Reflection 1

This week has been weird. Moving here all the way from Southern California has been a big transition. I thought I was ready, but I’ve come to realize I am homesick, not just for my family, but the life and the routine I had at home as well as my friends. Also it has been a rough week because there was a tragedy at home and dealing with that along with all this change has been hard. So life at American university overall is very different and the change happened so quickly I think I am still adjusting and getting used to everything.

Surprisingly I enjoy all my classes and my professors. Global Cities is a very unique and interesting class which I am sad only occurs once a week. I was thoroughly surprised by my Chinese class. I was very unsure as to whether or not I would like it, but the professor has really made the class something I look forward too. I am also taking writing 100 and while it is not my favorite class so far I have no complaints. Of course I am taking World Politics, and during the last class we discussed Awiti. I did not participate much in the large class discussion because I was very intent on learning and hearing from my classmates, but in our smaller groups I gave my thoughts about the novel.

Honestly, it was one of the hardest pieces of literature I have ever had to read. The extreme descriptions of the rapes and murders really affected me, so it took me awhile to get through the book because I had to pause and take a few breaths before reading on. I believe Awiti had every right to exact revenge on all those people. The only time she ever crossed a line in my mind was when she poisoned the children. Awiti’s hate was only intensified during her immortal life because she constantly surrounded herself with people who were suffering or people who had hate in their hearts. Being around people for long periods of time means you will begin to act like them and that is what happened to Awiti. Her tunnel vision took over and she never talked to the black victims of her destruction, nor did she help those whose lives she affected, like the professor.

I’m excited for next week!

#1 Reflection (ym)

  I will be writing this Reflective Blog every week, for me to be able to look them over at the end of the semester to observe my progress as a Global Scholar, and a learner in general. Here, for my first reflective blog, I would like to write about some of my general thoughts. ◡̈⃝

  Firstly, about the quote we were discussing on Thursday. I personally think that there are two different types of learning. 1. “Having opposing arguments among people” I think that having two or more different arguments is the time and opportunity when you can realize that there are actually other opinions, and that there are different ways of thinking about the topic. 2. “Actively listening and being taught” Actively listening from a professor or even your classmate, is definitely another way to learn. Honestly, I learned a lot throughout our first week of classes by actively listening to what the professors say and what thoughts my classmates have. However, at the same time, there are times when you need to take risk as a learner. There needs to be a balance between the time of actively listening and speaking up for opinions. I think presenting your opinions is the great chance to hear feedbacks, which will connect to a deeper learning.

  As an International student who is in this learning environment, I feel that I am a risk taker. The quality of discussions, thoughts and opinions, the critical thinking skills etc… in this program, is definitely special from any other programs in this university. And I feel that I am not being able to reach that level, and being behind from all of the other classmates. However, I am definitely learning a lot by listening to the fruitful discussions the class creates, and it is very exciting and interesting. I think I am in this learning process of trying to reach the level of my other classmates, so that I can participate in discussions and debates by actually presenting my thoughts.

     This became a really long blog, and more like a diary, but I am so honored to be a part of this Global Scholars Program. I have the greatest learning community that I am always stimulated, and reminded that I need to work and try my hardest at all times. And I hope that I can grow up as a learner throughout the fruitful three years we will be learning together. To all of the readers who have read this whole blog entry, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. ◡̈⃝

Reflection #1

I wish we could have discussed Awiti longer. People in our group noticed an interesting thing about Awiti, she has tunnel vision. In the beginning of Awiti's story, I saw all the people, her people, that were killed and sold into slavery. I understood her actions in killing the white people at this point in time, since the only places where she killed had slaves, or were slave trade port. Her fury at killing the white people at this point can be seen as justifiable. As the years went by, and even when slavery ended, racism continued in the world. Lynchings and hanging continued, and Awiti's wrath was still justified. It's when we got to close to modern times, when we see the white people who don't have racist thoughts, that we know that at least a few things in the world has changed, and yet Awiti hasn't. Awiti's view has become tunneled, she hasn't realized that people have changed, yet she keeps killing them. She keeps killing whites even though they have changed and they aren't the same people that were slave traders. She keeps creating hurricanes in the hurt locations even though they are now mainly black. All Awiti wants is her revenge. 

I also would have liked to discuss the spirits that Awiti talks to. Is she picking and choosing the spirits she talks to, because that would be horrible, or can she only talk to those of African descent. If she picks and chooses her spirits, that makes her seem like a horrible person, especially since blacks weren't the only ones persecuted. What about the LGBTQ community, the Jews and other persecuted people? Why didn't she listen to them? Another thing pointed out and that is interesting, is the fact she never seemed to talk to her own victims, the victims of the horrible things she's done, of her hurricane victims? I believe if she had done that, she may have thought about her actions differently. 

