A race staffer and Ryan Hall present prizes to the first male finisher (time 16 minutes and some change) and the first female finisher (time 18 minutes and some change). The prizes were items donated by organizations who have rescued slaves and given them jobs making luggage tags, bags, and other things.

Sarah and Tay signed up for the Not For Sale newsletter after the race!

So hot and tired at the finish! But glad we did it!

Tay, me, and Sarah on our second lap!

Freedom Run!!

Today I ran the 5k Freedom Run: A race to end modern slavery. When I was looking at this history blog, I saw the post about it and my 2 friends (also on the NDNU soccer team) that were over at my apartment were interested in it. So Sarah Pahk, Taylor Snider, and I signed up. My friend, Kellen Coffis, and roommate, Marissa Martinez, also came to cheer us on today!

Registration started at 2, and the race started 3. There were a lot of people there to run the race, and there were a lot of people who volunteered to work the event. There was a cool photo story about some individual slaves, and how they were rescued. There was also stories of modern slavery and its occurrences all over the world today, including one from San Francisco, California. These exhibits were set up all along the walls of the elementary school so people who were registering or checking in could see them.

Before the race started Ryan Hall, an olympic marathon runner, spoke the whole group about his career in running and how this event allows him to use his talent to help other people. Then we all walked over to the starting line in silence to think about who we were running for and why we all came out there today.

There were people of all ages participating, some ran and some walked. Little kids walked with their parents, rode scooters, or rode in strollers. There was an elderly man running at his own pace, there was people running with their dogs. It was really cool. We ran 2 laps around the neighborhood the school is in. It was really hot, but people came of their homes to watch and cheer in support. One man even had his hose going and runners would run by to get sprayed and cool off.

After the race a representative from Not For Sale talked, quoting Adolf Hitler: "As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice," reminding us that it is not what you say that is important, but what you do. Actions speak louder than words. Although it may sound cliche, it is so very true. A few other people spoke, and we walked around to see the various organizations set up. I saw Tina, a woman from our group in Washington DC! It was very exciting, and she was so happy that I did the race. We signed the petition to end slavery in California, and called it a day.

Chapter 24: Accelerating Global Interaction

The maps on page 732 are really interesting, they kind of remind me of the map where it shows all the countries that European powers have colonized… except now its US military bases and a really unhealthy fast food restaurant that are “taking over” the world. I have always thought about the fact that the US has military bases all over the world, but allow no foreign military bases here on US soil. Last spring I actually went to 2 US Marine Corps bases on Okinawa, Japan (while visiting my boyfriend James, who was based over there).

Two things stood out to me, the handful of Japanese protestors outside the gates and the feeling that once I got on the base, I felt like I was back in the US. I completely understand why the bases are set up to be like the ones over here, because the marines stationed over there miss home. Once while walking to the beach (which were similar to Hawaii in terms of appearance, ocean life, and water temperature) there was a drill going on. It scared me at the time because I didn’t know there was a drill planned! There were “enemy” forced, dressed to resemble people from the middle east, hiding and set up in various buildings, and the marines were driving around in tanks looking for them, and occasionally shooting blanks at “enemies” who came out to ambush them. (Of course the whole thing stopped when my friend and I crossed the street in our beach attire… only slightly embarrassing!).

Whenever we would come of go from the base there were a small number of Japanese people who held signs and yelled (in Japanese, so I have no idea what they said) in protest at the presence of the base. I thought about what it would be like to have some other countries military based in California and what it would be like to hear their drills or see their military personnel on and off duty. Honestly, I think it would make me nervous and so I didn’t blame the few faithful protestors. I think fear is what keeps the government from allowing those foreign bases from setting up shop here, but then why do we think it is ok to do that in other countries? I realize the military is a complex and necessary thing, and I know I am coming at this issue from an empathetic civilian point of view. Also (sort of a side note), through dating a marine I have learned that I can “support the troops”- i.e. the individuals who serve our country, but not necessarily support the politics behind the military actions.

