Selected Essays by Young Authors (Vol. 2)
Selected Essays by Young Authors (Vol. 2)
Contributor(s): Sonja Biserko (Editor), Seška Stanojlović (Editor), Ivana Damjanović (Translator)
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Social Sciences, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Customs / Folklore, Media studies, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Aesthetics, Political Theory, Communication studies, Sociology, Recent History (1900 till today), Government/Political systems, Politics and society, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Culture and social structure , Studies in violence and power, Nationalism Studies, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Inter-Ethnic Relations, Sports Studies, Social Norms / Social Control
Published by: Helsinški odbor za ljudska prava u Srbiji
Keywords: hatred; Serbia; inter-ethnic relations; customs; cultural anthropology; politics; democracy; media; human rights; human liberties; young people; 1990's; aesthetics; football; nationalism;
Summary/Abstract: This is the second collection of selected essays by the authors who attended the courses and seminars the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia organized in 2005. Within the tree-year project “Building up Democracy and Good Governance in Multiethnic Communities” that is being implemented with the assistance of the European Union, twenty-four 5-day “Schools of democracy” and sixteen 3-day seminars under the common title “Life and Living in Multiethnic Environments” were held in 2004 and 2005 in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac and Novi Pazar. Over 1000 trainees attended these courses and seminars. The project is aimed at capacitating young people - by the means of attractive courses of training - not only for a life in multiethnic communities that are particularly burdened with the adverse experience of the recent past, mutual distrust and stereotypes, but also for a life in the conditions that mark a modern democracy and reflect its standards. An objective as such implies, among other things, rational perception of notions, developments and trends that are in Serbia still blurred, marginalized and subject to relativism or, moreover, to various and even misguiding interpretations. The Helsinki Committee’s experience testifies this is all about a process that takes time but is worthy of effort - the more so since young people, as evidenced by the selected writings as well, fully perceive it as an imperative need of their own.
Series: Helsinki Committee Serbia (VARIA books)
- Print-ISBN-10: 86-7208-116-1
- Page Count: 76
- Publication Year: 2005
- Language: English
A TEENAGER’S THOUGHTS ON PROBLEMS OF HIS GENERATION
A TEENAGER’S THOUGHTS ON PROBLEMS OF HIS GENERATION
(A TEENAGER’S THOUGHTS ON PROBLEMS OF HIS GENERATION)
- Author(s):Stefan Nikolić
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Education, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology
- Page Range:7-9
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:Stefan Nikolić; Vojvodina; multi-ethnicity; children's rights; education;
- Summary/Abstract:My topic is indicated in the title, while in my head continue to swirl thoughts about the link between multi-ethnicity of Vojvodina and the rights of the child. I am vexed by the hatred-charged graffiti which I can see on the walls of my city, and I am also vexed by my history teacher to whom I mustn’t disclose the true causes of my late September absence from school. And I was with You. You must be wondering now about my whereabouts in those days?
FALL 200X
FALL 200X
(FALL 200X)
- Author(s):Olivera Radovanović
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Essay|Book Review |Scientific Life
- Page Range:10-11
- No. of Pages:2
- Keywords:Olivera radovanović; letter; autumn; friend; Jana; Svetozar;
- Summary/Abstract:This morning Jana has received a letter from Svetozar. She has expected his reply for days, and impatiently waited for the arrival of the old postman Mita. So she was overjoyed when she finally had Svetozar’s letter in her hands. She closed the window to isolate herself from the city noise and nervously opened up the envelope. And finally, clearly written and neatly written letters were before her eyes.
HAVEN’T YOU GROWN TIRED OF YOUR OWN HATRED
HAVEN’T YOU GROWN TIRED OF YOUR OWN HATRED
(HAVEN’T YOU GROWN TIRED OF YOUR OWN HATRED)
- Author(s):Nenad Jelenković
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Inter-Ethnic Relations
- Page Range:12-14
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:Nenad Jelenković; hatred; Serbia; Croatia; inter-ethnic relations;
- Summary/Abstract:Do you read dailies? Come on, don’t give up... Those dailies contain only random writings of some. ... While we have our own thoughts in our heads, don’t we? Do you sometimes re-appraise your own stands? Do you ever ask yourself: “Do I hate anyone?” As of late sports news have been moved from the last, to the front- or first pages, usually reserved for the political news. We can for example read how football fans from Zagreb beat up fans from Belgrade, which is more than sufficient to resuscitate the vampire of hatred (and our seems not to have got a wink of sleep for a very long time.) And then obviously the first and foremost thought of people here is that Serbs are hated and Croatia, and then the fans can hardly wait for the new match in Belgrade, to get across the same message of hatred...
