Week 8- KONY Activist Has Mental Breakdown. Suprisingly Senstionalized By The Press!!!!!! and The Woes of Giving Up the Double Double.

Nothing particularly exciting to discuss. 

Interesting notes:

1.)    I was extremely disappointed to hear about Jason Russell’s (Face of KONY Movement video) extremely public, practically naked, mental breakdown at a busy intersection at Pacific Beach, San Diego last week.  However, of course, the media were right there to sensationalize the incident right off the bat.  I believe he was under a great deal of pressure. The media manipulated the attention. There's no proof he was masturbating. I saw the TMZ clip. It's very sad that this man is going through this. It's clear he's in a lot of pain. The amount of media scrutiny he's been onslaught with, along with huge amounts of negative criticism would be trying for anyone. From various interviews, he seems like a kind- hearted, well spoken, man. While it certainly is understandable this will draw the wrong type of attention, I don't think it takes away from the good that he's done. I say it's far more likely that he simply had a full on nervous mental breakdown, over him being a pervert by any means. Besides, he would have been arrested if that's the case. At present, I understand he's still being held on a 5150 in a mental hospital. I hope he gets well soon and back to doing what's passionate to him: helping people with the best intentions.

2.)    Following last week’s, vegetarian movement discussion, I’ve decided to try it out for a bit of time just to see how it works for me (seafood okay).  I like meat.  I really do.  However, I’m becoming concerned with the health issues.  I’ve gained weight in the past 6-9 months.  I think my metabolism has slowed down significantly.  I’m tired a lot these days too and find I struggle to focus.  Ugh, my 30s.  My kids don’t eat much meat anyway.  I buy almost all organic food to begin with, so why not?  I’m up for finding better ways to live.   

So in a possible bid to change my lifestyle, I had to begin with an assessment.  But upon taking an actual inventory of my weekly diet, I realized I hadn’t purchased red meat for home food preparation in over a year.   In fact, I purchase very little meat within my home anyway, focusing mostly on seafood (because I love it).  Most of the meat consumption for my family comes from dining out.   Surprising.  This is generally from fast food, which I’ve been trying to limit for a time anyway. 

It’s particularly easy because I got food poisoning last week.  And while I’m better for the most                 Part, I’m still a bit queasy with heavy meals.  It’s been a several days now.  The first day, I thought about giving up meat and found myself at in n out burger in the evening, dying for a hamburger.  So without strict limitations, I’ve been sticking to it fairly easily.  I also ordered several films promoting healthier lifestyles- forks over knives, and fast food nation (mostly to scare myself).  We’ll see how it goes.  Interesting point, I ordered a couple pizzas last night (so much for backing off the fast food).  Anyway, one with meat for the kids and a vegetarian one for me and of course went to eat Abby’s leftovers (the joys of motherhood) only to find her sausage and pepperoni pizza grossed me out at the first bite.  Interesting… 

Week 7- KONY Movement

So I want to talk about something off topic this week.  We studied the nature movement, and that’s fantastic.  I like nature, I like camping, I don’t want it to go away and so forth.  But there’s a huge to-do this week regarding the KONY movement and I’m all about it.

Invisible Children (IC) is an organization dedicated to bringing down Joseph Kony, war criminal and leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army.  The not-for- profit organization is leading a crusade to popularizing Kony in hopes of drawing enough societal pressure from the masses to maintain US and force international government aid.  The marketing campaign released by the group has garnered massive media attention.  Their flashy YouTube video has reached 27 million views within days of its posting.  Inevitably the organization has become a target for criticizers.    Let’s consider a few of these arguments.

1.       Joseph Kony is no longer a threat.  He is dying or starving somewhere. Uganda is safe.

a.       This is fantastic news.  But that doesn’t mean he is permitted to go free.  He must pay for his crimes.  His victims deserve justice.  Nazi officers are still being tried for their war crimes today.  Criminals need to understand that at some point, they will have to face the law.  Invalid argument.

2.       There are more pressing matters in Africa right now.

a.       Of course there are.  There are pressing matters everywhere.  It’s really a matter of opinion anyway- what’s more important than this is that… IC is seeking to bring a bad man to justice.  This issue matters to the founders of IC.  This is a good thing.