Anyway, so McDonald’s is everywhere! I knew that before actually seeing the map in the book, and I have always felt that is in not a good thing. McDonald’s is very “American.” Not just because it is everywhere in this country, but because the idea of compromising health or quality for fast, cheap food seems to have originated here and then spread. Now that I think about it, maybe it didn’t. Maybe other countries have their own version of fast food… well had. But the globalization of McDonald’s is very American and I still don’t like it.

One thing that has dominated the 20^th and 21^st century, which also plays a major role in global interaction, is the Internet. With things like Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter, people from all over the world can easily connect and talk to each other with the click of a button, for free! I wonder how many people have a facebook and how many different countries are represented. I bet I could find the answer to that too, from google or bing or something. After searching “how many people have facebook,” there are many different numbers that come up, from 10 million to 321.1 million in 2009. That brings up the fact there are is tons of information on line, as well as tons of “mis” information- wrong facts, illegitimate statistics, all kinds of trash. And yet, President Obama used facebook to his advantage to win the 2008 election.

I don’t even fully understand Twitter. I know that people can follow their favorite celebrities, professional athletes, and friends who can give live updates from their smart phone. But why, what is the point? Obviously this is not breaking news (although I am certain news channels have kept up with the times and tweet about live events). It’s about connection. With so much technology, people have this need to be connected to each other all the time. I read about some NBA basketball player who got in trouble for tweeting at half time! I have played sports my entire life, increasing the level of competition over the years, understanding that professional sports were the highest level. Since cell phones have been around, every coach I’ve had makes it very clear that if a phone even rings we are in trouble. And the players understand that games and practices deserve full focus and attention. So why would this NBA star even think it was ok to tweet in the middle of a game! I think it is absurd. If I was the coach I would be furious! When I coached a high school JV soccer team, I had a tough time pulling the girls away from their phone or pagers or whatever. A professional athlete should know better. And now there is a rule that you cannot tweet until after the team has met with the press; twitter could actually replace the need for them!

These technological creations (or whatever they are called) are new to me, and I am part of the tech generation. It concerns me that so many people would rather wait in line at 4 am and pay a minimum of $499 for the latest Apple gadget (the iPad) than spend the time or money on something that could benefit their community or the environment. The book even mentions the topic in the section discussing global environmentalism:

The globalization of environmentalism also disclosed sharp conflicts, particularly between the Global North and South. Both activists and governments in the developing countries have often felt that Northern initiatives to address atmospheric pollution and global warming would curtail their industrial development, leaving the North/South gap intact (p. 752).

It is a real tragedy that society today places a greater emphasis on personal gain and technological or industrial advances than the maintenance or conservation of the actual planet, environment, animals, and people who live on it. All of these facts will be history soon, and I imagine people will look back and see how wasteful we were as a society and find many mistakes to learn from, and hopefully it will not be too late.

Chapter 23: Independence and Development in the Global South

“What could be more natural than for people to seek to rule themselves” (p. 693).

I thought this idea was so simple yet some complex. Europeans have occupied every livable continent on this planet, seeming to literally take over the world. At the beginning of the 20^th century, a nation’s political power and validity as a world power was related to the land they held, including territories and colonial rule. Especially with the world wars, nationalism and the idea of freedom were growing in the hearts of people all over the world. Something had to give, because increasing demand for freedom was not silenced easily. How long can a small group of people really maintain power over large populations (as was the case in many parts of Asia and Africa)?

In order to maintain control over the people in the colonies, they were not allowed to be educated or hold a position of leadership, political or otherwise. The desire for a strong empire and nationalism is what build Europe, but now nationalism has spread outside of Europe to other colonies, nations, peoples, is bringing Europe down.

Chapter 22: The Rise and Fall of World Communism

“Communism is a social structure in which classes are abolished and property is commonly controlled, as well as a political philosophy and social movement that advocates and aims to create such a society.”

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism

“Communism is a social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.”

- < http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/communism>

“Communism is the doctrine of the conditions of the liberations of the proletariat. The proletariat is that class in society with lives entirely from the sale of its labor and does not draw profit from any kind of capital; whose weal and woe, whose life and death, whose sole existence depends on the demand for labor- hence, on the changing state of business, on the vagaries of unbridled competition. The proletariat, or the class of proletarians, is, in a word, the working class of the 19^th century.”

