It was real.

It is easy for us to view Haiti and what happened after the Earthquake from our safe place, hundreds of miles away from the USA. We read the stories of the struggle in the beautiful words of Beverly Bell, or in the newspapers that discuss how Haiti is still trying to rebuild. But that never truly tells the entire tale, there is something missing, something visual that brings everything together for the impact intended. As I read through Fault Lines, it was important for me to see first hand the destruction of the Earthquake even if I could not physically be there. These videos are haunting and at times I feel as if I put myself in the shoes of those who were victims of the earthquake, experience their fear, their desire to escape and to save their own lives.

Have you seen videos from the earthquake? Watched news coverage? What do you see and what do you feel? Empathy? Sadness? Do you ever put yourself in the shoes of those who actually experience these sorts of tragedies?

I WOULD LIKE TO BEGAN WITH SOME HONESTY.  Before registering for WS 470:  Gender, Race and Class, I was not "woke" about a lot of the issues in United States, and most importantly the world. But within discussion about world views, I am able to relate and hold educated conversations about it. Using my field of experience, the knowledge I have attained over the years, and information that I have ran across, I feel that I can relate because my morales comes into play in the midst of it all. A lot of issues that are in the news, I feel can be resolved if people were humane. But they aren't, clearly by reading the quotes from above. I say this to say that people are very insensitive when it comes to the topic of immigration and/or people who are simply different from US, (the United States). I chose to read up a little further about 'immigration issues', I have taken into account what everyone who is for it and against, and I still can't seem to find the big issue. THE HUGE ISSUE. The issue that causes individuals and families to be shunned for the seeking of citizenship. The issue that causes public humiliation. The issue that causes neglect. The issue that causes Americans to have no remorse to separate a mother from child.

In Trumps, Immigration Reform, he implies: 

"We are the only country in the world whose immigration system puts the needs of other nations ahead of our own. That must change."

Well sir, back during slavery I don't think anybody gave a f*ck about bringing slaves from their NATIVE countries, to the US, and have them build the country on blood and sweat. But we are okay, with denying those that plead to be here, simply for the opportunities it offers. 

This excerpt from Alabama’s Shame HB 56 and the War on Immigrants, hits home for me because i'm an Alabamian. But I'm definitely not surprised being that we are the epicenter of slavery and segregation, but as the title reads, I am ashamed.

"Whether through ignorance or design, HB 56 sends a destructive message of intolerance to Alabama’s Latino residents and sullies the state’s reputation in the eyes of the world. It gives a nod and a wink to the worst prejudices harbored by some residents."

The United States has a history of making people feel unwanted regardless if they are from here, or not. But before any resolution for immigration is suggested, I first feel like the shunning and bad-mouthing should be stopped because they are people, these are families. They deserve chances and opportunities just like the next man.

This is my stance.

Lemonade

I know we posted earlier in the semester on our blog about Serena Williams. I would just like to post this video from Lemonade that premiered last night. SLAY BEYONCE AND SERENA! YASSSS  I am so in love. Highly recommend you all watch Lemonade if you haven't already!

https://www.facebook.com/1577397579256877/videos/1577612699235365/ 

P.S. If the link doesn't work just Google Beyonce Lemonade Sorry and the video should pop up!!

Helping or Hurting?

During our small group discussion we came across the question are we helping or hurting when it comes to the situation in Haiti. It’s no secret that many times the Haitians have declined our help but have we ever stepped back to understand why? Often times when people build houses for the Hatians who inexperienced, they later have to come back and redo the entire house all over. Of course, giving medical treatment and necessities is a big help for them but what about the emotional support behind all of it. Don’t get me wrong I think experienced doctors dedicating their time to help the cause is a great thing but, what happens after the surgical procedures leaving some residents to figure out what to do next. I recalled looking on instagram during Spring break and saw a group of college kids going on a mission trip. However, the only pictures they posted were selfies of them on the beach and hanging out in bars. I think we all need to focus on the big picture, which is the well being of Haiti instead of “doing it for the likes” as many people call it.

Saving the Third Worlds

In college I have heard the term third world, a lot. Usually the conversation goes something like this:

Person 1: What are you going to do over break?

Person 2: I'm going to go home! What about you?

Person 1: I'm going to go to *insert country here* and do some *insert word: mission trip; volunteerism trip* 

Person 2: That is so awesome of you. I'm so jealous. I had a friend that who went to a third world country, *insert country here* and it changed their life. They just loved being with the kids and they were so *insert word: grateful/appreciative/loving/happy/joyful*

Person 1: I'm so ready to just see what life is about and learn from the people.

