Connected World Post#7: Be The Change, You Want To See

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Ghandi once quoted, meaning that you must change yourself to the way you want others to be changed. This could also mean many other things, but to different people. This passage about Ghandi’s Top 10 fundamentals for changing the world, has many different options and ways to change the world, but has different meanings to different people. One other quote said by him, “An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind,” means to me that you must forgive others, but for someone else, it might be the literal meaning.

To me, and many other people, Ghandi was a very good man. He has shown that violence is not always the good answer, and that a better answer can be found in a conflict. What he did was incredible. Through his theories, beliefs, and influence, he changed the world by giving theories to cease discrimination, give rights and liberation to women, and many other things.

Ghandi influenced many people to change themselves and the world around them. This symbolizes the power of one. The power of one means how one person can be powerful enough to be a symbol of action and change. Gandhi, being one of these people, followed by Mother Teresa, the man stopping tanks in Tiananmen Square and others. The power of one can be from protecting your home, to being killed in fighting for your beliefs. Ghandi did this by influencing people to change themselves.

Ghandi did great things, and what I have learned this year is that after all that Ghandi has done to try and make the world a better place; people are still not receiving the rights that they should have, which should be to cease polygamy, human trafficking, sexual abuse, slavery, and many others. What I have also learned, but through a video in class was that not just one person can change the world, everyone can make a difference.

I hope when I grow up, or even if I could start now, is to help people to receive their rights that they should deserve, which are not illegal, or help people in the state of poverty, mostly in Africa, to receive the resources that they need. I would also like to try being in an act of the power of one by changing the world, as another choice.

To find Ghandi’s Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World, go to this link: http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2008/05/09/gandhis-top-10-fundamentals-for-changing-the-world/

To find The Power of One Video, go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QzjqOl2N9c&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Froom305%2Eedublogs%2Eorg%2Fthe%2Dpower%2Dof%2Done%2F&feature=player_embedded

« The Quality of My Writing and Reading

The Quality of My Writing and Reading

I think that the quality of my writing has improved since the beginning of the year in both score and writing. My scores compared to the beginning of the year have shot up from 3’s and 4’s to 4’s and 5’s. My writing is now better in content/ideas, organization and every other rubric categories. This year, I improved these categories by thinking up better content and ideas and making my writing more organized. I have also increased my vocabulary quite abit, with the vocab sheets we have been recieving for homework. I hope to increase even more of my vocabulary by reading books next year, but I do not think that I have improved my reading at all this year. I hope to improve this skill next year, because this year, I have neither improved my reading nor my score. My reading is still at the same level, along with my score. I hope to make an improvement next year.

Connected World Post#7: Be The Change, You Want To See »« Connected World Post #6

Connected World Post #6

I’ve found another article, but this time by Daniel Chandranayagam, written on April 30th about Malaysia. It is called Malaysia: Humans as Commodities. This story is about Malaysia receiving the privilege of being investigated by the US senate for the trafficking of humans. 

In summary, this article tells that in the year 2009, Malaysia received the privilege of being investigated by the US senate for the trafficking of humans. News reports said that the migrants involved in human trafficking are mostly from Myanmar (Burma). Other foreigners were also taken by the government officials to the Malaysian-Thai border, where most were extorted or sold to human trafficking syndicates.

I think that it is a good idea that they received this privilege of being investigated by the US senate for the trafficking of humans, because human trafficking should be stopped. I figure that it must not be such a good place to live in Burma, because I see that many people are trying to escape from there, but they end up as human trafficking victims. Not only in Southeast Asia that human trafficking should be stopped, but all over the world.

The Quality of My Writing and Reading »« Advice for Future 7th Graders: Homework

Advice for Future 7th Graders: Homework

To all future 7^th graders. This year is much more different than 6^th grade, especially homework. This year you will be receiving more homework which is more difficult than in 6^th grade. Be sure to do all your homework each night, or you will find on powerschool that your grades are going down. Most homeworks and assignments will be checked, but depending on some teachers, some may not. Try not to, but most people copy each other’s homework at school each morning, but if needed, I suggest that you should if you don’t want to fail.

