The American Dreamboat

I enjoyed reading this article, partly because the previous few readings had been on a more serious tone,  but for the most part this article is light hearted and relatable to most. Globalization not only narrows the gap between continents but it also builds bridges connecting the oceans. Interaction of people from different countries and cultures have created more businesses and also more mixed babies.

In the midst of this complicated web of influences, it is difficult for one to not be confused with their own identity. I admire the authors ability to find a balance between her roots and her current life. She managed to retain her heritage as a Vietnamese at the same time she was being Americanized.

I always believe that a marriage of two lovers is never a mere celebration of love for each other but rather a marriage of two families. Like any romantically involved couple, conflicts are inevitable especially when both the families have different values and background.

Will the author be happily married after all or will her marriage be tormented by clashes on cultural differences? It is hard to tell but i think the only way to resolve a culture conflict is tolerance. This does not apply only to marriage but also to everyday social events because as we are a member of this integrated community of globalization, we should be understanding and tolerant to differences of others as from their point of view, we are different to them too.

The Obligation to Endure

When I was done reading this article,I had no idea what response to give. Was I too lazy? Or was it a case of brain lock of some sort? But as we talked about the article in class, I suddenly realized it was my ignorance that kept me from writing a witty,mind-blowing, thought-provoking entry.

Global warming is a huge issue but people seem to care no more about it than choosing toast or bun to go with their steak. Same goes to the contamination of environment, thinning of the ozone layer and anything that screws up the whole ecosystem. Despite environmentalists’ efforts to make a difference and change the masses’ attitude towards our dying mother earth, oil companies are still digging deeper and deeper for oil so they can keep our cars running, releasing carbon dioxide, the main culprit that causes global warming.

I know this article is talking about pesticides and how it harms the rest of the world but it actually brings out a bigger picture.At least that’s how i feel. Since the Industrial Revolution, factories began to bloom and the world has never looked back. People started to rely more and more on manufactured goods, be it the cars we drive or the food we it. These goods bring convenience to our lives and as we get more comfortable with it, we strive to create more convenience and comfort to ‘improve’ our living condition further. Thus the release of faster cars with a jet plane engine that emits higher amount of harmful gases, lattes in a container filled with non-biodegradable components, air conditioning system and refrigerators that contributes to the big hole in the ozone layer. Are we to blame for the sicknesses of mother earth because our ancestors taught us to live comfortably the way we do even it is doing harm to the earth? Pathetic as it might sound but this is just the way we are and if we have to change our ways to be more environmental friendly, there is a very large ground to cover.

I do believe that nuclear bombs can equate with earth pollutants. Just think of nuclear bombs as a deadly acute disease and the earth pollutants works like a slow spreading cancer, they both could end with death but the only difference with cancer is there is a chance of stopping it with chemotherapy. And the option is in our hands to stop this slow painful cancer that is killing our only home—earth.

Fear not

20 minutes after the hijacked aircraft hit the World Trade Center, I was gazillion miles away watching the whole incident replays on CNN.

2 weeks later, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur was wholly evacuated for an alleged bomb threat. Later it was confirmed a false alarm but it was enough to stir the hearts of everyone working in a tall building or having to be around one.

Since the 9/11 attack, “terrorism” became a familiar word and the mention of Osama bin Laden causes goosebumps.  Even though people would stand a better chance in finding a 100 dollar note lying on the sidewalk than actually encountering him. People were bombarded with news of the attacked on newspaper and news channel with the latest update of the death counts. Even until today, rumors of a subsequent terrorist attack is circulated. Clearly, it is hopeless for people to sleep soundly or roam the street in leisure anytime soon.

Again the media comes into place. Would it be easier for the people if the media reports less of these violence since ignorance is bliss? Or people are content when they are more informed so that they can take precautions that according to the article can lessen their fear when they feel they have more control of the situation? I don’t have the answer to these questions but i believe that fear only exists when a person is faced with uncertainty. if we feel more secure to know that we at least have a minimal amount of control over uncertainties, maybe that could lower the panic level.

