Making the Invisible, Visible: The First Step to Freedom

Domestic Abuse is an issue facing the modern world.  Millions of women today are enslaved and abused by employers. The mistreatment of domestic workers is all too familiar in our day and age. Too many women are exposed to the malice of employers and are stripped of their simple rights as human beings. 

This issue needs to be exposed and known to everyone everywhere, especially here in Asia, and particularly in Malaysia where human trafficking for the request for domestic workers is high. The abuse of domestic workers could be happening in our community and I feel it is important people and the domestic workers themselves realize the rights that they have and deserver rights. Also the public needs to understand that when a domestic worker is in need of help from abuse it is the right thing to do to report the violence and possibly even save someone's life.

Throughout the research we have done, some of the facts and personal stories are surprising and disturbing. For example there have been many cases of abused workers that remain silent and in need of help. As well as the shock that the government does not recognize domestic work as work, relieving them from any legal documents or minimum wage for their work. But the scariest thing is the conditions some women are living with in silence and in need of help. Many domestic workers are repeatedly abused and harassed by employers and sometimes not even paid for their work. They have to endure this pain in silence and often with no escape as they feel they have no aid from the outside world.

Every new piece of information I learn about this topic makes me more concerned for the future of these women and in which direction the world seems to be heading in terms of slavery. I hope that steps can be taken to free the abused and end this issue of exploitation that seems so primitive.


Photograph from http://udquickly.udayton.edu/scribblings/2012/02/modern-day-slavery/ 

Razia Jan

"They said, 'The backbone of Afghanistan is our boys,' " Jan recalled. "I just turned around and I told them, 'Excuse me. The women are the eyesight of Afghanistan, and unfortunately you all are blind. And I really want to give you some sight.'” For many Afghanistan girls, even walking to school can be a great risk and be life threatening. But every single day a woman named Razia Jan risks her and her student’s lives for the right to their education in the midst of the world of chaos they are living in. Razia Jan goes against the distorted perception of the Taliban group and strives for what’s she knows is worth fighting for.

Razia Jan is a founder of a girls' school outside Kabul, she fights  for the rights to education to young girls. In Afghanistan there is a large group of men who strongly support the Islamic Taliban movement. These people believe strongly in what they think is an Utopian society, this conception is  based on their own perceptions of the Koran. "It is heartbreaking to see the way these terrorists treat ... women," In the Taliban’s judgement, girls and women are meant to be overpowered and subjugated by men. They are meant to stay home, cook, clean, take care of children and nothing more. In the Taliban’s eyes there is no reason why women should be educated as they feel they have no place outside of the boundaries man have set up for them. They see them as insignificant and less capable, and without a proper education, this may become reality. But with the efforts of Razia Jan and many others with the same standpoint on the subject, there is reason for faith.“Amid the violence, however, there is promise: In a country where just 6% of women 25 and older have received any formal education, millions of girls are at long last, enrolling in school.”  The steps Razia Jan has been taking to help young girls gain education, are simple but extremely risky. With the foundation of her school Razia helps hundreds of girls open up their lives to more opportunities, but sadly this comes with a price, setting up a school in her environment is risky for everyone around her, and potentially fatal.

Razia Jan is schooling several young girls who would otherwise have no chance or opportunity for education like many of the girls in the country suffer with now.  The steps Razia Jan has been taking to help young girls free education, are simple but I would not say that cost is completely free. By founding a school for girls Razia Jan is paying a heavy fee, she  has put herself and the children in danger to the extent of death for the sake of education. "the walk from home to school is -- and has always been -- the most dangerous part," Arbabzadah said. "You are told to stay covered, keep your head down and walk quickly ... and stare at your toes."Education is something that luckily we see so normal, simple and right. But for a girl my age a plane ride away is like is like being in a completely different world. One much more troubled, any girl in it would be in turmoil and in constant fear for doing something she has the right to.  Even though Razia’s school may be small, her fight for the right to education definitely a large step into a sign of dissidence. “Ten years ago, fewer than a million Afghan children attended school, according to UNICEF. Today, more than 8.2 million children are going to schools like the one founded by Razia Jan” Despite all the insecurities, Razia Jan is making her mark and making a difference, her pursuit for education is a beam of light to those who cannot go past the restrictive walls built around them. Razia Jan is a hero for many families and communities.

