Post a reflection or comment or summary of key arguments found in the film in 100to 250 words.
http://alongthefenceline.com/
http://alongthefenceline.com/
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 8:44 AM
Monday, April 25, 2011
About Me
- Name: Professor Wanda's Posse
- Location: College of Alameda, Alameda, CA, United States
I have a Master's Degree from the University of San Francisco in Writing, and an undergraduate degree from Holy Names College in Humanistic Studies. I write a weekly column for a local newspaper, San Francisco Bay View. I also have an Internet Radio Show: Wanda's Picks http://wwww.blogtalkradio.com/wandas-picks
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23 Comments:
Eman Obad
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
25 April 2011
Reflection on the film: Living along the Fence Line.
In class today we watched a documentary about seven women living their lives alongside U.S Army bases. I never thought that living near an army base was so harmful. But in this film women spoke out about the hazards and the abuse caused by these Army bases. From cancer to rape to contaminated creeks, these US bases have caused a lot of tragic things to occur. I was shocked when I watched this film because these stories are never on the news. It's cruel and unjust that these US soldiers and these army bases are committing these crimes not only to women but to the environment. I mean isn't the US army supposed to be protecting our country? Yet in Texas their dumping hazardous waste in creeks. A lot of people were exposed to those toxins and most of them have cancer.I liked this film and I just hope these people the best.
Stacey Kidder
Professor Sabir
English 1A 9-9:50am
25 April 2011
Though I couldn't be in class to watch this video, I read up on all that I could about it, and must say it is quite fascinating to see a different perspective of things. The military is always shown is such a strong, courageous, uplifting way (besides the downside of those who are in possibly being killed), but here, you can see from each of the women that there is some serious aftermath from the military's doings that have a drastic impact on the locals of where they do it. The fact that they contaminate places, whether it be through water or through soil, or through the attitudes or actions of the soldiers, it's amazing to know how much is kept away from the eyes and ears of Americans. Am I thankful that there are men and women who fight for our rights on the frontline? Yes, of course I am thankful. But I also know that it isn't as saint-like as they make it out to be. It's not bad enough that war or military means death for many on either side, but for the dramatic effect on the community, it's far more grey. I suppose everything has a price, but just how much is too much? The government isn't the people's, it's a body of people that want power for themselves, and do not care about the outcome of the nation around them, or the people in the other countries in which they put their bases. Greed is what I would call it. It's sad, despicable, and the reality for thousands upon thousands. But I suppose one could argue and say that the price is far lower than the possibility of wars, and other "worse" hands getting technology that we need first, etc. It's all part of being a human. We are greedy, careless individuals sometimes.
Zinaida Dzhilavdaryan
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1 A
25 April 2011
Film reflection
Today, during our English class we watched video about US Military Bases. Video highlighted all the damages caused to Military workers and local people. The biggest problems are cancer caused by chemicals used in Military and rapes of local women by US soldiers. The countries profiled were Philippines, South Korea, Guam, and others. Some non-profit organizations are dealing today with Military Base issues. Most of these organizations consist of women. In Philippines, for example, women visit night clubs and talk to young girls about all outcomes of prostitution, in Guam people try to speak up and inform locals about chemicals and high risk of cancer in areas next to Military Bases. It is sad that people have to suffer from brutality and inhumanity even during peaceful times. I think that the government should take responsibility for its soldiers. And soldiers who spread violence and abuse among local people should be prosecuted under the law, and punishment should be severe, because they represent the whole country. By raping women American soldier not only disgrace his name, he disgrace his country.
Julie Phoukeo
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8AM
25 April 2011
Reflection on the film: Living along the fence line
After watching the films I was shocked by the US military of their action that is defending our country. The films took place in different countries like Texas, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Okinawa of Japan and some other countries. It’s about seven women from different countries one of the problems was cancer caused by the US military bases. For example, in Texas a Mexican American teen found out that many of her neighbors have cancer caused by a creek which is extremely polluted near the base. Other violent problems caused by a two US soldiers in Okinawa who kidnapped and raped a young little girl who was coming home from school. There is no excuse for anybody to rape anybody else.
