Let's Change the World.

The Beast

  Poem by: James M.

Unlike in manner, contrast to good.

Compared to beast alike in heart

Whose sour actions actions set us apart.

That conjure scenes dark, disgusting.

Wander monster be lost and confused.

Ugly beast grey, slimy, does choose

Empty words born by retarded brain,

That stabs souls, what your purpose should be?

Linger no longer, let love be free.

Disappear villainous hate

Let light lavish let friendship exist.

Paint love, hope, when hate is banished.

A Word From the Poet
  
      Hate, seen through poor treatment of mentally retarded persons, is ever prevalent in our growing world. As I stated in my last post, there are many ramifications to these attitudes and actions. However, the opposite is also true. Love brings positive attitudes and actions like hope and care. So I say, now that you are generally educated on the issues Steinbeck presented in Of Mice and Men, and with the same issues that are reflected in society, take that knowledge and put it to work. Lets change the world for the better and encourage acts of love and care, as opposed to conflict causing attitudes like prejudice and alienation. Banish the monster known as hate. What I've been trying to do is now evident to you, so, "take the moment to step out of the water you're swimming in and take a look at it. Is it clear, or murky and polluted." (N. Freitas, 2011).  Thank you for reading my blog and stay tuned for more information.

Of Mice and Men: Mental Limitations, Limit Life. Summary and Final Opinions.

     Throughout the course of a month and a half I've been putting up posts discussing the many deprivations presented to one with mental retardation using Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men as a prime example, specifically, the character Lennie Small. Through discussing the theme of mental limitations in Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men with provided facts about mental retardation, I was hoping to raise awareness about the stigma against mentally retarded persons and how these factors affect their social quality of life. Together, we looked at the issues, in the story and in real life, of: direct and indirect prejudicial activities and their affects on the self-esteem and confidence of an individual with a MR; alienation and isolation and their ramifications on the amount of experience received by the mentally retarded individual; lack of self-determination and how this issue may result in situations where similar treatment may backfire.



George Milton holding Lennie Small dead, in his hands. Issues, especially poor treatment towards mentally retarded persons like Lennie, carry many ramifications.

Lennie's Self-Determination Issue?

      "The highest manifestation of life consists of this: that a being governs its own actions. A thing which is always subject to the direction of another is somewhat a dead thing." (St. Thomas Aquinas). St. Thomas Aquinas was referring to the freedom of self government, to control your own life with your own voice. He was referring to self-determination. A luxury many, including those with a mental disability, are deprived of.


Self-determination is a beautiful right to every citizen of the world, especially those with mental retardation. We must all learn to respect this ideal.

The Boy, (Short Short Story)

     The Boy

Short Story By: James M.

He sits there. Silent. Unconcerned. The boy. He stands out to me.......

     

...On the first day of the new school year, I woke up bright and early. I'd always loved school, always will. Saw it as a chance to grow- intellectually, spiritually even- with the help of my friends and teachers. A chance, to expand my second family, I'd always loved to meet new people. Strengthening and creating bonds with others was encouraging, especially if those people were "popular" or "cool." But, that didn't really matter, did it?

Alienation, the Next Limitation: Part 2

Lennie, due to his alienation from the ranch hands, is limited to only biased ideas he learns from George, the only person he truly is close to.

     Poor treatment similar to isolation and alienation has been existent throughout the history of civilization. In fact, antisocial actions date back to the 1700s in which mentally retarded persons were perceived as demons and segregated into almshouses (Bierne-Smith, Patton, Ittenbach, 1994). We are seeing this kind of treatment today on a much indirect, yet still significant, level.

Alienation, the Next Limitation: Part 1

     "Alienation as our present destiny is achieved only by outrageous violence perpetrated by human beings on human beings," (R.D Laing). Laing, a psychiatrist, was being truthful, that alienation is a cynical human act of negativity. For those who don't know, the act of alienation, is to cause someone to become unfriendly or disloyal (Webster's Dictionary for Students, 10), simply to separate one's self from another based on, of course, preconceived opinion. Alienation is prevalent among the mentally retarded, regardless of age. In fact, studies have found that the mentally retarded experience more loneliness than their peers without disability (Monica R. Brown, 2004).

Isolation is related to alienation.