- < http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm>

I feel a little embarrassed to say this, but I have never understood communism very well. I remember in high school some kids could talk about it for what seemed like forever, and I was just uninterested. Not uninterested in history, but uninterested in the off-topic rants my classmates felt were necessary to interrupt class with.

Anyway, I thought these definitions were helpful and when I found the last one interesting because the connotation is so much different. It makes it sounds like communism is the hero of political parties, freeing people whose only purpose is to work. This last definition does not mention the general control of money and land to make sure that all people are equal in every aspect of social economics.

While I consider myself patriotic, I am not blind to the problems with our country and government. There was a comment made in class about nationalism and the US military actions in Iraq. I don’t think the post-9/11 nationalism is what led to the war with Iraq. I do think it influenced, or at least had the power to influence, the government’s decision to engage with Afghanistan. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the US entered WWII, but there was also a mission specifically designated to attack Japan as a military strategy and as retaliation for the death and destruction caused on December 7, 1941. When there is an attack on American soil, I think it makes the entire nation “take it personally.” So 9/11 was similar (although the entire world was not at war) because it was the most deadly attack on US ground. How can we not take it personally? The government then decided to go to war with those suspected to be involved, in Afghanistan.

The nationalism that developed so strongly and so quickly after the attacks was appropriate (although my opinion may be biased) because it showed that Americans felt sorrow, empathy, and anger for those who were killed. Family friends were working for the New York City Fire Department at the time; the closest of them, Brogan Healy, grew up in Santa Cruz and 9/11/01 was his first day with FDNY as a full-time professional firefighter. Both survived that day, but Lt. Tommy Roberts passed away earlier this year from lung cancer and complications from upper respiratory disease caused from the debris and working at ground zero.

After 9/11 I can remember my family, neighbors, and friends being more patriotic- I think we all remember the American flags being flown everything and stickers on cars! But I remember people saying that we deserved it, a Capitalist nation finally getting pay back for how we treat our citizens and other nations. I remember one classmate, David, advocating communism and saying how the attacks wouldn’t have happened if this were a communist country. I was deeply offended by these remarks. I felt that by saying that, David was demeaning the country, the attacks, and the people that died innocently. Clearly he was talking about the government, but because I took the attacks so personally (as did many other Americans) his words about the politics of it all made me so mad.

Another comment in class was about President Obama’s healthcare plan and it containing hints of communism. Because the plan makes healthcare more affordable and accessible to so many more people it is creating a safety net, in some ways. According to MSNBC, the number of uninsured Americans has grown to over 32 million, leaving so many people uncomfortably close to financial ruin- it only takes one medical emergency, illness, or disease to rack up a medical bill bigger than s skyscraper. Then people cannot pay off the medical bills, they go into financial ruin, loose their jobs, and then depend on the government for assistance. It makes sense to have a safety net, I can understand why it can be seen as communist, but so what. Even if it is a “communist” idea, it is still a good idea. I know that paying for this bill will probably be a nightmare for our country, but it makes sense to take care of our people.

The end of the chapter talks about the end of communism: “More rapidly than its beginning, and far more peacefully, the communist era came to an end during the last two decades of the 20^th century” (p. 681). I think it is way to early to make claims that communism is over. There are still communist nations today, like Cuba, North Korea, China, and others. And these nations are not regarded as “friends” or “allies” with the US. Plus, the fact that people are calling Obama a communist, and saying it as a negative thing, proves that communism is still an issue. People don’t like the idea, they don’t want it as their government, and they see it existing today, which is why they have that fear. The cold war might be over, but communism is not gone. At least not gone enough to write about it in history books.

Chapter 21: The Collapse and Recovery of Europe

It was early summer 1914 when the war started, and everyone said we would be home by Christmas. I left to fight on the Western Front in October, and I sure as hell was not home Christmas. I was 19 fighting with the 1/5^th battalion of the Black Watch.