Cody Henneman
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8:00am
April 26, 2011
Reflection to Living Along the Fenceline
In the film, the key point that was trying to be made was that military bases degrade the life around them, both socially and ecologically. Although people tend to believe that the American Military bases are a good thing because they protect the world from evil. However, this is not the case, not entirely at least. Because of the fact that these bases produce a massive amount of waste, the ecosystems that were once pure and clean are now contaminated and dirty. Also harmful health issues arise with the horrific treatment of the environment. In Puerto Rico, the Cancer rate is over 10000% higher than it is in the United States. The environment takes a hard blow from these bases all over the world. It can even be said that the United States is the reason for global warming and the destruction of many extinct ecosystems.
Andrew Duong
Professor Sabir
English 1A
27 March 2011
Reflection on: Living Along the Fenceline
This film focused mainly on American military bases around the world. It is told by several females who are directly affected by the actions of these bases. Problems exist both environmentally and socially as these people try to show the audience the real picture behind these bases. One of the main problem is the rape that occurs between US soldiers and civilians of each country such as Japan and the Philippines. It never actually occurred to me that US bases in other countries would ever be harmful to the social environment until I watched this video. Military bases were built in specific places for a reason, but rape, prostitution, and pollution should not be one of them. But in the end, there's always a downside to everything.
Tyler Mecozzi
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8a.m.
27 April 2011
Along the Fence Line argues that U.S. military bases are toxic to the communities they are installed in. They use personal stories, from women in the communities, to support this claim. These communities range from Texas, Puerto Rico, Hawai’i, Guam, the Philippines, Korea, and Okinawa. It seems that most of the world has been affected by our military bases; Along the Fence Line claims they have been affected for the worse.
The toxic effects of the military bases in the communities include the contamination of water, high cancer rates among the people, rape and coerced prostitution, and land reprimanded from the people who live there. The communities, especially women, have banned together in hope of fending off these installations from their communities. Some have been successful and hopes are high for others.
Jeffrey To
Professor Wander Saibr
English 1A 8-9Am
27 April 2011
The film along the fence line was informative and new. I always thought Military bases in a community would be a good thing because it would make the community look safer. I did not know having a military base in a community could a lot of toxic waste in the community and damaging people’s health and the natural environment. Watching the film, I learn having a military bases can cause a negative impact on the community. The toxic waste affects the people by exposing the public with hazardous chemicals that can cause mutation in their body increasing the chance of cancer or healthy problems. Toxic chemicals from the military bases danger natural resources by killing plants and polluting water in nearby lakes and rivers. The toxic can harm people and could cause death as well.
Carolina Ramirez
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8:00 AM
April 26,2011
Reflection on:Living Along the Fence Line
The point of the film was to show the viewers how harmful military bases really are. The film took us into the lives of seven different women who have been affected by military bases being stationed by their homes. We learned that military bases not only devastate land but also are highly toxic, and can cause caner, and not only that, but that the soilders take advantage of the women in the areas where they are stationed either by force or will. They promote illicit jobs like prostitution, and ruin territories outside of the United States. Even though the military bases have devastated the women either physically or spiritually they have been able to survive their loss and tried to help others so that they don't go through the same situation.
Throughout the international community the United States government has installed military bases. Communities located near these bases often struggle with a steady stream of problems. San Antonio, Texas; Olanggabo, Phillipines; Guam and Vieques, Puerto Rico are just a few of the places that experience these effects. Military installations adversely affect surrounding communities through their physical and social toxicity, In short, military bases are toxic.
Adrieanna Williams
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8 o'clock
In the film Living Along the Fence Line we are introduced to women across the globe who are deal with the negative effects of living near U.S. military bases The women in this film not only deal with the physical toxins near U.S. Military Bases but also psychological and environmental toxins. The military bases featured in this film are toxic. The toll that these military bases take on communities is ignificant. The communities that live around these bases are often plagued with sickness and a fear of the U.S. Military. In the film Yumi Tomia describes how she was kidnapped and raped by U.S. Solders. She never told anyone what happened to her. Another example of how the U.S. Military contributes to the toxicity of communities is they constantly release toxic chemical s in the water and air. Many people die of cancer or other ailments caused by the contamination. Many of the women in the film formed orginizations to figh the toxins produced from the bases. These women have become leaders in their communitues.
