In response to the article “Hard Lessons” from the December 8th Time Magazine (P. 22 – United States: Education)
At about 2:25, on Friday, December 5, 2008, almost all CDNIS grade twelve students were filled with adrenaline. It was the day the brown envelope of fate would be handed out. Within a few minutes, sighs, exhilaration and different kinds of extreme emotions, some of which are not even named yet, filled the hallways. The moment that is greater than Obama’s historical victory day has come. In the midst of chaos, I stared at my own envelope and began imagining my life as a Washington, D.C. high school student.
While we begin preparations to get more As and Bs, the United States is struggling with students earning Cs and Ds in their public education report card.
U.S Public Education: A Report Card
Accountability
D
-Only 1 state uses teacher-effectiveness data in teacher evaluation
-The No Child law emphasizes accountability but not necessarily in a productive way
Teacher Quality
C
-34 states don’t test basic skills before teacher-prep programs
-Better compensation and improved training could attract and retain more effective teachers
Standards
D
-34% college students enrolled in remedial courses in 2004
-States set their own academic standards, and they don’t appear to be nearly high enough
School Choice
B-
-15% students enrolled in public schools of choice in 2003*
-Charter schools have grown, and the No Child law allows students from bad schools to transfer
Infrastructure
C
-3.8 students per instructional computer in 2006
-The federal government has spent more than $18 billion on educational technology since 1998
While we worry about not getting into our top university choices, in Washington, D.C. the Anacostia High School is wondering what to do with its 24% graduation rate. More than 76% cannot graduate from that school. While we worry about our math mark not looking impressive because of the extraordinarily high 89% course median, in Washington, D.C. only 36% of high school students are proficient in math. While we are complaining to teachers not having enough free time because we chose to commit ourselves to a variety of activities, Allante Rhodes, a senior at Anacostia high school in Washington, D.C. is in his Microsoft Word class staring at an antiquated computer that works only six out of fourteen times.
On November 19, Rhodes had to evacuate his school when brutal fights broke out and three students were stabbed. Rhodes is still reluctant to use the school’s bathrooms because they are filthy and unsafe.
This is the public education in the capital of the world’s leading country.
So what then, is the difference between our education and theirs? Why is there such a wide gap between them and us? Why are we so much better than them? And why do we need to?
According Ms. Safaya, it is because of over-population. I agree, but I want to take a step further by saying it is because of elitism. The world’s population expands at an uncontrollable rate everyday, and it is impossible for everyone to have a good education, good work and a good life. To have a good life, we must prove ourselves worthy.
The U.S. public education fails because of its No Child law. This law states that every child should receive education, no matter what. This certainly is a praiseworthy ambition, but it is unrealistic and does not motivate a student to excel. There is not enough human resource, good teachers, capital resources, and technology to educate everyone in Washington, D.C. The No Child law conflicts with the global phenomenon of elitism.
Elitism is unstoppable, and we can see this in our own school. We, CDNIS, are among the elites, even though many cynics within the school simply do not recognize how privileged we are. We struggle with the ever-rising standards, one of which is the notorious IB. We do not seem to have a choice to fall back, because if we fall back, then it will be even harder. In this light, we can only follow the flow.
It is scary to think that just stopping and taking a break will result in our falling out of the global race to elitism. As I am struggling, I wonder how much more will the future generations struggle?
I stare at the brown envelope again. Words that people said to me because of my marks rang in my head once again. “Here comes the lucky guy!” “Here comes the math master!”…I wonder what has this brown envelope become. And what have we become.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Power – The New Thailand
In response to the article “Crisis Fever” from the December 8th Time Magazine (P. 38 – Asia: Thailand)
For a long time, Thailand has been a welcoming country. Its golden spires and white-sand beaches have lured many tourists to contribute huge amounts to Thailand’s economy growth, until now. The recent conflict between Somchai’s government and the PAD (People’s Alliance for Democracy) has risen from a national crisis to an international crisis. Recently, the PAD has takeover its country’s airport, forcing tourists to stay.
