Jessica Says: One of the Reasons Why I Love "The Vampire Diaries": The Subject of Humanity

UPDATED: June 28, 2012

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 BACKGROUND INFO :

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TELLING ME MOST WHILST I'M UNWILLINGLY IN TEARS IN FRONT OF THEM:
"It's okay to be human."
or
"You're only human."

Anyone who truly knows me knows that though I don't really watch too much television, I still watch "The Vampire Diaries" because it incorporates a lot of different things I find entertaining or intriguing in its writing and screen visuals (and it seriously has the best music on any show I've ever watched) - and this theme is humanity, something I personally embrace and brush away - it's a love-hate relationship. Though I will not deny that this third season is nearly pure fan fiction...which needs to stop...the writers still fully incorporate this theme into its writing and generally, the cast does a wonderful job of portraying this theme. And the music really helps, too. I'm not saying that anyone should or shouldn't embrace their humanity, but I think it has become an exceedingly interesting topic to me lately, though I am uncertain how I'll feel if that interest goes away.

 Anyway, I understand TVD is just a show, but I think people should watch it for the many things it embodies. It's not just another ~vampire show, thankfully. Otherwise I would not be watching it. Besides, isn't Hollywood now on the "remake of fairytale classics" train? Yawn.

Here's the final scene to the Season 3 Episode 22 "The Departed" Finale...riddled with humanity, emotion, death - the usual for a good TVD episode. Quite a beautifully-done scene. Tear-worthy, I'd say..oh, and don't watch it if you haven't seen it yet. But it's realllllllllly good.

For those who don't understand why the underwater scenes change, the girl, Elena Gilbert, is having flashbacks of when her parents drowned in the car.

SO WHAT IS HUMANITY? :  
From this website.

1
: the quality or state of being humane

2

a : the quality or state of being human b plural : human attributes or qualities <his work has the ripeness of the 18th century, and its rough humanities — Pamela H. Johnson>

3

plural : the branches of learning (as philosophy, arts, or languages) that investigate human constructs and concerns as opposed to natural processes (as in physics or chemistry) and social relations (as in anthropology or economics)

4

: the human race : the totality of human beings

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JESSICA SAYS:
So I know lately in my posts I have been ranting on about humanity, convictions, emotions, standing up for what you believe in, but it really all ties together. Those who know me personally and have kept up with this blog and my personal life know why I have been reinforcing these ideas in these blog posts (which have generally just been "Jessica Says" ones). I cannot say that I will still feel the same way in time, but part of me hopes that this new attribute (or rather, dug-up attribute) to my personality won't go away. But we'll see. "Turning off" humanity is still an option, though, too, as it probably is for others. Not in a cowardly sort of way, but it just makes things easier if there's sh*t going on in your life. But how can you live if you don't feel anything? But then the retort would be "Well why would I want to/What if I've no reason to?" which I respect all the same. Believe me. Those who know me personally know the details of my words here and how they truly pertain to my life. And I don't judge anyone for choosing to embrace or brush away humanity.

Again, here is my dedication blog post to those who helped me embrace my humanity when I needed to most:
Click Here

Below video is a video from YouTube that contains scenes from TVD as well as background music called "Human" by Civil Twilight.
Seriously, this show has the BEST depressing songs. And party songs.
Here's a link to where you can look up all of the songs used on TVD:
Click Here!

I'll list a few videos with some of the good depressing songs (who does this?):

 Here's another YouTube video of some TVD scenes with the song "All You Wanted" by Sounds Under Radio

Here's one of my favorite and most heartbreaking scenes of TVD during the beginning of Season 3. "This Woman's Work" by Greg Laswell

Another one of my favorite scenes from TVD at Aunt Jenna's funeral. "Skinny Love" cover by Birdy.

