Reflection 11-8-12

I know, I know, another cliché election reflection. However, I think that the reelection of President Obama is extremely important not only domestically, but abroad as well. Not only will we continue economic recovery, improved welfare for the less fortunate, and improved job creation, but a continuation of the same foreign policy. While I'm not a fan of drone strikes (you're welcome Libertarians), I am a supporter of the otherwise more peaceful negotiations President Obama has worked to do. Hopefully the next four years will bring peaceful compromises in the Middle East due to the efforts of the United States.

Reflection

I can't help but write about my experience Tuesday night, the night of the election.
It began with the split second decision my friends and I made to go to the White House for the big night. We left at around 10, and after waiting 20+ minutes for the metro, we got off at Metro Center. Cheering and screaming could be heard down all the streets, all the way to the metro stop. We began to run--we didn't want to miss the announcement! My friend kept checking her phone every 5 seconds for update and we all bit our lips in anxiety.
As we sprinted toward the White House, we passed many people all on their way to the same place. They all seemed to be college aged, and were all rushing like we were. Upon reaching the crowd and immediately being sucked in, I was overcome with sense of nationality centered on that one block. People sang the National Anthem, cheered, waved flags, climbed trees--everyone was constantly in motion, and everyone was moving each other. It was suffocating and overwhelming; everyone here was gathered to support a shared cause. Everyone was cheering for the same thing. I have never been in such a powerful situation before, and I know I will never forget it.
My experience Tuesday night made me think about what it must be like to be a college student in Egypt at the time of the revolution. It reminded me of the power that the youth hold and the changing beliefs as we grow and as society evolves. That feeling of power, of the idea that you are changing things that you know in your heart must be changed, must be amazing.

Post-Election Reflection

In keeping with what I'm sure will be a reflection section heavy on the election, I thought I'd break from the group and reflect on something different...the election! Haha how could you write about anything else at this time for such a topic? Anyway, standing outside the White House last night after President Obama was declared the winner was truly a breathtaking experience (for those of you that were there at some point in the mass of people you know i mean breathtaking in more ways than one, the crowds were very tightly packed!). Coming home early this morning and thinking about the festive atmosphere made me think about our studies in the MENA region however. It is easy to read of social movements or the rallies of recent history in the region and just picture people packing the streets, and it may seem they're simply celebrating because they have had such a lack of democracy for so long and its something new. Last night taught me another lesson, democracy never grows old, as long as leaders are regularly replaced in office the love of the system will continue, as long as the American Republic can continue its successful transition of power there will be a reason to celebrate every four years (or two if you wanna get really uppity and get hype for the revolving door of Representatives). This message can give new meaning to efforts in the MENA region. Establishing democracy is not a short-term solution, it is an action that can provide long-term relief, optimism, and dare I say it, hope.

Election Reflection

Yesterday was a big day for American politics, and it was really cool to be in the capital to experience it.  A couple of friends and I ended up going to the White House around 12:30 AM, where we joined a crowd of hundreds of Obama supporters dancing, singing, and chanting in happiness.  The experience was amazing, and it made me think about the revolutions in MENA.  Although the situations were entirely different, I understand how excited protesters in Tahrir Square must have been.  When I was in the crowd, it didn't matter what the color of my skin was, how much money I made, or where I went to school.  I was a part of something bigger than me.  I was part of a community of people who shared my opinions and values,  who voted for Obama, and who celebrated in the streets of our nation's capital when their voices were heard.

Halloween Reflection

             It’s an odd sensation, writing this reflection on what feels like a Monday evening.  As I was thinking about political and natural human rights in the MENA region and their reformation for this week’s brief, I found myself pondering the same rights in what we consider free nations.  An article about an imam being arrested and deported for hate speech in a Paris mosque also brought along this train of thought.  Algeria’s public is mostly interested in the ability to protest, since their government has greatly repressed this right.  Has my lack of political activism been a waste of my natural rights?  I wouldn’t think so, but others may think differently.

Reflection

I recently read an Aljazeera article on Izzeldin Abuelaish, author of I Shall Not Hate and founder of the "Daughters for Life Foundation."
Abuelaish is a well-known doctor in the MENA region, earning many awards and scholarships. The video accompanying the article was an interview with Abuelaish, in which he talked about the pain in living with his three daughters' deaths in an Israeli bombing during the Gaza War three years ago. Abuelaish's message is to fight with strength, and not with hate; his book is meant to target those living in the MENA region and to teach them to be "armed with love," like his three daughters were.
This an inspiring message, as he says that we must be angry with the violence and injustice, but that we must use this to make a difference and use our wisdom, kinds words, and good deeds. A man plagued with such tragedy and anger that even caused him to leave his country and move to Canada, a man haunted by his daughters' faces, is able to see what good can come out of his despair. He says "Our good words are stronger than bullets," encouraging people to speak out to change and fight against "evil in this world"; how refreshing it is to hear. I hope to read the book.
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2012/10/20121027103639238794.html

Weekly Reflection 28 October 2012

Recently, I've been doing a lot of research for my World Politics class about al Qaeda, and I've discovered the structure of the organization is nothing like I had thought.  To my best understanding, al Qaeda operates primarily as a funder of suicide bombings.  For the most part, the people who act as suicide bombers share the ideals and sentiment of al Qaeda before they are recruited - that is, al Qaeda does not recruit uneducated people and convert them into radical Islamists who want to destroy the world.  In fact, the major players in the attacks on 9/11 were all Western educated men.  

I think this is important to know in order to avoid Orientalist discourse.  Within terrorist organizations like al Qaeda, followers aren't uneducated Muslims huddling in huts in rural Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan.  Often, it's just the opposite - the core hijackers of 9/11 were studying and working in professional jobs in Hamburg before they were involved with al Qaeda.  Terrorist organization members justify suicide bombings as a way to combat an enemy too strong or large for a single person to take on.  While I don't agree whatsoever with this reasoning, I think it's important to take note of in order to analyze and understand terrorism in a politically correct manner.