The Impact of Voice

A powerful agent is the right word.
---Mark Twain
Words well chosen have the power to inform, influence, educate, and entertain. One of the beauties of the Internet is the ability to communicate across states, countries, oceans, etc. We can now share ideas and communicate with one another across the globe--we can send words of encouragement, we can share ideas and prompt change, and we can leave a legacy about who we are as people.

Over the past two weeks you've experienced just a small part of what blogging is about--what it can allow people in the world to do. I'd like for you to visit the below sites--read, listen, and watch. The first site is about the impact blogs will have in the future--in business. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_18/b3931001_mz001.htm

The next site shares the power of communication--how no matter our circumstances we will find a way to communicate. Think about how far we've come.

http://teaching.quotidiana.org/soe/humanvoice2/index.html

And the last two sites--I hope will inspire a continued connection with the world via the Internet. You are a part of a global society--and your voice matters. Be sure to watch both videos (One World and The Message) at the bottom of the article. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/207640/youtubes_the_message_video_sends_message.html

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/burma--it-cant-wait--voices--day-8/1001795693

Tell me--what have you learned about yourself, your world, your peers by blogging the past two weeks. What changes in the world do you hope to make? What are you passionate about changing that you haven't been able to voice just yet?

Should the SPLA be Assisted?

In Sudan, the SPLA or Sudan People’s Liberation Army, is in a fight of vigilante justice against the main Government body. The Sudanese government, under Umar Hassan al-BASHIR of the National Congress Party, or NCP is using his authority to kill innocent Dinka peoples of Southern Sudan and the Darfur region. With the assistance of militia groups such as the Murahaleen and Janjaweed, the Sudanese Army, is attacking rebels groups and villages in the Darfur area, similar to conflicts years ago in the South. The SPLM or Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, which gained some government power in 2005, pulled out of the legislature in October 2007. Primarily, this was because of the poor representation of the Southern Sudanese people in the government. Also, another reason is because of the atrocities in the Darfur region in Sudan. However, before this, the main Sudanese government tried to recruit the assistance of SSIM or Southern Sudan Independence Movement members, which had partially broke away from the SPLM, in its agreements with the main Government. A number of times the United States’ government has sent aid to the SPLA. However, the overall credibility of the SPLA is imprecise. The SPLA’s overall alliances with organizations such as the NDA or National Democratic Association, and even at times with the government, has hurt their reputation and their motives are uncertain. The fact that the SPLA is also using Child Soldiers in their efforts to “Save the Dinka People” has also hurt their appearance.

If they cannot be trusted, should the US continue to help them, or search for other ways to save the people in Darfur? And even the South? Even more alarming, is the question of how assisting the rebel group may actually help or hurt the conflicts in Darfur or Southern Sudan?

This Link explains more in-depth on how the SPLM is having trouble:http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/11/africa/AF-GEN-Sudan-South.php

Follow this Link to see a video of some of the conditions of the SPLA:http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?m=49750&cl=139229&ch=87581

Another Link shows how the United States has helped the SPLA in the past:http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=611(be wary of potential bias)

To get a better idea of what's going on now check this link out:http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article25317

And if interested in researching further on the SPLM/A, I recommend this website: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/spla.htm

Boy Soldiers

Boy Soldiers

“Katorek would say that we stood on the threshold of life. And so it would seem. We had as yet taken no root. The war swept us away.” This is a quote from Erich Maria Remarque’s book All Quiet on the Western Front. Most soldiers in this story are still young. Even though this story takes place during WWI, the enlisting of young and/or child soldiers still takes place in our world today. In Ishmael Beah’s Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is a more recent example. In his story, he was forced in the army of Sierra Leone. The following site contains more stories of young soldiers: http://www.child-soldiers.org/childsoldiers/voices-of-young-soldiers

Follow it up with this site, which tells how child soldiers are forced into the army:http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/childrensrights/childrenofconflict/soldier.shtml

For a video go to:http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1260847315377829589&q=child+soldiers&ei=WcQZSN6ZOI6E4gKxv4XIBg&hl=en

Questions: Why is this a major problem? What should be done? Why is what we are doing now not very effective?

Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration, right or wrong? Some say it helps our economy because the “tedious” jobs are taken. However, others will argue that it damages our society because more and more Americans are forced out of jobs. More than 21 million illegal immigrants slide past border patrol each year and enter the US unknown. Of that, 10 million take US jobs and put our citizens out of work. For more factual numbers on illegal immigrants go to: http://www.immigrationcounters.com/

On the other hand, illegal immigrants are boosting our economy. In one article it states that, “"Without the immigrants, we would have a decline in labor force of 3 to 4 percent." The Bureau of Labor Statistics, “estimates that 25 to 30 percent of those working in resident construction are immigrants.” So if we completely cut all their jobs, won’t our economy suffer? CNN says yes. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2006/04/12/johns.if.illegals.went.away.cnn?iref=videosearch%20.
Also check out this other article from CNN: http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/01/news/economy/immigration_economy/index.htm

Now it’s up to you to decide which is more important. Do illegal immigrants hurt our economy, or do they enhance it?

Victims of Slavery and Rape

Throughout the novel Copper Sun, there are hundreds of slaves that are victims of rape. Amari, the main character, "...was beaten, branded, and dragged into a slave ship. She was forced to witness horrors worse than any nightmare and endure humiliations never thought possible." Is this only in a book? No, it's still happening today. Many people around the world are still being forced into slavery. Some people think that slavery should not have been accepted or allowed by the law in the first place.

In cases of rape its has been noticed that African American's are disadvantaged because of their skin tone. This unfortunatly has been passed down from their history as slaves. However, not all agree with that, but it had definitely been noticed that throughout histrory, slavery has greatly contributed to the discrimination of African Americans. Back in the time of slavery, an African American woman being taken, against her will, was not uncommon--nor was it perceived as a crime because slaves were seen as property, and at the time the law didn't protect the property from sexual assault. When enslaved women were raped, it was a way for the white man to keep the plantation population growing, because children would inherit their mother's status. So if their mother was a slave, then they were a slave, even if their father was a free man.

Today, African American women are less likely to report a rape or even tell anyone about it. Some think that the unwillingness to report a rape could be because some African American women have accepted the "rape myths" passed down through generations.

For more of a history on African Americans and how they have coped, please read the following article: http://www.brandeis.edu/projects/fse/Pages/victimraceandrape.html

Our question to you is: Why have we let this stereotype continue on for as long as it has? Has the media affected the way we percieve African American's, and why should their human rights be valued less than say a caucasians?

Reinstate the Draft?

The United States has not had a draft since the end of the Vietnam War over 30 years ago. Now, with the War on Terror and the War in Iraq, there is once again talk of compulsory military service. Needless to say, many Americans are not excited about the prospect of serving in a war they don't support. Some officials, however, have begun steps that have many fearing another draft. While both the Pentagon and the White House deny claims of another draft, some aren't convinced.

Check out this video about the possibility of a draft:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2006/12/22/starr.military.draft.debate.affl

Here is another one to check out:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/10/war.adviser.draft.ap/

A representative from New York supports the draft in this article:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E2DC153FF932A05751C1A9649C8B63

What do you think? Should the US reinstate the draft?

American Involvement in Africa?

Several countries in Africa are currently going through a civil war. Darfur has recieved American publicity, but war is not limited to this country. It is recorded that as many as 300,000 (conservatively) have died in Darfur alone.

John Holmes, the UN head of humanitarian affiars, comments on the current issues in Africa. Be sure to watch the video.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7361979.stm

Bush appeared in Africa to pledge American assistance.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3064607.stm

Should America follow Bush into South Africa? Is it our duty as a superior country to assist those in need?

Should books be banned in schools?

This isn’t a far-fetched idea from a science fiction novel called Fahrenheit 451—Nope, book banning is happening right now in schools across the U.S. A recent victim—How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents written by Julia Alarez—one of the novels being read in our Honors class. To begin, I’d like for you to understand why this particular book has been banned at Johnston County, NC and what the author says about it by reading her interview with the National Coalition Against Censorship at: http://www.ncac.org/literature/20080129~USA~Interview_With_Julia_Alvarez.cfm
Because I want you to be aware of all viewpoints, before responding, I encourage you to find out more—what was it about the book that parents found offensive? What are the Johnston schools doing about it and other offensive books? Check out the following article from the newspaper: http://www.dunndailyrecord.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=93213&TM=56907.38
I particularly found the radio broadcast discussing this issue very interesting and enlightening: http://wunc.org/tsot/archive/sot0104a08.mp3/view .

