Allegory Of The Cave Vs College Freshman

My trip to college has not been a step into a larger world of different people, ideas, and values. Many of t

My group, consisting of Lyle, Melissa, and myself, tackled the issue of Native Americans in Montana for our social equity project. Throughout our project, not only did I learn a lot about Montana history and Native American issues, I also learned about myself. I found that my previous thinking included many stereotypes that I never realized. There is quite a large group who looks down on and thinks badly of Native Americans. Formerly I did not think that I was among that group. After the research and preparation for my speech, I learned that my thoughts were completely false. I did not have a clear picture of life on the reservation. Though I did not believe that Native Americans living on the reservation were just milking the government for anything and everything but I had assumed that many people living on the reservation were incapable of supporting themselves after years of easy living. This is grossly incorrect. Considering my boyfriend is part Blackfeet Native American, this realization made me feel guilty. I felt that I had in some way betrayed him by stereotyping his culture.

Man's Search for Meaning has ties to the journey I have been facing since September. Contrary to popular belief, the dorm life is far better than that in a concentration camp. Dr. Frankl dedicated about ten pages of his writing to finding the humor and beauty in the most unusual places. Dr. Frankl comments that humor (is) another one of the souls weapons in the fight for self-preservation. He and his comrades manage to find humor in daily beating, one serving of watery soup and stale bread, and working from dawn till dusk in horrid weather without the proper attire. Although my situations are nowhere near the severity of his, I personally use humor to get my way through hurt feelings. This past semester I have done something that has never made me comfortable: open myself to criticism. Through various dance classes and a vocal performance class I am on my own in front of large groups of people. When I make noticeable mistakes, humor is the easiest way to relieve my fear and tension. It allows me to keep my cool and continue on, unhindered. Dr. Frankl and his prison mates took time out to enjoy the beauty in nature whenever the chance arose. Finding beauty in the ugliest situation is an attribute that is difficult to obtain. Since starting college, I have strived to obtain this quality. Though it has been effortful, I am proud to say that I have been able to look past appearances to develop friendships that otherwise may never have formed.

The other group presentation did not impact me. The speeches included the German and the Jewish views of the Holocaust, homosexuals, and the death penalty. Not only have I visited the Holocaust Museum countless times, I have also read more than enough books on both perspectives of the Holocaust. For my European History class in high school, I gave a presentation on Hitler and attempted to defend his irrational ways. I have both gay and lesbian friends whom I am completel

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