Blog #19 Chapter 23

It was really interesting reading about the part how the Islam refers to American culture. How they described the West as seductive and poisonous culture. I could see how they can refer to the West as seductive, because in their culture they have arrange marriages, while in the West people have many different partners and can remarry as many times as the want. Also our clothing is very revealing compared to how their culture dresses. My mom’s friend she is from the Middle East and when she first came to American she was really shocked how peopled dress. She was shocked about the amount of skin we showed especially when wearing tank tops and shorts. Now that she lives in America she wants to follow the American culture, but she only wears a shirt and pants, she won’t wear a tank top or shorts because it is a little too much for her. I think the view about the Islamic culture and the American culture has been influenced by the war, and the terrorist attack. Due to these horrific outcomes and the war we both find ways in order to make the other culture seem bad then how they really are. Since there are terrorist that emerge from that culture the American culture depicts the Islamic culture full of acts of violence and everyone is a terrorist. That is not true at all. When reading about the part of Osama bin Laden it reminded me of what my teacher had said about him. He told yes he was a bad man, but when the navy seals had killed him it displayed differently. He said it was not right to kill an elderly man who was handicap and enables to fight back, so it was basically just like shooting grandpa. Many would disagree with this but that was his view. Now that the world is becoming more globalized and we have access to various parts of the world I think it is important to try to understand other people’s cultures and religion. When we encounter conflict with another religion or culture then we can understand where they are coming from. It keeps us from being biases and gives a different perspective and understanding.  I really enjoyed reading the section Green and global. The world is starting to become more industrialized than it is green. When reading this it reminded me when I go home. When I go over the Altamont pass to go home there is this view that oversees the valley. It looks like a disease referring to the urbanized part attacking the beautiful green landscape. Also it reminded me of the movie Wall-e where the earth became so industrialized that it became unhealthy and people had to move to outer space. The ending where he saves a plant and to people they described it as the most beautiful thing they seen because they haven’t seen a plant in decades. It is just ashamed how what we described as beautiful we end up destroying.

Blog #18 Chapter 22

When reading the section about the fight for independence, I automatically reflected back to the enlightenment period. Mandala and Gandhi were both leaders in this period in order to gain independence for their nation. The reason it reminded me of the enlightenment era was because they were fighting for equality in order for a society to become fair, a path to a more perfect human society. The enlightenment era is still echoing through out many decades, and people are still using the enlightenment ideas in order to start a revolution or many protests to make a change. The only sad part about reading this and reflecting throughout history the people, who stand up against a society in order to make change, change for the better always get assassinated. For instance Gandhi got assassinated for standing up to stop the violence; to make a change for the best, as well as Martin Luther King got assassination when he demanded change for the people of his nationality. These intelligent, brave, and who want to change the world for the better, end up getting their lives taken away. It just ashamed to hear about the leaders for change lives gets taken away, that had big idea that could impact the world greatly, and their ideas plus influence disappear by people who don’t want to accept change for the best. They always encourage a peaceful protest to get their views across, but it seems like the violence gets the best of them and end up taking away their lives. Also when reading the section about Africa the different communities that fought against each other. Mainly the term Afrikaner, reminded me of a book I read in high school my senior year called The Power of One. If I could remember correctly the book is about a boy who is an Afrikaner who wants to be a boxer and his innocence toward the war happening in South Africa against the Afrikaner and the Africans. The boy was not raised as an Afrikaner, but at the end he managed to bring together these to groups. It is a very powerful book and I really enjoyed it I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Also the movie Hotel Wanda is about the division of South Africa. This issues happening all around the World the violence and the violence that the world experience in the past have been made into a lot of movies in order to get a message across to people without it being direct. Race and ethnicity are a major factor in starting protest through change, this is not happening only in on nation but  many nation experience this, and people have not realize this. I think racism is the leading factor in starting this violent protests, this violent protest are ending many peoples life and are hurting/ affecting innocent people. These only create ripples that grow throughout the world and influence and affect other countries. Reading this chapter got the impression the world is in a fight against racism. 

