Jade Maiwan Avenue

                 
                                     

                                                                      (Salgado 74)                                    

http://fotojournalismus.tumblr.com/post/18668885505/the-once-prestigious-jade-maiwan-avenue-kabul

For two years I lived in the south of England, with its beautiful green hills dotted with ruined castles once inhabited by knights. Many of those castles date over a thousand years old. When I saw this photo in Salgado's book, Migrations, that is what I thought I was looking at, a ruined castle that had to have been destroyed long ago. However this wasn't the case. This was "the once-prestigious Jade Maiwan Avenue" in Kabul, Afghanistan (Salgado Pamphlet 6). 

Those who led normal lives like you and I inhabited this once populated area of the city. What was it that leveled this area of the city to ruins? Civil wars.  These civil wars were driven because of the desire for power between two major groups, known as the Taliban and the United Front, and as a result leaving many homeless, jobless, and hopeless (II. AFGHAN.).  

 For me when I have think of war and it’s after effects it often seems that war is due to selfishness. I know this is not always the case, and in many instances it is necessary to go to war, however I do believe that a government or group, should do everything they can to resolve the conflict before war becomes an option. This photograph only captures a glimpse of what really happened here, but what it really captures is the after effects of what war does to society. The after effects of war, I believe, are far more detrimental then the war itself.  To me it is like when we make an unwise decision, and it is only at after that we see the consequences and feel its affects. Thinking before doing is critical, and if we only act upon selfish impulses then our actions will not just affect ourselves, but also those who are around us as well.

Works Cited

II. AFGHANISTAN'S CIVIL WARS." Crisis of Impunity. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2013.

Salgado, Sebastião, and Lélia Wanick. Salgado. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. New York:    Aperture, 2000. 74 Print.

Salgado, Sebastião, and Lélia Wanick. Salgado. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. (Pamphlet) New York:    Aperture, 2000. 6 Print.

Linda Simmons

Yesterday I had the opportunity of attending a lecture by Linda Simmons on BYU campus. Linda serves currently as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with her husband. She, a long with many other women (many of which are elderly), make kits for women and children who are fleeing unfortunate circumstances such as abuse.

I had invited a friend to this lecture and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Once Linda Simmons was introduced, she stood up the first thing I noticed was her missionary name tag. This obviously stood out to everyone, but to me it perk my interest because I knew (after having served as a missionary) that anyone who wore that badge had a message of importance. I thought that I had come to an information lecture of what it was her organization did, but instead I felt like it was more of a fireside. She not only told us what she and her organization did, but she also quoted apostles, told us the miracles she had seen, and explained how God's hand was helping their efforts.

Her theme was "The future is as bright as your faith" (Monson). This came from a quote that LDS prophet Thomas S. Monson said in April 2009. I felt that she tied this into her lecture in two ways. First, she tied it into the lives of those who were fleeing persecution to whom they would give the kits to. Depending on the individual, the age, and gender, the kits would have blankets, toothpaste, stuffed animals, or remote control cars. However, in every kit there was a letter and the essence of that letter spoke of hope and the love which God has for each of His children. Their future is only as bright as their faith. Another way in which she tied this theme in, was how the organization would trust in God. When times would get stressful, like they were running low on certain supplies or if things weren't working out just right, they always placed their trust in God. They knew that if they prayed as if all was relying on God, and worked as if everything were relying upon them, then the Lord would provide.


As I have stated earlier, I loved this lecture! Both my friend and I walked away inspired. The fact that it wasn't just a lecture or information dump, but a spiritual boost really helped inspire me. To know small things bring about great results. That we really can make a difference wherever we are and that this is real happiness. To you reading this blog, I would encourage you to make the difference in others lives, whether this be in your local community, church, or in friendships. The main theme that came to our (my friend and I) heads over and over again was to think less of ourselves and more of others. It was a good reminder of what God has taught me throughout my life, and that is that joy does not come from serving your self needs constantly, but from serving others consistently.


