RE#6: WW19 - Internal Troubles, External Threats

"Now that's some racism right there!" A common declaration made by a friend of mine.

I have a friend who is extremely observant of people and their actions, and is quick to point out when moments of discrimination have been made, whether directed towards herself or others around her. Any type of discrimination always has the possibility of being rooted in a dislike for the other person's ethnicity, which I assume she would definitely agree with. She points out "racist" moments so often that we've come to use it for silly things as well - if at breakfast, the chef randomly gives her one of the smaller pieces of french toast while he gives me the larger one, she would say that it was due to racism, that his act was against her "just because she's (insert ethnicity here)". Of course, she wouldn't say that to his face and she didn't seriously mean it - it was simply a lighthearted joke in that situation. But reading the section on the European perspective of race at during the 19th century reminded me of how serious the issue of racism is.

To the Europeans, society was divided into two main kinds of people: "heathens" or non-believers, or Christians or believers. These were rooted in their strong value for religion; rightfully so since religion governed their lives, ran their societies, organized their priorities and laws of conduct. The Industrial age, however, drastically changed their views on the human population with their new-found knowledge and utilization of machinery, nature, and science. Through the dissection of human bodies, they discovered that the brains and skulls of white people were bigger than all others. Obviously, to them, this meant that they were the physically and intellectually superior race. While it may seem logical to think this way and it may be true that a certain level of intelligence/physical attributes are heredity for certain races, to act so strongly on such a belief is ridiculous. Especially their belief that "contact with 'inferior' peoples threatened the health and even the biological future of more advanced or 'superior' peoples" (pg. 563). The European evolution chart on page 564 also astonished me - monkey ->africans->aboriginals/natives->asians->whites. To say that that's offensive would be an understatement, but I'm glad that I live in a time period where such affirmations have drastically changed and people are, for the most part, no longer looked at as being part of a "evolutionary hierarchy" as decided by their race.

It's important to point out the fact that while Europeans have aggressively taken over neighboring countries and transformed their religions, boundaries, governments, and people, the victims were not entirely passive. They also willingly adopted some, if not all, aspects of European society and rule. Where would Japan be if not for their adoption of Western industrialization? We would be living in a world without PlayStation. Gasp. Of course, Japan's modernization is also credited to the centuries of peace ruled by shoguns, where the ancient samurais and fighters traded in their swords for the benefits of commerce.

On a final note, the intro spoke about Japan altering their textbooks in an attempt to remove the blemishes on the perfect face of their Japanese history. History should portray not only the oppressor, but also the oppressed. While the truth may be ugly, its much better for them (students, society) to hear it from you than for them to find out on their own. Learning life lessons through a history book. :)

RE#5: WW 17 - Atlantic Revolutions

I really like the intro to Part 5 - I totally didn't realize the Eurocentric nature of everything we do. Time is noted according to their offset from the time in Greenwich, London (-10 hours for Hawaii), and location according to their distance from Europe. For the longest time, when the Middle-East countries were spoken of, or when I learned that China and Japan were part of the Far-East, I wondered, "east of what?". Now I know - east of Europe. Hmm... I appreciate how the textbook has a chapter entitled "Countering Eurocentrism" to display their neutrality - it shows how much more well-rounded the information given to the public has become, and leaves it to the reader to make their own opinions rather than the earlier years when the argument, viewpoint, and opinion was given to you instead.

The European Enlightenment brought to life the belief that social and political order could be improved by human action. The power of the individual, of the people were made aware, strengthened, and ultimately idealized. It's interesting to see how the values and ideas that fueled the American Revolution originated from the very place they were trying to distance themselves from. And while the United States at that time were heavily influenced by their European oppressors, it was noted that the US had less social divisions, less black-and-white laws, and overall more open and free - a new and improved Europe.

"How far should liberty be extended?" - page 501
Democracy. Letting the people have a say/control the government. Sounds sensible since political decisions affect not only the ruler, but every citizen. But who exactly are "the people"? Government officials, schoolteachers, supermarket managers, the general public... prisoners, murderers, babies? If you were to put the future of the country in the hands of uneducated, reckless people, democracy doesn't sound like such a good thing. By this definition, I should be able to murder someone just because I feel like it, and not be punished. There can be no such thing as purely democratic government - it's impossible to please everyone and standards must be kept to maintain a safe, orderly society. Quite the irony.

