how effective they were during the Revolutionary War and Civil. The African Americans who fought in these wars were not freedmen. Soon the United States entertained the idea of rights to be drafted, as well as granting them the right to be freedmen. First, the Militia Act was established in 1862 which gave blacks the right to fight in state militia wars, then eventually America’s federal wars (VA History). The Conscription Act of 1863 was the ultimate push for African Americans to be drafted and fight in the United States armed forces. By the year 1865, President Abraham Lincoln passed the Emaciation Proclamation finally granting all African Americans freedom, and the abolishment of slavery (VA History). After President Lincoln passed the 13th Amendment, enlistment rates in the armed forces increased. One year after the war of 1865, the population of veterans rose to 1.9 million. From the years of 1861-1865 over 200,000 African Americans many of them former slaves served in the Civil War. Gaining freedom in America not only opened the door to black progress, but it also revealed the fear of a free African American population amongst whites. America began to showcase its resentment of African Americans and American veterans through the policies the government began to pass.

Jim Crow Era

After the Emancipation Proclamation, the United States became fearful of freed slaves in all aspects of American society. Whites were afraid of blacks taking their jobs and becoming a prominent minority using skills and trade. America began to make laws that were beyond discriminatory to the African American population such as the Jim Crow segregation laws in 1877 (Ferris Edu). Along with Jim Crow, the Slaughterhouse cases brought about great resistance to the black struggle. African Americans fought for the freedoms and rights of all Americans without the implication of race. Black veterans believed they deserved nothing but the equal treatment that should be granted to them under the United States Constitution. While serving abroad black veterans had to be housed in separate units from the white soldiers. Black veterans were often led by racist military leaders. The black soldiers were called on first to tackle dangerous situations in battle. The discrimination was so bad that President Roosevelt took charge to help the experience of the black veterans. On June 25, 1941, President Roosevelt enacted Executive Order 8802 which eradicated discrimination in the United States Defense industry, as well as trying to rid of it in federal employment occupations overall (Executive Order 8802). This was a small victory for African American veterans and was known as the Second Emancipation Proclamation.

Education

There was progress made in the United States armed forces surrounding African American veterans during World War 2. Up to a million, African Americans joined the military during World War 2, and most of them served as draftees and volunteers (Progressive 2017). While deployed in other countries like France and Britain, the experience of African American veterans was a pleasant one. The people of these countries looked at black veterans as normal people serving abroad. Nevertheless, in American, the perception of African American veterans in the public eye was quite different. Returning African American veterans were met with nothing but racism and prejudice, enforced by the government and the agencies that wield its power. The problems that regular black citizens had extended to black veterans. Most of the lynching in the United States came after the abolishment of slavery. Black veterans had to endure segregated schools and other public institutions. Blacks were mostly affected by the discrimination they faced in the areas of employment and education.

As a reward for the courage and honor veterans displayed on the battlefield; the United States gave returning servicemembers many benefits. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen Adjustment Act of 1944 to provide veterans with benefits returning home after World War 2. The adjustment provided veterans with low mortgage rates, vocational training, payments for tuition, and housing expenses for veterans wanting to go to college (G.I Bill). In addition, the Act of 1944 gave servicemen low-interest-rate loans for veterans who wanted to start up a business (American Experience Edu.). The Act of 1944 was provided to all veterans including those who were honorably discharged with 120 or more days of active duty. The goal of this enactment was to help returning veterans reach their goals and accumulate long-term wealth. Many black veterans were denied these services provided to them during the Jim Crow Era. They were denied loans to start a business or to buy a home, even the loan applications turned in to governmental loan agencies were denied. Many veterans took advantage of the home loan discount, and the emergence of the suburban communities and the factory jobs surrounding them attracted many veterans. In 1947 forty-nine percent of college admissions were veterans; of that forty-nine percent, none of them were black veterans. Black veterans were restricted to private and public schools because of schools denying enrollment. Historically black colleges were the only options left for African American veterans and regular citizens. The historically black colleges in the South were already overpopulated because of the scarce school choice.

