#se16

I have never claimed to be an expert in any matter. My criticisms and views are just shaped out of what I learn, read, and understand. I hate imposing my beliefs on others and I have really tried my best to remain passive on issues that unnerve me. Yet, when I see hypocrisy, bigotry, and disillusionment around the world, I have to speak up. This blog has especially really helped me do that. I have expressed my views on President Trump for the past year. Yet, his snowballing actions and events only make me want to write and think more about the subject. 

Trump buzz has forever pervaded the news- alleged collusion with the Russian government, foreign government links, corruption, misogyny- are all very shockingly becoming the new normal. The absolute chaos and disarray in the White House now almost borders on the risible. However, Trump’s latest actions have impacted me in an altogether different way. It has impacted me ideologically. As a staunch advocate for climate change, Trump’s latest statements are really alarming.

In an effort to fight climate change and decrease carbon footprints, the clean energy sector is flourishing. Over 18 percent of the world’s energy is driven by renewable and eco- friendly resources. Countless individuals have also benefitted from the vast amounts of employment that this booming industry is churning out. With so much of progress and output- why does the U.S. now choose to let go of this major benefit? 

I am at a complete loss for words and am puzzled by the extremes populism and misinformation can go to. My many months of reading, research, knowledge, and writing have taught me a lot about the world and the true impetus for change that we need. Trump’s recent foreign visit has proved otherwise. That impetus for change is now steadily becoming more diminutive and distant. Combatting climate change was an aspect in which more than a 190 countries were united. Past tense. 

President Trump told European leaders that U.S. would renounce its claims to the Paris Climate Accords. The Washington protests and demonstrations seem to have had absolutely no impact and effect on Mr. Trump. Not only has Trump recalled the Paris Accords, but he has also cut funding to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Safeguarding the interests of Pittsburg, rather than Paris was a higher priority for him (well, apart from playing golf and having ice cream sundaes). Fewer resources will now be dedicated to the Green Climate Fund, making it difficult for developing countries to cope with climate change. The U.S of the Obama era provided a lot of its technology, education and capital to help countless individuals on this front. But now, the foundation for so many poverty alleviation frameworks may now crumble.

U.S. stance on climate change has recently been only clouded by sheer rhetoric. It sends out the message that one of the most prosperous nation’s in the world is not committed towards saving its international obligation and assisting its allies to grapple with the consequences of global warming, climate change and degradation of the environment. The U.S. and its western allies have contributed over 66 billion dollars to the Paris Accord initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. The recent move will undo all the progress that was made over the past two years. I see this as a diplomatic betrayal; U.S. withdrawal will aggravate and alter the global atmosphere about this issue. 

Here’s a small piece I penned down just a few minutes back! 

Enjoy!!

A melange of varying decibels and trains of thought,

that echo, express, indoctrinate, and inspire,

wafting languidly through the air as they resonate,

alter, manifest and settle in the dust-

changing the every living nuance.

Its intricacy and foundation is the beginning and the end-

the premise of peace, war, and suffering.

Its sheer gamut is the pivot of history-

the progression of mankind,

and the epoch of doctrines.

It is wielded by the dictator,

his voice the the vehicle of public desire.

And is the essence of the world of letters-

the momentary world of the girl with her nose buried in the book.

Its secrets lie in the mystical rhymes of the books,

while its carriers preach its content.

They sometimes even threaten to warp the bonds of love and friendship,

and crumble that they have known for so long.

I haven’t taken a tumblr worthy photo in quite a long while!

I was on the train, on my way home from school a few days back, when I thought about the poem Fire and Ice. My mind tends to wander and I was happy I was reminded on this for it is my most favourite poem. I read it when I was around 13, and I tried to look for the implicit, deep and hidden meaning, and was so ecstatic at the end, as I made the poem make sense in my perception. This was probably what developed my interest for Literature and reading as I was somehow able to make sense and meaning of the words of the poem that appealed to my emotions. I still don’t know what Robert Frost may have truly wanted to tell his readers.

But thinking about it that day really made me reflect on the poem once again and want to write about what I learnt and understood as the words are rather ambiguous in both meaning and context especially at first glance. Even now I feel at that juncture, being a young girl, I was looking for a way to express my perception of the world especially as 2013 was a year of loss with the peak of the Arab Spring and Syrian Civil War. What I heard on the news wafted through my mind, and I tried to use a literary technique to form a nexus between the two.