Blog #17- CST labor and property

It was really interesting reading CST section 5 and 6. I just think overall it is very interesting and makes good points. I would definitely recommend the CST to any catholic, I think it is important to have knowledge of it. Not only for people who are catholic but anyone with a religion. I believe it’s good to have a diverse knowledge of each religion; it makes you a better-rounded person. Anyway section 5 and 6 really caught my attention due to my family owning a business. I do know a little about supply and I was always taught to always take care of your items so they will last longer as well as save more money. My dad’s business consist of fixing windshields, so he makes sure his labor and fixing the windshield of a car is done a appropriate in order for longer lasting for the customer. Reading section 5 got my mind reflecting back to slavery when it was a business and slaves were consider basically items, their supply. The statement “offers people an incentive to be productive and to care for the goods God has created”, (CST, 92). This statement really had me thinking about the slaves how in America people who wanted to be productive really took care of their slaves, as if they were in a way family, because they took care of their slaves, the slaves lifespan lasted longer and they were able to increase production in addition save money. Unlike the people in Brazil or the Caribbean the owners did not take very good care of the slaves. The slaves lived a short life-span, thus affecting their production. Slavery was probably not a good example to relate to Catholic social teaching, although people are God’s creation, people should not be dehumanized into a single item. A quote that I really love was “…the goods of this world are equally meant for all. The right to private property is valid and necessary, but it does not nullify the value of the principle, in fact, is under a social mortgage”, (CST, 94).  I just really enjoy the part the goods of this world are equally meant for all, I think anyone can take away from this part especially if one is religious. In today’s society we experience with a lot of greed, I think greed can be taken away if people think as “the goods of this world are for everyone”. No one should be able to decide who deserves what. Although the good of the world is meant for everyone, the goods all have a pretty penny to pay for it. I found it funny reading from this quote that private property is under a social mortgage. So the owner of the private property is not really the owner not until their social mortgage is paid off, it is like there is an owner of the owner of the private property. I can see why ownership of property can create many challenges for the owner.

Blog #16- Chapter 21

I remember learning a lot about communism in high school, but like some high school students I did not pay attention. I do remember watching videos about it, reflecting back on those videos helped me with the reading. When reading about Vladimir Lenin Russia’s dictator I immediately reflected back to the videos in high school. In one of the videos it talked about how Lenin was one of the most popular dictators and his ideas were well liked. I may be wrong on this fact, but what I remember and found most interesting was the country froze Lenin’s body and wanted to examine his brain because they found him intelligent. I also remember when they had the summer Olympics in Russia they included a segment of when Lenin ran and that was an important part of history for them. Just reading this chapter I got the impression that communism was just over all bad and turned into an outrage. I know that America was so frighten of communism; Americans basically treated it as a disease. One of my teacher made a statement that communism was similar to the accusing of witchcraft. For example that people would blame other people of witchcraft because they were either greedy, jealous, revenge, or wanted their land. When the idea of communism came to America, people began to start accusing abundant of people, with any reason they can come up with, which is similar to the accusation of witchcraft. I really found that comparison very interesting. I really enjoyed reading the segment about communist feminism. I sort of found it funny due to America adopting the communist feminist idea, and most of those ideas are still exercised today. America was so afraid of communism and did not want any influences or the thought of it, but the adopted numerous idea from it. America exercises equality in politics, legalizing divorces, abortion (still iffy among stated), women did not have to take their husband last name, and pregnancy leave while women work. Due to America exercising the communist feminist idea does that mean we are living a partial communist lifestyle? Overall women benefited the most from communism. I feel like just over history women are greatly affected the most, they are either limited or they benefited from it, but over time it seems like women are only benefiting more throughout history. It was sad to read how many of people died or was sentenced to labor camps. It seems like labor camps was a big practiced used in World War II or the period leading up to the War. Russia used labor camps for people who seemed like enemies to them, Germany used labor camps to house the Jews and others that did not qualify for the Aryan race, and America used labor camps to house the Japanese after the attack of Pearl Harbor. Labor camps just feels like an excuse where they can either torture people, work people to death, or do mass murders. 

Blog #15 - Chapter 20 Collapse at the Center

This was one of my favorite chapters I read so far. I like how Strayer had included the World Wars in one section instead of separating them in to their own sections. I always like reading about the World Wars especially how they got started, as well as the movies that evolved from them. The World Wars had influence a creation of many great movies that are romantic or have a great message behind time. From the top of my head I could think of Pearl Harbor, The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas, Swing Boys, and Saving Private Ryan. When reading this section of the Wars I thought of it as a domino effect, that lead up to each war. Even the domino effect I think of it as, World War I cause World War II. This domino effect started off with the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, thus creating a cascade of events, and mass murders. It made me wonder what if the Archduke was not assassinated, would there still be a World War, would America still have endured a Great Depression, or would there be such a thing as genocide. It just amazing to think how one little thing can create all this chaos in the World, it was like a ripple in the pond, how the ripple continues to get bigger. I was really surprised to read how the Second World War began in Asia before it started in Europe, I always thought it originated in Europe and then Japan got involved, but Japan initiated the War. Reading about that really caught me by surprised, I was not expecting it, and it totally changed my ideas or views of World War II. It was also sad to read about the Jews how the Nazis created genocide with them and put them in concentration camp. When Strayer was talking about the concentration camps I was surprised there was no mention about how the United States practiced the use of concentration camp toward the Japanese. It is really ironic how America stressed a lot on the concentration camps and helped fight to end it and save the Jews, but America had the Japanese in concentration camps. I feel like that part of history is never mention, and the concentration camps are only referred to the Jews, when it should be referred to the Jew and Japanese. Although America did not go to the extreme with the concentration camps like the German and Nazi, but they still enforced this practice and the Japanese was not treat fairly. I believe in every war every Nation has to blame someone for their downfall or reason to disaster. In most wars the nation would blame the whole race, when it was out of the action from particular people. Nation should not blame nor torture a whole race for an action of particular individuals. For example Germany blamed ALL Jews for the downfall of their economy, the world blamed ALL Germans for the genocide of Jew, American blamed ALL Japanese people for the attack on Pearl Harbor, finally America blame ALL middle eastern race for the attack of 9/11. Nations need to learn that not every one of that particular race had an affect or contribution of disasters happening in the world.