3.       Americans need to worry about what’s going on in America and not focus on the rest of the world.

a.       When the day comes, that a human being turns a blind eye to the suffering and rape of children anywhere, they cease to be a human being.  Period.  I love being an American.  I am a citizen of the planet Earth first and foremost.

4.       IC only sent 30 some odd percent of its donations to Africa.

a.       This one kills me.  They are not a charity claiming to build hospitals, feed starving babies, immunize children… they’re marketers!  They make that point very clear.  That flashy YouTube video probably cost a fortune to make.  It costs me $10 to print stuff out on campus somedays.  One wonder how much it costs to print a million flyers, erect billboards, fly all over the world to spread the word, hotels, meals, maintain a staff, offices, etc.  Come on people!!  They sent money over to build a school and emergency communication system.  Good for them.  Some 3 mil. from what I understand.  That’s 3 mil more than I sent. What about you?

5.       They pay themselves too much. 

a.       So from the website Charity Navigator, we see the three principles are earning in the 80k range.  People, that’s not a lot.  I get we’re in a recession, but based in San Diego, CA, 80k is relatively moderate for the average working class family.  I really hate people that hate on other people because they make more money.  I’m very sorry you’re not well off right now.  But it’s clear these individuals have worked very hard, put in many hours, and have earned a decent income due to their innovation.  Pay yourselves a little more, I don’t care.  But I digress, that’s a whole other blog.

Anyway, to sum up, IC may turn out to be a far from perfect organization.  They could end up being frauds, who knows.  But their redefinement of social media activism is historical.  This group has caught worldwide attention in days; they’ve used FB and twitter to call for the arrest of a horrible war criminal.  I fail to see how this could be reasonably criticized.  Aside from the trendiness that KONY bracelets will ensue amongst high school kids in the coming weeks, there will be at least one person.  One.  One child perhaps that will be inspired.  Inspired to make a difference and champion for a better tomorrow.  Doesn’t that make IC worthwhile?  A success already?  Let’s look at the bigger picture people.  People all over the world, 27 mil. thought beyond themselves for 30 min.  In a world of ego and ethnocentrism run rampant, this means something!!  I’m a history student- likely on my way towards a masters in the subject next year.  I take everything with a grain of salt.  It’s second nature for me to think critically and analytically.  Sure, don’t just jump on the KONY bandwagon, but don’t hop on the criticism train just to rebel against the trend either.  

I choose to see the big picture.  People are helping each other.  Who are you to point your finger and judge?  If you don’t like the way things are run, do something yourself and do it better.  But, do not, do not criticize others who are making the world a better place just because they’re doing it in ways you don’t see fit.  

http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12429

Week 6- Nuclear Movement and guilt.

So, I haven’t started my internship yet.  I’ve been guiltily putting it off knowing I’ll be able to start the weekly office work later, and then fulfilling the remainder hours requirement working at a day- long event.  This is bad. It’s starting to pick at my conscience more and more every day.  My project manager, Brandon, has not been in touch with me the last two weeks, as he’s been swamped setting up their Spring/ Summer schedule.  But I think it’s time to get going.  I’ll give Brandon a call next week (after midterm papers and finished and submitted) and get going on it.

Aside from that, my thoughts of the week are that I’m tired.  I’m really looking forward to Spring break.  And I can’t believe we’re only 6 weeks into the semester.  

We studied the nuclear movement this week.  I really enjoyed the film clip.  It was an important reminder how activism at the grass roots level is so important.  Parents, concerned over the safety of their children, were able to take on a huge corporation shutting down their local nuclear power plant.  These people actually shut down a nuclear power plant!!  I love it!  And in the process have been able to share their information, process, and goals with others enabling people to promote a safer future.  It took them many years to accomplish these objectives, but perseverance and patience were clearly two factors necessary to their success. 

Week 5- American Civil Rights Movement

 This week our class focused on the American Civil Rights movement.  It’s a subject I’ve become fairly familiar with having taken African American History last year.  Side note: it feels good knowing the generalities of subject when the topic comes up in another class.  Yay for me.  Anyway, the thing I found most interesting is the type of befuddlement I always feel when studying the black rights of the 50’s and 60’s.  We live in such a PC society today.  We hear all about horrible instances of people being treated badly all around the world and even in the US during slavery.  But it never fails to blow my mind, how 50 years ago, Americans were so callous and cruel to each other.  Aside from black rights, but Japanese internment as well, Americans (generally) believed it was perfectly acceptable to discriminate based on color.  A level of discrimination that went well beyond dislike and separate but equal laws, but to government enabled atrocities such allowing police dogs to attack children and murderers to walk free, and in the case of Japanese internment, to force an entire population into concentration camps. 

