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!Opinion! As teachers, we’re often told to stay neutral on political topics. The warning is that our opinions might influence students or cause problems. I disagree, and here’s why showing what we care about politically, without promoting parties or politicians , is actually important. Too often, we’re trained to act like the “three wise monkeys” in the classroom — see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing. If students ask, we brush them off. Most people think this is the right approach. That Teachers should not talk about the current topics that can stir some pots in their classes. I think this is the wrong approach. With the recent news about teachers being fired over their opinions, this topic will be talked about more. Every teacher has a passion aside from teaching. If you don't, sorry to break it to you but you don't like to learn so teaching isn't for you. For me? I follow Turkey’s game industry because I’m curious why so few Turkish-made games achieve success and also has a passion for literature/writing. We’re preparing students for a world where politics shapes everything, from universities to careers. Imagine a lawyer who only encounters political ideas different from their family’s and friend's after they graduate. Or a publisher who never learns how industry trends are tied to political decisions, who doesn't talk about new political changes in their industry with their professors. Is that really smart? The first question should be this. Can we really hide politics in a school environment? I don’t think we can. Schools are  politics, the funding, the books, the uniforms, even the meals. Politics builds society, and schools are where society takes shape. It’s impossible to hide politics from students. Today, with all the access kids have to information, even a teacher being laid off sparks questions. Students will ask “why,” and if we can’t answer, they’ll keep asking until they find out themselves. By sharing thoughtful insights about current events and values, teachers can help students understand the real world and think critically, without forcing them to take a side. Teachers should talk about problems, not parties, not politicians, not names. Just the issues the country is facing. And what about religion? I believe it should be treated the same way as politics. Teachers should be able to explain what different religions believe, and if asked, they should have the freedom to share their own beliefs, if they want to. The key is in how it’s said. Teachers should present their views in an “I believe…” format. For example: “I believe in LGBTQ rights because I think every person should have the freedom to choose who they love,” or “I do not believe in LGBTQ rights because my religion teaches that it is a sin.” The point isn’t to convert students but to model how to express a belief respectfully and clearly, giving students the chance to think critically and form their own views. It also teaches students how to tolerate political ideas they don’t share, making it harder for them to turn the ‘other side’ into the enemy. Take America, for example. If a teacher has a strong opinion on gun control — whether for or against protecting the Second Amendment — they should be able to voice it. I’m not talking about dedicating class time or assigning homework around it. That is definitely unacceptable. I’m talking about honest answers when students ask. A teacher can simply say, “I believe…” and explain their reasoning. The same goes for questions about any other issue. So when is the appropriate time to voice our opinion to the kids? I think high school is the right place. Students at this age are capable of independent research, can form their own opinions, and are less likely to take a teacher’s word as the absolute truth. It’s the perfect stage to show that caring about issues and thinking critically is part of being an engaged citizen. If we want students to care about the world, we can’t keep acting like it doesn’t exist and we can't avoid politics in an world where even global warming is political. Teachers staying silent doesn’t protect kids, it just leaves them unprepared. High school is where curiosity should meet honesty, and where teachers should finally be allowed to say, ‘This is what I believe.'

