Not the Only Ones

On April 20, I came across an article, “Twelve dead,15 missing in Brazil boat accident” in The Times of India. The author mentions the accident that occurred in the Ariri River in the Brazillian Amazon. At first, the captain of the boat claimed to only having 49 passengers aboard and had no idea how the accident occurred. In the article, the captain is quoted with the following statement: “I was at the helm when the boat capsized. I did not hit anything. I cannot understand what happened. It was so fast.” It was just an accident that no one saw coming.

We may not know how this happened. But there is one thing that is certain. The captain LIED! He did not have 49 passengers. He had 70! This, in fact, is more than the maximum capacity the boat could handle. Why would the captain have done this?  Is he lying about something else? We can’t be sure and can’t point figures to someone without having valid evidence that points to him of being the reason for this accident. Although, we do know that he risked the lives of people by allowing more people than the limit onto the board. 12 people died mostly likely not knowing moments before what was happened since the accident occurred while many of the passengers were sleeping.

Many people around the world suffer as well without many of us noticing. Emotions are universal but the way people are affected by it varies. Families who were affected by this accident are going through a lot of emotions and are reacting in different ways. Many may be grieving for their lost ones while others are praying to have them back safely. After a stressful week and everything going on in the United States, many of us might start to wonder: why us? It seems as if United States can’t take a break. In the last week or so, there have been tragic events that even led to the deaths of innocent ones. We can’t help and wonder what we have done to deserve all of this. The truth is, we are not the only ones. Everyone suffers and struggles.

Women's Safety

I came across an article that focuses on women. Women are always victims of abuse from men. The article, “Nagpurians cometogether at an event for women’s safety”, is short but points out the main issues of women’s safety. In Delhi, a ganrape started in which many women are exposed and potential victims of it. An even was organized led by Kekti Arbat and Angad Bhatti to help the women at risk. They gave a speech and informed young girls to be prepared with pepper spray and have the police numbers on speed dial.

As I was reading how the young girls are being educated to protect themselves, I started to think of “The Waiting Years” While reading this, lack of education has been brought up. Young girls who are sent to become concubines do not have the opportunity to get educated. Since they are sent away to become concubines from an early age, they do not have the chance of learning about life. They do not know what is out in the world and do not learn how to protect themselves. They are to do whatever they are asked to do by their superiors.

All around the world, there are places in which many people are not educated like in the United States. They have no knowledge of anything which is a big issue. How are women supposed to protect themselves when they have no clue what to do? All they know is how to be dominated by men. They feel as if they have no voice which is false. Everyone has a voice and needs to fight for their rights.

"Memoirs of a Geisha"

To be honest, movies about a different culture do not always interest me because most of the time I do not understand them. I don’t have enough background knowledge to fully understand it. In Memoirs of a Geisha I was able to understand it and actually enjoy it. The story involves the life of a young, poor, Japanese girl, Sayuri, who was sold by her parents to be a slave but becomes a geisha in her later life. As she grows, she is treated as a servant and learns the life of a servant. She gets physically punished for things that are not her fault. She becomes the most popular geisha in Kyoto from the help of the most successful geisha, Mameha. Sayuri, whose real name is Chiyo Sakamoto, struggles with life as a geisha. Geishas are woman who are entertainers and amuse men without actually giving them their own body. Sayuri, from a young age, falls in love with the chairman who is determined to see again one day. Sayuri learns quickly how to be a geisha as well as become the rival of  her friend and her mentor.

As I was watching this, I couldn’t help and think about The Waiting Years. Women in Japan are, in a way, forced to hide their feelings. Show no emotion and do what pleases the men. The film captures that effect very well demonstrates the life of a geisha well. Sayuri learns to put her strong feelings of the chairman away. They are humans who have feelings and live a life full of obstacles as many ordinary people do. Sayuri tries to find her happiness but being a geisha makes it difficult for it to happen. It becomes even more difficult when World War II begins interrupting her life. Despite everything Sayuri goes through, she manages to get through it. Who would have known the young Sayuri would become into a strong woman? The ending of the film might be well liked by many but hated for others. In my opinion, the film ended the way it should have.