The PAD, which is formed mostly by urban middle class citizens, has firmly stood against the government since the last PM, Thaksin, was elected. In fact, the PAD’s mission was neither to serve the majority of Thai or to pursue the values of democracy, it is simply to eliminate all the influence Thaksin has to government. The PAD has succeeded in deposing Thaksin during his term with the military’s coup, but this time the military is remaining still. Although the military can overthrow Thaksin, he returned in the form of Somchai, his former bother-in-law. The post coup elections happened under the military’s control, so it is embarrassing to admit it has supervised a corrupted election. In effect, the military only urged Somchai to return power to the people.
This is an interesting situation. Although Thaksin, a billionaire who is accused to be a dictator, obviously is hiding something, he is after all elected by the people. The majority of poor Thai like Thaksin so much that they gave him a record electoral mandate. Thaksin has won fair and peaceful, although he might have bought a certain amount of votes. In contrast, the PAD is violent and irrational. Not so long ago, they besieged Somchai’s office, causing turmoil in the Thai’s politics. If the PAD succeeded in overthrowing Somchai, they promised to avoid corrupted vote buying by appointing a parliament. This is very ironic. Thaksin has at least bought votes. The PAD are saying WE will appoint, which certainly is no different than buying votes, except there is no cost at all. The PAD accused Thaksin of willing to destroy the country for his personal gain, but on every day’s news I can only see the PAD messing around.
In the end, the question revolves around this: Who is Thaksin? He certainly is a person willing to devote his time in Thai politics. But is he trustworthy? Is he a good man? I can go to wikipedia and search about him, but I am not that interested in Thai politic, so I will end my blog with this question. Perhaps, my intelligent blog viewers and classmates can answer my question in the comments!
For a long time, Thailand has been a welcoming country. Its golden spires and white-sand beaches have lured many tourists to contribute huge amounts to Thailand’s economy growth, until now. The recent conflict between Somchai’s government and the PAD (People’s Alliance for Democracy) has risen from a national crisis to an international crisis. Recently, the PAD has takeover its country’s airport, forcing tourists to stay.
The PAD, which is formed mostly by urban middle class citizens, has firmly stood against the government since the last PM, Thaksin, was elected. In fact, the PAD’s mission was neither to serve the majority of Thai or to pursue the values of democracy, it is simply to eliminate all the influence Thaksin has to government. The PAD has succeeded in deposing Thaksin during his term with the military’s coup, but this time the military is remaining still. Although the military can overthrow Thaksin, he returned in the form of Somchai, his former bother-in-law. The post coup elections happened under the military’s control, so it is embarrassing to admit it has supervised a corrupted election. In effect, the military only urged Somchai to return power to the people.
This is an interesting situation. Although Thaksin, a billionaire who is accused to be a dictator, obviously is hiding something, he is after all elected by the people. The majority of poor Thai like Thaksin so much that they gave him a record electoral mandate. Thaksin has won fair and peaceful, although he might have bought a certain amount of votes. In contrast, the PAD is violent and irrational. Not so long ago, they besieged Somchai’s office, causing turmoil in the Thai’s politics. If the PAD succeeded in overthrowing Somchai, they promised to avoid corrupted vote buying by appointing a parliament. This is very ironic. Thaksin has at least bought votes. The PAD are saying WE will appoint, which certainly is no different than buying votes, except there is no cost at all. The PAD accused Thaksin of willing to destroy the country for his personal gain, but on every day’s news I can only see the PAD messing around.
In the end, the question revolves around this: Who is Thaksin? He certainly is a person willing to devote his time in Thai politics. But is he trustworthy? Is he a good man? I can go to wikipedia and search about him, but I am not that interested in Thai politic, so I will end my blog with this question. Perhaps, my intelligent blog viewers and classmates can answer my question in the comments!
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Creeping Terror
In response to the article “Murder at the Drum Tower” from The November 24th Newsweek Magazine (P. 34 – World Affairs)
On Aug. 9, just 12 hours after the 2008 Olympics began, Tang, 47, attacked a visiting American couple and their guide inside Beijing’s 13th-century Drum Tower. He was brutal, knifing the man to death, the woman to life-threatening injuries and the guide too, though to a lesser degree of damage. Afterwards, he jumped to his own death. Murders happen in China, but Tang’s case is different. He murdered foreigners and he murdered them during the Olympics, which was a dream that many Chinese has dreamt for over a hundred years. The underlying force is destructive.
