How its made ROUGH DRAFT

Emily Burg

Most African tribes and ethnic groups participate in a culture tradition of carving masks. The African masks date back to as early as the Paleolithic times. They are amongst the finest art creations in the world and many collectors today would die to have them. The masks can be viewed in museums and art galleries all over the world (“How African Masks are made”). The masks are made of an assortment of materials. They are used typically for celebrations, initiations, crop harvesting and other specific times. They usually represent a spirit, and it is believed the people who wear the masks are possessed by the spirit.
The African masks are made by a variety of materials including leather, wood, metal and fabrics. Wood is mainly used but is not the sole material (“How African masks are made”). Some carvers prefer certain types of wood for their masks, and it is believed that there is a symbolic link between certain masks and certain trees. The masks are carved usually from a single piece of wood. Some masks have movable jaws and need multiple pieces of wood. The tree of choice is chosen and is chopped down; the carver then waits for the piece of wood to dry out. They use simple tools in order to carve the masks including an adze, a knife, and gouge (“How African masks are made”). They shape the main features and then go back after in order to add the final details with the gouge and adze. The way they make holes is through the use of an awl, or burned through with a hot iron. They rub the finished mask with sap of certain plants or with oil to give it a glazed look.
Ethnic groups including the Tembe, Dyula, Dan and Senufo have made masks in cast or hammered brass or bronze. Some of these are face masks where as others are pendants. Most materials are the masks are invariable combined with others. The materials range anywhere from metals, to fur, to leather, hair and even teeth! The masks can either be worn vertically covering the face, as helmets encasing the entire head, and as crest resting upon the head (“African Masks”). [Probably have to add some sort of voice here but not exactly sure what to write.]
Masking ceremonies have gone over for thousands of years, and were a very important part of African life. Due to the fact that the vast number of people have lost some of its tribal identity and culture, the masking ceremonies are no longer common in Africa. The ritual ceremonies usually depict deities, spirits of ancestors, mythological beings good and or eve, the dead, animal spirits and others who have been in power (“African Masks”). The masks may be honored with ceremonies and gifts. A mask ceremony is usually held during celebrations, initiations and other important times. The masks usually are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer. When the mask ceremony begins, the dancer goes into a deep trance (“How African masks are made”). During this deep trance the dancer communicates with the spirit or ancestor. Sometimes the dancer is accompanies by a wise man or translator in order to interpret or translate the message from the spirits through the dancer. Usually the ceremonies also include music and dance played by traditional instruments (“How African masks are made”).
The African masks and tribal art have had an impact on western art. At first western artists did not appreciate the spiritual and social functions of the masks. It was first viewed as just a strong visual impact but most western artists were ignorant about the meaning behind them (“African Masks”). Sadly many collectors say that the character of the generated masks from western cultures do not possess the same spiritual aspect to them in comparison the authentic masks (“Heilbrunn”). The modern use of the masks are more for visual effect in comparison to when they were actually used to connect with spirits and ancestors to bring upon a calling from them. They were viewed and used as guiders and whoever wore the mask was chosen for a reason (“African Masks”). Compared to how we see the masks now, we basically just have them on display they are not being used for their original purpose for their spiritual connection.
Some western modernist artists were drawn to African masks due to the sophisticated approach to the abstraction of a human figure. Different geometric patterns are sometimes used to distinguish between male and female masks. Certain patterns including zigzag, parallel, and curved lines represent scarification marks, and can denote a social status or magical/religious powers (African Masks). In order to make these masks it took a lot of steady sculpting skills. The precision and the details that were put into the masks by the simple tools that were used is amazing. Personally, making small details with basically a wood pick seems very difficult. If you chip off too much wood, that requires you to have to either trim down more to even it out or have to improvise from the mistake you made. It would be interesting to talk to a carver and ask if they had any influence from a specific spirit in order to guide them to what they are carving or why they are doing it a specific way.

• I will probably have to cut down on information and need to add more voice, not exactly sure what to talk about. It seems pretty straight forward.

“African Masks – The Use of Pattern on an African Mask.” African Masks. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.

“Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History.” African Influences in Modern Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.

“How African Masks Are Made.” African Masks, Africa Art, Balinese & Tibetan Mask, Wood Carvings, Indian Paintings & Tapestries. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.