Short note: it’s funny how the media likes to refer the mastermind behind 9/11 bin Laden since his name is Osama, Laden is his father’s name and bin basically means the son of___. Just a thought;)

AIDS in Africa

AIDS is a global pandemic but AIDS in Africa has always been a more popular topic that the masses like to argue about. Why? Because according to the article, “95 percent of infections are in developing countries; and more than 70 percent re in sub-Saharan Africa where 80 percent of the deaths have occurred.” Apparently, having unprotected sex with anyone here would generate a higher percentage for one to be infected with HIV than sleeping around in Africa. Only one would stand a higher survival chance than those living in poverty stricken Africa. This is an example that clearly points out the correlation between the standard of living and survival rate, AIDS or no AIDS. I totally agree to where the author is leading to. Before the articles, we were asked “Do efforts to educate people about public health issues depend on the assumption that individuals have the freedom to choose their behavior and to change their environment?” My answer to the question is YES, definitely! In Africa where most people have their lives hanging by a thin thread, struggling to feed themselves and find refuge from the ever continuing unstable political situation, there isn’t much free time left for them to worry about getting infected with AIDS or not. Same goes to any other diseases. Even if they do worry, with poor sanitation and limited health care, there aren’t many options they can turn to. I like what the author said about ‘removing the obstacles to self determination is the task to be accomplished’. To solve this problem, I believe that rather than donating millions of dollars each year to get them food and medication, creating a fair trade for these nations and giving them the opportunity to build lives for themselves would be a better bet because like they always say, prevention is better than cure and I couldn’t agree more.

Life on the global assembly line

Was in total shocked when i was done reading the article for the number of times Malaysia was mentioned in the article, having it related to ‘third world countries’ and cheap labors.Then I read the introduction of the authors and found out the article was written in the early eighties.

As far as I know, Malaysia has a rather healthy factory working condition and most definitely is nowhere near the condition of the countries we now labeled ‘third world’. Malaysia is politically stable, has a steady growth in economy and a relatively well distribution of wealth that most neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam envy. We have a former tallest building in the world, one of the top ranking airports in the world and free, accesible(but sometimes, distorted) education system.

Growing up as a child in Malaysia for me was no different(sometimes better) than most people my age here in the United States. I had full pleasure in dolling up my Barbie when i was younger, watching cartoons on Disney Channel and having Happy Meals on frequent occasion. My fortunate childhood, I have our former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to thank.

Tun Dr Mahathir, or Dr M, as we like to call him when he was in position of Prime Minister, had pro-foreign investments policy during his 20 some years of ‘reign’. During his time as PM, he encouraged foreign corporations investing in the Malaysian soil and set forth a bloom in the industrial business as well as economic growth in Malaysia. For all that is worth, we managed to emancipate oursleves from what the article had described, a cheap-labor-exploiting third world country, to what we are reffered to now, a developing country.

The town where i lived in ( for the last 18 years of my life) has an industrial ‘park’ nearby. There is a huge Western Digital factory next to the highway. During peak hours, the buses hired by the factory to ship factory workers to and from their work place would jam up the whole intersection and cause a massive jam. Factory workers in uniform, mostly women and mostly young, can be seen walking in masses to the low cost apartment nearby. Most of these workers are from poorer parts of the country seeking a higher income in the city, some for a husband. I personally know a few in the similar situation and the higher wage they acquire from this job fulfills not only neccesities but also brings luxuries to their family living in the poorer areas.        

What I’m trying to say is that however critical the authors of this article are on huge corporation from the ‘first world countries’ setting up factories and taking advantage of the lower wage level of the ‘third word countries’, it is up to the leaders of these countries to oversee the potential in these ‘foreign investements’ and turn them into their advantage. Yes, the corporations are guilty for reaping riches out from the poor but if this opportunity is well spent it could be beneficial for these supposed ‘third world contries’. 

Questions for speakers from Africa

1. What is it from the western culture that causes the biggest impact on the lives of where the speaker comes from?
2. How many languages do the speaker speaks and what is the most common language he uses?
3. What can the speaker get with a dollar in their country? Also what is the currency exchange rate?
4. If football (soccer) is a well celebrated game in their country? Do they watch the FIFA World Cup? (A number of African teams made it to the previous World Cup.)

In respond to speakers from Jordan and Iraq

My first impression on the speaker from Jordan was the aura of self confidence that she exudes as she walked in to the class. Coming from the region where women are known to have lower social status than men, her body language showed that she is very self-assured and open minded. Only later when she explained that she had spent much of her life traveling outside of Jordan and eventually settling in the United States that I confirmed she has somewhat influenced by the western culture, or maybe just because her job as a lecturer requires her to be outspoken. I personally enjoyed her sarcasm and humor.