Razia Jan’s journey has been a real battle, each day she puts herself out in the open, potential attacks always in the back of her mind. But all these sacrifices seem to be paying off step by step."The overall education of girls in Afghanistan is a great success story," said Christine Roehrs, spokeswoman for Save the Children in Afghanistan. "Basically, you didn't have girls educated in 2001. And now we have 3 million girls in school." All of Razia Jan’s and many people with the same story have opened up lives more hundreds of girls his education will improve all their lives and possibilities long term and have created a life that would definitely be impossible without the small community schooling. “Although the violence against Afghan schoolgirls has dominated news headlines recently, reports from humanitarian groups like UNICEF, Oxfam and Save the Children say that a great deal of progress has been made.” As said, progress has been made, Razia Jan has been voted top ten CNN heroes of 2012, and evidently for many good reasons, but despite all her efforts, the violence on the ground never seems to stop. As more and more children get their chance at the liberty education can bring, the more the Taliban need to enclose them behind bars once more, and sometimes even forever.

Razia Jan and her students are a small but significant sign of rebellion and to show how they cannot conform to the Taliban’s form of a ‘Utopia’ The results of this rebellion can cause serious damage and can be very risky and dangerous. To go against such a dangerous group like the Taliban has caused such a feud that this schooling has lead to a young girl being shot, in the head. But the young girl’s inspirational story and those of people like Razia Jan have sparked action throughout the globe. More and more people are becoming concerned with the matter, and are showing their support through charities and various organizations. I strongly believe that Razia Jan is a true incentive for many girls who are bound and held back. Razia Jan is changing her dystopia one small girl at a time, and is shaping it into a world of equality.

Sources: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/2012.heroes/razia.jan.html

Striving for Tomorrow

121 million children are out of education worldwide (Global Issues). In Sub- Saharan Africa, 176 million adults are unable to read and write, 21 million adolescents are not in school, and 32 million primary aged children are not in school either (African Library Project). Thandiwe Chama knows all too well the damage lack of education can do to a family and a nation. Thandiwe has had her own experiences that have forced her out of her right to education. She knows the frustration this robbery brings.  With first hand knowledge from her own past struggles, Thandiwe is driven to helping and demanding the right to education in a safe environment for all children.

Education is a necessity that all children have the right to. Thandiwe fights for education in a safe and healthy environment. She is driven to help all in her community, whether they are in the same situation or not. Thandiwe has had her own experiences that were troubling and chaotic, and as a result, she can comprehend the pain that families are going through, and she knows that education is the only way to a better life. “Thandiwe was only 8 years old and her school closed down because of a lack of teachers. But Thandiwe did not accept this and demanded education for her and her 60 schoolmates” (Kid’s Rights). It is amazing that at the age of only eight Thandiwe had the mental ability to go against and not conform with events directed towards her and her peers.Having the mental ability to not conform with events that have happened to Thandiwe at the age of eight is amazing. Her understanding of  the importance of schooling at her age and state is remarkable and is something to share. “Thandiwe believes that education is the key to any child’s future” (Int. Peace Prize). She is determined to do anything and everything she can to help her community excel and develop. Even in the most abysmal conditions the girl excelled.  “Thandiwe Chama lives in one of the poorest neighbourhoods of the capital. Against all odds, Thandiwe is successful at school” (Int. Peace Prize).Thandiwe really shows how much she strives for her individual education and that of her peers. Even though growing up in a poor neighborhood is difficult, Thandiwe realizes the importance of knowledge and the grand effect it can have on one’s future.Thandiwe and everyone around her can use this knowledge to educate others and improve their life. It is through all this effort and learning that Thandiwe succeeded in demanding rights for children’s education. But she did not stop here, she exceeded expectations and currently helps those who are most in need.

