Graffiti Wall

Lately, I have been considering what I would want to do once I graduate in 2015. Many of the questions that pop up have been “where do you want to go? what do you want to do? do you have a plan?”. Many of these have been very open ended for me and I do not have a clue as to any of them other than the fact that I want to be able to be useful wherever I do go; whether it be in the United States, Canada, or even over seas for a while. I realize that there is a whole world out there that I have yet to explore and I am excited to see what it has to offer and what I can offer it.

I chose the world because I have different plans than what my family has for me. My parents have a rather different expectation; daddy expects me back in Texas, mom wants me in Tri Cities, and Aunt and Uncle (parent like figures) want me in Tennessee. Location has no matter to me nor does that job that I get as long as I know I can make a difference. That is all many of us want in this world is to make a difference. The world can be a scary place when not given a chance.

With so much of the wars and struggles going on, most families want their children close to home to where they know that they are available and ok. It is hard to think about leaving all that you have grown up and known behind to start something new, but that is why it is an adventure. We cannot be afraid of what may or may not happen but only willing to try and learn by experience.

There is an entire world out there to go and serve and build relationships in orders to break down borders and how we can learn from one another. To conquer something means “to gain mastery over or win by overcoming obstacles or opposition” and in many cases we have to be willing to step out of our comfort zones and make a difference. It is not enough to read and to listen to stories; we must be willing to step out, cross borders, and really desire to conquer the world. 

Long Way Gone

Throughout the story, I was not sure what to expect. It is interesting to think about my whole world and the bubble I live in. There are not many times that I have thought about what my life would be like if it were different. If I had grwn up in a different time, place, or even within a different family. My life, I think, is pretty normal, and I believe everyone has the same or somewhere close to. It was not until a few years ago’, that I stepped out of my bubble and realized that not everything is as cookie cutter. The book, “A Long Way Gone” is a great example of that and has made me realize how sheltered I am and how easy it is for me to forget about the world. And it is not as if I don’t think bad things happen but when I read a story like this I can get a glimpse into something different and not normal.

To think about children soldiers is very sad to me. To read about a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah, and to know that he endured so much throughout his life and has turned into a author is astounding. Now 33, Beah is a Sierra Leonean author and human rights activist who has portrayed his life to us. Throughout the book I felt the fear, sadness, heartache, and even deadness and though I cannot understand what it feels like nor can I relate it is as if he has shared his life.

At the beginning of the book we think that his life is fairly normal and is doing normal things but that is abruptly put to a halt when rebels come and kill his family and he is left to fend for his own on the run at the age of 12. He had nowhere to go or to turn so he kept on running. Eventually, by the age of 13, Beah is taken into “captivity” and turned into a child soldier. He was not to do anything but obey and pretty much put everything about himself: memories, personality and friendships on hold because he was having to do what many would not dream of. He killed many people. Eventually he, along with many others, were sent off to a city where they were told they were no longer needed. For a child I could not imagine what that would feel like. To be taught one way and to have to shut it off completely. At the age of 13 children are just starting to develop and think for themselves. I wanted to cry when I thought that these people, the men he was with, decided that he was no longer needed.

The only saving thing was by the end of the book Beah was adopted and given a second chance. He was allowed to pursue himself and to learn that the world is not all that he knows and there is more to it than just war.

Sierra Leone Research

Sierra Leone was named in 1492 by a Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra. Sierra Leone means "Lioness Mountains". Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa that is bordered by Guinea to the northeast, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest. Sierra Leone is a constitutional republic with a directly elected president and a unicameral legislature. The country is divided into four regions: Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern areas each of which are divided into 14 districts. Each has their own government. Te government is headed by a council chairman. The capital of Sierra Leone is Freetown and it is the largest city (economically, commercially, and politically). Sierra Leone is mostly Muslim but also includes Christian beliefs. English is the language of instruction in schools and the official language in government administration.

The Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002) began on 23 March 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), with support from the special forces of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), intervened in Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow the Joseph Momoh government. The civil war lasted 11 years. The war was declared over January of 2002. Some of the causes of the war included 1.1 Political history, Diamonds and the "resource curse”, The demographics of rebel recruitment, and Libyan and arms dealing role.

The timeline of the war (Key points)

1991

In March the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), allegedly armed and financed by Liberian president Charles Taylor and led by former army officer Foday Sankoh, crosses the border from Liberia and captures several villagers.