I, Joiianns Schiltberger, left my home near the city of Munich, situated in Payren, at the time that King Sigmund of Hungary left for the land of the Infidels. This was, counting from Christ's birth, in the thirteen hundred and ninety-fourth year,* with a lord named Leinhart Richartingei And I came back again from the land of the Infidels, count- ing from Christ's birth, fourteen hundred and twenty seven. This book was quite interesting to read. I read the Turkish translation, since I bought it in Turkey to bring to the US. It was published by İletişim Publications in 1997 and was translated by Turgut Akpınar. A very famous translator of our time. I couldn't find out whether it was translated from the original German or the English edition but I think It's most likely a translation from the English version.  First of all, I must say that I really liked the cover. It also felt good in my hands. Now let me introduce you to this book: In the first pages of the book, we encounter brief observations and historical informations by Turgut Akpınar and Robert Anhegger ( a German scholar in the field of Ottoman and Turkish studies.) I love when there are articles at the beginning of books that offer a deeper understanding of the work. If a commentary or additional information is needed, this is the right place. I'll explain why I mention this. As I read the book, in some sections, I felt as if I were reading not Schiltberger himself, but the writings of several people who have read and interpreted him. Mastering the subject is, of course, crucial for translating such a work, but it shouldn't be overpowering or overshadowed in the translation process. When I read this book, I want to fully experience the translation and Schiltberger's feelings. Unfortunately, sudden commentaries on the text during the reading process break the magic. This isn’t unique to this book by the way; the English version also contains similar comments. That’s why I believe it was most likely translated of the English version, and Mr. Turgut Akpınar followed that. The English edition itself is quite old too, so you might wonder, ‘Why this exclamation?’ I’ll leave it at that. The original book is Johann Schiltberger's Reisebuch . "Reise" means travel in German, and "Buch" means book. Johann Schiltberger was a German nobleman born in Lohhof, Bavaria, in 1380. Don't be fooled by the term "nobleman"; he wasn't particularly literate. What survives today are edited versions of his clumsy notes and scribbles. While he delves into some details, his information is generally superficial and passing. Schiltberger began writing about his travels, or rather, his experiences as a soldier and slave, after his return to his hometown. This is one of the reasons why his dates don't fully align with current information and that we cant fully trust what he says. He estimated the dates and durations of some events based on his own memory too. Beside the lack of trust we might have for the things he write, Schiltberger is considered one of history's first Western "Turkologists." Furthermore, the book is also one of the first works on geography written in German. Unfortunately, the illustrations in the book are not his own. The illustrations you see in the book are later additions from the modern editions (if you consider 16th-century modern). These drawings were added in the 16th-century, to make the text more understandable or to attract the reader's attention. Now, let's summarize Schiltberger's experiences.   Schiltberger was captured during the Crusade against the Turks (Battle of Nicopolis) led by King Sigismund of Hungary and captured by Bayezid Yıldırım, the sultan of Ottoman Empire. While serving in various capacities as a slave, he had the opportunity to explore Anatolia and Egypt. After the Ottoman defeat at Ankara on July 20, 1402, he fell into the hands of the Turko-Mongol Khan Timur. He must have been very lucky to have survived despite such a change of leadership and difficult circumstances. This allowed him to explore Samarkand and see Armenia, Georgia, Siberia, the Middle Volga region, and Southeastern Russia. He became, in short, a second Marco Polo. His relentless personality drove him to constantly seek escape. Although his initial escape attempts failed several times, he was pardoned and continued to seek new opportunities. He eventually escaped from semi-captivity and returned to Bavaria in 1427, following a route from East-Central Europe via Istanbul. Almighty God be thanked, and all those who have helped me. And when I had almost de- spaired of coming [away] from the Infidel people and their wicked religion, amongst whom I was obliged to be for xxxn years, and of any longer having fellowship with holy Christianity, God Almighty saw my great longing and anxiety after the Christian faith and its heavenly joys... The part that most captivated me was his efforts to escape. His account of how he and his friends sailed to their city in a small boat. It's particularly striking that he was asked to recite the Pater Noster (Our Father) to prove his Christian identity. That he could still remember this after over 30 years (and to top it all off, let me remind you that hew was most likely illiterate) and return to his homeland while remaining faithful to his faith, is truly a fairytale like story. This also demonstrates his devotion to his religion as a German Catholic. For nearly 30 years, he could have converted to Islam, even if