And so on.

Reading A Small Place and Fault Lines: Views across Haiti's Divide, has reminded me of these conversations. It reminds me of people having impoverished and helpless views on other countries and then usually adding a layer by calling the country "third world". In class we discussed what we knew about Haiti. Everything that has been showed on the news and in other forms of media has shaped many people's ideas of Haiti and the DR. The only thing I used to know about Haiti was that the US went there to help the people after the earthquake and how impoverished it was.  I didn't understand the larger context that the earthquake embodied what western colonization did to Haiti. The book "Fault Lines" discusses how the man-made disaster of Haiti as well as the natural disasters have be harmonious. Western aid often is based on stereotypes, the "white savior complex". The foreign aid in countries is packaged as a ignorant gift. The gift can not be exchanged, disregards needs and leaves out the opinions  and efforts of what the natives of a country say they want or need. In my opinion it also puts a giant invasive bandaid on a problem, rather than actually addressing what is going on. Beverly Bell wrote in Fault Lines, about how you can be involved with Haiti. She talks about how it is important for "foreigners breezing in to do whatever they want", to not do that(Bell, 109).  Do you think many large non-profits or government entities plaster their wants and desires and beliefs about countries over that country's narrative?

I found this article on Thought Catalog and thought it made some similar points to Beverly Bell. What do you all think?

The Health of Haiti

This past week in class we talked about Haiti. Listening to my peers discussing their knowledge about the island of Haiti and Haitian people made me realize that I knew very little on the subject. Yes of course I knew of the earthquake, the poor conditions, and the famous singer Wyclef Jean running for president to in hopes to help better the city. However, there was still a lot that I didn’t know. Curious as I was I decided to do some research about the topic. After researching the topic I found out that even before the earthquake Haiti’s 10 million people ranked the poorest in the Western Hemisphere.

The health of Haiti as a whole is a major concern for many people. Which is why there have been numerous people volunteering, going on mission trips, etc. Most importantly the health of Haiti is more than just the physical aspect or what meets the eye; it is about the Haitian people. In the book Fault Lines that explains thoroughly what the health of a community is all about:

Health is not just medical care. It depends on many factors. Its about People becoming responsible actors, questioning what’s happening in the neighborhood, improving the community. But health is something larger still. Health is the right for people to eat, to have a place to live, to love, - yes, love, because love is a part of people’s physical and emotional equilibrium- and to have a clean, healthy environment to live in.

If you’d like to know all about helping the cause and making Haiti great again here’s a link with everything you need to know: http://www.promiseforhaiti.org/

The Anti-Princess

Young girls, especially young minority girls like the girls from Fresh Start often find themselves having to live up to impossible expectations about how they are "supposed to" act, dress, and live. Someone I am friends with on Facebook shared this article about anti-princesses, and I found myself relating it back to Shapeshifters. We, as a society, are constantly trying to confine and define how people should be living their lives, but my question is why? What are the positives that come from this type of confinement?

Two Argentine women who are publishers decided to break the mold of the princess theme that most girls are fed and instead came up with something called the anti-princess. These are stories inspired by real women who were total badasses and made their own way #don'tneednoman style. The dangers of girls not being exposed to stories like those of the anti-princesses is evident in the perpetuation of gender stereotyping and rape culture (just to name a couple).

What happens when princess stories become the expected or upheld ideal is similar to what happens to the girls in Shapeshifters. The girls' identities are lost completely, and instead what becomes expected of them is mapped onto their lives and bodies by racialized, gendered, and regionalist stereotypes. Suddenly Janice isn't "allowed" to be Janice. She has to navigate her life in a certain way because her identity has essentially been stripped from her because of the color of her skin, the particular sexual organs she has, and where she lives. How fair is that?

Here is the link to the article about the anti-princess.
http://remezcla.com/culture/these-anti-princess-books-give-young-girls-badass-latina-heroines-to-look-up-to/

This is an illustration of Frida Kahlo, the subject of the first anti-princess book.

And here is a picture of two young girls reading the book! :) 

Also, here is another article about a hashtag that was started #BlackWomensHistoryMonth http://www.teenvogue.com/story/this-new-hashtag-honors-the-black-women-written-out-of-history. Aimee Meredith Cox, the author of Shapeshifters, is quoted saying, "Black women have traditionally been written out of history unless it is in the context of victimization... when they have been recognized." So they hashtag provides a way to expose important black women throughout history. These "anti-princesses" are important figures for young girls to be exposed to; to let them know that they are much more than the pathologies mapped onto their bodies and lives.