Why more expensive sports like rowing and tennis should be more accessible to social and ethnic minorities?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Making Expensive Sports Accessible: Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Rowing and Tennis
Introduction
Sports such as rowing and tennis are often associated with privilege due to their high costs, exclusive clubs, and limited access. This exclusivity leads to a lack of representation from social and ethnic minorities within these sports. In this essay, we will explore the importance of making expensive sports more accessible to social and ethnic minorities. By promoting diversity and inclusion in rowing and tennis, we can break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and foster a more equitable society.
Building a Diverse and Inclusive Sporting Community
Breaking Financial Barriers
One of the main obstacles preventing social and ethnic minorities from participating in expensive sports like rowing and tennis is the financial burden associated with equipment, coaching, club membership, and training facilities. By providing financial assistance programs or scholarships specifically targeted at these groups, we can alleviate the financial strain and make these sports more accessible.
Challenging Stereotypes
By promoting diversity in rowing and tennis, we challenge the stereotypes that surround these sports. Often perceived as “elite” or “exclusive,” rowing and tennis are seen as sports for the wealthy, reinforcing existing social barriers. Encouraging social and ethnic minorities to participate not only challenges these stereotypes but also highlights the talent and potential within these communities.
Representation Matters
Representation plays a crucial role in inspiring individuals to participate in a particular sport. When social and ethnic minorities see individuals from similar backgrounds excelling in rowing or tennis, they are more likely to feel empowered to pursue these sports themselves. By increasing representation within these sports, we can inspire the next generation of athletes from diverse backgrounds.
The Benefits of Diversity in Sports
Promoting Social Cohesion
Sports have the power to bring people together, fostering social cohesion and breaking down barriers. By promoting diversity in rowing and tennis, we encourage individuals from different backgrounds to interact, collaborate, and develop meaningful relationships. This not only benefits the sporting community but also extends to society as a whole.
Enhancing Skills and Performance
Diverse teams bring unique perspectives, experiences, and approaches to the table. In rowing and tennis, where teamwork and strategy are crucial, a diverse team can enhance creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall performance. By incorporating individuals from various backgrounds, we can create stronger teams that excel both on and off the field.
Economic Implications
Expanding access to rowing and tennis among social and ethnic minorities can also have positive economic implications. By increasing participation from diverse communities, we broaden the consumer base for related industries such as equipment manufacturers, coaching services, and event organizers. This not only stimulates economic growth but also creates new opportunities for employment within the sports industry.
Conclusion
Making expensive sports like rowing and tennis more accessible to social and ethnic minorities is not only a matter of fairness but also an opportunity to create a more inclusive society. By breaking down financial barriers, challenging stereotypes, promoting representation, and recognizing the benefits of diversity in sports, we can create a more equitable sporting community. Through these efforts, we can inspire future generations to pursue their passions regardless of their social or ethnic background, fostering a society built on inclusivity and equal opportunities.