Ronald Parker
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8:00 AM
26 April 2011
Reflection on:Living Along the Fence Line
This film focused mainly on American military bases around the world. It is told by several females who are directly affected by the actions of these bases. Problems exist both environmentally and socially as these people try to show the audience the real picture behind these bases. One of the main problem is the rape that occurs between US soldiers and civilians of each country such as Japan and the Philippines. It never actually occurred to me that US bases in other countries would ever be harmful to the social environment until I watched this video. Military bases were built in specific places for a reason, but rape, prostitution, and pollution should not be one of them. But in the end, there's always a downside to everything.
Zinaida Dzhilavdaryan, Vanessa Rocha, Reagan Lolo, Mulugeta Mahray
Professor Sabir
English 1A – 8AM
27 April 2011
Contaminated Communities
The United States military is deployed in over 135 countries worldwide. While military is essential part of our economy and national security, the result of its activity is damaging lives of people living next to it. Military bases have a big effect on lives of local people, and the main concern of the community is intoxication of the environment. All these cause high rate of cancer in these areas. The film Living Along the Fence line, directed by Lina Hoshino, profiled stories of seven women from different countries to show how Military Bases affect the lives of these people.
In San Antonio, Texas, a lot of people were exposed to toxic elements. As a result most of those living next to Military bases died from cancer. Diana Lopez is a young girl from San Antonio who always wanted to be a pilot, until she found out about the pollution caused by Military base. Another example is the story of Zaida Torres from Puerto Rico. Some of her family members passed away from cancer, because the island was contaminated after US Navy used part of it as a bombing range. People living in Guam and Hawaii also suffer from cancer caused by contamination due to military activities.
Most of the people profiled in the film proved the Military bases are toxic in multiple ways. For people living in the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan, military bases are psychologically and socially toxic. US bases often surrounded by bars and night clubs, and soldiers are the main customers of prostitutes. It enhances sex trafficking and prostitution in these areas. Yumi Tomita from Japan speaks up of her assault by a US soldier. She was raped at the age of 12. Alma Bulawan from the Philippines leads an organization that prevents young women from prostitution and helps those who want to change their life. Sumi Park from South Korea provides services for women who work in bars around US bases.
Instead of helping and providing safety, US military brings more suffering to those communities. Courageous women, profiled in the film, overcame negative impacts of US military presence by starting organizations to help people who are physically and physiologically affected. All these women are entrepreneurs who work to prevent violence, abuse, and they also speak up to introduce this problem to the international audience.
Works Cited
Perf. Alma Bulawan, Diana Lopez, Lisa Natividad, Sumi Park, Terri Keko’olani Raymond, Zaida Torres, Yumi Tomita. DVD. Many Threads, Women for Genuine Security, 2011.
Andrew Duong
Dereje Bizuneh
Summer Hurst
Stacey Kidder
Professor Sabir
English 1A 9-9:50am
27 April 2011
Toxic Military Bases
In the film, Living Along the Fence Line, one learns about women and their hardships living around U.S military bases. It takes us deep into several small communities to discover the other side of these bases. The audience finds out that most of these bases are toxic and causes harm to the community, both physically and emotionally. Two women, Diane Lopez and Zaida Torres, explain their side of the story of what the U.S. military really brings when they plot one of their bases in a land not their own.
Diana Lopez, a young Mexican-American, who lives in San Antonio, Texas dreams about becoming an Air Force pilot. She begins to reconsider when she learns of a contaminated creek that causes cancer among her neighbors. Her life’s goal is shattered once she finds out about the misconceptions that have long directed her to believe that the military base was there to promote well-being and safety. The outcomes of the lives around her are damaged by not only the cancer, but the fear that more cancer will develop, and that no one is safe from it.
A seamstress by the name of Zaida Torres living in Vieques, Puerto Rico has a history of family members dying of cancer, due to the last sixty years of bombing practices. It becomes challenging to clean up the remaining debris and contamination. She manages an organization to generate income which would improve the lives of cancer patients. Sadly, despite how much good comes from her efforts, there is not nearly enough to completely rid the community of the impurities left by the military. As long as there are still trace amounts of debris, the battle for many against cancer and illness will continue.
There are many U.S military bases around the world that are dangerous and pose a threat to society. These two women are good examples of activists who want to improve their communities. These bases need to be held accountable for their actions. The problem is that no one knows who will readily take the blame for these issues since the U.S. military does its best to deceive the world into thinking that what they do is acceptable. When will these people find some sort of justice?
