Choose any Nick Kristof column dealing with the humanitarian crises in Africa, and comment here. Mention the specific column and cite at least two of Kristof's phrases or sentences in your response.
Any questions? Just ask.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/editorialsandoped/oped/columnists/nicholasdkristof/index.html?match=any&query=Africa
Glimpses of the Next Great Famine
ReplyDeleteThis article was incredibly heart-wrenching. The beginning starts out by painting the tragic human cost of the massive famine occurring in the Horn of Africa. I found his description of how horrible the effects of prolonged starvation on children especially chilling. How starvation doesn't just physically debilitate the kids, but it steals their very emotions as well. ("A starving child shuts off emotions, directing every calorie to keep vital organs functioning.") It really reminds me of videos taken right after concentration camps are freed. The survivors are so emaciated they can barely cheer or show happiness, even with their salvation at hand. Then Kristof transitions into the political side of this crisis. Another horrifying part of this situation is the part that The Shabab plays in pepetuating a possibly preventable disaster. The Shabab is a militant Islamic extremist group that has been responsible for the severity of the famine. They have rejected the vast majority of available aid, causing their people to starve for their personal ideals. ("In Somalia, however, the Shabab keeps out most aid workers and has blocked most food shipments.")I actual see a very real parallel in the debt ceiling crisis back in the late summer. The Shabab just saw their threat through, instead of just backing down at the last second. It's a barbaric tactic that could have forced millions to go without welfare or social security, checks that are the lifeline of this nation's elderly and poor, causing the same disaster. We're just lucky that instead of forcing our own people to starve, like The Shabab, Republicans saw reason. My political rantings aside (this is a blog afterall, what do you expect?) I think that Kristof does an excellent job tying the human side of this conflict to the larger political ramifications that this will have for The Shabab. In the last portion of the article he returns to the human side, by describing one family's search for aid and the horrors they encounter. The family both loses two children and gets held up at gun point while the women were most likely raped. It's the brutality of famine. Kristof paints the picture eloquently and intelligently, while never losing sight of the real focus, the people and their lives.
As I read the article “She’s 10 and May Be Sold to a Brothel” it made me think back previously to the experience I was at a few weeks ago. My mom, family friend, and I went to see a Christian speaker by the name of Joyce Meyers and her acquaintance Nancy Alcorn who is the leader of Mercy Ministries. Mercy Ministries is a place to go for healing and support to anyone who is a victim of sex trafficking, addiction, or any other kind of physical and sexual abuse. A girl, now 20, spoke at the conference retelling her story. It was truly inhumane of what had been spoken. The sacrifice and fortitude this woman had was so inspirational. The young girl M. in the Nick Kristof article reminded me so much of the woman that spoke out. The difference amid the two is America is full of opportunity; we are a developed nation, not developing. The women of the United States are able to speak out for themselves and others, our police and government is not corrupt to the point of sadistic actions. And to rebuild inner strength and hope we are present with many homes such as Mercy Ministries to help woman like M. to become a doctor, a free soul, and a brilliant mind. I was blown away by the unjust that takes place in countries like India, “They confiscate the very young girls, and then the brothel owners have to pay a bribe to get the girls back from the police.” The government’s actions have not been promising. The expectations of recluse women and their families are absolutely horrendous. Ruchira Gupta, who runs an organization that fights human trafficking states “90 percent of the daughters of Indian prostitutes end up in the sex trade as well. And M. has the extra burden that she belongs to a sub caste whose girls are often expected to become prostitutes.” The families of these countries are so deprived they are willing to sell their children to make an extra buck. Kristof embarks on many journeys to help women speak out. The material he acquires has aided children like M. to be an idol for others, to address their own story and prevent the 1.8 billion that are being pushed down the erroneous path.
ReplyDelete-Maire C
As I read through the article "A Rite Of Torture For Girls" I began to realize how culturally diverse the world really is. These rituals that are performed in different countries such as Africa are absoloutely unforgiveable. These rituals "is inflicted by mothers on daughters they love." How can a mother who apparently loves her daughter put so much harm on them when they are young. Which later on may harm them in the future as well. The most gruesome part about this story that hurts me the most is young girls actually want to have this genital mutilation done or they will be "stigmatized" from the community. The article states that approximately three million girls a year have this procedure done in Africa. The mother does this to apparently help their daughter. Well I think they may just trying to be helping themselves so the communities don't turn on them. It makes me feel truely lucky to have the rights that i have and not have to experience this type of abuse that ten year old girls have to experience.
