Katniss Everdeen is a spunky, stubborn, and determined sixteen year old who has been taking care of her family since her father's death. Since then, she has braved punishment at the hands of the so called 'peacekeepers' who hold all twelve districts in a choke-hold of fear by escaping her district's limits and foraging in the woods to feed her family. This perilous existence has remained unchanged; until now. When her frail younger sister's name is drawn in the annual 'Hunger Games', a tradition devised by the ruthless capital to hold districts in fear, Katniss volunteers herself as tribute. Taking the place of her sister, she and a boy she knows only vaguely, Peeta, are taken to the capital to 'be trained in the art of survival' and to undergo frivolous makeovers to entertain the capital audience. And while Peeta genuinely seems to care about Katniss, she knows that only one tribute will leave alive. And she is determined for the sake of her mother and sister that that person will be her.
There are many commendable character traits to admire in Collin's cast of characters. Katniss is fiercely devoted to her family and will stop at nothing to protect them, even risking her own life to do so. Her alliance and friendship with Gale, a boy from her district is also to her credit; they meet while foraging for food and decide to look after one another and their families.
This story, with all of its rampant injustice reminds me of Rigoberta Menchu's testimony. I remember being struck with the strength and beauty of her spirit and the characters from this book are no different. Sometimes in the midst of the greatest evil, light is most visible.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Jurgis: A 20th century migrant worker
Chapters
21 through 26 fulfill all of the foreshadowing of gloom present in the first
five chapters. Many things have changed since the innocent, naïve, Jurgis, Ona,
and their family arrived in Chicago. Jurgis has lost his job at the
slaughterhouse because an injury prevented him from working for three months
and his employers won’t take him back. Ona died during the premature labor of
their second child and Jurgis is weary and embittered. After his child drowns
in the street, Jurgis deserts Teta Elzbieta and the family, becoming a tramp.
Even after everything Jurgis has suffered physically and emotionally, he is
still a fine worker and the farms where he pays for meals all offer him
seasonal work. Jurgis, now no stranger to the ways of the system, refuses,
knowing he will be out of work as soon as the winter comes.
While
Jurgis is traversing the countryside, he meets many tramps some who work, but
many of whom beg or steal. Jurgis has reached the point where he knows that as
an honest man and worker he will never get ahead. This point reached, he does
whatever he can to survive.
The
necessity of winter forces Jurgis back to Chicago where he finds work digging
freight tunnels. After another injury and a hospital stay, he again loses his
job and becomes a beggar. When a rich and very drunk young man gives Jurgis one
hundred dollars, Jurgis can’t believe that something actually worked out. This
feeling quickly dissolves when in the attempt to get change; Jurgis is swindled
by a bartender. After a fine and a short jail stay, Jurgis encounters Jack
Duanne again, and the two partner in a life of burglary and crime.
This
leads to working for a corrupt political boss, and enables him to earn eleven
dollars a week, go to music halls, saloons and to ‘wear a linen collar’. His
life settles into a routine until he happens upon Phil Conner, the man who
raped his wife. Attacking the man and beating him lands Jurgis into trouble
again, losing his job, and all meager political connections.
In
the earlier section of this reading, Jurgis’s travels through the country,
encountering farms that will turn him off the minute the harvest is in is so
reminiscent of migrant workers today and our class discussions. After our discussions and this reading, I think one of the greatest crimes against humanity is withholding the fruits of a person's labor and not giving them what they have rightfully earned. How horrible that this continues today.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Entering the Jungle
Jurgis
and Ona, recently arrived in Chicago from Lithuania, have high hopes for a
better life. Both are young, strong, and hardworking, and Jurgis is sure his
strength and work ethic will support a decent life for them and Ona’s family.
At their wedding reception, Jurgis and Ona discover that they are short of
funds to pay the saloonkeeper, as many of their guests have not contributed to
the festivities, as is the custom. The first chapter closes with Jurgis’s
determined declaration that he will work harder to make up the money.
Because
of his youth and physical strength, Jurgis lands a job at a local
slaughterhouse, and initially is thrilled to be part of the ‘marvelous machine’
as he terms the innovations of the enterprise. Indeed, the activities of the
slaughterhouse, hundreds of animals slaughtered every day with each worker
doing the same task over and over until the workers themselves operate like so
many cogs in a great machine seem like a miracle of nature to Jurgis. He does not understand his neighbor Jokubas’s
cynicism about the slaughterhouse, Jurgis is still caught up in the innovation
and his quick hire.
Both
Jurgis and Marija settle into their respective jobs enthusiastically, bringing strong
work ethics and eternal optimism to their grim surroundings. When they visit a
house that they are considering purchasing, the agent talks incessantly and
glosses over the house’s defects, leading the family to purchase the house. The
family is elated with their purchase, also buying furnishings and utensils for
their new home. During all of this,
Jurgis is making new friends and finding differing opinions. He doesn’t
understand yet why the other men hate their work and wish to work at a slower
pace. Jurgis is convinced he can rise and become a skilled worker, that the
quality of his work will facilitate a promotion. Unfortunately, this is just
the first of his errors; for ‘nobody rose in Packingtown by doing good work’. For
indeed, good work is not valued in Packingtown; meat from a pregnant cow or ‘slunk’
meat is still used even though it violates government regulation.
