Transitions shows individualism, while discovery shows secularism

My discovery about the beauty of physical and cultural Oman showed secularism. I stopped focusing on the greater force (the media in this case) and opened my eyes to the little wonders; their religion, society, tradition and the outstanding nature that surrounds this gorgeous country. I opened up my mind to accept new ideas that wouldn't accepted by most Western civilisation. I experienced things for myself instead of listening to the media, which wouldn't always tell the whole truth (just like the church in the Renaissance). My discovery demonstrated secularism, for I experienced things that the  Middle East provided by myself and I stopped focusing on the media.

My transition demonstrated individualism because now I stand in the middle of the conflict. I'm not agreeing with the Middle East, but I don't agree with the West neither. I'm against this arrogant conflict in general. A small portion of people and I are in the middle of the conflict, therefore we show individualism (being different and unique). I'm in the middle because the authority (media) is manipulating the truth in both sides, therefore I can't choose a side since they're bot being affected by an external factor.     

Rosa Parks

I choose this picture of Rosa Parks to show a modern example of Skepticism, for she didn't drag herself to the back of the bus when asked to. She went against the authority because she stoop up in what she believed was right, what was fair. She fought until the end, against the law. She started a revolution against racism even though it wasn't what she planned. She was just sick and tired of being told what to do just because of something so meaningless like skin colour. We will probably never feel what dark skin coloured people felt back then, but just imagine you being banned to do something just because of your physical appearance. An example of this is; if you are not tall, then you can't play basketball. Just imagine, something you can't control like height would limit your actions. At least height has to do with basketball, while skin colour has to do with nothing at all.   

 Just because of her one simple act of rejection, she changed the world. She was curious and brave enough to question the authority. She, Rosa Parks, showed skepticism!  

Transition around the media and religious conflict

An everlasting conflict surrounding two major religions. The same conflict which seems to have no resolution. An ugly disagreement involving the East and the West. Hatred surrounds these two religions even though they're so alike.

My discovery was followed by one of my most significant transition; my overlook between the Islamic and Christian clash. To not be a hypocrite, I have to admit that I have had my share of doubts towards the identity of the muslims, that is until I had my discovery. I saw the beauty of the religion which lead me to doubt the media, for the media isn't exactly lying to the people, but they are not telling the whole truth. I transitioned from thinking that muslims were troublesome (what the media told me) to knowing that they're are loving and caring people (a huge detail that the media "forgets" to mention).

As you open up google and simply type "muslims" in images, you will only see hate and blood. It is inaccurate to state that every muslims are dangerous and, well, are terrorists. This is perceived among media for it is what brings up views. Nobody wants to hear news about the great, huge portion of peaceful and kind muslims. They want to hear about the terrorists, the al-Qaeda, which represent a tiny portion of the population. The media isn't exactly lying because muslim terrorist groups do exist, but they don't even mention the riches and uniqueness of the religion. The same look is exchanged between the East towards the West; they think the West are anti-muslim and extremely racists. Again, this can be manipulated by the media, for it is true that racism towards Arabia does exist, but that isn't true for everybody.


Some muslims countries are harsher then other towards equality, sexuality and freedom. Saudi Arabia is a good example of a tough and strict country. They don't allow woman to walk by themselves, take off their hijab (head wear) and they're even forbidden to drive. This is changing though. You can see that women are fighting against the rules to achieve equality; these women are showing individualism and scepticism. These woman are going against the authority.



The United Arab Emirates is a perfect example of a fair and modern muslim country. One of its biggest cities, Dubai, is practically westernised and yet conflict occurs. It's very interesting that the two most similar religions are the ones in conflict. Islam and Christianity are very alike. They're both an expanding religion that accepts new followers, they both have a holy book which brings god's words and yet they hate each other. Both these religion tell their followers to not use physical force and wish the bad towards others, yet they fight like little kids.