ReplyDeleteAll crimes are not equal. Crimes of punished according to their detrimental impact on the person or people that are victims. Murder is punished most harshly, because it ends another human’s life, which is the ultimate blow a crime can achieve. Why then, in many countries, are rapists allowed to commit this atrocity without prosecution? In many unstable countries across the globe, fear of rape is a constant presence for women and young girls “26 percent of rape victims [the treatment center] treats are 11 year olds or younger.” It is commonly known that rape is a brutal part of civil wars across the globe, and is nearly impossible to stop. The question that needs to be asked is how a country that is not war torn could continue to allow rape to permeate their society? “fewer than one-half of 1 percent of the rapes have resulted in criminal convictions.” The problem lies in a few different areas of these societies. First, women are not taken very seriously and can easily be jailed if they try to expose a rape for “sullying the name of a respected member of the community.” Another contributor to rape is poverty. Poverty can either lead women to feel helpless or allow them to be easily bribed by the rapist to keep him out of trouble. Some of these girls best hope is unlawful compensation or bribes from their rapist to keep them quiet. “My fear is that they will go and arrest this man,”
ReplyDelete-Keegan R
A Rite of Torture for Girls
ReplyDeleteTorture is something that is done to a person you hate, not someone you love. But in some countries, "3 milllion girls each year in Africa alone" are tortured by their own mothers who are supposed to love and protect their daughters. "The most common form of torture in the modern world" is female genital mutilation. The worst part is that this ritual is often performed without anesthetic. As I read this article, I could not believe how different some cultures are compared to the US. It made me really glad that I live in a country where I won't be shunned because I havent been mutilated. Fortunately, "a growing number of Muslim leaders [are] denouncing the practice". Hopefully, one day, the practice of cutting girls will become obsolete.
"Face To Face With A Mother's Pain"
ReplyDeletePoverty and famine are large global issues. These issues are particularly prominent in Africa and in other third-world countries that are not yet developed. "The World Bank calculates that rising food prices pushed 44 million more people into poverty in the latter half of 2010." This article explores Nicholas Kristof's encounter with an African mother who, along with her two children, was starving and living in extreme poverty. Unfortunately, these cases are not uncommon. Kristof discusses steps that could assist in ridding the world of this extreme hunger and poverty. Helping women start their own businesses and grow their own high nutrition vegetables could be a vital influence ("These gardens create a safety net and ensure that babies get vitamin A and other nutrients."). Family planning, which would "reduce the pressure on the land and the number of mouths to feed," and encouragement of breastfeeding could also help to reduce famine. Kristof displays that these serious problems can be averted with the continued effort of various organizations to heavily reduce extreme famine through Africa.
As I read the article, “Glimpses of The Next Great Famine”, I was deterred by the problems that build up when famine and politics converge to make the citizens in the area miserable. This article specifically talked about the famine that is growing in Somalia. This famine, which was caused by a drought, has affected thousands and could affect nearly five times that many. Many children lack the necessary nutrients due to this famine and nearly every day one or more children die in hospitals. Kristof describes his trip to these hospitals in Kenya by stating that the heartbreak that comes with seeing these children is not from “the mottled skin and painful sores, the bones poking through taut skin” but rather “the emptiness in their faces.” This description creates an emotional response to these children that no longer have any emotion in their eyes. Kristof then continues his article with a personal story of one man’s experience in trying to escape the famine through a dangerous area. Within this already dangerous desert, includes a merciless militia called the Shabaab who keep out water and other helpful supplies that would guide the people out of the famine. Also creating a unsafe journey, are the bandits that inhabit the land. In this horrific area, those who are weak will most likely die of the famine and the harsh punishment from the Shabaab and those who are strong must try to make it through the desert and the bandits. Through Kristof’s interview with one man, he learned the main question most inhabitants must ask themselves, “Do (we) risk starvation at home or torture and rape while fleeing?” This question is unfair to these people since the correct answer leads to no satisfactory to those pursuing. All in all, Kristof has created a touching article about this horrible famine and the torture that it has brought to its people.