How its made

For the how its made assignment, I found that in Africa they have special masks that are part of their culture. These masks play an important roles in various cultures and tribes. they are sued in intricate religous ceremonies as a way to conjure or communicate with spirits or ancestors. the masks will differe not only from culture to culture but also in the indtended purpose for each mask. They are made using different types of matericals. In many cultures they have an appointed member attributed with the purpose of designing and fabricating the masks. The masks are carved speciallly for their use. I plan to look further into how these masks started, when they are used. what they are used for, and how they are specically made.

Condensed Paper #2

In our everyday lives we use natural resources that we may not even know exist. If you are reading this paper on a computer, or using your cell phone, you may not know it contains a mineral called coltan. This coltan is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo otherwise known as DRC, and under very harsh labor conditions (Delawala, n.d.). If you have ever bought a diamond, most may not know what went into finding that exact diamond, past the jewelry store. It is not only adults who are working in these conditions but children at the age of 9, work in the mines or assist in bringing water. People are forced to walk over 2 hours to get to work every day. They work in the scorching heat and inclement weather for nearly pennies. For the luxuries that we desire, people of the Congo are slaving away to provide these minerals (“Blood Coltan”, 2008). Working for almost nothing they are digging through mines with their bare hands. Actions from other countries and organizations need to be taken in order to help the Congo with the improvement of the work environment and benefits for the people.
Miners of the DRC, mine a wide variety of natural minerals including diamonds, coltan, copper, tin and others. Coltan is the main product miners are searching for.. Many people may not know that this is in the technology we use pretty much every day. Coltan is in you computers, phones, and other electronic devices (Smith, 2011). Coltan’s actual name is columbite-tantalite, and is a dull metallic ore. After it is refined it becomes metallic tantalum, which is a heat-resistant powder that can hold a high electrical charge (Delawala, n.d.). The metallic tantalum is vital in creating capacitors which control electrical flow inside circuit boards. The way that coltan is mined is through a very strategic process similar to how gold is mined. Numerous men are in lines and dig away at the dirt, sometimes by bare hands, and find the coltan underground. They then slosh the dirt with water and mud and put it into large washtubs, which allows the coltan to settle due to its heavy weight (Delawala, n.d). The average coltan miner can make anywhere from 10 to 50 dollars a week, which is roughly $300 less than an American making minimum wage on a 40 hour week.
Mining in the Congo is very common amongst civilians. With limited work being in the Congo, workers are forced to work long hours in harsh conditions (“Blood Coltan, 2008). Mining for coltan specifically is actually illegal. Sometimes workers are forced into working the mines not because they are unable to feed their families, but because militia forces them to work (“Life of African Coltan Miners is one of Suffering”, 2012). Men, women and children can spend up to 16 hours in a mine, mining by hand and sorting the minerals through a pan (2012). The job is exhausting and can also cause various illnesses. Some of the minerals that these people are extracting are causing lung diseases by breathing in the chemicals. Other miners are injured by improper mining techniques and not taught how to use tools properly.
The work that the people do is very laborious. Most of the tunnels that they mine are dug out by hand with the use of simple tools like a hammer and a torch. They wear no gloves or helmets, so workers are in dangerous conditions. Workers say that the air is thick and that it is full of dust. Another factor the workers are forced to work in is also the extreme temperatures outside (Hawksley, 2012). Many of the miners do not even understand what they are mining, and where the products go. In the video Deadly Diamonds (2009), there are people trying to teach the miners what they are mining, and for the example of a diamond, what exactly it is worth. If the miners do not know anything about what they are mining, it is very easy for the militia to rip them off and not pay them as much as they should be compensated for. Now with this teaching they are able to know what the cut, clarity, color and other aspects of a diamond or any mineral are and what makes it worth more money (2009).
A big issue that is going on currently in the DRC is the control of rebel groups. One in particular is called the M23. Their overall plan is to overthrow the government. The rebel force M23 has no problem killing civilians, and forced conscription, including minors thus violating serious human rights (McKenzie, Zdanocwicz, Krever, Smith-Spark & Crawford, 2012). The rebels are able to over throw governmental control therefore the help of outside forces including the United Nations, Western Countries, or Non-Profit Organizations must take action to help the Congolese. On March 28, 2013 CNN reported of the United Nations Security Council approving a resolution to deploy around 3,100 peacekeepers to the DRC (Staff, 2013). There is still fighting taking place between the M23 and the army.
