Hi everyone, hope you are all doing well. Seeing as the semester's end is not far off, we really should get moving on our end of the semester project. I am waiting to hear back from the assistant to the Chair in my department about reserving Clemens 120. But in the meantime, there are other things that need to be decided.
1) We need a name for our actual presentation. This will go on flyers that we will hand out to interested parties.
2) Abstracts. I have a friend who is a graphic designer, and have asked her to help us in designing a flyer for the presentation. If we were to collect the full abstracts of all of our papers and circulate them, I wonder if that would be too much. Would people actually read through all of them? What if instead we each came up with a sentence or two about our paper, and included that on the flyer? Any thoughts/suggestions?
3) People. We need to think of groups/departments/friends or family members that will be interested in attending our presentation. We should come up with a final list, so that when it comes time to circulate the flyers and/or abstracts, we are all set.
4) Food. Although I was told that food in Clemens 120 is off limits-I distinctly recall being in that room and eating. For the TA conference I had to attend, food/drink was catered by the University. Having said that, we should think about the kind of food/drink we would like to supply. I am not sure if my department has any extra funds, so this might have to be an out of pocket expense. Perhaps each of us can chip in to help defray the costs?
5) Time. We should think about a convenient time for the presentation. When should it begin? How long should each of us speak? Those sorts of things.
Any questions/comments/suggestions please share with everyone.
See you all tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Reading David Roediger's How Race Survived US History, I was reminded of a documentary that I saw about a year ago. The documentary is entitled Little RockCentral: 50 Years Later. It is a wonderful film which revisits Little Rock Central High School 50 years after the forcible integration of nine black high school students in defiance of the governor's orders not to integrate the school after Brown v. Board of Education. By looking at Little Rock Central 50 years later, the film shows the failure of policies and legislation that has intended to de-privilege whiteness as well as the inadequacies of colorblindness as a way to overcome racial problems in a nation where race has always mattered.
On a personal note, my Mother teaches in a public middle school in a rural part of North Carolina, about thirty minutes inland from Wilmington, NC. The school is a Title 1 school with students who are so poor that, living just a thirty minute drive from the beach, most have never even seen the ocean. The student body, in this school, is almost equally divided between white and black students with a small percentage of Hispanic and Native American students. After seeing Little Rock Central: 50 Years Later, I told my Mother about it. She decided to show it to her students and then she conducted a discussion with regard to the film. She said that she was amazed at the reaction from many of her students. Usually, the students are extremely difficult to manage and classtime is spent dealing with discipline problems, leaving very little time for actual teaching. But, after watching the film, she said that all of her students were animated and lively. She said that everyone was engaged in the conversation, and it was the best class that she has had since she began teaching at the school just three years prior. Many of her students expressed the fact that they loved the film and the discussion because they were allowed to discuss openly race which they can't do in their other classes where colorblindness seems to be the preferred solution to issues that arise with regard to race. While race is a major issue in the lives of these students, they are never given the opportunity nor forum in which they can discuss race and what it means to them. By no means, did the students in my Mother's class agree on issues that were raised, but they did get to talk openly about these issues and the role that race plays in their lives. So, I think that this is a realistic example of much of what we discuss in class. If you are interested in the documentary, it is an HBO film and, on the HBO website, there is a good synopsis of it.
On a personal note, my Mother teaches in a public middle school in a rural part of North Carolina, about thirty minutes inland from Wilmington, NC. The school is a Title 1 school with students who are so poor that, living just a thirty minute drive from the beach, most have never even seen the ocean. The student body, in this school, is almost equally divided between white and black students with a small percentage of Hispanic and Native American students. After seeing Little Rock Central: 50 Years Later, I told my Mother about it. She decided to show it to her students and then she conducted a discussion with regard to the film. She said that she was amazed at the reaction from many of her students. Usually, the students are extremely difficult to manage and classtime is spent dealing with discipline problems, leaving very little time for actual teaching. But, after watching the film, she said that all of her students were animated and lively. She said that everyone was engaged in the conversation, and it was the best class that she has had since she began teaching at the school just three years prior. Many of her students expressed the fact that they loved the film and the discussion because they were allowed to discuss openly race which they can't do in their other classes where colorblindness seems to be the preferred solution to issues that arise with regard to race. While race is a major issue in the lives of these students, they are never given the opportunity nor forum in which they can discuss race and what it means to them. By no means, did the students in my Mother's class agree on issues that were raised, but they did get to talk openly about these issues and the role that race plays in their lives. So, I think that this is a realistic example of much of what we discuss in class. If you are interested in the documentary, it is an HBO film and, on the HBO website, there is a good synopsis of it.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
What Is It?
