activism | Rami Ungar The Writer

Posts Tagged ‘activism’

Carrie: The First Trailer

Posted: October 27, 2012 in Review, Scary Stuff
Tags: activism, entertainment, films, proper decisions, scary stuff

“They’ll laugh at you. They’ll laugh at you. They’ll laugh at you.”

Honestly, those were some awesome lines, and I hope they make it into the new movie.

Earlier this month the makers of the new Carrie film released this trailer, a first look at what fans can expect from a modern-day retelling of the famous Stephen King classic. It shows a bird’s-eye view of the town of Chamberlain, Maine, with voice-overs by different characters giving hints at what happened and creepy music in the background. As the camera goes farther down, we see a burning school, buildings on fire, trees and cars and other signs of destruction all over the street. Eventually, we see Carrie herself, “just a girl”, standing in the street, looking scared and angry as hell. The creepy music playing the whole trailer begins to skip as if on a record player (knowing this story, it probably is).

I cannot wait to see this film, one that not only terrifies us, but teaches us how horrible bullying is and how it should be stopped and nipped in the bud, a theme we seem understand better today than we did when I was in elementary school.

I am counting down the weeks till March 2013. See you at the prom.

The President Reassured Me Tonight

Posted: October 16, 2012 in Living and Life, Politics and Leadership, Social Activism
Tags: activism, government, politics and leadership, proper decisions

Thanks President Obama. You did a lot to set me at ease tonight.

This evening, the local Obama for America office and my campus group Buckeyes for Obama hosted an event at the local movie theater next to campus. You can guess the event: the second Presidential debate, hosted by Hofstra University in New York (aka the school named after a spell from Harry Potter) and done town hall style, where undecided voters get to ask the questions to the candidates.

Well of course I’d gone. I support the President, I hadn’t seen any of the debates yet, and I wanted to see at least part of one. And around 10:15p, I decided I’d heard enough and I should head home. As I was leaving, the moderator called up a woman named Nina Gonzales to ask her question, and I stopped to listen.

The question was on gun control, particularly on military-grade firearms and assault rifles.

And like that, I had to listen.

Now as many of you know, during the summer there were a lot of incidents of gun violence where innocent people lost lives, particularly in Aurora, Colorado and in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Now at the time of the former, both President Obama and Governor Romney said they were going to follow previous gun control policies and stay along those lines.

It certainly helps.

Meaning they weren’t going to do a thing. And of course I was upset by this statement, having written several posts in the wake of those shootings asking for stricter gun control on assault rifles and laws against selling to those with criminal histories and/or serious mental health issues from the federal government.

But tonight, President Obama reassured me. He said he was going to push for stricter laws on assault rifles and try to keep guns out of the hands who shouldn’t. He would also take steps to help cut down on the other factors that create gun violence, including improving education so people don’t resort to crime and making health care more affordable so that people with mental health disorders can afford their medication.

Now I’m not going to go into what Governor Romney said, mainly because he contradicted himself and because he said something I found absolutely ridiculous (*cough cough” “marriage” *cough cough*). But I am going to tell you that that gun control question was the one question I’d been hoping to hear tonight, and I did get to hear it. And it made me so happy to hear the candidate I’m supporting give the answer I’d been hoping to hear.

Good luck to you, Mr. President. Good luck to you.

Marking 9/11 Eleven Years Later

Posted: September 11, 2012 in Reflections, Social Activism
Tags: activism

The 9/11 memorial, a tribute to all that was lost…and all that we can build from the ashes.

Many people say they remember where they were when 9/11 happened. I wish I did; I was in the third grade, had a short attention span, and didn’t think of much beyond my own life. Now I see so much more now than when I was eight years old. I see the tragedy of that day, I see the lives lost, and I see that a lot of what this country goes through each day can be traced back to nineteen men who carried out a terrible plan concieved and approved by a man whom the world is better off without.

