PORTFOLIO ENTRY #20

A FEMINIST WORLD 

This poem is considered "feminist" because it represents the ability of a woman to be extraordinary and remarkable among others. It shows that, although women are founded in the notion of lack (lack of male equipment), women are able to have a place in society and have the same rights as men have. A woman in this poem is represented as someone who can work and survive for her life by the strength she has. Also, the poem emphasizes the idea that women can be successful not by using her external beauty but by using much beyond her outer appearance.

               We Should All Be Feminists

We Should All Be Feminists is a personal, eloquently-argued essay – adapted from the much-viewed Tedx talk of the same name – by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

‘My own definition of a feminist is a man or a woman who says, yes, there is a problem with gender as it is today and we must fix it, we must do better. all of us, women and men, must do better.’

This essay has never been more relevant, important or necessary. It is a wonderful introduction to feminism and its growing purpose in today's society. however, it is just an introduction, as the brief length only allows for Adichie to concisely outline what feminism is and why it is important. but the topic itself is one that could fill tomes. and i have never read a statement that so efficiently and passionately describes the struggle for gender equality.

This book is a call to action, one that every human should be willing to answer.

The message behind this video is clear: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Despite all of the abuses and difficult situations Madonna had to deal with troughout her life, she managed to leave them all behind and become stronger day by day. "I wasn't alone", she explains, "I have many people who I have to say Thank You here". There are no magic solutions to our problems. The only cure is self believe. Our talents are gifts from God which are sent to us with a purpose. We have to take advantage of them in life, especially at difficult times. The good thing is that everything teaches us a lesson, good or bad, but something to carry on for the rest of our life.

PORTFOLIO ENTRY #19

"The fall of the Berlin Wall and the Multiplication of Western Walls"     

About James Petras

James Petras is a Bartle Professor (Emeritus) of Sociology at Binghamton University, New York.

He is the author of more than 62 books published in 29 languages, and over 600 articles in professional journals, including the American Sociological Review, British Journal of Sociology, Social Research, and Journal of Peasant Studies. He has published over 2000 articles in nonprofessional journals such as the New York Times, the Guardian, the Nation, Christian Science Monitor, Foreign Policy, New Left Review, Partisan Review, TempsModerne, Le Monde Diplomatique, and his commentary is widely carried on the internet.

His publishers have included Random House, John Wiley, Westview, Routledge, Macmillan, Verso, Zed Books and Pluto Books. He is winner of the Career of Distinguished Service Award from the American Sociological Association’s Marxist Sociology Section, the Robert Kenny Award for Best Book, 2002, and the Best Dissertation, Western Political Science Association in 1968. His most recent titles include Unmasking Globalization: Imperialism of the Twenty-First Century (2001); co-author The Dynamics of Social Change in Latin America (2000), System in Crisis (2003), co-author Social Movements and State Power (2003), co-author Empire With Imperialism (2005), co-author)Multinationals on Trial (2006).

He has a long history of commitment to social justice, working in particular with the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement for 11 years. In 1973-76 he was a member of the Bertrand Russell Tribunal on Repression in Latin America. He writes a monthly column for the Mexican newspaper, La Jornada, and previously, for the Spanish daily, El Mundo. He received his B.A. from Boston University and Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

KEY CONCEPTS FROM THE PAPER.

NATO

NATO is an alliance of countries from Europe and North America. It provides a unique link between these two continents, enabling them to consult and cooperate in the field of defence and security, and conduct multinational crisis-management operations together.

LEGAL WALLS

Many refugees who flee the war zones crash up against the European ‘legal walls’ –immigration restrictions, concentration camps and prolonged detentions.

BAD WALLS 

Walls that protect Communist, nationalist or leftist regimes are repressive, dehumanizing and must fall


GOOD WALLS
Walls that keep out victims of imperialist wars are progressive and necessary for ‘national security

PORTFOLIO ENTRY #18.3

CLASS DIVIDE
WORK IN PROgrESS

PORTFOLIO ENTRY #18.2

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD ABOUT ALL THESE FENCES?

Sadly, walls are built for much the same set of reasons as ancient walls. We have defense walls against external threats of terrorism and infiltration by insurgents. There are walls that separate conflicting cultures and religions, walls that establish ownership of land, barriers that regulate trade, and fences that restrict migration of civilians. The attributes of walls have changed from earthwork, bricks and masonry to sophisticated structures that include concrete, razor wire, sensors, personnel, dogs, infrared equipment, patrol vehicles, drones, helicopters, planes and satellites. There are additional invisible walls made of legal and digital barriers to restrict the movement of goods and people, and maritime systems to detect unauthorized boats.

Like ancient walls, modern ‘security walls’ are only partially successful in accomplishing their goals. No physical barrier can provide effective protection against homegrown terrorists and modern weapons. No fortification can stop migrants who arrive by air and sea. No wall will reduce the drug flow when most of it crosses the border through legal entry points. More than ever before, walls today are politically motivated, reflecting signaling behavior by governments who wish to appear tough on immigration, and serving the interests of defense industries that stand to benefit from the projects. Economic literature overwhelmingly suggests that policies of more open borders, with less restrictive migration and trade, benefit domestic citizens more than walls. Economic policies are also more effective than walls in dealing with illegal trade and trafficking, while diplomacy is more effective than walls in addressing security. Ignoring rational economic thinking over populist politics comes at a price, a loss in well-being.