Employment

The denial of education left many African American veterans in complete despair. Without the many benefits veterans received after World War 2, black veterans were left with menial jobs to support themselves. The wages of the jobs that blacks were allowed to work were decreased during the Jim Crow Era. To support the war many industries hired black people for decent wages. After the war and into Jim Crow, many companies reduced the wages to the positions that most black people held. Under the G.I. Bill unemployment was entitled to veterans. Many black veterans turned down the low-wage jobs that were available to them at that time. As a result, they applied for the unemployment benefit under the G.I. Bill. One of the requirements of the unemployment part of the bill is to accept work opportunities if offered. When the Veterans Administration (VA) was notified about blacks denying employment opportunities, their unemployment benefits were terminated leaving them without any source of income (American Experience Edu.).

Civil Rights Movement

The civil rights movement is a historical marker for African American veterans and regular citizens. This act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964, prohibited discrimination in public areas, it enabled the integration of schools and other public establishments, and made discrimination illegal in the workplace. This bill was the most important civil rights legislation for the progression of African Americans during the 19th century. African American veterans took charge in support of the Civil Rights Movement stateside and overseas. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 8802 kickstarted the race for quality among military branches. However, President Harry S. Truman’s Executive Order 9981 abolished discrimination based on race, color, religious preference, and country of origin (Executive Order 9981). The Civil Rights Act brought about almost a full circle for the fight for the rights of African Americans. The Civil Rights Act of 1965 signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson tackled three areas: education, social segregation, and voting rights. Furthermore, the act ensured blacks could thrive socially, economically, and politically. Before the Civil Rights Act, blacks were not given full citizenship rights. Returning black veterans were determined to receive full citizenship and the perks that come with it. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 removed the barriers African American veterans faced with the use of the G.I. Bill. Black veterans could now go to integrated schools of their choice, as well as receive governmental loans for entrepreneurial ventures. Essentially, black veterans could now thrive in any field they choose in the military and on the civilian side.

Along with the civil rights bill came the Voting Rights Act one year later. To black veterans and black American citizens, the right to vote was one important stride that was necessary to take toward equality. This Voting Rights Act was passed into legislation on August 6, 1965, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It eliminated the discriminatory voting practices done by many southern states, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting (Peniel 2006). African American veterans having the right to vote gives them political power. Because of the Voting Rights Act, black veterans’ voices can be heard in amongst the military ranks and on the civilian side. Despite the lengths black veterans and black people, in general, have gone there are still issues to deal with today. Black veterans still suffer from a host of problems today such as mental issues, homelessness, and unemployment. These are just some of the issues that are overlooked in today’s society.

Veterans Today

Population

Today, African Americans enlist in the military in increasing numbers yearly. In 2014, a higher percentage of minority Veterans were African American compared to non-African American Veterans (52.0 percent compared with 32.0 percent) (VA Minority Report). The retention rate among African American veterans is projected to continue to rise. The two largest groups of the armed forces are Hispanic and African American veterans, this group will experience the largest growth of 7.4 and 3.3 percentage points from 2014 to 2043 (VA Minority Report). This pays tribute to the laws passed in search of a better but equal military for the minority population. The majority of the veteran population consists of male veterans which makes up 91.8 percent of the military. Of that 91.8 percent, male veterans are likely to be non-minority which makes up 79.4 percent of the military. Most of the female veterans in the military are minorities with a percentage of 24.5 percent (VA Minority Report).

PSTD

After the passing of the Voting Rights Act, veterans are on an equal playing field when it comes to African American veterans’ rights. The disparities reveal themselves after veterans fulfill their contracts and finally come home. Black veterans are disproportionally affected by the silent scars of war such as PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as an anxiety disorder that can happen after the veteran experiences any significant traumatic occurrence not just in war but in normal life tragedies as well. During an event like PTSD, the veteran can experience paranoia, insomnia, agitation, and more. The victim may feel afraid and emotionally detach themselves from loved ones. During an episode, the veteran is very fragile and vulnerable to the environment they are in. The Veteran Administration has found that certain groups of veterans such as African Americans and Hispanics have an increased chance to develop PTSD more often than White veterans (VA Minority Report).

