Week 14- Barbie vs. US Missles

"I think every Barbie doll is more harmful than an American missile"

-Masoumeh Rahimi 2002

What has more power? An American missile or a Barbie doll. I think both have immense power. You have an missile that can do harmful damage to populations of people, the earth and animals. You also have an image that can mentally destruct populations of people. As a kid, I wasn't much of a Barbie kid. I thought they all looked the same and they all did the same things--nothing. Barbie and Ken put out a 'look' that many people perceive as an image they must acquire as well. This is a realistic image to some people but to most it is not. In Islam, their image goes with their religion and what is appropriate for their image. I mean, you have little girls in America who arn't of American or European decent who have darker skin, who are born thicker, and want bleached white skin and platinum blonde hair. Where do you think they got this idea of what they SHOULD look like? You have all these diets that companies push for you to take and all these work out plans to have a 'thin and fit body.' I mean, I understand trying to push for a healthy lifestyle, but trying to be thin when you weren't made to be thin, or to be lighter skinned when you were born darkskinned. I admire Iran for making such dolls or instill on the young to grow up with an image to be conservative and respectful of your body and your image. Ken and Barbie arn't even married. At least Sara and Dara are twins.

Week 13-Christian, Islamic Fundamentalism (DGP15)

In a world infested with different beliefs & Religions, it is very much apart of social status and social benefits.

"People find a sense of identity, understanding the world's past, present, & future, rules and standards that are supposed

to guide the thoughts and actions, also though temples, mosques, churches or educational institution, religion provides the methods for passing its beliefs, rules and institutions from on generation to the next." (pg461)

One thing that I really want to focus on is Osama's portion of this chapter. Osama says,

"The Americans started it and retaliation and punishment should be carried out following the principle of reciprocity, especially when women and children are involved. Through history, America has not been known to differentiate between the military and the civilians or between men and women or adults and children. Those who thew atomic bombs and used the weapons of mass destruction against

Nagasaki and Hiroshima were the Americans. Can the bombs differentiate between military and women and infants and children? America has no religion that can deter her from exterminating while peoples? Your position against Muslims in Palestine is despicable and disgraceful. America has no shame.... We believe that the worst terrorists are the Americans. Nothing could stop you except perhaps retaliation in kind. We do not have to differentiate between military or civilian. As far as we are concerened, they are all targets ...." Osama Bin Laden 1998

In HIS eyes, we are the true terrorist's. His 'duty' is to protect the land, his religion and go against anyone who doesn't believe or is trying to extinguish his land/religion. I agree that the media pushes one view of Osama. Not that I'm saying what he did is just or do I feel sympathetic in any way, all I am saying is that now that I have gained an understanding of his perception, it only gives my insight into his perspective and his motives. Fighting and wars in general are all fear instilled. Although it might be power that one is 'truly' seeking, it is also fear. It's funny how religions are based on love, unity and personal or community growth & here we see religious wars with killings, bombing and mass destruction.

Week 12-Independence (WWchap23)

"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunity. It is ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But, if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die" -Nelson Mandela

Can you imagine spending around 9, 855 days of your life in prison? I can't. This idea of FREEDOM and SOCIETY. Prison systems never cease to amaze me because they are so inhumane to me. This man went into prison with the same ideas as when he was re

leased. Not only did he fight against the white domination but black dominations as well. He fought for what was just and right to all humans.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mohandas Ghandi

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mohandas Gandhi

Gandhi was a man of his country. He wanted to keep the traditions and fundamental roots instilled in his country. In India, Muslims and Hindus were the main religions and had very opinionated differences. These opinionated differences led to the division of Pakistan and India. Gandhi wanted to set aside religious differences and come together as one country once again.

Week 11-Communism & The Cold War (WWchap22)

The Great Depression; A low point in our history, financially and in various societies. This was also a great time of very impressionable leaders. Leaders such as Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and fascism in Japan.

Joseph Stalin- USSR

Although Stalin and Hitler signed a Non-Aggression pact, 8days later-Germany invaded Poland and WWII began.

With 25 Years of power over the Soviet Union, he left a great impact with his dictatorship. Military, guns, tanks were more important to him over essential necessities such as food, housing and consumer goods.

After the US entered the war after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Churchhill, Stalin and Pres. Roosevelt teamed up to fight against the Japanese.

It's sad to say that in my high school history classes, I couldn't remember the exact events that occurred, but I did remember the names-- names such as Stalin, Hitler & Mussolini.

Adolf Hitler- Germany

The name HITLER is forever etched upon our minds as we think about the tragedies he's caused.

As Europe began falling into an economic slump, Hitler was the man that everyone looked to, to fix the economy. Hitler had plans, very cruel plans. His idea of replenishing Europe was Ethnic cleansing. He wanted to extinct the "chirst-killers"--the Jews. All homosexuals, gypsies, colored, infants, elderly & mentally ill people were tortured and killed. Although the Holocaust was a great loss of many many people, there was SOME good that came out of this disgusting way of 'helping the world.' The advanced researched that was conducted on prisoners in the concentration

camps and the use of Propaganda advanced immensely in this time period.

A little over 10 years of reign, this man ruled, killed, escaped and committed suicide.

A little fact: The 2 teenage Columbine shooters worshiped Hitler. They praised his works and thought of Hitler as their idol. The shooting occurred April 20th-- also, Hitlers birthday.

Benito Mussolini- Italy

From 1922-1945 Mussolini helped mold Fascism. Democracy no longer existed. With the invasion and conquer of Ethiopia in 1935, Mussolini thought of this as a the "new Roman Empire"

As I look at this picture of Mussolini, it makes me wonder how powerful he felt in a city like Rome. Rome is such a magnificent place with beautiful artifacts lying in the middle of the everyday commotion of the city, cobble stone roads and many, many monuments and sculptures. With a city like Rome and so much history, he must of felt like he was a Pope or something.