The topic of race came up again in another class I'm in (19th century American cultural history) and I thought it might be relevant to post here about it.
This week we read a book called The Arts of Deception: Playing with Fraud in the Age of Barnum by James Cook. As the title suggests, PT Barnum is the main focus but the book is more about the market revolution and the middle class in the antebellum north. The book uses specific Barnum exhibits as windows into antebellum culture in New York City, and one such chapter deals with an incredible (and at the time, wildly popular) exhibit called What Is It?
The exhibit claimed that the person/creature (described by Barnum and in advertising as "the nondescript") was a potential "missing link", and left it up to the audience to make their own conclusions. Cook argues that a big part of what made Barnum so successful was that he could take anxieties and ambiguities people were feeling, meld an exhibit around them, and thus challenge people to come face to face with issues of culture, race, and the emerging capitalist order.
At face value What Is It? certainly seems to be a blatantly racist caricature, but I couldn't help wonder if that was the point. That is, since Barnum so often attempted to force the audience to consider ambiguity, was this exhibit actually meant to call into questions preconceived notions of race? I left that class not sure if Barnum was an incredible racist or a subversive, and perhaps brilliant, opponent of racial prejudice.
I'm also curious to hear what you all feel about these images (as follows), the topic as a whole, and especially the issue of race and biology. We finished class last night being asked about the culturalists and their opinion of biology in regards to race, and these exhibits might give an early historical look at how American felt on the issue. Also, bear in mind the historical context of What Is It? Two major things to consider: 1) This exhibit came out less than a year after Darwin published The Origin of Species, and 2) This is the year Abraham Lincoln was elected President.
Enough from me, here are the images. The first two are advertisements. On the left is an advertisement put out by Barnum, and on the right one from Currier and Ives.
The next two are photographs taken by Matthew Brady in the early 1860's.
Love to hear what you guys think.
This week we read a book called The Arts of Deception: Playing with Fraud in the Age of Barnum by James Cook. As the title suggests, PT Barnum is the main focus but the book is more about the market revolution and the middle class in the antebellum north. The book uses specific Barnum exhibits as windows into antebellum culture in New York City, and one such chapter deals with an incredible (and at the time, wildly popular) exhibit called What Is It?
The exhibit claimed that the person/creature (described by Barnum and in advertising as "the nondescript") was a potential "missing link", and left it up to the audience to make their own conclusions. Cook argues that a big part of what made Barnum so successful was that he could take anxieties and ambiguities people were feeling, meld an exhibit around them, and thus challenge people to come face to face with issues of culture, race, and the emerging capitalist order.
At face value What Is It? certainly seems to be a blatantly racist caricature, but I couldn't help wonder if that was the point. That is, since Barnum so often attempted to force the audience to consider ambiguity, was this exhibit actually meant to call into questions preconceived notions of race? I left that class not sure if Barnum was an incredible racist or a subversive, and perhaps brilliant, opponent of racial prejudice.
I'm also curious to hear what you all feel about these images (as follows), the topic as a whole, and especially the issue of race and biology. We finished class last night being asked about the culturalists and their opinion of biology in regards to race, and these exhibits might give an early historical look at how American felt on the issue. Also, bear in mind the historical context of What Is It? Two major things to consider: 1) This exhibit came out less than a year after Darwin published The Origin of Species, and 2) This is the year Abraham Lincoln was elected President.