WEDDING, WEDDING, WEDDING
WEDDING, WEDDING, WEDDING
(WEDDING, WEDDING, WEDDING)
- Author(s):Nataša Kiković
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Customs / Folklore, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology
- Page Range:15-20
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:Nataša Kiković; wedding; customs; folklore; bridegroom's house; Niš;
- Summary/Abstract:This story is inspired by a genuine event, and if some scene and characters seem familiar to you, you are right, for, unfortunately we are surrounded by such characters, and some of them are lurking in our midst.
LIGHT TO LIFE...
LIGHT TO LIFE...
(LIGHT TO LIFE...)
- Author(s):Milica Stevanović
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Essay|Book Review |Scientific Life
- Page Range:21-22
- No. of Pages:2
- Keywords:Milica Stevanović; life; living; present; future;
- Summary/Abstract:Every new day welcomes us with its light. People get feelings, which cannot be scrutinized or explained by useless and suspicious words. We live totally devoted to the time around us; we love by devoting ourselves to the loved one. We are stringing together a necklace each pearl of which is one, sacrosanct part of our life. We rarely dare utter anything for the words always mean the opposite of what we want.
WHERE IS OUR COUNTRY HEADED
WHERE IS OUR COUNTRY HEADED
(WHERE IS OUR COUNTRY HEADED)
- Author(s):Andraš Juhas
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Wars in Jugoslavia
- Page Range:23-26
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Andraš Juhas; leaving the country; war; politics; 1990's;
- Summary/Abstract:90’s are gone forever. We are 10 years older, poorer, and truly. That is the price of our stupidity and of our irresponsibility.” In the 90’s I was six years old. I did not know what the society was, what a political party was, what a President was. I was unaware of existence of those things, and of the fact that some people, other than my parents, influenced my life. But I knew that the following year I would start going to school
DEMOCRACY
DEMOCRACY
(DEMOCRACY)
- Author(s):Irena Đorđević
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Government/Political systems
- Page Range:27-28
- No. of Pages:2
- Keywords:Irena Đorđević; democracy; politics; norms and principles; will of citizens;
- Summary/Abstract:When writing his “State”, Plato had in mind a collective conscience in a termite-like community. We must agree that every community is confusing. On the other hand if we analyze the gist of the notion of democracy, starting with interpretation of the very meaning of that word, we should not allow the most free interpretation, that is, the one that implies the rule of people. Opposite of democracy is birth of anarchy, which inevitably leads to social turmoil and chaos. Democracy should be understood as a verse in which each of us may find oneself. If we stick to basic norms of conduct and culture, we acquire composure, which usually brings us peace and happiness. Some would perhaps say that the respect of norms and some principles is tantamount to limitation of liberty, that respect of others is tantamount to humiliation of oneself. But such a line of thinking is oblivious of a flexible stance towards all the things and beings that surround us.
FOR THE LITERATE ONLY
FOR THE LITERATE ONLY
(FOR THE LITERATE ONLY)
- Author(s):Mara Živkov
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Culture and social structure , Social Norms / Social Control
- Page Range:29-32
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Mara Živkov; media; disinformation; population; elite;
- Summary/Abstract:There are two inextricably linked problems to which, in my mind, proper attention has not been paid: one problem concerns the control over the media and accessibility of (un)true information, while the other concerns population to which the said information is conveyed. I shall furthermore try to quote several examples from history indicating how the elite-controlled media concocted so many lies and prejudices to make the vastly illiterate population commit terrible crimes.
DIFFERENCES AND VALUES AS A CHALLENGE
DIFFERENCES AND VALUES AS A CHALLENGE
(DIFFERENCES AND VALUES AS A CHALLENGE)
- Author(s):Tamara Stojković
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Government/Political systems, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Inter-Ethnic Relations
- Page Range:33-35
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:Tamara Stojković; discrimination; tolerance; ethnic groups; multi-cultural society; human rights;
- Summary/Abstract:“World-wide the innocent become victims just because the color of their skin is different from the one characterizing those who punish and convict them, just because they struggle for different values, just because they espouse different religious and political ideas, just because they belong to other cultures, or simply lead a different life from the one led by the majority of citizens in their accidental milieu.”
FUTURE, HUMAN LIBERTIES AND RIGHTS
FUTURE, HUMAN LIBERTIES AND RIGHTS
(FUTURE, HUMAN LIBERTIES AND RIGHTS)
- Author(s):Tijana Vladisavljević
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Government/Political systems, Inter-Ethnic Relations, ICT Information and Communications Technologies, Globalization, Peace and Conflict Studies
- Page Range:36-39
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Tijana Vladisavljević; future; human liberties; human rights; technology; unification of national cultures;
- Summary/Abstract:It is very challenging to speak about future, because it is a subject- matter, which exacts a serious and in-depth approach and visionary ability. That presupposes a lengthier paper than the nature and purpose of this essay allow. Thus one should take into consideration only the key processes and changes in the mid-century with their brief description. There is a methodological difficulty, which can easily mislead us and make us commit serious errors, for there are no exact and proven indicators of the future changes. To avoid being prophets in such a serious matter, it is necessary to use the current experiences, that is deduction and intuition when drawing conclusions.
