Qualities in a Good Leader

Connections Made to Ender's Game

           What is a leader? It is a person who commands or leads an organization, group or country. There are many different and unique qualities in a leader. Depending on their qualities, it can either make them a good leader or a bad leader.  Three main qualities that make a good leader are being able to effectively communicate, adaptable and courageous. These qualities are also presented in the novel “Ender’s Game,” Ender being the leader.

           Being able to adapt to new situations instantly is being very flexible. For being a good leader, this trait is important because if you always do something routinely and doing accept new ideas this can have a big impact on people who look up to you, people who follow/work with you as well as yourself. In the novel Ender’s Game, readers can certainly see that Ender adapts to new situations almost immediately. He does not fail to surprise anybody, when he is able to solve problems that are thrown at him. For example, Ender makes up new and unique way to new formations; such as making five toons instead of four. Readers also see that Ender adapts to fighting two armies by heading toward the enemies gate (it’s an automatic win). Being an adaptive is a very important quality in a leader because if there was a situation thrown at them they should be able to adapt to new ideas and methods so that they can be successful and be a good leader.

           Being able to communicate effectively with other is an essential skill for leaders. Leaders must be able to explain tasks and assignments effectively with their working partner, if they are not able to do so this could lead to failure or another fatal end. Leader must not only talk and explain but they also have to listen to the people around them. By doing this it shows leadership quality because these leaders take others beliefs and opinions and represent them through their actions and words. In the novel Ender’s Game, Enders effectively communicates with his launch members and friends. Not only that, he is a great listen to and gives his opinions an. For instance, Ender displays this quality while he has a conversation with Bean. Ender shows this by first listening to what Bean had to say, and then said what he thought about Beans’ opinion. Being an effectively communicable leader is another very significant quality in a leader because if there was a task or an assignment that was hard or unclear, leaders must be able to explain it so that it can help them be a leader, a good one.

        Being courageous is what most people look for in a leader. Without courage it shows that leaders are unconfident and unstable (in their work). Courage is essential because it makes other qualities possible (no courage – no leader). Courage allows leader to be initiative, confident in other and have a voice. By having his quality this can leader have faith in other, step up to the plate, as well as, sharing and receiving opinions. In the novel Ender’s Game, Ender is able to stand alone when the time comes because he is very courageous. For example, when Stillson and his gang come to bully Ender, Ender is able to stand up to him, although it is through the form of violence. Another example would be when Bonzo and his gang come to hurt Ender when his is in the shower; Ender is able to fight him back, although it is also through the form of violence. Being a courageous leader is the most essential quality in a leader because, if a leader is not courageous then she/he will not be able to lead which can then put the group or organization in a more vulnerable position. If courage is not present in a leader then that leader will not be a good leader.

            In conclusion, readers were able to see that Ender was a great leader although he was forced into doing this. He communicated effectively with others, he was very flexible/adaptable as well as courageous – this made him successfully in “surviving” battle school. 

A leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.- John C. Maxwell 

Independent Study Unit

      Post #1

http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/racism-against-aboriginal-people-in-health-care-system-pervasive-study-1.2942644

                 I chose this particular website because it discusses and represents the social issue, discrimination (Aboriginal people facing discrimination in terms of health care; it also discusses how they receive second-class care). This relates to my novel because throughout the book discrimination is portrayed to Aboriginal people (white people being in power). The main character, Tony, an aboriginal person, particularly has experience and has been affected by the discrimination that is directed toward him. He also has firsthand knowledge of how Aboriginals are treated when it comes to the health care services. In the novel “The Way It Is,” Tony’s mother had tuberculosis. She was sick for a long time before she went to the doctor. When they went to the doctor it was different. Indian Affairs paid doctors half the going rate. Tony’s mother had to wait for all the white patients to be taken care of. She got half a visit for half a fee. Apparently the hospital - Tranquille didn't accept her. She was then sent off to another hospital in Kamloops - away from home, and later to an Indian Hospital near the coast. Tony’s mother was in the hospital for two years. By the time she as treated, she was too sick and died soon later. According to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms this is a violation of the Equality Rights section 15:  Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. Till present time, we see that these Aboriginal people are still being discriminated against – according to the online link. Is it really that hard to accept them for who they are? Why can’t the government help them, after all they've done? Is it really society or the government?