ReplyDelete"A Rite of Torture for Girls"
ReplyDeleteTorture and love contradict one another. Female genital mutilation is “inflicted by mothers on daughters they love.” This tradition is obviously very diverse to the American culture. It is a form of torture. Without anesthetics, “cutters” carve out the female genitals and stitch together what is left of the skin. “96 percent of women” have this human right abused in Somliland. This practice leads to many infections and deaths among young girls and mothers during childbirth. Reading this article, I realized how thankful I am to live in America with a culture that isn’t as extreme. An effort in order to stop this torture is necessary. Ceasing this practice altogether would be difficult, but pursuing the idea of a milder genital mutilation, like the Somali’s have encouraged, would be a good start to abolish these actions in the future.
"Last month, the center said, a 10-month-old baby was brought in for treatment after a rape." Wait what? No no, I couldn't have read that right, but sadly enough, I did. In Nicholas Kristof's latest column, "In This Rape Center, the Patient Was 3", he directs his attention to the rap victims of Africa. He also focuses on the young ages these poor souls are being rated. This is completely absurd. What kind of screwed up mind must someone have to even consider doing this?
ReplyDelete"I met a 13-year-old girl, named TaJoe... whose case underscores why survivors keep quiet." The fact that men are corrupt enough to do this to little girls sickens me, but to have the girls not tell anyone about it is terrible! Okay, so maybe the police are not the right people to tell, but there MUST be someone willing to help. If not, then I do not know why you would want to live in that particular area of Africa. All the money in the world can not justify what happens in Africa. Simple. As. That.
In This Rape Center, the Patient was 3
ReplyDeleteThis article contains some absolutely horrifying statistics in regards to the staggering number of rapes that take place in Africa. The fact that in some rape treatment centers "26 percent of the rape victims...are 11 years old or younger," is absolutely atrocious. I had to read a few sentences in this article multiple times to make sure that my eyes weren't playing tricks on me with regards to the ages of some of these girls. The brief account of the 2-and-a-half-month-old baby being raped was especially shocking. Who in their right mind--who in their wrong mind--who with any mind at all--would rape a 2-and-a-half-month-old baby?
Perhaps worse than the rapes themselves is the fact that the blame for these heinous acts is placed solely on the girls. Kristof quotes Amie Kandeh, a worker with the International Rescue Committee, as saying, “If a girl is raped and she’s above 5, then it’s the way she was dressed." This mindset is completely ridiculous. I have yet to meet a six-year-old who puts on a short skirt in the hopes that an older man will notice and viciously attack her.
Lastly, the article addresses the fact that if a girl tries to tell the police who raped her, she's shipped off to jail for "sullying the name of a respected member of the community." This sort of practice merely encourages rape, because the men know that they'll never be punished. Instead, the girls they have already hurt will be punished for them. With the current system, this situation will never improve and girls will continue to live in fear of who may be waiting for them to go outside alone.
- Vanessa M.
In Nicholas Kristof’s, “Postcard From Zimbabwe,” he reflects on his responses from Zimbabwean villagers about their current government, to which they are not too pleased. When Rhodesia changed to Zimbabwe, citizens believed that new black elite power would increase the quality of life, but instead the overall health and economy have crumbled. Under Mr. Mugabe's rule, committing journalism can be a criminal offense in Zimbabwe, stated by Kristof, which is why he changed his passport status during his travels here. It’s a scary to think that this world that was once a decent system has deteriorated to greater famine than it has seen in years. When a seven month pregnant women has to travel for miles only to be rejected from treatment,this is a serious sign of a dysfunctional system. All of the interviewers in the article were worried of their safety if their name or village was to be published.The failed overruling of the Rhodesia government with a regressing society. Rebellion in the future is a must for any progress to be regained.
ReplyDelete“Thank You, America!”
ReplyDeleteThat phrase warms my heart. Let’s face it; America does not take the prize for most loved country. I often sift through CNN articles in my free time, directing my focus to international commentaries. Tiresome doesn’t even begin to describe the onslaught of, “the world hates America” articles. When I came across this article, I couldn’t help but smile.
While the piece does not draw attention to famine, poverty, abuse, or lack of healthcare, I believe it exposes the root cause of all four of those dilemmas. That cause being the lack of democratic government. History proves that authoritarian governments spawn corruption and severely curb human innovation through opposition to individualism and democracy. Authoritarian type governments dot the political maps across Africa and the Middle East. Many political scientists formulate strong cases for a direct connection between authoritarian governments and many of the humanitarian crises facing humans today.
