Camp Darfur

I think that as of the time that we began working on Camp Darfur we have come so far. There is so much that our class has accomplished and I think that this is one of the best experiences that one can have, especially through a project at school. To see that there is a community that has strong convictions and is so dedicated to helping others has been one of the most valuable elements that I will take away. Something that my mom said to me resonated with me. She said, " Its really difficult to develop social conscience." I truly believe this is something that we all faced in our project and added to the trials we had to deal with.
One of the most interesting speakers was the Sudanese woman, Rachael. She truly spoke from the heart and because of how directly she was effected by the genocide, she was able to make more of an impact. Although at first it was difficult to understand her, I think that once she was able to speak in her native dialect she was able to get her point across thanks to her translator. Her words showed that even though we may not see the effects of the genocide they are occurring. Ally said this to me during her speech, "I don't understand how people can listen to this and not see that there is a genocide happening."
Personally, this has been one of the more influential projects. This wasn't just something that we learn about and store for later, through Camp Darfur we were given the opportunity to spread our knowledge and hopefully make a difference. I think that we were able to impact our visitors, even if only a handful of people were touched it was worth it. I think that the fact that we were students could have shocked people and made them understand that age doesn't matter, what matters is what you work for.

Not on Our Watch: Number Three.

So, we have finished the book, and I'm sure that many of us have mixed feelings. Overall, I think that this was a very interesting read and allowed us a fresh push for finishing both the letter writing campaign as well as Camp Darfur. However at times I felt that this book was repetitive and shallow. For instance, sections that I would have enjoyed seeing more depth in regards to content were the historical profiles on Congo, Uganda, and Somalia. After all, this book is dedicated not only to Darfur but also “beyond.” I, personally, feel that “Not on our Watch” was insightful particularly because it presented many the ideas that ordinary people had and implemented. The fact John and Don were so thorough in gathering information on people who have been influential in Darfur was laborious to read at times, making the book very specialized, and perhaps not in a good way. As I was reading a question arose that correlated to the idea that we can change Khartoum’s behavior through pressure: “Could our political pressure make a difference or do we need to –as the book says- turn to aggressive military action?” After finishing the book, I think that it is possible for us to make a difference. There are so many ways one could get involve, and I think that many times people don’t realize the resources that are available to us, or the effects that we can make. I’m sure this was the case for the letters we all wrote. I’ve heard people talk about how we can’t make a difference, but looking at the amount of letters, we at least can show that some people in this world care. I don’t understand how people think that because they don’t see the immediate results, they aren’t making a difference…I guess it all comes back to our human nature.

Not on Our Watch: Number Two.

The chapter 4-6 reading was interesting for me for various reasons. One of the first things that struck me was that the genocide truly is a political strategy, besides its roots as a religious struggle. It is a way for the Khartoum government to maintain power. Secondly, I think that the history of Darfur has greatly affected the way that the situation is being handled today. Until recently it was being dismissed as another one of the many civil conflicts within the country. If you look at the pattern of events it is clear that the stage has been set, and the government has taken advantage of this fact to commit the atrocities that they are. For example, even in previous struggles, the Janjaweed has been a party present and instrumental in the violence. In a conflict from 1987 to 1989, the Janjaweed stole cattle from the Darfurian people, and burned four hundred villages (73). A quote I found interesting can be found on page 127; it regards the reasons why the United States must act. It states that if we stand by and do nothing history will judge us harshly…again. Conversely, I believe there would be some much satisfaction, when,\ looking back we could say, “Glad Darfur wasn’t a lost cause, I’m glad we made the effort to make a change.”
Another part I found interesting was when John says, "Unless people like you reading this book become more vocal, little will change about how we respond to Africa." Like I said last week, this must be a people’s movement. Our staying quiet will do nothing, if we all put a little bit of an effort imagine what we could do.

class discussion reflection.

I think our discussion today was fruitful both in our small groups and as a whole. While in my small group I was able to hear Mariah's opinion on the book. One of the things that she said was regarding the relationship between Sudan and Uganda's government. She thought it was interesting how both countries are currently in troubling times and major groups are supporting one another to commit horrible crimes. I agree that while many people do not know this, I am not sure how beneficial it would be to try to kill two birds with one stone and make an organization that tries to advocate the end of both.