only for show, and thus gained better conditions. But he never did, maintaining his faith among different religious groups. This is truly intriguing. If you want to read his journey, I recommend reading the old English version. In the English version, you'll also find notes written by people from that era at the end. It's important to remember that these notes reflect the knowledge of the time. The Turkish version, for which I offer this commentary, is presented in a simpler, more modern style. It's a fun and engaging read. For those new to these topics, this book will make understanding the events of that period easier. Both the English and Turkish versions of the book are available for free in online archives; I've included the link below. Still, if you can, I recommend purchasing the book and supporting it. Old English version of the book: https://ia801309.us.archive.org/29/items/bondagetravelsof00schirich/bondagetravelsof00schirich.pdf?utm To access this book itself: https://archive.org/embed/JohannesSchiltbergerTrklerVeTatarlarArasnda13941427

Discovering Red Lobster Today I went to the city to show my new comer Turkish friends around and help them have their best day in NY. One of my friends asked to go to Red Lobster, which I had never heard of before. Yeah...they were shocked. I thought it must be a big deal since the restaurant’s name was well known to them, and I felt a bit bad for not knowing a place that was so famous to them. Let me tell you what I found. Credit to: DANIELA CAPPELLA We walked to Red Lobster, and it was right around Times Square. It has three floors, and I’d suggest going to the third floor if you plan to dine there. The first floor has very basic seating, with a few tables by the windows and some bar seats. The second floor is an open balcony, overlooking the first floor and just has more seating. The third floor is where the action is. I was a bit frustrated that they led us to a window-side table, but they asked beforehand and we said yes, so I can’t be too mad. All I know is that the third floor is where the deal is, so if you go, ask for it. Me (left) with my friend (right) eating seafood boils called "Sailor Seafood Boil" Excited for the New Seafood Boil   Look how excited we are for the fish boil we’re about to have, haha. Turkey doesn’t have these kinds of seafood boil meals where you wear gloves to eat, so this was a first for us. As you can see, we’re on the first floor. The menu was huge. I don’t get restaurants that have more than 50 items on their menu. Like… I don’t think you can give that much attention to so many dishes and still make them all great. There is something fishy going on here. You get it? "fishy"? Never mind let me continue. I ordered one of the new seafood boils called the 'Sailor Seafood Boil,' the spicy one. Let me tell you, it was pretty spicy. I'd say about a 5/10. You can still eat it, but you have to take your time. I’m just a beginner with spice, so this might be very mild for someone who really loves heat. You can also ask for a non-spicy version of these seafood boils. With my boil I also ordered a cocktail, the Sunset Passion Colada. It’s a great drink for people like me who like super sweet cocktails where you can’t even taste the alcohol, a perfect summer drink. Famous Faces and Local Stories The waitress was really kind. While we were ordering, my friends asked her some questions about the restaurant. She said that a lot of rappers who lived in New York used to come here to eat and party. She even showed us some selfies she had taken with these famous people. She also mentioned that Cardi B used to be a regular here when she was still a stripper. After some research, I found out that Nicki Minaj was not only a customer but also worked at several Red Lobster restaurants—she even got fired from a few. One story involves her chasing down a customer who didn’t leave a tip, a reminder that tipping culture is serious over here. She also had dinner with Jimmy Fallon at the same location we ate at! Too bad they chose the balcony, but I guess cameras wouldn’t have worked well in dim light (I’m still salty about that). Well if you watch the video, near the end they go to upstairs too so you can see the third floor from there. It made me wonder why this place is so popular, especially among rappers and Black communities. I’ll get into that more after I explain the food they serve in simple terms. Butter, Biscuits, and Lobster Reality The food here is… normal. Kind of mediocre. Most of the flavor comes from a LOT of butter and garlic. As all foodies know, butter makes everything taste good. My mom would say, 'Butter your dad up and he’d look good too.' The very famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits, made by Kurt Hankins, also have a ton of butter and, of course, garlic. There’s a huge, almost cult-like love for them, so I won’t comment too much. The seafood boil was just okay....not something I’d order again. My friend got the Create Your Own Ultimate Feast and swapped the crab legs for another lobster. He said it was mid too. The prices felt a little high for what we got. I think I understand why lobsters used to be served to the working class, without spice or sauce, they don’t have much taste on their own. Honestly, I don’t think rich people would enjoy lobster much, since they’re used to better food. The fame of Lobster in my mind lost its magic after this. The Origins of Red Lobster Now let’s talk about