Tang was once considered the “lucky” ones in China. He lived well, with everything from medical care to pension provided by the government. He had a family, with a wife and a son. But as China’s communism fades, transforming the whole country’s fate, Tang began his downfall. He first lost his job. He could have found another job, but because of “face”, he refused to do menial work. So, he soon began poor. He then lost his wife. He divorced with her because she perhaps made him lose face, according to a neighbor of Tang. Lastly, his son was a troublemaker. In the last two years, his son was convicted of fraud and theft. Seeing that he had to work, Tang went to Sichuan. However, the devastating earthquake on May 12 ended Tang’s search. By then, he was so poor that he only had a single set of clothing. After sometime, he decided to go to Beijing, a point of no return.
Tang was an ordinary person. Not just “relatively” ordinary, he was just ordinary, according to Wang, a community worker who tried to help Tang with finding a job.
This is the stress level for an ordinary Chinese. If we shall look at some news, then we can see the grim side of China. China’s GDP has to grow 8 percent yearly just to satisfy the need for new jobs. Half of China’s toy makers have gone bankrupt this year, ending millions of factory workers’ employment. Cabbies rioted in Chongqing a few weeks ago because of the gas prices. Other than current news, there are also some noteworthy statistics. China’s suicide rate is at least 23 people per 100,000 people, doubling the U.S. figure. The incidence of depression in Shanghai has quadrupled in the past decade. All of this is saying China as a whole nation people is experiencing a sky-high stress level.
Less than a hundred years ago, China was in its Qing Dynasty. Then, it became Republic of China, which went through World War II. Then, it became nowadays People’s Republic of China, which is more of communism and not republic. During this time, it went through Cultural Revolution, a time that many of our generation’s grandparents still vividly remember. Now, China is on its road to a “special” socialism to suit its need. China has gone through many, many things. It is not easy to be a Mainland Chinese. Though I am born and have grown in Hong Kong all my life, China suddenly for the first time seem so real to me. China…it is already changing again. A creeping terror...
On Aug. 9, just 12 hours after the 2008 Olympics began, Tang, 47, attacked a visiting American couple and their guide inside Beijing’s 13th-century Drum Tower. He was brutal, knifing the man to death, the woman to life-threatening injuries and the guide too, though to a lesser degree of damage. Afterwards, he jumped to his own death. Murders happen in China, but Tang’s case is different. He murdered foreigners and he murdered them during the Olympics, which was a dream that many Chinese has dreamt for over a hundred years. The underlying force is destructive.
Tang was once considered the “lucky” ones in China. He lived well, with everything from medical care to pension provided by the government. He had a family, with a wife and a son. But as China’s communism fades, transforming the whole country’s fate, Tang began his downfall. He first lost his job. He could have found another job, but because of “face”, he refused to do menial work. So, he soon began poor. He then lost his wife. He divorced with her because she perhaps made him lose face, according to a neighbor of Tang. Lastly, his son was a troublemaker. In the last two years, his son was convicted of fraud and theft. Seeing that he had to work, Tang went to Sichuan. However, the devastating earthquake on May 12 ended Tang’s search. By then, he was so poor that he only had a single set of clothing. After sometime, he decided to go to Beijing, a point of no return.
Tang was an ordinary person. Not just “relatively” ordinary, he was just ordinary, according to Wang, a community worker who tried to help Tang with finding a job.
This is the stress level for an ordinary Chinese. If we shall look at some news, then we can see the grim side of China. China’s GDP has to grow 8 percent yearly just to satisfy the need for new jobs. Half of China’s toy makers have gone bankrupt this year, ending millions of factory workers’ employment. Cabbies rioted in Chongqing a few weeks ago because of the gas prices. Other than current news, there are also some noteworthy statistics. China’s suicide rate is at least 23 people per 100,000 people, doubling the U.S. figure. The incidence of depression in Shanghai has quadrupled in the past decade. All of this is saying China as a whole nation people is experiencing a sky-high stress level.
Less than a hundred years ago, China was in its Qing Dynasty. Then, it became Republic of China, which went through World War II. Then, it became nowadays People’s Republic of China, which is more of communism and not republic. During this time, it went through Cultural Revolution, a time that many of our generation’s grandparents still vividly remember. Now, China is on its road to a “special” socialism to suit its need. China has gone through many, many things. It is not easy to be a Mainland Chinese. Though I am born and have grown in Hong Kong all my life, China suddenly for the first time seem so real to me. China…it is already changing again. A creeping terror...