Not on Our Watch: Number One.

Before I began to read “Not on Our Watch,” by John Prendergast and Don Cheadle, I thought that I was not going to learn much, primarily because I had already done a great amount of research on this issue. However, the book went far beyond the scope of knowledge that I had acquired beforehand. While reading I came upon an interesting quote, “By ignoring the positive news, U.S. and European media risk fostering a dangerous tendency to dismiss the entire continent as hopeless.” It echoed one of the many themes of the section. I completely agreed with this statement. So often we are convinced that there is nothing we can do to make changes, when in reality it is simply our mindset that we need to change before we can actually do something. The four things that need to change are: apathy, indifference, ignorance, and policy inertia. I feel so lucky that I have the opportunity to read this book because I know that just by doing this I am doing something positive, not to mention the other components of our project. What I also realized is that there is the cycle and these traps that are so difficult to overcome. There are many decisions that are morally complicated. It seems as though we have to choose our battles so cautiously. For instance, there are the complexities involved with the United States’ war on terror and our relationship with Sudan. This means that either we turn a blind eye and risk losing the cooperation of the government for our own purposes or deny innocent civilians their natural right to life. My final thought is the related to the books spirit: “Lets give meaning to Never Again” it says. I was struck by how well the book rallies everyone, makes me want to get more involved. I’m excited for the next section…

Los Angeles

While on our field trip to Los Angeles on Thursday, there were many experiences that I found extremely interesting. At the LA Holocaust Memorial Museum, there were a few particular parts of the tour that struck me. First were the artifacts that were from the Holocaust such as the yellow stars that would have to have been worn by Jewish people as well as a concentration camp prisoner’s uniform. Looking at, and being so close to such a representative part of history made me realize how real the danger was for all the people in Western Europe. Also at the museum was a true to size cattle car that was similar to ones which would have been used. Each of these helped me connect to what would have been a reality during World War II. Through the tour we saw how the steps were taken in Germany to make it possible for the genocide to take place. We learned how the targets of the Nazi party were the youth, those who could easily be manipulated. This was especially important to me because it shows how susceptible people my age were and the role they played in furthering the atrocities. If they had the power to do this imagine what we can do, today. It is our generations responsibility to carefully use our influence in our country. In addition to the seeing the artifacts, the museum also allowed me to understand the personal journeys that people took, and to know the importance of remembering and honoring those through the way that we look at the world today. This directly relates to our evening activity, where we listened to different ways that we can make a difference in Darfur. We became more educated in what sorts of steps are possible for the United States and the global community to take to help.

Night: Dialectic Journal, Three

"I can't forget the thankfulness in his eyes when he gulped it down- an animal gratitude. With those few gulps of hot water, I probably brought him more satifaction than I had done during my whole childhood."

When I read this, I was struck by the drastic transformation Elie's father had made through the book. In the beginning Elie says that his father had been a well-respected member of their community, but reading about his state at the camp, that person is not remotely there. He has been so weakened by the events that he has experienced, his own son realizes that his priorities have changed. I believe that this is representative of many people who were forced into camps. I don't think anyone could imagine the way they would be impacted by the camps, or the destructive effects on families and relationships. I also saw that through the course of the book, Elie's father changes his priorities. In the beginning it is for the community, then his family, then his son, and finally himself.

Night: Dialectic Journal, Two

"I thought of my father. But I was glad all the same. To see the whole works go up in fire-what revenge!...We were not afraid. And yet, if a bomb had fallen on the blocks, it alone would have claimed hundreds of victims on the spot. But we were no longer afraid of death;at any rate not of that death. Every bomb that exploded filled us with joy and gave us new confidence in life."

The value of this quote is drawn from the fact that Elie is portraying what I believe to be the loss of his human nature. When saying this it could be taken in two very different ways. Either that Elie has become more of an animal, or he has reached a state of higher enlightenment. It is difficult to say which is being describe, but I feel that the characteristics displayed seem to relate more to the latter. On one hand, Elie sees that he is only a piece to the puzzle and is willing to sacrifice himself for a larger cause which depicts an element of higher thinking. However, the underlying motive is the desire to see the Germans weakened. This is ultimately a form of revenge, and is understandable but should not be condoned. I also think that being in the situation that he was in, Elie lost perspective, because had he died that day, we would not know his story.