The United Nations currently has peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but they are struggling with peace missions due to the lack of other countries support (Bayo, 2012). Western countries need to help with the Congo’s economy to help further improve the work of miners. Western countries need to help crack down on the trafficking of the coltan and the other modern pirates who are behind the war over natural resources (“Blood Coltan”, 2008). The UN talks about how the support of super-power countries would better the chances in resolving the conflicts in the DR of Congo (Bayo, 2012). If outside sources were able to help to re-establish the Congolese government, and have them in control of the mines, they would be able to assist in proper mining conditions, and workers would not be in fear of rebel forces and mistreatment in order for them to make money (2012).
What countries need to do in order to stop this harsh labor is to not purchase goods from these militias or the Congo in general. There was just recently a new law that said that any company in the United States that is buying minerals must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Hawksley, 2012). Along with the United States, Europe is also tightening up their guidelines on dealing with conflict minerals (2012). There are also possible boycotts going on in the Congo in order to stop all of this. In the news article DR Congo mining fights to revive reputation, they talk about how “electronic companies, which can trace the origins of most of their materials, concede they cannot guarantee that their products are not tainted with conflict, slave or child labour” (Hawksley, 2012). Therefore countries who are buying these materials do not know for sure where they came from, even though the Congo is the main source of supply. It needs to be a law that where these minerals come from are displayed, therefore the United States and other countries can eliminate buying their goods. This would help show how serious countries are about the mistreatment of workers, and the need to stop this civil war between Congolese government and rebel forces.
Pray for Congo is a website that talks mainly about the issues that are going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the rebel groups and army fighting over the profiting of the country’s minerals. They show data on how United States companies are beginning to feel pressure of the illegal Coltan being sold and used in their products (Nzita, n.d.). It lists companies that refused or did not answer the U.N. committee Panel of Experts on the illegal exploitation of Natural resources. Some of those companies were Eagle Wings Resources Intl., Cabot Corporation and Flashes of Color. Although these companies did not respond there were many who did including Apple, Intel, HP and Dell just to name a few (Nzita, 2012). By buying the coltan from the DRC they could be funding a war in the DRC, and having some of these electronic giants changing the way they do business is a big push towards change. They talk about how an organization called Enough Project, that specializes in preventing genocide and armed conflict released a report stating “companies including Intel, HP and Apple for establishing “conflict minerals” programs to trace minerals that fund rebels in eastern Congo and eliminate them from their supply chains.” (2012). With the elimination of the conflict minerals from their supply chains, this shows that people are concerned about the Congolese people and what they have to go through in order to provide these minerals.
The war conflict that is going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo between the rebel forces and the government needs to come to an end. It is the main reason of the mistreatment of workers, especially in the mines (“Blood Coltan”, 2008). In order to stop this chaos, countries like the United States and other super-powers must step forward and help. The United Nations is trying their hardest but without the backing of the super-powers; they are not getting very far. Non-profit organizations are also speaking out about the mistreatment of workers. Electronic companies like Dell, HP and Apple are eliminating their supply of “conflict materials”, thus showing their concern to help (Nzita, 2012). Rebel forces do not want this mining to stop being the way it is because they have complete control, and also are making complete profit off of the mines. Looking further into what electronic companies are doing to stop the movement of these conflict materials will be the next step in helping the workers of the Congolese (2012). Having pressure put upon the United States to get involved will only benefit the Congolese people. By having the Congolese government in control of the mines, they will be able to provide a sound work environment, and better treatment for workers. Now is the time to step in, before it’s too late for the Congolese citizens.