Monday, October 27, 2008
Terrorism Growth
In response to the article “India’s Terrorist Problem” from The October 27th Newsweek Magazine (P. 53 – Point of View)
When we think about countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, we know they have the issue of terrorism. Now, we might need to include India.
I am very disturbed about terrorism in India. First, one of my favorite teachers is from India. Second, India is very close to Hong Kong, China. And third, India is going to have nuclear technology soon.
As I contemplate upon how terrorism, a brutal and twisted thing, can grow so rapidly, the only reason I can conclude is jihad as warfare. I drew this conclusion because things nowadays seem more and more irrational.
For example, we can look at Dawood Ibrahim the global terrorist. He is an Indian, yet his criminal organization D-Company is often suspected to attack India. One of the most dreaded attacks he was suspected to lead is the 1993 Bombay bombings, which were a series of thirteen bomb explosions. Though he did not admit to commit such crimes, he has a bad record and I do not trust him. As a Chinese, I have always viewed China as part of me. How could a person hurt himself? His own nation? This is not a Chinese culture as I see people of other nationality having similar feelings to their own country. There must be some powerful motivation behind the desire of self-destruction. Dawood is likely to believe his actions as right because of Jihad.
Other than terrorism within India, terrorism outside India are behaving unnaturally. In Pakistan, it is said that terrorism has invaded the Interservices Intelligence agency (ISI). In other words, some government officials are supporting terrorism. This is horrifying because there are other information going against the Pakistan’s government. It does not share its intelligence relating to terrorism. It did not even tell us what it did with the U.S. $8.3 billion aid. Does Pakistan truly want to end terrorism?
Tension between India and Pakistan is growing. Pakistan denies any knowledge of Ibrahim’ existence, but India believes Pakistan is protecting him. I am reluctant to believe Pakistan is transformed by terrorism, but I cannot convince myself either. Conflict between India and Pakistan seem inevitable. Though I am usually an optimist, I am a fatalist believing the world will end. I had a positive belief that terrorism can be cured when I wrote my blog about War in Afghanistan, but now it all seems to change. The world is moving so fast that, in a few weeks, it’s a whole new world. Now, I am reluctant to bet the world will become better.
When we think about countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, we know they have the issue of terrorism. Now, we might need to include India.
I am very disturbed about terrorism in India. First, one of my favorite teachers is from India. Second, India is very close to Hong Kong, China. And third, India is going to have nuclear technology soon.
As I contemplate upon how terrorism, a brutal and twisted thing, can grow so rapidly, the only reason I can conclude is jihad as warfare. I drew this conclusion because things nowadays seem more and more irrational.
For example, we can look at Dawood Ibrahim the global terrorist. He is an Indian, yet his criminal organization D-Company is often suspected to attack India. One of the most dreaded attacks he was suspected to lead is the 1993 Bombay bombings, which were a series of thirteen bomb explosions. Though he did not admit to commit such crimes, he has a bad record and I do not trust him. As a Chinese, I have always viewed China as part of me. How could a person hurt himself? His own nation? This is not a Chinese culture as I see people of other nationality having similar feelings to their own country. There must be some powerful motivation behind the desire of self-destruction. Dawood is likely to believe his actions as right because of Jihad.
Other than terrorism within India, terrorism outside India are behaving unnaturally. In Pakistan, it is said that terrorism has invaded the Interservices Intelligence agency (ISI). In other words, some government officials are supporting terrorism. This is horrifying because there are other information going against the Pakistan’s government. It does not share its intelligence relating to terrorism. It did not even tell us what it did with the U.S. $8.3 billion aid. Does Pakistan truly want to end terrorism?
