This gives me a new perspective on the hardships crossing borders. I never really realized how many sacrifices people make to cross the borders to try and have a better life. Many die. The immigrants are so determined, and long for a better life, and work to reach their goal, even when their world is falling down. I think it’s very important that we are learning their perspectives. I learned that immigration is due to many things, but mainly a failing economy. I’ve heard that there are many starving people in the world, but it never really clicked. In the video one man said something like, “I only want one good meal, but that’s impossible.” That stuck with me. I never really realized how lucky I am to have good food. I feel sad for the people who try their best in life, but can’t live their dream, and can’t support themselves and families.
Labor issues also came up in the movie. Workers in Niagara, and many parts of the world including our country, aren’t given the fair amount of money in return for their hard work: farming, making clothes, picking fruits, coffee, cacao, etc. I had an idea that unfair labor may be closely linked to immigration in some ways. It is crazy how many people in the world don’t do things for the greater good and let people suffer because of money and greed. The video so far has helped my understanding of immigration because the visuals were so powerful, like the men drinking water that was falling from roof gutters while on their journey to a new country…
This video connects with Ask Me No Questions because in both cases they want a better life, and are trying to reach their goal, even though there are many risks involved. Both parties are trying to be silent and are trying be unseen and unheard by the government and others. The characters from the book and the men in the video both long to succeed, and live healthy, happy lives. Maybe someday those hard working, “unseen”, life-sacrificing immigrants will get a voice and live better lives.
Immigration is such a complex topic—it’s hard to break it down because there are so many factors involved.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Log 4 (Borders)
“But Uncle, Abba says that this is just a bad time, but we can always go across the border and start again.”
“Borders!” He yells. “What do you know of borders! Do you know what happened to my grandmother when she fled West Bengal? They murdered her! Neighbors turned assassins. Those Hindu mobs, they came upon her in the road, and they killed her. And not just her, but two of her children! Little boys, younger than you! What about that? You think you can just start again? I see you there! Sitting around , fat and lazy! What are you going to do?” –page 44
I found these paragraphs very powerful. It may seem like her Uncle was being very harsh, but I think it was the best way to get his important point across. These paragraphs leaped out of the page because they were so powerful—the stage was set just right for the meaning to be at its best. This gave me a huge perspective on borders. Borders are such an important topic/subject/situation in many places in the world . I feel like borders aren’t talked about enough because there is an insanely huge amount of them and so many problems, wars, etc. to know about regarding borders. 192 countries are members of United Nations, so that can give you a sense of how many borders there are. There’s probably so much history to behind them. I think the history would trace back from a long time ago. It would be very interesting to learn about.
Again, this paragraph was so vivid. I felt like this sentence was extremely powerful: “You think you can just start again?”. This sentence really gives me a sense of borders in the real world. I agree with him. They can’t just start again. It seems so unrealistic. On another note, I was thinking if he said the same paragraph in a friendly tone and not in a heated argument; I think the meaning of it would be completely striped away. I think her Uncle has every right to state his important thoughts. I think this event will make Nadira stronger and more aware in the long run, but she mentioned it did start a chain reaction of bad things happening in her day. (It must have been a very difficult situation for her. If I were in her situation I would probably have to fight back tears.) Her Uncle seems like the kind of guy who doesn’t talk much, but when he has something to say, it is very important and meaningful. Sometimes I feel like her Uncle in that sort of sense, (not in the harsh way).
“Borders!” He yells. “What do you know of borders! Do you know what happened to my grandmother when she fled West Bengal? They murdered her! Neighbors turned assassins. Those Hindu mobs, they came upon her in the road, and they killed her. And not just her, but two of her children! Little boys, younger than you! What about that? You think you can just start again? I see you there! Sitting around , fat and lazy! What are you going to do?” –page 44
I found these paragraphs very powerful. It may seem like her Uncle was being very harsh, but I think it was the best way to get his important point across. These paragraphs leaped out of the page because they were so powerful—the stage was set just right for the meaning to be at its best. This gave me a huge perspective on borders. Borders are such an important topic/subject/situation in many places in the world . I feel like borders aren’t talked about enough because there is an insanely huge amount of them and so many problems, wars, etc. to know about regarding borders. 192 countries are members of United Nations, so that can give you a sense of how many borders there are. There’s probably so much history to behind them. I think the history would trace back from a long time ago. It would be very interesting to learn about.
