New Hobby: Acrylic Painting on Canvases

As the effect of the current global pandemic increases at a rapid rate, we find another problem: What do we do with all of this free time at home? Television and video games can only provide entertainment for so long until they, too, lose all effect. During this fight with boredom, I have started a new hobby: Acrylic painting on canvases. Here are some of my recent products!

Toy Photography

Nature Photography

All About Me Photography

Random Photography

World War 1- Essay

How much change could one war possibly bring? Could it be enough to shape the future of a nation forever? This question defined the culture and societal values of the era. The war affected countless lives through numerous ways. From young to old, man to woman, one race to another, this war would prove to change people’s perspectives forever. Among others in the nation, the war affected the lives of women, German-American immigrants, and African Americans.

Women were affected through the changing times of the war. As their husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons left to fight for their country, the women decided to help in the factories to aid their loved ones as best as possible. The number of women working increased as the war went on. They helped make supplies for their loved ones through every opportunity presented to them. As their influence in the workplace increased, many women seeked an influence in politics and choosing their country’s leaders. Women like Carrie Catt started organizations to rally support for women’s suffrage. Later, the new generation of women, including Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, would push the limits of determination and achieve suffrage for the future daughters of the United States.

Along with women, German-American immigrants were affected as an outcome of the war. Nationalism surged in the veins of the people and soon took a much darker turn. What started as a love for one’s nation, soon turned into a hatred for anything foreign to it. Xenophobia was presented in every aspect of the German-Americans’ lives. They were tarred and feathered simply due to the name of their heritage. Musicians refused to perform with German composers, such as Beethoven and Bach. Even the names of German foods were changed simply due to the hatred of everything related to the “enemy”. This hatred overtook the nation and forced unforgivable treatment towards some very innocent people.

Another group that was deeply affected by the war were the African Americans. Living in an era of unfair racial discrimination, the war pushed African American rights even further from the minds of the people. With everyone so focused on the war, African Americans had to make their own path to respect during the war. Many of them signed up to serve their country in the war in hopes of only respect and fair treatment in return. This raised their status quite a bit during the era; however, it would take well into the century for them to get the fair treatment they rightfully deserved. It wouldn’t be until the Jazz Age that their values and culture would influence society.

Through every struggle they faced, these three groups aimed for change in the nation. Whether it be allowing their daughters to vote or having everyone’s children study in the same school regardless of race or ethnicity. Women, German-American immigrants, and African American influenced the nation for the better and this is evident in the culture of the country. From food to women voting, these groups changed the values placed upon certain things. So yes; one war can define the future of an entire nation, and these changes proved to be long-term impacts in the lives of those around them.   

The Pride of Both

I was born in Agra, India. 

I speak Hindi everyday. 

I know the Indian National Anthem by heart.  

I live in the Alabama, United States.

I speak English everyday.

I know the American National Anthem by heart. 

No matter how far I get in life, I will never leave behind where I can from. Because that’s what’s being a human being is all about. Growing everyday yet staying connected to our roots no matter how bad things get. But it’s hard to explain this to some people. 

I have friends whom are Indian and yet they know nothing about India. They don’t know a single language other than English. They don’t know a single word of the Indian National Anthem. That just bothers me for some reason.

They say they don’t have to know these these because they “weren’t born in India” so “Indian values don’t apply to them”. 

Umm ok. Well here’s my question: when you look in the mirror: do you see American or Indian. There’s your answer...

I hate how people are ashamed to be connected to their culture. My culture is who I am. Every decision I make reflects my Indian values. 

But whatever, it’s their life not mine. My only goal for this post was to convey my feeling about the matter. 

People should be connected to their roots because as science dictates; once a tree is disconnected from it’s roots, it dies. Breathing isn't the only thing that defines a person as living. 

I like to think that no matter how old I get or how far I get in life, I can always look back and have comfort in my culture. 

My culture is beautiful and I’m proud to have the honor of being included in it. Not everyone is. From the open arms for the whole world to the music inside my heart, everything I am comes from my nationality, my culture, my roots. 

My parents take me to the Hindu Temple every time there is a festival or a celebration because they want me to be a part of where I came from. The boundaries of a country or the flag that flies above it doesn’t define the nationality of a person. 

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m in love with the U.S. Every part of my current life is here. My friends, my parents, my future. I will always be proud to be a part of this beautiful nation. This will be a part of who I am always too. 

Some of the friends I’ve made here have become family and I don’t know where I’d be without them. 

I’m an Indian who’s future is in America. I’m very proud of that. Both India and America are my countries. 

Every time I hear the National Anthem of either, I will rise and salute to the brave front of both nations. I will commend soldiers from both countries. I will put my hand on my heart and stand still in the presence of each flag that waves. 

What’s wrong with that? Nothing from my view. Why have the pride of one nation when you can hold your head up high when 2 countries’ names are called?

But that’s just how I think..