When Christmas came I found myself hunkered down in the trenches, miserable. It was snowy, cold, and pointless because no one would fight tonight. I stuck my head just above ground to check on the Germans, also burrowing deep in the trenches. I saw soft glowing light, a thin line following the curve of their trench. I stood up in awe, they were candles! Then I heard singing, it was in German but I didn’t know what the words meant. I thought to myself, “Is this real?” I was stunned when guys from my own unit started singing Christmas carols! I was speechless, but soon joined in the celebration. Christmas greetings were even being shouted across no-man’s land, as if we were not in the middle of a bloody battle.

As the unbelievable night went on, continuing the “pause on fighting” a few German soldiers made their way over to our side. While the exchange was peaceful, it was also tense. What is to stop these enemy soldiers from turning on us at any time? Well, ‘tis the season because we traded little “gifts” and trinkets. I traded tobacco for a pair of clean socks. My buddy traded buttons with a German soldier! He said his son wouldn’t believe this story and I didn’t argue. I could barely believe it myself.

It was not all so happy as that however, and soon we took advantage of this temporary cease-fire to bring our own wounded men back to our side. There we were walking around, not 3 steps from our ‘enemy’ each of us sober in our duties of collecting the dead from the hallowed middle ground.

The truce last through the night and even the next day. No one knew how long we would be safe mingling with those Germans, so when morning came none of us moved. The war picked up again, and continued as if nothing had ever happened. When I think back now I realize how important that truce was, we were not war machines designed to fight through anything. We were just boys trying to survive the winter. Humans taking a break from some ridiculous fight we were not directly related to, humans relating to the sorrows and hardships of war.

These days, I don’t think anything like that would ever happen again. It saddens me the state of affairs this world is in today. People told me that I fought in “the war to end all wars,” but how can they say this with so many wars and people fighting every day? And now children, young children, are being taken from their families and forced to fight like men. At 19 I saw many things I thought I would never see again, but these boys are 8,9, maybe 10 years old witnessing and being brainwashed to participate in nightmares I couldn’t dream of. I fought my war, but I was lucky enough to live my life after. I hope the young people today are as lucky I was to experience life after destruction.

-Alfred Anderson

I thought this chapter was interesting and loved reading it because I have always had a fascination with this century and World War II especially. My grandmother is 94 and was born in 1916, in the middle of World War 1. I have often tried to imagine life through her eyes, the wars, the technological advances, the social trends, all the changes she has witnessed. Her brother was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked early Sunday morning on December 7, 1941. One of my favorite things is talking to her about the way life used to be. I ask her what it was like during the Great Depression, WWII, and other historical events during history as I have learned about them throughout school. She told me her father was one of the lucky ones because he kept his job during the Great Depression, but she remembers men in business suits selling apples on the corner. Her family would buy from them to help them out, she said it was their duty, the least they could do.

The detail of this chapter is a little disappointing but completely understandable because they cover SO many events that it would be hard to elaborate without making the chapter as long as the book. I am just realizing now that the other chapters must be the same, that each story must go into great detail and intimacy but this book is just a summary of them. I know the most about this chapter of history, and that is why I am aware of the great deal of information that was not included but I don’t know as much about the earlier history of the world, which is why it didn’t occur to me, I think.

At the same time, I think most people will argue that from 1900-2000 the world experienced a tremendous amount of change, probably more so during this time than another other century. The style of warfare changed dramatically- when from face to face combat with swords and some guns to being completely removed, dropping bombs and fighting with the help video surveillance. Cars, television, computers, cell phones, things we take for granted today was either non-existent or much more primitive at the beginning of the century, and medical advances are in a league of their own! I don’t think there is another era where the world has changed so much.