Condensed paper

Endangered Species
Covering this planet are millions of animals. Throughout the world, there are issues involving the extinction and endangerment of certain species. Elephants and Rhinos are main targets in South Africa. Just recently it was released that there was an increase in killings from 2011 to 2012 from 448 rhinos being killed, to 668 rhinos being killed, due to illegal poaching (WWF South Africa 1). Along with South Africa the United States also has animals that are endangered. The Louisiana black bear and the gray wolf are two species that are currently in the targeted zone (“Poaching” 1). The role of the government and different organizations will help protect these animals and stop the illegal killing. Illegal poaching, and loss of habitats, is causing the demise of many species all over the world, including elephants, rhinos, black bears and gray wolfs. Without help, they will become extinct, thus effecting the environment in which they once played a significant role in.
South Africa is home to a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish (“South Africa’s Wildlife Wonders” 1). Throughout the country animals are being targeted by poachers. The elephant has been a target of poaching since the 1950’s for their ivory tusks (“African Elephants” 1). The raw ivory that comes from elephant’s tusks is being illegally taken, then sold in the black market for the making of trinkets and jewelry. In the 1970’s, the demand for ivory skyrocketed (1). Over 80 percent of the ivory was from poached elephants. Another cause of the endangerment of the elephants, is the loss of their habitats. Due to the expansion of agriculture, roads and other industrial projects, not only elephants but animals all over the world are losing their habitats (“Habitat Loss” 1). An effective way to help protect these animals and their habitats is through creating specific protected areas and/or sanctuaries or reserves (1). Kruger National Park is one reserve in particular, that is home to a majority of the animals in South Africa. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves and it is home to more than 147 different mammal species (Hampton and Weston 1). This park has an estimated 1,800 lions, 9,125 elephants and 2,300 black and white rhinos (1).
Elephants are a migrating species. They roam around a couple of miles a day, grazing and relaxing. The elephants help play a role in the germination of some plant seeds. Seeds of many plants are dependent on passing through the elephant’s digestive tract before they can germinate. One third of the trees in Africa rely on the elephant for this (“African Elephants” 1). One plant in particular is the Marula. This fruit contains a seed that has a strong casing, which prevents germination. Studies have shown that the marula fruits that were taken from the dung of the African elephant had more rapid germination then those that had not been eaten by the elephant (Midgley, Gallaher and Kruger 1).
Not only is the elephant an endangered species in South Africa, but the rhino is also a target for poachers due to their horns (“WWF South Africa” 1). On January 10th, 2013 the World Wildlife Foundation released an article about the critical turning point for rhinos. The article stated that over the year 2012, 668 rhinos were killed, thus being an increase of 220 rhinos from the previous year (1). In the article on the conservation implications of patterns of horn regeneration in dehorned white rhinos they state, “The demand for rhino horn has led to drastic declines in numbers of rhinos in Asia and Africa. Although all trade in rhino products has been illegal since the mid-1970s, a lucrative illegal market flourishes and poaching continues” (Rachlow and Berger 1). The reason why the rhinos are being targeted is because it is believed that their horns have medicinal properties. They are seen desirable from some Asian states especially Vietnam (“WWF South Africa” 1). If South Africa does not keep up the pressure on national and international agencies to make rhino poaching and illegal trading a priority crime, this will only continue (1).
The United States has its own issues with endangered species. Some species that are currently listed as endangered or threatened is the Louisiana black bear, manatee and gray wolf, just to name a few. Here in the states, it is legal to hunt, but besides the legal hunting there is also illegal hunting that is done as well. “Wildlife officials say that legal hunters kill tens of millions of animals every year. For each of those animals, another is killed illegally, perhaps on closed land or out of season, leaving orphaned young to starve. Few poachers are caught or punished” (“Poaching” 1). People may wonder why poachers want to do this, and there are many reasons why. For one these poachers possibly could just love killing. They could also want trophies, or they are selling things on the black market (1). The Humane Society of the United States tells how a bear’s gall bladder can be sold to the Chinese for their herbal remedies, or how a big-horned sheep’s antlers could be sold for around $20,000 dollars on black market (1).
The United States provides a lot of governmental funded or backed organizations to help prevent endangerment and preserve the wildlife. The International Association of Natural Resources Crimestoppers, is an organization that, “promotes the conservation, enhancement and protection of the world’s natural resources” (“IANRC” 1). This is important to us because you are able to go onto their website and report poachers that you might either suspect, or see in your area (1). In 1973 the United States passed The Endangered Species Act (ESA) which provides a program that’s main focus is the conservation of threatened or endangered animals and plants, along with their habitats (“Summary of ESA” 1).
On February 12th, 2013 an article was released by NBC news talking about how a lawsuit was filed to put the gray wolf back on the endangered species list in the Upper Midwest. Wolves used to live throughout nearly the entire United States, and are now only found in the Great lakes region (Karnowski 1). In just this past year hunters and trappers killed over 530 wolves during the hunting season. The whole reason that the wolves were put on the endangered species list was from the hunters and trappers. Now that we have taken the gray wolf off the list of endangered species, we are just repeating history, and the whole reason they were on the list in the first place (1). The humane society requests that the wolves be put back on the endangered species list especially for the states, Wisconsin, Michigan and Wyoming (1).
In the United States there are numerous wildlife refuges which provide homes for more than 220 species of mammals, 700 species of birds and 250 reptile and amphibian species. (“NWRS – About.” 1). There are at least three national wildlife refuges in Pennsylvania alone, “there is today at least one wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas” (1). Having these types of refuges provides these animals with a safe habitat to live, and also to help those animals that are threatened or endangered, “More than 280 threatened or endangered plants or animals are protected on wildlife refuges”(1).
Although each country has their own issues with endangered species and their own way of handling the situation, there is a lot of intermixing between then United States and South African. On February 13th 2013, a man from South Dakota was charged $85,000 for shooting a whooping crane and violating the ESA. He also was put on two years’ probation, seized the rifle he used to shoot the bird, and is not permitted to hunt for two years (Crawford 1). Another recent story was released on February 14th 2013 about a man from Texas who was fined $100,000 and could face a year in prison for trying to smuggle elephant ivory carvings. “The illegal international trade in ivory is pushing the African elephant closer towards extinction” (“Collin County Man Guilty of Customs Violations.” 1). Even people here in the United States take place in the poaching and distribution of African elephant’s tusks. Now is the time to take a stand and stop these crimes. By enforcing with laws and consequences for the illegal actions taken upon these animals, we can stop this. Without the help of the people, organizations and government assistance, these animals we know will become extinct.