One thing that surprises me the most is the political stability in Jordan. Muslims and Christians not only live in peace but the Christians are well respected and well protected by the system of the country. In addition to that, when she mentioned that the conversion from Muslim to another religion is not favorable although it is not impossible, it reflected that Jordan has a relative freedom of choice.( In Malaysia, if one is born into a Muslim family, one remains a Muslim till death. It is against the law for conversion from Muslim to non-Muslim) Although granted with freedom of choice, I feel she takes her own religion seriously and is able to strike a balance on the grounds of traditional values and modern influences.

The lady from Iraq seemed to be more introvert but she delivered quite a full coverage of the cultures of Iraq. I like how she showcased their culture in her presentation, mixing traditional stuffs with modernity and pointing out the difference as well as similarity between the Iraqi and American culture.. For example, she explained the difference in the “eating out” culture in America and the one she and her family practice back in Iraq. And also the beauty pageants and the boy band and the music she listens to.

The war on Iraq left the country with thousands of grieving family, plummeting economy, declining living standard and broken dreams. While the rest of the world criticizes the U.S decision to declare war and sympathizes those who lost their lives and family, it is refreshing to hear from her perspective on how the war brought about some positive aspect such as more freedom compared to the time when the autocratic Saddam Hussein was in power. I guess there are always two sides to a story and the lesson here is to keep our minds open and to think in different angles.

Questions for Jordan speaker

1. What is the affect of globalization on the traditional customs/practise in Jordan?

2. Since most parts of the Middle East are constantly fighting with religion as the reason, what drives Jordan, an Islamic country, to shy away from these disputes and create a harmonious relationship with Christians?

3. What languages are taught in school?

4. Is Britney huge in Jordan?

I hope.

Qualites to look for in a presidential candidate/ leader of a country

1. Less corrupted- He/ she must not give in to the temptation of money/ personal benefit and risks the  wellbeing of the people 
2. Civil centered- He/she must put the wellbeing of the people and country first in all decision
3. Non hypocrit- He/she must of course practise what he/she preaches

Issues that concerns me

1.  Education system-should be more equality in it. Opportunities should be granted based on performance not priviledges. Also, be more decisive on issues,policies, 
2.  Racial issues
3.  Building/road construction
4.  Judicial system

quick note: I am not sure how is the situation here in the United States so I based my opinion on what I’ve experienced back home especially on the issues that concern me. But i believe the qualities that i mentioned is what we should seek in a leader pf a nation.

On students and apathy

I do not think that the current generation is apathetic. Their minds and eyes are just simply overshadowed by what the media has chosen to put forward. Although it is hard to determine if the interest of the current generation has modified the media or if it is in fact the media who has shaped the thinking of the current generation. But one thing is for sure, the media and the Y generation cannot survive without the presence of each other. I wouldn’t exactly call students nowadays apathetic, they are just passive in terms of the method they obtain information and also their attitude towards politics and current issues. As the media now focuses more on entertainment and sports news, this information is subtly but surely infiltrating the minds of young people even if they are not consciously paying attention to it. Basically the popular trends are set by what the media displays. For instant, when the Friends sitcom became a hit, girls began to follow the way ‘Rachel’ styled her hair. When hip hop/rap music started to top the Billboard chart, suddenly everyone walks, talks and dresses like 50 cents. The most covered stories currently are probably the presidential election and the majority of the youngsters are well aware if not enthusiastic regarding the matter. During the war between America and Iraq, many of them are concerned and heartfelt on the issue as well and the coverage of the war was massive. What I am trying to point out here is the relationship between the media and its young audiences. Because they have so much more to worry about now, like their studies, like dealing with the terrible boss where they work to earn the increasing tuition as well as their social life, they are so occupied now they have only so much time to absorb whatever that is given to them by the media.

            During each presidential campaigns, candidates for the post promise to change and improve the condition of the country giving the people hope for a better place to live in. And over and over again, they are disappointed by the promises that never came true. No wonder the nationalism and passion for their homeland slowly wear off to the extent that they become so jaded with the whole situation. The youngsters are not entirely to be blamed for their lukewarm response towards political issues.