Two months ago, I learned the truth about my family history.
Ever since I was a child, I have been told about my paternal grandfather, Samuel Kitrosser. Born in 1912 in Soroki, a small town in Bessarabia,1 Sam immigrated to the United States in 1936. He settled in Massachusetts where he and his wife Helen had three children.2 Although Sam passed away when I was only one, he has remained present in my life through stories. At family functions, I heard about how Sam could speak five languages. At home, his picture—taped to the cabinet above the yellow pages—presided over our kitchen. Yet it was as though Sam’s history had begun in the United States. Nothing was ever said about Sam’s life in Soroki, or about what happened to my great grandparents, who stayed behind. Continue reading
Abstract: This paper explores potential genetic testing that could help doctors prescribe antidepressants that are more effective, with fewer side effects. Various methods are explored including metabolization of psychotropic drugs and levels of DNA methylation on CpG islands and the effectiveness of the GeneSight Psychotropic Genetic Panel. The findings suggest that doctors should utilize DNA tests more, and that scientists should do more research on the tests to increase their effectiveness.
Jacob and David leave a Bible study class together. David finds that his personal beliefs and feelings about God are fortified. Meanwhile, Jacob leaves somewhat indifferent and ponders the class’s lesson of Abraham and Isaac.
Jacob: *Remains quiet and passive*
David: I especially loved learning about being faithful and the story of Abraham and Isaac. I remember my mother teaching me the importance of always being devoted and loyal to of God by following his every word, just like Abraham. What a great life lesson, don’t you think?
Jacob: *Under his breath* Humph. Continue reading
A Historical Analysis
“Let a hundred flowers blossom; let a hundred schools of thought contend.” Under this slogan, Mao Zedong promoted the Hundred Flowers Campaign, a movement that would signal a significant shift in his career as well as in the history of China’s intellectual and cultural sphere. Mao had instigated the campaign in response to Nikita Khrushchev’s 1956 Secret Speech that had levied charges against Joseph Stalin that Mao himself was also vulnerable to. Though Mao had aimed to restore relations with China’s intellectual community, the movement was roundly criticized, forcing him to respond swiftly and severely with his Anti-Rightist campaign that followed roughly one year after. Considering the outcome Continue reading
A Grandmother’s Lesson in Preventing the Perfect from Becoming the Enemy of the Good
◆◆◆
Dear Grandson,
Today you turn eighteen, a very special age because it means that you have become a man, but more importantly, you are now eligible to vote. Your mother tells me that you have been enjoying your classes in school, particularly your political philosophy course. Now, she also tells me that you have befriended some people who think socialism is a better alternative to our democracy after having read Plato’s Republic. Continue reading
The inception of literary tragedy can be traced back to ancient Greece. One can easily argue that tragedy is heavily influenced by bloodlust: most, if not all, Greek tragedies culminate in macabre finales filled to the brim with unbridled anguish: for example, Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex culminates in the titular character committing regicide, incest, and self-mutilation. At the heart of tragedy, however, is not bloodlust but catharsis. Continue reading