7 sources

1. Blackett, A. (2011). BEYOND STANDARD SETTING: A STUDY OF ILO TECHNICAL COOPERATION ON REGIONAL LABOR LAW REFORM IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA. Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal, 32(2), 443-492.

2. SMITH, J. (2011). Tantalus in the Digital Age: Coltan ore, temporal dispossession, and ‘movement’ in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. American Ethnologist, 38(1), 17-35.
.

3. Kabamba, P. (2012). A tale of two cities: urban transformation in gold-centred Butembo and diamond-rich Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Journal Of Contemporary African Studies, 30(4), 669-685. doi:10.1080/02589001.2012.724870
.

4. http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=128631&page=1

5. http://www.loc.gov/law/help/guide/nations/congodr.php

6. http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/tda2003/congo-democratic-republic.htm

7. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html

Homework #7 Arranging a Marriage

1. From an Indiana perspective what are the advantages of an arranged marriage?
a. Sita talks about how in the arranged marriage, she is able to live her life before hand and not have to worry about trying to find a husband she is able to leave that all up to her parents. She also talks about how when they do get married all the fun will be in getting to know the person and the romance unlike us, where we know our spouses and that there is no surprise or excitement after marriage. She also talks about how It will be an automatic plus that her parents will like him. They also talked about how there is a lower divorce rate in India. The points that she made are true, you do have the excitement initially of meeting that person but what happens if your parents are misled and this guy turns out to be awful, then you are stuck with him. My one friend here in the US, her parents have an arranged marriage and the father sleeps in the basement and the mom upstairs. They are not happy at all and are only together for the kids. I feel like the arranged marriage could be both good and bad depending on the judgment of your parents pick in spouse.
2. Would you ever consider allowing your parents to arrange a marriage for you? If so, why would this be more advantageous or disadvantageous than finding someone for yourself?
a. I personally would not want my parents to arrange a marriage for me. They talk about in the article how that they look out for their family in a way when it comes to picking their child’s spouse, but I feel like if you are raised right and are taught to be respected from another person you will be able to pick a spouse that your parents will like. They also say how there is no mystery after you get married when you have already been dating the person and I feel like that is not true. If you fall in love with someone then every day after marriage is a new and exciting day. It’s like a book, there are chapters in your life and if you love the person you are with each big step after marriage with be a mystery and you don’t know what to expect. I would have no idea who my parents would even pick it would be very random. I think a disadvantageous of finding someone yourself would be the time spent and the worry if you don’t find someone you could lose like self-esteem. Whereas if the marriage was arranged you don’t have that doubt about yourself. I would rather spend my time meeting the person that I enjoy spending time with because I would be very angry if I had an arranged marriage and hated the person, then what do you do.
3. What circumstances led your parents to get married? What considerations, in your opinion, played the most important role?
a. The circumstances that led my parents to get married were probably that my dad fell in love with my mom when he was like 6. They got married when they were 21 and have been together for over 34 years. For my parents it was common to not go to college, so after high school their actual real lives began. So for them the next step was to live together and then get married. I think what played the most important role was that they grew up together and always would hang out they all had the same group of friends and all their siblings were friends. They fell in love with each other on their own and decided to make that commitment together. I personally think they got married at a young age but that was very common for their age group. My mom has told me before that her parents did push her into marrying my father. My dad was head over heels for her since the day he laid eyes on her but she was a little more skeptical. Her parents encouraged her to marry him because he had a good job and was nice and they felt like she would be secure with him. I am really happy she did because I love my dad I wouldn’t want any other man to be my father. So in a way I almost thank her parents.

