My Story :: Personal Narrative Writing

My Story Early in the morning, twenty four years ago on the twelvth day in the month of July, a baby boy was born at St. Mary's hospital in Athens, Georgia. The Pollock household of three had grown by one. Jennifer, the new boy's three year old sister, had already named him. The new boy was to be called Jody Lamon Pollock. Jody was the name she picked, and Lamon was the mother's father's name. So this is how I came to be Mr. Jody Lamon Pollock. My parents both grew up in a small south Georgia town called Pelham. My mother, Nancy, was the daughter of a farmer and a seamstress. She was the oldest of four girls. My father, Howard, was also the son of a farmer and a house wife. My dad was the ninth of eleven children. Mom and dad were high school sweethearts through out their high school days. They got married August 15, 1971. They will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this next month. My father started working for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) when he graduated high school. My father nor my mother attended college. The USDA moved my parents all around the state for the next couple of years until they finally ended up in Jefferson, GA where they have been ever since. My mom landed a job as a secretary at the First National Bank of Jackson County when they first moved here. Since then she has worked her way up through the ranks by hard work and perseverance where she is now the Senior Vice President of Regions Bank. I have only one sibling as I mentioned earlier. Jennifer, who is three years older than I am. She graduated from Jefferson High School. She has since earned an Associate Degree from Gainesville Community College and is also employed by Regions Mortgage. In April of 1995 she married Jon Ray and they continue to reside in Jefferson, Georgia.