Blog #14 Chapter 19

I was really surprised reading about the Opium War, especially reading how the Chinese were involved with it. I also thought it was also funny to read how they looked back at that part of history and reflected it as a time of humiliation. Knowing about the stereotypes linked to the Chinese people today learning about history probably could never really imagine them getting into drugs, it was even shocking for me to read. Unlike any other drug, the involvement of drugs always has consequences, which was prostitution. I feel that drugs and prostitution goes hand and hand with each other, such as where there is a big problem of drugs, that area would have a problem with prostitution. Just like how opium was big during that century, opium is becoming a famous drug again mainly among young adults. Which is also call “brown bagging” where they put various types of opium in pill form and they just pick one and take it. It was interesting to me to read about this section about opium and the trade and how it affected China, because I am also reading about opium and other drugs in another class. It was good reading the background and history behind opium. Opium is commonly like by early adults, and adults tend to take opium for several reasons, the main reason adult take opium is their way to handle stress, anxiety, and depression, which is not the proper way of handling these issues. It was also interesting to read how the Opium War helped China evolved and it lead them into following industrial practice. I still feel like China still follows industrial idea based off what I heard. I think this because China is known to have various strict work factories and the workers are paid not enough. It reminded me a lot of the European Industrial practice between the middle and lower class. How terribly the lower class was treated when working in the factories, as well as the conditions they worked in. China was once known as having children working in sweat shops in these harsh conditions, just like the orphans in Europe. I watched a video about China social classes how children were in school for a certain period of time, and then after school they went to work in the factories located in their towns. This industrial revolution had such a big impact on China especially in today’s century. China is the main country that is involved with trading in addition multiple of big companies send their factories overseas for the people in China to work them. It is like the industrial revolution is the reason why China is doing so good economically. I found reading the document Memorial to Emperor Guangxu very powerful especially the statement “you will see that if we can change, we can preserve ourselves, but if we cannot change we will perish” (Strayer, 959). It is important for the community or a society to change, to evolve among other countries in order to be civil and understand the time the world is living in.

Call to Action: Experiments with Notre Dame elementry

I had a really great experience with the Notre Dame eighth graders from the elementary school. The science in action class was nice enough to include me with their activities for Call to Action. The eighth grader from the elementary school, came to the science labs to participate with us in conducting four different experiments. The experiment I conduct with them was the flame test. The kids stuck a cooper rod into six different compounds and then stuck the rod into a flame. When they stuck the rod into the flame it would cause the flame to change a different color. Before they conducted the experiment they made a prediction what color each of the compounds would produce based off of their observation. After they did the flame test we had them compare their predictions to the actual results. The purpose of doing this was to have them get familiar with the scientific method. It was really great seeing how excited these students were to do the experiments, as well as their eagerness to ask more questions. One of the questions that got the professor excite to do was “if we mix these two solutions will they make another color” due to this question it got everyone wondering so we took time to see if it was true. It was not true the flame had two different colors. From the experience I feel like we showed the eighth grader that learning can be exciting and it does not always pertain to learning straight out of the book. That learning can be really fun. The frustrating part about the whole experience was the students were asking us questions before revealing the correct results so it was hard explaining to them in a way that would not give up the correct answer. Then again we encourage them that it’s okay to get another answer because in science there is no correct answer everything is based off of your experience and your methods. It was fun talking to the students and seeing their excitement because they never get to do these types of experiments in elementary school. I also think today we also encourage them to continue their education and go to college to experience new things and have the opportunity to do things in their interest that can be exciting to them. Overall it is a good feeling to give back to the community, especially seeing how excited the students were made me excited and make the experience that much better. It good to give these types of opportunity to kids that don’t get the chance to do these experiences. I believe that they will remember this experience for a long time. If I was given an opportunity to do experiments when I was younger I would remember it to and encourage me more into what field of education to follow. Today I took a lot out of today not only did the students learn from us we learn from them too.

