Summary:
Since mid-December, South Sudan has been locked in a bloody conflict that has political and ethnic roots. South Sudan is the world's youngest country, gaining independence on July 9, 2011, after longtime conflicts between the Sudanese government and opposing forces in the south. The years since then have been filled with uncertainty; political rivals Salva Kier (an ethnic Dinka) and Riek Machar (an ethnic Nuer) have struggled for the upper hand in the government (and are now struggling for control of the country's oil resources). Kier became the president and Machar the Vice President. President Kier fired Machar with the rest of his cabinet in July 2013, and in December of 2013, gunfire broke out between the forces loyal to both men. After that night the violence spread, and thousands of people have been killed, and the UN has scrambled to provide accommodation for the many thousands of people seeking shelter in their compounds. Currently over a million people have fled their homes to find safety, many in other countries. Just the other day, a group of armed youths dressed in civilian clothing broke into the UN base in the town of Bor and started firing indiscriminately. Reports say that dozens of civilians were killed before the UN peacekeepers were able to repel the attackers by returning fire. The UN has increased its vigilance and says that it will do whatever it needs to do to protect those who simply want to stay alive.
Analysis:
We can analyze the South Sudanese conflict in terms of its harmful effects as well as its helpful effects. First, its harmful effects are obvious. The conflict is causing violence, mass killings and displacement, a clear division of ethnic groups (the Dinka and the Nuer), and fear and hatred among all in the country. However, the situation might have some helpful effects, although not as obvious as its harmful ones. Examples of helpful effects of a conflict include promoting unity within conflicting groups, giving attention to a problem that needs to be resolved, and possibly moving a group or civilization on its road of development (i.e., conflict can change one's position, status, authority, etc., and sometimes for the better). Within-group unity may not be as applicable to the South Sudanese conflict, because identifying more closely with one's ethnic group may just lead to more violence; intergroup unity is what is needed. However, the hostility does highlight some problems that need to be resolved in South Sudan: perhaps a greater national unity as opposed to a tribal-ethnic one (as was the problem in Rwanda), and the need for changes in the political realm. Hopefully the country will emerge from this struggle wiser and better able to handle the future challenges that come its way.
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/24/politics/south-sudan-explainer/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27074635
http://www.sociologyguide.com/basic-concepts/Conflict.php
Showing posts with label Julie Fox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Julie Fox. Show all posts
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Blog 9: Israel responds to Palestine with Halted Tax Transfers
Summary:
The eternal chess game of moves and counter moves continues in the Middle East. Since Israel refused to release the fourth group of prisoners the other week, Palestine applied to join 15 international conventions and treaties, which it had promised not to do while peace talks were open, which they are until April 29th. Despite the fact that Palestine violated the agreement, an article written earlier this week suggested that the move was not intended to disrupt peace talks, but rather to retain credibility with Palestine's impatient citizens. And even though a former Israeli negotiator has admitted that the application was not that big of a political deal for either Palestine or Israel, Israel has responded by announcing that it will withhold the tax revenues that it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and will use the money instead to pay off some of the Palestinians' utility bills. The last time Israel punished Palestine with a tax sanction was in 2012, "after their successful bid to upgrade their status at the United Nations to that of a nonmember observer state." Without the money, it was difficult for Palestine to pay its government workers. With the recent tax sanction -- totaling hundreds of millions of dollars -- Palestine could be facing financial struggles again unless it cooperates with Israel by the end of the month, when the money is usually transferred.
Analysis:
It looks like Israel and Palestine are testing each other. They remind me of toddlers who will throw something on the floor with their parents watching to see if they can get away with it. Are Israel and Palestine trying to see where the boundaries are and where the eventual peaceful boundaries (if it ever reaches peace) will lie? It's definitely a common behavior even with adults: students test which assignments they can get away with not doing or what ungraded but "suggested" material they can skip; workers test which rules they can break; engineers test which codes they can disregard (with sometimes disastrous results). Maybe John Kerry should just look at it from this light so he can save himself some stress.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/11/world/middleeast/israel-to-halt-tax-transfers-to-palestinians.html?ref=middleeast
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/03/world/middleeast/middle-east-peace-talks.html
The eternal chess game of moves and counter moves continues in the Middle East. Since Israel refused to release the fourth group of prisoners the other week, Palestine applied to join 15 international conventions and treaties, which it had promised not to do while peace talks were open, which they are until April 29th. Despite the fact that Palestine violated the agreement, an article written earlier this week suggested that the move was not intended to disrupt peace talks, but rather to retain credibility with Palestine's impatient citizens. And even though a former Israeli negotiator has admitted that the application was not that big of a political deal for either Palestine or Israel, Israel has responded by announcing that it will withhold the tax revenues that it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and will use the money instead to pay off some of the Palestinians' utility bills. The last time Israel punished Palestine with a tax sanction was in 2012, "after their successful bid to upgrade their status at the United Nations to that of a nonmember observer state." Without the money, it was difficult for Palestine to pay its government workers. With the recent tax sanction -- totaling hundreds of millions of dollars -- Palestine could be facing financial struggles again unless it cooperates with Israel by the end of the month, when the money is usually transferred.