          
Post #2

I choose this song “Colors of the Wind,” because it discusses and represents the social issue, discrimination (Aboriginal people facing discrimination in general). This relates to my novel because throughout the book discrimination is portrayed to Aboriginal people (white people being in power). Although this song comes for a Disney movie it sends about powerful messages. This song is about the main character, Pocahontas (a Native) exhortation to John Smith (white man) about the wonders of the earth and nature, including the spirit within all living this. She encourages him not to think of living things as object he can conquer or won, but rather as beings to respect and live with in harmony. Most importantly, she also urges him to accept humans who are different in appearance and culture and to learn from them. This song greatly connects to the novel “The Way It Is,” because the same issue arises. Although the roles are reversed (Tony, an Aboriginal boy and Ellen a white girl), Tony shows and teaches Ellen the way his life is as an Aboriginal (even though Ellen believe that discrimination is wrong). In the novel, the ownership of land is constantly brought up because Ellen’s’ parents own some parts of the Aboriginal reserve. This is unfair because even if Ellen’s parents owe the Aboriginals about two hundred dollars per month – this is not enough. There are so many people living in the reserves and two hundred dollars is not enough to support these people. Aboriginals already have a hard time finding jobs because of who they are. How is two hundred dollars supposed to help them? The song “Colors of the Wind,” greatly reflects the events that are presented in the novel, “The Way It Is.”

Post #3

“Those men could have been killed. Because they were Indians, the bartender wasn’t even concerned.”……“The Indians I learned about in school lived in tepees and wore feather headdresses. They didn’t get beat up outside the beer parlor on Saturday night.”

I choose these quotes because they represent the social issue, discrimination. This relates to my novel “The Way It Is,” because throughout the book discrimination is directed towards the Aboriginal population (white people being in power). These quotes were taken from the novel itself because; it was an excerpt that stood out to me while I was reading. As we can already see, there all parts of the quotes that strongly discriminate against the Aboriginal. The term “Indians” is one of them. When Christopher Columbus came to North America, he thought that these Aboriginal people were Indians. From then on forwards, the name stuck to this population – knowing that they are actually Aboriginal. In the first quote, the fact that these Aboriginals are being beat up, did not even woe the bartender (who happens to be white). Even though these Aboriginals are getting drunk and then getting beat up, does not even seem reasonable because, these Aboriginals are just minding their own business – they were not trying to cause conflict. Moreover, in the second quote, we notice that in schools, students were taught about Aboriginals but, very vaguely, such as their physical appearances. In fact, Aboriginals did play a role in the World War but, was not recognized for it. Just from a few sentences, readers can see that these Aboriginals are being greatly discriminated against.

Post #4

The novel “Black and White,” written by Eric Walters revolves around the social issues, racism, which is also represented in my novel “The Way Is It.” Black and White is about a boy in grade 8 and a girl in grade 7. They are good kids, they have good friends and families, they both play on the school’s basketball team, he likes her and she likes him. But the main concern is that if they were to date it would be a problem. Why you ask? It’s because she’s black and he’s white. This book talks about how these two characters overcome this situation by using their friendship and love as their support. Similarly, in my novel, where the girl(Ellen) is white and the boy(Tony) is aboriginal, they use their friendship and adoration towards each other to help they overcome the discrimination that is directed toward them.

Post #5

I chose this picture because this represents the social issue, discrimination. This picture represent the type of treatment is given to patients depending on their skin color. In this particular picture we see that the white patients is getting questioned and cared, rather than the black people. I’m assuming that they have the same illness, yet they are being treated unfairly. Aren't we all humans? We deserve the equal rights! This is an issue that was presented in my novel "The Way It Is," where the aboriginal population was not getting fair treatment.

Post #6


http://www.caledoninst.org/Publications/PDF/595ENG.pdf

I choose this link because is discusses the opportunities for Aboriginal people. In the reserve education there is not the greatest compared to the other communities. 4 out of 15 Aboriginal complete university. This proves that the Canadian government is not doing much to help the Aboriginal population.

War Different Perspectives

What Does War Mean to Me?

     

     I believe that war is an epic conflict between two forces - good and evil. Obviously violence and war are the natural means for waging conflicts. War reminds me of constant death and destruction. Also, it is a very bad thin because innocent people are going to war, who may end up dying or end up having emotional, physical and mental disabilities/disorders. I also think that countries that are superior are responsible for aggressively punishing those who are less then them. The government makes society believe that the enemy is completely evil and nonredeemable. They also persuade people that having war is justifiable because "bad people" deserve to die, therefore, killing all the bad people is a reasonable and effective way to "stop" evil. Who are really the bad/evil people. I also find that war is an excuse to "get rid" of minority groups and pacifist because often times we see that these groups are often targeted. For example, the genocide of Jews during the Second World War.