Thandiwe Chama not only believes in schooling but also strives for education to those that are ill and too often, neglected. Chama knows how devastating a disease like HIV/Aids can impact a person’s life. She and her community help those in need by providing nutrition and support,  and bringing fresh fruit and books to many in the hospital. “Thandiwe has been fighting for the right to education for all children, including the poor and the ill”(In. Peace Prize). As I mentioned earlier Thandiwe has had first hand experience with living in a poor area. She makes sure that those who need most attention get it, and Thandiwe Chama makes sure that education is distributed fairly to all. Also the sixteen year old and her volunteers encourage families to test for HIV. “At this school I learned about rights. And I knew then that this was something I wanted to fight for” (Kid’s Rights).The teenager realized that she had power to change things for the better, and she used this to help her community even further. Thandiwe had already helped many children get an education out of the hot sun , and many other unacceptable situations. She is  now helping families in the hospital. From the day Thandiwe Chama made a difference, she used this ‘power’ and did all she could to help those in need. What I believe really earned her the peace prize, was not only number of people she has helped but Thandiwe’s determination to help them.

With the willpower and ambition to succeed, Thandiwe connects with children that are living in the same conditions that she once was. She uses this familiarization to help those with lack of education, by giving them hope and a drive to progress. Without strong minds like Thandiwe to improve on education in a whole, many children, not just in Thandiwe’s community but on a global scale, would be stripped of their right to school and any other necessities vital to their accomplishments in life. I believe Thandiwe is more than deserving of the Children’s Peace Prize Award, for all her efforts and achievements and for the better of hundreds of lives.

The Suns on My Back

I’m from blue skies and open spaces,
silent places and comfortably dry air,--
I am from cool wind
and the sound of the breeze in the summer atmosphere--
I am from the mountains and hills and the Sun on my back as we roll down on the grass,

I am from an era that is not my own,
but from my biggest influences,
I am from friends--
from laughing and playing,
bruises and tears along the way,

I am from dancing and signing,
barbie’s and dolls,--
From fumbling over my own legs as I try and keep up,--
I am from my teenage sisters,
from britney spears’ new single,
and ‘justin timberlake is so cute!’
I am from Spongebob and Dexter’s Laboratory,
and from the picture books that took me to dreams every night--

I am from beef, wine and, football,
(because that’s all we’re good for)
I am from colorful bowls of fruit,
and from spices from all over the world,
Asian to Western,

I am from ‘if you don’t finish that you go to your room!’
From ‘what do you want to play today?’
or ‘you wouldn’t even know, because you weren’t even there!’

I am from military stories,
rascals, and the perfect student,
from home video’s,
and thousands of memories that I feel are my own,
I am from adventures in the past,
and adventures towards the future

What are the consequences of ' just accepting the situation in which you find yourself [so] everything will be so much easier'?(Boyne 53)Bruno's father to Bruno.

When people find themselves in a difficult situation it is easy to come to a conclusion that accepting the situation is the right choice.

This doesnt necessarily mean that the person is a coward, perhaps they felt that accepting the situation was the braver thing to do for the good of the people they love, which is the case of Bruno's mother, or for oneself. The problem though is that accepting the situacion comes with its consecuences. I feel that the greatest consecuence is that of feeling regret. If you dont stand up for something you believed in at the time I think to some extent you will always regret it for the rest of your life. You will always have the feeling of 'what if'.

Another consecuence is that although it seems at the time that you are not taking a stand for someone you love for their good, in the long run this is not usually the case. In the book "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas", if the mother, along with all the other people who were against the cause had taken a stand the 'war' against the jews would probably have been over much quicker therefore making life better for the future. Bruno's mother didn't want to take a stand at the time, instead choosing to flee for the protection of her children but in the end, her actions and similar actions of many people around her are actually making it so the future of her children looks drearier. To sum it up, something that might seem like the right choice for the present might not be the best choice for the future.

The Treaty of Versailles

Was the treaty fair?

The treaty was unfair. True, a treaty should have and was rightly made, and Germany should have payed all of their debts for what they had done but, as Mrs. Whiting had said, maybe if the price for their destruction had not been to harsh, Germany may not have felt shamed and had felt the great need to gain dignity back, and gain back a lot what they had to give up.

The Treaty of Versailles was a treaty made after Germany surrendered from the first great war, (World War I) that started in 1917. This treaty was written and made by the allied powers (England, U.S, France, Italy and Japan) to require Germany to pay their debts and other restrictions and promises Germany had to agree to.