Enough from me, here are the images. The first two are advertisements. On the left is an advertisement put out by Barnum, and on the right one from Currier and Ives.
The next two are photographs taken by Matthew Brady in the early 1860's.
Love to hear what you guys think.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The "N word" in yet another context
Every week, I leave campus after class, I turn on NPR--and I kid you not--there is always some discussion on race. Today, on All Things Considered, there was a brief discussion of "Urban Desi," which according to NPR "is a fast-growing style that blends South Asian pop culture and American hip-hop." For more on the broadcast, check out "Urban Desi: A Genre on the Rise." Shaman Ajmani, one of the interviewees, had the following to say about what NPR coins as the inharmonious dimension of this "cultural exchange:" "I do see some Indians over here using the N word. It's so annoying. I feel like saying, 'What're you doing, man? Don't try to be black.'"
"What're you doing, man? Don't try to be black." One of the implications here (there are many, one of which is that "being black" is unseemly or undesirable) is that the N word is a "black thing" or a "black word" (this recalls my New Orleanian grandmother who told my sister, my brother, and me as kids that we shouldn't say "booty" because it, too, was a "black word"). This, of course, complicates the debate surrounding the N word, which usually revolves around the issue of who can/cannot say it. Here, in this context, the N word is cast as the language of "the other." This "casting" is yet again problematized by the fact that whites have used (as part and parcel of their antebellum prerogatives as possessors/owners of commodified black bodies)--and continue to use--the N word. Not only is the N word, as Dr. Young said in class, the most powerful word (yes, I used the superlative), but it is also one of the most versatile words, contextually and otherwise (I had to qualify this superlative). Thus, it can be cast as "a black word," as a resistive (re)appropriation of the term, as a word of comradery (among both blacks and whites--students from my high school can testify to the latter [I might post about this later because it relates to Harris' tome of an article]), as derogatory, as racist, etc., etc. (I'm sure you could add to this list).
"What're you doing, man? Don't try to be black." One of the implications here (there are many, one of which is that "being black" is unseemly or undesirable) is that the N word is a "black thing" or a "black word" (this recalls my New Orleanian grandmother who told my sister, my brother, and me as kids that we shouldn't say "booty" because it, too, was a "black word"). This, of course, complicates the debate surrounding the N word, which usually revolves around the issue of who can/cannot say it. Here, in this context, the N word is cast as the language of "the other." This "casting" is yet again problematized by the fact that whites have used (as part and parcel of their antebellum prerogatives as possessors/owners of commodified black bodies)--and continue to use--the N word. Not only is the N word, as Dr. Young said in class, the most powerful word (yes, I used the superlative), but it is also one of the most versatile words, contextually and otherwise (I had to qualify this superlative). Thus, it can be cast as "a black word," as a resistive (re)appropriation of the term, as a word of comradery (among both blacks and whites--students from my high school can testify to the latter [I might post about this later because it relates to Harris' tome of an article]), as derogatory, as racist, etc., etc. (I'm sure you could add to this list).
Literature
Steve's post below, which includes the Tintin cartoon, triggered some memories for me. Tintin is quite popular in India, and I've read a bunch of those. (Asterix is also very popular in India, but that's besides the point). Of course, before coming to the U.S., I never really realized that there was something terribly wrong with an image like that. I guess that's the kind of ignorance that comes with inadequate high-school education and also growing up in a racially homogeneous society.
BTW, and here's where I am going with this post: this brings me to the subject of children's lit written by British authors. I guess just like cricket, children's lit is Britain's colonial "gift" to countries like India. Especially reading one author - Enid Blyton - is like a right of passage for anyone and everyone who ever attended a convent school in India. I absolutely loved her stuff when I was growing up, but looking back I can't help but see the racial and religious undertones in her work (Most of her stuff was about reforming or reformed "naughty" kids, boarding school stories (recently re-popularized in the Harry Potter series), and about magical "far away" places). Most kids in her work owned at least one golliwog, and as is sometimes with literature, it was the illustrations that were often the most telling. I post a few below:
It's actually strange now that I think about that: I was given this last book The Land of Far Beyond as a prize for some contest in high school by my school principal. (I went to a catholic school). The book that I had recd. had a different cover and there was no indication on it that it was a "re-telling of The Pilgrim's Progress." Hmmm...