Analysis:
It looks like Israel and Palestine are testing each other. They remind me of toddlers who will throw something on the floor with their parents watching to see if they can get away with it. Are Israel and Palestine trying to see where the boundaries are and where the eventual peaceful boundaries (if it ever reaches peace) will lie? It's definitely a common behavior even with adults: students test which assignments they can get away with not doing or what ungraded but "suggested" material they can skip; workers test which rules they can break; engineers test which codes they can disregard (with sometimes disastrous results). Maybe John Kerry should just look at it from this light so he can save himself some stress.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/11/world/middleeast/israel-to-halt-tax-transfers-to-palestinians.html?ref=middleeast
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/03/world/middleeast/middle-east-peace-talks.html
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Blog 8: A New Solution to Ethnic Conflict?
Summary:
Rwanda is turning to technology and education to try to forget the horrors of the past and unite the people. Monday marks the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, where over 800,000 ethnic Tutsis (and moderate Hutus as well) were slaughtered over a period of 100 days. There are still feelings of tension and resentment -- as well as guilt from foreign powers like Britain and the US for not stopping the killings (which led to huge amounts of foreign aid after the massacre) -- but the Rwandan government has a plan to forever unite its people.
The Rwandan government hopes that providing education and technological knowledge to everyone, rich or poor, will accomplish several things, including weaning the country off of foreign aid, bringing equity, understanding, and a shared national identity to the people, enticing investors and multinational corporations to the nation, and ultimately placing Rwanda into the 21st century with a service-based economy. Here is the official mission statement of the Ministry of Education:
The mission of the Ministry of Education is to transform the Rwandan citizen into skilled human
capital for socio-economic development of the country by ensuring equitable access to quality
education focusing on combating illiteracy, promotion of science and technology, critical thinking and
positive values.
The leadership is carrying out this ambitious plan by bringing buses equipped with laptops, wifi, and teachers to rural areas, as well as Knowledge Labs where students and teachers work together to launch businesses and computer applications. Laptops are being purchased for primary schools across the country.
Analysis:
Does education have the power to unite people? Will education really prevent another genocide? I think there is a good chance that it will. Just look at college students around the world. Young, educated people are often the ones fighting for peace and tolerance. In Tiananmen Square they protested the government and petitioned for freedom. UNCG is marked by a growing student diversity and its acceptance of minority and oppressed groups, such as the LGBT community and various refugee groups which the students engage during service learning. Other factors may contribute to the school's progressivism, such as the young age of the students or simply the progressive culture of the country, but exposure to different ideas, points of view, and ways of life are certainly involved.
Of course, the practical side of the Rwandan approach is that education and especially IT education (extremely important for the business world today) will lift people out of poverty and perhaps take away jealousy and reasons to hate others.
Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/20-years-after-the-genocide-rwanda-looks-to-a-tech-revolution/2014/04/04/bbde2df2-bb4a-11e3-80de-2ff8801f27af_story.html?tid=hpModule_949fa2be-8691-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394
http://www.gov.rw/Education-and-capacity-building
Rwanda is turning to technology and education to try to forget the horrors of the past and unite the people. Monday marks the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, where over 800,000 ethnic Tutsis (and moderate Hutus as well) were slaughtered over a period of 100 days. There are still feelings of tension and resentment -- as well as guilt from foreign powers like Britain and the US for not stopping the killings (which led to huge amounts of foreign aid after the massacre) -- but the Rwandan government has a plan to forever unite its people.