(DGP) Chapter 7: Hawaii’s Last Queen on American Annexation

Annex: (1) to add to something earlier, larger, or more important, (2) to incorporate (a country or other territory) within the domain of a state, (3) to obtain or take for oneself

-Merriam-Webster

In January 1893, a group of Americans and Europeans established a “Committee of Safety” whose intention was to overthrow the kingdom of Hawaii and achieve American annexation. Why? Because they were concerned for the safety and property of American citizens. So the US Marines and Navy from ships in the Honolulu Harbor went to shore claiming to be neutral and be there only to prevent possible violence. However, the very presence of those US military forces prevented the Kingdom of Hawaii from any chance of defending themselves physically or politically.

Queen Lili’uokalani (the last Queen of Hawaii) temporarily gave up her power to the US military and government, thinking that the political rights would eventually be restore to the Hawaiians. Although the queen seemingly had no choice but to relinquish her crown, she could have resisted the take over with what little enforcements they had. I wonder though if she really thought after discussion that the US would give her back the title and power of ruler of Hawaii or it was wishful thinking. The US was clearly the stronger power, so it seems ridiculous that they, along with the Europeans, felt threatened by Hawaii.

In her plea to the US government, the queen describes how the more recent Hawaiian natives are less “savage” and much more influenced by Christianity and foreign missionaries. Her plan is to show the US that the Hawaiians have pretty much gone along with whatever was forced on them, sadly giving up many native religious traditions to follow new influences. When she asks, “Is the American Republic of the States to degenerate, and become a colonizer and land-grabber?” (p 213) she draws upon the savageness of the US, making them seem like the monster. Before Hawaii, the US had been colonizing and taking land from other territories (i.e. Native Americans) but instead of pointing out those negative aspects, the queen gives the US an opportunity to look good and say no…

She also focuses on nationalism and Christianity, two things America was well known for: “Quite as warmly as you love your country, they love theirs… The people to whom your fathers told of the living God […] are crying aloud to Him in their time of trouble; and He will keep His promise, and will listen to the voices of His Hawaiian children lamenting for their homes” (p 213). This statement shows the intelligence and elegance of the queen, and her cunning to fight the US with its own motto! She is arguing that the US has taught the Hawaiian people to be civil, spreading Christianity and the knowledge that God will help those in need. Her plea is honest, intellectual, rational, and cunning- it is very sad that nothing came of it.

Chapter 17: Atlantic Revolutions and Their Echoes

Although the first to spark a series of revolutions, the American Revolution was different because of reason, “it originated in an effort t preserve the existing liberties of the colonies rather than to create new ones” (p 502). Nothing about the word ‘revolution’ sounds conservative. I had always thought of the American Revolution as a radical demand for freedom, with the idea that the colonies were deeply dependent on Britain but ultimately oppressed and confined by its policies from across the pond. I never considered the fact that the colonies were fairly self-sufficient and essentially self-governed although regulated from across the world. So the idea that the American Revolution was actually a conservative act was new to me.

Democracy came easy and naturally for the Unites States, but that is not true of other nations. I think the US sometimes tries to force democracy on other nations, like Iraq for example. The war in Iraq was not a revolution per say, but it sort of looked like one. Of course, the Bush administration started the war on the false idea that Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction. Anyway... it was like America came in, thinking that Iraqi people wanted freedom and revolution, and took out the leader. However, no one really planned for what to do after that. It was not the American colonies, where democracy was already developing before liberation from Britain. Iraq was not used to democracy, it was not like the American Revolution, where we take away Britain (Saddam Hussein) and the colonies (Iraq) continues to govern themselves… it was total chaos. “ ‘Liberty,’ noted Simon Bolivar, ‘is a succulent morsel, but one difficult to digest” (p 501). Freedom from Saddam Hussein was probably a good thing overall, however after a dictatorship freedom came through Iraq like a tornado stirring up a lot of wild emotions and actions.

It is so interesting to read about the succession of revolutions. It makes the world, which is so big and spacious, seems more tightly connected. The Declaration of Independence gave people the ‘right to revolution’ and started a domino affect of revolts against governments across the world. Although America was founded on this idea that people have a right to revolution, I wonder what would happen if something like a revolution happened today. Now that the country is established, and has a number of imperfections, would citizens be allowed to rise up and make a change? Not necessarily break free from government, but for reform- to change the way the government is run. Or if a revolution started in another country, would it have the same affect as the American Revolution? There is certainly room for change in many countries today, but do people have the same power they had in the late 1700s to spark a transformation?