BTW, and here's where I am going with this post: this brings me to the subject of children's lit written by British authors. I guess just like cricket, children's lit is Britain's colonial "gift" to countries like India. Especially reading one author - Enid Blyton - is like a right of passage for anyone and everyone who ever attended a convent school in India. I absolutely loved her stuff when I was growing up, but looking back I can't help but see the racial and religious undertones in her work (Most of her stuff was about reforming or reformed "naughty" kids, boarding school stories (recently re-popularized in the Harry Potter series), and about magical "far away" places). Most kids in her work owned at least one golliwog, and as is sometimes with literature, it was the illustrations that were often the most telling. I post a few below:
It's actually strange now that I think about that: I was given this last book The Land of Far Beyond as a prize for some contest in high school by my school principal. (I went to a catholic school). The book that I had recd. had a different cover and there was no indication on it that it was a "re-telling of The Pilgrim's Progress." Hmmm...
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
"When Obama's Irish Eyes are Smiling"
I was recently browsing a website looking for a cool Obama t-shirt to purchase. I noticed at least a dozen designs all revolving around the idea of Obama being of Irish descent. If my freckles hadn't given it away-I am Irish, so I really got a kick out of these t-shirts. That same day, a friend of mine sent me this link of a man singing an Irish song about Obama-check it out, I think you will all get a kick out of it as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADUQWKoVek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADUQWKoVek
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Race Card...
...has been played. Not by Obama as many would have predicted, but by the Republicans.
Of course, all this is not just about race, but also about religion. I am posting below part of a blog-entry from one of my favorite blogs Sepia Mutiny that underscores this point:
"Things from the campaign trail keep getting uglier. Here is what went down at a rally in Davenport, Iowa TODAY (listen to the audio here):
The full entry and readers' comments can be found here
Of course, all this is not just about race, but also about religion. I am posting below part of a blog-entry from one of my favorite blogs Sepia Mutiny that underscores this point:
"Things from the campaign trail keep getting uglier. Here is what went down at a rally in Davenport, Iowa TODAY (listen to the audio here):
At a McCain event, as the crowd waited for McCain himself to arrive, Pastor Arnold Conrad of the Grace Evangelical Free Church of Davenport, Iowa, gave an invocation that included the following: “I would also pray, Lord, that your reputation is involved in all that happens between now and November, because there are millions of people around this world praying to their god—whether it’s Hindu, Buddha, Allah—that his opponent wins, for a variety of reasons. And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their God is bigger than you, if that happens. So I pray that you will step forward and honor your own name with all that happens between now and Election Day.” [Link]First of all, even the hate speech itself demonstrates gross ignorance. For goodness sake, if you are going to be a bigot at least have the courtesy to be a bigot that makes sense. “Hindu” and “Buddha” aren’t gods. Millions of people don’t worship “Hindu.” Furthermore, all three of the Abrahamic religions worship the same God, Muslims just call him Allah. Geez, can anyone just sign up to be a pastor? This was the invocation that started off the rally before McCain even arrived. I guess they wanted to get the crowd in the mood."