The Rwandan government hopes that providing education and technological knowledge to everyone, rich or poor, will accomplish several things, including weaning the country off of foreign aid, bringing equity, understanding, and a shared national identity to the people, enticing investors and multinational corporations to the nation, and ultimately placing Rwanda into the 21st century with a service-based economy. Here is the official mission statement of the Ministry of Education:
The mission of the Ministry of Education is to transform the Rwandan citizen into skilled human
capital for socio-economic development of the country by ensuring equitable access to quality
education focusing on combating illiteracy, promotion of science and technology, critical thinking and
positive values.
Don't overlook the last two objectives in the list: critical thinking and positive values. The government hopes that by teaching its people to think critically, they will not fall prey to the propaganda and brainwashing which led to the violence 20 years ago.
The leadership is carrying out this ambitious plan by bringing buses equipped with laptops, wifi, and teachers to rural areas, as well as Knowledge Labs where students and teachers work together to launch businesses and computer applications. Laptops are being purchased for primary schools across the country.
Analysis:
Does education have the power to unite people? Will education really prevent another genocide? I think there is a good chance that it will. Just look at college students around the world. Young, educated people are often the ones fighting for peace and tolerance. In Tiananmen Square they protested the government and petitioned for freedom. UNCG is marked by a growing student diversity and its acceptance of minority and oppressed groups, such as the LGBT community and various refugee groups which the students engage during service learning. Other factors may contribute to the school's progressivism, such as the young age of the students or simply the progressive culture of the country, but exposure to different ideas, points of view, and ways of life are certainly involved.
Of course, the practical side of the Rwandan approach is that education and especially IT education (extremely important for the business world today) will lift people out of poverty and perhaps take away jealousy and reasons to hate others.
Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/20-years-after-the-genocide-rwanda-looks-to-a-tech-revolution/2014/04/04/bbde2df2-bb4a-11e3-80de-2ff8801f27af_story.html?tid=hpModule_949fa2be-8691-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394
http://www.gov.rw/Education-and-capacity-building
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Blog 7: Peace Talks between Palestinian and Israel Threatened
Summary:
Peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel have been threatened as Israel has refused to release the last batch of Palestinian prisoners on Friday. Israel had agreed to release 104 prisoners in total, 78 of which had already been returned to Palestine, in exchange for the Palestinian Authority's agreement to hold off on trying to obtain statehood through the United Nations. It appears that Israel is holding back the prisoners (those convicted of the worst crimes) due to discontent with Palestine's performance at the peace talks. The Palestinians have been accused of "dragging their feet," refusing to extend the negotiations beyond April 29th, and refusing to agree with Israel about various side issues like recognition of the Jewish state. Meanwhile, the Palestinian leaders are under pressure to end negotiations with Israel and continue to pursue recognition of statehood within the U.N., where they are making progress. Israel and the U.S. are opposed to this route because they fear that Palestine might bring "international legal and human rights cases against Israel." Although both sides have agreed to resume talks in the summer, tensions are high, and the prisoner debate only adds fuel to the fire.
Analysis:
At this point it is hard to "blame" either side for the stalled proceedings. It appears that both groups have their grievances with the other. However, Palestine's attempts to go around Israel and the U.S. probably will not help their case in the long run. I mentioned in my last post about Palestinian and Israeli relations that violence is not the answer to lasting peace, and neither is turning down peace offerings with your most powerful neighbors. John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, is urging the Palestinian Authority against going through the U.N. for this very reason. Fortunately, peace talks are supposed to keep going, but for them to be successful, both sides must remember that peace, not a laundry list of demands, is the ultimate goal.
Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/palestinians-threaten-walkout-in-talks/2014/03/28/4f3cfa44-b68f-11e3-9eb3-c254bdb4414d_story.html
Peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel have been threatened as Israel has refused to release the last batch of Palestinian prisoners on Friday. Israel had agreed to release 104 prisoners in total, 78 of which had already been returned to Palestine, in exchange for the Palestinian Authority's agreement to hold off on trying to obtain statehood through the United Nations. It appears that Israel is holding back the prisoners (those convicted of the worst crimes) due to discontent with Palestine's performance at the peace talks. The Palestinians have been accused of "dragging their feet," refusing to extend the negotiations beyond April 29th, and refusing to agree with Israel about various side issues like recognition of the Jewish state. Meanwhile, the Palestinian leaders are under pressure to end negotiations with Israel and continue to pursue recognition of statehood within the U.N., where they are making progress. Israel and the U.S. are opposed to this route because they fear that Palestine might bring "international legal and human rights cases against Israel." Although both sides have agreed to resume talks in the summer, tensions are high, and the prisoner debate only adds fuel to the fire.