Again, this paragraph was so vivid. I felt like this sentence was extremely powerful: “You think you can just start again?”. This sentence really gives me a sense of borders in the real world. I agree with him. They can’t just start again. It seems so unrealistic. On another note, I was thinking if he said the same paragraph in a friendly tone and not in a heated argument; I think the meaning of it would be completely striped away. I think her Uncle has every right to state his important thoughts. I think this event will make Nadira stronger and more aware in the long run, but she mentioned it did start a chain reaction of bad things happening in her day. (It must have been a very difficult situation for her. If I were in her situation I would probably have to fight back tears.) Her Uncle seems like the kind of guy who doesn’t talk much, but when he has something to say, it is very important and meaningful. Sometimes I feel like her Uncle in that sort of sense, (not in the harsh way).
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Free Log (Vultures)
“In this country we are still only visitors. We must be very careful. If we offend or break the law, we may bring the wrath from our hosts.” He sighs. “Boys like Tareq, they don’t think. They just do. They’re not good for our community. They’re vultures feeding off our fears.” –page 36
I found this paragraph very powerful. I linked a picture of a vulture because its body language was the perfect fit in this paragraph. If you look into its eyes you can see it is very intense, ready to pounce. It also seems a little fearful and sorrowful. This picture is perfect because it makes this paragraph complete and also describes Tareq very well. I also think of Tareq as a tiger because that’s his nickname and it fits him very well. In this case, tigers and vultures same similar qualities, which I find very interesting.
I found this paragraph very powerful. I linked a picture of a vulture because its body language was the perfect fit in this paragraph. If you look into its eyes you can see it is very intense, ready to pounce. It also seems a little fearful and sorrowful. This picture is perfect because it makes this paragraph complete and also describes Tareq very well. I also think of Tareq as a tiger because that’s his nickname and it fits him very well. In this case, tigers and vultures same similar qualities, which I find very interesting.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Log 3 (Nadira's knack for describing characters)
“Ma calls him Bagh’a, which means “tiger” in Bangla, because he’s got this wide face with narrow eyes and a fearsome temper.” –page 33 (Describing Tareq)
“His name is Tim, and he has hair the color of orange wheat and freckles on the backs of his hands. He’s so tall he had to stoop a little when he shook Abba’s hand.” –page 39
I’ve noticed that Nadira has a knack for describing people. From reading her introductory sentence of a character I get a clear image of the person and their personality. She also describes the characters’ actions in such a way that contributes a lot to their personalities. I can picture Tim as a nice man because the tone she used to describe him was very friendly. I also think the phrase “orange wheat” stood out as friendly, and as a result, contributed a lot to the friendly tone. On the other hand I can picture Tareq as a hotheaded guy because she used the phrase “fearsome temper”. Nadira also did an excellent job describing his nickname and face; it contributed a huge amount to him being hotheaded. I love the contrast between Tareq and Tim. When I read the descriptions one after the other I get very vivid, powerful images. I think picturing the contrast of the two side by side creates even more powerful images than reading about them in different pages in the book.
“His name is Tim, and he has hair the color of orange wheat and freckles on the backs of his hands. He’s so tall he had to stoop a little when he shook Abba’s hand.” –page 39
I’ve noticed that Nadira has a knack for describing people. From reading her introductory sentence of a character I get a clear image of the person and their personality. She also describes the characters’ actions in such a way that contributes a lot to their personalities. I can picture Tim as a nice man because the tone she used to describe him was very friendly. I also think the phrase “orange wheat” stood out as friendly, and as a result, contributed a lot to the friendly tone. On the other hand I can picture Tareq as a hotheaded guy because she used the phrase “fearsome temper”. Nadira also did an excellent job describing his nickname and face; it contributed a huge amount to him being hotheaded. I love the contrast between Tareq and Tim. When I read the descriptions one after the other I get very vivid, powerful images. I think picturing the contrast of the two side by side creates even more powerful images than reading about them in different pages in the book.
Zuckerman’s Second Awesome Idea (extra entry)
I took this sentence from Zuckerman's post to DavVaughn's blog post #3 and responded to it because I thought it was very interesting and extremely well worded.
"I also think that the stress level should open peoples eyes to the skills of others, not shove them deeper into the shadows."