The full entry and readers' comments can be found here
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Roediger -- Race Will Survive the Obama Phenomenon
So I happened to be checking my gmail account and came across the heading "Race Will Survive the Obama Phenomenon." I clicked on the email and saw that David R. Roediger, my favorite scholar in the whole wide world, sent a link to his recently published essay in the _Chronicle of Higher Education_. For those interested in what Roediger has to say about Obama, this essay will suffice: It's all but a word-for-word copy of Roediger's "Afterword," which, save a brief mention of Obama on p. 196, is the only real treatment of the Democratic presidential nominee in the monograph: http://chronicle.com/free/v55/i07/07b00601.htm
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Privilege checklists
OK... I was wrong about their being a "white privilege" checklist (maybe there is one and I just haven't heard about it yet?) There is male privilege checklist and then there is also a Black male privilege checklist. Both can be found at the following websites:
The Male Privilege Checklist
The Black Male Privilege Checklist
The Male Privilege Checklist
The Black Male Privilege Checklist
Stuff _____ people like
So here are the various websites we talked about in class:
Stuff white people like
Stuff Asian people like
Stuff educated Black people like
Stuff desis/Brown people like (for those who don't know, the word "desi" means anyone of South Asian origins)
Stuff Queer people like
Stuff Jewish people like
Since I am getting tired of posting individual links, here's a website that lists all (?) stuff people like websites http://www.doobybrain.com/2008/04/08/websites-about-stuff-people-like/
I wasn't aware of so many of these being out there and didn't realize that there was "stuff desis/brown people like blog." I'll have to check that one out and post my responses...
Stuff white people like
Stuff Asian people like
Stuff educated Black people like
Stuff desis/Brown people like (for those who don't know, the word "desi" means anyone of South Asian origins)
Stuff Queer people like
Stuff Jewish people like
Since I am getting tired of posting individual links, here's a website that lists all (?) stuff people like websites http://www.doobybrain.com/2008/04/08/websites-about-stuff-people-like/
I wasn't aware of so many of these being out there and didn't realize that there was "stuff desis/brown people like blog." I'll have to check that one out and post my responses...
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Colorism
The ABC News article “Colorism Shows We’re a Long Way from a Color Blind Society” shows that colorism is a major problem in Black America. I could relate to everything that was stated in this article. It also confirmed a lot of points I made in a recent debate I was involved in about Black America’s color hierarchy. An insensitive remark by my melanin deficient cousin triggered this debate. Referring to the five-plus dark-skinned people sitting in the room he entered (I was one of them), my cousin shouted: “you darkies are generating too much heat, I need to get some more light skinned people to bring down the temperature in this room.” Offended by this remark, I attempted to enlighten my cousin and everyone that was in my presence—all of them were my male cousins-- about colorism. I started my lesson with a discussion about how we perceive skin color. I informed them that more often than not, dark skinned African Americans are perceived as dim-witted, ugly, and devious, while light skinned African Americans are thought of as intelligent and beautiful. To illustrate this statement, I used Black women in the entertainment industry. The following questions were posed to them: “how many dark skinned, African American females are omnipresent in the entertainment industry? “ “… are considered beautiful? “… are given lead roles in critically acclaimed and commercially successful films?” “…are portrayed as sophisticated in films and music videos?” I asked the same questions about light skinned African American females.
“Who is the most attractive African American entertainer? Describe their physical features.”
Due to the fact that we are bombarded on daily basis with images of women in the entertainment industry, this exercise was relatively easy. Of course, their responses were not shocking: they said that Beyonce and Halle Berry are the embodiments of Black beauty. As for the omnipresent-beautiful-sophisticated-dark skinned female entertainer, they could only list what I call “exceptions to the rule” (at most two entertainers). Following this discussion, I proceeded to talk about the negative effects of colorism. I used the Brown Paper Bag Test, Blue Vein Societies—the article elaborates on Blue Vein Societies and the Brown Paper Bag Test-- and Dr. Kenneth Clark’s doll test to illustrate these effects. After stating my case about colorism, I asserted that African Americans are guilty of perpetuating colorism and therefore should work towards dismantling this form of discrimination/oppression.
Unfortunately, my family did not concur with my statements. They failed to acknowledge the culpability of Black Americans in the perpetuation of colorism. Instead of looking at the ways African Americans could suppress colorism, they argued about how white supremacy trumps colorism when it comes to major problems facing Black America. I even had one cousin accuse me of hating light skinned African Americans. Their reaction was dis-heartening. I anxiously await they day when I can engage in an intellectually stimulating conversation about colorism that will lead to healing. What are your thoughts about colorism?