In the Libyan revolution, Americans obviously took the side of the rebels and decided to offer military aid. Americans in the past few decades haven’t had a very good track record when it comes to military assistance; however, the venue for US military action proved drastically different this time around. President Obama chose to act through NATO and the United Nations, garnering international and local support for his actions. Libyans “initially had distrusted the American intervention, fearing that it might turn Libya into something like war-torn Iraq” but later expressed their gratitude. In addition, there is enough evidence to support the notion that this foreign policy initiative did not have a heavy, hidden oil agenda attached to it. As Kristof states, “on rare occasions military force can advance human rights.” I am inclined to agree. By aiding the Libyans in their mission to oust their autocratic leader, America chose to support democracy instead of their oil interests. Ensuring democracy in the Middle East AND Africa is arguably the best type of aid the United States can offer. Democracy unlocks human potential and will and facilitates change for the common good. By helping establish democracy, we are helping Africans and Middle-Easterners help themselves, which in my opinion, beats writing a check.
Americans should learn from the success in Libya. We should learn how bright and powerful a force we can be. The citizens of Libya cannot contain their gratitude for American intervention on their behalf. The next time a situation like Libya arises, America should not hesitate to act.
“Freedoms Painful Price”
ReplyDeleteThis article is about Ms. Gouda, an Egyptian woman, who joined pro-Democracy movements after their president, Hosni Mubarak, stepped down. She joined the protests happening in Tehrir square. They thought they were protesting against the ideas of President Mubarak and the police forces, but it was the military that was behind it all. The crowds even chanted, “The army and the people are one.” On March 9th, Ms. Gouda and 190 other protesters were captured by the army during one of their protests. Ms. Gouda told Kristof that she was taken to the Egyptian Museum and beaten. After that she, with 19 other women, was taken to the military prosecutor’s office. While they were there the military personnel put the women in front of cameras and told them that they were facing charges of prostitution. Ms. Gouda stated, “They know that the way they can harm a women the most is by accusing her of prostitution.” Then the women were taken to a military prison. There they were forced to take a test to see if they were prostitutes or not. When Ms. Gouda had to take it they couldn’t find anything that made her a prostitute. So, a few days later she and the other women were released from the prison. At the end of the article Kristof interviews a human rights lawyer and the lawyer said, “About 1000 Egyptians have been arrested by the military since the protests began.” Also, the Egyptians who have been put in prison have had a trail of 30 minutes or less to decide if they were guilty of the crime or not. The lawyer continues to add, “The revolution isn’t over yet, freedom isn’t for free.”
Andy Schaub
In “Glimpses of the Next Great Famine” Nicholas Kristof recounts grim stories from the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya. The refugee camp is now the largest in the world with 430,000 inhabitants thanks to the worst drought Africa has seen in 60 years and the Shabab, a fundamentalist Islamic group that rules in part of Somalia. The saddest aspect of the story is not the fact that “The United Nations warns that the famine in the Horn of Africa could kill 750,000 people in the coming months” or that thousands of women are being raped but rather the fact that it does not have to be so bad. Somalia’s neighbors Kenya and Ethopia “have planted drought-resistant crops, built water projects and diversified their livelihoods, so this drought has affected them less than it would have in the past”, in addition,” early-warning system gave a year’s notice that a famine was on the way, and aid agencies moved in supplies.” Still, in Somalia, thousands continue to die every month and the Shabab blocks most aid workers and food shipments and refuses to let people out of the region to find food. It is such a shame the work of thousands to find life saving technologies for instances like these are put to waste by a select few who are too bashful to accept help.
ReplyDeleteFreddie Liederbach
"Ladders for the Poor," is an article addressing the situation in Haiti today - almost a year after the earthquake destroyed the lives, homes, and routines of nearly a million people. Kristof believes there is still hope for the people of Haiti, it just can't be found in the conventional meaning of the word "charity." The group, Fonkoze, that an extremely dedicated woman by the name of Anne Hastings runs is what ignited this hope.