Night: Dialectic Journal, One

"We were incapable of thinking anything at all. Our senses were blunted; Everything was blurred as in a fog. It was no longer possible to grasp anything. The instincts of self-preservation, of self-defense, of pride, had deserted us."

Elie Wiesel uses this description of his experience after arriving at Auschwitz to represent the state of all the people there, who -by reading this quote- seem to have lost the essence of their humanity. In earlier an earlier post I said, "a human's state of nature is to be selfish and greedy. In other words, to look out for one's best interest." These very feelings are absent or suppressed and have made Wiesel and his peers "half-dead". Or perhaps we can say him and his humanity have simply been separated, and are waiting for the right conditions for them to come together again. I don't think that this would at all be a pleasant state for a person to be living. We return to the idea of animal instincts, but I think here we go even farther because even animals have pride and an inclination for self-defense. The fact that death is constantly hovering over the people at Auschwitz perhaps could push them to the point where all they truly want is to die, in order to escape those conditions and the strain and focus of death on the mind and body.

Perils of Indifference

"What is indifference? Etymologically, the word means "no difference." A strange and unnatural state in which the lines blur between light and darkness, dusk and dawn, crime and punishment, cruelty and compassion, good and evil. What are its courses and inescapable consequences? Is it a philosophy? Is there a philosophy of indifference conceivable? Can one possibly view indifference as a virtue? Is it necessary at times to practice it simply to keep one's sanity, live normally, enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine, as the world around us experiences harrowing upheavals?"

Answer Elie Weisel's questions to the best of your ability. Use your heart, your mind, your understanding of human nature, and historical evidence. A minimum of 300 words is expected.

Indifference is the state where a person is not concerned with their surroundings or the effects of the events occurring around them regardless of the implications. In our class discussion we wondered whether a person who is indifferent can still have strong convictions regarding important issues. I think that what defines indifference is a lack of passion or the absence of complete understanding. When the feelings are present, but one does not do anything to put their ideas into motion, I believe this is laziness. One may say, "How horrible that so many genocides have occurred during this century" but if there is no action, we see that either the person does not truly comprehend the reality of the situation or simply is lazy. If this were not the case then there would be a need for change ignited inside the person. These represent two characteristics of human nature. We are self involved and we usually cannot grasp the extent of a situation without participating in it. If we do, we must remove ourselves once more in order to look at the situation critically as a means to find the best solution. And what happens if we do take it upon ourselves to make all the necessary changes in the world? This is not a logical or conceivable aim, in fact it could be destructive to have one person making life altering decisions for the world. Indifference cannot possibly be virtuous, but passion for all things is unimaginable. What must be done is to rid indifference on the small scale, to perhaps not seek out the problems in the world -because that may be a bit depressing- rather to be caring towards the people you are surrounded by and positive in the situations may be in. Indifference is not a philosophy, it is a state of mind, a trait of the human spirit, a disinterest in others and a focus on oneself. I don't think that as I explained indifference above it could possibly be necessary. If we allow ourselves to be touched by the world around us and share this with others that in itself is a simple way to prevent indifference.

Literature Circle Reflection

What is ironic, or dramatically unexpected about the novel's ending?

As my group discussed what we thought about the story's ending, the most obvious aspect that we found interesting was how peacefully Paul seems to have died. By the last chapter, my group thought that Paul had come to terms with the war, while in fact I thought that he had been so broken by it that he was simply resigned to his position and fate. I don't necessarily believe that this is peace, it is a complete loss of hope. Something else that struck me during our conversation was how the day he died, the report said a single sentence, "All quiet on the western front." Through everything that Paul had been through, he died on a day that nothing happened; there was no great battle, no glorious fight. Paul dies calm and with a look of happiness. Perhaps this is because he just wanted the suffering to end

Script. Draft One

Untitled
By Carolina Jimenez and Ally Cook


ELIZABETH 1
Dear Comrades, I want to congratulate each one of you, hard working women for the support of your British troops. As a woman in the United States, I see your hard work

ELIZABETH 1,2
and love for you country

ELIZABETH 1
as something to be admired and emulated in my country and others.