Here is an excerpt from the ABC News article. Here’s the link to the full article http://abcnews.go.com/2020/GiveMeABreak/story?id=548303&page=1
Skin-Deep Discrimination
'Colorism' Shows We're a Long Way from a Color-Blind Society
March 4, 2005 —
Hollywood, Music Videos Reinforce Bias
...The Black Power movement was supposed to change those attitudes, and it did change some things. Suddenly there were some dark-skinned male stars who played the "hero" -- Richard Roundtree played "Shaft," and other stars followed, like Samuel L. Jackson, Wesley Snipes, and Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Jamie Foxx.
But the acceptance of darker skin seems to apply mostly to the macho guys. The part of the successful, educated black almost always goes to someone with lighter skin.
Actor Mel Jackson says light-skinned men like him tend to get the role of the "business executive."
Actress Wendy Raquel Robinson has noticed the difference. "I've never been offered, you know, the crackhead or the distressed mother," she said. "I play the very upscale, educated young lady," Robinson said. "I do have some peers that are a lot darker than myself. They don't get the opportunities."
Colorism is especially prevalent in music videos…"They all light skinned and they all look good," one boy said. "There's a lot of dark-skinned girls that are pretty, with long hair, bad, but they're not in the videos though, it's just the light-skinned ones that's in the videos," another added.
"The darker the woman takes on what I refer to as a "Ho" complex. She is the prostitute," said Karen a University of Maryland student. "The lighter a woman is, well, she's the goddess. She's the untouchable. She is the woman that all the men in the video aspire to have," she said.
“Who is the most attractive African American entertainer? Describe their physical features.”
Due to the fact that we are bombarded on daily basis with images of women in the entertainment industry, this exercise was relatively easy. Of course, their responses were not shocking: they said that Beyonce and Halle Berry are the embodiments of Black beauty. As for the omnipresent-beautiful-sophisticated-dark skinned female entertainer, they could only list what I call “exceptions to the rule” (at most two entertainers). Following this discussion, I proceeded to talk about the negative effects of colorism. I used the Brown Paper Bag Test, Blue Vein Societies—the article elaborates on Blue Vein Societies and the Brown Paper Bag Test-- and Dr. Kenneth Clark’s doll test to illustrate these effects. After stating my case about colorism, I asserted that African Americans are guilty of perpetuating colorism and therefore should work towards dismantling this form of discrimination/oppression.
Unfortunately, my family did not concur with my statements. They failed to acknowledge the culpability of Black Americans in the perpetuation of colorism. Instead of looking at the ways African Americans could suppress colorism, they argued about how white supremacy trumps colorism when it comes to major problems facing Black America. I even had one cousin accuse me of hating light skinned African Americans. Their reaction was dis-heartening. I anxiously await they day when I can engage in an intellectually stimulating conversation about colorism that will lead to healing. What are your thoughts about colorism?
Here is an excerpt from the ABC News article. Here’s the link to the full article http://abcnews.go.com/2020/GiveMeABreak/story?id=548303&page=1
Skin-Deep Discrimination
'Colorism' Shows We're a Long Way from a Color-Blind Society
March 4, 2005 —
Hollywood, Music Videos Reinforce Bias
...The Black Power movement was supposed to change those attitudes, and it did change some things. Suddenly there were some dark-skinned male stars who played the "hero" -- Richard Roundtree played "Shaft," and other stars followed, like Samuel L. Jackson, Wesley Snipes, and Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Jamie Foxx.
But the acceptance of darker skin seems to apply mostly to the macho guys. The part of the successful, educated black almost always goes to someone with lighter skin.
Actor Mel Jackson says light-skinned men like him tend to get the role of the "business executive."
Actress Wendy Raquel Robinson has noticed the difference. "I've never been offered, you know, the crackhead or the distressed mother," she said. "I play the very upscale, educated young lady," Robinson said. "I do have some peers that are a lot darker than myself. They don't get the opportunities."