"Hate and Love" by Jack Savoretti

"Shelter" by Birdy

"Runnin' Up That Hill" by Placebo

"I Need To Know" by Chris Allen

"Lullaby" by Sia

"A Drop in the Ocean" by Ron Pope

"In Between" by Courier

 "Echo" by Jason Walker

 "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran

"I Was Wrong" by Sleeperstar

"In My Veins" by Andrew Belle

"Guarded" by Kevin Daniel

"Losing Your Memory" by Ryan Star

"Can't Go Back" by Rosi Golan

"Wires" by Athlete

"Down" by Jason Walker

"Holding On and Letting Go" by Ross Copperman

"Make It Without You" by Andrew Belle

"Cut" by Plumb

And because all of those have been depressing, but lovely selections from TVD, here's one of my fav "party" songs:

"Future Starts Slow" by The Kills (Gawd, I love Katerina)  

Людство

TO THE READERS: 

• What do you think about the concept behind humanity and all of the things that makes that up?
• Is it easy for you, as it generally is for me (except lately), to "turn off humanity?"
• Are you aware that I left a link for you to look up these awesome songs used in TVD? Will you check out the site? You can also find these songs on YouTube, as well.

  

~xxj 

Jessica Says: Let's Talk About My Convictions With Sex and Feelings and All That Awkward Stuff...

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PLEASE NOTE... :

This post is a result of my own thinking and conversations about this concept of humanity. Humanity being something I have been looking into a lot lately with this past semester and I realize that there are many concepts within it. I am trying to learn these, as well, and see how my own experiences, knowledge, and convictions relate with this particular topic. Maybe people will learn something from this and maybe they won't. I think it's going to be a rambling rant.

I am not good at talking or writing about sex - hence why the only time I do talk about it or refer to it is when I'm making a "that's what she said/can't say that" sort of joke or something. My friends also tend to laugh at half the things I say because nearly anything can be taken sexually if one wants to find something sexual and they're my friends, so of COURSE they automatically assume whatever I say is sexual. Oh, us college kids, right? This is not the case, though, in this post nor in 99.9% of my conversations. I've also been going on a sort of convictions, humanity, emotions, rights, etc. sort of theme lately, so I figured I'd give this a whirl.


You CAN'T say that.


Okay. Sorry. See? Me and this topic...okay. Back to being serious:

Anyway, probably the main one of two reasons why I feel awkward discussing or writing about this topic is because it is so heavily valued to me. It is one of my strongest convictions and one that I always do and will stand by, no matter what. When people judge me based on my appearance, the way I dress, how my friends are generally mostly male (I was a tomboy/sportsy person when younger, then later a percussionist, and well, they're less catty and more straightforward), and how I am perpetually single, they tend to think I'm just like the female college students who've very weak convictions when it comes to relationships, morals, and sex. I believe I am very different. Perhaps it is because of the generation that raised me (I'm sure they can be your grandparents' ages), but to me, it is not their age that made me value sex. It's just how I am. And I get a lot of flack for "putting it on a pedestal," as one of my friends would say. But hey, look who isn't getting STDs or having regrets or holding some new guy's hand every week or whatever. I value relationships, romance, passion, caring, and sex - along with many other words I didn't write here otherwise we'd have a list. 

It is like art to me.

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 AWKWARD PARAGRAPHS : 
I believe sex and passion and love are some of the most complicated concepts of humanity and it can mean many things to many different people. Non-love, liking, companionate love, fatuous love, mammalian drives, lust, attraction, sexual desire, relationships, friendships, open relationships, flings, affairs, what have you. Most, if not all, of these tend to somehow incorporate sex. And love. Or adoration. Or whatever. 

I'm not going to stand on a soapbox here or anything, but I think everyone should value things like love, caring for someone, relationships, morals, and sex. People have their rights to do whatever they please in regards to this topic, but I think it is grander than most tend to realize. Or maybe you have to have cared about someone so much to have this sort of perspective. And then you learn so much more with the "breakup," ya know? What you valued most, why you valued those things, what will you value of someone else later, whenever that may be. Or maybe some people just care about temporary comfort. Or maybe I'm just weird.