Extra Credit: A Doctor without Boarders

Paul Brockman is a trainer in treating Ebola as well as a project manager, for Medecins Sans Frontier, also known as MSF. He spend one year in Papua New Guinea treating people with Ebola as well as malaria. Paul Brockman likes to give aide mainly to Haitians and is hoping to go service there alongside his mother. He states that MSF purpose is to “restore people ability to make own choices. He also believe that the Ebola epidemic would not have been so serve if the country and the world was more flexible, acknowledgeable to the disease, and know the right procedures in caring for it. That countries should support and donate money to MSF to help take care of these epidemic and keep them from getting severe, and helping educate these third world countries to take care of these sickness with the appropriate procedures. He had made a harsh but true statement that if the United States can spend so much money toward dog food then they can donate as much money to MSF to help this people in third world countries. Ebola is not as severe as it mention in media, it is not as infectious and dangerous as scabies. As well as does not have the leading cause of death, more women die from child birth than people do from Ebola.  Then he addressed the question of colonialism the best he could, but sort of got off topic with is passion for people. He describe his understanding about it, that people who stay longer lose the attitude to save the world because they become so dependent on other people. When people learn about humanity then they will be able to give back. Also there is a lot of complication in history that caused human anger, greed, thus affecting that area where the people lived. When people travel to this area or different areas, getting that exposure gives ones more compassion toward humans. He did agree that colonialism has made a mess of things, but we have to see the results of it in order to understand the community, how they organize themselves, to come to a common purpose. He began to explain how New Guinea people continue to live in the same area for many years and due to this they know their ancestor from many decades ago, unlike us American at the top of our head. His idea of why Ebola became a big epidemic because we were not looking at it when it was happening in various part of Africa, but we decided to focus on it when it occurred in America. This can also be reflected to CST how we need to think globally. If everyone was able to think globally about Ebola the epidemic probably would not have lasted as long as it did or been such an outrage of event the media proposed it to be. Thinking globally about this would have prepared everyone better in handling Ebola, and taking the appropriate procedures.

Blog #13 CST handout

Reading about the Catholic’s social teaching was interesting and eye opening. When I read the beginning of section seven I did not agree how the Catholics tried to get their social teaching across to people. When reading that little passage it remind me of one of the topics we read in the previous chapters, how the Catholic were burning down town in order to show their control and it force people into converting. It was also ironic to read how it said the evil in the world is people trying to have power, when back in history Catholic were burning down towns and forcing people into their social teaching in order to have power. It was really interesting for me because I am Catholic, and just to learn more about the religion. I do agree with Pope Paul how we need to start thinking globally. It’s like when learn about how treat people, we need to look at the big picture in order to treat them correctly. It’s the same with the world in order to treat problems happening across the world we need to look at it globally the big picture in order to asset all areas of the problem and then take the appropriate route to solve the problems. When people just think locally or at the small picture they are missing other factor that are attributing to the problem, but when you look at the big picture it allowing you to take into consideration of all the factors, and as getting to the root of the problem. Pope Paul was really interesting to read about, he really showed his interested in the world. Especially when he was traveling around the world in order to see the problems the world is faced with that nobody see or hears about, or it is masked by other things. Pope Paul was really inspiring about how his interest in the world, and is theory of thinking globally, just reading about him I got the sense he was truly a man of the world. In my sociology class my professor has always been concerned with poverty because she experienced it firsthand. She had this theory to end poverty. She explained to us that people stay in poverty because they are forced to pay taxes despite them being already low on money, so they are always playing catch up. They are never really given a chance to get on their feet or to grow from there; it is like they are constantly stuck in that position. Then she proposed that the people in the lower class don’t have to pay taxes than they are able to make a better living for themselves and be able to work up the class system and live the American Dream. The upper class should pay taxes because they have enough money too, without their income being hurt by it. So instead of the lower class paying the upper class, the upper class should being paying the lower class, in order to avoid poverty. 

Blog #12 The European Moment

I found it really interesting reading about women and the colonial economy. It was really funny to ready the statement “What is man? I have my own money”. When reading that statement it made me laugh because all I could imagine was a women saying “awe I want that” and then her husband denying her the item, and she giving him the response I have my own money. These women became so independent that they gained the mind set and attitude of an independent woman. These women were so used to the men being away being shipped off as slave and they took control of the work and household in Africa, they had control. I bet the men came back really surprised to see how the women had control and showed their control by being mouthy to the men. The men were so used to the women being inferior to them obeying them and then all of a sudden the women are standing up to them and basically treating them as they are inferior now. That must have been a major shocker for the men and a hard adjustment for them. That statement can be compared to the women in today society. In today century it is more common to find independent women compared to back then. It is usually said that guys have a hard time dating an independent woman because they both fight for control in who wears the pants in the relationship. Now it is more common to see the woman in the household to be the bread winner, bring in most of the income, while the male figure is at home taking care of the kids. It is even more common for the women to bring in the household income in addition take care of the children, women are executing both roles in the household. In today century women are less likely to depend on men and now work enough hours in order to provide for themselves, so there is no need to for them to ask the man for money. It is now an ideal role for young girls to look up to becoming an independent woman. Reading this section finally answered all my wondering questions. In the previous chapter about slaves how slaves were shipped from Africa to various locations in order to work. I wonder what happen back in Africa how the land, and house hold controlled was. When the men were shipped away the women took control and they became so used to this lifestyle it became natural to them, and when the men came back they did not want to give their control back. This reminded me a lot of World War II when the men left for war and the women took control over the men’s jobs and they ended up liking the opportunities they had they did not want to give it up. So they ended up fighting for the same right as men in order to have the control they once had when the men were gone.