I feel rather good as I do not have to refer to the poem in my post today, for I know it by heart. Granted, it is a short poem, but the symbols used are just so memorable and I read the poem a lot as I tried to extract my own interpretation of the meaning at that point of time.

The fist line begins, ‘ some say the world will end in fire, some say ice’. I take these two forces of nature as symbols of human emotions. However, both of these human emotions are largely negative in my view as I see them as greed and hate. I see fire as greed owing to its tendency to spread swiftly and viciously. The personna cannot fathom which one of them is the lesser of two evils: fire or ice. But in the phrase, ‘from what I have tasted of desire I hold with those who favour fire’- where he briefly refers to his experience and voice of education- he feels that greed will be the cause of the dissentigration of life on earth. Even today the greed for money and power has lead to exploitation and inequality in so many parts of the world. It is only tearing us all apart. As I don’t want this post to be political, I feel that it does not do well for me to dwell into specifics.

Later on, when the personna contemplates the magnitude and intensity of hate and plague in the world, he realises that ice is also great and equally powerful and would after all, more than ‘suffice’ in destroying the world in his point of view. I feel that the poet is weighing the emotions of greed and hate. However, at the end both emotions are seen as equally capable of devastation and degradation. The phrase ‘perish twice’ particular exacerbates the nature of ice and it’s destructive properties.

Greed is something we all inherently have. We all just have varying degrees of it- ambition is a kind of greed- more like a yearning. But it’s hate that has the most serated edge that can cut through anything. Owing to our disharmony, prejudices and intolerance, it’s hate that is causing more harm than greed is- or ever will. Frost probably agrees with these warped visions of humanity.

When I look back at my life and realise that I will legally be an adult next year, I have began to have many epiphanic moments. The most epiphanic moment is naturally indeed the most important.

I will admit this. I feel privileged, proud and extremely lucky that I have been given great opportunities this past year or two. It took me a while to realise that it was essential to express myself more. My ideas and thoughts cannot always easily be expressed, given where I live and the environment I am in. The internet is a a great place that has helped me achieve just this. It’s the one place where I feel that I may be getting some manner of positive reception. Writing on so many great platforms has also made me understand the vitality and importance of opportunity. My writer and journalism internship with the Borgen Project, letters to editor, my blog and now my contributions to the College X- press website have collectively made me come to this real and true conclusion. Regardless of my busy schedule as an IB student (those of you who can relate will understand what I mean), I never default on any of my writing commitments and contributions. If I have the chance to write, contribute or try out for a project, I don’t make excuses. I have never made excuses. I default on homework, studying, music and dance practice from time to time, but I have never defaulted on submitting an article or writing piece. Some people know me as that annoying and loud girl too basic and unintelligent to adhere to convention, and with a history of needless debates and verbal fights with people deemed to be better than her. But writing and getting all these opportunities has made me glory in the fact that I am none of the things that people think I am. I am not the most popular, prettiest, ‘coolest’ or socially accepted person in some of my environments, but writing and creating my own thoughts has made me not think about it anymore.  I thank the few, but loving, supportive, loyal and most amazing friends for recognising the somewhat loveable parts of me, and even my parents who have more or less agreed and come to some form of contentment with what I want to do with my life and how I will make a change. I have also had the opportunity to meet and interact with some really interesting people on the way who have helped me network, given me feedback and just been nice and cordial towards me in general. It’s just the wonderful opportunities that the past two years have offered me that has made me realise that there is a way I can fight this battle with myself and be victorious. The more I write, the more confident I become. The more praise from my editors and published pieces I see, the more I want to work harder and achieve better. This is a cycle I hope my life will keep undertaking, no matter what the future holds for me.  I may not have the conventional problems and relationship drama that people my age face, but I feel thankful for it. Opportunity has made me who I truly am and shaped my goals for the future. Maybe its something that the universe or God has luckily provided me with, but whatever it may be, I will respect it till my last day in this world and will be forever grateful. The first article I ever wrote for the Borgen Project will always stay with me. The first person who followed my blog, is someone I will always remember. The first poem and story I published will always stay saved on my laptop, and the strangers and forces who gave me the opportunity will always stay with me forever.