Analysis:
At this point it is hard to "blame" either side for the stalled proceedings. It appears that both groups have their grievances with the other. However, Palestine's attempts to go around Israel and the U.S. probably will not help their case in the long run. I mentioned in my last post about Palestinian and Israeli relations that violence is not the answer to lasting peace, and neither is turning down peace offerings with your most powerful neighbors. John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, is urging the Palestinian Authority against going through the U.N. for this very reason. Fortunately, peace talks are supposed to keep going, but for them to be successful, both sides must remember that peace, not a laundry list of demands, is the ultimate goal.
Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/palestinians-threaten-walkout-in-talks/2014/03/28/4f3cfa44-b68f-11e3-9eb3-c254bdb4414d_story.html
Friday, March 21, 2014
Muslim-Christian Conflicts Tear Apart Marriages
Summary:
The terrible atrocities being committed in the Central African Republic are tearing communities, families, and even marriages apart. Marriages between Christians and Muslims are being threatened due to the intense animosity between the two sides. Christian militias are killing Muslims and those married to Muslims, even if they are Christians themselves.
Former Christians who converted to Islam are being warned that if they don't convert back to Christianity, they will be killed, and the Christian vigilantes are following up on their threats. Children and adults alike are being hacked to death, shot, burned, and beaten, and their houses and possessions are being looted and torched.
The current brutality follows events from a year ago when Muslim group which gained power in the predominately Christian country, and was blamed with committing numerous atrocities. Christians fought back and regained power, and have thrown the Muslim out of the CAR and attacked and killed the rest. Husbands and wives of different faiths, who used to be warmly welcomed into the other's family, are separating--the Christian partner often staying behind where it is safe, and the Muslim partner escaping to a surrounding country like Chad. Emotions are high because partners must choose between their home and possessions and being with their spouse. If a couple separates, they will likely never see each other again. One Christian woman stayed behind to watch her house, and her Muslim husband pleaded, "Our life together or the house: Which is more important?"
Analysis:
Muslim-Christian marriages are not uncommon in the CAR, because tribal identity has historically been much more important than national or religious identity. But with the past fighting between the Muslims and Christians, religion has become a major issue. Suspicions, anger, and the desire for revenge fuel terrible attacks on what used to be peaceful, neighborly communities. Extreme Christians hate to see their own associating with the "other" side, and threaten death to those who don't convert back. This is an excellent example of violence used to coerce others and achieve a desired result. Of course, the result will only be weakly realized when this type of violence is used, because it will never lead to the stability that peace requires. For some reason I have not seen a great deal about outside governments coming in to restore order. Unfortunately other countries often like to take a hands-off approach to foreign fights (unless it directly threatens something of theirs), even if there are flagrant, widespread violations of human rights, as in the CAR.
Source:
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-342560-conflict-in-central-african-republic-destroying-muslim-christian-marriages.html
The terrible atrocities being committed in the Central African Republic are tearing communities, families, and even marriages apart. Marriages between Christians and Muslims are being threatened due to the intense animosity between the two sides. Christian militias are killing Muslims and those married to Muslims, even if they are Christians themselves.
Former Christians who converted to Islam are being warned that if they don't convert back to Christianity, they will be killed, and the Christian vigilantes are following up on their threats. Children and adults alike are being hacked to death, shot, burned, and beaten, and their houses and possessions are being looted and torched.
The current brutality follows events from a year ago when Muslim group which gained power in the predominately Christian country, and was blamed with committing numerous atrocities. Christians fought back and regained power, and have thrown the Muslim out of the CAR and attacked and killed the rest. Husbands and wives of different faiths, who used to be warmly welcomed into the other's family, are separating--the Christian partner often staying behind where it is safe, and the Muslim partner escaping to a surrounding country like Chad. Emotions are high because partners must choose between their home and possessions and being with their spouse. If a couple separates, they will likely never see each other again. One Christian woman stayed behind to watch her house, and her Muslim husband pleaded, "Our life together or the house: Which is more important?"