Blog #11- Industrial Revolution

When reading this chapter about industrialization, my mind already reflected about to the times I watched the Olympics. I remember when I watched the Olympics where it was in London, Germany, and Russia, and the opening day were the country does a performance based on the history of the country, I remember that London, Germany, and Russia in their performance they emphasized on the most was the industrialization period in their history. Through their performance it was always told the industrialization period of the country’s history was the most important aspect and made the county what it was. When reading this chapter all I could was imagine each of these countries performance. When I read about Germany industrial break through, I remember their performance were there was a whole bunch of worker entering on steel beams. It made it easier for me to read and picture the industrial period, thanks to the Olympics. The industrial period was a major step in every country because it was allowing the country to evolve and it was a sign of progress. It was really interesting to read how the life expectancy was 39 years old and it had declined. I could understand how the life expectancy decrease due to the living style of constantly breathing in smoke and the hard labor everyone faced. It was shocking how Strayer described the streets during this time, how filthy they were; no wonder why there were diseases being spread. I cannot imagine living in an area filled of filth and constant smoke in the air, I feel like I would die because I am an asthmatic, I barley can walk into a perfume store without getting close to getting an asthma attack. I wonder if people died a lot due to respiratory problems, knowing how the air was constantly cover in smoke, and it was rare if they got a breath of fresh air. It was surprising to read how much woman worked during the industrialization break through knowing that men did not want them to work. I think women carried out a lot of duties one can handle; they probably worked harder than the men. Due to the women working in textiles then to go home and take care of the household and kids, while men just worked. Women today still do this they go to their job then come home to another job of taking care of the children and the household. Women should be greatly appreciated and respect for as much as they do. I found the industrialization period pretty interesting, reading how it was different in each country, and each country specialized in certain products and dealt with this period differently than one another. This period is part of the echo of enlightenment how the society is progressing to achieve perfection. It also has reflected on today culture how was work and trade. How each country continues to evolves through industrialization by making new product. Today I think we handle it better and allowing the life expectancy to increase within industrialization. 

blog #10- Echoes of the Atlantic Revolution

I always enjoy reading about woman rights and how women fought for their rights. It was really interesting how the feminist moment came as one of the echoes of the revolutions, I never knew that. I though it came later after the revolutions, after a cascade of events. It was funny to read how far the women acted on the movements. My favorite part reading was how women would wear trousers under their dress.  That is truly a statement being made; possibly saying women are wearing the pants now. Can’t you just imagine these women in big Victorian style dress and when they lift up their dresses they are wearing men trousers.  I think women also took it to the extreme how the British women held a violent protest, by blowing up train stations, breaking department store windows and other outlandish actions. I bet the women definitely scared the men, they probably though these women are crazy. The violent actions the women did we unexpected because women we expected to act polite, and would not be smart enough to carry out those actions. They probably scared the men into getting their rights, which is funny to me. No wonder why men think women are crazy these days probably because of this violent protest. If the women did not act violently I think they would continue to be ignored and never get their rights. When they acted violently it opened up the men’s eyes like these women are serious they want equal rights as us and we should give it to them before they do anymore damage. Women have always acted polite when protesting like how Abigail Adams wrote her husband a letter explain why they should have equal rights, that did not work. Then during the French revolution the women create a group to explain why they should have rights, which did not work. It is sad to read that in order to get equality violence must be made in order for that to happen, which it should not be like that. Why does violence have to be the lead factor in order to get equality?  I think that is why we are so far from being able to achieve world peace because there must be violence in order to make a drastic change after the suggestion of it was proposed many times before.  It was really enlightening to read how women were finally allowed to get education, and be part of the politics. I found it really inspiring to me how women we drawn in to medicine. In my opinion I think women are more suited to be doctors, because everyone feels comfortable around mom. When everyone thinks of a woman they think of caring for the kids. If women are known to be a caring figure, then they are prefect for being a doctor because doctors are supposed to take care of people.  To most people a woman gives a caring sense that everything with be alright so people will feel more comfortable around women treating them.