its history, fame, and the problems it’s facing today. The first Red Lobster restaurant opened in 1968 in Lakeland, Florida, by entrepreneurs Bill Darden and Charley Woodsby. When Darden was just 19, he opened his first restaurant in Waycross, Georgia, a lunch counter called The Green Frog. It has a slogan of 'Service With a Hop', It meant the staff served customers with energy and friendliness. It was also one of the few restaurants in the Deep South at the time that didn’t segregate customers based on race. The original Green Frog closed in 1981, but the building still stands and is well known by locals. After the success of The Green Frog, Darden invested in the Howard Johnson franchise. His timing was perfect, and he ended up owning all the Howard Johnson’s in Florida during a land boom. Still hungry for a new venture, he decided to focus on seafood, which had sold really well at his previous restaurants. In 1968, Lakeland, Florida, became home to the Red Lobster Inn. Darden and his partner Charley Woodsby even came up with a catchy slogan for their new place: 'Harbor for Seafood Lovers.' From Middle-Class Favorite to Cultural Icon At a time when the middle class was looking for affordable and enjoyable dining, Red Lobster came to the rescue. Their restaurants were often near shopping centers, making them accessible and popular with both working-class and affluent Black diners. As I noticed, the Black community doesn’t forget, they remember which restaurants had their back or where are the good places to celebrate, and they do their research. I think Red Lobster’s popularity was also tied to Darden’s history of anti-segregation policies in his restaurants before. They also have a lot of black workers in their restaurants. In the 2010s, the chain’s cultural significance grew even more when Beyoncé mentioned it in her song 'Formation.' Saying " When he fuck me good, I take his ass to Red Lobster, 'cause I slay " This reference led to a 33% increase in sales and a social media buzz. Well it's not surprising since it's Beyonce. Challenges Today Unfortunately, today the once-famous restaurant isn’t doing well, facing bankruptcies and closing locations all around. I think this has to do with a shrinking middle class and rising prices at the restaurant. I read some reviews, and quite a few people agree that the prices are steep. Running a seafood restaurant is already tough, with high costs and the challenges of storing fish. Red Lobster has been sold by Darden Restaurants to the private equity firm Golden Gate Capital on 2014, for around $2.1 billion. By 2024, Red Lobster faced significant financial difficulties, leading to a bankruptcy...Ouch. The company emerged from bankruptcy in September 2024 under new ownerships. With the tariffs coming from the American government now, I don’t think the future looks very bright for this seafood chain. For Further Read Vigliotti, J., & Kelly, D. B. (2023, February 31). The truth about Red Lobster . Mashed. https://www.mashed.com/33593/everything-need-know-red-lobster-came FIU Hospitality Review. “When Bill Darden, the Founder of Red Lobster, Built His Empire.” Digital Commons , https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1280&context=hospitalityreview . Seal, D. (2024, September 16). Red Lobster exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy with new owners, CEO . The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/red-lobster-exits-chapter-11-bankruptcy-with-new-owners-ceo-06b7aec6 Red Lobster. (n.d.). Our history . Red Lobster. Retrieved September 1, 2025, from https://www.redlobster.com/our-story/our-history

Today I left my house to get a new sponge since my old one was starting to smell. Yeah, a little detail you might not want to know about. As I left the market, noticing that I had left my house for a 5-minute shopping trip, I wanted to drink something and just sit, observing around me.  It might be an unfamiliar concept for Americans. Since I am in America, let me explain to them. You just sit in a café shop, most of the time alone. If you have your phone with you, I don’t count it. You sit there, look around, observe people, and just think. Sometimes, read things that you find out about. Well, it was a day like that for me when I found a student-run magazine.   The magazine’s name is The Hudson Scholar. The one I read was their 12 th  edition. First, let me congratulate them on their first anniversary of their magazine. I hope the best for them. I will only share one page of the magazine since I don’t want to spoil it for other readers. The magazine was a quick read and a great one for a coffee sitting activity. I really enjoyed their writing. There were some points that I agreed with and some that I didn’t, just like any other magazine. It really fills me with joy to see other countries' young people (saying it like I am not young…) growing themselves being aware of their world and their country. It’s like opening a little window to another part of the world. Even though I grew up with a lot of American media, it still feels different to me, as I am Turkish.   The magazine started with great graffiti from a scene from Toy-story (will not say more to not spoil it). Not to take it from the art itself, but the most interesting part for me was the part where a truck driver came and showed his graduate over seeing a truck as a graffiti on a wall. Being a truck driver in America must be different. This much of a big country, they do really run America with their huge Trucks, and still, there is not much culture having them; there is not much art or songs for them, even as a hip culture. I think they are missing a huge potential there.   