Final Essay

Jena Hughes
Mrs. Boresen
Expository Writing, P.4
Final Essay
19 May 2011

Pro-life or Pro-choice: Life or Death

According to The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, there are approximately 42 million abortions performed each year worldwide and of those, 1.37 million abortions occur in the United States. Many individuals oppose abortion while just as many support it. Moreover, those who support abortion use incest, rape, and health concerns to justify the procedure. Those who oppose abortion fight for the life of a living being. Nevertheless, abortion has been a controversial issue for nearly fifty years. The case of Roe vs. Wade dated in 1973 changed the view of abortion in America and created the split between “pro-choice” and “pro-life”.

“The pro-choice view is that a baby does not have human rights within the mother’s womb” (allaboutpopularissues.org). The words “pro-choice” insinuates that it is the woman’s right to decide to abort the baby or carry the baby to term. On the other hand, those individuals against abortion or “pro-life” believe it is the killing of a human being. “The child in the mother’s womb is a live creature that was created by God’s will” (articleclick.com). In addition, God and religious views is one of many reasons individuals are against abortion. “If a child is developing in a mother’s womb, then God intended to do so” (articleclick.com). “Pro-choice” and “pro-life” are two different views in which America and the world have contemplated. Roughly speaking, there are 115,000 abortions performed every day in the world so needless to say, it has touched many individuals directly and indirectly. Additionally, my view towards abortion is rather clouded. I believe that the baby within the mother’s womb is alive and aborting that baby is killing and this is considered murder. However, as a woman, in the circumstance of incest, rape, impending health problems, or death, I would have to consider all the factors before making such a momentous decision. I feel that I would have to be in that position to make the right decision for me as well as the baby. “1% of all abortions occur because of rape or incest, 6% of abortions occur because of potential health problems regarding either the mother or child…” (abortions.org). Nonetheless, the remaining 93% of all abortions occur because of inconvenience, or sadly, birth control. It is this unnecessary 93% that I strongly disagree with.

Abortion has been argued, protested, and debated for many years because the United States and even the world have deviating opinions regarding “pro-life” and “pro-choice”. The individuals that support abortion illustrates clearly that the baby has no rights when they are in the womb. This is said to be “pro-choice” meaning the mother would have the choice to abort the baby and this is what angers those individuals opposed to abortion. As stated earlier, roughly 93% of abortions performed are due to inconvenience. This estimate is the reason why just as many oppose abortion. Moreover, the conflict of abortion shows that many individuals fight for the life of the baby and religious views also contribute to the “pro-life” argument. My view of abortion was one of uncertainty. I thought I was 100% against abortion, but being a woman, I have to consider the circumstance of incest, rape, or potential health concerns before making the decision. In other words, I am “pro-life” with the exception of incest, rape, and impending health concerns so technically that makes me “pro-choice”. For instance, if a woman who was a victim of rape became pregnant, she has to consider all situations regarding herself and the baby. Did she receive a STD that could harm her and the baby? Is the baby harming her? Is the baby sick? The woman has to think about these possibilities before she chooses. Abortion in many eyes is considered cruel, purposeful killing of an innocent human being. Abortion is a huge decision that shouldn't be taken lightly; it is life and death. Therefore, when abortion is considered an option, think about all the factors that are leading to abortion; inconvenience, a form of birth control, rape, or a health concern. “Pro-life” or “pro-choice”, there are only two options and the question is which option is the best for both the baby and the mother.


Bibliography
1. "Against Abortion: The Main Arguments." Free Articles Submit Articles Article Directory - ArticleClick.com. 2011. Web. 12 May 2011. .
2. "Abortion Statistics." AbortionNO.org / The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform. 1998. Web. 12 May 2011. .
3. "Pro-Choice Abortion." Popular Issues - AllAboutPopularIssues.org. 2011. Web. 12 May 2011. .

Comparative Essay

Jena Hughes
Mrs. Boresen
Expository Writing, P.4
Comparative Essay
06 May 2011

The Secret to the Slipper

“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.” ~Walt Disney (Thinkexist.com). The film Cinderella, its creator Walt Disney, and the words of the Secret are all comparable. The story of the classic 1949 film Cinderella and Walt Disney demonstrate through their success, the techniques of the Secret. Furthermore, the Secret is simply the “answer” to receiving what is desired. In other words faith, and Cinderella is a story showing the Secret in action.