Analysis:
Muslim-Christian marriages are not uncommon in the CAR, because tribal identity has historically been much more important than national or religious identity. But with the past fighting between the Muslims and Christians, religion has become a major issue. Suspicions, anger, and the desire for revenge fuel terrible attacks on what used to be peaceful, neighborly communities. Extreme Christians hate to see their own associating with the "other" side, and threaten death to those who don't convert back. This is an excellent example of violence used to coerce others and achieve a desired result. Of course, the result will only be weakly realized when this type of violence is used, because it will never lead to the stability that peace requires. For some reason I have not seen a great deal about outside governments coming in to restore order. Unfortunately other countries often like to take a hands-off approach to foreign fights (unless it directly threatens something of theirs), even if there are flagrant, widespread violations of human rights, as in the CAR.
Source:
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-342560-conflict-in-central-african-republic-destroying-muslim-christian-marriages.html
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Blog 5: Severe Attack on Israel from Hamas
Summary:
The Islamic Jihad group Hamas fired 50 missiles into Israel the other day, the most severe single attack in 2 years. Israeli tanks fired shells back at a suspected launch site within the territory. Three of the missiles were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defense system, and others landed in places like a petrol station, an open field, and a library. The article did not report on the number on causalities or fatalities. The attack happened on the day that the British Prime Minister David Cameron told Israel in his talks at the Israeli president's home that he would fight for their rights to defend themselves, and denounced Iran's shipping missiles to terrorist groups. Cameron said that the attacks were completely indiscriminate, which shows how "barbaric" the terrorist group is. He wished to be clear to the international community that violence and terror would not lead to independence and statehood. Israeli president Shimon Peres issued a sort of ultimatum to the Hamas, warning that the Israel could not just forget what had happened, and that the terrorist group must choose between peace and violence, between a normalized territory and a center of terror. He said that Israel would not accept the Gaza strip as a center of terror.
Analysis:
The hyper-nationalism of the Palestinian terror group is not helping their cause of independence. Just as people in everyday social situations do not willingly do things for bullies, and might actively resist them, other countries do not want to allow a group to harass others. Even if the Hamas was able to obtain their goals through violence, the situation would be extremely unstable, because as soon as a weakness became apparent, someone else (Israel or one of her supporters) would be able to exploit it and shut them down. There is also the risk of the Palestinian citizens themselves revolting as they tire of the violent measures taken by extremist groups. In the end, as President Peres said, violence is not the answer.
Source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10693432/David-Cameron-condemns-barbaric-missile-attack-on-Israel.html
The Islamic Jihad group Hamas fired 50 missiles into Israel the other day, the most severe single attack in 2 years. Israeli tanks fired shells back at a suspected launch site within the territory. Three of the missiles were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defense system, and others landed in places like a petrol station, an open field, and a library. The article did not report on the number on causalities or fatalities. The attack happened on the day that the British Prime Minister David Cameron told Israel in his talks at the Israeli president's home that he would fight for their rights to defend themselves, and denounced Iran's shipping missiles to terrorist groups. Cameron said that the attacks were completely indiscriminate, which shows how "barbaric" the terrorist group is. He wished to be clear to the international community that violence and terror would not lead to independence and statehood. Israeli president Shimon Peres issued a sort of ultimatum to the Hamas, warning that the Israel could not just forget what had happened, and that the terrorist group must choose between peace and violence, between a normalized territory and a center of terror. He said that Israel would not accept the Gaza strip as a center of terror.
Analysis:
The hyper-nationalism of the Palestinian terror group is not helping their cause of independence. Just as people in everyday social situations do not willingly do things for bullies, and might actively resist them, other countries do not want to allow a group to harass others. Even if the Hamas was able to obtain their goals through violence, the situation would be extremely unstable, because as soon as a weakness became apparent, someone else (Israel or one of her supporters) would be able to exploit it and shut them down. There is also the risk of the Palestinian citizens themselves revolting as they tire of the violent measures taken by extremist groups. In the end, as President Peres said, violence is not the answer.
Source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10693432/David-Cameron-condemns-barbaric-missile-attack-on-Israel.html
Friday, February 28, 2014
Blog 4: France Tries to Keep the CAR Intact
Summary:
The Central African Republic is still the center of intense fighting between the Christians and Muslims, which is leading France to intrude more and more in order to keep its former colony intact. Thousands of French, European, and African military forces are struggling to disarm the still-angry Christian militiamen who continue to attack Muslims. The Christians at first welcomed the French, but are now viewing them contempt as the French troops attempt to disarm all perpetrators of violence. The Christians see it as "defense," while the French view the violence against Muslims as "score settling." But even with the French troops present, some still fear that peace will be a long time in the future, as two soldiers have already been killed. Still, France's president's goal remains to “end the score settling, re-establish the government’s authority, allow dialogue and avoid that the slightest attempt to partition Central African Republic.”