Homelessness

Veterans experience homelessness because of many reasons including lack of employment, psychiatry help, and health reasons. The challenge for the government is addressing the increase in the population of homeless veterans; to ensure that homeless veterans receive the best outcome regardless of what health complications they suffer from. The minority veteran population is growing, and more veterans wish to use the benefits that the Veteran Administration provides, giving veterans more resources. The VA needs to address the obstacles that minority veterans face today. The homeless veteran population lacks information about VA benefits that are provided for them.

Only 20.7 percent of the total U.S. Veteran population is part of a racial minority group, and nearly half 36.6 percent of sheltered Veterans in the United States are in minority groups (Minority Report). Veterans using Housing facilities were 3.3 times more likely to be African American veterans overall compared to the rest of veterans with 38.2 percent to 11.1 percent in 2016 (VA Pit Count). Most of the veterans who are homeless live in urban cities, and only a small percentage of sheltered veterans live in rural areas. To prevent homelessness in American it is important to pay close attention to the issues that put veterans in the predicament they end up in. It is important to pay attention to who is at risk of becoming homeless and prevent the problem before it even starts to develop. This effort needs to be enforced by the government on all levels including city, state, and federal. Through the implementation of policies, the veteran homeless population can slowly be decreased by a small percentage every year.

The Philippines is culturally diverse, civilized, and rich in minerals and agriculture. The name Philippines came from the word Filipino given by the Spanish navigator Lopez Ruy De Villalobos in 1543 in honor of Prince Philip of Austrias, who became King Philip II, successor to King Charles. Take a look and see we have 170 languages, 7,641 islands, heroines, and Bayani. Our flag symbolizes so many different things the three stages represent the three major island groups Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The color white represents liberty, equality, and fraternity. The golden sun with eight rays represents unity, freedom, people, democracy, and sovereignty, and the eight rays represent the eight regions that started revolving against Spain such as Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Morong the modern-day province of Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija. The blue color represents peace, freedom, and justice. The color red represents courage and patriotism. If the flag is displayed on a flagpole it shall have a blue field on top in times of peace and red in times of war.

The Philippines, with its long coastline, is famous for its white sandy beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters. Several islands and beaches in the Philippines such as Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao have been voted the best in the world by leading travel magazines. The Philippines is also home to world-renowned natural wonders such as underground rivers and paddy fields, beautiful biodiversity-rich diving spots, colorful public transport, unique cuisine, and vibrant festivals with diverse cultures and locals. As a tropical country, the Philippines only has two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season lasts from November to May, while the wet season usually lasts from June to October. Even during the rainy months, the weather is still clear and warm, which is why tours here are available all year round and only require cancellation in the event of typhoons.

Besides the wonderful location of the Philippines, the warmth and kindness of the Filipinos is a reason to visit our country. The Philippines is often considered the friendliest country in Asia. We take great pride in the beauty of our country and culture. So when you meet a tourist visiting the country, the locals will do their best to make you experience it. Filipinos serving as guides are undoubtedly from learning local words to the best places to visit or great food.

We sure know how to put on street festivals in colors and costumes. Festivals in the Philippines are the most fun and powerful festivals in Asia. We make sure we’re ready to capture our wildest smiles and happiest faces on camera. Religious festivals celebrate Roman Catholic figures, historical festivals celebrate important events, and cultural festivals celebrate bountiful harvests or promote agricultural products. The highly anticipated festival is the Sinulog Festival, which is held in Cebu every January in honor of Santo Niño, which attracts millions of visitors to the festival.