I like to think some progress has been made since that horrific day. Islamaphobia has been combatted with information of the peaceful nature of actual Islam and with dialogue between Muslims and other groups; our law enforcement and defense agencies are better at dealing with terrorism of all kinds and on all levels; a memorial to those lost has been built, and much of Ground Zero is coming back as well; and with the threat of terrorism recognized, more and more cell leaders are being brought to justice with the passing of time.

However, there’s still much to be done: Islamaphobia, although diminished, still rears its ugly head in this country, and usually finds a medium such as the internet or the news to do it; conspiracy theorists cause endless heartbreak to families and friends of victims by saying that the government, not terrorists, were responsible for 9/11; there has been bickering of a political nature on everything between a new mosque and the 9/11 museum, and sometimes this bickering divides so much it seriously hurts Americans; there are still terrorists out there who hate America and kill for the sake of killing; and there are still those who will find no solace since they lost their loved ones.

Friends, blog readers, countrymen, I ask you to mark this day. Remember it, what has been, what hasn’t been done yet, and what we can do to make sure it gets done. Remember, every single person on this planet has the power to change the world, so take advantage of that ability, and try to remember this day when you go out to change the world.

Have a nice day.

Watching the President Gives Me Hope

Posted: September 7, 2012 in Living and Life, Politics and Leadership, Social Activism
Tags: activism, college life, government, human rights, politics and leadership, proper decisions

A wonderful image that speaks for itself.

This evening I went to a watch party close to campus to see President Obama accept his party’s nominations. We heard Eva Longoria, Jill and Joe Biden, Charlie Crest, John Kerry and several other people speak, telling us about what the President Obama’s done for the nation, too many to list here. And finally, when the man of the hour appeared, all I could do was feel like I was about to burst from a single emotion.

That emotion, my friends, was hope.

Yes, I feel hopeful. Amid the screaming, the clapping, the chanting of “USA!” and “Four more years!” and “Yes, We Can!” and others, I was hopeful. Obama spent nearly fifty minutes speaking about his beliefs and his plans in the future, and all of us, those of us listening at the convention, those watching at home, and me, one of nearly a hundred people crowded into a gourmet restaurant, were one in our hopes for this single man.

I support the President on many issues: as a student who needs financial aid and works in the financial aid office part-time at his university, I feel secure in my education knowing that the President is doing his utmost to protect mine and others’ educations and access to higher learning; as a supporter of Israel and of peace, I think the President’s approach to the Middle East, while at times at odds with Israel’s plans, is a vision that includes all parties working together and compromising, not one side getting everything while others are left in the cold; as a human being and as someone with LGBT friends and family, I’m happy my President supports my friends and families and doesn’t think they’re causing a degeneration in American values; as a young man coming from a family that’s at least 78% female, I’m glad my President doesn’t want to mess with my family’s right to make choices about their health; as a student on his parent’s medical insurance, I’m happy my President is defending my basic right to healthcare, not making it more expensive; as a grandson, I’m happy my President is looking out for people like my grandparents, who can afford medical services with his help; and most of all, as a future member of the work force, I’m excited that the President is protecting working and middle-class families and helping them keep their taxes low and their jobs secure.

Now, I know some more conservative bloggers will disagree with me on several points. But I’m hopeful. I’m confident. I’m optimistic. And I’m looking forward to casting my vote in my first presidential election. Because Obama’s been there for me, so I’m going to be there for him.

We’re Having the Wrong Debates

Posted: August 29, 2012 in Politics and Leadership, Social Activism
Tags: activism, government, gun control, politics and leadership, proper decisions

I’m reading the news online, and I see that at the Republican National Convention, the GOP has decided to make banning abortion and gay marriage part of its platforms. Now, anyone who knows me knows I have problems with the GOP, but I think we’re talking about the wrong sort of problems. Abortion is not causing a rise in crime, and gay marriage is not contributing to the number of pedophiles or murderers out there, despite conservative beliefs to the contrary.

No, we should not be having a debate about abortion, gay marriage, women’s rights, debates we’ve been having for years and have heard the same old arguments about, only to see more people accept most of those topics as something positive and that should be allowed by law. No, if you ask me, there’s a far more serious problem, and somehow it’s not getting any voice in this election season.

