Blog #2- African Proverb and its meaning.

'The best way to eat an elephant in your path is to cut up into little pieces.'
MEANING: The best way to solve a problem is to solve it bit by bit.

My interpretation of this saying is that when you have a conflict, you need to work the problem down into small pieces and do them one at a time.

I think that this proverb could be used as a helper for everyone. From students to teachers, to the government. From individuals to groups. Also I think that this proverb can not only be used for the bigger problems but also for the smaller ones. For example: a birthday dinnner that you are cooking for your loved ones. You have to break it down to one meal at a time...

Blog #2- West African Mask: "The mask of life"

The authentic African mask I chose is a mask that is made up of three faces. The mask is made out of resin and it is covered with acrylic to finish it off. It has both actual texture and implied texture with in it. I think that this mask symbolizes the time of war- the warriors on both sides with the innocent civilian between them. The two warriors look like to be male and the face of the civiliian can be either young, old, male, or female- anyone of innocence.

I chose this mask because I like what it symbolizes, the creativity of it and the textures in the mask itself. I think that it is quite well made, and quite well delivered. Also seeing and reading about the sculpturer, knowing that he has a background growing up in Nigeria, and knowing that this mask is part of his history. 

This mask helps me infer that when there is war, the innocent are always stuck between the two armies. The innocent civilians end up dying for nothing they did.

'Mask of Life'

by Chidi Okoye

Mosaic

A mosaic is a design or picture made up of small objects, for example, tiles.

I like this mosaics because it is colouful and creative.

Can a woman be as strong as a man in time of peace and war?

Women are as powerful as men and perhaps in some cases, even better. There are three reasons why they can be. They are that women are as mentally strong as men, determined and sometimes, gender just doesn't matter.

Women are as mentally strong as man in many cases. They have been for a long time. One example is during the dark ages of the Roman empire. Theodora, the wife of Justinian the 1st saved Rome from the chariot riots going on. She did this by standing up to her husband, not being a coward and following through on her thoughts. 

Women are also very good at speaking their mind. This makes them show that they have leadership skills and are very good contributers to their people. They also think things through most of the time. They don't just act and say something with out thinking. Women are also very good listeners . They would listen to what people would have to say.  This makes them considerate as well.

Another reason is that women are very determined. They know what they want and they won't stop fighting until they get it. That is a really good leadership skill. If a woman wants peace they will not stop until they reach their goal. 

Even in some circumstances, gender does not matter. You can be male or female to do certain things. As in being president or prime minister you may be man or woman, first of all the public decides who will win. Also people who are trying to rule their own region, have different goals, and the goals are made to fit themselves so people would vote from which suits them. Another example of not having to be a certain gender is being a coward or have braveness. Some men are really brave, some not so much. This also applies to women, there are the coward ones and the brave ones. The final supporting statement is decision making. Both men and women, if they are following the same side of the argument, can make a decision. Sometimes it is a good decision, sometimes its a bad decision but the gender of the person doesn't make the decision right or wrong automatically.

In times of peace and war, women's attributes such as listening, speaking, and being determined makes them be as strong or stronger as man could be. History shows that it was not only the emperors, kings and male leaders that made their empire's what they were. It was their mother's and their wife's, or their empress's  opinion and taking part as well. Today in our civilization, men and women rulers are taking their part to protect and lead their regions. So yes, women can be as strong as man.