Beginning of Israel’s History Essay

2006 The Lord said to Abraham, â€Å"I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed† (Genesis 12:2-3). Such promise was made when Abraham had no son hence it was made in reference to the Jewish nation. Willmington (1985) summarized the early history of Israel this way: It is generally known that the nation Israel began with the call of Abraham in Genesis 12, that Moses led its people out of Egyptian captivity, and that Joshua brought them into Canaan. After this the nation floundered under the Judges, fluorished under [the father and son kings], David and Solomon, and fragmented again under wicked King Rehoboam. It finally suffered exile at the hands of Assyria and Babylon, only to be returned and restored to the land by God during the days of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Israel’s Exiles. The northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah) were exiled to Assyria in 722 B. C. and to Babylon in 587 B. C. , respectively. These exiles definitely entailed great hardships to the people who were forcibly removed from their homeland to settle in a new territory. Lamentations and weeping were not far from their midst, as the psalmist pictures weeping in Babylon, â€Å"by the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and wept [†¦]. How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget her skill† (Psalm 137†1-4). Going back to the question posted earlier – if Israel is indeed the chosen nation of God, how could such exiles along with the perils of insecurity and uncertainty happen to them? The answer is both political and theological as evidenced in the Biblical accounts of the exile. Politically, the exile was the result of anti-Babylonian policy adapted by the later kings of Judah. Theologically, both Israel and Judah have the tendency to forsake the Lord and adopt the customs of their heathen neighbors. Such Assyrian and Babylonian captivities that Israel experienced were in line with the prophesy of Moses that if proven disobedient, â€Å"the Lord will scatter [Israel] among the people [†¦],† yet, if they would turn to God, He would be merciful to restore them, â€Å"for the Lord [their] God is a compassionate God; He will not fail [them] nor destroy [them] nor forget the covenant with [their] fathers which He swore to them† (Deuteronomy 4:27-31). As fulfillment of the Lord’s promise, in 536 B. C. , Cyrus issued a decree that permitted the Babylonian exiles to â€Å"rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel† (Ezra 1:1-4). This action of Cyrus was predicted by Isaiah about 150 years earlier, â€Å"Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, [†¦], it is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My Shepherd! And He will perform all My desire. ’ And he declares of Jesuralem, ‘She will be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid† (Isaiah 44:24-48). It is noteworthy from these Biblical accounts that only the true God can predict the future with total accuracy. Moreover the decree fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophesy, â€Å"[†¦] ‘I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,’ declares the Lord [†¦]† (Jeremiah 25:12). The Medes and Persians captured Babylon in 539 B. C. According to the NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible (1989): The exile served to emphasize the fact that God was in no sense confined to Palestine. He providentially cared for His people in Babylon (cf. Ezekiel 11:16). The experience far away from the land, city and house where the Lord had chosen to dwell, brought to the fore the monotheism of Israel. Their suffering, coupled with face-to-face contact with the realities of false religion, purged the people once and for all of idolatrous desire. Many exiles following the decree of Cyrus remained in the Persian Empire, with the result that in due time Judaism became international in scope. The chastening of Israel is not only evident in the Old Testament accounts. Willmington (1985) cited that, in Jesus’ time mighty Rome ruled over the Holy Land and, four decades after His ascension, [†¦] On September 8, A. D. 70, by God’s judgment, the Jewish Temple in Israel was burned and destroyed by Titus, the Roman general. On October 6, A. D. 1973, by God’s grace, the Jewish state of Israel was saved from destruction from the Egyptians and Syrians. The following is but the briefest summary of those swift-moving, often sorrowful, and always eventful years between [A. D. 70 and A. D. 1973]. These nineteen centuries can be historically divided into ten main periods: Roman Period (A. D. 70-325); Byzantine Period (325-614); Persian Period (614-634); Arab Period (634-1072); Seljuk Period (1072-1099); Crusaders Period (1099-1291); Mameluke Period (1291-1517); Turkish (Ottoman) Period (1517-1917); British Period (1917-1948); and Independent Period (1948-present day). Israel as a Declared Nation A land, a law, a language, and a Lord was given to the nation of Israel when God chose them. But because of Israel’s disobedience to God, God allowed them to be dispersed among the nations as prophesied in Deuteronomy 28. But what God promised in Jeremiah 31:10, â€Å"[†¦] He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock†, He fulfills. After wandering and being dormant and dead for nearly nineteen long centuries, Israel was once again established as a nation in her beloved land in 1948. And at that time, with a population of only 650,000, Israel defended itself against 40 million Arabs in six Arab states that vowed to destroy them. Outnumbered 1001 to 1 in military equipment, Israel won the war, and has won two thereafter. Some of the key paragraphs in the proclamation of Israel’s freedom read as follows: The land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and national identity was formed. Here they achieved independence and created a culture of national and universal significance. Here they wrote and gave the Bible to the world. [†¦] Our call goes out to the Jewish people all over the world to rally to our side in the task of immigration and development and to stand by us in the great struggle for the fulfillment of the dream of generations – the redemption of Israel (http://stateofisrael.com/declaration). Conclusion Today, though much of the south of Israel’s land is desert, it has a fertile plain along the country’s Mediterranean coastline, which makes Israel as one of six nations that produce enough food to feed themselves and others. The Law of the Sabbath is the law of the land for everyone in Israel, though only 5% of the 6,276,883 population estimated in 2005 make-up the God-fearing Orthodox Jew. Furthermore, Hebrew is the official language, the only dead language that has ever been restored to life in the history of mankind. With a land, a law, and a language revived after two millenia, Israel still has one problem – they still reject the Lord, the very God who has made them as His chosen nation. Perhaps, this fact points out to the primary cause of Israel’s exiles and constant struggle for peaceful coexistence with neighbors dedicated to its destruction. Therefore, the next time someone asks what makes Israel the target of various terrorist organizations, and why is it the most disputed strip of real estate on planet earth, the one who understand the nation of Israel can point the answers to both of Israel’s Biblical narratives and historical texts. Works Cited Declaration of Israel’s Independence1948. Tel Aviv. 14 May 1948 (5th of Iyar, 5708). 11 March 2006 . NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible. J. D. Douglas and Merill C. Tenney, eds. Michigan: Thje Zondervan Corporation. 1989. Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard. Charles Caldwell Ryrie, expanded ed. Chicago: Moody Press. 1995. Willmington, H. L. Willmington’s Guide to the Bible. Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. , 1985.