In the end of the day, I hope next class I can debate and talk about these things, since I find it interesting. 

- Eli

Week #1 Reflection

With this being the first week of classes I thought there would initially not be a lot of information for us to reflect on. However after our discussion in class today, there are several topics I’d like to discuss in this post. Focusing on the theme of immortality from the novel, I feel like we were able to really get into a lively debate over vengeful actions and the moral repercussions of them. After breaking out into smaller groups, I feel that we were better able to discuss Awiti’s actions and how they could be perceived differently based on your ethnic background. With her representing a cumulative history of trauma within the African American community, Awiti’s actions could be seen as justice while from another perspective they could be seen as morally wrong. 

In her attempts to rectify the injustices that African Americans have faced Awiti initially acts as a beacon of hope but as the book continues she becomes a radical figure who acts as judge and jury and executioner. Awiti begins to actively serve as a warning to humanity that seeking justice can often lead to blurred lines and the inability to perceive the good from the bad. Immortality in the novel serves to explain Awiti’s inability to let go of centuries of pain and hatred, as she has seen no real progress in the treatment of African Americans in society. Slavery might have been abolished, but it was quickly replaced with segregation, Jim Crow laws, and sharecropping which all ensured the mistreatment and oppressed status of those who had been freed. In our small group we discussed that continuing this inability to let go, Awiti never felt remorse for those innocently harmed in the wake of her destruction. We talked deeply about this transformation and the actions that we found went past the original intent of moral justice, especially in the case of the murder of the Mountaudoin children. This blurred sense of morality continued in the last chapter as Baby Obeah reminds Awiti of the damage she will cause to the African American community or her “people”  if she comes to New Orleans. Those that she actually wishes to punish (white faces) would not actively be punished because they didn’t live in areas such as the 9th ward. Awiti’s final actions in the book showcase a complete disregard for the well being of her “people” as a way for her to complete her agenda. Awiti’s actions can be seen in that of political figureheads and how deeply they can destroy lives for the sake of a singular policy or for that of an entire administration. A lot of Awiti’s actions can be related to real-life situations in which retribution or justice is dealt with at the cost of innocent lives. 

Most pressing issue in the world today

Political polarization. The basic definition of which is, an individual’s political attitude has shifted towards the extreme when presented with political ideologies. All over the world this issue prevails. Politics today have reached a point where no middle ground seems to exist. Currently the extreme right and extreme left have come to a point where if you do not agree with either ideology then you are simply an observer and are doing nothing to further your political or moral beliefs. Political polarization breeds a culture of ignorance since both sides are unwilling to learn or hear another perspective. Everywhere political polarization only increases the divide among the residents of a country as well as decrease their confidence in the current government or possibly the regime. Today more than ever it is important to find compromise in order to progress and take action when needed.

Political polarization has led to the rise in extreme governments which in turn create extreme policies. Brexit has been occurring for quite some time with negotiations leading nowhere since no one is happy with the end result of any previously presented deal. With the rise of Boris Johnson, after Theresa May’s multiple unsuccessful attempts at producing a deal, a no deal Brexit seems to be the most likely outcome of this situation. A no deal Brexit will leave Britain to figure out new trade partners and form a different taxation system for European goods, businesses and banks will go through a recession until they are able to figure out where their headquarters should be and what the new tariffs will look like. Countries which depend upon Great Britain such as Ireland will also be largely affected by this sudden change. There are roads which cross the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland quite often and will lead to many difficulties if each time citizens must show their passport when trying to get to work. Trade between Ireland and Great Britain will also have to be rethought out which in turn will affect the Irish economy. On another note, immigration is a hot topic issue no matter where you go in the world, but with extreme governments in place the legislation or lack of it has proven to be detrimental to immigrants as well as refugees around the world. Extreme right governments are not very welcoming and often try to enact policy which will negatively impact the ease of entering that particular country. Whereas on the other hand extreme left governments will allow immigrants as well as refugees or other asylum seekers into their country with few obstacles, but soon realize they do not have sufficient infrastructure to support the influx of people.

Overall political polarization will only lead to issues remaining unsolved, increasing divisions among the population, and a culture of close minded ignorance since no one is able to listen to one another. Communication, understanding, and compromise are three key components to potentially reducing the increase of political polarization.

#1 What is the most pressing issue in world politics today? (ym)

     Today, one billion people are in hunger, over seventy million children are not in school, seventy million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide due to persecution and violence, and around two billion people have no access to the basic human needs. Every day, hundreds of millions of people are experiencing severe deprivation and suffering.