Movie Analysis

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Retell:

     In Nazi Germany, an eight year old boy – Bruno comes home to find out that him and his family are moving from their lonely home in Berlin to a place in the countryside called “Out – With.” Bruno is devastated when he finds out he has to leave his home, friends and grandparents. To make the situation even worse, when he comes to his new house he finds that it is isolated and stark. Bruno’s parents instruct him that certain rooms and parts of the house are “Out of Bounds At All Times and No Exceptions,” this includes the vast property behind his house that calls out to his adventurous side. But one afternoon, Bruno is unable to fight his adventurous spirit and ventures into the vast property.

     Bruno soon comes upon a fence where he sees a young shoeless boy on the other side wearing striped pajamas, a striped cloth cap and is wearing an armband with a star on it. Bruno and Shmuel become fast friends and find out how they both share the same birthday. The two boys talk about their own families, interest etc. Towards the end of their first meeting, Bruno abruptly asks Shmuel why there are so many people and what they are doing there. A few days later after Bruno encounter Shmuel; Bruno’s father invites a man named “the Fury” and his partner called Eva. Instantly Bruno dislikes them. However Bruno is disgusted when Gretel, Bruno’s sister also referred as “the Hopeless Case” has a growing romance with a young soldier.

     Bruno is often ending up at the fence talking with Shmuel and sharing food with him when he explores the forest near his house. When Bruno visits one day, Shmuel tells Bruno that his father has gone missing and he is very worried. As a result, Bruno promises to help Shmuel find his dad while, Shmuel promises to bring some striped pajamas.

     On the day Bruno comes to help find Shmuel’s dad, he changes into the striped pajamas and crawls underneath the fence. As Bruno heads into the camp, the movie sets a motion of tragic and devastating sequel of events.

Relate:

     This movie is very powerful because of a young boys (Bruno’s) willingness to stand against universal negative views of the Jewish race, while the rest of the world is engrossed in the discrimination of the Jews not knowing what it truly happening to these people. The movie The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas relate to the holocaust in Nazi Germany during 1933 to 1945. The embracement of the Nazi propaganda is one of the horrors of the war during the Holocaust. Although people did this it “they did what they did” in order to survive, this is the reality. Even though the movie is fictional, the content that is presented in this movie is true – the concentration camp and the extermination of the Jews. There are also other movies that revolve around the idea of the Holocaust and the Nazis such as The Book Thief, The Pianist, Schindler’s List, Life is Beautiful etc.

Reflect:

     The movie The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is very thought-provoking and teaches the audience many things. In this film, many themes are presented, such as; Innocence, Friendship and Human Nature. The two young boys, Bruno and Shmuel have childlike innocence but in reality Shmuel is in Auschwitz (a concentration camp for Jews), who has experience or seen the horrors of this prison. On the other hand, Bruno is constantly being protected from his parents, who do not want his to see the horrors of reality of the Holocaust – in which his dad works for. Friendship is greatly brought up throughout the course of the film. Although the two boys live in two different environments, they seek each other companionship during a time of loneliness and difficulty. Untimely, the two boys go to great heights to hide their friendship from everybody else. For example, when Shmuel comes to Bruno’s house, Bruno declines that he his Shmuel’s friend when Shmuel is caught eating food. The central theme to this movie is Human Nature. As the audience watches the movie they can notice that Bruno’ sister, father and many other Germans are brainwashed by the Nazi propaganda but, Bruno remains compassionate and sometimes argues against the same idea. The film points out the choices humans make regarding the way they treat others and the unwillingness to help others that they know that they know are in great danger (may be under the influence of Nazi propaganda or unaware/uneducated about what is happening around them). Overall, the viewers leaned that Innocence, Friendship and Human Nature are the themes that are very important throughout the movie.   

Summary & Main Idea

The Sniper by Liam  O'Flaherty

Summary:

     In Dublin, on a June night, all that was seen was darkness and, all was heard were guns roaring. The Republicans and Free Staters were waging war. Near the O'Connell Bridge, a republican sniper lay watching - on top of a rooftop. After foolishly lighting a smoke he was attack by a bullet. Now the he knew that his enemies were watching, he noticed that his enemies were undercover. Just a few moments later, the enemy car arrived. A lady informer approached the car and pointed to the roof were the enemy laid. Immediately the sniper shot and killed the man who got out of the car and the woman. Not a second to spare, the sniper was shot one his right forearm. Quickly, he nursed his wounded arm and made a plan to escape. After successfully feigning his death (which was his plan), he shoots and kills his enemy who came out of undercover. When he decided to see who he has shot, he turns the dead body and looks at the face of his brother. This short story is about a sniper's experience he has during war.

