Je Suis Charlie

     I believe one of the worst crimes committed daily are these rotten people bombing civilians at the workplace, slaughtering innocent women and children just because, targeting public malls with tourists and locals, kidnapping little girls from school and marrying them off or killing them, kidnapping little boys from home to rot their mind with utter nonsense, all in the name of Allah. These acts of terror only reminds us that these cowards are the very core of inhumanness. Islam is a beautiful faith. Stop exploiting it to justify evil. Tell me where in the Holy Qu'ran does your God encourage senseless savagery, murder of his innocent creations, children nonetheless? Where does he send you to imitate a barbaric beast all behind masks and caves? Islam is a harmonious belief with some of the sweetest, kindest, most humble people on earth.And it is for them I remain unable to sleep at odd hours of the night. You suffer persecution, hate, abuse because these certain monsters cannot understand your faith and carry out what God truly intended when he put us on earth. Instead they unleash evil into the world. I am sorry. I truly am.

The Merchant of Venice

The Venetian Times

An insight into the controversial Antonio vs. Shylock trial

     By Lorraine Dindi

     Contrary to what most people speculated, the events of the most talked about topic in all of Venice proved to be utterly shocking. The high profile trial of a respected Venetian merchant whose overseas’ estate suffered a horrific fate just last week; Antonio Carrolizzi drew a lot of attention from media and society. He was being sued by infamous Jewish usurer and synagogue owner; Shylock Ushkowitz. The trial gathered a lot of attention when an anonymous source reported the terms of the forfeited contract to a local news broadcasting network. It was reported that the almost impoverished nobleman, Bassanio Rossi borrowed three thousand ducats in Antonio’s name, from the Jewish moneylender. The collateral Antonio confidently agreed to, was a pound of flesh closest to his heart.

     Upon discovering this information, many Venetians believed it was a merry bond and Shylock was not serious. Attitudes changed when a video was leaked by a now-sacked jailer, showing Shylock viciously promising to carry out the contract to a helpless Antonio. Shylock repeatedly shouting “I’ll have my bond” appalled many Christians and caused a rift between the Christian and Jewish communities.

     The Christians said that this was further proof of the ‘canine-like’ nature employed by the ruthless ‘devils’. Venetian Jews retaliated by claiming Shylock had a right to revenge due to the persecution and stigma Jews face daily, and Christian men ‘preying’ on young Jewish girls. This turned out to be a reference to the recent elopement of Shylock’s daughter, Jessica Ushkowitz with Christian nobleman, Lorenzo Camillo.

     The elopement itself was a topic of gossip amongst the city after Shylock was portrayed in yet another scandalous video, grieving his daughter’s betrayal and theft on the rugged marketplace streets, not too far from the Rialto.

     It was announced that the Duke would be mediating the trial. While Shylock vouched to testify for himself in the courtroom, Antonio was to be represented by Paduan Attorney General, Dr Giovanni Bellario. Bellario failed to be in attendance but sent an apprentice, Marco Balthazar. Balthazar is a candidate for a Doctorate in Italian Laws and Constitutions from the University of Milan.

     The trial began with the Duke and other intercessors pleading Shylock for mercy. In attendance were several Magnificoes, noblemen and friends of Antonio including socialites Pacco Gratiano and Rabbani Salerio. Bassanio was also present. Shylock refused to pardon Antonio despite offers form his arbitrators for thrice the initial loan. The Jew opted to keep mum about his reasons.

     The entrance of Balthazar turned the tables. The civil doctor gave a moving speech about the relationship between justice and mercy and their influence to our salvation. The Jury seemed untouched and the final verdict was announced shortly after; Shylock was to have his bond.

     Antonio delivered his final words, ironically they were directed to Bassanio who had even offered to take his place. However, while Shylock was preparing his knife and scales, Balthazar revealed loopholes in the contract. Legally, Shylock was only entitled to flesh, any blood that was spilt would be illegal. He also had to remove precisely a pound, no more no less. Depressed, Shylock decided to give up his vengeance and opted for the financial reparations instead, which were then also denied to him. Balthazar then pointed to the Jury that according to Venetian law, it was illegal for a foreigner to conspire murder against a native. The Duke and a happy Antonio spared Shylock his life but half his fortune was confiscated and the other half was inscribed in his will to be passed onto Jessica and her lover, Lorenzo. Disgraced and defeated, Shylock left the court in shame.

     Three of Antonio’s ships have been reported safe and it is being said Bassanio and Gratiano paid Balthazar and his clerk heavily, for saving the life of their friend. However, the division between the Jews and the Christians has only deepened with the outcome of the trial. The streets of Venice are flooding with racial slurs and acts of vandalism have been conveyed. 

2014.

    As the year comes to an end I have been basking in a pool dense with self-reflection. It is within this pool I have discovered who and where I am now, and I am immensely dissatisfied. For too long society has had a tight clutch on my fire and it is due time to cut that damned tie; like a crop with a poisoned scythe. 
      I have always and still do, believe in the person I want to be come but believing is simply not enough. I have to be that person. I have to make choices and advocate changes that may not necessarily be for the betterment of society, but for my own sanity. I have grown insane living in a fantasy. I yearn for reality; both the good and the bad; both the enemies and the friends. I realized I was not where I needed to be a few weeks ago and I did something about it; I apologized. I swallowed my pride and buried my ego and approached my adversaries and came to peace with them, and subsequently myself. 
      I recently also told the truth to someone very special to me, it was difficult, and tremendously painful but I got through it. When I went to bed that night I felt horrid but it was not until the next day where I found peace with myself and realized something very important; I do not have the space, energy or time to fight for people who do not value being fought for, -there are some people worth melting for and others who simply are not. 
     We have more control over our destinies than most people seem to realize. Anyways, what I am trying to say is that I would rather have everyone hate me for being myself than like me for being someone else. I feel that I have been trying so hard to have the perfect life and be perfect that I am losing sense of who I truly am, and I want that to change. I am not perfect, I am not this person. I am a pessimistic, narcissistic, anti-social diva. And, no, I do not want to be that, I want to be someone else. But, MY someone else, not everyone elses’ someone else. And, I genuinely believe my solitude is the best way for me to become the woman I want to become, and I have surrounded myself with people who are not supportive of me. So, basically, my new year’s resolution is to become the person I believe in. And, a lot of sacrifices will have to be made and I am willing to make them, I am willing to give up my perfect life for my happiness. I apologize in advance for not having everyone else’s interests in mind but I have to do this –for myself, for my sanity, for my dreams. Because, becoming the person I want to be is the most important step in becoming the woman I want to be. All the dreams and all the lights.