Work Cited
Living Along the Fenceline. Lina Hoshino. Narr. Deborah Lee. Many Threads, Women for
Genuine Security, 2011.
David Guzman
Vanessa Dilworth
Morgan Laporte
Kaijie Zhang
Professor Sabir
English 1A 9 a.m.
27 April 2011
The Negative Effect of Military Bases Around the World
The movie Living Along the Fence Line, produced by Many Threads and Women for Genuine Society, shows the negative impact of the U.S military bases in foreign countries. Military bases are toxic. People that live around such bases report that their human rights had been violated directly or indirectly by the U.S forces. They also report severe health issues. Some examples of foreign countries with U.S bases are Puerto Rico, Japan, and Philippines. Military bases in these countries have caused health and social problems such as cancer, prostitution, and female sexual assaults.
Puerto Rico had a U.S military base in the city of Vieques. In the past Vieques was used as a bombing site for 60 years. A Puerto Rican woman by the name of Zaida Torres reported three family members dying of various types of cancers in a short span of three months due to living near the U.S military base. The final straw was when the U.S accidentally killed a Puerto Rican civilian during a bomb testing. The killing led to massive protests against the U.S. These protests resulted in the closure of the base and the end of bomb testing. Now Zaida volunteers at a cancer center working with cancer patients and advocating for their rights.
People who live near the U.S military base in Okinawa Japan resent the base and its soldiers. It has caused unnecessary conflict between the civilians and soldiers and the violation of basic human rights. The people most affected by the base and its soldiers are the women and girls that live around the base. Many women were raped and molested by the soldiers from the U.S base. Unfortunately many of these women don’t report such aggressions. They are either too ashamed or don’t want to face their attackers again.
Yumi Tomita is one such case. When Yumi was in the sixth grade she would walk home from school. One day while walking home three U.S soldiers in a car asked her for directions. Yumi tried to help them in her broken English, but it was clear to her that they didn’t understand her. She got closer to the car and that’s when they grabbed her and took her to a nearby park and raped her. She didn’t report it because she didn’t want to face her attackers. This is an example of how U.S military bases are extremely toxic socially to the environment they are in.
In the Philippines Ulma Bulawan, a former prostitute, indicates that the U.S. base started the prostitution problem in her village. Male soldiers desire entertainment so the area surrounding the military base became full of night clubs and brothels. Sex trafficking is now a serious problem in the village; therefore Ulma became a social activist working for a human rights organization. She contacts prostitutes and provides them support and alternatives like microfinance to persuade them to change their life.
These powerful women from communities around the world tell vast stories of the negative impacts of U.S bases on host communities abroad. There should be a greater accountability by the U.S military for the violence, environmental devastation, and sexual abuse caused in places that host U.S forces and bases. The film shows the power and creativity of women's leadership while challenging prevailing assumptions about military security. They emerge as inspiring leaders who create hope, change, and genuine security for their people.
Works Cited
Hoshino, Lina. “Living Along the Fenceline.” Many Threads, Women for Genuine Security, 2011.
Cherefah Obad
April 27,2011
English 1A
"Living Along The Fence line"
In the film,"Living Along The Fence line", we learn a lot about how many military bases all around the world are very toxic to it's neighbors in every way possible. I was both shocked and very disturbed about what is going on around these military bases and the actions taken done to stop them. One of the ways these military bases are toxic is that they are physically abusive. Many women are being raped and beaten due to the fact of these military bases being their neighbors. Many people do not understand the dangers of these military bases, but in "Living Along The Fence line" the truth is finally being told.
Works Cited
Hoshino, Lina. “Living Along the Fenceline.” Many Threads, Women for Genuine Security, 2011.
Adalie Villalobos
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-9AM
27 April 2011
Along the Fence Line argues that U.S. military bases are toxic to the communities they are installed in. They use personal stories, from women in the communities, to support this claim. These communities range from Texas, Puerto Rico, Hawai’i, Guam, the Philippines, Korea, and Okinawa. It seems that most of the world has been affected by our military bases; Along the Fence Line claims they have been affected for the worse.
The toxic effects of the military bases in the communities include the contamination of water, high cancer rates among the people, rape and coerced prostitution, and land reprimanded from the people who live there. The communities, especially women, have banned together in hope of fending off these installations from their communities. Some have been successful and hopes are high for others.
