A lucky amulet is a worn or carried object that is believed to bring good luck or offer protection from harm. Throughout history, various cultures have used amulets for these purposes, with different designs and symbols holding different meanings and powers. Amulets can be made from various materials, including metals, gemstones, wood, and even plant material. They often feature symbols or images that are thought to possess magical or protective qualities. These symbols can range from religious or spiritual imagery to representations of animals or natural elements. The concept of lucky amulets can be traced back thousands of years.
Arnold and other group leaders delivered a 4,400-signature petition to the school this week asking to phase out the nickname within two years and to stop selling "Midget" merchandise to people from outside the community 25 miles east of St. Louis. The 7,000-member nonprofit, which represents people with dwarfism, held its annual convention in St. Louis this month.
Arnold and other group leaders delivered a 4,400-signature petition to the school this week asking to phase out the nickname within two years and to stop selling Midget merchandise to people from outside the community 25 miles east of St. Plus, you see a woman break wind whilst he s administering awkward looking oral sex to her in a toilet cubicle there really is something for everyone here.
The concept of lucky amulets can be traced back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians, for example, used amulets extensively. They believed in the power of certain symbols and objects to protect them in the afterlife and ward off evil spirits.
Little people group targeting 'midget' mascots across U.S.
Freeburg school superintendent Andrew Lehman, left, listens to members of Little People of America after the group presented him with a petition requesting that Freeburg Community High School change its nickname from the "Midgets" during a meeting at the school in Freeburg, Ill. Attendees at the group’s national convention in St. Louis petitioned for the name change because they find it offensive. (Derik Holtmann, News Democrat)
Freeburg, Ill. — As with many small towns, the biggest source of bragging rights in this agrarian outpost in southern Illinois are its high school athletes — the Freeburg Midgets.
Though town lore traces the mascot's origin to a local reporter who was impressed by the school's short basketball team beating larger opponents nearly a century ago, the school faces public pressure to drop the nickname — just like some college, pro and high school teams that still cling to terms once considered acceptable but now viewed as derogatory.
Advertisement"We recognize that it's not intended to have a negative impact," Little People of America President Gary Arnold said. "But with all the history and baggage that comes with the word, it still does."
Arnold and other group leaders delivered a 4,400-signature petition to the school this week asking to phase out the nickname within two years and to stop selling "Midget" merchandise to people from outside the community 25 miles east of St. Louis. The 7,000-member nonprofit, which represents people with dwarfism, held its annual convention in St. Louis this month.
AdvertisementThe word "midget" is derived from midge, a sand fly, and emerged in the 1800s to describe circus performers, according to a Little People of America flier.
Arnold said the group is targeting Freeburg — four years after visiting to discuss concerns — in hopes that a half-dozen other schools in Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin with similar nicknames will also agree to the change.
Freeburg superintendent Andrew Lehman said that while he is sympathetic to the concerns, the district has no plans to change the mascot. Supporters have organized a dueling petition and Facebook page.
"People's perspective on what is a good mascot or a bad mascot, that's a subjective issue," he said. "The name stuck. The town liked it. It ought to be the decision of the people who run the school." Still, he'll share the group's request at the next school board meeting.
Already, some college teams have made the change to comply with NCAA rules, including the University of North Dakota, which has yet to replace its Fighting Sioux mascot. And the NFL's Washington Redskins lost a federal court battle this week when a judge ordered its trademark registration be canceled because the name may disparage Native Americans.
High school officials elsewhere suggested they may be more receptive to dropping the "midget" nickname.
"We're probably going to have that conversation," even though there've been no complaints, said Scott Lepke, superintendent of the McLaughlin School District in South Dakota. "It's kind of embarrassing to have that nickname. It's not a positive."
Arnold said his group is particularly concerned that "midget" nicknames could expose students of short stature, whether dwarves or not, to bullying and ridicule.
Advertisement"It sends a signal to youth that the use of the word 'midget' to describe a small person is acceptable and humorous," he said.
The linguistic battle was waged within the ranks of the nonprofit, which was initially known as the "Midgets of America" when founded by actor Billy Barty in 1957, Arnold said. The name change came several years later.
The group now says preferred nomenclature is a "personal decision"; accepted terms include short stature, dwarfism, little person and dwarf.
"The word has evolved," Arnold said. "And we feel that it's time for a change."
Along the way, there is plenty of political incorrectness. One scene — apparently filmed at an actual restaurant, with other customers watching in horror — has the two teams discussing racial epithets and tossing the N-word around casually. Here we can admire the filmmakers (the director is Ron Carlson; the semi-improvised screenplay is credited to Kevin Andounian) for crossing a line that even most “edgy” comedies avoid, but then the realization settles in: There was no reason for it. All these taboos are being exploited, and to what end? None, really. Too frequently we’re meant to laugh at the mere fact that the film is being obnoxious, and not at what’s actually being said so obnoxiously.
One of the most well-known amulets from ancient Egypt is the Eye of Horus, which was believed to bring good health and protection. In other cultures, amulets were also believed to have protective powers. In ancient Greece and Rome, for example, small figures or symbols were often carried for protection or luck. In Chinese culture, jade amulets are considered to be powerful symbols of protection and good luck. Today, lucky amulets are still popular in many cultures and can be found in various forms. It could be a necklace with a pendant, a bracelet adorned with crystals, or a keychain with a symbol of significance. Some people may even keep small amulets in their wallets or pockets as a constant source of good fortune. While the belief in lucky amulets may vary from person to person, many people find comfort and reassurance in wearing or carrying these objects. They serve as a reminder of positive intentions and can provide a sense of security and confidence. In conclusion, lucky amulets have been used by various cultures throughout history as symbols of protection and good fortune. They can come in many different forms and feature a variety of symbols or images. While their effectiveness may be a matter of personal belief, these amulets can offer a sense of comfort and positivity to those who carry them..
Reviews for "The Connection Between Lucky Amulets and Positive Thinking"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "A lucky amulet" to be quite underwhelming. The plot was predictable, and the characters lacked depth. The main character appeared one-dimensional and lacked any real growth throughout the story. The pacing was also off, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "A lucky amulet" was a complete waste of time for me. The writing style was dull and lacked any creativity. The storyline was uninteresting, and the characters felt cliché and poorly developed. I struggled to connect with any of them and ultimately found myself not caring about what happened to them. The dialogue was also weak, with unrealistic conversations that felt forced. I cannot understand how this book has received any positive reviews.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "A lucky amulet," but unfortunately, it fell short. The plot felt overly contrived, with convenient coincidences popping up left and right. The dialogue was stilted, and the characters' actions often didn't make sense. The writing lacked depth and failed to evoke any emotional response from me. Overall, this book lacked originality and failed to capture my interest. I would not recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 3 stars - "A lucky amulet" was an average read for me. While the story had potential, it felt slightly predictable and lacked any real surprises. The characters were okay, but I didn't find myself connecting with them on a deeper level. The writing style was decent, but there were moments where it felt repetitive and unengaging. Overall, this book didn't leave a strong impression on me, and I wouldn't actively recommend it to others, but I also wouldn't discourage anyone from giving it a try.
5. David - 2 stars - I was quite disappointed with "A lucky amulet." The premise intrigued me, but the execution fell flat. The plot took too long to pick up, and by the time it did, I had lost interest. The characters were forgettable, and their actions felt forced. The writing style was decent, but it couldn't compensate for the lackluster story. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others.