When
reading this account, several things came to mind. First, the incredible optimism
and strength of these immigrants. Just imagine how different our history could
have been if we had embraced these people, made honest work available, work
that utilized the intelligence, goodness, and spirit of these people. How much
better, both for us and them.
I
know more heartbreak is in store for Jurgis and Ona and their story was not an
isolated one.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Through the eyes of children: the plight of migrant workers
Add caption |
And the Earth did not devour him is a similar account, also told from the perspective of a young boy, filled with helplessness and rage in the face of his family's illnesses and struggle. Seeing the futility of his arduous labors, watching the work literally suck the life out of his family, this little boy's passionate rejection of his brutal reality is so powerful.
This reminded me of all the challenging jobs I have had in the past few years in the effort to pay for my education; I have worked eleven hour days in an 100 degree kitchen and I have worked in a factory wiring the insides of slot machines; nothing I have ever had to do for a living as a healthy adult compares to what these children did before reaching adolescence.
http://www.migrantclinician.org/issues/migrant-info/migrant.html
http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/treaties/migrant.asp
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/migrants.html
'Let them eat bananas': A modest proposal
As you can see, bananas are the only
food we should be eating. All of these destroyed economies and even lives have
been for this one sole cause: for us to eat bananas. The most frequently
purchased item at Walmart is bananas: go buy some today and support your banana
republic!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_republic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uneven_and_combined_development
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Guatemala's Story
Rigoberta
Menchu was doing the work of an adult before she was ten years old. Taking care
of her younger siblings and helping her mother pick coffee was an everyday
experience for this hardworking and persevering young lady. Her family toiled
for years, scrimping measly wages together until they could afford their own
farm, but even with their own land, the only way for the family to survive was
to work at a finca, a coffee
plantation owned by a rich landowner who more often than not was a politician
as well. This meant that everyone who worked on the plantation had to vote for
the owner (this was accomplished with armed soldiers and a public ballot, the
workers were not told they were voting, just ordered to mark the ballot as
directed). As disgusting and unfathomable is this situation is, a greater atrocity was that many times, Rigoberta’s
family and community members, were not paid their monthly salary, because the
overseers could report field workers received wages and keep the salaries for
themselves. As if this wasn't enough, two of Rigoberta’s brothers lost
their lives in these fields; one brother died due to toxic fumes that were
dusted over crops while the workers were in the fields and the other brother
died because in order for his mother to retain her job, she had to keep
working, even while her son was convulsing and suffering a slow death.
These
adversities would be enough to make many persons give up, but Rigoberta persevered
through all of this. After working all day picking coffee, she would go home,
complete chores, care for the livestock her parents entrusted her, and then
weave cloth to pay for food for her animals. This strong and hopeful spirit enabled her to
become a leader in a workers movement that actively opposed both the government
and brutal landowners. Her efforts were joined by other women, who together led
and fought for justice.
What
is so striking to me is the beauty and strength of Rigoberta’s spirit; instead
of being bitter or hating her people’s oppressors, she seeks change for her
people through demonstrations and her eloquence. Early in her
narrative, Rigoberta talks of how she loves the earth and the animals she takes
care of. What a gift, to see and appreciate good in the midst of such trials.
Perhaps
the harshest reality of Rigoberta’s testimony is the fact that her story is the
story of the Guatemalan people. Because
of the land and produce monopolies owned by ruthless corporations (such as the
United Fruit Company), this story is a common one. With some background
research, CIA involvement comes to light in these unjust dealings; a U.S.
enacted covert operation that deposed Guatemala’s president because he strove
to reduce the United State’s economic sway over his country. As can be seen from this narrative, the
actions of our government have destroyed communities and lives.
After reading this powerful narrative, I think the most powerful message that we can take away is that in order for this madness to desist, we must keep an active interest and demand accountability from our leaders and companies. If we don’t, the generations of ten year old Rigobertas, picking 40 pounds of coffee a day, will not only be the happenings of the past, but the reality of the future.
http://homepages.wmich.edu/~acareywe/menchu.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigoberta_Mench%C3%BA
http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/guatemala.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigoberta_Mench%C3%BA
http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/guatemala.htm
Friday, February 7, 2014
Swift’s Modest Proposal: his underlying message
So
many times in life, society is blind to the huge inconsistencies evident in
every day; people are either so burdened or indifferent that the truth no longer
holds the power to provoke action. This phenomenon can certainly be seen in
many aspects of our culture, such as prevailing wage inconsistencies between
men and women, the huge divides between those in poverty and the very rich, and
the rapid disintegration of small American farms when the need for whole foods
has never been greater. These issues are right before our eyes every day and
most of us seem indifferent to them, so understanding how the Irish population
took such a passive approach to England’s tyranny is better understood in light
of our own passivity.