Aurora. The Madison Sikh Temple. The Empire State Building. Within two months, we had three major shootings that were talked about all over the news in America. Plus Texas A&M had it’s own little scare, though that only got about a day’s worth of news before people moved on. And earlier this week a kid got shot on the first day of school by another student. And over the years, we’ve seen tragic shootings: Columbine, Virginia Tech, stop me any time.

The point is, there’s a violence by gun epidemic in this nation, and it’s not being talked about. Now, I know people want guns to hunt with or use for sport. They want guns for self-defense in their homes. But I don’t think it’s necessary for ordinary citizens to carry guns outside the house, and on university campuses too–that’s what the police are for! I don’t think you should be able to buy a military-grade assault or sniper rifle in any gun shop or even some supermarkets unless there’s a zombie apocalypse happening in your neighborhood. And I don’t think people should go into gun shops and buy said weapons and nothing should be done to check if these consumers have criminal records or mental illness of any sort.

And yet nothing’s getting done. No talk. Maybe banning moviegoers from wearing masks in the theater, but I’d only worry that a mask might signal a murder if I’m watching a slasher film. Nope, nothing’s getting talked about and nothing’s getting done.

I’m urging the politicians in this election, please talk about reasonable gun control laws. Don’t let yourselves be silenced because overly-vocal opponents will shout that you’re trying to take away Second-Amendment rights. You should be doing something, because we’ve had three major shootings these past two months, the latest in a long line of horrible shootings. How many more before people realize that not talking about this problem won’t make it go away?

Please talk about it. For the sake of the victims, and for those who might be saved by reasonable gun control laws.

Forward: Volunteering For My President

Posted: June 14, 2012 in Politics and Leadership, Social Activism
Tags: activism, government, politics and leadership

Now, I don’t know what you guys are up to, or how much attention you’re paying to the election (especially if you live outside the United States), but I think it’s important that if you support a candidate and you are able, you should go and try to help support their campaign. And that’s exactly what I’m doing: this evening I went to a house not too far from the Short North and did a phone bank, which basically means I called people during dinner for an hour and a half to see if they wouldn’t mind volunteering. Let me tell ya, the time seemed to fly!

It wasn’t all that difficult, really. The people you work with are friendly, and most of the time you do simple work like the phone bank. It’s the people who are paid to work on the campaign–yes, the ones who are hired by the campaign–who get the hard jobs. I had fun, and I’d like to do it again sometime.

But really, I’m just happy to give back; President Obama has done a lot for this nation, for my family, and for me, and if he and the Democrats are successful this November, they will probably do a lot more for me. With Romney’s supporters doling out the big checks, I’m putting myself out there to show that wo/manpower can beat money (manpower seems politically incorrect nowadays. Is there even a word to replace it?). And I encourage you all to come out and help too if you support the President.

And to the Romney supporters…well, we don’t agree on some issues, but I guess we both feel an obligation to our nation, so I guess help out your candidate in your way too.

I’m leaving a link to President Obama’s website below. You can use it not only to look at his platforms, but also to find volunteering oppurtunities in your own neighborhood. Have a good time!

http://www.barackobama.com/

Post-It Note Prank: Why This High School Is Overreacting.

Posted: May 16, 2012 in Living and Life
Tags: activism, comedy, education, entertainment, proper decisions

So I log onto my computer barely five minutes ago, planning to check my email and whatever before I start on the last bit of homweork for today. On AOL News, I see this article about students getting suspended for a senior prank. Curious, I click on it. What I found shocked me: a bunch of students had come into their high school over the weekend with the help of the custodian, and they had preceded to cover up the hallway in colorful little sticky notes. For that, they got suspended for being in the school after hours without permission and the custodian was fired for helping.

Funny thing though: my junior year of high school, the graduating seniors did the same thing to my high school and got away with it! I’m not kidding, they came back from a convention (most of the school belongs to the same regional youth group, and the school sets a few short weeks based on these conventions) and went through the school putting up sticky notes. One of the teachers, who was chaperoning the convention, later was heard saying, “Oh, so that was why they were all agreeing to meet up at Staples!”