MUCH-NEEDED FOES
MUCH-NEEDED FOES
(MUCH-NEEDED FOES)
- Author(s):Ivan Kuzminović
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Civil Society, Government/Political systems, Politics and society, Studies in violence and power
- Page Range:40-44
- No. of Pages:5
- Keywords:Ivan Kuzminović; foes; hatred; NGO; Serbia; politics; social power;
- Summary/Abstract:We all have our “natural” foes. My foe is an old woman who throws her garbage bag every day directly from their eighth floor flat onto the street. Hitler’s foes were Jews, Vietnamese were foes of Americans, and Russian foes were Americans. Michelangelo’s foe was Rafaello, David’s was Goliath, and the foe of baby Maggy’s from “The Simpsons” was the other baby with thick eyebrows.
GENERATION LOST IN FOG
GENERATION LOST IN FOG
(GENERATION LOST IN FOG)
- Author(s):Ivan Kovačević
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Societal Essay, Inter-Ethnic Relations
- Page Range:45-47
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:Ivan Kovačević; Kragujevac; inter-ethnic relations; Serbs; Croats;
- Summary/Abstract:It would be quite logical that we, as members of younger generation, be turned towards our future, towards what is likely to improve our communication with the world, with the lifestyle which, in view of our age, belongs to us. Unfortunately our growing up process, our childhood, our youth, were marked by bombs, war, devastation, suffering, and consequences thereof, which prevented us from growing up in a normal social milieu and mood.
BRUSSELS, 25 JUNE 2005
BRUSSELS, 25 JUNE 2005
(BRUSSELS, 25 JUNE 2005)
- Author(s):Dragana Ćorić
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, International relations/trade, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010)
- Page Range:48-49
- No. of Pages:2
- Keywords:Dragana Ćorić; Brussels; 2005; international situation; constitution;
- Summary/Abstract:My dear girl, I know that you are rightly mad with me for not having written to you for such a long time. I know that an ordinary apology, like the one that I was very busy, shall not be sufficient. I know that your beautiful eyes were teary and watchful many mornings. And the fact that I have caused you pain first by my departure, and later, by my long absence, shall trouble me for the rest of my life.
MUCH EXPECTED FROM THE YOUNG ONES
MUCH EXPECTED FROM THE YOUNG ONES
(MUCH EXPECTED FROM THE YOUNG ONES)
- Author(s):Miloš Stoiljković
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Politics and society, Demography and human biology, Societal Essay
- Page Range:50-54
- No. of Pages:5
- Keywords:Miloš Stoiljković; Serbia; young people; Serbian society; lifestyle; politics;
- Summary/Abstract:What is wrong with the young in Serbia? Or let us put that question in another way: why the young in Serbia lack courage, will-power, desire to engage in resolution of social issues and why do they succumb to apathy which is increasingly becoming a main feature of the Serb society? That issue shall not be raised only by an embittered member of the older generation who is also likely to say that in his youth things were different, that is, much better. It is only normal that the old level heavy criticism at the young, and that such criticism, pending on the currently political circumstances, is more or less politically charged. Aside from objections that the young are inclined to take various drugs and other inebriating substances, there are also those, age-old ones about the lack of interest of the younger generation in their fate, in the future, in the world. Young are young, old are old, young shall grow older, and we wish the old people to age well and to enjoy their deserved old age. I don’t have enough experience or a sufficiently representative specimen to judge the older generation, but I think that I have some knowledge of the young, being one of them, and that I could impart it without aspirations to drawing lo ft y conclusions and lesions.
THE COUNTRY WHICH I LOVE
THE COUNTRY WHICH I LOVE
(THE COUNTRY WHICH I LOVE)
- Author(s):Nebojša Đerić
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Government/Political systems, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
- Page Range:55-58
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Nebojša Đerić; Serbia; Novi Sad; political situation; EU;
- Summary/Abstract:Citizens of Novi Sad, good day to you. Citizens of Vojvodina, good day to you. Citizens of Serbia, good day to you. Citizens of Serbia temporarily working abroad, good day to you. Citizens with dual citizenship, good day to you. I wish you all a good day in the country which we love- in Serbia! We all live in the same country, in Serbia, and we all hail from Serbia, or we were born in another country, or we work or are schooled in another country, but Serbia is always dear to our hearts.