That
being said however, passive as the Irish population was to England, nothing
prepared me for the extent of Swift’s mockery of the situation. His anger seems
directed in both directions: the abusers and the abused. Sarcasm is often used
as a means to communicate real concerns, and this piece is no exception.
Through the absurdity of Swift’s solution, infant cannibalism, we begin to
fathom the desperation of the poverty dilemma. In fact, cannibalism is the most
logical parallel Swift could have made to the real situation.
That
might sound strange, but it is true; consider England’s treatment of the Irish.
All of Ireland’s valuable land was under the thumb of disconnected English
landowners who had no interest whatsoever in their tenants. Trade was not
lucrative for any Irish person, the English made sure they dominated the
market. In other words, the English owned every facet of power, including the
ability to produce food. Most of Ireland’s population was in desperate poverty
and this was a direct result of England’s selfish occupation.
What
Swift was trying so hard to convey in his sarcastic diatribe was very simple; Wake up, the English are literally starving
you already; denying land and trade rights. They are sucking the life out of communities
and families and to sell infants to English gentry as a food source is no less an
accurate portrayal of the situation than what is literally happening.
Swift
was right; the English might not have made an overt market out of the Irish population,
but they sure created a system where they withheld basic human rights of dignity,
the right to an honest living, and readily available food sources. Swift’s comparison
is not strange at all; it was a very literal interpretation of what was
happening and an honest reaction to a horrible situation.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1080/1080-h/1080-h.htm
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/19/1171343/-My-Favorite-Authors-Jonathan-Swift-and-an-updated-Modest-proposal
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/19/1171343/-My-Favorite-Authors-Jonathan-Swift-and-an-updated-Modest-proposal
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1080/1080-h/1080-h.htm
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/19/1171343/-My-Favorite-Authors-Jonathan-Swift-and-an-updated-Modest-proposal
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/19/1171343/-My-Favorite-Authors-Jonathan-Swift-and-an-updated-Modest-proposal
Monday, February 3, 2014
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes: Making an Impact
Already in this course, a huge part
of class discussion has been directed towards personal efforts; in others
words, how does our new knowledge and concern translate into viable changes?
For Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes,
this question of using food to help others is nothing new. Organized in 1982 by
several local churches, this food ministry was founded by concerned persons who
wanted to help the community’s needy and struggling. Through the years, these
dedicated efforts have grown to include more area involvement and nearly
127,000 persons received food from Loaves and fishes in 2012. Their goal is
simple: a hunger free community. This is ambitious in light of the data. In 2009, 40.9%
percent of Kalamazoo residents were below the poverty level. That’s double the state percentage. As the data demonstrates, Kalamazoo residents are no stranger
to need, and many have felt deprivation keenly.
Even
though Loaves and Fishes was started by a conglomerate of churches, their
current values concur with the beliefs of many: inclusion, respect, diversity,
and stewardship rank among the most important. Their mission is one that all of
us can come and work together on achieving. Their strategy is simple; Loaves
and fishes partners with local businesses and runs regular food drives to distribute
the food and provide for the needs of the community. A great deal of their
efforts goes towards procuring the food and distributing it to other food banks
in the community. What is particularly impressive about this food ministry is
that they ensure their users get fruits and vegetables. Families can obtain
four days’ worth of food, providing for each family member.
What impressed me about this ministry is their focus on
providing good quality food to persons on limited income. So many food pantries
distribute mostly boxed, premade food that is of the lowest quality, but this
ministry has a higher standard. These days, that is rare.
Here is the link to the Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes website and other resources:
http://www.kzoolf.org/
http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Kalamazoo-Michigan.html
http://www.kzoogospel.org/
Saturday, February 1, 2014
What Trimalchio can teach us
Imagine a dinner table piled high with
every luxury, with hordes of servants bringing a plethora of new
dishes every other minute. Imagine a man who is so ridiculously wealthy that he
stuffs his cushions with precious scarlet wool and tosses around human life as
if it is worth less than his shoe. His
dinner guests are disgusted and discomfited by his outrageous behavior and to
put the capstone on the nightmarish evening, he enacts his death, having his
household and guests grieve as if he is dead and describes the elaborate plans
for his monument.
If our supermarkets resemble Trimalchio’s table with the ridiculous excess, then we resemble Trimalchio, banging his fist as he demands more and more. We have to realize that responsibility starts with us; if we change, then the individuals that are the Trimalchios of today will have to change too.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5225/5225-h/5225-h.htm#linkVOLUME_II.
http://www.chow.com/food-news/83216/7-shocking-food-waste-stats/
https://utahrecycles.org/get-the-facts/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)