I cannot say I know if I can ever love someone because of the way I am wired, but wires can always be re-arranged and I'd be willing to do that. And in researching this topic of sex and romance and all that stuff (after a few enlightening conversations with a good friend at the Tavern...oh man, I miss that place) and thinking about it thoroughly - as I think about things quite thoroughly quite often - I think it would be a very intriguing emotion to feel. Love, I mean. Wow that feels tacky just writing it. But there are many kinds of love, as I've mentioned. I've only ever truly really cared about someone before, but after a while I couldn't see myself spending my life with him let alone another year. But you live and you learn and you realize what means a lot to you and what you'll look out for. And maybe such a natural instinctual action like sex will have a newly even stronger feeling. Now I just feel like a dating book or something. I almost wrote cook book. Ew. Am I rambling?

I feel like I say a lot of words or give insight to people without actually truly knowing or relating to the subject. So warning: I have never loved someone, but I know what it's like to really care about someone. I will not disclose anything of my lack-of sex life (haha see, still gotta incorporate humor!), but I obviously do value the act of passion so very much. And always will. And I also hope maybe, yeah, no, maybe, yeah that someday, someone can, will, and wants to re-wire me.

Can't say that! 

Or maybe it's these really passionate pictures getting to me. 
Like I said, it's like an art. 

...

I honestly don't even entirely know what point I was trying to make here. Darn these pictures!

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EVERYONE DESERVES IT :
Although this post is not centered on GLBTQ rights, I thoroughly believe everyone deserves the right to be in a relationship of whatever kind with whomever they want - gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, questioning, and straights alike. It'll be nice when the world isn't weirded out by any of this, but I think people are progressing.

D'aww, how endearing
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TO THE READER :

• I'm not even too sure what to ask here, so I'll ask two questions instead of three: what are your thoughts on all of this stuff? 
• Was there any thesis in this entire ramble?

Jessica Says: "To Write Love On Her Arms"

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TWLOHA - WHAT IS IT? :

Taken from their website:

"MISSION STATEMENT:
To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.  TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.

VISION:

The vision is that we actually believe these things…
You were created to love and be loved.  You were meant to live life in relationship with other people, to know and be known. You need to know that your story is important and that you're part of a bigger story.  You need to know that your life matters.

We live in a difficult world, a broken world.  My friend Byron is very smart - he says that life is hard for most people most of the time.  We believe that everyone can relate to pain, that all of us live with questions, and all of us get stuck in moments.  You need to know that you're not alone in the places you feel stuck.
We all wake to the human condition.  We wake to mystery and beauty but also to tragedy and loss.  Millions of people live with problems of pain.  Millions of homes are filled with questions – moments and seasons and cycles that come as thieves and aim to stay.  We know that pain is very real.  It is our privilege to suggest that hope is real, and that help is real.

You need to know that rescue is possible, that freedom is possible, that God is still in the business of redemption.  We're seeing it happen.  We're seeing lives change as people get the help they need.  People sitting across from a counselor for the first time.  People stepping into treatment.  In desperate moments, people calling a suicide hotline.  We know that the first step to recovery is the hardest to take.  We want to say here that it's worth it, that your life is worth fighting for, that it's possible to change.
Beyond treatment, we believe that community is essential, that people need other people, that we were never meant to do life alone.

The vision is that community and hope and help would replace secrets and silence.
The vision is people putting down guns and blades and bottles.
The vision is that we can reduce the suicide rate in America and around the world.
The vision is that we would learn what it means to love our friends, and that we would love ourselves enough to get the help we need.

The vision is better endings.  The vision is the restoration of broken families and broken relationships.  The vision is people finding life, finding freedom, finding love.  The vision is graduation, a Super Bowl, a wedding, a child, a sunrise.  The vision is people becoming incredible parents, people breaking cycles, making change.

The vision is the possibility that your best days are ahead.

The vision is the possibility that we're more loved than we'll ever know.

The vision is hope, and hope is real.

You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story."

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JESSICA SAYS :
Suicide, self-mutilation, addiction, and depression are very difficult topics to openly talk about with anyone, let alone even write about. I will not discuss what I may or may not have dealt with on my own here, but I can relate, sympathize, and empathize. I am the kind of person who will support whomever with whatever means they find to be happy, however, I will also inform them of the consequences, which in most cases, they already know about. I will also obviously try my best to help them.

