The thing I loved most about this article was that it expressed strong beliefs about the unique individuality, worth, and potential that all people possess. In the introduction of the author, it says that Stanton played a leadership role in the women’s right movement for 50 years, and as I read this article I began to see why.
There seem to be two key topics that she used to back up her belief in equality:
1. Knowledge and learning: well rounded education as an individual is crucial so people aren’t dependant on others.
2. Potential of people: each person is so unique and has something different that they can offer this world.
We have been encouraged to gain an education by prophets and apostles. As members of the church, we know that the one thing that we can take with us when we die is the knowledge that we have gained in this life. In Doctrine & Covenants 130: 18-19, it states that a person who has gained more knowledge and intelligence in this life will have a huge advantage in the world to come. Because of this knowledge, I think that Stanton was right on track when she stated, “…life must be a march and a battle…each soldier must be equipped for his own protection.” She summed it all up by saying, “…the responsibilities of life rest equally on man and woman…their destiny is the same, they need the same preparation for time and eternity.”
My favorite analogy used in this article was the blades of grass. You will never find two identical blades of grass, just like you will never find two identical individuals. Stanton says, “No mortal ever has been, nor mortal ever will be like the soul just launched on the sea of life.” She explains that there will never be the same parental influences or environments surrounding a person ever again. Each person has their own special contribution that they can make to the world. Stanton seems to be conveying how sad it is that all people are not given the same chance to develop into the person they really can be and serve the world in their own way for the benefit of all people.
Maybe the main idea is that individual development in both crucial and beautiful. Stanton used this idea to prove the importance of equality, but I think it can mean something more for members of the church. We know that this life is part of the great plan of salvation. We aren’t just here by chance. Each of us has a divine nature and destiny, and we need to strive to become all that we can be.
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I think that individuality is what makes being a human so great. It really pains me when I see people trying so hard to conform to what they believe is the "normal" or accepted way of doing things. Some people these days are too afraid to have their own opinions about music, art, politics, world issues, books, etc, because they try too hard to fit in. What they don't seem to realize is that "fitting in" is just a quick way to shutting yourself out from all the great things of the world. It's more constraining than learning to form your own opinions and to learn to be an individual. Don't be ashamed of who you are!
ReplyDeleteI would like to completely second Chelsey's comments on this post.
ReplyDeletePeople spend way too much time trying to fit in, and to be "normal" with the rest of the crowd. While it's certainly important to get along with the society around you, why do people want to be "average" in the first place? It seems to me that people should want to stand out -- to distinguish them from everybody else.
Although sometimes people take being unique to an extreme, it's important that people are comfortable with who they are. We all noticed who was "faking it" in junior high and school. I think that these days, many of the people who are most loved and appreciated are those that are genuine to who they really are.
I liked the article a lot. I agree taht it is important to be yourself and not conform in order to "fit it." I liked the points about each bringing something unique to the table and the importance of educaton found in the article. I agree with these points wholeheartedly. I feel like that although we may, at times, not recognize our talents it is imprortant to remember that we are all blessed with something unique and something that we should develop. I also value education and think that in order to be self sufficent it is truly important to become educated. It is not only important to become book smart, but it is equally important to become informed about the world around us and take advantage of the many opportunites life has to offer.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with everything everyone said. We are all beautifully unique and special, God loves each and every one of us specifically and knows each one of us and our potential. I think it's wonderful that we all have a particular and deliberate purpose in this life. None of us are here by chance or have an unplanned life.
ReplyDeleteThat is why it's so sad when people follow the wrong path...when they get involved with drugs or immorality or homosexuality or gangs, etc. They are going against God's divine plan for them.
We all were given amazing gifts when we came to this earth that enable us to help others return back to God someday. We all can play a part in the plan of salvation by converting people to Christ through our special talents and precious gifts.
I think patriarchal blessings are beautiful revelations that show individuals just how individual they truly are and how God knows their unique hearts.
I like what the author said about education. We need to be educated to develop our best self. Otherwise we will be ever dependent on other people who can order us around and take advantage of our ignorance of the world. Education is a vital aspect of becoming the best you.
In this essay, Elizabeth Cady Stantondid an excellent job of arguing for women's rights. She refuted every point that could be brought up against her argument. She made very convincing arguments by relating her argument not only to itself, but to basically every facet in life. I loved that she used so many examples and illustrations to push her point across. The blades of grass, the soldiers in the army, the sailors. It was a powerful argument that I think would have convinced anyone at that time perios that read it seriuosly that women were inherently equal with men and that they should be afforded the same rights and priveleges. She made and excellent point that, in that time, women were not allowed to gain the education that they sought, yet were still expected to perform tasks and have a knowlege that would be attained through a solid edication. I am so glad that today I have the opportunity to get all the education that I want.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the claims made by Sarah about the two central claims:
ReplyDelete1. Knowledge and learning: well rounded education as an individual is crucial so people aren’t dependant on others.
2. Potential of people: each person is so unique and has something different that they can offer this world.
I specifically like this second claim. Even those people who don't have any self-respect or self-esteem can truly make a difference in the world. I really think that being here at BYU can help us reach our individual potentials, even though we may feel alone at times.