Analysis:
You don't often hear about Christians killing other people in places like America or Europe. These "Christians" in the Central African Republic don't sound like the typical churchgoer here, even the occasional ones that blow up abortion clinics. This is on an entirely different level. I believe it's because these Christians have adopted the word as more of a broad cultural identifier than a personal belief. It's become a default ethnic label. It's similar to calling broad groups of people Muslim because that is their religious tradition, although every person called a Muslim might practice Islam to a more or less varying degree. I also think of being "Jewish" as a similar situation. The fact that the Christian faith calls for peace and these Christians are making war shocked me at first, but with the understanding that in the CAR these people have used "Christian" as a cultural label makes the situation clearer.
Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/france-vows-to-prevent-c-african-rep-breakup/2014/02/28/8bd8c0ec-a072-11e3-878c-65222df220eb_story.html
Friday, February 21, 2014
Blog 3: Israel and Palestine talk about peace but leave Gaza out
Summary:
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, are currently carrying out peace negotiations with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The two sides hope to work out peaceful relations between the groups, which have had political, ethnic, and religious conflicts for decades. The treaty would be only the beginning of what is hoped to be a future of resolving issues, including concerns like Palestine's borders and Israel's security. Kerry is optimistic that an agreement can be reached. The catch is this: the Palestinian Gaza strip, governed by the (in the opinion of the U.S. and Israel) terrorist group called Hamas, refuses to enter the negotiations and is thus "left off of the table." Instead, talks are focusing on the West Bank, where Israel and the U.S. believe they have a better chance with the more moderate leader Netanyahu. Obama believes that Gaza and the Hamas can be later integrated into the peace agreements as Palestinians in Gaza take action and demand new leadership so that they can receive the benefits of a peace treaty along with the West Bank. The Hamas feels differently, however; its leadership claims that without the Gaza Strip, negotiations are only destined for failure. Since the Gaza Strip is home to 40% of the population of the two Palestinian territories, it remains to be seen whether or not they are right.
Analysis:
Why are the Palestinians and Israelis at such odds? We know that religious, ethnic, and political divisions in the past help to explain this conflict, and tensions are continued today through terror, fighting, political factions, etc. My point is not to delve into the details of why Israeli and Palestinian conflicts are the way they are, but to show that religion and ethnicity are two key factors, among many others, in dividing people. All things being equal, you'd think that several million people living in the same area could learn to get along. But when you add in human nature and its compulsive need to find an "other" and thus define the "self" (i.e. reinforce identity), you get extreme group solidarity for those inside your group and hatred for those outside it. Religion and ethnicity are only two of many covers for this behavior; you can find anything and everything to divide yourself from others. To me, it sounds like we've largely forgotten Jesus' words, "Love your enemies" and "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/gaza-left-out-of-mideast-peace-talks/2014/02/20/9764f454-9590-11e3-afce-3e7c922ef31e_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israeli-palestinian-peace-talks-at-crunch-time-us-secretary-of-state-john-kerry-says/2014/01/02/11cc4b38-73cd-11e3-bc6b-712d770c3715_story.html
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, are currently carrying out peace negotiations with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The two sides hope to work out peaceful relations between the groups, which have had political, ethnic, and religious conflicts for decades. The treaty would be only the beginning of what is hoped to be a future of resolving issues, including concerns like Palestine's borders and Israel's security. Kerry is optimistic that an agreement can be reached. The catch is this: the Palestinian Gaza strip, governed by the (in the opinion of the U.S. and Israel) terrorist group called Hamas, refuses to enter the negotiations and is thus "left off of the table." Instead, talks are focusing on the West Bank, where Israel and the U.S. believe they have a better chance with the more moderate leader Netanyahu. Obama believes that Gaza and the Hamas can be later integrated into the peace agreements as Palestinians in Gaza take action and demand new leadership so that they can receive the benefits of a peace treaty along with the West Bank. The Hamas feels differently, however; its leadership claims that without the Gaza Strip, negotiations are only destined for failure. Since the Gaza Strip is home to 40% of the population of the two Palestinian territories, it remains to be seen whether or not they are right.