Tension between India and Pakistan is growing. Pakistan denies any knowledge of Ibrahim’ existence, but India believes Pakistan is protecting him. I am reluctant to believe Pakistan is transformed by terrorism, but I cannot convince myself either. Conflict between India and Pakistan seem inevitable. Though I am usually an optimist, I am a fatalist believing the world will end. I had a positive belief that terrorism can be cured when I wrote my blog about War in Afghanistan, but now it all seems to change. The world is moving so fast that, in a few weeks, it’s a whole new world. Now, I am reluctant to bet the world will become better.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
China’s Art – The Promise of an Exciting Future
Response to the article “All the Country’s an Art Exhibit” from The October 13th Newsweek Magazine (P. 54 – The Arts)
Whenever I think about China recently, my first thought is 2008 Olympics, then the spitting Chinese, and then the notorious melamine. However, after I read this article, I realized China is much more than that. One of the biggest trends in China now is hosting contemporary art shows. Although the shows’ themes are not particularly interesting, many of its works are. For example, in one of the shows with the theme of “Modern World”, there was a colorful parade of giant steel dinosaur sculptures with grinning human faces. This is the trademark image of Chinese painter Yue Minjun. The unnatural combination of a human head, symbolizing intelligence, and a dinosaur’s body, symbolizing savage strength, perhaps suggests that in modern days our animal instinct, hedonism and greed, is overtaking our human instinct, kindness and sensitive. I have this impression because of the queer smirk. Maybe, Yue was foreshadowing the rampage in Wall Street’s credit system would eventually lead to a crash, which we nowadays witness. In another show with the theme “Cultural Revolution”, there were dark, sinister images of doll-like women performing surgery on a dog. In the images, there was also a sentence saying, “Comrades, we need to improve” and the motto of Chairman Mao. Chinese has always worshipped Chairman Mao and claimed to have a great live under his leadership, but the images conveyed a contradicting atmosphere.
I am very concerned with this trend because it changes my view towards China. Before, I stereotyped Mainland Chinese to be uncreative, susceptible and lowly educated. However, the Chinese artists awakened me. Their eccentric and innovative arts showed their creativity. In addition, there is quite a strong flavor of “Chinese” in their arts. I am relieved to know that during globalization, Chinese preserves their dear cultural heritage. Lastly, the political connotation behind their arts, such as Cultural Revolution was mostly dreadful and the world has many dangers, demonstrated their education.
I see now China is not a bulldog chasing westernization absentmindedly, but an eagle that surveys the world and picks its prey (what to change). Although there are still negative aspects in China, like censorship, the recent melamine scandal and many others, China is definitely developing and improving in many aspects. Besides, government influence is not always undesirable. If the U.S. government has intervened in Wall Street’s business before, many damages we witness now may be avoided. All in all, China’s growth excites me and I have to say “Go China!”
Whenever I think about China recently, my first thought is 2008 Olympics, then the spitting Chinese, and then the notorious melamine. However, after I read this article, I realized China is much more than that. One of the biggest trends in China now is hosting contemporary art shows. Although the shows’ themes are not particularly interesting, many of its works are. For example, in one of the shows with the theme of “Modern World”, there was a colorful parade of giant steel dinosaur sculptures with grinning human faces. This is the trademark image of Chinese painter Yue Minjun. The unnatural combination of a human head, symbolizing intelligence, and a dinosaur’s body, symbolizing savage strength, perhaps suggests that in modern days our animal instinct, hedonism and greed, is overtaking our human instinct, kindness and sensitive. I have this impression because of the queer smirk. Maybe, Yue was foreshadowing the rampage in Wall Street’s credit system would eventually lead to a crash, which we nowadays witness. In another show with the theme “Cultural Revolution”, there were dark, sinister images of doll-like women performing surgery on a dog. In the images, there was also a sentence saying, “Comrades, we need to improve” and the motto of Chairman Mao. Chinese has always worshipped Chairman Mao and claimed to have a great live under his leadership, but the images conveyed a contradicting atmosphere.
I am very concerned with this trend because it changes my view towards China. Before, I stereotyped Mainland Chinese to be uncreative, susceptible and lowly educated. However, the Chinese artists awakened me. Their eccentric and innovative arts showed their creativity. In addition, there is quite a strong flavor of “Chinese” in their arts. I am relieved to know that during globalization, Chinese preserves their dear cultural heritage. Lastly, the political connotation behind their arts, such as Cultural Revolution was mostly dreadful and the world has many dangers, demonstrated their education.
I see now China is not a bulldog chasing westernization absentmindedly, but an eagle that surveys the world and picks its prey (what to change). Although there are still negative aspects in China, like censorship, the recent melamine scandal and many others, China is definitely developing and improving in many aspects. Besides, government influence is not always undesirable. If the U.S. government has intervened in Wall Street’s business before, many damages we witness now may be avoided. All in all, China’s growth excites me and I have to say “Go China!”
