There is only one week left to enter the Civil Rights in the Middle East essay contest!
We are seeking young Middle Easterners to write brief essays (600-2,000 words) about their vision for the future of the region. Winners can receive up to $2,000!
I encourage you to enter the contest if you are eligible, and hope you will post a message on your blog to help us spread the word.
Comments
Mahmood:
I think this contest is a very good idea. However, I differ with the presentation as given in the link. Specifically, I think that the poem, used as a “hook” is mis-directed. Here it is:
“What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
-Langston Hughes, 1951”
THIS poem says NOTHING about RIGHTS…much less “civil” rights. This poem, as I understand it, is all about the violence and chaos in the Middle East and the possible loss of HOPE in the youth there located. It does NOT speak to rights.
…Much lesss, “civil” rights. And what are THOSE? What is the difference between “civil” rights and just plain RIGHTS? I submit to you that my cut-and-pasted quote from a previous post on your blog, reproduced below, should be presented to the youth of this contest for their consideration. I will even put it into the format of a debating class that I took in high school.
Resolved:
“A RIGHT is a moral principle sanctioning and defining a human’s range of activity in a social environment. That PRINCIPLE that one must not initiate the use of physical force against another human.”
Would THIS not be a better introduction for an essay contest?
probably, I’m just one of the judges, not an organiser. Good luck to all.
Good luck to all indeed, thanks mahmood for pointing this event out, unfortunately I can’t participate cuz I am a year above the max age requirements, but I am sure there are a lot of young intellectuals who will be able to show great potential and speak also from the heart to express their ambitions of a peaceful middle east. GOOD LUCK 😀
Good luck is needed, it seems as if there’s a lot to compete with. I hate contests because it always ends in disappointment, but this is more than just winning. I’m glad that I was involved and got to share my 2 cents. I wonder how many people from the Middle East actually submitted essays, if they already received hundreds from America.
Mahmood, I contacted Jesse Sage and the problem’s solved, I just have to add my Swiss address and the fact that Jesse gave me permission to enter the contest in the comment box. Thanks for your help.
Good luck ES!
Thank you, Mahmood. I hope you post the winning entry.