A city that cannot be broken. 
                                                 

Last Monday, April 15, the strong city of Boston was rocked by a ruthless act of terrorism. The last major attack on American soil were the attacks in New York City on September 11th, 2001; this recent bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon resurfaced many painful wounds. The cold blooded attackers who injured 282 innocent civilians, and killed 3 people were Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, and his brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, who had immigrated from Chechen, Russia to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2002. Reports show that Dzhokar and Tamelan used shrapnel- packed pressure cooker bombs. The brothers anticipated for the bombing to cause much destruction as they were expecting all the bombs they planted to go off, but only two of the numerous explosives detonated. The impact of the two explosions resulted in severe damage, though if all the planned bombs succeeded to detonate, the death and injury toll would be staggeringly worse. The preliminary evidence from Dzhokhar's interrogation supports that the brothers were motivated by religious extremism, but were apparently not involved with any Islamic terrorist organizations.

       
         When I first heard that there were two bombings in Boston, I thought it was a joke. I was in the car with my family, when the radio station began frantically streaming reports of two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. As I came to a conclusion that the attacks in Boston were no joke, I didn't think at first that the explosions were an act of terrorism. I kept thinking that the explosions might have been a gas line explosion or some kind of malfunction, because I couldn't fathom someone purposely attacking the city that I love. The attacks were so close to home that at first I just couldn't understand why someone would want to subject Boston to so much suffering. I tried so long to comprehend the events that had taken place, but it was just too much for me, I couldn't wrap around the notion that someone had killed and injured so many of my friends, neighbors, family and fellow Americans. I had no words to say, all I did was sit in front of the television in shock, as I watched the city of Boston slowly fall apart.

    
         After so many details of the Boston Marathon Bombings were released, all of Massachusetts and the United States began its mourning. One of the people that had been killed at the Marathon evoked very sad emotions in many people throughout the country. The death of eight year old Martin Richard truly evoked strong emotions within millions of people, myself included. It's sad when any child dies, but it is especially horrible when a child is massacred in an act of terrorism. No child should ever have to suffer through the conditions that Martin had. Martin was only trying to have a good time out, supporting the runners of the Marathon with his family at the finish line, but his kindness resulted in his death. Martin was a nice boy, and he had a very bright future ahead of him. It makes me extremely sad to know that Martin will never get to grow up and have a positive impact on the lives of the people he would've encountered. Every child should have the chance to grow up and it's not right that his life was cut short by two men who put no value on a human life, even the life of an innocent child. Martin was already starting to begin his life on a good path, as he promoted his saying "No more hurting people. Peace." Martin may not be physically on this Earth anymore, but his memory and his inspiring behavior and sayings will live on, and hopefully his words will be heard louder than ever. In addition to the death of Martin, there were many reports of lost limbs after the explosions. One picture I saw was a man being pushed in a wheel chair, with his legs completely blown off, and all that was left were dandling pieces of skin. This picture is one that I will never forget, as it is embedded in my mind. Before seeing this picture I knew there were numerous amputees and extreme injury, but after seeing an actual victim and real injuries, it finally made me see how bad the bombings really were, and how many people lives will be changed forever. This photo makes me sick to my stomach, because these bombers fully knew that the shrapnel would severely injure people. Also, the fact that the bombers decided to detonate the explosives right at the finish line at one of the most prestigious marathons is really low. After completing the marathon, runners are jubilant and thrilled, and it's horrible that so many of these runners weren't able to finish off the day with happiness and excitement; instead many ended their days in fear and pain. To imagine that so many runners lost legs and arms, it's sad to think about because they probably will never be able to run the marathon again, which must be devastating to them. So many lives were taken away and changed forever, because of two despicable men who didn't think twice about the lives they were going to ruin. 

                
              Although there is much sadness and tragedy surrounding the bombings, there are many good things that resulted from this attack as well. During and after the bombings many people exhibited true heroism and patriotism in Boston. On the news and the radio, I heard some very heartwarming stories of people helping each other out, and trying to save people they had never met before.  It makes me happy to hear that during the bombings it wasn’t an every man for himself situation. It’s nice to know that in times of tragedy people not only think of themselves, but others as well. People that have never met each other before were working together to save and help as many people as they could. Especially in today’s selfish, conceited world, it’s encouraging to know that people are still willing to put others before themselves. The heroism during the Boston Marathon Bombings shows that the American spirit stills exists, and that in the end we’re all a family in this country and no man is left behind, under any circumstances. After the attacks, the patriotism in Boston and throughout Massachusetts was stronger than ever. The people of Boston aren’t to be messed with. When you mess with Boston, you mess with the whole state of Massachusetts. As David Ortiz said before a Red Sox game ““This is our fucking city. Nobody is going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.” I think Ortiz is completely right, and even though the bombers were out to ruin Boston and its people, they couldn’t succeed. The bombers didn’t acknowledge the fact that Boston is one of the strongest cities and that the police in Watertown and Boston didn’t stop searching and looking for them until Tamelan was dead and Dzhokhar was captured. The bombers may have thought they could destroy Boston, but that was an unrealistic goal, Boston can’t be destroyed. Boston is too strong. Together the people of Boston and the state of Massachusetts in the end destroyed the two masterminds behind the horrific bombings.
              