Random note: Being an art major and taking a class the requires lots of reading like this one, I tend to rely on the pictures to get me through the pages of text. I'm a visual learner, so I like to spend some time on the diagrams, maps, and artwork that correspond with what I'm reading. So I'm going to comment on another picture, which is something I've in almost every post so far. On page 502 is a map of the United States, pre-50-state-ified, which is supposed to display the "original thirteen colonies". The map, however, is divided into 10 colored sections over the entire US, which confused me for a while since I thought they were referring to those colored sections as the original 13 colonies. Then I noticed the small text on the east coast which stated "THIRTEEN ORIGINAL COLONIES" near a bunch of black dots, but then I only counted 10 of them as well. It just would've helped a lot if the map clearly marked the 13 colonies , like this one on the right. It would've saved me 10 minutes of confusion... :)

RE#4: WW 16 - Religion & Science

Being a member of one of the non-Catholic, Protestant churches myself, I always wondered what the real differences were between my religion and Catholicism. I knew the general differences, such as the numerous traditions and rituals within a Catholic church that my church never did and how they have a priest/father and I have a pastor, but I did not know the specifics. The chart on page 464 was really helpful to me. Just wanted to point that out since this information was particularly interesting to me.

I think its ironic how religion is centered around what is holy, pure, and sacred, but yet they are linked to material ambitions, warfare, and large-scale deaths. The very thing that is supposed to bring people, societies together is actually tearing them apart. When I came across page 465, it surprised me at how many wars/actions were the product of conflict between the Europeans and the Catholic church - war between the Huguenots, Edict of Nantes, 30 Years War, Peace of Westphalia... Hah, that is quite a list.

The Protestant Reformation, however, was a vital and necessary part of European history because of what came of it - established divisions, separate countries that have agreed to run their people their own way. In many ways, it is a much better idea to divide the "work" rather than trying to control an entire continent of unhappy, suppressed people. In my religion class, I remembered a saying that all religions - Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism - have the same message/goal that are expressed to different groups of people in different ways. I like that. Perhaps if the early Europeans saw it from that perspective in the first place, they wouldn't have had to go through those hard, murder-inducing times.

And to think that all it took was one man to stand up and say something against the Catholic church, which I'm fairly sure were problematic for thousands of people as well.

I can't imagine what it would be like if there were only one religion in the world. It would pretty much suck to be forced into believing something, just because there were no other options. I don't think faith can be forced upon an individual because then it loses the joy that should come along with such beliefs.

RE #3: WW Chapter 15 - Global Commerce / 21st Century Chickens

original article [x]

Global Commerce. Asia to the Europeans were like the Fountain of Youth to Ponce de Leon. The journey across the Indian Ocean towards the East would result in valuable benefits that could revive and strengthen their economies and personal well-being and wealth, often referred to as "riches". Among these benefits were various goods such as spices/textiles and the development of trade systems and relationships between countries. The main contestants in this race to obtain the Eastern riches were the Portuguese and the Spanish. When I think of dominant European countries, France/Spain/Italy come to mind - not Portugal. Being that Portugal is one of the smaller countries of Europe today, it is strange to think that they were such a force to be reckoned with back then. There isn't much attention paid to them, so it was weird for me to think of them as sailors and a leading pioneer in Europe's journey to the East and an integral part in the creation of a global trading system.

The section on the Spanish invasion of the Philippines revealed a lot of information I was unaware of. I did not know that the Spanish settled there to "get ahead of" Portuguese in the "race to gain access to the riches of the East". The Philippines proved especially important to Spain during the Silver trade, as it was the destination for Spain's hoard of silver which were collected from all around the world (Bolivia>Mexico>Pacific>PI.. WOW. Now that's what I call a trip. And I thought my 5-hour flight from Hawaii to California was ridiculously long.) Random note: I thought it was interesting how the Philippines was considered an Asian country in this book. There is a lot of debate going on about whether or not Filipinos are considered Asians or Pacific Islanders. Being Filipino myself, I always considered myself Asian, but other sources seem to suggest not.

Silver is described as the fuel that got the vehicle of trade traveling across international borders - even more than the spice trade, the silver trade "gave birth to a genuinely global network of exchange". The Chinese especially benefited from their role in this industry, which resulted in a stabilizing and increasing economy, and enough funds to continue manufacturing other goods such as textiles. Because Chinese goods were "cheap and well-made", their European counterparts found it difficult to compete. I found it amusing how laws were made in 1717 that prohibited the French from wearing fabric created in India and China, so they may protect the French industry.

While their economic success is reason for celebration, the Chinese poem by Wang Dayue snaps us back to reality as he describes a result of commercialization. One result if deforestation - "hills resembled heads now shaven clean of hair". I really like this line: "they felt an anxious mood / that all their daily logging might not furnish them with fuel". It's a vicious cycle: they need to exploit natural resources to produce goods, but if they use up too much too often, they won't have enough to use as the fuel for their factories and cars, or even enough to use as warmth or food, things for their for basic survival. The saddest effect of global trade is the kidnapping and use of people for slaves. Too make a long story short since my post is getting really long, its such an unethical issue, but at the same time, they've helped build industries and countries, so there is much to be thankful for if you look at it from that view. Not to say that slavery is at any point a good thing, but its true that there are benefits from that system.