Chapter 18: Revolutions of Industry

In the intro of part 5 and the discussion of Eurocentrism, it is interesting to learn that Europe did become the hub of activity in the world at that time. I never even thought about the fact that the “far east” and “middle east” can only be considered that when compared (in location) to Europe. This sentence also stuck out to me: “Even though the European moment operated on a genuinely global scale, Western people have enjoyed their worldwide primacy for at most two centuries” (p 493). The people have enjoyed their time on top, not competed for it, worked for it, sacrificed for it, but enjoyed it. Perhaps this attitude is why, in general, the western world thinks so highly of themselves. It’s as if everything was handed to them, and in a way it kind of was.

Chapter 18 talks about how the industrial revolution just sort of happened to start in Europe. Europe was not “ahead of the game,” but rather even with Asia and other areas economically speaking. Once the revolution started, of course Europeans kicked into high gear and start pumping out machinery, steam engines, all kinds of things to give them the upper hand in the industrial world. But it started out relatively even. Britain is where it all began, if we were to pin point a country. The “many small and highly competitive states [of Europe], […] arguably provided an ‘insurance against economical and technological stagnation” (p 530) and that competition is what drove industrial development. Britain, in comparison to the geographical size of China, the Ottoman Empire, and Mughal Empire (which were less successful in terms of industrial revolution), is small. Did the industrial revolution start because here because there was a very large population competing in a relatively small vicinity for efficient and marketable commerce?

I also thought how interesting it was that with the increase of industry came to increased separation of class in Europe. It makes sense I suppose, but when does it stop? Because the world is still ruled by industry, it always has been, but I mean the highly competitive, dog-eat-dog, steal ideas or patents from your best friend industry. And economic separation is as evident as ever, within one country AND on a country-to-country basis. Look at technology, the iPad. Really? Do people really need portable touch screen computers? No wonder people don’t care about HUMAN issues, like human trafficking, global warming that is destroying the one planet we can live on... They are too busy googling Britney Spears’ latest hair cut, or Pat Roberson’s newest take on why an earthquake hit Haiti. And only people from certain social classes, or from certain countries will be able to buy something like this.

My grandmother is 94 years old and I like talking to her about her life. I think it was 2 years ago now that I showed her my iPod. She looked at me, laughed, and said, “Where does the music come from?” I think about all the things she has seen in her lifetime, and it blows my mind- I can only imagine what its like for her! The technological advances in my lifetime alone are astonishing and overwhelming. Honestly, technology and the drive for the next new thing kind of scare me. You can genetically engineer your kid to be whatever you want, you can have a portable touch screen computer, I don’t even know what else! I want a career in healthcare, and yes technology has made it possible to save so many lives and so many wonderful things. But now it is creating so many moral issues and there is a real concern that people could start to “play God.” Technology stressed me out; it is good and bad all at once.

Back to the reading, I have just one last thought to discuss. In the section about middle class, one seemingly innocent yet slightly offensive phrase could easily have gone unnoticed, much like its subject did in history at this time: “wives, though clearly subordinate, worked productively alongside their husbands” (p537). The definition of subordinate: lower than somebody in rank or status, secondary in importance. After briefly discussing the home-maker role of the women in middle class, this phrase is thrown in there like “Oh, by the way, women worked just like men (in addition to many duties in the home) but they are female, so who cares.” While I cannot take this idea personally, it is still so discouraging that women were thought so little of. Here it is saying they had many responsibilities at home, and then also worked right beside their husbands- meaning they are actually doing more work than the men (!!), and getting no credit, no reward, no recognition from their family, government, or society (at that time).

Chapter 16: Science and Religion

The introduction to Chapter 16, talking about teaching religion in schools today caught my attention. While I do believe in the separation of church and state, I think sometimes people are too sensitive about the subject of Christianity in school. What I mean is, the Europeans who came over to North America were expanding and colonizing with Christianity in mind, a driving force even. So today, Christianity should be discussed when learning about the formation of America. Do not preach Christianity, teach Christianity. We learn about many religions in school why shouldn’t we learn that Christian missionaries played a huge role in the expansion of America?