Audrey Topacio
Cody Henneman
Eman Obad
Shariffah Obad
Living Along the Fenceline is a film by award-winning filmmaker, Lina Hoshino. The film was based on seven women and their lives along the US Army bases; and how they were physically, socially, and psychologically affected. In the film, these women spoke about how they were exploited. Women were raped, trafficked, and exposed to toxic environments. Although many say that the military bases are for the protection of the people, the truth is it does otherwise. The US military bases around the globe are toxic to the lives of the people who are forced to welcome the establishment of these military structures in their country.
The US military bases in the different parts of the globe cause the degradation of the quality of life in areas they took over. The natural resources are contaminated by waste products that worsen the health of its inhabitants. The most common effect is the rising cancer rate in the communities. According to Diana Lopez, a creek in San Antonio, Texas is highly toxic. Many children who swim in the creek and live near it die of cancer. In Guam, the cancer rate compared to that in the United States is 1500 percent more. In Vieques, Puerto Rico people mostly die of cancer because of the contaminated water and debris left when it used to be the testing site for bombs by the US navy. Many citizens, as young as fifteen, who are exposed to the waste products of the US bases die of cancer. The reoccurring incidents in different parts of the globe are not a coincidence. These incidents have all occurred because of the military bases.
Military bases have been a nuisance not only health wise but socially and mentally as well. Because of the presence of these bases, many women are either raped or forced into prostitution. In Okinawa, Japan, a woman named Yumi Tomita (not her real name) still remembers how she was raped by a group of military men. Her story was not published for fear of not being able to obtain justice and of reliving the awful predicament she was in. Because prostitution is widely accepted in Okinawa, Yumi’s story might be viewed as irrelevant and she might be demeaned by society. In Olonggapo City, Philippines, women are forced into prostitution for the convenience of military men. Sex trafficking has been common in sites near the bases because it is the most common source of living. These bases have morally destroyed the dignity of the people living near the bases by invoking fear of getting raped or by promising a “good source of income.”
Because of the negative events that have occurred in the presence of the military bases, positive outcomes have arisen such as the leaders and activists which deal with the issues at hand. Alma Bulawan, Sumi Park, and Zaida Torres are some of the women in the film that work to better the lives of the people that have been terribly affected by the military bases set up by the United States government in various places around the globe. Alma Bulawan is a social entrepreneur from the Philippines who leads an organization that creates alternatives for women working in prostitution near the former US Subic Bay Naval Station (Living Along the Fenceline). Sumi Park is a social worker from Korea who have once worked with Alma and adapted her approach in helping women stray away from the prostitution. Lisa Natividad and Zaida Torres are two women from different parts of the globe who work on the bettering of their community by protesting against the exploitation of their country and setting up facilities that help people who struggle to live in a destroyed community.
Audrey Topacio
Cody Henneman
Eman Obad
Shariffah Obad
26 April 2011
Living Along the Fenceline is a film by award-winning filmmaker, Lina Hoshino. The film was based on seven women and their lives along the US Army bases; and how they were physically, socially, and psychologically affected. In the film, these women spoke about how they were exploited. Women were raped, trafficked, and exposed to toxic environments. Although many say that the military bases are for the protection of the people, the truth is it does otherwise. The US military bases around the globe are toxic to the lives of the people who are forced to welcome the establishment of these military structures in their country.
The US military bases in the different parts of the globe cause the degradation of the quality of life in areas they took over. The natural resources are contaminated by waste products that worsen the health of its inhabitants. The most common effect is the rising cancer rate in the communities. According to Diana Lopez, a creek in San Antonio, Texas is highly toxic. Many children who swim in the creek and live near it die of cancer. In Guam, the cancer rate compared to that in the United States is 1500 percent more. In Vieques, Puerto Rico people mostly die of cancer because of the contaminated water and debris left when it used to be the testing site for bombs by the US navy. Many citizens, as young as fifteen, who are exposed to the waste products of the US bases die of cancer. The reoccurring incidents in different parts of the globe are not a coincidence. These incidents have all occurred because of the military bases.