         The Boston Marathon Bombings shook the people of Boston. The city may have been shaken, but they were not broken. Boston has seen things that a city should never have to see or go through. Though the people of Boston and the state of Massachusetts stood together, and provided each other with comfort and support. Now that the only living bomber left, Dzhokar Tsarnaev, has been captured and taken into custody, the city of Boston can continue to celebrate and recover from the horrific events that occurred last Monday. Though Boston will never fully recover, no city can ever move past an attack like this, but if Boston continues to stay strong they will continue to move on and heal. Boston is a strong city, a city full of education and opportunities and nothing will ever change that. “Here's what I see all across this great city - people working together to make Boston a better place to live and to raise children, to grow and pursue dreams.” Thomas Menino.

       Interview Assignment: The Inside Truth on Teen Pregnancy.


      Over the past few years teen pregnancy has been increasing at a very alarming rate. Some people believe that the concerning spike in teen pregnancy is due to the media almost idolizing pregnant teens. As young mothers are being given their own shows like 16 and pregnant, and becoming famous for being promiscuous and displaying behaviors that are typically frowned upon. The opinions that teens are purposely becoming pregnant just to reap future benefits whether from the government or television, often comes from the public, that are people who have never known or worked with a pregnant teen. Judith Nordstrom, a woman who devotes her time working and helping teen moms, isn't so quick to judge teen mothers as she has seen what these teenagers go through on an everyday basis.

    Judith very much enjoys working with teen mothers and through her professional experience she is able to provide an unbiased opinion on teens mothers on the contrary to most public opinion. As the media consistently criticizes teen mothers as incompetent as parents to properly care for their children, based on what television shows convey to the public. Although seeing the care the children of teen mothers receive first hand is much more different than watching teen moms on television. When Judith was asked to describe how well teen mothers in her opinion are able to properly take care of their babies she responded saying, " Well, they're too young, they're not experienced enough to take care of their babies.The young mothers need people to help and support them in the process." Judith does agree that most teen moms aren't old enough and mature to actually take care of their babies properly, but because they're too young. Although with help and support teen mothers are eventually able to give their babies the proper care they need. Sure people are quick to judge these teenagers but they never stop to help these young mothers and teach them how to give the care that babies require. 

       There  has been much public opinion expressed about the show 16 and pregnant, Judith feels "I don't think pregnant teens and young mothers should be on tv, because I think these kids get pregnant because they think that they will be on one of these shows and that they'll be famous for getting pregnant. I think there are more pregnancies because of these shows." From a woman who works with teen moms professionally, she knows that 16 and pregnant isn't a good influence. Shows like 16 and pregnant are resulting in more and more pregnancies, instead of actually teaching teens that teen pregnancy isn't good, because the television networks are rewarding pregnant teenagers. Having talked and worked with many teen mothers, when asked about whether she believes that teens purposely become pregnant in order to reap the benefits, whether from the government or television; Judith responded saying "I think teen pregnancies are an accident most of the time. They're just young and naive." There are some teenagers that purposely become pregnant solely because of the future benefits they believe they will get from being pregnant. Although for the most part, teen pregnancy is just an accident and unplanned.                  

   

         Many people believe that it would be better for the children of teen mothers to be put up for adoption, and to be raised by older adults in order to have a good and happy upbringing. Since Judith has seen many young mothers care for their children and try to raise their babies right, Judith believes that "More than half of them,yes, should be put up for adoption. Most teen moms only think of themselves and what they can get out of the system after a while. After knowing what they can get, the young mothers think of themselves only." Most babies of teen mothers aren't given the care they deserve and more than half of them would be better off being put up for adoption. Although many babies would most likely have a better life being raised by adults, that doesn't mean all teen mothers are incapable of raising their children well. Judith said that "many of the mothers truly love their babies and they try to do the right thing for them. While other moms still put themselves first even though they have young infants to take care of." Some teenagers are just not suited for parenthood, but just because these mothers are young doesn't mean that they can't provide their babies with a good life, because many young moms do whatever they can do to provide well for their children and to give them a good life.

        The lives of these teens mothers are also drastically changed after becoming pregnant as well.Although the media negatively depicts teen pregnancy, 16 and pregnant, actually does a very good job in showing that many teenagers are not able to do the things they used to, due to their pregnancies. 16 and pregnant shows the lack of freedom teen mothers have once they have their babies, and the limitations as to what they can do. When Judith was asked about how the teen moms lives have changed because of their pregnancy she responds saying "They try to be like everybody else but they can't, because they have responsibilities." Being a teenager myself I could never imagine being a mother at my age. I believe that teenagers should enjoy their crazy teenage years. Motherhood should not be part of the typical teenage years, but sadly now a days teen pregnancy is becoming more and more common. Teens should be going to the movies or to the mall, instead of staying home taking care of  babies and missing out on some of the best years of their lives.