Analysis:
Why are the Palestinians and Israelis at such odds? We know that religious, ethnic, and political divisions in the past help to explain this conflict, and tensions are continued today through terror, fighting, political factions, etc. My point is not to delve into the details of why Israeli and Palestinian conflicts are the way they are, but to show that religion and ethnicity are two key factors, among many others, in dividing people. All things being equal, you'd think that several million people living in the same area could learn to get along. But when you add in human nature and its compulsive need to find an "other" and thus define the "self" (i.e. reinforce identity), you get extreme group solidarity for those inside your group and hatred for those outside it. Religion and ethnicity are only two of many covers for this behavior; you can find anything and everything to divide yourself from others. To me, it sounds like we've largely forgotten Jesus' words, "Love your enemies" and "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/gaza-left-out-of-mideast-peace-talks/2014/02/20/9764f454-9590-11e3-afce-3e7c922ef31e_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/israeli-palestinian-peace-talks-at-crunch-time-us-secretary-of-state-john-kerry-says/2014/01/02/11cc4b38-73cd-11e3-bc6b-712d770c3715_story.html
Friday, February 14, 2014
Blog 2: Increasing Numbers of Hate Crimes Make British Muslims Uneasy
Summary:
Muslims living in England are becoming uneasy and reluctant to leave their communities. Hate crimes increased in London during 2013, from 318 in 2011, 336 in 2012, to over 500 in 2013. This pattern is repeated in several other areas of the country. Now Muslims living in predominantly South Asian neighborhoods, such as Alum Rock in the city of Birmingham, prefer to stay inside their communities rather than venture out and face insults and possible attacks and violence. Some factors leading up to the elevated numbers of hate crimes include the killing of a white soldier by two young, fanatical British Muslims; the fear of jihadis from British Muslims who have gone to Syria; and the anti-immigration tone in British politics. One woman moved outside of a predominantly Muslim area but was forced to move back again after insults and attacks from others in the area, which had intensified after she began wearing the niqab. However, even with all the attacks, many Muslims have had a mostly positive experience in England, saying that it is safer than Pakistan, and that most people are nice and the government is lawful. Indeed, there has been a trend toward "greater racial understanding" in Britain. It seems like events such as the killing of the soldier spark anti-Muslim crimes but that the tension will then go back down to a much lower level.
Analysis:
I did not mention this in the summary, but an interesting fact from the article is that there has been a renewed interest in Islamic head coverings and veils. One of the people interviewed, the chairman of the Central Mosque in Birmingham, said that he believes that the recent interest in head coverings, rather than being for religious reasons, is a reaction to the degradation that Muslims as a whole have faced. Minority groups tend to exhibit greater solidarity, and ethnic group identity increases, when prejudice and discrimination are present. So foolish, stereotyped attitudes may prevail at times like these, but the head coverings show that many Muslims are not ready to give up yet.
Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/14/world/europe/as-hate-crimes-rise-british-muslims-say-theyre-becoming-more-insular.html?ref=world
Muslims living in England are becoming uneasy and reluctant to leave their communities. Hate crimes increased in London during 2013, from 318 in 2011, 336 in 2012, to over 500 in 2013. This pattern is repeated in several other areas of the country. Now Muslims living in predominantly South Asian neighborhoods, such as Alum Rock in the city of Birmingham, prefer to stay inside their communities rather than venture out and face insults and possible attacks and violence. Some factors leading up to the elevated numbers of hate crimes include the killing of a white soldier by two young, fanatical British Muslims; the fear of jihadis from British Muslims who have gone to Syria; and the anti-immigration tone in British politics. One woman moved outside of a predominantly Muslim area but was forced to move back again after insults and attacks from others in the area, which had intensified after she began wearing the niqab. However, even with all the attacks, many Muslims have had a mostly positive experience in England, saying that it is safer than Pakistan, and that most people are nice and the government is lawful. Indeed, there has been a trend toward "greater racial understanding" in Britain. It seems like events such as the killing of the soldier spark anti-Muslim crimes but that the tension will then go back down to a much lower level.
Analysis:
I did not mention this in the summary, but an interesting fact from the article is that there has been a renewed interest in Islamic head coverings and veils. One of the people interviewed, the chairman of the Central Mosque in Birmingham, said that he believes that the recent interest in head coverings, rather than being for religious reasons, is a reaction to the degradation that Muslims as a whole have faced. Minority groups tend to exhibit greater solidarity, and ethnic group identity increases, when prejudice and discrimination are present. So foolish, stereotyped attitudes may prevail at times like these, but the head coverings show that many Muslims are not ready to give up yet.
Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/14/world/europe/as-hate-crimes-rise-british-muslims-say-theyre-becoming-more-insular.html?ref=world
Friday, February 7, 2014
Blog 1: Christians force Muslims to flee, 2/7/14
Summary
Thousands of Muslims have been forced to flee their homes on Friday, February 7 due to intense antagonism by Christians. The Muslims have been chased out of Bangui, the capitol of the Central African Republic. Last March, several Muslim rebel groups united to overthrow the president of the CAR and have been blamed for numerous atrocities, including looting and killing sprees. The CAR is predominantly Christian, although the rebel group's crimes, not their religion, led many Christian citizens to retaliate against the groups. The Christian fighters attempted to overthrow the rebel government in December, which led to over 1,000 people dead. The Muslim leader has stepped aside, but this has not stopped Christians' hatred for anything that has to do with the Muslim rebels. Many of those suspected to be involved have been tortured and killed. Now the hatred has taken on a religious turn, and all Muslims in the country are being targeted by the Christians. The Muslims escaped from the capitol today in a convoy protected by armed Chadian soldiers. Their destinations are the neighboring countries of Chad and Cameroon. Entire Muslim communities in other parts of the country are surrounded by the Christian "anti-Balaka" groups and remain in danger from violence as well as diseases such as cholera. The interim president of the country has voiced her support of the Christian soldiers.
Analysis
This situation illustrates the concept of "othering," which is separating yourself from other people whom you view as different from yourself, and whom you usually view in a negative way. 99.99% of the Muslim population in the CAR had nothing to do with the crimes of the rebel government, yet they were targeted with hate crimes because the Christians had grouped them all together and associated them with the rebels. This allowed dormant religious tensions to erupt, and the Muslim community as a whole became a scapegoat for the anger of the Christian nation.
On a less intense level, othering occurs every day between the rich and the poor, among different races, genders, and political parties. It happens whenever we use the words "us" and "them," and can lead to terrible things which the antagonizing group believes are completely justifiable. It does not only occur in the dominate group; a poor person can just as easily form an opinion about all rich people as a rich person can form an opinion about all poor people.
Source
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/02/07/world/africa/ap-af-central-african-republic.html?rref=world&module=Ribbon&version=origin®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=World&pgtype=article
Thousands of Muslims have been forced to flee their homes on Friday, February 7 due to intense antagonism by Christians. The Muslims have been chased out of Bangui, the capitol of the Central African Republic. Last March, several Muslim rebel groups united to overthrow the president of the CAR and have been blamed for numerous atrocities, including looting and killing sprees. The CAR is predominantly Christian, although the rebel group's crimes, not their religion, led many Christian citizens to retaliate against the groups. The Christian fighters attempted to overthrow the rebel government in December, which led to over 1,000 people dead. The Muslim leader has stepped aside, but this has not stopped Christians' hatred for anything that has to do with the Muslim rebels. Many of those suspected to be involved have been tortured and killed. Now the hatred has taken on a religious turn, and all Muslims in the country are being targeted by the Christians. The Muslims escaped from the capitol today in a convoy protected by armed Chadian soldiers. Their destinations are the neighboring countries of Chad and Cameroon. Entire Muslim communities in other parts of the country are surrounded by the Christian "anti-Balaka" groups and remain in danger from violence as well as diseases such as cholera. The interim president of the country has voiced her support of the Christian soldiers.
Analysis
This situation illustrates the concept of "othering," which is separating yourself from other people whom you view as different from yourself, and whom you usually view in a negative way. 99.99% of the Muslim population in the CAR had nothing to do with the crimes of the rebel government, yet they were targeted with hate crimes because the Christians had grouped them all together and associated them with the rebels. This allowed dormant religious tensions to erupt, and the Muslim community as a whole became a scapegoat for the anger of the Christian nation.
On a less intense level, othering occurs every day between the rich and the poor, among different races, genders, and political parties. It happens whenever we use the words "us" and "them," and can lead to terrible things which the antagonizing group believes are completely justifiable. It does not only occur in the dominate group; a poor person can just as easily form an opinion about all rich people as a rich person can form an opinion about all poor people.
Source
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/02/07/world/africa/ap-af-central-african-republic.html?rref=world&module=Ribbon&version=origin®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=World&pgtype=article
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Topic: Religious and Ethnic Divisions
I will be following religious and ethnic divisions within and between countries this semester.
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