We Were All Born This Way. So Stop Judging.

     Born This Way (Glee Version). Alright, so, I know many people like this song and many don't. Many people like Glee (I'm one of them) and many don't. However, this song is the general idea of how people should act and feel about themselves, and others. The song discusses how everyone was born different and unique, supporting what I had to say in my previous post. Furthermore, the fictional characters who sang this song on the show "Glee" are considered underdogs, outcasts, and even weirdos who each have their differences, yet stand by equality. When and if you listen to this song, consider not only yourself and how you feel, but the way mentally retarded citizens may feel about themselves.

Discrimination, Prejudice. It's All the Same to Me

*WARNING! SPOILER ALERT!!! MY BLOG HAS A LOT OF THESE, BUT THIS POST SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBES THE ENDING IN OF MICE AND MEN. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET, GET READING AND COME BACK LATER!!!*

Is there anything good about hate? So, why do we need it?

     "Although by definition, individuals who are retarded are different, they have the same needs as the rest of us," (Mental Retardation, Patton and Jones, 59). Remember this? I didn't really explain it in my 3rd Post,  however, it pretty much explains itself. The mentally retarded have the same needs as the rest of us. In this post, I'll be expressing what I have to say, informally.

Prejudice, a Limitation: Part 3

This picture illustrates the shame and fear associated with prejudice towards mentally retarded citizens.

     The negative affects of prejudice can be significant both directly toward the mentally retarded individual, like the examples provided in Part 2 of this series, or indirectly. The ramifications of indirect prejudicial attitudes usually occur when there is a fear, from loved ones for the mentally retarded individual, of social discrimination. Such can affect many attitudes when it comes to the treatment of the mentally retarded citizen. In his article, Attitudes Towards Mental Retardation: Implications for Medical Practice, Roeher mentions this very effect, saying, "The really crushing problems which engulf new parents stem from the sudden realization and confrontation with societal prejudice and discrimination. This factor...[was] also a major influence in the way parents dealt with their handicapped child." As a result, prejudice may limit the mentally retarded individual as to how he may want to appear in public, due to shame or fear from those close to that person.

Prejudice, a Limitation: Part 2

John Malkovich as Lennie Small in the 1992 movie version of Of Mice and Men. Lennie looks deep in thought.

  The mentally retarded society has been grouped and mistreated poorly through the misconceptions of prejudice. In fact, throughout history, those who are mentally retarded have been labelled such words carrying negative connotations like, stupid, feeble minded, defective and incompetent, to name a few (Patton and Jones 1994, pg. 60). These labels, once again, have been based on the retarded being seen as different due to the fact that their intellectual capabilities are not similar to the average individual. In turn these views on the mentally retarded carry much ramification. Social discrimination against handicapped persons will affect that individual- studies have shown that the self-perception of a handicapped child, such as one with a mental disability, are a reflection of reactions to social discrimination (Roeher, 1979).  

Prejudice, a Limitation: Part 1

Prejudice is an unfortunate problem that needs to be abolishes through increased awareness.

    "How a person is perceived affects how that person will be treated."(Wolfensburg 1987, qtd. in Mental Retardation 61).

Perspectives on Mental Retardation- A Post to Pave the Way for Posts

   "Mental retardation generally refers to the substantial limitations in present levels of functioning reflected in delayed intellectual growth, and manifested in inappropriate or immature reactions to one's environmental and below average performance in the academic, psychological, physical, linguistic, and social domains." (Patton and Jones 58)

I Am Sam = Of Mice and Men? Intro to the First Deprivation...

I Am Sam. Awesome movie. Awesome example. This touching movie about a mentally challenged father who fights for custody of his 7 year old daughter, by proving he is psychologically capable, can easily be related to the idea that mental disabilities will make life harder to those who have one.....

Intro: The Limitation on Life's Luxuries

Question: How does mental disability affect the lives of those who have one?
  A natural occurrence in the lives of many, mental disability is both a fortune and misfortune in many ways. Mental limitations among loved ones may encourage a stronger bond between the person with the mental disability and those close to him/her, however mental disability still creates many limitations- especially in the judgemental society of today. These kinds of limitations are largely seen in Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" specifically, with the mentally challenged character Lennie Small....