I did a blog post on this because I think it's important for people to know that they aren't alone, even if they're in a very dark place. When I recently dealt with a very trying and emotionally devastating situation, I was in what seemed to be a perpetually dark place. But I sucked up my stubbornness and turned to my friends and others for help with shaking hands and teary eyes, something I don't generally do. I will not say what I may have felt or wanted to do - but didn't - throughout this particular situation I will not elaborate upon, but I think others can relate. I think people should definitely try to turn to others (I chose friends, a relative, and authority figures, not a therapist) if they are feeling depressed, fighting the urges to harm themselves, turning to an addiction to deal with the situation, or contemplating/attempting suicide. I think people would be surprised by how many people will support them and let them know that they can survive their ordeal and they'll help them do that. I can't say that I am doing better, but I'm grateful for the help of those to whom I turned.

You can read/view my awesome dedication blog of their assistance
Here.

I also hope my friends know that they can turn to me if they feel any of these things. I may not necessarily write "Love" on my arms, but it'll always be there for others.

TO THE READERS:

• Have you ever heard of TWLOHR?
• What do you think of this particular movement?
• What would you do if a friend turned to you and told you that they wanted to die even though in your eyes, they've always been strong?

~xxj

A Picture Blog Post: No White Flags

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 FIRST PICTURE BLOG POST
 AND WHY? :

I'm sure it's easily realized now by this sentence that these kinds of posts will be mainly pictures, but with captions below to weave in between the story, emotion, or whatever that I am trying to portray. It will also be interesting because each picture story will be ended on a note that is really for people's own reasoning, however, each post has its own overall general moral. What you choose to do with my story is your choice. Also remember that this is a blog, a writer's tool for freedom of speech and expression.

This one is about the concept of not giving up what you believe in, what you deserve, and who you are.
 

Obviously, this one is going to be "Pirates of the Caribbean"-themed because I feel a number of the stills pertain to the point I'm trying to make. Also, it's Jack Sparrow, who has an amazing array of emotion in his many facial expressions. So duh.
 

(I feel the need to note that no, by choice of actor it's not a "celeb crush" or something...I personally think those are rather silly unless you actually know the person. I met Martina Navratilova once, though. Anywho, I think Depp would be a pretty cool guy to meet in real life, though. Interesting fact: Depp is far more of an interesting person than people tend to play him out to be because of his attractive appearance and acting talent (though his words sometimes gets him into trouble). Definitely take the time to read into his post-having children life compared to his pre-having children life. I recently did a newsletter about the concept of people changing "for the better" when they have children, and it's a pretty interesting concept.)

I think this post will be suiting, especially since it is my final day as a junior (and resident) in university.

Hopefully my senior year will be better. We'll see.

Awesome Suggestion Below:
Beautiful composition called "One Day" by Hans Zimmer from the third "Pirates" movie I suggest you listen to as you read this :

And here we go :

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There are times in life where even when you have finally achieved what you feel is absolute happiness and hope in your life, things can go completely wrong, even without you knowing it.

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And then that happiness you've waited so long for to achieve goes away along with some other things, but you don't understand why.

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And you are given no answers.

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And nowhere you feel is safe to go.

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 And no one to whom you could turn, even if you wanted or needed to turn to them.

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And no need for certain things - those kinds of things.

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But then you may try to get an answer and the situation can end up getting worse.

Awesome drawing
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And you still receive no answers, become even sadder, and even question your convictions.

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Even though you never had to truly question your convictions before.

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And the thought of having accidentally crossed them consumes you, along with everything else, leaving you in a very different state.

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The burden of the world lies upon your weakening shoulders, but you won't let it go.

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And that's okay, time does not, cannot, and will not heal everything for everyone.

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But if you're stubborn and independent like me, it will help to open your hidden heart, cry in front of others, and turn to those others for help.

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 And maybe there will be one you can trust to provide you answers, and he or she will.

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And who knows, maybe they will all surprise you, just as mine did when helping me.

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But it is still about YOU.

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And retrieving your very self again, as well as strengthen it.

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And be willing and wanting to do what needs to be done, regardless of the risks, all for your own well-being.

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And stand for what you believe in, what you deserve, and who you are and know you are.