President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, declared that a league of nations should be made, a point made out of his 14, said to create lasting peace. This league, stated that differences would not be settled on a battlefield but around the table, negotiating and debating. This idea also stated that there should be equality between countries, but this rule only seemed to apply to those in Europe. In the end the treaty was made with these points.

80. Germany will respect the independence of Austria.

81. Germany recognizes the complete independence of Czechoslovakia.

87. Germany recognizes the complete independence of Poland.

119. Germany surrenders all her rights and titles over her overseas

countries.

159. The German military forces shall be demobilized and reduced not

to exceed 100,000 men.

181. The German navy must not exceed 6 battleships, 6 light cruisers,

12 destroyers, and 12 torpedo boats. No submarines are to be included.

198. The Armed Forces of Germany must not include any military or

naval air forces.

231. Germany and her Allies accept the responsibility for causing all

the loss and damage to the Allied Powers.

233. Germany will pay for all damages done to the civilian population

and property of the Allied Governments. [The figure was later set at

$33 billion].

428. To guarantee the execution of the Treaty, the German territory

situated to the west of the Rhine River will be occupied by Allied

troops for fifteen years.

431. The occupation forces will be withdrawn as soon as Germany

complies with the Treaty.

Germany then agreed thinking it to be fair in balance of their destruction. But the treaty seemed to go past what it stated, the allied powers pushed the rules, wanting to punish Germany more then settle the agreement. Shaming Germany for their loss and striping them of their dignity. They lost forces, money, land and other important foundations to support a country. Feeling tricked, and embarrassed Germans started to rebel and the media started to tell the nation more about the unfair restrictions and payments. With no stable government and the last chancellor run out of the country because he agreed to Germany's surrender. Germany was desperate for a way to gain back their lost power and more, also for someone other then themselves to blame for their depression and loss. And thus World War II started, with Germany more hungry for total power than ever.

The treaty was unfair. True, a treaty should have and was rightly made, and Germany should have payed all of their debts for what they had done but, as Mrs. Whiting had said, maybe if the price for their destruction had not been to harsh, Germany may not have felt shamed and had felt the great need to gain dignity back, and gain back a lot what they had to give up.

No Man is an Island

How do these texts explore similar themes?

These texts all explore the idea that we, as human beings live in a society amougsnt other people with feelings and a heart. We are therefore not different islands but all apart of countries or cities put together to make continents, (mankind) and thus, the world. (as it says in John Donnes text). Because of this we must learn to take care of each other because ultimately, we depend on each other for survival. This is seen clearly in the short video, giving one of the many examples, homeless people, the type of people we as a society tend to turn our backs to and look away, when really these are the types of people who need our help the most. Like said before, it is important we help each other because we "are in this together". Society will always be better when everyone in it is benefiting in a positive way, " any man's death diminishes me". In Donnes text it also talks about how we must all help each other because one never knows when you will require the help of others so we must treat the needs of others as we would if they were the needs of friends or family, as we would see at others as we see family and friends, the 'same'.

How do the texts provide insights into prejudice and "otherness"?

The author of all the texts are clearly trying to portray a message out to the world, saying that mankind as a whole, needs to cooperate with each other and live peacefully. Opposed to living in a world where people misjudge others for the wrong reasons. (Color, appearence, language, beliefs, gender, race etc.) The book the island uses a single vulnerable and fragile man as a metaphor for all the people in our world that are left aside from society due to prejudices. And the villagers, big, bold, strong, and in a group, represent those who shut away all the ways that people could join hands and connect despite differences. Throughout the book many themes are shown behind the literal. For example when the man is forced to live in a goat pen, he is automatically de-humanized, and seen as an animal, put away and sacrified for the benefit of the group. All villagers look down upon him in disgust, disgusted by his difference all except for one man whose voice is not strong enough to save the stranger from this segregation and the mob's ignorance. All these concepts and more relate to real day problems in mankind and I feel the island is a great way to illustrate these complications.

Why do people make distinctions between "us" and "them"?

People make distinctions between "us" and "them" because it is much easier to judge someone and keep them away than to help them and try to understand their dissimilarity and accept it. What these people are failing to see is that helping others that are 'different' would benefit them, especially knowing that one day you might need their help in return. But instead people looking away not wanting to see, shutting their eyes away from a relationship that could be great and instead name 'them' and 'us'