1992

Unhappy with the government's inability to stop the rebels, Captain Valentine Strasser seizes power and establishes a junta government to crush the rebels, who control around one-fifth of the country.

1993-1995

Fighting between government forces and RUF continues with mixed results. Rebels gain control of most of the diamond fields and bauxite and titanium mines.

1996

Two days after the elections on March 17 the RUF accepts a ceasefire. In November Kabbah and Sankoh sign a peace agreement.

1997

As the peace deal unravels the RUF ousts Sankoh as leader in March. In May a military coup follows and Kabbah is overthrown by Major Johnny Paul Koroma, who establishes the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC).

1998

In the second battle for Freetown, ECOMOG forces drive out the AFRC/RUF rebels. Kabbah returns from exile in Guinea to resume the presidency. Fighting between government troops and rebels continues.

1999

RUF forces advance on Freetown for the third battle over the capital. The RUF capture the east of the city from ECOMOG. Hospital sources say over 3,000 people were killed in a month.

2000

The UN sends the UNAMSIL peacekeeping mission to replace ECOMOG. RUF seizes 500 UN peacekeepers to stop UNAMSIL from moving into the diamond fields.

Britain sends troops, and the hostages are released in batches via Liberia. Sankoh is arrested and handed over to the government.

2001

UNAMSIL deploys troops throughout the country and disarmament begins.

2002

In January UNAMSIL commander announces an end to war, stating that more than 47,000 fighters turned in their arms since May 2001. The government and the UN sign an agreement to set up a special tribunal to try perpetrators of atrocities against civilians.

                                                                                                 

After the war diamond revenues increased, British withdrew, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was formed in order for people to be tried officially. 

Revolution is not a dinner party

This story was interesting. I had no idea what to expect. I am glad I researched a little on what the Chinese revolution was to begin with. Just the background on what the purpose of the revolution was helped me understand the story more with a much greater appreciation. When I first started reading the story I had no idea what to expect and really had no expectations. But after I read it I found that my understanding of freedom is a little more different. One of the things that the father said that I think really helped my understanding was when he would talk about freedom. He said “freedom is being able to read what you want and say what you think” and that was not something that was thought much of during this time. Students had to have the “three piece treasure, a Mao jacket, a Mao button, and Mao’s little red book of revolutionary instructions.” Students and teachers were required to carry these on their person at all times and if they did not then they would be punished. They had no control. The people were not allowed to read what they wanted or speak their minds without fear of judgment and persecution. It was unheard of that families would think about leaving. Leaving was seen as abandonment and that would make you a traitor. I could not imagine not being able to leave from one place to go to another with knowing that I am betraying something.

            The beginning of the story it was as if it was the foundation for the rest of the story. We see how families and people would come together. Especially with Ling’s family and the Wong family; they would come together and love the other’s child as their own. It made no difference. Mrs. Wong loved Ling enough to make her clothes and spend time with her and Ling’s parents took Niu  in as if he were their own. They loved him. They loved him enough to take him in but that did not stop the Red Guards from turning him against them. He would try to run away and when that did not work he turned and joined the forces against the antirevolutionaries. He betrayed the one family who cared enough for him. We see another example of this with the relationship a grandmother has with her grandchildren. She would do anything to keep them safe. She disowned her own daughter, after she committed suicide, in order to help her family. She was willing to turn away from what she believed in in the first place.

The beginning of the story we are introduced to this quiet and meek child named Ling who is not one to speak up when she does not agree. She questions everything and does not think that there is anything wrong with people. If someone is in her life she believes that they are there because they are good people; like Comrade Li. She woud trade with him and built a relatonshipwith him but that did not last. By the end of the story it is as if this innocent little child is having to embrace life with a whole new perspective. She now has a goal and something to look to. Her one and only goal is to be with her family and free. Free at the Golden Gate Bridge. That is her only desire. 

China and Chinese Revolution

China: People's Republic of China (PRC), is a sovereign state located in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of over 1.35 billion. Made up of 22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, four direct-controlled municipalities and two mostly self-governing special administrative regions. Its capital is Beijing. The most spoken varieties are Mandarin (spoken by 70% of the population),[353] Wu (including Shanghainese), Yue (including Cantonese and Taishanese), Min (including Hokkien and Teochew), Xiang, Gan, and Hakka. Non-Sinitic languages spoken widely by ethnic minorities include Zhuang, Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur, Hmong and Korean, Standard Mandarin, a variety of Mandarin based on the Beijing dialect, is the official national language of China and is used as a lingua franca in the country between people of different linguistic backgrounds.

