Perspectives

How do you say hello in Indian? No, it's not How as popular television would have you believe. It is misconceptions like this that have led me and fellow students in organizing to re-establish Pepperdine's Native American Student Organization. Pepperdine once had a group centered on this topic, however, due to lack of interest, the group fell apart. I have thus led a charge … [Read more...] about Native American group says hello

To any rational individual murder inspired by the mere disapproval of another's behavior is absolute absurdity. However to those who are compelled by the belief that improper behavior or a simple accusation of improper behavior is deserving of death such a mentality is not only accepted it is expected.This view is what has driven the term "honor" killing to become a reality. … [Read more...] about 'Honor Killings' carry no honor at all

It was the 13th century. While the period of the High Middle Ages was well underway in Europe in the distant cultural universe of medieval Japan there lived a Buddhist monk known as Nichiren Daishonin.  Challenging government sponsorship of the religious establishment of his day he sought to reclaim the teachings found in the Lotus Sutra (an earlier Buddhist sacred text) … [Read more...] about Resisting the 'eight winds'

You've been there. You make your way over to the kitchen with your mind and taste buds set on one thing and one thing only.  And as you open the refrigerator — or crack open the pantry — you not only find that piece of fresh fruit that exotic chunk of cheese or the loaf of homemade French bread you also find what looks like dark green shag carpet growing all … [Read more...] about Time to cut the cheese?

It's the beginning of school and the first class of the day is everything but comfortable. It is much too early in the morning; nobody knows anybody and awkward looks are being exchanged around the room. Just as the anxiety is about to intensify suddenly the professor walks into the room only to stumble on her own foot damaging the projector causing all of her books to fall out … [Read more...] about Humor has the power to heal to revitalize