Roots Analysis

I think that a really big element that stood out to me was the warthog. The warthog symbolizes courage, which is really important to the tribe, but false courage. False courage because it is wild and just charges without thinking. Also it dies every time. Just overall being a man is really important to the tribe.

Ethiopian Highlands Folklore

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/explore/ethiopia/ethiopia_folklore.html

Write a summary of the myth, or story.
The myth story is about Makeda, queen of Sheba, that believed that wisdom was far more important than riches. She heard of King Solomon and when she visited him, he said that wisdom came from the God of Israel. She praised that idea afterwards and swore allegiance. When she left she bore the King's son, Menelik. When the son left to go to Ethiopia, he took the Ark of the Covenant,the resting place for the Ten Commandments. The King's men chased after him but God lifted him over the Red Sea and escaped with the Ark into Ethiopia.

Explain how the elements of the African myth, or story were incorporated into the myth.
I am not sure what this really means. I am guessing that the story is somewhat ironic. The King said that wisdom came from the Gods but the Gods let Menelik escape.

What was entertaining about the myth, or story?
The irony of it since, in a way, the God's failed King Solomon by letting his own son flee with the Ark of the Covenant into Ethiopia.

What did the myth, or story teach about African culture?
I think the whole point was that Ethiopia is a sacred place and it was so sacred that even God helped them out by bringing the Ark to them and away from the King.

How could you apply the myth, or story to your own life?
I could possibly use the fact that the King cannot trust his own son since he left with the Ark. So maybe I should really get to know them before really trusting a person. Even a person as close as a relative, you never know when [s]he could actually be a schemeing , evil person.

Wonders of Africa

http://www.pbs.org/wonders/fr_wn.htm

1. Black Kingdoms of the Nile: Pyramids at Giza
I thought this marvel was just insane. With only manpower as a real source of energy, it is so amazing how perfect that structure is. I did do a research project in 6th grade on the pyramids, but I foung nothing like this. I didn't know about the exact angle and the length of each sides. What is more amazing is that the error is less than 0.1%. That is why the Pyramids are one of the seven wonders of the world.

2. Road to Timbuktu: Empires of Mali & Ghana
If I am not mistaken, there were a lot of cities mentioned that had something to do with trade. But this empire was apparently the "land of gold" and center of trade. Also it said that Ghana was very famous about this whole empire and there were a lot of attacks on him. But he would be able to defend both north and south. That is some feat. He did have 200,000 warriors to back him up.

3. Road to Timbuktu: Niger River
The Niger River is not only an astonishing and one of three great rivers of Africa, but a life saver. This river helped the civilization in 300 A.D. to succeed and prosper. The river helped so much from harvesting, to fishing, to fertilizing the land. Without this river I do not think the area would be as prosperous as it is today.

Africa

I think Africa has a lot of poverty, too be honest. I also think of all the native groups there and that there is so many different tribes in Africa. There isn't really a unified tribe, just a bunch of different ones. I also think back in time, where there was slavery in the US. In order to have slavery, the slaves were brought from Africa. Apparently, the Africans were not as dominant as the Europeans. But Africa has come a long way from the slavery times.

Ignorance

Even though the Muslims hate non-Muslims, and they are ignorant to other people, we still have to take in account that they are doing it for their cause, which is getting what they want and have Muslim world "overpower".

Better

The man saying that Muslim people are better than any other people and the other religions are not worthy enough is so ignorant. He just spreading false propaganda. They should really take a moment and listen to what they are saying. It is complete ignorance nonsense.

Youth

"Worst form of child abuse is teaching a child to hate". So very true. It is terrible that the adults are teaching such terrible things to such young children. That is how new terrorists come to be since the new generation is being poisoned by such hatred. They need new, peacefuller ideas in their head, not hatred, especially at a young age. Poor, bad and hatred education is terrible.

Happy?

"Allah is happy when non-Muslims get killed". That makes someone happy? When someone dies? That is wrong. No one should ever be happy when someone dies especially when you are a god. Wanting other dead is so disturbing.

Video Music Video

The music video was very disturbing. They stated so many drastic things. They even stated the destruction of the two towers and laughed about it. So disturbing. They believe so strongly about this that they make a song.

Extreme Pictures

(The person that sounded like his voice was cracking nonstop and he was talking about how Allah is great and Jews should be dead)
That just was scary. They want to that much of an extreme and get rid of people.

Also the pictures that depict western ideas as the Satan and evil was just ignorant. They just want their reigion to be the best.

A great question that was asked, "Why do they hate us?"

Fighting Back

I think it is great that the daughter of a Shihad is fighting back against terrorism, even though she grew up in it.

Title

First thing I really noticed was the AK-47 as the N in Obsession. Just something to point out. I thought that was cool.