ELIZABETH 1,2
Every muscle, every brain, must be mobilized if the national aim is to be achieved.

ELIZABETH 1
I see how the work you have done has transformed you into capable bright-eyed women. Your fight against the wretched Prussian culture of men’s domination over women is worthy of praise.

ELIZABETH 1,2
Each one of you has shown the world the power that women hold.

(Elizabeth trails off)

ELIZABETH 1
Harriet Stanton Blatch. United States of America.…… Its never really struck me how much I am a part of this war. All our men are going away, getting killed, and I am here helping to kill someone else’s husband, someone’s son, someone’s brother.

ELIZABETH 2
But this is all worthwhile. To work for this war is working towards women’s freedom. You’ll see.

ELIZABETH 1,2
But what about today.

ELIZABETH 1
Today the war is my job. I work to make the shells that our soldiers use. To make a living this is what I must do. But at what cost? Am I supposed to sit here, making these weapons, knowing that no good will come of it.

ELIZABETH 2
No good? But we are showing the world how valuable we are. This is our chance to show what we believe in. Our voices need to be heard, this is the opportunity we have been

ELIZABETH 1,2
Waiting for,

ELIZABETH 1
for what? We will be liberated, and then have our freedom taken away once the soldiers return. This is not how it should be done. Our families should not have to live in a state of disorder and chaos. I wish things could go

ELIZABETH 1,2
Back to how they were.

ELIZABETH 2
All things take time and work. Imagine how the women in the future will thank us. We will have the freedoms that all people deserve, and the choice is in our hands. We must take action because our sacrifice is for the women of tomorrow.

All Quiet on the Western Front: Dialectic Journal, Two

"Our life alternates between billets and the front. We have almost grown accustomed to it; war is the cause of death like cancer and tuberculosis, like influenza and dysentery. The deaths are merely more frequent, more varied, and terrible."

Within the text, this quote displays the Paul's view on the war. Its something that has become almost a part of life. At the same time, there is a realization that war is extremely destructive. Also, this quote explains the instability during wartime. There is no way for soldiers to have a reliable and safe lifestyle because they are constantly being put into new environments. This quote was interesting because I was struck by the lack of concern that Paul displays at the deaths of his comrades. It is also serves to show that the effects of war can be directly connected to a persons emotions and can change a person drastically.

All Quiet on the Western Front: Dialectic Journal, One

"Through the years our first business has been killing;-it was our first calling in life. Our knowledge of life is limited to death. What will happen afterwards? And what shall come out of us?"

This quotation in regards to the text is very important because it tells of the Paul's view on the war. He feels as though the war has alienated him from the rest of the world, he has nothing to go back to, nothing to remind him of how things were before. It is as though he has not been able to develop normally, to live the life that he may feel he is entitled to- a life without the overwhelming presence of death. I chose this quote from the story because I felt that it is very descriptive of the way war has the power to distance people from their families, not only physically but emotionally as well. I would imagine it is very difficult to connect with someone who has not been through the same sort of experiences that you have, especially ones that have shaped you at a somewhat young age. I was also drawn to this section of the text because it has a sense of confrontation about the war. It also seems as though Paul was not prepared for this type of lasting effect when he enlisted for the war.