Military bases have been a nuisance not only health wise but socially and mentally as well. Because of the presence of these bases, many women are either raped or forced into prostitution. In Okinawa, Japan, a woman named Yumi Tomita (not her real name) still remembers how she was raped by a group of military men. Her story was not published for fear of not being able to obtain justice and of reliving the awful predicament she was in. Because prostitution is widely accepted in Okinawa, Yumi’s story might be viewed as irrelevant and she might be demeaned by society. In Olonggapo City, Philippines, women are forced into prostitution for the convenience of military men. Sex trafficking has been common in sites near the bases because it is the most common source of living. These bases have morally destroyed the dignity of the people living near the bases by invoking fear of getting raped or by promising a “good source of income.”
Because of the negative events that have occurred in the presence of the military bases, positive outcomes have arisen such as the leaders and activists which deal with the issues at hand. Alma Bulawan, Sumi Park, and Zaida Torres are some of the women in the film that work to better the lives of the people that have been terribly affected by the military bases set up by the United States government in various places around the globe. Alma Bulawan is a social entrepreneur from the Philippines who leads an organization that creates alternatives for women working in prostitution near the former US Subic Bay Naval Station (Living Along the Fenceline). Sumi Park is a social worker from Korea who have once worked with Alma and adapted her approach in helping women stray away from the prostitution. Lisa Natividad and Zaida Torres are two women from different parts of the globe who work on the bettering of their community by protesting against the exploitation of their country and setting up facilities that help people who struggle to live in a destroyed community.
Audrey Topacio
Cody Henneman
Eman Obad
Shariffah Obad
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50 am
26 April 2011
Living Along the Fenceline is a film by award-winning filmmaker, Lina Hoshino. The film was based on seven women and their lives along the US Army bases; and how they were physically, socially, and psychologically affected. In the film, these women spoke about how they were exploited. Women were raped, trafficked, and exposed to toxic environments. Although many say that the military bases are for the protection of the people, the truth is it does otherwise. The US military bases around the globe are toxic to the lives of the people who are forced to welcome the establishment of these military structures in their country.
The US military bases in the different parts of the globe cause the degradation of the quality of life in areas they took over. The natural resources are contaminated by waste products that worsen the health of its inhabitants. The most common effect is the rising cancer rate in the communities. According to Diana Lopez, a creek in San Antonio, Texas is highly toxic. Many children who swim in the creek and live near it die of cancer. In Guam, the cancer rate compared to that in the United States is 1500 percent more. In Vieques, Puerto Rico people mostly die of cancer because of the contaminated water and debris left when it used to be the testing site for bombs by the US navy. Many citizens, as young as fifteen, who are exposed to the waste products of the US bases die of cancer. The reoccurring incidents in different parts of the globe are not a coincidence. These incidents have all occurred because of the military bases.
Military bases have been a nuisance not only health wise but socially and mentally as well. Because of the presence of these bases, many women are either raped or forced into prostitution. In Okinawa, Japan, a woman named Yumi Tomita (not her real name) still remembers how she was raped by a group of military men. Her story was not published for fear of not being able to obtain justice and of reliving the awful predicament she was in. Because prostitution is widely accepted in Okinawa, Yumi’s story might be viewed as irrelevant and she might be demeaned by society. In Olonggapo City, Philippines, women are forced into prostitution for the convenience of military men. Sex trafficking has been common in sites near the bases because it is the most common source of living. These bases have morally destroyed the dignity of the people living near the bases by invoking fear of getting raped or by promising a “good source of income.”
Because of the negative events that have occurred in the presence of the military bases, positive outcomes have arisen such as the leaders and activists which deal with the issues at hand. Alma Bulawan, Sumi Park, and Zaida Torres are some of the women in the film that work to better the lives of the people that have been terribly affected by the military bases set up by the United States government in various places around the globe. Alma Bulawan is a social entrepreneur from the Philippines who leads an organization that creates alternatives for women working in prostitution near the former US Subic Bay Naval Station (Living Along the Fenceline). Sumi Park is a social worker from Korea who have once worked with Alma and adapted her approach in helping women stray away from the prostitution. Lisa Natividad and Zaida Torres are two women from different parts of the globe who work on the bettering of their community by protesting against the exploitation of their country and setting up facilities that help people who struggle to live in a destroyed community.
Work Cited
Living Along the Fenceline. Lina Hoshino. Narr. Deborah Lee. Many Threads, Women for
Genuine Security, 2011.