These crimes all occurred on American soil, as recently as 50 years ago.  My mother was a young girl at the time.  When I see elderly people I can’t help but wonder what their stance was at the time and if negative, how they cope today.  Not even elderly I suppose.  Anyone over 60 could recall such societal turmoil, even as a child.

American culture has certainly come a long way.  Political correctness is a way of life now.  We take care to practice sensitivity to all those around us.  I consider the gay marriage issue that so many are up in arms about now.  And a part of me is so amused.  Interracial marriage was such a taboo subject just a few decades ago, and now most children born today are of mixed descent.  It really is very funny how protestors are trying so hard to make a stand prohibiting same sex unions, when in all truth, there’s nothing they can do about it.  It’s only a matter of time.  In this case, the history student has learned that in some instances, history will indeed repeat itself.

Week four- Peace Movements

This week’s lecture struck a chord with me.  Everyone knows that many famed protests have been at the hands of united students.  The Berkeley protests, Tiananmen Square, the Greensboro Sit-in, etc… but to really consider the impact that so many young people have made, frankly, made me feel a bit inadequate.  I have not participated in any major political movements.  I vote, and sometimes volunteer as a pollworker, pay taxes, and sign petitions.  But that really isn’t enough.  The world has not changed.  While the Red Scare and civil rights equality are not major concerns in the US these days- which is when we last saw major student activism in the US, our world governments are still considerably lacking.  I am aware of this.  I am not the only one.  I know there is suffering and that injustices are committed daily across our planet and in my own backyard.  So I wonder, what has changed with student thought?  Why are we, as a generation, so self consumed that we idly sit by, watch CNN, and sign with sadness, rather than taking our voices and opinions to the public?  And demand a change?  
 

I considered the U.C. Davis students that were pepper sprayed during their peaceful sit in.  I’m proud of them.  Not necessarily for the political action, but rather their action of character.  They stood up for what they believe to right, fair, and good in a peaceful manner.  Their bravery and larger scope of society in our egocentric world inspires me.

Young, idealistic, with ample time and lack of responsibilities, students can be a force to reckon with.   

Week three- Utopian Socialism

I have not begun my community service as the Special Olympics are building their Spring/Summer schedule.  My volunteer manager is keeping me up to date on time frames and will let me know as soon as I’m able to get to work.  I’m looking forward to it!!

So I’ll discuss class lecture instead. 

Utopian Socialism.  What a concept!

This week for discussion we studied the Antebellum Communitarian Movement- the Oniedas and Fourierists specifically.  How interesting to live such a lifestyle.  I’m particularly fascinated in the martial structures or lack thereof of these various groups.  Not to mention, the prominence in membership during the height of their popularity.  I find the typical pattern of competition between the groups to also be of interest as they seem to go against the foundation of socialist ideals altogether.  But this seems to be the case as not everyone always completely practiced what they preached.  An example is that of Robert Owen’s double standard in private property ownership within New Harmony. Relating to Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels theories, one begins to wonder if true socialism will ever be possible and successful.

Week 2- What is a social movement?

           This week we discussed the necessary criteria of social movements.  Commonly misperceived among the public (and previously myself up until this past week), a social movement is not merely a publicly wanted change.  Rather, social movements require three factors in a simultaneous and ongoing manner.  They are campaign, social movement repertoire, and WUNC displays. 

            In examination of the social movement and its definition, I took consideration of the Ku Klux Klan.  An organization with a long history stemming from Reconstruction, the Klan has always fulfilled the campaign aspect of the social movement criteria.  However, in their successful public assault of blacks, immigrants, and non-protestants, they continually failed to meet, or if met, failed to sustain the social movement repertoire and WUNC displays.  Although unsuccessful in the past, the Klan is still active with up to 1,500 members nationwide and 150 separate chapters.

            In addition to studying the Ku Klux Klan this week, I also considered another organization with which I will be fulfilling my internship this semester- the Special Olympics.  This organization fulfills the criteria of campaign, social movement repertoire, and WUNC displays entirely.  I look forward to my meeting with the Manager of Program and Volunteer Services tomorrow.