Ideas for paper # 2

For my second paper I have been researching and watching videos on the harsh work conditions of the people in Africa. The couple of videos that I have watched have talked about the diamond industry. The people who work for this are so labor intensive and are paid barely nothing. They are put in extreme heat and before any sort of laws were put into play were beaten and killed. Things have changed they have been getting training to better understand what a diamond even is so they are able to argue about how much they found. Another harsh work condition place was for the oil drilling. The people were also treated horrendously. I think that this topic would be a good topic to write about because you could talk about how the work conditions used to be what they are now and how they are improving if they even are.

Homework #6: The other side of the Mirror

1. Throughout Allen’s travel narrative, she meets many unique people that defy stereotypes. List 2 of these people and explain how they defy stereotyping.
Allen found herself meeting a boy named Saeed. Saeed was the sweetest person she said she could have met. He inspired to be a fashion designer and his younger brother said he wanted to be the Arab Eminem. They both orientated themselves around their family and cared very much for their mother. This proved to her that Syrians seem to have developed a far more civil and polite public arena than our own. Which she did not expect. In the beginning of the article she meets a vendor who poured her some tea and just wanted to talk to her. She found this more often than none and was surprised that the Americans were more welcomed then she thought they would be.

2. Allen writes, “to visit Syria is to confront the unhappy truth about our media, which is that much of the international news we read or see, from whatever portion of the political spectrum, serves not as a window looking out at the world but as a mirror: a mirror that reflects our own fears and obsessions and shines them right back at us.” Explain what you think Allen means by this quote and give 2 examples that you have seen of the way our media acts like a mirror rather than a window
Well for one instance, the author talks about how she was fearful at first going to Syria. She was apprehensive about carrying money, where she was staying and just being in the city in general. There had to be a reason why she was so nervous about all of this, and the way that our media portrays other countries that we might not know all about is that they are bad and scary and we should not go there. The media might portray one specific area that might be having issues in certain countries but they never really show the good that is happening in the country. The author stated “and so far from being dangerous for foreigners, as the State Department would have had us believe, Syria (as I discovered later) has been deemed the third safest country in the world, after Malaysia and Singapore.” I think maybe instead of turning the other way against these countries, our country could learn things essential for our key problems. Something else that I noticed when I was reading was how culturally aware every culture except ours is. You don’t see our media showing foreign music or movies. You only see in America what is produced in America. Whereas in other countries they watch or TV shows, are exposed to our music, and are inspired by it. Americans fear the unknown. Instead of taking the unknown as a challenge to learn or incorporate into the lives of our own we run from it.

3. Allen makes a few sweeping generalizations about Americans in the text. List two of them and whether you agree or disagree with theses generalizations.
The author talks about how something went wrong in America and that a cultural hardening set in and people have come to believe that greed is good. She talks about how we associate Syrians as pathetic losers. I feel like for the older generation this is true. They were not as culturally exposed as the generation of my age. We are more well-rounded when it comes to diversity. Whereas our parents, that was all they knew. It says that the western view of the “Arab world” is a homogenous, purely Muslim place full of anonymous black-clad crowds. The author talks about how this is all disproven when you get to a country and are able to interact and meet these people. I think that people do believe this. We are not exposed to other religions or cultures that are in the middle east. We are only told what the media wants us to know which is these people are bad for the most part, especially with having been at war with countries in the middle east for what ten years now.