Audrey Topacio
Cody Henneman
Eman Obad
Shariffah Obad
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50 am
26 April 2011
Living Along the Fenceline is a film by award-winning filmmaker, Lina Hoshino. The film was based on seven women and their lives along the US Army bases; and how they were physically, socially, and psychologically affected. In the film, these women spoke about how they were exploited. Women were raped, trafficked, and exposed to toxic environments. Although many say that the military bases are for the protection of the people, the truth is it does otherwise. The US military bases around the globe are toxic to the lives of the people who are forced to welcome the establishment of these military structures in their country.
The US military bases in the different parts of the globe cause the degradation of the quality of life in areas they took over. The natural resources are contaminated by waste products that worsen the health of its inhabitants. The most common effect is the rising cancer rate in the communities.
According to Diana Lopez, a creek in San Antonio, Texas is highly toxic. Many children who swim in the creek and live near it die of cancer. In Guam, the cancer rate compared to that in the United States is 1500 percent more. In Vieques, Puerto Rico people mostly die of cancer because of the contaminated water and debris left when it used to be the testing site for bombs by the US navy. Many citizens, as young as fifteen, who are exposed to the waste products of the US bases die of cancer. The reoccurring incidents in different parts of the globe are not a coincidence. These incidents have all occurred because of the military bases.
Military bases have been a nuisance not only health wise but socially and mentally as well.
Because of the presence of these bases, many women are either raped or forced into prostitution. In Okinawa, Japan, a woman named Yumi Tomita (not her real name) still remembers how she was raped by a group of military men. Her story was not published for fear of not being able to obtain justice and of reliving the awful predicament she was in. Because prostitution is widely accepted in Okinawa, Yumi’s story might be viewed as irrelevant and she might be demeaned by society. In Olonggapo City, Philippines, women are forced into prostitution for the convenience of military men. Sex trafficking has been common in sites near the bases because it is the most common source of living. These bases have morally destroyed the dignity of the people living near the bases by invoking fear of getting raped or by promising a “good source of income.”
Because of the negative events that have occurred in the presence of the military bases, positive outcomes have arisen such as the leaders and activists which deal with the issues at hand. Alma Bulawan, Sumi Park, and Zaida Torres are some of the women in the film that work to better the lives of the people that have been terribly affected by the military bases set up by the United States government in various places around the globe. Alma Bulawan is a social entrepreneur from the Philippines who leads an organization that creates alternatives for women working in prostitution near the former US Subic Bay Naval Station (Living Along the Fenceline). Sumi Park is a social worker from Korea who have once worked with Alma and adapted her approach in helping women stray away from the prostitution. Lisa Natividad and Zaida Torres are two women from different parts of the globe who work on the bettering of their community by protesting against the exploitation of their country and setting up facilities that help people who struggle to live in a destroyed community.
Work Cited
Living Along the Fenceline. Lina Hoshino. Narr. Deborah Lee. Many Threads, Women for
Genuine Security, 2011.
Vanessa Rocha
English 1A
Professor Sabir
8am Class
Reflection on:Living Along the Fence Line
The Film is about American military based all around the globe, women report on the film the way that they are affected by these based and how it is destroying the lives of many communities around them. The stories are told by females that somehow had they lives affected by theses bases, on e of the cases is about a girl who died from cancer due to pollution and chemical that these bases let in the creeks near where the communities live. Rape and prostitution are also points talked in the video.
Alex Peña
Professor Sabir
English 1A
Living along the Fence Line Review
We saw the movie in class. I was really surprised to see the amount of military bases around the world. And the scary part is that it is only growing and growing. It is scary to think that there is around700 right now and if things keep going the way they are going there is just going to be more and more. I do not like this one bit and for sure other nations don’t like it either. How would you like it if a person just decided to fix up a tent in your back yard without even asking for your permission? And the worse thing is that they are not just stopping by. They are actually there to stay. They are actually building military bases where every they please.
The reason the United States of America say they are doing this is to keep peace around the world. But I believe to make peace you must be peaceful. If they really wanted to help people they would have donated money, or even decided to open up help foundations and support groups. And I think it is light way scary to think that one day these countries are going to get tired of dealing with the USA that they might retaliate one day too.
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