As I flipped the pages and came to writings where the writers talk about consumerism and judging the society they lived in, I got reminded of how much of a young country I was in again. I would say that where I disagree came in this part a little. Not that I am a Capitalist supporter, but I am more of the mindset that culture changes the road of a country. As Ibn Haaldun says, “Coğrafya kaderdir” which means “Geography is destiny”. Even though most people think what he means by this is that where you are born changes your fate and there is nothing to do about it, it is more than that. He means that historical and social transformations are shaped by human factors. Social cohesion, sources of livelihood, occupations, traditions, politics, and beliefs determine the behavior and life of societies. (Evkuran, 2024). We can't ignore the fact that America was built from consumerism. It is the main root of the country. The politics, the history, the culture, and even their version of religion. We can see it from their cults, such as Scientology. Unfortunately, it's not easy to get rid of these roots by just educating the consumers and wishing they would stop. If the culture tells you to buy, you should, or you don’t have a place in here. This does look obvious when it comes to buying Dubai chocolate matcha Labubu shaped crumble cookie, but not talked about enough when its health care or tipping culture. In short, trying to smash ants one by one might work, but the ant house is still carrying the food from you behind your back, and you need a root fix for that.   Anyways. Let me not get too political here. Overall, I really enjoyed the magazine. I was also going to talk about what we “want” in life now that we are in a modern world and what we are working for now, but I think I talked enough. I will leave that to another time and leave you with the question itself.   To add to that, I really enjoyed the poem section. The whole team must be so talented from the looks of it. I hope the best for them again. Feel free to reach out to them.

"Anyway, after that I called myself a poet. The way you feel about writing poems that no one reads and committing murders that no one knows about is not that different." Diary of a Murderer  is a novel by Korean author Kim Young-ha that delves into the mind of a serial killer suffering from Alzheimer’s, exploring it from a dark and psychological perspective. True to its name, this “diary”-style work shows us Kim Byeongsu, a former serial killer, as his memory gradually deteriorates due to Alzheimer’s and depicts his struggle with this decline. As the story unfolds, we witness Byeongsu trapped between his past crimes and the present day, where he can no longer fully trust his own mind. Through the author’s storytelling, we feel this confusion firsthand. The words place us directly inside Byeongsu’s mind. He wants to protect his daughter, yet his own memories and instincts constantly make him suspicious, forcing him to question who the real threat really is. This leads him to act in ways he himself cannot fully understand. From the first fifty pages, Young-ha prompts us to question human duality and lays bare the mind of a serial killer. What makes Diary of a Serial Killer  unique is that it immerses the reader in a mind capable of horrifying acts while simultaneously eliciting empathy through the struggle with memory and identity. As the book progresses, this creates an unsettling closeness to a criminal. Your mind can’t quite decide whether to connect with the main character or feel disturbed by his actions. ------------------------------------------------- Spoiler ----------------------------------------------------------- "Byeongsu’s journey is both terrifying and heartbreaking. The young man he believes threatens his daughter’s life serves as a mirror reflecting Byeongsu’s former self. Forcing him and the readers to constantly question morality, justice, and perception. The plot you’ve constructed in your head can vanish in an instant, leaving you, like the main character, doubting the reality of events. The entire book plants the suspicion that everything might be a trick played by the protagonist’s own mind. Toward the end, the story even makes you question whether his daughter is a real person or merely a hallucination, creating the concept of ‘real characters’ and ‘hallucination characters’ in our minds. This puts us, to some extent, in the protagonist’s shoes, while never letting us forget his struggle with Alzheimer’s. Side characters like his daughter, who represents innocence and vulnerability, add tension and emotional depth to the story, making an already strong structure even more layered. We can’t be sure whether these characters truly exist; perhaps they are reflections of people the protagonist once knew, or killed.... This forces him to reevaluate the choices he has made throughout his life from a completely different perspective. The psychological games, the lingering uncertainties until the very end, and the unreliable narration make every chapter full of unexpected surprises. A striking psychological exploration of memory, identity, and morality. Kim Young-ha’s Diary of a Murderer , is a quick, fast-paced read with a sharp edge.