Yvonne Bonilla
Prof. Juan Parilla
English 100
17 December 2018
Strive towards a meaningful life
Life is a journey that is full of obstacles. However, in many films or even on Television life is oftentimes depicted without real world struggles. Most people would detest having to go through struggles because it is not enjoyable. However, those struggles build ones character and fortifies a society to strive towards a better future.
In todays society, the different struggles have united those oppressed individuals to strive to change the status quo.
For example, a recent turning point in society has been the rise of feminism. There have been massive protests and a large number of people largely women, united in the fight for equality. This notion of equality and the lack of equality towards the female gender has reached a turning point among American society. Not only are women encouraged and empowered to new heights but, they are also breaking barriers in a society that for the most part has been male dominated.
Women are now going full force into politics as we seen in this last midterm election, the largest number of women ever elected to office. This is something that in the past feminist would only dream of but, today it has become a reality.
Sandra Cisneros testifies to this struggle in her story Only Daughter. In Cisneros story she depicts herself as a girl who defies the oppressed society she lives in. A heavily male dominated world. In Cisneros story she states how difficult it was for her to defy the norms that existed during that time. Cisneros states Only daughter in a family of six sons forced me by circumstance to spend a lot of time by myself because my brothers felt it beneath them to play with a girl in public. This demonstrates how society viewed women. Not only was this a mentality in Cisneros family but, it was also a concept that was ingrained in the mind of society. Men were thought of superior then women and women were treated as such. That is why what we see women being able to reach today is a turning point towards the goal of equality for feminist. It is a struggle that is still being fought but, a fight that has reached its turning point in todays society.
Brenda Combs is another example of life with struggles. In the Class Act by Kenneth Miller. He summarizes about Combs life from being a homeless drug addict on to becoming an award-winning teacher. There are times in someones life that we ask God for guidance and signs. Miller states this plight situation when a homeless man stole Combs shoes but, much more her dignity. Thats when she woke and capacitated, It all just hit me, she recalls, I thought, this cannot be the life that God intended for me. This was a turning point in Brenda Combs life when she knew she had to make a decision to change her life. All this struggles Combs went thru helped her build character and get stronger to build a better future.
In addition, obstacles and struggles make us grow have a different perspective in life. The society we live now has opened new horizons for new generations to come. Is up to us to empower those who are in need of help. And together encourage and pass through generations to come so they could live in a thriving society that will continue to strive towards a better future.
Conclusively, without struggles and obstacles it wouldnt give us the satisfaction of accomplishing or doing something meaningful. The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. The negative things in life makes us find strength within ourselves. Often accomplishing what one thought impossible. It helps to be compassioned and to connect with people but, most importantly appreciate whats been accomplished. Also, being grateful of what we have.