Power and Resistance

Power can affect the tension and resistance between relationships.  When someone has power over the other a lot of the times the other person shows resistance either mentally, physically or verbally.  In the book Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Annabel the main character has many complicated relationships that cause tension between the characters.

Annabel's relationship with Sophie is a relationship where one has power over the other.  In this situation Sophie has power over Annabel.  Sophie being a more outgoing person isn't afraid to call Annabel a slut or curse at her in public.  Sophie has control because she wants to let her anger out.  Annabel's way of showing resistance is in her thoughts.  She always thinks about getting Sophie back and tells herself that Sophie is so mean, but Annabel doesn't take action.  She lets Sophie bully her and bring her confidence down.  Annabel is an introvert and I think this holds her back from telling Sophie how she feels.

On the other hand, Annabel has a fair and even relationship with Owen.  Owen has a little more power than Annabel but it is not used for bad purposes.  Owen helps guide Annabel to become a more outgoing person.  Sometimes he could be a little bossy, but Annabel feels comfortable with him.  Owen doesn't make her feel weak when he uses power over her.  Annabel shows some resistance by holding back and not always telling Owen the truth about her problems.  overall, the relationship that Owen and Annabel have isn't tense and the power is spread out between the two.

I think that Annabel holds back from showing resistance externally because she is so shy.  In the book Annabel even says "I'm not good with confrontations."  she doesn't like to talk to people so she doesn't show resistance when people show power over her.  In a lot of relationships someone has power over the other whether it's a good or bad relationship.  sometimes people show resistance and fight back.  In Annabel's case she just stands back and doesn't try to resist.

Upfront "No Job? Get Lost!" Response

In places all over the world there are many unemployed people. In fact, Greece has an unemployment rate of 27%. However, in a town called Svalbard in Norway, if you are unemployed you cannot live there. In the article, "No Job? Get Lost!" by Andrew Higgins, he explains why this part of Norway has a law stating you have to have a job to be a resident.

First of all, the government argues that Svalbard is one of the safest places because they don't allow people who are unemployed to live there. People are free to leave their keys in their cars and sleep with their front doors open. No one has been put in jail since the summer of 2013. It seems like it would be very difficult to enforce this law, but the government of this territory sends the unemployed away.  Sometimes even people who have retired are sent away as well who cannot support themselves. I understand that they are trying to keep the territory as safe as it can be, but I think that it is extreme to kick people out of their homes just because they are unemployed. In Svalbard, where crime is basically nonexistent, the only thing they have to worry about are polar bears and littering. Svalbard, being a place made almost entirely of ice and snow, argues that they do not allow people to be homeless because they don't want their population to freeze to death. Again, I disagree because kicking the homeless out gives them no place to go and no help at all.  As a territory they should help people instead of telling them it is illegal for them to be there.

In conclusion, this article was very interesting, but also made me think about how they treat the people of their own kind.  Kicking people out just because they want their towns to be a really safe place is the wrong thing to do. People who are unemployed should be helped instead of being pushed out because they are going through a hard time. People who are retired did their job and shouldn't be kicked out when they are to elderly to work anymore.  These are reasons why I believe that Svalbard isn't handling their territory well.