Immigration Voting Rights

Centuries have past since the cry, “No Taxation without Representation” echoed in the streets during the American and French Revolutions, but the fundamental ideals are still debated today. More specifically the complicated question regarding immigrant’s voting rights. There are many strong arguments for both sides of the controversy, but it is much more difficult to discern than telling apart black from white.
People who discourage giving non-citizens voting rights feel strongly that citizenship should precede voting because if you do not their loyalty is questionable. They state that immigrants may vote on issues in a way that favors their home country or other immigrants. Another matter that is raised is that a non-citizen may not be completely up to the date on important issues or the candidates that could appear on the ballots. This could perhaps stand in the way of them not making the most informed decision (Immigrant Voting Rights Receive More Attention). In addition, their stance is that Voting is the essence of citizenship so therefore it should not be granted beforehand (Common Misconceptions About Immigrant Voting).
Those that endorse immigrant’s voting rights believe that each person who belongs to a community, which includes paying for taxes, should have the right to decide where their money goes. They also say that most aliens are planning to become citizens, and that by allowing them to vote promotes interest in civic affairs. It is important to remember, they warn, that non-citizens do not all have the same interests and it is important to represent them as you would native born Americans (Immigrant Voting Rights Receive More Attention).
Personally, I believe that it is important to accept that there are various groups that need representation in our local decisions. However I think there should be some restrictions on voting rights for non-citizens. For instance, I believe there should minimum time that legal residents need to have been legal residents in order for them to receive voting rights.

Work Cited
Hayduk, Ron, and Michele Wucker. "Immigrant Voting Rights Receive More Attention." Migration Information Source. 1 Nov. 2004. Migration Policy Institute. 31 Jan. 2007 .
"Common Misconceptions About Immigrant Voting." Immigrant Voting Project. Moving Ideas. 31 Jan. 2007. .

Scene Abstract

Fall of 1916, Britain. Factory, where Elizabeth lives
Beginning: Elizabeth Catt receives a letter in the mail at her home in Britain. It is from an American woman named Harriet Stanton Blatch, who is a supporter of women having strong roles in war.
Rising Action/Climax: Receiving this letter spurs a discussion within herself...portrayed by two people. One side sees that women are happy doing men’s work for their country. She sees women that are empowered and feel a belonging towards their country when they are working. It is also important for her to support her young son. The side other sees the destruction that their work is facilitating, and is unsure whether the death of enemy soldiers is her responsibility. She wonders whether the deaths are worth her suffrage. Once she reads the letter it becomes apparent that she has conflicting view points that she is trying to resolve. To portray this inner conflict, we will have two people representing her opposing views. During the script we are going to incorporate a weave monologue. At times opposing ideas will be said at different times, while concrete beliefs will be stated together.
Resolution: She decideds that her priority should be to focus on womens rights and the well-being of her child. It hurts her to see the men dying, but she realizes that this is something that must be done.

Character Bio

Elizabeth Catt
Sheis a British feminist who believes that “war falls on the women heavily, and now more so than ever before.” She is a factory worker who helped in a munition, which helped make shells for guns. She is not very wealthy; her main goal is to earn a living, not necessarily patriotic. She is directly connected to the war, since her work provides ammunition that kills the enemy soldiers. She thought her work would be an escape from hard labor, but it was a ploy to get women to work for the war. However she sees destruction that their work is facilitating, and is unsure whether the death of enemy soldiers is her responsibility. She wonders whether the deaths are worth her suffrage.

Anne Burmington
Anne is also a British feminist, and works with Elizabeth in the munition. She sees that women are happy doing men’s work for their country. She sees women that are empowered and feel a belonging towards their country when they are working. Along with Catt, she recieves a letter from US' Harriet Stanton Blatch, and she agrees that her work is important for the progression towards women's rights.

Monologue

Paul is in his room, quietly contemplating his temporary return home from the war. He is still, but his face is thoughtful and bothered. It is nighttime, and he is sitting in the darkness.

Taking a leave from this war was like trying to go back to sleep after realizing the dream you thought was real was just an illusion. You can't go back to that dream again, its gone. (snaps ) Just like that. How can you describe that to someone who is still sleeping, who doesn't know how precious silence is. I can't wake them up. When your out there you finally realize it. Its the constant muffled sound of bullets whizzing by, of shouts and airplanes. Sitting here is like trying to pick up right where I left off. But I'm not the same Paul, (laughs) and it seems so ridiculous to think all I had cared about before were my books and the words. Those MEANINGLESS words. How can I care about desires and love when I'm busy trying to avoid death?