Connected World Post #6 »« Reading Observations

Reading Observations

The three blogs posts that I read were by Alex, Eduardo, and Jules. What I noticed was that the majority of them don’t like reading books anymore or it’s too hard to read with all their distractions. The majority read books as a way to learn vocabulary, and it was difficult reading when they changed to a different language. Also the majority read books in different languages before reading in English.

What I noticed from the blogs that mentioned that they don’t like reading anymore, was that they are trying every day to start liking reading again. I sure hope they do. I, myself, don’t like reading certain books too. I’m glad to read that some people have English as their second language, and they are still able to read and write it well. I’m fortunate to like reading, but one day, I think I’m going to stop reading. I’m glad to see that Jules still likes to read, but  I’m sad to see that Alex and Eddie don’t. I hope that they start to read again, and not just if they are being forced to.

Advice for Future 7th Graders: Homework »« Connected World Post #5

Connected World Post #5

I’ve found another article by Mong Palatino, written on March 11th about East Timor. It is called East Timor: Reporter used SMS texts to expose corruption deal. This story is about a journalist named José Antonio Belo, who is facing a criminal defamation suit for texting transactions between Justice Minister Lucia Lobato and several business associates to a magazin company called Tempo Semanal.

In summary, this article tells that in March, a journalist named José Antonio Belo, was texting transactions between Justice Minister Lucia Lobato and several business associates to a magazin company called Tempo Semanal. The transactions were only about the rebuilding of a prison wall and the supply of prison guard uniforms. Minister Lobato argued that her privacy was violated. The journalist complained that he only wrote about the minister’s activities as a public official, not her private activities. He is now facing a criminal defamation suit, and if proven guilty, he could spend six years in jail.

I think that the idea of the arresting of Belo for texting about rebuilding plans and new uniforms is bias. The idea is not something to complain for as a private activity. I agree that he should have not texted those transactions in the first place, and reported them to Tempal Semanal, but why was it treated as a big deal. He should have the right not to be thrown in jail for that, but he should not receive the right to report anymore transactions between Minister Lobato.

In conclusion to this post, I think that Belo should not be thrown in jail, but he should not have the right to report any of the Ministers transactions. To find out more about this article, go to http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/03/11/east-timor-reporter-used-sms-texts-to-expose-corruption-deal/.

Reading Observations »« Connected World Post#4: Road to Heaven

Connected World Post#4: Road to Heaven

The author of the story that I chose, is named Abidah El Khalieqy. She is a very well known Indonesian Author. She is the author of five novels, one of which, Perempuan Berkalung Sorban [The Woman with the Headdress] was recently made in to a film. She has also published one collection of short stories and one collection of poetry.

The story she has written that I am using for my blog is about a girl, whose mother died. But when she died, she had a smile on her face; something that she never had. So when she is taking her mother’s dead body to the hospital in an ambulance, she is praying the whole ride long, about things that her mother once told her, between her mother and father’s relationship. When she finishes praying the whole story of her mother’s reason about her never smiling because of her father, the story ends.

The theme of this story is basically, how the girl’s mother dies, and the reason that when she died, she finally had a smile on her face. It also told of her husband beating her, as the reason of her never smiling, and the reason of her death.

This story gives me an idea of how Indonesia is like. As said in my last post about Indonesia, how the women were divorcing their husbands because of polygamy, this must have also been another reason why. Women must also not be getting the right of marrying the man that they want, which makes this story related to my topic about human rights.

If this story was real, I would comment that the man should be thrown in jail for beating his wife. Women should get the right to chose who they want to marry. These men are probably only going after women, but then only liking them for a while. Then they probably start ordering or beating them. They probably also start marrying other women, which is called polygamy, and is the reason women in Indonesia are divorcing.

To read the story, go to http://www.wordswithoutborders.org/?lab=ElKhalieqyHeaven

Connected World Post #5 »« Connected World Post #3

Connected World Post #3

I’ve been looking through more of Mong Palatino articles, and found that he had written a posts on February 14th about Indonesia. It is called Indonesia: Divorce and polygamy. This story is about women in Indonesia who are divorcing their husbands because of polygamy. More women in polygamous marriages are becoming more assertive about their rights.

