Good luck on the essay. It is unfortunate that the Internet was iffy this morning. I am not feeling well this evening, so we will not have class tomorrow. We will start Half the Sky Monday, March 5, 2012. For homework, find an article that speaks to the author's mission or plan for the book which is now a movement.
Write a short response, 250 words or a page. Post it here and respond to a student's post. Make sure you include their name.
I am looking forward to reading your work. Saturday is the Empowering Women of Color Conference at UC Berkeley in the Pauley Ballroom. There is a conversation with Angela Davis and another activist, Grace Lee Bog, Friday evening, March 2. The lecture is free, the conference nominal. For information visit https://ewocc.wordpress.com/workshops/ and for the Friday lecture https://ewocc.wordpress.com/grace-lee-boggs-and-angela-davis/
I am looking forward to reading your work. Saturday is the Empowering Women of Color Conference at UC Berkeley in the Pauley Ballroom. There is a conversation with Angela Davis and another activist, Grace Lee Bog, Friday evening, March 2. The lecture is free, the conference nominal. For information visit https://ewocc.wordpress.com/workshops/ and for the Friday lecture https://ewocc.wordpress.com/grace-lee-boggs-and-angela-davis/
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 6:15 PM
12 Comments:
Colleen Low
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
1 March 2012
Article: Half the Sky, “How the trafficking of women today is on a par with genocide”
The article begins with Nicholas Kristof, who purchases two females in a prostitution ring, and is given papers that state, he has total authority and power over them. Thankfully, his intent is to give them their freedom; in fact, they are a lucky few, in which this overt crime of slavery still exists in many regions of the world. The teen, Neth was sold by her cousin and her mother was also forced to work as a prostitute for five years, until, Nicholas and his wife Sheryl WuDunn freed mother and daughter. This married couple are powerhouses because they had the conviction to put action to their beliefs. They are the authors of “Half the Sky,” they postulates and argue that women issues are directly associated to the problems with socioeconomics, hunger in many parts of the world, religious wars, and ecological differences. The article names the adverse situations as “gendercide,” to which morality is in question and causes trauma, to which under developed countries need to help women.
Interesting tactics of research to reflect the attitudes of interested people, who would like to volunteer to help solve some of the problems are given the opportunity to choose how they want to help, to involve people based on psychological premises, to practice being personal, which today’s society lacks. Without having read the book, perhaps, the style could be compared to Martin Luther King’s quote, “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” or President Kennedy’s speech, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
It is inspiring to see that reporter take an initiative, however it is not rocket science, where it would take years to understand the disconnect of society and how the trickle down effect exists. The history of unbalanced has always been and vast amount of studies have been done. What does one do when the truth hits us in or face? The authors want to create an abolitionist movement to abolish the inhuman treatment of all women.
I believe the book are influences for the reader to take positive action. I am intrigued to read the contents of “Half the Sky,” after having read this article. Even the title is interesting, I believe it is a quote from Mao; the communist leader, however, the reference is about women and how important they are to life, but that's a guess because i haven't read it yet.
Colleen Low
Forgot to show the cite:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/19/women-slavery-half-the-sky
Analise Bostrom
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
2 March 2012
Nick Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn Talk Half The Sky With Oprah
In this article Oprah invites the two authors of Half the Sky to her show, Nicholas Kristof and co-author, Sheryl WuDunn. They discussed the raising problems of gender inequalities. Oprah makes a very interesting point that people often “gloss over” certain details when talking about women oppression. We always hear about the victimized women and their poverty, but we seldom hear about those responsible. This seems to be the way a lot of issues go; we get all flustered and involved in a problem and worry about the damage that’s being inflicted, but we never sit down and think about who is inflicting it. If we only did, I think we’d be able to make more change. If we only shed more light on the offenders, maybe they’d be humiliated in the least and maybe they would decrease their crime or even stop it. If we knew more about those who are causing all this mess, we could stop them, thus stopping the whole problem. I think now we focus most of our efforts on helping those inflicted. It’s stated in this article that Kristof himself bought two slaves and set them free, and while one of them went home and started a new life, the other went back to the brothels in search of more drugs. This is a perfect example that only treating the victims is not enough, we need to rid of prostitution by nipping it at the bud; the actual pimps and owners of the slaves!
Work cited: "Nick Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn Talk Half The Sky With Oprah." Jezebel. Web. 02 Mar. 2012. .
Colleen Low
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
3 March 2012
In Response to Analise:
I truly believe that it would be a great idea to shame these people to stop and not only the ring leaders, but also the authority who do nothing. It seems that these situations are swept under the rug because it is a part of society that are not thought about. Even in the United States, there are legal brothels and women walking the streets, it exists everywhere. However, nothing will be done unless people see that it is a societal problem and only through connection will change happen.
Colleen Low
Correction to my article Srey Neth and Srey Momm are two different girls. Sorry, my bad.
Article on Half the Sky
Susan Kelly
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
04 March 2012
As summarized in Harvard Magazine, authors Nicholas D. Kristof, and Sheryl WuDunn, have written a book that does more than share personal stories of oppressed women, they attempt to persuade their readers to in some way get involved. Rohini Pande, a professor of public policy at Harvard Kennedy School, explains that the book, Half The Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide is broken up in two parts;
The first part argues that the oppression of women in (mostly) developing countries is a devastating and under-recognized injustice that’s the equivalent of slavery, and that demands a moral and political movement as focused and principled as the campaign against slavery to bring it to an end. The second discusses practical ways to create this movement and effect the change that’s needed.
This article provided a clear view of the writers mission, while recognizing the importance of the subject. Although, Rohini argues that the elements which make up the movement are both practical and perhaps redundant. “..and some of the actions they suggest…signing up for email updates…or volunteering in the developing world.”