Gender Inequality - 911 Words

Throughout generations there is one controversial topic that has managed to withstand the test of time, while also holding its relevance; gender inequality. In other words to be considered, the various accounts of inequities women are faced with in relation to men. Visible in everyday aspects; home life, and especially that of the workplace. Though there are those who believe gender to have no significance to an individual’s power, this demonstrates otherwise. Women are faced with numerous hindrances in comparison to men, as a result of the femme stereotype that has developed across time. The gender inequality issue is one that has remained prevalent with time passing, exceedingly visible in what has now become of our modern society.†¦show more content†¦From situations as the workplace, does this demonstrate the idea of women standing down from running positions of such hierarchy. With the expectation to let by what goes before them, and keep to themselves. This is s een in the novel A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, in various situations. Often throughout the story the protagonist Blanche speaks the truth in how she feels of having to carry herself in front of others, â€Å"When people are soft - soft people have got to shimmer and glow -... You’ve got to be soft and attractive.† (Williams 92), demonstrating the beliefs of society women are expected to abide by; that of being ever so accommodating to the acts of others. A result of the characteristics women are continuously tied, that have prevented the chance of opportunity in various aspects. Where the issue of gender inequality is often seen amongst the workplace, it can also be seen in day to day life; home life to be exact. Considering the role a woman is thought to fulfill that of being a housewife. In other words, to take responsibility of the housework, care for the children, cook for the family, and far more. It is a consequence of the female stereotype deve loped over time, and remains difficult to be broken. In an article titled â€Å"The Negative Effects of Gender Roles† by Amiee Jean Jones, is it an issue that remains increasingly visible with time. To young children, a majority are brought up on the idea that â€Å"...females are nursesShow MoreRelatedEssay On Gender Inequality1127 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"superior† race/gender of a white male were typically treated as if they were less. Women and African-Americans aren’t being treated as bad today, but they’re still being treated worse than the white males of society. Even today, when white males are typically the leaders of society, it’s not always race and gender that creates inequality; sometimes it’s money that creates the issue. Not just from past evidence, but from present evidence as well, America shows signs of inequality by the way peopleRead MoreSocial Inequality And Gender Inequality Essay2163 Words   |  9 Pagesn Amer icaSocial inequality is defined as the set of unequal for different social classes or statuses for various individuals within a group or society. It usually refers to people of distinct genders, ages and ethnicities. Many American’s have experienced some type of social inequality throughout their lifetime. America’s gaping inequality is seen everywhere from education to the workforce. Society tends to oversee inequality based on race, gender, and other social characteristics believe that racialRead MoreSocial Inequality And Gender Inequality Essay2091 Words   |  9 PagesSocial inequality is defined as the set of unequal opportunities for different social classes or statuses for various individuals within a group or society. It usually refers to people of distinct genders, ages, and ethnicities. Many American’s have experienced some type of social inequality throughout their lifetime. America’s gaping inequality is seen everywhere from education to the workforce. Society tends to oversee inequality based on race, gender, and other social characteristics . AmericansRead MoreGender Inequalities And Gender Inequality922 Words   |  4 PagesGender Inequalities in Education Judge Sonia Sotomayor states, â€Å"Until we get equality in education, we won t have an equal society. That quote resonates throughout the world because of gender inequality in education. Researchers believe gender inequality still exists in the 21st century. Through research, controversial opinions exist about inequality in schools and what has been done to address this situation. What is gender equality? Gender inequality refers to disproportionate dealing or assessmentsRead MoreGender Inequality : Gender Inequalities825 Words   |  4 PagesMichael Ursini Mrs. Karen Cardenas English 4 Sec 03 Sum 17 07 July 2017 Gender Inequalities Thesis: While this could be the best thing the world could accomplish if something changes, Women and men should not be segregated into their own category. Because both genders should have equal rights when it comes to working, money, households, relationships and other categories. This problem has been around for a long time but never been brought to a lot of people s attention, because of this nobody talksRead MoreGender Inequalities And Gender Inequality1791 Words   |  8 PagesGender inequalities have been around since the beginning of time, and it has been a long and bumpy road to achieve the amount of equality that we have today. Still everyday women have the risk of being discriminated against for simply being women. Depending on where these women live, what the predominate culture in the area is, and the amount of education that is allowed affects their risk of being discriminated against and the severity of the act itself. Discrimination can be displayed in formsRead MoreG ender Inequality And Gender Equality1667 Words   |  7 PagesGender inequality is the state in which access to rights or opportunities is affected by gender. Gender inequality is an issue not just nationally but globally. This issue is portrayed by the mistreating of individuals, mainly women, and not valuing everyone as one. This presentation will illustrate the exploration of gender equality, propose a solution and why that solution will produce a better future for a better world. Gender inequality is a very important issue common in our world today thatRead MoreGender Equality And Gender Inequality979 Words   |  4 Pages Throughout the past few decades, the gender inequality discourse have became a dominant feature of international, national and local policy debate on the subject of economic development. This policy concern has emerged as an area of scholarly research which seeks to show that improving gender equity leads to economic growth. Gender Inequality in Australia: According to the data published by Australian Bureau of Statistics in May 2015, the full time average earnings of women is $284.20 or 17.9%Read MoreGender Inequality And Gender Inequalities1787 Words   |  8 PagesGender inequality plays a critical role when it comes to social progress. As a woman, I have seen the struggles for equality to men in many aspects. Regardless of the great strides that women have achieved today, it is still hard to find equal opportunity and to be fairly recognized. Some of the areas where gender inequality is very prevalent are in areas such as, equal pay in the workplace, professional education careers, household work, sexism and discrimination just to name a few. GenderRead MoreGender Inequalities Of Sports And Gender Inequality1468 Words   |  6 PagesGender Inequalities in Sport Men throughout history have been the dominant gender, from the times of hunting with stone weapons to the modern day metal and automated machines. Many negative connotations are thought of when comparing women to men like strength, but less so when comparing men to women. Is it the society’s view that women are weaker than men or is it a natural fact brought to light? In sports women experience many prejudices, but even so some sports are equal or even female dominant