“When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” ~ Walt Disney (Thinkexist.com). The Secret stresses that if an individual is longing for an object, an entity, or simply anything the heart desires, believe in it, believe it is already in possession and one day it will come. Cinderella is a story of faith, patience and destiny. Cinderella the character, was the master of her outcome; her outcome of a happily ever after. “Believe that it’s already yours. Have what I love to call unwavering faith. Believing in the unseen.” ~Lisa Nichols (The Secret). Additionally, the cognitive thoughts of a person are what allow that individual to receive what is being desired, according to the Secret. “All that we are is a result of what we have thought…What we think, we become.” ~Buddha (The Secret). Philosophers, visionaries, psychologists, and professors from the lectures of the Secret accentuate that positive thinking provides a positive outcome; the preferred result. Walt Disney is the perfect exemplar of portraying positive thinking. Walt Disney was a dreamer. In fact, he was the biggest dreamer in many eyes of the world. He used the techniques of the Secret, and therefore became the world known creator of animation and synchronized sound, and it all began with a dream. His dream was tossed aside, thrown in the trash, and nearly stolen several times, but he believed that someday his work would be seen. "All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me ... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." ~ Walt Disney (Tripod.com). Today, he is and will always be the greatest creator of animation and that became possible when Disney refused to give up and believe; he had faith in himself and in his work. “Somehow I can't believe that there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Constancy and the greatest of these is Confidence.” ~Walt Disney (Inspiration-Oasis.com). Walt Disney was living flesh of the Secret which was clearly evident by his masterful works; Pinocchio, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and of course Cinderella. I believe no other Walt Disney film portrays the Secret more clearly than the timeless classic Cinderella. Cinderella is a film that demonstrates many techniques of the Secret and Cinderella the character was too a dreamer, just as her creator. She believed that she was much more than a servant regardless of being in the clutch of her evil stepmother and stepsisters. She cleaned, cooked, and washed with a positive attitude and then her dream was at her doorstep. The night of the ball, she was led in like a fish on a hook by her stepmother and then she was torn apart by her stepsisters, physically and emotionally. However, she didn’t let that stand in her way of getting to the ball. She made it to the ball and found true love. Indeed, Cinderella was more than a house servant; she was a beautiful, kind, and intelligent woman who became a princess. Using the techniques of the Secret, Cinderella had faith in herself, believed there was more to life than just being a servant, she never gave up, and she maintained a positive mind even when the evil things of the world knocked her down. Cinderella was successful using the methods of the Secret and obviously Walt Disney was triumphant in sharing the Secret within his award acclaiming masterpieces. Furthermore, the song, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes uses the words of the Secret. “If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” ~ (Cinderella, 1949). Additionally, the meaning of the Secret and the meaning of the movie proves that one can be successful if they believe in the impossible and they can choose what their outcome will be. Cinderella was successful by transforming from a peasant to a princess, because she believed and she chose her outcome which was to live happily ever after. “You are the Michelangelo of your own life.” ~ Dr. Joe Vatale (The Secret).

One of the greatest fairy-tale classics Cinderella lives out her story using the techniques from the Secret. Cinderella’s story of desire and dreams becoming reality turned into one of the most loved fairy-tales of all time. Indeed, her story was the Secret. Walt Disney was the father of animation, and he never gave up on his dream, because he believed and demonstrated it over and over in his life’s work. However, the Secret wasn’t in print or a film in the 1950’s, yet the Secret was represented everywhere. If an individual desires something and wants to be successful in receiving what they want, believe it is in possession, believe in oneself, and most importantly, do not give up on dreams. Life is full of happiness and unfortunately disappointment, but believing in your dreams, letting magic happen, and not letting the world overcome you, dreams really can come true and you will be successful. “If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.” ~Walt Disney (The Secret, p.43).

Bibliography
1. Byrne, Rhonda. The Secret. New York: Atria, 2006. Print.
2. Cinderella. By William Peed, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton S. Luske, Clyde Geronimi, Ben Sharpsteen, Ub Iwerks, C. O. Slyfield, Donald Halliday, Al Teeter, Oliver Wallace, Paul J. Smith, Mack David, Jerry Livingston, Al Hoffman, Joseph Dubin, Mac Stewart, Eric Larson, Don Lusk, Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Brey Claire Du, Rhoda Williams, and Rooten Luis Van. Distributed by Buena Vista Film Distribution Co., 1949. Videocassette.
3. "Cinderella Lyrics, A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes Lyrics." SoundTrack Lyrics Source #1. Any Movie, Musical, TV, Cartoon! Web. 04 May 2011. http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/classicdisney/adreamisawishyourheartmakes.htm.
4. "The Secret." Lecture. 06 Apr. 2011. 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. .
5. "Walt Disney Quotes." Find the Famous Quotes You Need, ThinkExist.com Quotations. 2010. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. .
6. "Walt Disney Quotes." Inspirational Quotes. 2010. Web. 06 May 2011. .
7. "Walt Disney Quotes." The Disney Space. Web. 06 May 2011. .