Rohini Pande, shares a thought provoking perspective in respect to the ideas represented in Half The Sky. In her view the issues presented in this book are not ones that have not been discussed or brought to attention before. It is a reality that in some cultures, traditions which may seem barbaric to westerners, are ingrained and sometimes accepted by even the women who may be affected by them. How does one help those who did not ask for help in the first place? On the other hand, Rohini, points out that Nicholas and Sheryl understand when help is not prompted since they encountered such road blocks in their outreach to help specific oppressed women. Furthermore, Rohnini Pande writes that majority of the authors’ arguments persuading people to get involved include efforts in supporting women who have fought back, their stories of protest and activism are highlighted here as they are in Half The Sky, they are described as very rare, and remarkable. I am looking forward to making my own conclusions in reading this book.
Citation:
Pande, Rohini. “Women in a Woeful World: Coming to terms with oppression.” Harvardmagazine.com. Harvard Magazine Inc., September-October 2009. harvardmagazine.com/2009/09/book-review-half-the-sky?page=all. 04 March. 2012
Analise Bostrom
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
5 March 2012
Woops! I missed the part where it said to respond to another student's post.
In response to Colleen Low:
I like how you focus on the hardest thing to overcome when it comes to oppression. You can't help those who don't want to be helped. It's a frustrating thing because all we want to do is make things better for these people but they aren't cooperating. How are we supposed to solve a problem if the victim isn't even up for solving it?
Daniel Escudero-Whitney
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
5 March 2012
Half the Sky
Book Review from ¬_Ethics & International Affairs_
The author of this review illustrates how women's empowerment can be achieved by using economic, political, and social benefits to start a world-wide movement. Their intent is to zap the world into action by showing us the most gruesome and saddening tales of a reality most of us are very far detached from.
The article mentions Rath, a young Cambodian girl who was promised a job in Thailand only to be sold into sexual-slavery as a prostitute. This excerpt from the book is from the introduction, and it is only the tip of the iceberg. I wonder what countries the next stories will take place in.
This type of slavery happens all over the world, even right here in the United States, and it certainly did not end with the civil war. I cannot believe that I actually thought it was over. For a big part of my life I thought there was no slavery, at least, not in this country.
When I was a child I remember learning about slavery and all that, but I thought it was abolished. I remember being happy when I learned that. My teachers never told me about common-day slavery. I had no idea until I was in my twenties. That is so wrong. I have lived such a safe and sheltered life. A largely ignorant life.
Reading this book will serve to show us how lucky we all are to live such peaceful lives, and hopefully it will teach us how to open our eyes.
Works Cited
"Half The Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide - By Nicholas D. Kristof And Sheryl Wudunn." Ethics & International Affairs 23.4 (2009): 432-433. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Mar. 2012.
Daniel Escudero-Whitney
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
5 March 2012
Colleen Low
Half the Sky
Review Comment
I see that you found your review from _The Guardian_ in the UK. It looks like it went in to some serious depth. I wish mine had all that wonderful information.
I really like how you tied in the quotes from Dr. King and President Kennedy. Well done!
Susan Kelly
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
06 March 2012
Daniel Escudero-Whitney
Essay Comment
I agree with you in that sex trafficking or coersed prostitution can be compared to slavery that existed here in the US in the eighteenth and nineteenth century.
It is admirable to see your openness to the issue and willingness to admit that it was not in your sphere of influence until now. I too am looking forward to learning more about the other parts of the world that tolerate this sad reality. Furthermore, I am anxious to investigate exactly what proposals Nicholas and Sheryl will share to help that might be at my reach.
Ana Vasquez
Professor Wanda Sabir
March 5, 2012
Cooment: Half the Sky
Raising Awareness About the Worldwide Oppression of Women
The book begins with an introduction about the authors of the book, Nicholas Kristof and Shweryl WuDunn, two journalist who were brave enough to expose the problem of the trafficking of women worldwide. It wasn't an issue just occurring in one country it was everywhere. I really think this book will inform us, and let us know more about the issue of sex slaves and trafficking women.
Flora Diamond
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
7 March 2012
Article:Women in a Woeful World
The review is very in depth about the current issues plaguing todays society. Women are treated like they are less than men in all places through out the world to varyign degrees. Misogny is the hatred of women, which is well illustrated in Half the Sky.
The author of the review breaks down and summarizes the book accurately in two parts. The first part consists of horror stories of women who are subjected to the worlds worst kinds of human rights abuses. Some of these include prostitution viewed as slavery, genital mutilations, rape, murder, human trafficking and many others. All the accounts are true and show that this unjustice against women should not be tolerated.
The second half of the article is written with great ease to emphasize that these copuntries and women need our aide. The way they need is though greatly differs. In the book, there are aaccounts given where American's try to intervene, yet the local people do not trust the foreigner's and the aide doesnt help. The authors instead advocate to people in developed countries to instead provide aide with money, and education. Opening schools for women and girls, so they can have the opportunity too.
Peer Response: Colleen Low
I enjoyed your summary of the book, I find it accurate and thrilling to read. I enjoy the quotes listed, "Ask not what your country can do for you..." I love it! I feel it is very inspiring to find uncorrupted reporters and journalists who find the true storys that matter most. The numbers are very accurate and the storys I'm sure are true too.
Citation:
Pande, Rohini. “Women in a Woeful World: Coming to terms with oppression.” Harvardmagazine.com. Harvard Magazine Inc., September-October 2009. harvardmagazine.com/2009/09/book-review-half-the-sky?page=all. 04 March. 2012
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