I was talking with some friends over the weekend about religion. I don’t know why but I have remembered Martin Luther and his 95 Theses in 1517 since the first time I read about it back in 7^th grade. I admire the fact that he challenged something he didn’t believe in, especially because I am Catholic and am glad some one called them out on their wildly inappropriate abuse of power and corruption. I think it is interesting that his questioning then evolved into a whole separate religion. And this is where our friendly discussion began.

Do people believe in God or religion? I identify with the Catholic religion, but at the same time I think religion is so weird. Like Martin Luther, some one essentially made up each religion. Luther protested Catholicism, and this Protestantism was born. It is right there in the name, the religion is based on Catholicism but modified after questions, protests arose. It is some one’s interpretation of the bible, or other primary sources. But why does that determine what I believe in? Do I have to believe in some one’s interpretation? Or can I have my own? I think if people believe in God, they should believe in God and not necessarily a church or religion- until they learn more about it. This is all hard for me to articulate, I don’t know if having questions makes me “un-Catholic” or what. All I know is that I believe in God, I was baptized Catholic as a child, but I do not believe in everything mandated by Catholicism. For example, in the Bible it is said that faith the size of a mustard seed defines a relationship with God and that to get into Heaven all you have to do is have that faith. I don’t believe in purgatory, because if you believe in God, you will go to Heaven. People talk about murderers on death row and how they claim they believe in God right before they die so they will go to Heaven. That is not for us to judge, if they do then great. But if they believe in a desire for salvation and not truly in God, that is between him and God. 

“Throughout the modern era, people solidly rooted in Confucianism, Buddhist, Hindu, or Islamic traditions proved far more resistant to the Christian message than those who practiced more localized, small-scale, orally based polytheistic religions” (p 468).  It makes sense that orally based religions were not as strongly upheld, however it is tragic that so many traditions were lost. Europeans and Christianity totally overpowered the natives and native cultures. Ever since those early days, it seems like Europeans and new Americans have taken that to heart and continue to overwhelm cultures and religions that are different. One small positive is that some native traditions were sometimes absorbed into Christianity in that area: “In such ways did Christianity take root in the new cultural environments of Spanish American, but it was distinctly Andean or Mexican Christianity, not merely a copy of the Spanish version” (p 470). Whether it was an attempt to resist Christianity or an honest infusion of new beliefs with old ones, each culture contributed some customs their new Christian life.

Sometimes I wonder where each religion came from, because so many of them have strong similarities that it almost seems like one religion was morphed into a unique sect based on the culture in which it developed. Maybe that is my own naïve, please-everybody delusion but if more people realized the similarities don’t you think we could reduce the conflict and discrimination (at least between religions).  I love science and believe science and religion can be related, but I am stumped when it comes to arguing for one over the other and generally try to avoid that discussion at all costs!

I have some knowledge about human trafficking and the sex trade in Asia, but I know that it only scratches the surface of the industry. The article doesn’t begin to uncover the horrific truths of the sex trade and I can only imagine how many people have no idea that this tragedy continues every day. The lack of awareness, globally and locally in Asia, of this issue is the industry’s greatest advantage. If the families and the girls don’t know the risks how can they begin to protect themselves? If people all over the world don’t know about the sex trade, how can we fight to stop it? 

The fact that the country has these areas of extreme poverty and the lack of police force to protect the people and the borders indicates that something needs to change in the government. It is disgusting that parents sell their daughters for thousands of dollars, but it is hard for us to understand what life has to be like to resort to selling a child into a life of sexual violence. 

While people in other countries have virtually no control of the foreign governments, we all have an obligation to help. Simply learning and talking about the sex trade is a start. Education is power, and it is the first step in taking action against this horrible situation. Organizations like Pacific Links Foundation, the Catalyst Foundation, etc, grab my attention and inspire me to get involved, especially with locations so close here in the bay area.