Popular culture – Page 31 – Blog – Jaclyn Holland-Strauss

A Saudi student in Canada: Sultan (a good example)

August 10, 2012

I have tutored many students over the past eight years, and the vast majority of them have been from the Middle East. Because of my familiarity with so many students, especially from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Dubai, […]

2012 Summer Olympics: Gabrielle Douglas turned the world on with her smile!

August 8, 2012

Gabby Douglas is a remarkable young woman. She is a multi-gold winning medalist in the field of gymnastics. She is known for her trademark giggles and smiles, which have endeared her to a wide public. In the 1970s, the […]

Why we should listen to…Olivia Newton-John

August 4, 2012

Olivia Newton-John is one of the most famous singers from the 1970s and early 1980s. Her career can be split into two eras: pre-Grease and post-Grease. Grease is one of the top grossing musicals of all time. She starred in […]

The story of Wu Minxia: What’s more important–2012 Summer Olympics or family?

August 3, 2012

Chinese diver Wu Minxia won gold in the diving competition in the 2012 Summer Olympics but it was at a price that most Westerners would not be willing to pay. The gold medalist does not communicate that often with her […]

Ellie Black: An Olympian from Halifax! And a darn good role model, too.

August 2, 2012

It is exciting that we have a local girl at the Olympics! Ellie Black helped her team in the artistic section of gymnastics make Canadian history. They placed higher than any team ever has before, and she is one of […]

My Brand

I am an amphiist, which I define as someone who looks at both sides of issues (it's a Greek word). However, I have my own expanded definition, which means that I believe in three interrelated concepts, which, when taken together, inform an amphiist viewpoint. Abraham Maslow talked about self-actualization, a person reaching their highest potential. Thomas Carlyle discussed natural aristocracy, which is a principle the Founding Fathers created with regard to the United States, that a person did not have to be of royal birth to have merit; it was the content of their character that counted. And scholars Mayer and Salovey came up with the concept of emotional intelligence, an idea popularized by Daniel Goleman. We should have control over our emotions, and see the bigger picture. All of these together make up an amphiist, and I apply this reasoning to politics, entertainment, etc. I defend the oppressed by offering an alternative perspective. I am currently raising funds for publication of an Amphiist newspaper, the primary focus of which will be anti-extremism. We need to find common ground. We need to stop thinking in terms of liberals against conservatives. Right against left. Men against women. One race against another. One religion against another. If you would be interested in contributing, please consider supporting my work at Paypal via jaclyncarter2005@gmail.com.

Testimonials

Just finished. I am humbled by your story (Catherine's story). My mind is left in a whirlwind of thoughts. I understood the pain, the misery. The path from victim to victor, I applaud you (Catherine). Really, I am speechless. You have a brilliant mind. Your talent is astounding. You were sent to this earth to be a positive influence for others, that I am certain of.

I'm sitting in a restaurant in Green Bay Wisconsin and just finished your book. WOW WOW WOW! So freaking amazing. You have so captured the nature of the marginalized...your postscript at the end WAS ABSOLUTELY GREAT. Your book spoke to me at a heart level and encouraged me about my own feelings of insignificance. Thank you so much for writing this very heart touching work of art. You are an amazing person who I would be proud to have not just living on but running my island all day every day. In short, your book is AWESOME!!!!

One of my favourite things about this book is how the author described the characters. I rate this 5 out of 5 stars. It's such an important message. No matter what our religious beliefs—even if we have no religious beliefs—He is aware of us, He loves us and He talks to each of us. We are His. The author did a fantastic job with it!