For the past weeks I was in a constant struggle with myself how/where to start writing on my blog. I was so worried that my blog might not be good enough to others or the content might not make sense to others and so on.
One other reasons to my struggle on blogging my thoughts was my experiences when I was in my home country. In my home country people could be mocked, bullied, harassed, detained or even killed for what they wrote or said. We were taught not to disagree or have different opinion against any the establishment.
I have cousin a prominent journalist in Ethiopia. He was sent to prison for 15 years for writing his opinion on a newspaper. Almost 10 years ago I'm also detained with a group of students for going public regarding basic human rights in the country. Because of constant harassment and intimidation I had to flee Ethiopian and lived in Kenya as a refugee for 5 years.
Living in wild, desert refugee camp was a different challenge and life experience to me. My main aim in the refugee camp was to stay alive because there was no enough food, no enough water, the locals are nomadic people who used to come to the camp and killed refugees to steal our little food.
One of my fondest time in the refugee camp was when I was hired to teach math/ science to refugee children. For the last 3 years in the camp I taught hundreds of children in the camp and I had witnessed how education change people life, way of thinking and build a nation.
Sharing a little bit of my experience in this blog is not about to get sympathy for I went through in Africa rather to share how dangerous can be blogging your opinion in some parts of the world and why I was struggled to start blogging in this site for the past few weeks.
I will promise you that my second blog won't be about my boring life experience.
Have a great day!!!!!
Glad you started your blog, I was looking forward to what you were going to write about. You gave us some great insight to what it could be like in other countries when it comes to using tools such as blogs.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started my blog I struggled to come up with ideas to write about but the more I did, the easier it was to write. I am sure this will happen for you too. Looking forward to more of your posts!
Thanks Steven!!!
DeleteHey Elias!
ReplyDeleteYour opinion should always be expressed, good job!
I've heard similar stories from other people who have lived in Ethiopia and other areas in Africa and from around the world. Freedom of expression is important and people should have the right to express themselves. Amazing story Elias! You have been through some extreme events you should talk about. It is great that you were able to teach for so long in the refugee camp. Soon you will be able to teach in Canada.
Thanks Jeremy.
DeleteI will echo the words of Steven and Jeremy. I think we all admire your courage - and understand your hesitancy. I look forward to reading your thoughts and opinions as you get closer to being certified to teach in Canada.
ReplyDeleteHi Elias!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for starting the blog, like Steven said, blogging does become easier as you keep at it. I too am looking forward to future posts from you!
Thanks for your post, Elias!
Thanks Shelli!!
DeleteIt is good the hear a cultural perspective how you might feel about blogging. I can understand the resistance you must feel, when you are being told to express your opinions when you have experience being told the exact opposite. It is good for us to understand and appreciate the fact that we are able to be so open with our opinion without fear of consequence.
ReplyDeleteHearing about your life is in no way boring, I appreciate the fact that you would share your experience with us. It is inspiring that you have survived through so much and that from your experience you have been inspired to become an educator. My dad came to Canada as a refugee from Laos 30 years ago. During his time in the refugee camp he learned and taught english, it is from him that I learned the value education.
What an incredible story. I myself have heard much of what you had expressed in this blog post. I believe Freedom of Speech is crucial and all people should be able to express themselves in any form. Human Rights is a big part of my life and I am an advocate for self-expression. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this blog post. It takes a lot of courage and bravery to go against all that you are taught, kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteI will say that I too struggled with what to write in my first blog posts. As Steven mentioned, it does get easier. I find that sitting down for a few minutes is all I need to generate a few ideas and then its just easy as pie from there.
I am looking forward to reading more of your writing Elias.
Its the idea of self expression that makes the upcoming generation so different from other eras. Our students are going to be raised with posting, expressing and telling the "tech-world" how they feel and what they are doing. Status updates for no reason, personal opinions about every topic. This is something that will come with time. Keep at it!
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ReplyDeleteWow, Elias I am so glad that I had an opportunity to learn more about you. Your passion for teaching is evident and you have an amazing story that got you where you are today.
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