Before it was the People’s Republic, China was many forms of Dynasties sometimes divided between: north and south, western and eastern, and also was broken up into kingdoms and sometimes multiple. Modernly, before the republic was the Republic of China which lasted from 1912-1949. China, since 1949, has been the People’s Republic of China and is under communist rule. This republic was formed after the Chinese Civil War where the communist party was left in control of the mainland. Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic as “Communist China” and “Red China”. The communist party is “enshrined” in china’s constitution.

The government of China is comprised of a head (president) serving nothing more than as a figure head. The Premier of government is the head and oversees the state council. The council is made up of four vices and heads of ministries and commissions.

Since the end of the Cultural Revolution, China has made significant investments in scientific research, spending over US$100 billion on scientific research and development in 2011 alone. China is rapidly developing its education system with an emphasis on science, mathematics and engineering; in 2009, it produced over 10,000 Ph.D. engineering graduates, and as many as 500,000 BSc graduates, more than any other country.

During the 1960’s, China was under the control of communist leader Mao Zedong. Mao wanted to assert his power over china and launched the Cultural Revolution during 1966. This revolution was headed by the Gang of Four (the name given to a political faction composed of four Chinese Communist Party officials. The members consisted of Mao Zedong's last wife Jiang Qing, the leading figure of the group, and her close associates Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen.)The revolution lasted about ten years with the army compiled of school children classified as the Red Guards. Many of the schools and colleges closed in order for the students to be focused on the primary goal of the party. They were used to abolish capitalism, Bourgeois (socioeconomic classes), and any other old habits that went against the communistic views. Within the next year more than 400,000 people were killed, tortured and or imprisoned. After all chaos Mao came back and announced that the revolution was over but it had not ended; it would not end until 1976, after the death of Mao. Many of the schools reopened and the Red Guard soldiers were sent back to be reeducated. Many of them lost out and became illiterate.

 

US Immigration Policy

“An immigration policy is any policy of a state that deals with the transit of persons across its borders into the country, but especially those that intend to work and stay in the country. Immigration policies can range from allowing no migration at all to allowing most types of migration, such as free immigration.” Immigration policy in the United States has changed throughout the years with the passing of different acts on the matter such as the “Naturalization Act of 1790, the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Emergency Quota Act of 1921, the Immigration Act of 1924 along with the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 followed with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.”

For most recent, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 was created in order to abolish many previous restrictions created because of the act in 1790. The Act established a preference system which determined which ethnic groups were desirable immigrants and placed great importance on labor qualifications. This act also defined what types of immigrants there were: special skills, exempt from quotas, and refugees. The act targets a wide range of people. If any person was born in United States, Puerto Rica and the Virgin Islands they would acquire citizenship. Though your parents may not be from here, if you or your child are born here you are granted citizenship. The act was first vetoed by President Truman regarding the bill as "un-American" and discriminatory but was later overridden by the house and senate.

With this act came the Immigration and Naturalization Service which was created to keep people from entering illegally into the United States. But this also would issue permanent residency and naturalization to allow for people to apply for.

Policies on the matter of immigration dates back to the late 16^th century with the Naturalization Act of 1790 and was recently added to during 2001with the addition of the USA Patriot Act. “The USA Patriot  Act  amended the Immigration and Nationality Act to broaden the scope of aliens ineligible for admission or deportable due to terrorist activities to include an alien who: (1) is a representative of a political, social, or similar group whose political endorsement of terrorist acts undermines U.S. antiterrorist efforts; (2) has used a position of prominence to endorse terrorist activity, or to persuade others to support such activity in a way that undermines U.S. antiterrorist efforts (or the child or spouse of such an alien under specified circumstances); or (3) has been associated with a terrorist organization and intends to engage in threatening activities while in the United States.”  All of the Acts created over the past 200 years or so have been to amend with changing beliefs. The Department of Homeland Security, which replaced the Immigration and Naturalization Service, enforces immigration laws and bestows benefits on illegal immigrants. Different types of visas you can get include: Non Immigrant Visas, Green Card, Student Visas and Visitor's visas. Each of these allow for a specific time period to stay in the United States. People can also be granted citizenship.

Museum display