Works Cited:

Monson, Thomas S. "Be of Good Cheer - General-conference." Be of Good Cheer - General-conference. N.p., Apr. 2009. Web. 19 Sept. 2013.

Salgado Photo Journal

As a part of writing class at BYU (the local university I attend), we are posting blogs on photos of which were taken by a man named, Sebastiao Salgado. These photos have a lot to deal with refugees and the poverty in which the world is stricken with. These photos are very moving and emotional. If you any desire to view these photos I would suggest looking more into Sebastiao Salgado and his work, and also taking a look at his book, Migrations. 

In his book Migrations, by Sebastiao Salgado, we see this picture:

                             










U.S. -Mexico Border (Salgado 28)

I have always been one who is more conservative than most individuals, however one of the few issues that I still don't know my stance on is immigration. Each time this is brought up with me (because I enjoy talking about politics) I am not quite sure what to say. The main reason that I am hesitant to go the conservative way is because I believe borders are man made, and not God made.  I believe that those who are seeking a better life and coming to our country are doing exactly what each and every one of us would do if we were in their shoes, and not only that but what each and everyone of us are doing today, and that is securing a better future for ourselves but also for our posterity.
When I saw this picture it brought these emotions to me once again. Words that describe this picture to me are: envy, dreams, and hope. The body language in which each of these men have as the peer through the hole of the wall to a better life is heart breaking. Would we not do the same if we were in their shoes? How can we judge another when our actions reflect theirs.
As I studied briefly on the subject I read how many cross the border each day in hope of a better life. In an article in which I read by PBS, they quoted a smuggler who said,  “The smuggling people business, the pollero business, will stop only when there are no borders... Unless you can stop poverty or hunger, it will never stop, because people will always want to help their families. Doesn’t matter how tall the wall is, they will just dig a hole then.  So you will never stop people getting across [into] the United States" (PBS). 

This statement rung true in my ears. It brought to mind that there will never be an end to "illegal immigration" until poverty is fixed, and we are all treated as God would treat us. It is my hope that we when we see these immigrants come to the United States that we won't judge them immediately, but that we will treat them as we would want to be treated if we were in their shoes, because I believe we would do the same thing as them. 





Works Cited:

PBS. "Mexico: Crimes at the Border." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2013.

Salgado, Sebastião, and Lélia Wanick. Salgado. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. New York:    Aperture, 2000. Print.

"God Grew Tired of Us"

I believe that throughout our lives there are defining events that shape who we are today. These events can range from big and noticeable, such as serving a mission, to something smaller like receiving a good grade on an assignment that you put so much energy into. Whatever the event is for you, I believe that these moments in our lives stand out because our heart has experienced a change for the better. I experienced one such event when I watched the movie, "God Grew Tired of Us", a movie about the lost boys of Sudan.

I did not go into the movie expecting it to be a bore. On the contrary, I was rather excited. I did however experience a much stronger change of heart than I expected to that day. I believe this is because of the emotion that was emphasized in this film, such as visual photos of the suffering these men went through, while walking across the desert from one country, only to be driven out and forced to migrate to another. Other men telling their stories of being only eleven years old and seeing their father shot in the midst of this conflict in Sudan. Then to see their story of their immigration to America, contribute to society, earn money, and use that to help their brothers back in Sudan, was truly amazing. Hearing their story of sorrow, but seeing their future to success only inspired me. When comparing what they had in Sudan, to what I have here only drove the message further into my heart. What do I have compared to them? I have everything. I have a family I see often, food each night, shelter to sleep in, a country that wants me here, and much more. So why do I have the right to complain? The answer is simple, I don't.

This movie pulled at my emotional heartstrings. With each story of each lost boy I would think to myself, "Michael, look at what you have been blessed with. Now go and return the favor to the less fortunate." I would call it a spiritual experience, others may say it was just my head, but I know what I felt was the need for me to change. I don't consider myself a selfish person, but to feel that I have so much and to see someone who has so little is truly humbling. Through emotional persuasion this movie caused me to decide to do what I have been taught my whole life, serve others.

If you would like to watch the movie please visit: http://www.hulu.com/watch/294405