Blog #9 -SND handout

Reading the sister of Notre Dame is really inspiring due to everything they were faced with especially Julie Billiart. How she continues to spread gods words with the challenges she had, while reading the passage I could interpret that she had a strong faith and passion. Julie Billiart was very courageous to teach religion; especially when the churches were closed and they were beginning to behead aristocrats. Julie Billiart and Francoise Blin de Bourdon were very brave especially as women to go against the French government during the Revolutions, as if they fought against the chaos to get what is truly right. I think Francoise Blin de Bourdon earns a lot of respect for the deed that she done. She gave up so much in order to help Julie Billiart, she even risk herself to get beheaded. Francoise could of gave up on the mission her and Julie Billiart had and return to her luxurious life with her family, like most people would, but she took a stand with Julie Billiart and went through with their mission despites the difficulties they face. Together they were able to get through the challenges that nearly seemed impossible to get through. I truly admire their faith, courage, and motivation. It must have taken a lot out of them to continue through with their vision especially because they were women acting out against men. When reading this it reminded me of the women club made during the French Revolutions to get women’s rights. I think women who stand up for what they want during the Revolution were very courageous because they were willing to put their life and their families life at risk in order to get what is right. I think women during the French Revolutions had more of an ideal strive, and had a more progressive intent to achieve a perfect society, unlike the men. I think the women fought more to get a perfect society rather than the men, of course the men wanted to achieve a perfect society but I do not think that had as much drive as the women. I believe the women had much more of a drive because they were faced with many more challenges rather than then men. They had to stand up against their country, the government, men, and their families in order to achieve what they wanted; they were very strong for this because they were willing to put their lives at risk in order to make a better society and a better life for themselves. Julie Billiart and Francoise Blin de Bourdon prove that women were able to make great accomplishment after the French revolutions and those women deserve to make contributions to their country instead of be confined to their homes. All these women made courageous acts and only encourage women in the future to continue to fight for what is right and have accomplishments that will benefit a lot of people in need, they all made changes in order to make a better society.  

blog #8 (7) Atlantic Revolutions chapter 16

It was really interesting how the revolutions began to start across the Atlantic; it was like it was a domino effect. First it was America then the French, then Haiti and so on. I always found the American Revolution enlightening due to it being how the land we live in began.  The enlightenment read from the previous chapter was very impactful to history especially to American history. I believe it was impactful because it gave the colonies in America to get courage to achieve their perfect society, but they could not if the British kept interfering. Due to the colonies in the America having the strength and motivation to start a revolution, it affected the world. I think America had an important role in this time in history. If America did not stand up against the British then the French would not have been encouraged to start a revolution in their country, or encouraged any other country to start a revolution.  When reading about the French Revolution it was sort of discouraging to read how they expected the same result or their needs to be met like how the American needs were met, but the French did not get what they wanted. It was really exciting to read the passage about the women’s club in the revolution.  I always believe women should have the same rights as men, and women have not been acknowledged for their attributions in history. For me it was exciting to read how the women create a club throughout the country to fight for the rights of women. I think it is true that “the laws favor men at the expense of women, because everywhere power is in your hands”, (Strayer, 790). I feel all the laws written during that time were only focused around men, particularly white men; they did not consider women status in the country. I did not understand why the women did not have a play in politics, without the women’s involvement they lost many opportunities the women could of gave politics. Women in politics are even affected today; no one wants a woman as president. There are many powerful woman figures in politics that already made big contributions but they do not let them achieve more.  It is like they are facing a glass ceiling in politics. Throughout history I do acknowledge the fact that the French Revolution did take into consideration of women’s rights.  Women should be granted more opportunities rather than staying at home to take care of the kids. The men were only losing out on the women’s talents that could have been beneficial to them and their country. If women had rights they would be acknowledge more for their contributions and would not affect the stereotypes of women in today century. Women are not inferior to men nor men are superior we are all equal, and making everyone equal gets us closer to obtaining a perfect society, and reaching the enlightenment goal, that people back then were trying to reach.

Blog #6 Science

I always had an interest for science it was always my favorite subject, and I always went out of my way to know about it. This period when science was introduced I believe was a crucial period in our history. It motivated people to make discoveries and understand the concept of our universe and without these understanding our world would not be evolving as quickly. My favorite part was reading how people used to believe how all the planets orbited around the earth due to humans being so superior in the universe. Over time new discoveries came about the solar system how they actually orbit. It was really fascinating to me to read how once the gain of knowledge and science cause people to turn against religion, as if the churches were telling lies to them. I believe it good to have knowledge of science and be religious, even though they contradict each other. It good to have faith from your religion when science does not have an explanation, and it’s good to understand science why things happen. There was even a song made based on the topic of science and faith. As I learned in art class science was a big impact on Art other than history. I remember reading how people would be desperate to gain knowledge, and they would hire people to break in and steal the source to gain knowledge. I think science was a big impact on mankind; it evolved us and made us to become the most dominated species. We have to thank the Greeks to giving us the knowledge they made huge contributions and discoveries. The Greeks were really evolved compared the society in Western Europe during that time. It was also interesting to read how different countries were influenced by the access of knowledge and science and wanted to Europeans theories or practices. Imagine if the Europeans did not share their knowledge to other countries they would have become so powerful and possibility take over other empires and then become the dominated empire. To me it was really frustrating to read how they did not let women be able to study with the men, and to read “the whole education of women ought to be relative to men” (Strayer, 746). Women should have the equal rights as men, who knows they could have made a huge contributions to the men’s work and share their insight that the men did not see. Due to inequality of women not getting an education end up affecting women for many years after, not allowing them to attend universities or getting an education. I think the inequality of men and women was established through religion because they would preach that women are inferior to men, so it would make sense why men only got education, because the “superior” beings should have access to it. The overall reading of science and how it affected the Era was very fascinating in addition to how it leaded to a Romantic Era which was a complete change.