I am not sure if I agree with the first half, because how would stress lead to people acknowledging other people’s skills? In this situation it looks like it is going to be true. Nadira seems like she will shine above the stress and her skills will probably be acknowledged—so it will probably become true in this book. Nadira might also improve and/or gain new skills because I believe people gain/improve skills from stressful situations. I love and definitely agree with the second half of the sentence. It is excellently worded and it is important when going through hard times to not be negative with others, and definitely “not shove them deeper into the shadows”. I think the sentence is very important because it states several key points, and gave me a new perspective and way of thinking of stressful situtations.
"I also think that the stress level should open peoples eyes to the skills of others, not shove them deeper into the shadows."
I am not sure if I agree with the first half, because how would stress lead to people acknowledging other people’s skills? In this situation it looks like it is going to be true. Nadira seems like she will shine above the stress and her skills will probably be acknowledged—so it will probably become true in this book. Nadira might also improve and/or gain new skills because I believe people gain/improve skills from stressful situations. I love and definitely agree with the second half of the sentence. It is excellently worded and it is important when going through hard times to not be negative with others, and definitely “not shove them deeper into the shadows”. I think the sentence is very important because it states several key points, and gave me a new perspective and way of thinking of stressful situtations.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Zuckerman’s Awesome Idea
“I have never thought about the world as a place with no boundaries. Never thought of it as a place where anything can come from anywhere.”
Zuckerman’s idea is very relevant to the book and our lives. I too, usually imagine our world as a world with boundaries. This makes me think back and realize that there once was a time when there were no boundaries. There was a time when people and animals roamed the Earth. Now a days everything seems to be just so. This country is located here, and this country is over there… People have been fighting over land… Earth is such a different place. It is important to realize how Earth has changed to prepare for the future. We must take action so that not all land will be “touched” by mankind, meaning no modernization, settlements, etc. It would be a shame to completely lose all the natural beauty of Earth. I think this idea of boundaries will come up again and again and be a big theme in the book.
Zuckerman’s idea is very relevant to the book and our lives. I too, usually imagine our world as a world with boundaries. This makes me think back and realize that there once was a time when there were no boundaries. There was a time when people and animals roamed the Earth. Now a days everything seems to be just so. This country is located here, and this country is over there… People have been fighting over land… Earth is such a different place. It is important to realize how Earth has changed to prepare for the future. We must take action so that not all land will be “touched” by mankind, meaning no modernization, settlements, etc. It would be a shame to completely lose all the natural beauty of Earth. I think this idea of boundaries will come up again and again and be a big theme in the book.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Log 2 (chapters 3 and 4)
“A few years later the men with ledgers got their way. When the British left as rulers, a new map with new borders was laid upon us. This was called Partition. Bengal was finally lopped in half: one part belonged to the new nation of India and held mostly Hindus. The other part, where we lived, held mostly Muslims and belonged to the other new nation, Pakistan. It was a funny kind of map, since Pakistan lies more than a thousand miles away with India in between.” –page 21
What struck me the most in chapter 3 is that British men split Bengal into two parts to separate their religions and races. (That is how I interpreted it...) I think the British men created the tension that is now between the split up country. I wanted to know why did they split it into two parts? 1. I don’t think they belong there, intruding and messing with another country. 2. The country does not belong to them. 3. What is the purpose-do they want to take control? And 4. What is the point in creating tension and breaking the harmony between a country where the people share the same love and passion for it? I guess many people in the world don’t do things for the greater good, which is really a shame… After reading this chapter the British seem out of place. (It would be interesting to get a British person’s perspective.) I am a little puzzled after reading this section because I don’t understand how the British divided up the country, and I don’t know the country’s name… Chapter 3 was full of details. Personally I like reading about Nadria’s reflections on her country, borders, and stories rather than the current events that are taking place in the book.
What struck me the most in chapter 3 is that British men split Bengal into two parts to separate their religions and races. (That is how I interpreted it...) I think the British men created the tension that is now between the split up country. I wanted to know why did they split it into two parts? 1. I don’t think they belong there, intruding and messing with another country. 2. The country does not belong to them. 3. What is the purpose-do they want to take control? And 4. What is the point in creating tension and breaking the harmony between a country where the people share the same love and passion for it? I guess many people in the world don’t do things for the greater good, which is really a shame… After reading this chapter the British seem out of place. (It would be interesting to get a British person’s perspective.) I am a little puzzled after reading this section because I don’t understand how the British divided up the country, and I don’t know the country’s name… Chapter 3 was full of details. Personally I like reading about Nadria’s reflections on her country, borders, and stories rather than the current events that are taking place in the book.
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