Main Idea:

     The main idea of the short story "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty is that it is always wrong to kill other people. The author is trying to make us understand that, you should never kill a fellow human being because, whoever it is, it could be yours and somebody's loved one. At the end of the story we find out that the sniper kills his own brother who also is his enemy. Would he have killed his own brother knowing that his enemy was his brother? Probably not. But, the end of the story turns out to be a situational irony meaning that actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended to happen, so that the outcome is different to what was expected. So, in this short story we see that the readers and the sniper do not expect that the dead enemy ends up being his own brother. 

Child Soldiers

Child Soldiers (Video and Article): Comparison

          The video recounts the past of a child soldier, Ishmal Bech. It’s a documentary that tells us about him becoming a child solider during the civil war in Sierra Leone. He is conscripted as a child solider and becomes a killing machine. He is brainwashed into believing that the every single rebel death will avenge his own family slaughter. The others and he are addicted to marijuana and cocaine as it numbs his emotions during war. So after he is turned over to UNICEF where they take his to a rehabilitation center, where he struggles greatly. After great improvement, he learns that other children like him have survived and suffered and, is invited to New York City were they tell their stories to the United Nations. In the end, Bech becomes a successful author and share his experience the world where he believes that it will avoid such dismays from happening to other children.

Connections:

A connection that I found between the video and the article is that children are brainwashed. Although they are not brain washed the same way they are taught to kill whether it be a game or in real life. The text could also relate to the way child respect their elders. I’ve heard cases where children have very little respect to their parents and in some cases do not do anything about, which can later on affect the way they behave in they future.

Challenges:

Yes, violent video games have impacts on kid but, not all kids react or are affected in the same way. Firstly, they would need possession of a weapon such as a gun – how are they supposed to have possession over something they cannot have. Secondly, not every child starts to attack random people – they must have been provoked or taunted by others. Thirdly, it can merely before self defense – some child automatically put up their defense and feel as if they need to protect themselves – we have to remember that accidents do happen. We have to remember that children are not always the one necessarily buying the game; it’s the parent’s/guardians poor choice of buying and providing the game for their child – knowing or not knowing the content in the game. 

Concepts:

Some key concepts/ideas that I think are important and worth holding on to from this text are those:

• Video games and media violence have great impact on younger kids and could lead then to make terrible decisions at some point.
• Poor parental choices on games that they buy for their children.
• Unawareness of the effects of violet games and media violence.

Changes:

Some changes in attitudes, thinking or actions that are suggested by the text and me are:

• Parents should make better choices when they are buying games for their children – they should read they content that is present in the game that their child want to play, as well as the age limit. (ex PG 13)

• There is not Constitutional “right” to teach children to blow people’s heads off at the local video arcade.

• Working against child abuse, racism, poverty and children’s access to guns, and in rebuilding families, but also take on the producers of media violence.

Media Project 1

TDSB Schools May Be at Risk of Closure

http://www.cp24.com/news/future-of-dozens-of-city-schools-to-be-determined-over-next-3-years-1.2229916

According to the Toronto District School Board, 40 percent of 130 schools could be closed and bulldozed. Decisions for this will be made Friday 13, 2014. This plan is to be determined over the next three years, if it has been accepted. There has already been 20 cases where schools have been bulldozed. School properties that were cleared have already been considered for sale and repurpose. Schools that are affected by this are from the poorer neighborhoods because they’re less than 65 percent full. This is a conflict between the TDSB and communities that may have a school being closed. The TDSB believes that these schools could be replaced to be in a socio-economic plan to help the economy. Parents and teachers know that if TDSB gets rid of these schools, then more than half of the schools that have child care centres will also be demolished but then again, they cannot afford to lose that. Teachers, parents and students of schools that are being closed will be notified on the following Monday - if the decisions has been accepted.

   I have personally been in a similar type of situation but, instead of having my elementary school being closed, half of the school’s population of teacher and students were going to be redirected to another new school (that would being built) because there were too many students attending it and, the school was not able to support us. This occurred two years before my grade students' graduation so, of course conflicts did arise. People that I have known since the school opened, were being sent somewhere else therefore; we wouldn't be able to graduate together. After a couple of school council meeting where they debated on the schools’ population separating - the school made their final decision. It was stated that, student who were going to graduate in the following three years will still attend Mount Royal but, the rest of the students who lived in a specific area will be redirected to the new school as well as specific teachers. I was lucky enough to be able to graduate with my fellow peers.

   As we can see, these two situations show that – on each end of the conflict there is always one side that will could/always have superior power (wealth) than the other. I believe the rate of decision making between the TDSB and the communities should be slowed down because the situation has not been clearly analysed. Overall, I've learned that not all conflicts are violence but, can be very controversial.