ReplyDeleteIn the article Kristof writes "I asked Ms. Jean how her chicken eggs tasted, and she looked scandalized. 'I’m not going to eat these eggs,' she said. 'I’m going to use them to raise more chicks.'” Teaching people how to sustain themselves is the greatest charity of all. As I read through this article, I was reminded of a grant that came in front of the Youth Advisory Committee - a branch of the Petoskey Harbor-Springs Area Community Foundation. The grant was from Child & Family Services for an "Elements," program that would teach foster children on their way out of high school skills to surviving in the "real world." At the time, I was the only person on the committee that really felt strongly that this program would mean something, but it passed and the YAC gave our contribution. To me, both of these programs have the same goal, even though they are stationed in completely different areas of the world; each teaches sustainability.
I really think I see eye-to-eye with Kristof on this front. Teaching someone how to have a life is bigger than any temporary charity like money or shelter. Now, I'm not saying that those things do not help, because they obviously did in the first responses to Haiti... But in the wake of the event, shouldn't the goal evolve from survival to rehabilitation? "...poverty is sometimes linked to self-destructive behaviors that lock families into unending cycles of penury," says Kristof. He sees that knowledge and restoration can play a big part in breaking the chain that is poverty, and I whole-heartedly agree with him.
Nicholas Kristof's article, "In This Rape Center, the Patient Was 3," was absolutely shocking, to say the least. In it, he shortly chronicles several victims of sexual violence - none older than 13 years old. He mentions the account of 2 and-a-half-month old baby that had died of injuries due to rape. What was truly sickening about this article, however, was the mindset of the victims' families and the members of the community. "'If a girl is raped and she’s above 5, then it’s the way she was dressed'". The fact that ANYONE could place the blame of rape on the victim - especially someone as young as 5 years old - is absolutely appalling. The shame of sexual violence should be cast upon the criminal, not the innocent. What I found most distressing about this article was the fact that 13 year old TaJoe kept to herself about her traumatizing story and feared that her rapist would be put in jail. She abstained from prosecuting because she "'[didn’t] want to make trouble.'" I was dismayed after reading this article not only because of the obvious fact that heinous crimes like these happen every day, but also because in such corrupt third-world societies, is there really THAT much hope to be found for problems like these? I suppose through awareness and education the atrocities might lessen, but when victims of rape are accepting bribes from criminals, sadly, I can't help but wonder.
ReplyDelete- Natalie S.
In Nicholas D. Kristof's article "In This Rape Center, the Patient Was 3" the columnist spoke of a recent visit to a Rape Center in Sierra Leone Africa. He introduced his visit by telling the story of Jessica, a three year old "cuddling a teddy bear" who had been raped. Silence consumed this little girl and I couldn't help but wonder, how does a child recover from rape? These little girls who have so much time to grow have already had their most sacred entity stripped away from them. Frankly I was revolted by the thought of children living with and dieing because of sexual transmitted diseases. These girls had no chance to fight, they don’t even know how to describe what had happened to them-they have no words. This story had special connection with me learning about a friends roommate who had been raped at a downstate college campus. Hearing the account of what happened to her is hard to describe. The best way she could describe it was to imagine “ losing total control of your body in one second to the next being alone”. What I found fascinating was the fact that she resisted telling who her perpetrator was as if she lived in Sierra Leone. In the article victims are quite hesitant to speak of the men who raped them out of fear. With lack of government action and when “rape centers have treated more than 9,000 patients since 2003 — and fewer than one-half of 1 percent of the rapes have resulted in criminal convictions”. Even in the United States where jurisdiction would be guaranteed girl live in silence. The common theme here is that just as rape is universal so is the fear that the women and children live with long after. It is my hope that instead of cutting immensely necessary programs such as the United Nation Population Fund, that we enhance them and not turn our back of the little girls and women around our planet.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if every time I read about an impoverished child from Africa and their quest to better themselves, they always prevail; this is definitely the case for Tererai Trent in Nicholas D. Kristof's article "Triumph of a Dreamer."
ReplyDeleteTererai was born in Zimbabwe, married off at 11 and suffered through beatings and poverty; a similar situation to many African women I would assume. She had a list of 4 goals: to study abroad, to earn a B.A., a master's and a doctorate. It didn't really come as a surprise to me that she managed to accomplish these tasks, despite living in adverse conditions.
Stories like Tererai's never seem to surprise me, but they always amaze me. These people that have lived sheltered and impoverished lives have such drive and perseverance. Their strength is truly inspiring and incredible.