     The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), held by the United Nations present solutions for some of the greatest pressing issues in the world. United Nations is irreplaceable compared to the other inter-governmental organizations, as different international political orders go along for them to play a large role in maintaining peace and security, promoting international development. Within the seventeen goals, ending poverty is one of them. Reducing world poverty is arguably one of the main global challenges. Although poverty might be seemed as more of an economic problem, world politics greatly have an effect on this global issue. This is because politics shape the distribution of economic resources and ultimately drive poverty in different areas of the world. For an example, taxes are determined by each country’s government, and global taxes lead to moderate inequality. Also, global issues that are related economically tend to figure out a prominent trend, and they are stepping into the political field for solutions. Poverty can be found on both the developed and developing nations, and much of the variation in poverty across democracies can be said that they are due to politics and institutions. Yet, the reason why poverty is the biggest global challenge is because this issue connects with many other global issues, and we need to solve it in order to find solutions for other global issues to be solved too.

     Recently, the official approach for this issue is having a shift change to a new one. The previous approach would have included various organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, or the International Monetary Fund. However, now countries themselves can take ownership and manage their countries’ strategies in order to reduce poverty and develop their political and economic status. Governments with different ideologies implemented different policies to fight poverty. In terms of causation, people on the political right think that individual behaviors and community conditions are the causation of poverty. However, people who are politically on the left would think that it is caused by exploitation and political systems. Also, it has become clear that poverty means more than the lack of income, but it is related to powerlessness and lack of services. Therefore, solving the issue of poverty is necessary not only from a humanitarian or an economical perspective, but also to maintain worldwide social harmony and prevent political turmoil which could harm the democratic structure of certain countries. 

     Thus, this issue -fighting for poverty- is one of the most pressing global issue. It requires collegiality among the developed and developing nations.

The Destruction of our Home

The Destruction of our Home

In the world there are many pressing issues. The most pressing of them all is the human destruction of nature. Humans are destroying forests and other wild life to make room for human expansion. These actions are destroying biomes and the homes of many different species such as flora and fauna. The biodiversity of the ecosystems on our planet is diminishing. Humans are exploiting wild life for their own personal gain, not realizing the impact it is having. Hundreds and thousands of species have been impacted and gone extinct because of these actions.

Destroying nature isn't just hurting animals and plants, it hurts humans too. Tearing down forests for buildings and highways, and driving when you could walk or bike. These are just a few things that contribute to the destruction of nature. As we all know, fewer trees equals less oxygen which is vital for life. Driving everywhere when it is not needed, when all one has to do is bike, carpool or take the bus is one major way we all contribute to the destruction of nature, of our planet. And yet humans are still destroying nature like the plague they are.

When was the last time you saw more than ten stars? When was the last time you enjoyed the sounds of nature?

These are the questions you need to think about. Acknowledge the destruction humans are causing  nature.

- Eli

Blog Post #1: What is the most pressing issue in world politics today?

The Syrian refugee crisis has been one of the most important events in our shifting global political scene over the past decade; specifically, the effect it has had on European countries’ immigration policies. As more than five million Syrian refugees fled their country to escape civil war, migration policies have been re-examined to address the new needs of asylum seekers streaming across the European Union. Coordination between countries has been lacking, leaving millions of refugees stranded at camps and borders, violating the 1951 Refugee Convention. Many countries have refused to take in more at their borders or follow through with transfers from out-resourced countries. The European Commission has brought legal proceedings upon sovereign states who have taken in less than a dozen refugees while claiming overpopulation and a lack of resources.

Immigration systems have begun to shift away from evidence-based policies and have left those running from war, starvation, and persecution without any support or refuge. Solidarity between European nations has essentially disappeared in the light of this crisis, which has made resource sharing a thing of the past. The entire crisis could have been lessened if bureaucratic red tape and xenophobic feelings had been left out of the political conversation. The reactions to the influx of immigrants and asylum seekers have ultimately changed Europe’s institutions of migration and left millions out in the cold without any sense of security or hope.

The pre-existing reluctance to provide humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees has intensified to the rise of anti-immigrant rhetoric. This new political dialogue has led to dramatic shifts in policy making and has led to conservative wins in Germany and the UK. This issue is significant as every country should be able to step up and take in those who are escaping war or persecution, even if it means restructuring the systems that have been in place for centuries. Governments should amend their policies to meet the needs of the time, to meet the evolving demands resulting from global conflicts. Many of the European countries that have taken in refugees have failed to initiate programs that will help refugees settle into their new home, receive proper medical care, social services, and job training. A successful immigration system in Europe will require two things first and foremost: putting into place new guidelines for asylum seekers and creating community programs to help refugees adjust to their new home without losing the richness of their cultures.