Colorism is especially prevalent in music videos…"They all light skinned and they all look good," one boy said. "There's a lot of dark-skinned girls that are pretty, with long hair, bad, but they're not in the videos though, it's just the light-skinned ones that's in the videos," another added.
"The darker the woman takes on what I refer to as a "Ho" complex. She is the prostitute," said Karen a University of Maryland student. "The lighter a woman is, well, she's the goddess. She's the untouchable. She is the woman that all the men in the video aspire to have," she said.
The Buffalo-Tanzania Education Project
I wanted to share with all of you a wonderful project that is currently underway. The Buffalo-Tanzania Education Project (BTEP) is a community initiative supporting social and economic reform in the Mara region of Tanzania Africa through the development of schools for girls.
The Mara region of Tanzania is located in the far north of the country, on the eastern shores of Lake Victoria and the southern border of Kenya. Within this traditional agricultural culture, girls are treated as commodities, often forced to marry at 12 or 13 years of age and left to endure unspeakable abuse and hardship. Also beleaguered with HIV-AIDS, poor nutrition and sanitation, Tanzanian girls and women are left with few options for upward mobility.
Education provides a pathway to a promising future. However, within rural regions of Tanzania like Mara, few schools are available. And since schooling for girls is not valued by most of the traditional families, it is not an option for many. Through the promotion and development of schools for girls, we can begin to address the complex and multifaceted needs of this region.
Despite its challenges, the Mara region of Tanzania is rich in resources, making it uniquely suited for a comprehensive school. Key assets include
"If you educate a girl, you educate a nation"
The Mara region of Tanzania is located in the far north of the country, on the eastern shores of Lake Victoria and the southern border of Kenya. Within this traditional agricultural culture, girls are treated as commodities, often forced to marry at 12 or 13 years of age and left to endure unspeakable abuse and hardship. Also beleaguered with HIV-AIDS, poor nutrition and sanitation, Tanzanian girls and women are left with few options for upward mobility.
Education provides a pathway to a promising future. However, within rural regions of Tanzania like Mara, few schools are available. And since schooling for girls is not valued by most of the traditional families, it is not an option for many. Through the promotion and development of schools for girls, we can begin to address the complex and multifaceted needs of this region.
Despite its challenges, the Mara region of Tanzania is rich in resources, making it uniquely suited for a comprehensive school. Key assets include
- The Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa (IHSA), a community of nuns who have successfully developed and managed schools in Tanzania, are committed to developing a comprehensive school for girls in the Mara region.
- 1000 acres of land that have been given to the IHSA for the development of a comprehensive school for girls.
- Official support for external partnerships resulting in the development of schools.
Ways to get involved:
- Make a donation-every dollar helps!
- Come to a community meeting. This Friday, October 10th, there will be a meeting in the Community Room at Allen Hall (South Campus, directly across from the Tim Horton's on Main Street) at noon (please bring a lunch). At this meeting, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the project and talk to the Immaculate Heart Sisters. You can also join a committee to help plan fund raising events, or join the steering committee and help leverage resources for the Project.
- Spread the word!!! Tell your students, friends, family, and colleagues about this wonderful opportunity to change the world (literally).
At this point, the website the for BTEP is currently being created. But if you would like to get involved immediately, and cannot attend Friday's meeting, please email Mara Huber, co-founder of this project, at BTEPgirls@gmail.com. I have worked as the nanny for Mara's 4 children for over 3 years-she is a wonderful, strong woman dedicated to making this project a reality. Please get involved!!!!!
Kama Ukimwelimisha Msichana, Unaelimisha Taifa"If you educate a girl, you educate a nation"
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Race, Class and Sterilization redux
Writing in Scattered Belongings, Jayne Ifekwunigwe makes reference to the forced sterilization and abortions for German women who gave birth to 'non-Aryan' children. Readers of this blog may be interested to hear of a recent controversy sparked by Louisiana representative John LaBruzzo (R-District 81) who is proposing a bill that would pay low income women $1000 if they consent to being sterilized. You can find more on the story here.
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