Monday, October 13, 2008
Bonus Assignment: War on Afghanistan
On October eigth, dear Ms. Safaya brought part of her World Issues class to attend Dr. Daniel Taylor’s lecture on “Engaging People in Peacemaking: What’s missing in action in Afghanistan”. Dr. Taylor is affiliated with the Future Generation, one of the eight international families working in Afghanistan. His lecture focuses on how to rebuild Afghanistan effectively after the United States has overthrown Afghanistan’s terrorist government, the Talibans.
Afghanistan has always been an important land. It is located between the East and the West, giving it the privilege to be the centre of trade and migration, but also the unfortune to be the center of war. Even before Alexander the Great’s venture, Afghanistan had been full of war stories. Recently, two wars have affected its current state greatly. They are the Soviet Union’s invasion in 1979 and the current United States War on terror. The Soviet Union Invasion, which was only about thirty years ago, disrupted Afghanistan’s political, social and economical state. The USSR killed at least two million Afghan civilians. It also caused leadership imbalance because elites and intellectuals were intimidated by the war. Although in 1989 Afghanistan successfully expelled the USSR with the United States’ help, it was left as an empty shell. The Talibans, a politico-religious group, rose and began taking hold of the country. By the end of 2000, the Taliban had captured 95% of the country. The Taliban was viewed as a terrorist group because it believes in brutalism and discrimination, especially towards women. The United States War on terror began because the Taliban government would not handover Bin Laden, who created the 9/11 tradegy. Soon, the U.S. sent troops into Afghanistan and took over again.
Winning the battle was not difficult for the U.S, but troubles have not ceased after taking over Afghanistan. The issues with the narcotic trade, Taliban insurgency and religious discrimination against women have not changed. In addition, the U.S. troops have provoked nationalism and fundamentalism within some Afghans. They began to liken the Taliban because they disliked U.S. monitoring their country.
The world is concerned with this issue because many countries support U.S. and have their troops in Afghanistan. The casualty is mounting and many countries look forward to withdraw their army. Afghans do not appreciate U.S.’s help, Dr. Taylor reasoned, is because the U.S. have a wrong approach. The U.S. approach should not be war on terror. It should be peacemaking. The U.S. should act as servants ready to help, not as ethnocentric foreigners desperate to assimilate the Afghans.
I agree with Dr. Taylor’s analysis. Soldiers cannot gain Afghans’ trust while they wear a military jacket and hold a gun in the Afghans’ country, streets, and home. Dr. Taylor asked us, his audience, would we like him if he held a gun during his lecture.
After listening to Dr. Taylor’s lecture, I believe we should let the Afghans deal with their own issue. We can trust them and should trust them.
We can trust the Afghans because they have faith and will. Not so long ago, they developed a political party named Pago, which means the world will be better. Dr. Taylor described his initial impression upon hearing this party as crazy, a 100% insanity like the rabbi. Although Dr. Taylor appears to dislike the Pago party, I find this party very interesting. The Afghans know their troubles better than anyone. Yet, they are willing to say they believe the world will be better. This is faith, and faith is one element for improvement. They also have will. During the lecture, Dr. Taylor showed us a picture of a group of Afghans walking on a seemingly endless snow mountain. These Afghans walk these paths everyday just to go to school. Such a determination shows that they are ready to act, change and improve. Historically, Afghans have always harbor the ability to cope and survive through wars and adversities. Now, they have demonstrated their ability.
We can trust the Afghans, and should trust them because they want independence and know their culture and people. Dr. Taylor told us that despite the availability of foreign aids, the Afghans insisted to build their mosque schools with their own local material. A mosque is a sacred place for muslims. It is reasonable that the Afghans desire their worship building to be constructed with their own material. This is their independence, their culture, and their style. They also know their needs and other Afghans’ need well. Dr. Taylor said the Afghans were learning English, Math and other fundamental knowledge well. However, he said the Afghans were learning family planning, which was proposed by an Afghan, extremely well. They understand English is important, but they have priorities as well. Sometimes, we do not know our kindness may hurt them. Dr. Taylor said the United States have built many hospitals, but many were bombed because they did not have two doors, one for man and one for woman. We have unknowingly violated their culture’s standard. It is best to allow Afghans who know their culture and people to decide.
