Author: arelidesiree

Please feel free to check out my video and audio editing skills. In this video I talk about my top ten favorite books so far.

Only a Trenza Away

A Tale of Trust and Strength

by Nadine FonsecaLinks to an external site.

In this article I will be talking about my top ten list of favorite books. It was hard to decide the order since, because all these titles are great, However, I tried to accommodate them the best I could. I will briefly summarize each book and then will explain the reason it is on my top ten 10 list of favorite books. 

10. Silent Souls Weeping by Jane Clayson Jhonson: This book dives into what depression looks like from a first-person writer who deals with depression every single day. The author also dives into the stories of other individuals with different mental illnesses, and each describes their own experience. This book is in my top ten because it is full of emotion, and information. A great book to understand people around us who may be experiencing this. 

9. The Continuous Atonement by Brad Wilcox. This book talks about Jesus Christ and His Atonement. It is a guide through how to navigate life and sin by finding Grace through and forgiveness through Christ. A must read to those who want to understand The Atonement better and wonder if they have been really forgiven. It is in my top ten because it helped me get through challenging times. 

8. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The books thief is the story of a little girls in World War II in Germany. Amidst the many difficulties she goes through, she finds comfort in reading and writing, which become prohibited. I love the book because it reminds me about the power of literacy. 

7.  The Diary of Anne Frank. The Diary of Anne Frank is a biography of her life and death. The things she went through during World War II as a Jewish girl with her family. The book is very intense and heartbreaking. 

6. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. One hundred years of solitude relates the story of la familia Buendia. Each character goes through different things as the time goes by. This book is on my list because it is a classic and its original language is Spanish. The book is long but very well written. Author Gabriel Garcia Marquez does a wonderful job at developing each character and making sense of the story as it goes by. 

5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This book is the story of a lawyer trying to prove the innocence of a black man. The book has become controversial because of its main topic, but it is important to mention it. 

4. 1984 by George Orwell. 1984 is the story of Big Brother and how the government watched over everything we do. It talks about how controlling the government can be to the point of changing people’s opinions. The book was very futuristic for its time, and it is something we are seeing today. 

3. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. This book follows a neurosurgeon’s journey upon receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. The story is very personal and touching because it reminds us about living our lives before it is too late. This book is in my top three because it made me cry at the end and it changed my perspective about life. 

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is the story of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett and their story from enemies to lovers. It is a classic that is beautifully written. It is romantic, and persuasive. I could not stop reading it, it is my favorite! 

1. The Book of Mormon. This book is on the first place because it is another testament of Jesus Christ like the Bible. The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and His divine mission as our Savior and Redeemer. My relationship with God has become closer after reading this book. 

This is my top ten list of favorite books. I have tried to place each in the just place although it was hard. Please let me know if you have read any of these books and what you liked about it. 

Feel free to check ou my other post: why I am not a feminist.

Introduction  

Despite being a woman, I do not identify as a feminist. Feminism encompasses various aspects, including women’s rights, gender equality, and the advocacy for women’s social, political, and other rights to be equal to those of men. While some may argue that gender equality has been achieved, recent statistics suggest otherwise. The feminist movement has been active since the mid-1800s, but what has truly changed? In this article, I will summarize the history of feminism and discuss how its approach has evolved over the years, often in ways that I believe are detrimental to society. I will share my perspective and propose more effective solutions to some of the controversial issues the feminist movement addresses. 

Brief History of the Feminist Movement 

The history of the feminist movement is divided into four distinct waves. The first wave formally began at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, where three hundred men and women rallied for women’s equality, focusing on securing women’s right to vote. The second wave emerged in the 1960s and continued into the 90s, unfolding within the anti-war and civil rights movements, as well as the growing self-awareness of various minority groups worldwide. 

The third wave of feminism began in the mid-90s, emphasizing “universal womanhood,” body, gender, sexuality, and heteronormativity. Women of the third wave are known for being strong and empowered, defining feminine beauty on their own terms, and resisting male oppression. A significant event during this wave was the MeToo movement, which campaigned against sexual abuse, harassment, and rape culture. By this point, many goals of the second wave had been achieved, including greater female representation in leadership roles, abortion rights, access to birth control, expression and acceptance of female sexuality, and widespread public awareness and discussion of women’s rights and patriarchy. 

Feminism Today and Opinion 

The fourth wave is the last stage in which we are today. What sets this wave apart is the fact that the digital era, when the word about the movement spread way faster, easier. The wave started around 2012, and its main event is the Women’s March that took place in Washington DC on January 27^th, 2017, with many other marches around the country. 

Women in this movement often demand things that some may see as controversial or challenging traditional norms. They assert that women should have the freedom to wear whatever they choose without facing violent or sexual behavior, and advocate for the right to enjoy activities like drinking and partying without fear of harassment or abuse. A key phrase of this movement is “NO MEANS NO,” emphasizing that rapists and abusers must respect women’s boundaries. However, watching “NI UNA MAS” on Netflix, where a girl is taken advantage of after drinking and starts a movement for justice, I feel the approach can be misguided. It suggests women can act without consequences, which is unrealistic. The Book of Mormon teaches “there should be opposition in all things,” reminding us of the world is imperfect, and opposition exists. While I support women fighting for their rights globally—given 2.4 billion women lack equal economic opportunity and countries maintain barriers—our approach can be irresponsible. 

I believe that working on the right issues can bring better, and smoother resolutions to society like how to properly punish rapists and sexual harassers and prevent their actions in the first place; how to illegalize child brides; how to secure our reproductive rights. These types of issues that will affect our next generations the hardest.  

Conclusion 

In conclusion, while feminism has achieved significant milestones over its four waves, from securing women’s suffrage and advancing civil rights to challenging gender norms and addressing sexual harassment. It is crucial to critically assess the direction of the movement today. The current wave of feminism emphasizes individual freedoms and rights, but it must also encourage responsible behavior and awareness of consequences. Ensuring women’s safety and equality requires a balanced approach that addresses both societal norms and individual actions. 

Feel free to check out my other post: my top 10 favorite books.

RESOURCES  

Caprino, K. (2017, March 8). What Is Feminism, And Why Do So Many Women and Men Hate It? Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2017/03/08/what-is-feminism-and-why-do-so-many-women-and-men-hate-it/ 

History.com Editors. (n.d.). Feminism. History. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/feminism-womens-history 

Netflix. (n.d.). Ni Una Más. Retrieved June 25, 2024, from https://www.netflix.com/us-es/title/81557682?source=35 

Pereira, I. (2023, March 13). Examining Modern Feminism: What the Wave Is Now. ABC News. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/examining-modern-feminism-wave-now/story?id=97617121 

Pruitt, S. (2018, March 30). The Waves of Feminism, and Why People Keep Fighting Over Them. History. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/news/feminism-four-waves 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (n.d.). The Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 2. Retrieved June 25, 2024, from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2?lang=eng 

Women’s March 2017. (n.d.). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Womens-March-2017           

Womankind Worldwide. (n.d.). Women’s Economic Rights. Womankind Worldwide. Retrieved from https://www.womankind.org.uk/womens-rights-facts/#:~:text=Women’s%20economic%20rights,take%20control%20of%20their%20lives