4. Early in the essay Allen writes, “occasionally we voiced a regret that our countries were not better friends, and when we did so the reply was invariably the same: ‘Everyone knows that’s just politics, not people.’” I also have often heard this phrase from many friends from the Middle East. What does it mean and do you think Americans tend to share this point of view? Should they?
I feel like this means that they know that not all Americans are like the politicians that represent our country. They know that politics is in its own world and that they shouldn’t judge the citizens of America the way they are represented because not everyone is the same. They have an open mind to meeting Americans whereas not all Americans feel the same about them. I always say until disproven otherwise everyone to me is equal. I will judge you after meeting you and your personality. Each person is different, and every country has their bad people and good people you can’t just generalize. You should not just make an assumption about every single person in another country based on their political system or political leaders. If you do that you are going to pass up on meeting some amazing people who can really give you a different way to look at life and appreciate things.

veil

1. What are two benefits or positives of veiling in the text? What are two negatives?
Some things about the veil are that when women wear it, it expresses men’s status, power, wealth and manliness. The veil is said to guard women’s honor. The veil is a symbol of restriction. A positive of this is that it is a sign to men or women to keep their hands off of the women. Another positive is that the veil can conceal your identity. It is nice that women can go around without having to worry about being criticized.
2. What western practices, in any part of our culture, could be viewed as similar to veiling? Why?
In the article it talks about a cowboy’s hat and how wearing that hat is almost like a veil. You are used to wearing it and it is part of your identity. It is not the same in the aspect of protecting yourself from harm from other people or as a warning but the identity of it is the same.
3. Write 2 paragraphs on your views on the hijab or veil. Is it oppressive, a symbol of religious devotion, a cultural statement, etc? How does it compare to American customs? Are our customs different / better / worse?
The whole process of veiling or the hijab was when Muhammad’s wives were insulted by people who were going to the mosque in search of the prophet. The woman felt as if there was the positive of the hijab because it raised a position of honor and dignity but they stated on the other hand it deprived women of their personal liberty. I feel as if it started out as a statement of the wealth and also a statement to even allow people of certain towns identify who was in their town because if someone without a veil was present they would know. From a religious aspect it says that the veil protects women from the world outside the home. I feel though as if women hide behind their veils. It’s hard for me to relate to this because here in America we are so caught up in our own identity. Some people walk around trying to make a statement where as others conceal themselves. We are not centered on concealing ourselves to that extent in reaction to not being criticized.
I thought it was very interesting how they said that women were used against the British after World War I and were carrying bombs under their veils! There is their veil being used in a different way.

Homework number 4

1. Give an example of how Fallows used Chinese body language to get through a tough situation.
The time when she was trying to get into the Cultural Palace of the Monitories to see an exhibit she was not allowed to get into the exhibit without having a passport. She noticed that the guard shuffled and she could sense a little wiggle room. She showed the guard her house key to prove that she lived in Beijing and surprisingly he let her through! If this were in America and someone was trying to get into the Whitehouse there would be no exception for using a house key to get in. That would never fly.
2. If a Chinese person were coming to America, what suggestion would you give them, as far as body language, in order to help them get by?
Some good body language is that if people cross their arms here in America it usually entails them either not really feeling comfortable or possible not feeling as open towards discussion and folding of their arms on their chest shows they are holding things in or don’t exactly want to speak. Another body language sign is the no eye contact. If someone doesn’t give you eye contact it means they don’t want to speak or possibly just feel uncomfortable speaking.
3. In your opinion, which was the strangest Chinese rule / law that Fallows came across?
A rule that is enforced is the fact that if you have guests in your home for more than a few nights you must register their names with the police. I find this so bizarre. If you have people in your personal home you should not have to alert the authorities telling them that they are there. Unless they are causing a problem there should be no need for this.
4. If a Chinese person were coming to America, what strange rule would you warn them about?
Some laws that are strange that are in America are that in Ocean city maryland you are not aloud to honk your horn unless for a specific reason. In los Angeles it is not legal to bathe two babies at the same time in the same tub. A state law requires that a man’s female companion shall call him “master” while out on a date. The law does not apply to married couples. There are probably more silly rules but there probably are too many to list.

5. Name an Instance where Fallows encountered a rule / law that was only selectively enforced.
The one child policy is strictly enforced in most places except in certain rural areas but other wise there are steep fines if this is broken. This law helped with their population increasing at such a fast rate and if this law was not in place they would be so overpopulated that it could be bad.
6. Name two rules / laws that are only selectively enforced in the US.
Some laws that are selectively enforced in the US I feel are things that have to do with driving, like speeding or blowing a red light. I feel like there are tons of cops sitting on roads watching cars and the way people are driving to enforce the laws of the road. Another law that I feel is enforced is not allowing kids buy alcohol under the age of 21. Granit there are some places that allow this but most places are relatively strict when it comes to buying alcohol.