Though this story is uplifting, it does leave me with a sense of discontentment; at the end Kristof mentions how "Tererai is a reminder of the adage that talent is universal, while opportunity is not." He also states how there are 75 million children not attending primary school. These figures are troubling, especially considering the vast number of kids in the United States alone who take advantage of the education they can partake in, blowing it off and dropping out. I wish the people in America were more aware of the opportunities they've been so blessed with, for there are many people around the world who aren't as lucky as Tererai.
- Alex C.
"An African Adventure, and a Revelation"
ReplyDeleteI've always had a parochial view on Africa, however, this article has helped me to deviate from common sterotypes. As an aspiring economist, all I've really learned about Africa is its deflation problems, social problems, and corruption. This article highlighted the economic growth Africa is experiencing: " In the last decade, 6 of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world were in sub-Saharan Africa". This suprised me. With all the pejorative news in the media who would think Africa is actually growing faster than most other emerging markets? However, the story wasn't always as bright. Africa underperformed the world economy for over half a decade.
The african economy is flourishing, but modern medicine is not: "At least 250,000 children go blind each year for lack of vitamin A, according to the W.H.O., and half of them die within a year of going blind." This put me in a crestfallen mood. This can be rectified easily, however, nothing is being done. In addition, hundreds of thousands of children and adults face thyroid deficiencies due to lack of iodine. With all the humanitarian work being done, how have these simple problems not been fixed? Well humanitarian groups are trying: "children in Niger now routinely..get vitamin A drops to prevent blindness and death".
Additionally, Africa is facing similar problems that America faced when the articles of confederation were ratified. "As we crossed the Mauritania-Senegal border on a ferry, we saw trucks that had been waiting for a month to cross — because of a dispute between government officials on each side". This reminds me of America in the late 1700s, trade regulations, different currencies, states unwilling to cooperate with one another. Kristof commends on the ways to promote growth such as promoting trade and creating a better business environment, however, little is being done.
In addition, which suprised me greatly, Al Qaeda has caused widespread civil conflict and insecurity: "Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb". Al Qaeda has been kidnapping foreigners. Additionally, the Mauritanian government has allowed Al Qaeda to grow by opression, corruption, and economic instability.
Overall, this article focused on a journey of an american teacher and student and their trip to Africa. The auther highlighted the good and bad. And after a careful analysis of "An African Adventure, and a Revelation" there is patent corruption and medical havoc in Africa that seems perpetual in today's state.
"A Libyan Prisoner Lives to Tell His Story"
ReplyDeleteThis article shows the struggle of a man named Salem al-Madhoun. Salem is an officer that passed on secret information about disaffection in the ranks of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. This man is a Libyan electrical engineer that was a part of the Libyan Navy. When the Libyan revolution bagan in February his ship was ordered to attack a city, but instead of harming potentially innocent targets for the government, he decided that he would protest and plotted to defect the ship to Malta. It was a mutiny that he was trying to get a multitude of ships to partake in. It was thought that if enough ships defected than the government would lose power and would lead to a rise of the rebel army to overcome the government. Along with the mutiny of ships, Salem worked with a force of around 1,200 underground rebels to smuggle weapons by ships and to bomb security offices. In May he was picked up by a police sweep and questioned and he was able to get away with saying he was a poor farmer. Later on the police found the underground hide out and Salem was taken by the government. He was then tortured and questioned for almost three weeks. When the police first found him he knew he was going to die. “When they arrested me, I knew I was going to be killed,” said Salem. Soon after this the rebels stormed the prison releasing him to freedom and was later appointed the military commander of the newly liberated Tajoura area.
This passage caught my attention because it's courage and strength like Salem al-Madhoun that people struggling in situations similar need to embrace. Even if the situation doesn't deal with a life or death circumstance, the amount of perseverance and dedication to his country that his had shown needs to be adopted by every individual that has great goals or aspirations. because of his impeccable courage, many rebels will be inspired to follow his lead and help to overthrow the corrupt government. His efforts allowed for a goal of democracy to be achieved in the near future. "Madhoun acknowledges that the hard work is only just beginning. Yet he is guardedly optimistic that Libya can build a modern multiparty democracy." Soon people will be following in his lead and making even more bold decisions and actions that will possibly reach the aspirations that Salem has. He is one man in a struggling country that has made a huge impact. His story is known now because of the journalists, but it is certain that many more are involved in similar struggles and this country can use as much help as it can get to become a more democratic and peaceful nation.
