Bondage

Many refugees are currently living in refugee camps in various locations across the world to avoid the dangers within their homeland. This camp from the photograph is in southern Lebanon. The camp is called Burj el-Shamali. It is one of the most poverty stricken camps in Lebanon. In 1948, the formation of the state of Israel forced many individuals to leave their homes and settle in this camp. There are more than 20, 000 refugee living within its walls. I would suggest venturing to see more pictures through this given site at the bottom of the page to get a better look at the residing tone of the camp. The homes are made of zinc roofing and have little or no plumbing. The water supply is sparse as well as the overall income.
I remember making forts with my little cousins in my grandma’s yard. These shelters that are housing families are not much more protective or secure than the playhouse we made from random scraps found along the dirt roads in Arizona.
It is so difficult to comprehend the amount of trials these individuals wake up to every day. Though the refugees all started with different histories and backgrounds, they are now connected and forced to live in a degrading lifestyle.
These camps such as Burj el- Shamali contain a wide variety of individuals and families. The elderly in the refugee camps wait patiently to return to their homes, many still possessing the keys to enter. On the other hand many Palestinians have never even been to Palestine because of their life years spent within the camps. However, they all have a similar desire to lead healthy, successful lives. These camps are restricting growth and prosperity among the many citizens who have previously known their rights.


Works Cited:

"Burj el-Shemali Refugee Camp: A Photo Essay." Gallery 2. Photos du Centre des médias alternatifs du Québec - CMAQ, 2005. Web. 17 Mar. 2010.

Website:http://photos.cmaq.net/v/burj-el-shemali/?g2_page=3

Colored Feathers

It was through brown paper turkeys and Elmer's glue that began the foundation of my perception of the first thanksgiving. Throughout the years more information has been contributed to my basic knowledge. It was in American History when I learned more about the mistreatment of the Indian tribes living in America before the English settled.

Many Indians continue to suffer. Although a majority of the Indian culture has been destroyed from America it continues to prosper in Mexico. For two decades the Roman Catholic priest have ralied among the Indian tribes to raise awareness for Liberation. Eventually a rebel army was raised (non of Indian descent) known as the Zapatista Army of Liberation. Since 1994, Mexico has struggled with this divergency among the population.
One unique quality of the Zapatista army is they prefer to be nonviolent. It is more of an awareness battle and struggle to gain more rights and freedoms than to spread violence. This army consists mostly of rural indigenous people. However, there is a wide variety of supporters from urban areas as well.
The affects of discrimination are still influencing the lifestyle of many cultures. It is ironic that we look down on other countries for the way they treat their inhabitants, when in reality that is how we began our settlement in America. The battle for liberty and freedom never ceases to end. As Americans we can learn from the past to help those currently suffering around us.


Works Cited:

Photo by Sebastiao Salgado. "Migrations: Humanity in Transition.""Zapatista Army of Liberation." Wickipedia. Wikimedia Foundation , 2010. Web. 11 Mar. 2010.

Ebullience!

Photograph by Sebastiao Salgado

Joy!

Joy to me is the sun this week.

Joy is the rejuvinating feeling after a long run.

Joy is blasting Celine's music out the car windows.

Joy is being two days ahead of the homework schedule.

Joy is the smell of nailpolish in the summer breeze on the patio.

Joy is my twin sister and I laughing ourselves to sleep in our wooden bunkbeds.

Joy is my family.

This photograph expresses pure joy in itself. These weary refugees have been dropped off from a camp at Nyaminthuthin to go home. What is home? Many of these young children have grown up in refugee camps their entire lives. Home is that wonderful place mentioned in the stories of their parents. After this bus ride, many will continue their journey home by foot, trucks, and boat across the Zambeze River.

Mozambique is known for its "mobility." This country possesses more than 53 significant border posts linking many landlocked countries such as Zimbabwe and Zambia. This location creates an increasing flow of migration (IOM). The amount of displaced individuals and loneliness is very apparent in such a country as this one. However; some are lucky to experience the journey of traveling home to the joyful memories of the past. The bus ride is just the beginning.

You can never experience joy when you have not known sorrow. Refugees more than anyone know the true meaning of joy!