HOMEWORK
HOMEWORK
(HOMEWORK)
- Author(s):Milorad Gajić
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Government/Political systems, Politics and society, Culture and social structure , Nationalism Studies, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Societal Essay
- Page Range:59-64
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:Miloš Gajić; politics; socialist collectivism; social structure; nationalism;
- Summary/Abstract:Every citizen born after the 50’s is a witness to historical events and also to historical paradoxes. But the issue is whether they are aware of those events, of their own role in those turbulent developments on the public scene. Are they aware that daily political events later turn into historical ones, and that as of late that process is accelerated, as the prominent philosophers have already established: We are directly experiencing history.
AN INTERESTING LIFE IN - BOREDOM
AN INTERESTING LIFE IN - BOREDOM
(AN INTERESTING LIFE IN - BOREDOM)
- Author(s):Milan Zaviša
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Politics and society, Societal Essay
- Page Range:65-66
- No. of Pages:2
- Keywords:Milan Zaviša; boredom; social reality; Serbia; lifestyle; politics;
- Summary/Abstract:I am bored! This sounds more like a sentence from a sci-fi film dealing with the key issues of the year 2075 and general ways of survival of the remaining humanoid mankind. But the problem emerges when I utter that sentence. For I don’t want people to understand it as an expression of my desperate impotence and anger in the face of fact that I wrongly leading my own life. No, in fact at issue is quite a different matter which I shall try to explicate as much as I can.
ESTHETICS IN MEDIA
ESTHETICS IN MEDIA
(ESTHETICS IN MEDIA)
- Author(s):Maja Lonhardt
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Aesthetics, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology
- Page Range:67-69
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:Maja Lonhardt; aesthetics; media; cultural anthropology; universal value and eternal beauty;
- Summary/Abstract:What is beauty? It is very difficult to give an universal answer to that question. Definition of that notion changed or varied throughout epochs. That notion was an eternal inspiration for poets. Many philosophers also dealt with the esthetics-related issues. One of best known English philosophers, David Hume, dedicated an essay to beauty: “Beauty is not a inherent feature of things; it exists only in spirit which observes it, and every spirit has a different perception of beauty” (David Hume, “On Criteria of Taste”, 1757). So, one subject can repel some people, and attract others, not because of its characteristics, but because of feelings of our spirit in its capacity of critic. Therefore according to Hume beauty lies in taste or feelings of reader and observer. Our personal taste shall be the only argument for determining something, that is, making us say that something is beautiful or ugly.
“YOU ARE WHAT YOU WATCH”
“YOU ARE WHAT YOU WATCH”
(“YOU ARE WHAT YOU WATCH”)
- Author(s):Dejan Pataki
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Societal Essay
- Page Range:70-73
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Dejan Pataki; Serbia; media content; illiteracy; tabloids; TV;
- Summary/Abstract:Peter Gabriel, a renowned multi-media artist, at his concerts often commented, in-between his songs, that the way you dress denoted the kind of man you were, and that in one period optimists maintained that one was what one read. Gabriel ended his comments by asserting that “In the 21st century you are what you watch”. In trying to explain to myself the phenomenon of vastly retrograde, primitive, semi-literate, latently fascisoid, arrested in development Serbia, I concluded that the lethal media contents played a major role in such a development. I find it hard to talk about the print media in view of the two factors: firstly, in Serbia 50% of population is illiterate, and secondly the largest part of the print media are nor in fact –newspapers. Namely after just 10 minutes of reading papers which in this country are called tabloids, I sense emergence of certain chemical-physical processes in my body, which are best explained by some medical terms: indigestion, hysteria, unease, dizziness, and even murderous instinct.... Electronic media, that is, television, as an equivalent of the aforementioned sub-species, are a far more interesting and most certainly, more in fluential factor in shaping the mind-set of population. A reference point, or a focal point in most homes is television set, and the whole household is focused on its emissions/programs. During the war television had a leading role in the country. It was nearly as important as the police and army.
FOOTBALL FIELD
FOOTBALL FIELD
(FOOTBALL FIELD)
- Author(s):Vladeta Milin
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Societal Essay, Sports Studies
- Page Range:74-76
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:Vladeta Milin; sport; football; game; people's impact on the game;
- Summary/Abstract:I am at a stadium. Though I am aware of importance of the match, I stare vacantly at the field. Those around me are not frenetic either. And the match goes on. Maybe the length of the match is the crux of the matter, that is of my disinterest. The match is too long to entice a stronger support from the stand. The very game is becoming monotonous. The feeling that despite all the effort and trouble we don’t have a favorable result is terribly de-motivating. The game is turning nasty with players increasingly acting as veritable brutes, and the field is so muddy that it is hard to distinguish between the players of the two teams. Yes, interest in this kind of diversion has definitely waned...