Andrew Hamlin
Dear Mr. Young,
ReplyDeleteCountless efforts are focused on stopping obvious forms of torture, but in Nicholas Kristof's article "A Rite of Torture for Girls" he addressed a different form of torture which is seen all across Africa. Kristof notes that "one of the most common forms of torture in the modern world... is inflicted by mothers on daughters they love." Genital Mutilation is a tradition kept alive by African mothers and their local "cutters." Basically, when a girl is 10, the cutters cut everything out of her genitals, with no anesthetic, sews whatever flesh is left together with 3 to 6 stitches, then binds her legs for 10 days, until the flesh begins to fuse together. "The cutter leaves a tiny opening to permit urination and menstruation."
“This tradition is for keeping our girls chaste, for lowering the sex drive of our daughters" states Mrs. Ibrahim, an interviewee of Kristof's. These girls are going through immense torment and their human rights are being abused profusely. I believe it is our duty to spread awareness of this ubiquitous atrocity, and bring it to an abrupt halt.
Ben Pugh
In the article "Glimpses of the Next Great Famine" author Nicholas Kristof uncovers the drought induced famines occurring in Somalia. His gut wrenching article begins with his description of malnourished children, “What’s most heartbreaking about starving children isn’t the patches of hair that fall out, the mottled skin and painful sores, the bones poking through taut skin. No, it’s the emptiness in their faces” As I read this first paragraph, I was reminded of the commercials you occasionally see on TV, showing the face of some anonymous child, in some country far away, who happened to be starving at “this very moment”. With that vividly depressing image emblazoned in my mind, I feel ashamed to live the way I do. As I sit here writing this comment, I have a large bowl of ice cream and a cold glass of water in front of me. My choice regarding this snack was how much I wanted to eat. The Somalians on the other hand, ask themselves, “Do they risk starvation at home or torture and rape while fleeing?” How is it that the developed world can afford to have a seemingly endless amount of food, while other regions of our world survive on almost nothing at all? That question is where I find fault with the first-world countries, such as ourselves. I find it shameful and disgusting that staggering fatalities can go virtually unnoticed by the rest of the world, especially when we could very easily help them. Similar to the author, I feel that happenings such as this shake my trust in society, and leave me asking the questions about why things have to be this way.
ReplyDelete-Andrew Marvin
In This Rape Center, the Patient Was 3
ReplyDeletePeople don't talk about rape. It's awkward. Unlike starvation or an oppressive government regime or an equally horrific situation, rape can and does happen to anyone. In America usually you often hear about a drunk college girl that got roofied. It's almost too common to be shocking.
Krisof's article was shocking because it focused on children. I the line "That 2-and-a-half-month-old baby died of internal injuries sustained during the rape" out loud to my sister. Naturally, she was disgusted. She said that the rapist should be thrown in prison.
The fact that the rapist most likely never will be thrown in prison is almost as disgusting as the fact that someone would rape a baby. The society described in the article enables rapists. Not only is there no punishment, victims are punished themselves for even trying to seek justice. TaJoe, a young girl who was raped by a rich man, was arrested when she told the police. She was charged with "sullying the name of a respected member of the community."
The big difference between my reactions to this article and a reaction I would have to one of the stories about a girl in America getting raped differ because of the punishment. I can read about someone here being attacked and be relatively content and unaffected. I know that the rapist will be punished accordingly. I have enough faith in our justice system, at least regarding situations like this, that the bad guy will be caught and imprisoned. I'm bothered significantly more by the stories of Africa because the rapists get away almost every time. No effort is put into trying to capture them. The justice system just doesn't care.
-Amy K
"In This Rape Center, the Patient was 3"
ReplyDeleteWow. I, just, wow. After reading this, I'm just a little speechless. It wasn't the part about the rapes of little girls, I've read about that before. It was more that our government may stop sending aid to programs that help these women (or girls). I mean, we support military dictatorships and oil companies, but we can't help toddlers who've been molested? The other part that really struck me was why these women aren't prosecuting. It's not just the corrupt law system; it's that the rapist are paying for their silence, or at least promising to.