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21st Century Chickens. I really don't know how to approach this issue, since they both seem right and wrong from either side. If I were forced to pluck and kill the chicken myself, I would most definitely be forced to become a vegetarian since I cannot stand the idea that I am murdering a living being for my own enjoyment. I would say that animal cruelty altogether is an extremely horrible thing, but modern packaging does put the image of a live animal in the farthest part of my mind. I think that packaging is necessary, however, to enforce safety and good health standards in the modern society. I can't imagine the kinds of dangers and diseases that people would suffer from if food like chicken and beef were left up to the consumers to clean and prepare themselves.

RE #2: WW4-14, DGP15

Regarding Columbus' voyages during 1942, which marked the beginning of globalization, it is interesting to see how the explanation of history changes. While history itself does not change, people can interpret and see it from different perspectives. I remember in elementary school, Columbus was described as a great traveler and explorer who discovered America. When told in that manner, we focused only on what a great person he was and whom without, we wouldn't be here in this land today. I always wondered what happened to the Native Americans who lived here before Columbus, but was under the impression that they willingly gave in and Columbus' people accepted and treated them well. Gratefulness and awe is how we were taught to look at this man.

I appreciated that this history book told us the other half of Columbus' story - one that fills in the cracks of what my elementary school days taught me. While the Europeans may have had good intentions in taking over the Americas, with the missionaries desire to spread Christianity and save the "savage" state of the people and land, I think its horrible that they brought along with them diseases. Also, it was stated that many of the Natives were forced into slavery and/or looked down upon by the Europeans. I understand though that it must have been a difficult process to try to communicate with the natives, and that possibly to Columbus, this was all purely business - for economic and territorial reasons. I am still not completely sure of the details of how the Europeans tried to communicate with them and how many rights/freedom they had in the Americas at that time.

As an American today, little attention is given to our land's history. And while I am not 100% proud of what Columbus did to the natives and how the European domination of the Americas killed off most of their people and culture, it's amazing how far America has evolved since then.

RE #1: “In Vietnam, Teenage Daughters Sold Into Sex Slavery “

original.article [x]

I used to think that the worst thing that could happen to me right now would be my laptop crashing or getting a root canal (since I hate the sound of drills and the taste of flouride). After reading the Boudreau article, I realized that my fears are absolutely nothing compared to those Vietnamese families – people who face the problems of extreme poverty, sex slavery, and no government help everyday. A typical day for me would consist of getting 3 meals a day (either mom's cooking or eating at a restaurant) and enjoying various forms of entertainment such as a movie or shopping - so I'm guessing that would total to at least $20, not to mention bills for all the basics (electricity, gas for the car, etc). I could not possibly imagine what it is like to survive on $1 a day, for an entire family. What kind of food could one get for that amount of money? How could they have possibly landed in that kind of situation? Random note: And since those families survive on so little, how was it possible that one of the kidnapped teenagers and her family could afford a cell phone and an accompanying service plan?

A few things I’d like to comment on about this article…

It was noted that the Vietnamese families were tricked by a “motherly woman and kind gentlemen”. The fact that those people took on that façade greatly disturbs me. A mother and kind gentlemen are role models in any society, and they willingly exploited these figures, using their positive connotation and how those figures emanate feelings of kindness and safety for horrible motives.

After the kidnapped teenagers were blessed with the opportunity to return home, the article ends by proposing an imaginary situation where she would be stuck in Cambodia's sex slavery game:

Seventeen-year-old Truong, who lives in a cramped thatched home elevated over water with nine family members, said she has not given much consideration to what would have happened to her had she ended up in Cambodia. "I don't think about that," she said passively. "If it had happened, it would have been because it was my destiny. That's the life."

The teenager responds to the situation with passivity, and this bothered me. As someone who has been brought up in the American culture, one that stresses the values of self worth, independence, free will, and choice, I would have approached that “imaginary” situation with anger at the government for not taking action or something proactive, instead of just saying “it would have been my fate”. Don’t get me wrong: I do not intend to offend Vietnamese or Asian cultures in any way for their values of humility or perspective on one’s destiny. It’s just such a different way of thinking, and it's sad that anyone would think that being sold and used like an object can be excused as a proper "destiny".

I find it hard to think of a solution to this dire situation. Off the top of my head, I’m thinking of much more patrolling and police/government watch, which is an obvious answer. The multiple rehab centers are such a great idea and provide a much needed service. I touched upon this subject in high school but it was never stressed or stuck out in my mind until now, so I definitely think awareness of this problem is something that could be improved.

Overall, just the fact they have to live in fear everyday, living off a dollar a day, is something that no human being should have to experience. And it is unthinkable that some of the families were willing to sell their daughters.

As I sit here in my single dorm room, dressed in warm clothes, typing on my personal laptop while my TV is playing on the side, and even the fact that my family is able to afford my college education, I realize that at every second of the day, I am immersed in luxuries, things that those families can never fathom owning or even seeing. If I were to take only one thing from this article, it would be the realization that I really shouldn’t take anything for granted.