I think that women should have the right to marry who they want and be able to divorce. I find even the fact of polygamy disturbing. Men should not marry other women while they’re already in a marriage. Women should step up and make sure that their husbands aren’t having a secret relationship behind their back.

That’s mostly what I have for Indonesia at the moment, but I have found a post about the Philippines by a blogger named Karlo Mongayo. This post is called Philippines: The Death of a Rebel’s Daughter. This tragic story is on the night of March 5, 2009:

Two armed men abducted a 20 year old teacher named Rebelyn Pitao. The next day, her dead body was found bearing ice pick stab wounds, signs of torture, and most likely rape. Rebelyn is the daughter of Lenicio Pitao, a rebel leader of the communist New People’s Army. Her mother claimed that Rebelyn was not involved in her father’s activities. But President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who remains in a war against the rebels, has denied military involvement in the abduction and murder of Rebelyn.

I believe that this woman should have not been abducted or murdered. She has her rights to say that she was not taking part of her father’s actions. So people should have heard what she had to say before they killed her for the reason that they thought she was involved in her father’s activities.

Connected World Post#4: Road to Heaven »« Connected World Post #2

Connected World Post #2

I’ve decided to stay with the same blogger Mong Palatino, for the rest of this unit. I looked through more of his articles, and found that he had written some recent posts around Southeast Asia, such as in Myanmar(Burma). This new post that I found is based about Thailand and Burma. It was posted in February and it is called Thai gov’t upset over Angelina Jolie comment on refugees.

In summary, this new article told that in Febuary, the American actress Angelina Jolie visited one of Thailand’s refugees camp which houses more than 18,000 refugees from Myanmar. Jolie is Goodwill Ambassador of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR). The government of Thailand is upset over the visit and Jolie’s comments on the plight of the refugees.

This post was said to be about human rights. I think that it said that, because people should have rights to express their thoughts and feelings. I agree with that, as long as it’s not commiting lese majeste.

I found some other research about human rights in Southeast Asia when I went to a book store the other day. In Myanmar(Burma), there’s something about the military dictatorship taking control over the citizens. People should have the right not to be harmed or touched by the military. I’m not to sure what is happening, but it has to do with the military. Information about this is found at www.redbandforburma.com which is DOWN FOR SITE MAINTENANCE AND UPDATE at the moment. There is also another site which gives all the details and information at CEOT.

Anyways, thats all I have found up to date. Just before you leave, I would like to inform you that, about the redbandforburma thing, you can buy your own bracelet to support the people of Burma. Or you can just support them in your hearts.

Connected World Post #3 »« Connected World Post #1

Connected World Post #1

My name is Simon Roy and I’m researching human rights in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia is a region made up of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar (Burma), East Timor, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. I decided to follow a blogger named Mong Palatino because he has writen an interesting story about Thailand which is quite recent. His recent post that advanced me with my topic, is called Thailand: “Red Siam” Manifesto. He has also writen other posts which are recent and based on human rights. But this one, I found interesting.

In summary, Mong’s article told that a Thai academic person named Giles Ji Ungpakor, is the author of the ‘Red Siam’ Manifesto which has lese majeste. He ran away from Thailand to avoid being caught for committing lese majeste. He was accused before that for offending the Thai monarchy in his 2007 book, A Coup for the Rich: Thailand’s Political Crisis. He is now staying in the United Kingdom.

I beleive that people in Thailand and Southeast Asia, should have equal and fair rights. But the law about lese majeste should never become a right. It is very disrespectful to the people in Thailand.

Finding this information was easy. I didn’t need to use google or wikipedia. I just used globalvoicesonline and received all my info to this article that I chose. The only hard part about it was, during school hours the connection with the computers was slow, so it took a while to get an article.

In conclusion to my first Connected World post I would like to say that this unit looks like it will be a difficult expericence to not write lese majeste. It does also look like it will be a good unit, to try and find any human rights in Southeast Asia.

Connected World Post #2 »