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But even after that battle you may still lose everything and more...so all you can do now is:

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Hope,

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wait,

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try to remain strong, and 

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count the days, but note:

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You still fought what you fought for and even though after all of your efforts, you still lost everything in the end, you didn't surrender and won't surrender; but you made a smart move to step aside, regardless if it was forced or chosen. Do you know how many people would just sit back and do nothing? Go you!

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And maybe, just maybe, not all hope is lost, future buried, security shattered, enemies crafted, direction averted, people forbidden, and comfort slaughtered.

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Maybe both you and I can and will tack our bruised ships back to comfortable shores.

Hopefully.

I am still waiting for mine.

This blog post is a dedication to all of the people whom know what situation I am referring to in this pretty little Picture Blog Post.

Be strong and feel what you feel,
believe in what you believe,
fight for what's worth fighting for to you,
never question your convictions,

and don't be afraid to be human.

Every human has their rights, these included.

Practice them, embrace them, and share them.

Thank you, people,

jess

WARNING TO THOSE WHO MAY COMMENT:

PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH WHAT YOU WRITE.
LEAVE DETAILS OUT, PARTICULAR OPINIONS STIFLED, ETC. ON THIS BLOG POST.

P/M ME IF YOU WISH TO SHARE ANYTHING THAT SHOULD BE SAID IN A PRIVATE PERSONAL CONVERSATION. 

~xxj 

Jessica Says: Help Others On Change.org!

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WHAT IS IT? :

Taken from their website:

"Change.org empowers you to create real change in your community, city, or country

Every day, across the world, people like you start campaigns on Change.org to fight for issues they care about — and the Change.org team works to mobilize people to help them win.

We believe that building momentum for social change globally means empowering citizen activists locally. That's why anyone, anywhere — from Chicago to Cape Town – can start their own grassroots campaign for change using our organizing platform.

Your campaign can be about anything. From supporting curbside recycling programs to fighting wrongful deportation to protecting against anti-gay bullying, Change.org members start campaigns around thousands of different issues. To start your own campaign, just click here.

Our mission is to build an international network of people empowered to fight for what's right locally, nationally, and globally. We hope you'll join us."

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JESSICA SAYS:

I get emails from this website ever since I signed my name on one person's petition after finding this website and signing up to it. Every digital signature counts, so please help the lives and well-being of others. The more we as a species can assist others, the better others lives can be, as well as our own.

Please, really check out this website. 

Again, every signature counts.

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To The Readers :

• Will you check out this website?
• Will you sign others petitions?
• What do you think about these petitions and the purpose of this website?
  

Jessica Says: Adopted, Rejected, And Returned?

Artyom Saleviev
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BACKGROUND INFO :
What would you do if you were seven-years-old, adopted, and then sent back to the country you were adopted from?

Artyom Saleviev made global headlines when his American adoptive mother Torry Hansen put him back on a plane to Russia alone and with a letter that stated that she no longer wanted him. Now ten-years-old and in a foster home with a caring foster mother named Vera Egorova, who believed that it was inhumane for a child to be sent back to his country, he seems to finally be doing better.

This particular case sparked outrage in Russia and the government actually froze adoptions to the USA while it sought out that all Russian children would be properly cared for by their adoptive parents. An agreement was finally reached last year and the Russian parliament may soon ratify.

Artyom barely remembers any of the English he had learned in his brief life in the United States, he only remembers how to say, "My name is Artyom."

Ever since these political occurrences, the world has barely heard of Artyom.and though he is perhaps a bit small for his age, slim, and soft spoken, he enjoys many of the things his fellow boys his age enjoys: such as watching TV, playing with toys, joking around with friends. And though his American adoptive mother claimed he had "psychopathic" issues, his foster mother sees nothing of the sort - only that he certainly struggled with the trauma he experienced, and rightfully so.

A US court last month ordered his former adoptive mother to pay child support for Artyom's care, though a set amount has yet to be determined.

All officials are trying to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again because no child should ever have to experience what Artyom did. He never deserved to, either. Though in the meantime, the top Russian official for adoptions, Children's Ombudsman Pavel Astakhov said that he does not expect any further delays for American families hoping to adopt Russian children. 