Power-- These 3 leaders had, power. I'd like to think of it more as fear. Although THEY might not have had fear, they sure did instill it. I think power is only POWER when fear is instilled. Once you become afraid or frightful of losing YOUR power or YOUR rights, you've already given them power over you. Oppression is used to keep you as a minority, but these days they've become our majority. The Depression brought many sorrows and defeats but they also brought great opportunities and brought new ideas to the table that wouldn't have even had a chance if it weren't for desperate measures. Believe it or not, I kind of wished I lived in those times. I wish I could have become part of the feminist movements & African American movements. I would have loved to be apart of the hippie movement and watch Jimmy Hendrix light his guitar on fire. When I think about it, it's just a constant battle for the oppressed to rise above and speak their voice that is silenced.

Week 10- Feminism (WWpt6CH21)

The Collapse & Recovery of Europe

I love reading about the Feminist's movement & how we've over come oppression.

"In factories, women replaced the men who had left for the battlefront, while labor unions agreed to suspend strikes & accept sacrifices for the common good."

For the longest time, men told women that women had to stay home and take care of the kids, be the housewife, cook the meals, clean the house-- NOT work. Working was a man's job. Women can't do a MAN's job. It wasn't until these wars arise did these women stepped into the shoes of the men that once worked there. Women were given an opportunity to show themselves off and prove that they can do the work just as well! Had the wars not have happened, it would have probably put back feminists back a few years, maybe a decade to get to where we are today.

Week 9- Who Makes History?? (WWChap20)

Karl Marx once said, "Men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please not under conditions of their own choosing."

Way of the World Chapter concluded this Chapter with the topic of-- "Who Makes History??"

"Winners may write History, but they do not make History, @ least not alone."

Typically, when you think of a battle, people are more interested in HOW the winners won & what they had to do to over come and win the battle. It seems like more in our day in age that people are more interested in the winners AND the losers. A good example of this is The Holocaust. With such a great event such as the Holocaust, we look at the advance experiments Hitler was leading on the victims. At the same time the profound things that Hitler and the 3rd Reich were doing, history in our eyes are in the victims that died and survived. Although Hitler WROTE history, the true history in our eyes lies in the Jews, Homosexuals, Gypsies, Elderly& Infants that were tortured, killed and left for dead.

Or Colonial violence in the Congo-- we see an advancement in technologies with bicycles and cars. We never think that the demand of such products such as rubber made such an impact. Of course you don't think about what they did to GET to this advancement in their time. Belgium leader, Leopold II forced villagers to collect rubber which was in demand for such advancements such as Bicycles and Automobile tires. In our eyes, we see inventions! not death.

"Rather it suggests that history is often made through the struggle of unequal groups and that the outcome corresponds to no one's intentions."

There are always two sides to the story. Although there might be a winner, look at the 'losers' to truly see the 'winning' side of the battle.

Week 8- WASHINGTON DC

Day 1 of Global Advocacy Days:

Our group gathered in the lobby of Dorathy Betts Marvin Theatre of George Wahington University, Monday afternoon to begin our first day with Not For Sale Campaign.

After finding our seats in the small theatre we got to hear from the Not For Sale Campaign Director of Advocacy, Kilian Moote. After introductions and welcoming we went right into our first session; 'Getting to know your Congressional Members.' We gathered into groups based on which Senators and State Representatives we were going to visit on Tuesday. Each group was divided into what state and county you were from, and from there, you were divided amongst State Representatives. I was in group CA2 (California 2) which saw Senator Dianne Feinstein, and State Representatives, Anna Eshoo and Sam Farr. We gathered into our groups to map out weather our Senators and State Representatives were members of the Human Trafficking Caucus (State Representative only), Co sponsor HR 7311 (Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008-State Representative only), Co Sponsor S. 3061 (Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorizatino act of 2008-- Senate only), Co Sponsor of the Unternational Violence Against Women Act 2010 [I-VAWA] --Senate Only, Co Sponsor of the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage [S.987]-- Senate Only, Co Sponsor of the Child Protection Compact Act, or apart of any other bill pertaining to Human Trafficking.. As you can see this stuff was complicated and hard to understand due to the complex language and codes! I had trouble understanding it! I still have trouble trying to explain what I was talking about, but luckily I wasn't speaking; I did the Recording!

We then heard Bama Athreya who talked to us about the International Labor Rights and Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement [S. 1631 Section 307 & 308] which was the main points that we were bringing to the Senator and the House Representatives attentions! We were basically prepared for what to expect at our meetings

Session 2 Consisted of Role playing and drafting our messages.

Session 3 was a special student session where we go to meet and greet other students and collaborate and exchange ideas for fundraising or bringing awareness to our campus about Human Trafficking. It was really fun hearing other schools ideas and what they were doing to get students attention!

I think the best part of the day was this last part.

The co-founder of Not For Sale Campaign all sparked from a book and abolitionist, Dr. David Batstone, called Not For $ale. He told us about his experience of how he used to attend this Indian Restaurant in the neighborhood quite frequently until he read in a newspaper where a yound woman, Chianti Pratipatte, died of a gas leak in an unventalated apartment owned by the proprietor of the restaurant, who forced Chianti and others into slavery under threat of reporting their illegal presence to the authorities. This shocked Dr. Batstone that his favorite Indian Restaurant had slave workers doing the dishes, cooking meals and performing other tasks. This shock turned into a passion that took him around the world to learn more about how slavery flourished into the shadows. This experience changed his life forever and helped bring us to where we are today, meeting in Washington DC throwing ideas at each other and inspiring others to GET INVOLVED!