What are your thoughts? Should books be banned by schools and removed from their shelves? I wonder if there have been books banned by our district. Anyone willing to investigate?

"The Lost Boys" ACT

Dave Egger's novel What is the What deals with "the Lost Boys" of the Sudan. Here's some brief background--a civil war broke out in 1983, pitting the country's Arab and Muslim northern government against the largely Christian and black tribes of the south. The result--approximately 5 million Sudanese were displaced and an estimated 30,000 young boys were orphaned and had to trek to refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. Without parents to care for them, they banded together to survive -- and are known as the "lost boys of Sudan." What they faced was horrifying--crocodile-infested rivers, lion attacks, beatings, diseases, and starvation.
Since the signing of a peace treaty, almost 4,000 of these Sudanese child refugees now live in the United States. Foundations were established to assist these young boys--to help them make the transition. First, I would like you to read to discover more about these young boys and their experiences at this link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/03/01/60II/main502594.shtml
and then please check out the following videos:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2591255213790016056

Recently, our legislators have introduced the H.R. 3054: Return of the Lost Boys and Lost Girls of Sudan Act. I'd like for you to click on the following link and where it says "Bill Text", click on the Summaries and Full Text to read about this act. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-3054

Questions: What do you think about this Act after what you have learned about the Lost Boys? And what are your thoughts about the AWARD AMOUNTS the government is offering under Section 3 of the Full Text?

How Should Soldiers be Treated?

The novel All Quiet on The Western Front depicts in graphic detail the harsh conditions men have to face on the front line. But what is even more appalling is the treatment they receive when they are wounded. Though this book is set during World War I, the brutality of war and the number of casualties are real--even today we watch scenes from Iraq and hear the staggering numbers of those who are injured and those who have given their lives. I wanted to share something that would make you see something more than just the war--something that I discovered when I was in Germany when the war began. I witnessed wives of U.S. soldiers collecting items for our soldiers that were wounded and in hospitals. They were gathering everyday items--toothpaste, deoderant, shaving cream, etc. When I asked why, I was told that when a soldier was injured, removed from duty, and was in the hospital, that soldier is charged for the use of those everyday items. Charged? What has become more puzzling to me is the treatment of injured soldiers even when they return to the U.S. I want you to watch the attached video. http://www.foxnews.com/video2/player06.html?030507/030507_garrett_hospital&FNL&Walter%20Reed%20Scandal&acc&Politics&-1&News&237&&&new and visit the following page http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,256559,00.html

Here's the guiding questions for our discussion (commentary): What do you believe our soldiers deserve? What responsibility does our government have to them? What responsibility do we have to them?

Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery

“As unimaginable as it seems, slavery and bondage still persist in the early 21st century. Millions of people around the world still suffer in silence in slave-like situations of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation from which they cannot free themselves. Trafficking in persons is one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time.”
[U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report, June 2003]

One of our Lit. Circle novels Copper Sun deals with slavery. We often consider this a topic for history books--something in the past. Or we think that it happens in other countries--not in the United States.

Below our two sites I encourage you to check out--to read.
http://www.gvnet.com/humantrafficking/00-HumanTrafficking.htm
and . . . http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/jan-june01/slavery_3-8.html

Be sure to watch the streaming video about thousands forced into slavery in U.S.

Here are the guiding questions for commenting: 1) First, what shocked and appalled you? 2) Why do you think this is still happening today? What is it about humans that makes one person mistreat another?

Social Networking vs Educational Blogging

Bloggers, below is a link that may be very enlightening for all of us and even our "larger audience" out there. Please click on the link http://supportblogging.wikispaces.com/Blogs+vs+Social+Networking to read a clarification of the difference between educational blogging and social networking. Networking sites like MySpace truly differ in content and language from educational blogging, and reading this link will clear up some of the challenges we face as new bloggers. I hope to prevent any misunderstandings which could emerge over blogging expectations. The site covers dangers, safety, language, and benefits of a knowledge based site.

Here's the question: What's the difference between educational blogging and social networking? And if this blog is established for educational purposes, what are the expectations? Consider the shadow blogging we've been doing in class.

Read it and then comment. Let's make sure our comments relate to the post--that they are insightful and analytical.