Blog #5 Religion

I find religion very interesting, and the different values they have. It was really interesting how religion had begun to spread through many different countries and how they affected each of those countries. In history and now they always seems to be a fight with religion. I was really surprised the history of the Catholics in Mexico, how the bishop there was proud to say  he “destroyed 500 shrine and 20,000 idols” (Strayer, 729). That’s not something to be proud of. Strong believers of the church tend to follow the church’s actions, and I don’t think they were being good leaders. What happened to peace?  I like reading the part of Neo-Confucianism, I found their values to be interesting especially the part “intuitive moral knowledge exists in people…even robbers know that they should not rob” (Strayer, 737). This religion seems more morally and valued based, like what is right and wrong. I think Confucianism is much more peaceful than the Christianity and Catholic Churches.  Confucianism to me seems like finding your inner self and seeing what is right and wrong in your eyes, I think it is more rewarding to one, and understanding yourself more, in addition gives you strong morals and ethics. As in Christianity and Catholic it is like you have to follow their guidelines in order to be accepted by God, and they give morals and values. I think you can become a stronger person when you can find in your inner-self your own morals and values, it easier to sticks by because it is what you believe in, rather than forced to. Over all I think religion is a good part to be in everyone life, it does not matter which religion. I think religion gives you a good foundation, gives you strength, hope, and enlighten. It is always good to believe in something. While reading this chapter I felt like there was a lot going on all over the world as if religion was a wild fire. As if religion was the “trend” in that time. There were so many different religions being established and being converted it got me a little overwhelmed. I would feel like I don’t know what religion to pick or follow. Then again the religion in the area you lived in it seems like you had to be that religion or the church would punish you. Religion back then and now have become extremely different, although they still follow the same belief, but the way people express their religion is different. Take for example the Christians they worship through constantly singing songs as if they were sang on the radio with a band. I think Catholic worshiping style has not changed. Religion was a big deal everyone had a certain religion, and if you did not you were consider bad, but over time religion seem to escape people’s lives, or just worshiping method. Religion has truly evolved and tends to not have as much power as it did before, but religion will never go away.

Blog #4- Slavery

Imagine a world where slavery did not take place. If slavery never took place I believe we as a world would have been even closer to world peace. Without the practice of slavery never taking place it would limit a large amount of racism, and stereotyping. I was interesting to read how the African were very depend on by a variety of countries, since they were so dependent it on, they were necessary the dominant racism. All the other races such as Native Americans and Europeans died off quickly. The Africans cleaned up everyone’s mess and did everyone’s labor, they were a necessity, a vital part for countries to survive and strive. As much help as the Africans gave they were not treat fair but instead treated poorly. You should never treat someone who helped you with so much by treating terribly, it is just not right. Without the Africans, every country would not be where they are at today without their help and labor. It was just sad to read how the Africans were imported too many countries as if they were objects, and treated badly within every country.  I found myself getting mad when reading document 14.2 by Thomas Phillips, he described the slave as objects basically his inventory for his business. It seemed like he forgot that slaves are human beings, not object, the sad part about it is that people treated their pets better than they treated their slaves. I found it really disturbing how he describes how he marks his slaves with a hot iron; he describes it as little pain. I am pretty sure being branded with a hot iron does not cause little pain, it causes a tremendous amount of pain, he is burning someone’s skin it leave a mark. When they are getting branded they are at risk of infections due to the skin being damaged and it is more at risk towards bacteria. I wonder how many slaves died to being branded that lead to infection. The way Phillips talks about marking the slaves he acts like the slaves have no emotions, and felt no pain. It was just really sad to read how these slaves were treated as inventory for a business and were not showed any compassion. Not all slave owners did not treat slaves so terribly as spoke about in Olaudah Equiano narrative; it was once pleasing to read how slaves were treated with respect, and love. For instance, when one of Equiano’s owners got her all perfumed up and she ate dinner with the mistress and her son. I cannot imagine, when feeling comfortable in a new setting and felt like everything was going good, and then being kidnapped, then being exposed to a new disturbing lifestyle. I bet it was exhausting for Equiano to be constantly being bought and never being able to settle down, how do you live life being forced to live somewhere else every other day. It is like you will never have a home or what do you call home.