Reflection: Class Discussion

Who should assume blame for wars? Some of my classmates said that the responsibility lies with the leaders in charge, while I along with others thought that it is a community's burden. As we discussed this, I was struck with the thought, "Can a person be at fault if they were not aware of what they are doing?" Conversely, "Who should make the effort to stop a war or genocide?" Are we not each partially responsible for not actively pursuing a way to to end the killings? When we talked about this, Mariah said that the level of concern for the genocide in Darfur is the same as it would if the same thing were occurring close to home, that the only difference was her capacity for helping the situation. Personally, I disagree because I think we each enjoy seeing the effects of our actions...(thank you society and our need for instant gratification) and it is is this that hinders our involvement. It is the fact that it is much more difficult to engage and fight for what one believes in when you feel like you have made no difference that stops up. There are lots of ways we can make a difference, but its hard to stay committed when we don't see the direct effects. For example, when "danger is imminent," we see the need to make changes and are in a position to see how our actions support others. Otherwise, when we are removed from the situation, the critical need for change seems less important. However, it still remains. I ask myself and my peers then, shouldn't we all be doing something about say Darfur? Hmm? Lets not lie to ourselves, there is a great amount of things we could be doing. We can start by simply spreading the word.

All Quiet on the Western Front #1

In this chapter Paul states:"At the sound of the first droning of the shells we rush back, in one part of our being, a thousand years. By the animal instinct that is awakened in us we are led and protected. It is not conscious; it is far quicker, much more sure, less fallible, than consciousness. . . . It is this other, this second sight in us, that has thrown us to the ground and saved us, without our knowing how. . . . We march up, moody or good-tempered soldiers—we reach the zone where the front begins and become on the instant human animals.
"Why would Paul characterize himself and his comrades as "human animals"?
Your task: Discuss the meaning of this quotation and the experiences the boys are enduring internally. In addition to your posting, comment on one other student's post.

Perhaps what Erich Remarque meant to portray by this quote is that the main focus of the soldiers when they reach the front line is no longer those things that many times set us apart from animals. The most important thing at this moment is not the their moral decisions or the repercussions of their actions rather it is their need for survival. Whether this is a conscious or subconscious process is unknown to me. This connects to some Enlightenment Philosophies from Hobbes which say that a human's state of nature is to be selfish and greedy. In other words, to look out for one's best interest.
Another viewpoint from which this quite could be written is that the war that Paul is fighting has stripped him of his humanity so much so that he has become desensitized by the violence and death. His feelings toward these events have transformed from what a human being should feel to something that is so dismissive it is grotesque. Being so close to death has clouded his thinking. It is only when the death he is surrounded by reaches past the war and into his previous life (as we could call it, since he has changed dramatically since he enlisted) that he feels sorrow or grief. Such is the case with the death of his friend Kemmerich, who Paul has known since childhood. For instance, on page 28 Paul says, "He is not the first I have seen thus; but we grew up together so that always makes it a bit different." Already we have read some insightful ideas about wars and we have not even made it halfway through the book...

Napoleon: Success or Failure

After Napoleon abdicates in 1814, the revolution is officially over, and Louis XVIII is crowned King of France. Can you believe it? The monarchy returns!!! In light of our investigation of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, evaluate the legacy of the French Revolution. Do you believe it was a success or a failure? Your response should be at least 150 words.

In regards to the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era, I believe that the events that occurred were extremely valuable in order for the people of France to realize their main goals and develop ideals for their country. One of the positive effects of the Revolution was the gaining of rights for the third estate, and the empowerment of individuals to speak their minds and fight for what they believe in. They also promoted equality for all people. In some ways, Napoleon was able to make improvements for the general populous. For example, he kept the cost of food low, and built up the educated community. However there are various things that Napoleon did that hindered France's progression towards a democratic country. One outstanding example is that he did not deal with the issues inside France before launching wars against other states. A possible reason for these actions could be that it was easier to keep control over citizens in the time of war because they were in fear. This leads me to believe that Napoleon did not have the best interests of the people when he was in power. I, in no way, am placing all the responsibility on Napoleon, there were other leaders such as Robespierre who did not put there main focus on the well-being of the community. The events that hurt the people of France made their yearning for democracy stronger, but at the same time, I wish that an identical outcome could have been facilitated without all of the burdens that were suffered.

number one.

hello all.