My transition was elaborated and complicated for it involved my discovery to change my point of view. My transition was how I saw the Muslims and Christian conflict and how the media can manipulate the truth. I'm from the West and yet I fell sympathy for both sides of the conflict. The West thinks all Arabs are terrorists and the East thinks all Western civilisation is racist/bloodthirsty. How about the media stop talking about terrorism which kills way less then 100 people per year and focus on the thousands of african children dying each month.            
     

Discovery about the Land of the Sun

The sensation that surged the moment I stepped out of the airplane will forever be memorable. A immense heat that symbolised a new page on my novel. With great glee, I faced what was beyond my presence and immersed myself among the palm trees. Being too young to understand the "tales of the Middle East", I asked my mother why she was so nervous and scared. She told me what frightened the whole family; the Middle East is a dangerous place.

Years past and homework got harder. Noticing how deceiving the "tales of the Middle East" were, our family opened up and explored, more like delved into the exclusive culture of Oman. The Omani's smile shined upon us and revealed their warm heart.

It wasn't until the beginning of middle school when I began to learn about ethnicity and religion. I must give a shoutout to my social studies teacher who opened my eyes towards the Western and Eastern conflict. That's when my personal scepticism came into play. My thoughts about religion began to swirl around my skull and clusters of thoughts clogged up my brain. I really got into learning about different religions and their teachings. I began to doubt the media and whenever I heard the phrase "those terrorist" referring to the Middle East (my friends), I had step up to protect what and who I love.


The first people I had to announce my discovery to,was of course my big and loving family. I was even able to persuade my cousins into visiting my home near the coastal line. After every trip one of my family members made to the sultanate, the more I felt accomplished for it showed them that the Middle East was exquisite and not another battleground. That Oman was stunning and not ravaged by war. That the Omanis were peaceful not dangerous.

During my 6 years stay at the Land of the Sun I personally discovered beauty. Beauty in the trees, beauty in the sand, beauty in the people and I even found beauty in the emerald green palm trees which were a big part of the scenery. The gleaming faces of the kids which carried an expression of joy every time the legendary rain arrived, were priceless. I discovered great beauty and truth.

Many people say that you can only have one home, I deny that. I know that's not true because my home is Brazil, but I do have another home called; the Land of the Sun.

"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."- Oliver Wendell Holmes

                       

About Me

My name is Gustavo Beluco and I'm 14 years old. Even though I was born in the coastal city of Vitória, Espírito Santo, I have lived great part of my life overseas. I recently moved to Belo Horizonte after living 6 years in Muscat, Oman.

I'm certainly in love with the gorgeous and sunny Sultanate of Oman. The experiences I have absorbed from this culturally rich country shaped whom I am today. Since I used to study in an American school I lived among dozens of different religions, which was simply terrific. Different lifestyles, nature, culture all influenced my being. Every religion and ethnicity is unique in its own way. Difference doesn't mean worse, on the contrary, difference can be exhilarating and exciting.        

Sometimes the discoveries you make are brisk and agile, while other can take months or even years. My personal discovery wasn't created; it didn't simply emerge. My discovery was developed and moulded by my surrounding. The blazing dunes, majestic ocean, elevated mountains and the deep cobalt sky. Not only by Oman's physical surrounding, oh no, the leaders of my discovery were the people; the Omanis. By far, the nicest and most inviting natives I have ever roamed with. The discovery that initiated the citizen I am today was that the Middle East is beautiful, no matter what the media and people say. Not only geological beauty, but cultural and society-wise too.

This what one of my Omani friends wrote on my yearbook before I left Oman.

Transitions also may strike as fast as a viper lashing out at a unweary rodent. They might also hitchhike on a discovery, which, with no doubt whatsoever, was my case. The discovery I developed launched a transition out of me. That transition was the change of my viewpoint towards religion and ethnicity. Media can sometimes tell the truth, while other times they may only tell a fraction of the truth. The conflict between the Islamic world and the West has lasted way too long, for both ignorant and irrational reasons. We shouldn't fight for our country or our religion, we should fight for our world.