Works Cited:

"Mozambique." International Organization for Migration: the migration agency. Web. 3 March. 2010.

Mexico City, Mexico

I remember being young without a care in the world. My sisters and I would look like little "orphans," as my mom would say. We would dress ourselves and do things that are most appealing to the mind of a 6 year old. Being outside was the epitome of enjoyment. Whether making fresh mud pies in the dirt field across the street or playing cops and robbers around the yard; entertainment and joy as a child never seemed to be difficult to find. However, when I look at this little boy all I can see is an expression of exhaustion. He comes into a life where he must learn independence and survival skills at a very young age. In this picture, the effects of a violent wind storm have destroyed the electrical lines. Often houses such as these were hooked up to the electrical lines illegally in order to avoid an electricity bill. Every day seems to bring a new adventure and often trial to overcome.

Works Cited:

Information and picture from Sebastiao Salgado's book, "Migrations: Humanity in Transition."

Book Review of "Left To Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza and Steve Erwin

The barbarity that humanity enters during the Rwandan Genocide is unbelievably heartless and demeaning. I have never read such disturbances in my life. The selfishness and pride of the two tribes, Hutu and Tutsi, demolished Rwanda in as little as three months. However, it is through the depths of despair and outrage when we as readers are able to witness the inner strength of individuals like Immaculee Ilibagiza. It is in the tiny space of a Priest’s bathroom occupied with seven other women where Immaculee begins her spiritual journey to rise above the terrors overtaking her land and loved ones. Her goodness overshadows all of the desparity and heartache. It is her dedication to God and the love of her people that create such a unique, humbling experience all mankind can learn from. Although many do not go through this type of holocaust, the qualities she gained through this experience should be shared by all. This book has a uplifting insight toward the idea of forgiving those who wrong in the most unimaginable ways. It is a book of humility. The inner strength she possesses throughout this story spreads to the reader and is applicable in all circumstances of life.

Tree Climbing

In 1983 the Second Sudanese Civil War began. It was simply a continuation of the First Sudanese Civil war ending in 1972. I have never learned about this war, though it was one of the longest, most destructive wars in the 20th century. About 1.9 million civilians lost their lives and 4 million throughout the war became refugees (Wiki). The main cause of this second civil war was the dispute between the Northern Sudanese and the Christian/animist Nilotes of Southern Sudan over religion, economics, and ethnic differences.
The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) was a rebel group that was formed during this war to oppose the Sudan government. This group protected large numbers of young men from being recruited to the Sudanese Army by placing them in a camp in Polataka, South Sudan. This camp is controlled solely by the rebel officers who in turn trained these young boys to fight against the government.
It is sad to think that these boys are raised in an environment so open to violence and hatred. I enjoy the simplicity of this picture. Nature in itself brings peace. These boys are simply trying to enjoy a childhood that they have been lacking; a safe haven where they can escape the monstrosity of war. What better place then a tree?

Works Cited:

"Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 2010. Web. 17 Feb. 2010.

Photograph from Sebastiao Salgado's book, " Migrations: Humanity in Transition."

Must See!!!

Recently, since reading the book "Life to Tell," by Immaculee Ilibagiza, I have been very fascinated with the Rwandan Holocaust. My friends and I decided to watch the movie, "Hotel Rwanda," to get a better grasp of what really occured in 1994. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of violence and corruption between the two rivals; Hutu and Tutsi. There was no mercy. Such hatred between these two groups resulted in millions of innocent lives taken. I could not even fathom how such opposition could possibly be taken to the this extremity in such a short time. It was not just merely killing, but torturing and slaughtering in the most disgustingly, twisted ways imaginable. The part of the movie that left me most unamused and upset was the lack of support from the fellow countries. It was as though the world were watching a bully attack a helpless child, with only the courage to give verbal support. Verbal support was not going to save the millions of lives that were ruthlessly taken. It was action that was most desired, needed, and ironically deprived of. Eventually the rebel army came and help was provided.

The details and acting are very respectable. I enjoyed the overall theme of unconquerable love and bravery. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who would like to educate themselves about this horrible genocide. I hope this movie will strengthen your desire to serve and lift others as it has done so for me.