If there is anything that sets the Philippines apart from its Asian neighbors, it is the fusion of different cultures colonized by Spain, the United States, and even Japan. The Philippines also has close ties with the Malays and Chinese. This rich history and diverse cultural influences are evident in the unique local cuisine of the neighboring countries. Some of the most famous Filipino dishes are adobo, chicken or pork meat cooked in soy sauce and vinegar, and lechon or roasted. There’s also balut (duck pear embryo), a Filipino street food perfect for those looking for an exotic flavor, and halohalo, a summer favorite made with grated ice, milk, and sweet fruits.

Being Filipino means being part of a great culture, great food, beautiful language and culture, full of amazing houses. If you say the food is amazing, then it is delicious. Our languages include Tagalog, Ilokano, Cebuano, Kinaraya and so much more. I only speak some, but I also want to learn some others. Listening to one of them sounds very nice.

The Philippines as a tourist destination is not only about beautiful beaches and islands. It varies everything the traveler is looking for culture, history, landscapes, and, most importantly, people. You will never run out of something, and you will never get tired of discovering something new for yourself.

Personal Honor Code

Choosing three rules for my behavior is quite hard to decide on, being that there is a lot I live by. Although after plenty of contemplating, the main three rules I follow are not to stress over situations that are out of your hands, try to always stay positive and see the good in everything/everyone, and always treat others the way you want to be treated. The rule do not stressing over situations that you have no control over is very important to me because I tend to stress myself out on almost everything and second-guess all my decisions. However, if there is a situation I know I tried my hardest at and still did not go the way I intended it to, I do not try and push to make things right. If you do, then you’ll end up even more stressed out and there is no great outcome in the end. The second rule I live by is, to try to stay positive and see the good in everything/everyone. I feel like this one is a good rule for everyone to live by, especially in today’s society. There is so much ugly in the world at the moment and we all just need to take a step back to breathe. The last rule is extremely cliché but is a good rule to follow, treating people the way you want to be treated. If you want to be treated with respect, then you have to give respect. If you’re a rude person then best believe you’ll get the same attitude back.

The main source of these rules would have to be my parents and how they raised me. I was taught at a very young age to always be respectful and to be a good person. I would not be who I am today if it weren’t for them. I came up with the idea of these rules partially from seeing people go through horrible situations and from my own past experiences. My job as a jailer exposes me to a lot of bizarre, disgusting, and depressing things daily. I take care of people who made wrong decisions and would do anything to make things right, but sadly it is too late. Working in an environment like that is very eye-opening and pushes me to make sure I follow my rules, so I do not end up in a place like a lot of the inmates. I feel like the rules I go by are “good” because so far, they have only brought positive outcomes in my life. For instance, the rule to try to stay positive and see the good in everything/everyone has benefitted me the most out of all the rules because it has improved my attitude overall and made me closer to my family and friends. When I started seeing the world from a more positive perspective, I noticed that I tended to be a lot happier throughout the day. When I started seeing the good in everyone, I started trusting more people, especially my family/friends. This brought me significantly closer to them than I was before. Although this rule has benefitted me the most, I do worry about one thing. Since I started to see the good in everyone, I fear that one day I will trust the wrong person and would get hurt emotionally. I would more than likely break this rule when I see many “red flags” in an individual and know that there is no way a positive outcome would happen if I were to continue a trustworthy relationship with them. Doing this would make me feel like a bad person just because I do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Plus, it would make me second guess myself because it would go against my other rule of treating others the way you want to be treated. I wouldn’t want someone to cut me out of their lives, but in a situation like this, you need to look out for your what is best for yourself.

The whole point of my rules is to bring positivity in my life and letting someone hurt me is completely against that. Out of all the theories we have studied in this course, I would say ethical relativism is most aligned with my personal honor code. I say this because I believe that everybody sees everything and everyone differently. Every ethnicity, culture, historical period, religion, and even gender have had different ways of what they believe is right or wrong. Who am I to tell someone that the values they live by are not right? I wouldn’t want someone to do that to me.