Blog #3- Economic Transformations

It was surprising to read how the import of spices had affect a lot of the dominate countries to want to take to control.  To me it is sort of funny to think that countries are fighting over spices. The fight for spices have token over control of the Indian Ocean. It was sad to read how India was the main producer for spices and they got no profit from it. I could not believe how the Dutch killed 15,000 people, an entire population just so they can have control of spices, which is too extreme. Why couldn't they have token those people and make them work for them instead of killing off a whole population. It seemed like they were desperate to have nutmeg as if nutmeg was a drug to them. I can see why spices were such a big deal and why every country wanted control over them, they were a delicatessen. Spices can make a tremendous difference in the taste of food, it makes food more appetizing. When reading this section about spices it reminded me of the movie A Hundred Foot Journey. It specifically reminded me of a part in the movie where this Indian guy brought over his spices and add them to a French lady about twenty year old recipe, she was mad that he was changing it by adding spices. When he added his spices it made a big difference in her food, then she started to include adding his spices to the food.  It was a really good movie I highly recommend it. Anyways knowing how big spices are used and depended on in today society and I cannot imagine how much of an impact it was back them.  They made many big discoveries that we depend so much on in cooking, such as sugar and the variety of spices. Imagining cooking and not able to have an access to a certain spice or sugar or not having it at all because it was not discovered yet. I wonder if food was really bland before the discoveries of sugar and spices. I figure spices was a big deal to these countries once I read how they were granted to make war in order to be in control of the spices they wanted. I think the Dutch got carried away with having control of the spices; they acted as if the spices were their life. In the end I thought the British was smart to take control of India due to India having a majority of the spices, thus the British would get more profit over the Dutch. The Dutch seemed to limit themselves to just nutmeg and cloves, although they were selling it for four times the price I don’t think they will be much profitable as the British.  It was really interesting how a lot of countries became involved in trade with Asia. It was like Asia had everything, which everyone wanted; I’m surprised that Asia did not capitalize on the trade to make their empire grow. 

Blog #2 Sweet Nexus

Reading the different viewpoints from the Sweet Nexus got my mind really thinking about other texts, about other what views am I missing out on? Reading the different viewpoints affects how you think and take in a subject. When I first read the text of how the owners would treat the slaves. It was very disturbing and I could not wrap my mind how someone can treat another human being in that such manner. How can you live the pain you cause someone or how can you live with the idea that you took someone else’s life. These owners would break the slave’s bone, and cut their legs off so they would not run away. I really do not understand how someone can do that to another human being despite them being inferior. We were always taught when we were younger to take care of our toys and property so they will last longer. The slave owner were not taking care of the slaves they were only abusing them. If they took care of their slaves then they would last longer. Other slave’s owner did take care of their slaves and allowed them to have a life because they saw the slave valuable, in addition helping them continue their business. It was also sad to read the last view point from a slave how it felt to be sold he felt betrayed by his mom he did not know he was going to be sold. If the slave owners took into consideration how the slaves felt and put themselves in their shoes maybe they would treat them more as a human rather than an animal. Then again I can see why these slaves owner did abuse the slaves because to the demand of sugar. If the demand of sugar wasn't needed or increased the owners probably would not abused them. Due to the increase of sugar demand the owner felt like they needed the slaves to work as much as possible to get their income, if the slaves were to revolt or slack off in work the owner would not be making a living for themselves. I can see both side of the argument but, like me and many will argue on the slave’s side due to how horribly treat they emphasize in their story. We only focus on the bad; we don’t necessarily see the big picture of why these slaves are being abused. 

Blog #1- chapter 13

I found it amazing to read how fast the Europeans expanded their empires through different continents. During their expansion they had the biggest empire, and the search for food to support the scattered empire. It was impressive that they did find a way to support all their whole empire that was all in different locations. It was really interesting that the European empire in North America received a variety of foods from other empires, instead of the standard foods that were selectively grown or given. Knowing how big the European empire was, what first came to my mind was how long will Europeans have control of all these scatter empires before one of the empires revolts against them. Controlling the mass area they had must have been hard, knowing that they are scattered and the only way to get to each empire is through ship rather than through land. As well as to lead and control a mass number of people that lived in each empire and to support them as well. I also thought how long did it take for the empires to finally revolt against them. I wonder if any other European empire revolt after the North America Empire did. When expanding an empire I would think it would be easier to conquer lands nearby, so it would be easy to control the empire, and then once the empire was large enough than begin to start empires on other continents. But I can imagine that the Europeans wanted to be the first the start an empire on other continents they probably thought it was free land and they would not have a problem obtaining it. It was really sad to read how Native Americans were treated when empires began to expand. Especially how the Aztec women were given to the men to become their wives, but the men raped and abuse them. I believe the Europeans were not grateful for the aide the Native Americans gave them. They definitely abused their powers over the Native Americans

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