Those seniors didn’t get in trouble for it, and I could understand why; it was hilarious! Imagine walking into the high school wing of the school and seeing the entire hallway covered in sticky notes! It’s a gas. The only thing the seniors really had to do was clean up the mess after a day or two.

So do I think the high school in the news article is overreacting? Yes, I do! It was a harmless prank, and the worst thing that could happen would be that the sticky notes wouldn’t get put in a recycling bin. The students shouldn’t have been suspended, and that janitor should be allowed back with retroactive pay and a bonus. Apparently, some of the students at the school agree with me too, because they’ve been having sit-down protests since this whole thing started. Go get ’em, guys!

I’m putting the article’s link below. Tell me what you think after you read it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/16/post-it-note-prank-cascade-high-school_n_1521649.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D161526

Kony 2012: I’m In

Posted: March 13, 2012 in Living and Life, Politics and Leadership, Social Activism
Tags: activism, human rights, Invisible Children, Joseph Kony, Kony 2012, Lord's Resistance Army, social media, Uganda, War crimes

I just saw the Kony 2012 video on YouTube. You know, it’s one thing to hear about kids being put into armies like that. It’s another thing entirely to be confronted by the evidence like that, all in your face, and want to do something about that. And you know, I do want to do something about that. Heck, I’m now writing for The Pulse, I start my first assignment this week, I’m all about the social activism now.

So, I’m in.

Joseph Kony has kidnapped nearly 30,000 children and forced them to become soldiers and sex slaves for his private army, the LRA. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court, the Ugandan army, and human rights groups for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

I’ll do what I can to help spread the word and bring Kony to justice, because no child should be abducted from their parents and forced to be a soldier or slave, and no parent should have to suffer their child going through that. On April 20, 2012, I’ll even go out and do the Cover The Night, an event happening in nearly every major city where we put up posters, stickers, you name it, to spread the word. I don’t care if it’s the Jewish Sabbath, God would want me helping people.

Finally, I’d like you to check out the website and the video (I’ll be putting them down below at the bottom of this post). If you don’t like what you see, spread the word. You may be an individual, but when an individual is motivated to do something big, all they need is to find others who feel the same way, and they can change the world.

So let’s change the world together, and nab Kony by the end of the year.

Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc

http://www.kony2012.com/

The Pulse: A New Oppurtunity

Posted: March 6, 2012 in Journalism, Politics and Leadership, Progress Report
Tags: activism, college life, journalism, online magazine, writing

Good news, ladies and gents: today, just barely two hours ago, I met with the Pulse, a social action magazine for students here on campus. According to their website, the Pulse “gives a voice to Ohio State Progressives, enhancing the intellectual and political consciousness of Ohio State students, and changing the culture from one of apathy to one of activism. With accurate coverage of current events in news and politics, as well as campus life, The Pulse will provide thoughtful analysis of important contemporary issues. We, the youth, speak for ourselves.” Yes, that is a long statement, but it gets me pumped just reading about it!

I learned about the Pulse through an email from the English department, where the Pulse was asking if anyone was interested in doing some writing for them. I thought to myself, “Why not? It sounds like the kind of stuff I’d be into, and besides, it’d be something I could add to my resume of publications.” I sent a reply listing what little I’ve already written, and got an email back. Today we met at the Union and discussed the section I’d be working in, The_______Generation, which is meant to talk about the many facets of the generation of today.

I’m super-excited to be working with the Pulse, and I hope to have an article out soon. I’m hoping to do something involving social media, it is pretty pervasive in our society today. I’ll write a new post soon when I get my first article out.

To visit the Pulse’s website, follow the link below.

http://thepulse-mag.org/

All for now. See ya next time!

Rami Ungar The Writer

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Posts Tagged ‘activism’

Carrie: The First Trailer

Post-It Note Prank: Why This High School Is Overreacting.

The Pulse: A New Oppurtunity