Afghans, after all, are humans just like us. Most of them dislike living in a closed society. They care about kids and enjoy good things. The Future Generation organized a soccer club, and a hundred teams formed. Soccer is a western sport, but because it is fun and do not contradict with their culture, the Afghans love it. We do not like foreign countries to monitor over our own country, so are the Afghans. Therefore, we have to let them lead us in building their country.
Approaching the Afghanistan issue wrongly not only affected the Afghans, but also the world. Dr. Taylor said we had a better understanding of the Afghans before the Afghanistan War. Indeed, the supposedly “War on Terror” has taught the general public that some Afghans are victims, scared and helpless, while other Afghans are terrorist, abnormal and dangerous.
While we have to recognize the Afghans are capable and not helpless, we can still contribute and help them. We can provide them knowledge. The number one killer in Afghanistan is not gun kill. It is diarrhea. We can tell them about hygiene, medicine and let them decide. The Future Generation has taken this approach in the education field. The Afghans value education and they want books to read. The Future Generation do not say, “Hey, here are some western books.” Instead, the Future Generation decides to create a library using the Afghans’ personal books. Dr. Taylor said we would not believe how many books the Afghans have. Dr. Taylor told us this is what Afghans like because the Afghans trust the Future Generation more than their government and other NGO.
Senator McCain has a different view than Dr. Taylor. He proposed that to solve the Afghanistan issue, we need more troops and more western influence. He believed since adding troops helped the Iraq War, adding troops would help the Afghanistan War. I am unconvinced by his assertion and more inclined to stand on Dr. Taylor’s side. Certainly, having troops in Afghanistan is necessary because Talibans are on their knees to attack, but just as a Chinese adage says, “The problem solver has to be problem maker.” The Taliban, which is more of a belief than a group, is deeply rooted within each Afghan. Each Afghan has a chance to become a Taliban. To eradicate the terroism, it needs to begin within the Afghans. Senator McCain has also said that in order to ensure security, he will appoint a highly respected national-security leader and a special presidential envoy. I believe this contradicts with what the Afghans want. They don’t want babysitters. They want the United States to only be a helpful friend. Senator McCain should talk to Dr. Taylor.
Dr. Taylor had said one thing that impressed me greatly. He said people don’t necessarily need hospital. They need family. People don’t necessarily need medicine. They need a change in behavior. We need to recognize our help is only as a supplement. The strength, change and improvement have to come within the Afghans.
Afghanistan has always been an important land. It is located between the East and the West, giving it the privilege to be the centre of trade and migration, but also the unfortune to be the center of war. Even before Alexander the Great’s venture, Afghanistan had been full of war stories. Recently, two wars have affected its current state greatly. They are the Soviet Union’s invasion in 1979 and the current United States War on terror. The Soviet Union Invasion, which was only about thirty years ago, disrupted Afghanistan’s political, social and economical state. The USSR killed at least two million Afghan civilians. It also caused leadership imbalance because elites and intellectuals were intimidated by the war. Although in 1989 Afghanistan successfully expelled the USSR with the United States’ help, it was left as an empty shell. The Talibans, a politico-religious group, rose and began taking hold of the country. By the end of 2000, the Taliban had captured 95% of the country. The Taliban was viewed as a terrorist group because it believes in brutalism and discrimination, especially towards women. The United States War on terror began because the Taliban government would not handover Bin Laden, who created the 9/11 tradegy. Soon, the U.S. sent troops into Afghanistan and took over again.
Winning the battle was not difficult for the U.S, but troubles have not ceased after taking over Afghanistan. The issues with the narcotic trade, Taliban insurgency and religious discrimination against women have not changed. In addition, the U.S. troops have provoked nationalism and fundamentalism within some Afghans. They began to liken the Taliban because they disliked U.S. monitoring their country.
The world is concerned with this issue because many countries support U.S. and have their troops in Afghanistan. The casualty is mounting and many countries look forward to withdraw their army. Afghans do not appreciate U.S.’s help, Dr. Taylor reasoned, is because the U.S. have a wrong approach. The U.S. approach should not be war on terror. It should be peacemaking. The U.S. should act as servants ready to help, not as ethnocentric foreigners desperate to assimilate the Afghans.