So what the heck?

Artyom being whisked away by authorities the day his American adoptive mother sent him back to Russia
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JESSICA SAYS :

I have a heart for all adoptees for many reasons, especially since the majority of my extended relatives that I have grown up with have been adopted from different countries or the United States. I remember that my parents mentioned a while ago that this boy had just been sent back and it sicked me. How on earth can anyone just send a child back alone on a plane? And sheesh, he was only seven-year-old at the time, as well, not that ANY age is appropriate to do this.

After doing more research on him, he seems to be adjusting to his new life quite well, which is splendid to read, even though he is the 17th child in this foster home in Moscow.  It is truly a shame, though, when new rules or regulations are crafted by the sacrifice of an innocent. I don't think that is fair.

I wish this kid the best in life and hope that he grows strong from this situation, instead of lets the sadness consume him. 

Again, my heart goes out to all adoptees!

Artyom with Pavel Astakhov, Russia's special presidential envoy for children's rights
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TO THE READERS :

• Have you ever heard of this situation? 
• What are your thoughts on Artyom being sent back by his American adoptive parent? 
• Do you think it's fair that regulations became stricter only when such a horrid incident occured? 

 

American Mythology: What's Under YOUR Bed?

Why, hello, handsome~
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BACKGROUND INFO :

Although I'm sure the more accurate opinion of what American Mythology is, is the fact that the American Dream does not actually exist, but instead, provides some form of comfort and hope for citizens. Despite this assumption, I find the concept of abusing fear and innocence to get people - particularly children - to learn lessons to be far more interesting. Taking the words American Mythology literally.
Like dark American folklore.
But for children.

And as for what's under my bed...hm. A suitcase. Probably a missing sock. Maybe a cockroach thanks to these lovely old dormitories on campus. I don't know. I try not to look. Seriously.

(We might as well just watch a clip of a Tim Burton children's movie....nah...okay, fine, what the heck.)

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 1993
Tim Burton, Director - Danny Elfman, Composer♥

So using fear to teach a lesson....that can't possibly have any negative side effects on children, right?

Right?

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IS IT FAIR? :

Though I am not a parent, I'm somewhat on the fence about whether it's a smart move on the parents' end to instill fear into their child or children just to make sure that they do not do something wrong. Many parents deem scary stories to be too terrifying for young children, yet children tend to ask for such bedtime stories. But what if the story's evil characters send a bad message to the child? Or they have nightmares at night thinking that a monster beneath the bed will eat them if they leave to go downstairs to eat some cookies. (I wonder if the monster would be nice if the kid wanted to eat some celery instead...hm.)

But some say that these scary tales can serve an important purpose as the children go through key developmental stages. Some scary stories are believed to help children face the fears they already have, rather than instill a new fear in them. Some tales relay emotions of abandonment, negative impulses like greed and envy, and many others.It also helps that these generally are books or oral stories, so they're less graphic than something like a scary movie. And the parents have the power to control what exactly their child can and should read or what they as parents can read to their child.

Despite the benefits of such scary stories, there can also be drastic consequences.Though these famous bedtime stories may have higher moral content than some of the fluffier, more conservative stories some parents choose to read, those particular parents deem the scary stories to be inappropriate to read before bedtime.

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JESSICA SAYS :

 I don't personally have a huge problem with a parent reading their child a fairy tale, dark or light, at whatever time, but I think some parents tend to abuse the fact that they can instill fear into their child to get them to be obeying fearful creatures is very wrong. I think it's good for children to be able to learn that doing some things some ways can result in a lesson well-learned, but too much of a seemingly-beneficial thing can end up being detrimental to their psychological health.

I'm not sure if there's much else I can say because I cannot speak from a parental sort of perspective here. I think parents should just be cautious with these sorts of stories, but not overly cautious. Can't be too protective as a parent. That in itself can also be quite dangerous.

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TO THE READERS:

1. What do you think about scary fairy tales being told to children?
2. Do you think some parents abuse the power behind a scary story?
3. What was your favorite scary fairy tale told to you as a child?