I agree with Dr. Taylor’s analysis. Soldiers cannot gain Afghans’ trust while they wear a military jacket and hold a gun in the Afghans’ country, streets, and home. Dr. Taylor asked us, his audience, would we like him if he held a gun during his lecture.
After listening to Dr. Taylor’s lecture, I believe we should let the Afghans deal with their own issue. We can trust them and should trust them.
We can trust the Afghans because they have faith and will. Not so long ago, they developed a political party named Pago, which means the world will be better. Dr. Taylor described his initial impression upon hearing this party as crazy, a 100% insanity like the rabbi. Although Dr. Taylor appears to dislike the Pago party, I find this party very interesting. The Afghans know their troubles better than anyone. Yet, they are willing to say they believe the world will be better. This is faith, and faith is one element for improvement. They also have will. During the lecture, Dr. Taylor showed us a picture of a group of Afghans walking on a seemingly endless snow mountain. These Afghans walk these paths everyday just to go to school. Such a determination shows that they are ready to act, change and improve. Historically, Afghans have always harbor the ability to cope and survive through wars and adversities. Now, they have demonstrated their ability.
We can trust the Afghans, and should trust them because they want independence and know their culture and people. Dr. Taylor told us that despite the availability of foreign aids, the Afghans insisted to build their mosque schools with their own local material. A mosque is a sacred place for muslims. It is reasonable that the Afghans desire their worship building to be constructed with their own material. This is their independence, their culture, and their style. They also know their needs and other Afghans’ need well. Dr. Taylor said the Afghans were learning English, Math and other fundamental knowledge well. However, he said the Afghans were learning family planning, which was proposed by an Afghan, extremely well. They understand English is important, but they have priorities as well. Sometimes, we do not know our kindness may hurt them. Dr. Taylor said the United States have built many hospitals, but many were bombed because they did not have two doors, one for man and one for woman. We have unknowingly violated their culture’s standard. It is best to allow Afghans who know their culture and people to decide.
Afghans, after all, are humans just like us. Most of them dislike living in a closed society. They care about kids and enjoy good things. The Future Generation organized a soccer club, and a hundred teams formed. Soccer is a western sport, but because it is fun and do not contradict with their culture, the Afghans love it. We do not like foreign countries to monitor over our own country, so are the Afghans. Therefore, we have to let them lead us in building their country.
Approaching the Afghanistan issue wrongly not only affected the Afghans, but also the world. Dr. Taylor said we had a better understanding of the Afghans before the Afghanistan War. Indeed, the supposedly “War on Terror” has taught the general public that some Afghans are victims, scared and helpless, while other Afghans are terrorist, abnormal and dangerous.
While we have to recognize the Afghans are capable and not helpless, we can still contribute and help them. We can provide them knowledge. The number one killer in Afghanistan is not gun kill. It is diarrhea. We can tell them about hygiene, medicine and let them decide. The Future Generation has taken this approach in the education field. The Afghans value education and they want books to read. The Future Generation do not say, “Hey, here are some western books.” Instead, the Future Generation decides to create a library using the Afghans’ personal books. Dr. Taylor said we would not believe how many books the Afghans have. Dr. Taylor told us this is what Afghans like because the Afghans trust the Future Generation more than their government and other NGO.
Senator McCain has a different view than Dr. Taylor. He proposed that to solve the Afghanistan issue, we need more troops and more western influence. He believed since adding troops helped the Iraq War, adding troops would help the Afghanistan War. I am unconvinced by his assertion and more inclined to stand on Dr. Taylor’s side. Certainly, having troops in Afghanistan is necessary because Talibans are on their knees to attack, but just as a Chinese adage says, “The problem solver has to be problem maker.” The Taliban, which is more of a belief than a group, is deeply rooted within each Afghan. Each Afghan has a chance to become a Taliban. To eradicate the terroism, it needs to begin within the Afghans. Senator McCain has also said that in order to ensure security, he will appoint a highly respected national-security leader and a special presidential envoy. I believe this contradicts with what the Afghans want. They don’t want babysitters. They want the United States to only be a helpful friend. Senator McCain should talk to Dr. Taylor.
Dr. Taylor had said one thing that impressed me greatly. He said people don’t necessarily need hospital. They need family. People don’t necessarily need medicine. They need a change in behavior. We need to recognize our help is only as a supplement. The strength, change and improvement have to come within the Afghans.
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